AN--This has been a fun story, we hope you like it!

Chapter Three-

"Please tell me why, of all the bombers out there, they had to feature Adrian Bale?" JJ fumed, "Not only did he kill a friend of mine's husband, and he almost killed you too that day, but the guy is probably living it up right now in his cell because his life's work is featured in some museum!"

"He was one of the best." Hotch admitted, "but we did try to get him excluded from the museum for that very reason."

"So, they just want to stroke a psychopath's ego?"

"Sociopath." Hotch corrected unconsciously. "And they used him because he's so well known that people would notice if he wasn't in the exhibit--no matter how many people he's killed, or how much pain he's caused."

"Is that why they always have John Wayne Gacy in the serial murder displays at these things?" JJ asked as they made their way into the Famous Serial Killers exhibit. "And Charles Manson, who claims he actually didn't kill anyone?"

"Exactly." Hotch answered, his hand seeking out hers to pull her out of the way of a larger woman exiting the exhibit.

"The Tommy Killer" JJ read aloud off one of the displays, secretly loving the way his fingers felt through hers and that he hadn't made a move to let go yet, "The serial rapist case in San Diego who glued the victim's eyes open. That's a case I won't ever forget."

"I don't think any of us will forget it." Hotch agreed.

"Hey, look, Gideon's quoted here 'The Tommy Killer wanted to be known as somebody, but his crimes showed what a nobody he really was.' That's true!" JJ pointed out, looking at the plaque. She suddenly missed her old boss and friend.

Picking up on her slight mood change, Hotch squeezed her hand reassuringly, "I miss him too, all the time really. He was just one of those people that always knew the right thing to say when I would ask him for advice on things."

"You know if you ever want to talk you can talk to me right? I mean my apartment's a wreck because Henry's toys are all over the place and I never have time to clean, but you're welcome to come over any time."

"And help you clean? I don't think so." Hotch laughed, though grateful for the emotional support.

"Oh, you think you're so funny." JJ scoffed, knowing that he understood her offer, "Come on, Lauren said you were quoted in this museum."

"Well we don't want to go too quickly, we'd end up having to be in the same room as everyone else." Hotch warned.

"Eww," JJ grimaced, "if I have to see Dave and Emily 'be affectionate' with each other one more time, I think I'm going to vomit."

"You and the rest of the world." Hotch groaned as JJ laughed.

"So how's Jack? He seemed to be really happy when Hailey's sister dropped him off at work last week." She asked.

"Yea, we use Jessica as a go between so we don't have to fight in front of Jack." Hotch admitted, "But I took him to see that Wall-E movie and we went to this pizza place he likes, it's not great but it's better than nothing."

"I usually take Henry to the park near my apartment on Saturday mornings when we don't have a case, you and Jack should come one weekend when he's staying with you." JJ invited, "I do have to warn you that Henry likes to make mud pies, I have no idea why."

"That's better than eating sand like Jack used to do." Hotch laughed.

"So, how is operation 'Love Birds'?" Garcia whispered as she extracted herself from Kevin and moved to chat with Emily while Rossi was dealing with an enamored museum curator that wanted his opinion of everything.

"Good, I think. They're hanging back from the group, every time I've peaked back there, they're smiling a lot." Emily said hopefully, eyeing the curator. Emily trusted David Rossi, but she did not trust other women around David Rossi.

"Come on, let's peak again." Garcia commanded as the pair looked around the corner with stealth worthy of James Bond. They watched in glee as a younger man came to talk to JJ and Hotch put his arm around her waist protectively. Both women noticed the flash of excitement that graced JJ's face before she was able to refresh the mask of her emotions.

"Garcia please tell me that is not who I think it is gunning towards Hotch and JJ." Emily groaned, pointing to where the ex-Mrs. Hotchner was making her way towards the happy couple.

"Oh no no no! Code black!" Garcia whispered as she and Emily intecepted the angry woman 'accidentally'. Faking surprise, Garcia greeted, "Mrs. Hotchner what a surprise to see you here!"

"It's Mrs. Cartright now," Hailey said snootily as she flashed an expensive ring, "but what is Aaron doing here with JJ?" Hailey mused to herself, silently observing the couple that seemed very comfortable together.

"They're on a date." Garcia said, pointing out the obvious.

"I see that, but how long have they been dating? I haven't seen Aaron smile like that since Jack was born." Hailey asked, jealousy written all over her face as she watched Hotch and JJ move to the next display, still holding hands.

"Not very long" Emily replied vaugely, "He's really been there for her since Will died, but they only just started dating." She lied. She wish Will had died rather than leaving his young son and girlfriend, but Hailey didn't need to know that.

"I was always certain he was having an affair with her while we were married." She muttered to herself, the two women were sure that they weren't supposed to hear that comment.

"Yeah, but they make each other so happy." Garcia couldn't help but flaunt the couple's happiness--regardless of the fact that this was their first, and hopefully not only, date.

"I can see that." Hailey said, shooting a glare that the couple didn't see as JJ laughed at a whispered comment from Hotch. "Listen I've got to get going, my husband and I are going to the Hamptons for the weekend and I need to get our things together. Excuse me."

"By all means." Emily nodded, as Hailey almost stormed away, "Have a wonderful time on your trip!"

"Well that was close, too close--crisis averted." Garcia said, relieved that Hailey hadn't ruined their entire 'Love Birds' operation.

Feeling an arm around her waist, Emily leaned back into Dave's chest, "Hey, I was wondering what happened to you."

"Sorry babe, the curator just wouldn't take the hint." Rossi informed, "So Hotch just sent me a text asking for his keys and JJ's cell phone back. Can we give them to him?"

"Give them ten more minutes." Garcia cautioned.

"Are you sure? If we give the stuff back now, Hotch could take JJ home and our mission is accomplished." Rossi asked confused.

"Dave, don't question genius." Emily smiled as she turned around to face him and kissed him quickly. "Now I want to see the part they had on Jacob and Sarah Jean Dawes."

Thirty minutes later both JJ and Hotch managed to persuade the right people to get their prospective belongings back. Learning the new location of his car, they quickly extracted themselves from the group of profilers and began the journey to Hotch's car in amiable conversation. This date went a lot better than I thought it would, Hotch thought to himself, not knowing JJ was having the exact same thoughts.

"Hey do you want to get coffee or something before I take you home?" Hotch asked, helping her into the passenger side of his SUV.

"Sure" JJ smiled, suddenly noticing someone she knew crossing the parking lot towards them. "Reid!"

"Hey JJ." Reid smiled and quickened the pace with Austin at his side. "Hotch." He nodded towards his boss.

"I thought you guys were supposed to join us." JJ smiled knowingly.

Reid blushed furiously as Austin just grabbed his hand. "Yeah, we got stuck in traffic." Austin explained.

"Right. 'Traffic'. Well, you're in luck because I think Lauren and Morgan are stuck in a storage closet somewhere so the rest of the gang's still here." JJ informed, "Have fun, we'll see you at work Monday."

"Yea okay bye." Reid answered, practically pulling Austin towards the museum and away from JJ and Hotch in embarrasment at being caught showing up late because of 'traffic'.

"I didn't think a person's face could get that red." JJ commented as Hotch went around to the driver's seat, "So, where to Mr. Hotchner?"

"I thought that sneaking away from the group was your bright idea." Hotch smiled.

"Yeah, so we didn't have to deal with everyone watching us." JJ laughed. "You still didn't answer my question...where to?"

"It's a surprise." Hotch said mischieviously as he started the car.

Twenty minutes later they were stretched out on a blanket in Hotch's backyard taking in a clear view of the stars. "Wow, it's beautiful." JJ commented in awe of the view of the night sky, smiling when she felt a warm hand encompass her own.

"Yea, you are." Hotch whispered, but instead of looking at the stars his eyes were glued to the blonde woman next to him.

"Thank you" JJ whispered back, blushing almost shyly at the attention. Suddenly feeling shy, she deferred to the stars above her--knowing that Aaron Hotchner just happened to be a stargazer, "So, which one is Cassiopia?"

"See that group of stars all clustered together over there?" Hotch asked, pointing a little to his left, "That's Cassiopia."

Seeing JJ shiver just a little, he asked, "It's getting a little cold out here, do you want to go inside?"

"Actually, I have a better idea." JJ smiled, scooting over to snuggle up to him. "Now I'm not cold at all."

He wrapped his arms around her, confused at what she was saying. Looking into her eyes, he braced himself for the soft kiss she placed on his lips.

Ending the kiss after a few seconds, JJ sighed softly, "I'm really glad they set us up tonight."

"Me too." Hotch admitted, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

THE END

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