AN: Taking a quick break from Independence to pen this idea after it occurred during a late night chat with whiteswan on facebook. It was just too good to pass up once my muse started running with it and she helped fan the flames of the idea until it refused to wait until I finish the epic. Haven't abandoned Independence, just enjoying stretching the creativity a little bit as a take a step outside my usual writing zone in more than one way with this story hope you all enjoy, reviews and feedback always welcome, thanks.

Chapter 1

Hotch didn't even look up from the papers he was signing as his office door swung open, only two people had the audacity to walk into his office without knocking and he knew Strauss didn't wear cologne as his senses told him David Rossi was yet again intruding on his work time.

"I'm busy Dave," he said finally looking up as the older agent settled into the chair across from him, noting the glint in the man's eyes that told him this little visit had nothing to do with a case.

"What, can't you take a few minutes from your day for an old friend," Rossi said in a conciliatory tone as he remained relaxed in the chair as if he might plan to spend the rest of the day there.

"Ok, fine, what do you want?" Hotch said as he pushed the file to the side before rubbing his tired eyes and focusing on his friend, silently acknowledging that the break might be good for him.

"Did you know that JJ and Will have now been broken up for over 6 months?" Dave announced, carefully observing his friends expression as he made the statement as casually as he could. He watched the array of emotions quickly flit across the face of the younger man before they apparently decided to settle on anger.

"Dave, I don't understand why you feel the need to update me on the personal life of one of my agents if it has no bearing to a case." Hotch finally ground out, hoping that Rossi would get to his point quickly and leave.

"Pardon me Aaron, I just thought I'd let you know, touchy touchy." Rossi said with a smirk knowing that his friend's anger was likely not going to improve as he continued but not letting this deter him from the reason for his visit.

"You must have forgotten Dave that I was just as aware as everyone else when they broke up, it's not like it was a secret considering she was sitting in the bullpen when the coward called her to tell her he was leaving and that Henry was with the babysitter." Hotch reminded his friend, anger flashing in his eyes at the memory of how Will had treated the woman he was supposed to love, the mother of his child. It was a well-known fact that their unpredictable work hours and frequent travels made relationships difficult but she at least deserved something face to face than such a cold dismissal. He had watched along with the others as she struggled to put the pieces of her life back together, spending a lot of time with the other women of the team as she did so while the men tried to be as supportive as they could while she found her way back to some sense of normalcy as she adjusted to being a single working mother. Recently they had all noticed that not only had the old JJ returned but she seemed happier than they had seen her in a long time.

"I know you are aware of the breakup," Dave chided his friend as if he was talking to a small child. "I'm wanting to make you aware of my intentions." He added with satisfaction as he watched his friend stiffen and look at him critically.

"Your intentions?" Hotch repeated slowly feeling his heart stop for a moment as he tried to see if there could be another way to interpret what the FBI lothario was saying, though it was difficult to see it as anything innocent considering the cat that ate the canary grin that had now spread across the Italian's face.

"Yes, I will of course try to be discreet but I think it's time that JJ had some romance in her life again." Rossi said smoothly.

"She might already have someone," Hotch quickly responded sharply, his statement sounding lame to his ears even as he said it as he knew the others were probably just as aware as he was by her body language that no such thing had happened.

"No, I already asked, Garcia says she's not seeing anyone but agrees she's probably ready, I just thought I should let you know first in case there were any team disruptions." Dave continued to smile at his obviously vexed friend.

"But Dave, there's regulations and rules about interoffice romance," Hotch almost stammered uncharacteristically as he focused on his friend, the files on his desk now long forgotten as he tried to digest what he was hearing.

"Oh please, like I've ever let those stop me." Dave smirked, his disdain for the office fraternization policies obvious. "Unless you have a better reason," he suggested letting his unspoken question hang in the air as he could see the wheels frantically turning in the unit chiefs head.

Hotch gaped for a moment as he tried to take in what he was hearing from his friend, wondering how Dave could even think of going after JJ. Finally steeling himself he took a different approach, "Dave, what even makes you think she'd look twice at you, I think she sees you more as a father figure," he continued to try and dissuade his friend.

"You leave that to me," Rossi said as he finally stood and moved towards the door, pausing as he turned to look at the younger man as if waiting for a parting comment. When none seemed forthcoming he gave a last smug grin as he closed the door behind him as he walked back to his office, his step lighter as he took a moment to glance at the beautiful blonde sitting in the bullpen, already anticipating the pleasure of what lay ahead for both of them.