A/N: This is going to be my very first story. I hope you guys like it. Just let me know if it's worth continuing. Please review!

I don't own criminal minds.

Chapter 1: The Encounter

The team came back late from a bad case in Ohio. Hotch decided to let them go home early. He knew everyone hadn't slept well over the last couple of days and sometimes the team needed a break from everything. Hotch didn't want to go home, he knew that the second he came home Haley would start another fight and he wasn't really in the mood for that at the moment. He was already dreading the next morning. If there was anything he hated, it was interviewing people for positions at the BAU. Most applicants were young and cocky and thought they could easily to the job. The job wasn't easy at all, Gideon and Elle were proof of that. The long days of looking at the worst that humanity had to offer made them all different. With every single case you would lose a little piece of you that you would never get back. The case in Louisiana was no difference. Six young girls between the ages of 12-16 were found dead. The case took a turn for the worse when another young girl was reported missing. Fortunately they were able to find her in time before the unsub did any real harm to her. Saving the girl was a small victory for the team, but it didn't change the fact that six girls died and that their families would never be the same again. Hotch couldn't even begin to think what he would do when something happened to Jack. His marriage was slowly falling apart, but two year old Jack would always be the most important thing in his life.

It was 9 pm and Hotch didn't want to go home yet. He also didn't want to stay in the office anymore. For tonight he just needed a distraction to think about something else other than chasing criminals and interviewing rookie profilers. He stepped in his car and left the FBI building. After driving for what seemed like an hour, he stopped at a little bar. He parked the car and walked in, he sat down at a stool at the bar and ordered scotch.

In the meantime JJ was sitting in her hotel room. She arrived in DC two hours ago and she had no idea what she could do. The nerves for the job interview the next morning were already beginning to surface. She knew that working with BAU would be a dream come true. Even though she was only 25 years old and with the Bureau for just a year, deep down she knew she could to this job. Her colleagues in the New-York field office supported her decision to fill out an application for the position at the BAU. A week after that she got a call and they told her they wanted an interview with her. Now all she could do was to think about what she was going to say. She heard rumors that the Unit Chief was an ass, so that didn't make her feel much better, but she decided not to let herself get scared away.

To take her mind of the interview, she changed and went to a bar around the corner of her hotel. Drinking her problems away were normally not JJ's way of coping, but tonight she wanted to enjoy.

JJ walked into the bar in her skinny jeans and a black top that fit her body perfectly. She decided that she wasn't going to stay to long, but she just needed a drink. She sat down next to Hotch and order herself a beer.

She looked at the man next to her and she saw he wasn't bad looking at all. He was the exact opposite, he was tall, dark and handsome. She thought making small talk might take her mind of things.

''So, I need some advice. Since you're a guy it might help me'' she said with small laugh forming on her face.

Hotch turned around and looked her in the eyes. The first thing he saw was how beautiful she was. He wasn't looking for anyone to talk to, but there's nothing wrong with giving a beautiful woman some advice.

When JJ saw him turning around she knew he was listening to her.

"See I have this really important job interview tomorrow, but everyone tells me that the guy I am interviewing with is an ass. So, I have no idea what I should do. Should I go back to my hotel room and prepare for the interview or should I stay here and try to loosen up a little?''

Hotch had no idea what he was supposed to say to her. He never had an interview with an ass before. Maybe Strauss would count, but she was even worse than an ass.

''If I were you I would loosen up and just see what happens. Oh and I could really use the company'' he said boldly.

''Okay. What brings you here, uhhh. What's your name?''

''I am Aaron'' he said, shaking her hand.

''Hi Aaron. I am JJ''

''Well it's nice to meet you JJ. And to answer your question, I had a really bad day at work and I needed to escape all the drama. I think I need to have more fun in my life. All I do is work'' he blurted out. He already had a couple of drinks and he was starting to feel better. He decided to take of his wedding ring. The last thing he wanted was to talk about his failed marriage and how he was sitting in a bar while his wife was home alone, taking care of their son.

''At least we have something in common. My life is work to. I wish I could change it, but it's who I am'' JJ said while ordering a shot of tequila.

''It's nice to know I am not the only one who has that problem''

JJ tried to change the subject, because she was tired of talking about work and all her problems. She saw a dartboard and decided to offer Aaron a challenge.

''When I came in I saw a dartboard. Would you like to play some darts?'' she asked.

''That sounds like fun. Are you any good? I know I am not'' he said while standing up from his stool.

''No I am no good to. Let's make it a game. We'll do a couple of rounds and the person that loses needs to drink a shot'' she laughed out. She knew she didn't suck at darts at all because she grew up learning how to play.

They walked over to the dartboard and began to play. Hotch lost the first four round and he realized she lied to him.

''You know I think I am only realizing now, that you lied to me. Normally I can read people pretty good. Somehow you are a mystery to me JJ'' he groaned.

''I am sorry, but it was funny to watch you try. Do you want me to teach you how to make a good throw?'' she asked with a huge smile on her face. She saw in his face he wasn't upset with her at all. There was something she really like about him. Even though they were drinking she knew she had a lot in common with him. And maybe her decision to come to the bar wasn't bad after all.

''Okay teach me. Maybe I will be able to beat you then''.

JJ stepped in front of him and took the right the position.

''So look at the way I stand. Put your right or left foot forward. You have to try to keep a balance and while throwing you should keep your fingers relaxed and your body as still as possible'' she laughed loudly, while watching Hotch lean forward and almost falling to the floor.

''You really aren't any good at this. Go and stand behind me. Put your hands around my waist and feel the way I move my body'' she said with a blush on her face.

Hotch did what she said. The moment he put his hands around her waist, he felt the electricity spark at his touch. He had never felt that way before. Maybe it was because he was drunk, but for his body it felt so right.

JJ felt the exact same thing when he touched her. Sure there were guys she really liked. The weird thing was that she never felt that kind of a spark before at such a light touch. And the shivers went through her entire body.

After showing Hotch the way to move. She decided it was his turn.

''Now show me what I taught you''

She started laughing when he screwed up again.

''Hey, it's not funny. It's not my fault that you're a pro at this. Where did you learn to play darts?''

''I grew up in a small town and at the local restaurants they played it a lot. I just grew up with it. How about you? Anything you're good at?''

''Yeah, I know something, but I am not going to tell you. It's my secret'' he said with a smirk on his face.

''Wow Aaron. The drinking brings out a different side to you. I know that I barely know you, but you just seem like the type of guy that always keeps himself together'' she said while walking back to the bar to take their former seats.

''You're right. I thought I could let go for one night. And by the way, you seem like the type of girl that doesn't go out that much. Why is that?'' he asked curiously.

''You already know me to well'' she said.

''I never was the partying type. I guess it's because I grew up in a small town and there weren't a lot of places to party. And like I said before, I think work is more important. I'd rather help people than hop from bar to bar all day'' she said.

''I totally understand'' he said as he opened his phone. He had six missed calls from Haley and a couple of angry text messages saying he needed to come home quickly.

JJ saw the change on his face an started to worry a bit. She knew she only knew him for a couple of hours, but he seemed like a good guy.

''Are you okay?'' she asked with concern in her eyes.

Hotch noticed the change in her eyes and thought that it was very sweet that she cared about his well being. There was something about her that was unexplainable. He decided not to talk about Haley.

''I am fine. I just saw the time and I realised it's 1 am already'' he explained quickly.

''Do you need to go?'' she asked with disappointment written all over her face.

''I am sorry, but I really think should get some sleep'' he said.

''I understand. Maybe it's better if I get some sleep to. I don't want to screw up my interview that badly. I guess this is goodbye than'' she said and started to walk away.

Hotch saw her walk away and something inside him told him to not let her go. He had no idea what was wrong with him, but he saw something in her he had never seen before. Her beauty wasn't the only thing that stood out to him. It was the way she talked about life.

''JJ wait!'' he blurted out before knowing what he just did.

His mind screamed go home to your wife, but his body said something totally different.

''Let me walk you to your hotel room''

''Oh Aaron, you don't have to. I can protect myself'' she said with a blush.

''Yeah I know, but you never know what can happen. Better to be safe than not to be safe at all'' he said quickly as he walked towards her.