And If I Fall, Let Me Part I: At Your Service - A. Hotchner x OC & Jemily

I don't know if I can

"What about Spence?" JJ asked. Alex hummed.

"One of them told him he was cute, and he couldn't handle it."

The three of them laughed until a young boy's voice interrupted them. Running up to them and hugging Emily's legs, Jack looked up at them, a smile on his face.

"Hi Jack," she said, picking him up. The young boy took a look at Alex and cocked his head at her.

"My dad said you have a puppy," he said, suddenly a bit shyer than before. The expression on Alex's face turned into a soft smile and she threw a look at the man who was walking up to them.

"Did he now? Let me show you," she offered. Wiggling out of Emily's arms, Jack followed Alex, a happy bounce in his steps.

"You realize he is going to want a dog now?" JJ asked Hotch, who stopped next to them. His eyes were resting on his son and a giant puppy, who seemed more than happy to have someone to play with him.

"Believe me, he has asked for one for years now," Hotch gave back mildly, crossing his arms, "I hope he will be satisfied with this."

"If you're lucky, he might," Alex threw in, her eyes lingering on Hotch long enough that JJ and Emily exchanged a complete silent discussion with each other. Something is different. With a smile, Alex turned to the group of girls, she raised her raspy voice.

"Let's go ladies! We will start with a warm-up. Turn to your left and start running."

The girls obliged with Morgan and Reid in tow. Cocking her head at the three of them, Alex grinned.

"You guys, too."

They unsuccessfully groaned but followed along. After a few rounds and a warm-up that made Emily realize working out hungover was a bad idea, Alex seemed satisfied.

"Now, split into teams of two. Agents Jareau and Dr. Reid from the FBI will show you what to do when someone dangerous approaches you."

Emily chuckled, nudging JJ's shoulder. Alex had been right. This was fun.

****

"Katie that's...wow, ok, well done," Alex said, stifling her own laughter when her niece managed to rip herself away from Morgan's grip, kicking his protective gear while doing so. The grunt from the man was enough to make Katie grin in satisfaction.

"Great kick, kiddo," Morgan pressed out, letting himself drop down, "I need a short break."

The blonde nodded and swaggered, not walked, over to her aunt. Alex threw her a water bottle, snorting.

"She's really good," Jack said, beaming up at the girl. Brutus had been successfully tired out, and both of them sat next to her, looking at the group. Katie mumbled a thank you in his direction and made her way back to Morgan, who only threw Alex a dirty look.

"Never again," he mouthed and shook his head. It only made her chuckle.

"Without a doubt," Alex smiled at Jack, giving Brutus a short pat on the head. Looking back up, she let her eyes wander through the room. JJ and Emily were demonstrating an efficient technique to break a nose that left the brunette gasping when JJ stopped inches from her face. JJ smiled at that, and Alex wondered if the two of them would work it out anytime soon. I hope they do. Steps approached them, and she had a pretty good idea who had stopped next to them.

"You're responsible that he wants a puppy now," came the voice of Hotch from her left. Looking up, she found him with his arms crossed, watching Jack and Brutus. He looked a lot more relaxed than the days before, and all she could think about for a second was yesterday night. Slowly standing up, Alex tried not to, but the soft smile on his lips was enough. Damn it.