her fathers daughter - criminal minds

Chapter 36: say it again

Paige and miles were ecstatic to finally see their dad and too be able to go home with him. The social worker left begrudgingly. Meanwhile Jess sat back down at her desk ready to continue working the case, she propped her head up with her hand, her elbow rested on the desk. She'd never admit it but she was exhausted. "Agent green?" She looked up to hotch walking over.

"Hey, hotch everything okay?"

"Have the kids left with mr hughes ?"

"Yep, we successfully reunited a happy family" she smiled, a sense of relief rang through her voice.

"No you did that." He corrected her "if you didn't push so hard to look for their dad, they never would have found each other"

"Thanks hotch" she said bring a hand to her mouth as she yawned.

Hotch furrowed his brows "when was the last time you got any sleep?"  It takes her a second or two to think but he interrupts her "yeah, if you have to think about it then it's been too long, go home green"

"But—" Jess protested a little.

"No you need your rest"

"Please sir? I can help with the case!"

"Not when your sleep deprived you can't, go home"  hotch gave her a firm look and she eventually nodded reluctantly. Hotch left her to get some stuff together and as she stood up she felt a gentle hand on her lower back.

"Come on I'll take you home" Ethan said softly, obviously having heard the previous conversation.

"Its alright i can drive"

"Nope, you have been up for at least two days straight, probably more knowing you. It's not safe for you to drive. Please, let me take you home. If not for your benefit then for my piece of mind?" She really admired his concern for her and nodded.

"Okay lets go" she took his hand, intertwining their fingers and lead him out to the car. By the time they got to her house Jess had already fallen asleep, resting her head on the window.

"Hey sweetheart... Jess" he whispered, brushing a piece of hair out of her face as she gently woke up "your home"

She rubbed her eyes a little and kissed him "thank you again, i-" she couldn't believe she was about to say it, again. Her eyes widened in shock a little and her entire demeanour changed enough for Ethan to notice.

"What is it?"

"Um nothing, don't worry. I'll see you later okay?" She quickly jumped out the car before Ethan could say anything more. But he got out too and followed her out the house.

"Jessica what just happened? What has been going on with you recently?"she could tell by the look in his eyes that this had been playing in his mind for a while.

"Nothing what do you mean?" She tried acting dumb to him as she tried to get her key in the door.

"One minute you're all over me and the next you are practically running away from me what is going on?"

"Nothing!"

"Have I done something?"

"No, Of course not!"

"then what is it? Something happened in the car just now, what is it. Tell me I need to know" he said frustratedly.

She sighed "Ethan please not now."

"If not now then when?" She looked in his eyes, the guilt consuming her, she didn't know what to say to him.

"I- I don't know, look why don't you just come in and we can watch a movie"