Eye to eye, heart to heart

Chapter 3: The Three Words

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We arrived at the police station soon enough. As soon as we arrived everyone split up straight away doing their own thing. Being a part of this team was the most amazing thing I could imagine, every now and then I took a second think about every member of my team. Prentiss is truly committed to this job and despite going through everything that she has, she trusts me with her life. Garcia puts the smile back on my face despite all the horrible things that we both see every single day. Reid is so young and so trusting it's refreshing being with someone so truthful. Rossi goes out of his way to help us with our problems and completely pours his heart into every case. Morgan puts his life at risk for others every day and I completely trust him with my life and know he is very protective of all those close to him. Then there's Hotch, I don't know where to start, he is a great, committed and loving father and boss, he would die for any of us and cares about this team with all of his heart, he's also got the most gorgeous eyes and smile I've ever seen. I snapped out of my day dream when Reid asked if any of the women had moved to town recently. I wasn't quite sure so I stumbled to the desk with all the files on it and picked up the top one. I scanned over the paper quickly.

"Nope," I said shaking my head. "They've all lived here since they were kids."

Reid gave a quick nod and went back over to Rossi to head down to the M.E. Hotch walked over to me,

"JJ, we should introduce ourselves to the sheriff before heading to the Shunter house," he said blankly. " sure" I agreed and followed him to the sheriffs office, and he opened the door for me.

" Hello Sheriff Downsby we spoke on the phone, I'm Jeniffer Jareau and this is SSA Aaron Hotchner" I said shaking his hand then moving aside to let them shake hands. I let them talk about leads and suspects before heading out with Hotch towards the SUV. He got in the drivers side, as usual, and started the car. I jumped in and fastened my seatbelt just before he drove out of the parking lot and onto the road. It was only a 10 minute drive but barely a word was uttered. Working like this was going to be hard. Once we pulled up out the front of the Shunter's residence Hotch went to open his door but I leaned over and pulled it closed. He gave me a 'not now' look but I didn't let go of the door. I decided to give him a quick kiss but it just turned into a long kiss. I pulled away finally, reluctantly.

" just because we can't be official doesn't mean you can just ignore me" I whispered to him calmly before kissing him on the cheek, letting go of his door and walking out of mine. He sat in the SUV for a second or two registering what had just happened. He slowly climbed out of the car and we walked to the door together. I grabbed his hand and squeezed it briefly just to let him know I was there for him. I knocked firmly on the door of the ordinary, suburban home. An older man came to the door wearing blue sweatpants and a grey t-shirt, he'd been crying. I flipped my wallet open to show him my badge, maintaining a genuinely sympathetic facial expression. I started speaking in a gentle caring tone,

" I'm agent Jareau, and this is agent Hotchner," Hotch gave an 'I'm sorry' smile, " May we come in?" The man moved aside and we both walked in. He pointed us towards the couch where a woman around his age sat wearing similar clothes. We informed her who we were and asked if we could talk, she just nodded with that never ending frown that everyone who goes through this gets. Once we were invited Hotch and I sat across from them. Hotch started speaking in a soft tone,

" I'm truly sorry for your loss, but we need to ask you a few questions about Kate" the Shunter's sat there his arm around her tissues in both of their hands.

" whatever you need," mr Shunter replied, his words empty. It was almost like he was just the outer shell of the happy person he used to be. We asked the routine questions, making sure to be cautious around sensitive topics.

-

After we finished with the Shunters we got back into our stereotypical, government-plated SUV and drove back to the police station. Everything was like it was before, he was talking to me like any other team member, it was nice. As we pulled up outside the small, under-staffed police station Aaron turned to me with seriousness in his eyes yet a hint of happiness in his smile,
" I love you," he admitted happily and shamelessly, his smile growing with every word. I grabbed his face and kissed him still in shock at how out of nowhere that came from.
"I love you too!" I said kissing him again running my hands down his soft, ironed dress shirt, feeling the firm chest that was concealed underneath it.
"But don't let this get in the way of the case," I added throwing him a cheeky smirk. He smiled back and nodded sarcastically before heading through the doors of the police station. I sat there for a second taking in everything that had just happened and smiling at the thought, that's when I saw Reid's shocked face a few metres away from me and my heart sank. He knew.