It was Garcia's high pitched squeal that broke him from his thoughts.

"It wasn't months. It was only three weeks," Emily rolled her eyes. "It wasn't planned. I was getting ready to head back to London and it just clicked. I wanted to come home." Emily politely left out all the yelling that led up to that decision. "Then Hotch told me there was a chance I could come back to the team too."

"But did you have to wait until Hotch left? We could have had both of you!"

"Either way you would have one of us at the BAU and one working somewhere else," Emily wrapped Garcia in a hug."Garcia, breathe," Emily commanded. "Just be excited that I'm home, we can figure out a Hotchless BAU later."

"I guess," Garcia whined. "I don't like change but if you say so boss."

Hotch watched as Emily calmed Garcia down. There were times over the last few years where he wasn't sure how he made it through some of those cases without Garcia. And not just her hacking skills. The work she did on intake and organizing cases was invaluable. But it was her ability to smile through it all. He wasn't privy to all the inside jokes but he could see the weight lifted off Morgan or JJ's shoulders after a chat with Garcia. And she did so much to bring them together as a family. It was easy to shut out the world and get lost in your thoughts after a rough seventy two hours with minimal sleep but Garcia always gave them something to look forward to.

"You do know I'm not actually going anywhere right?" He said quietly as he stood next to Garcia. "What would my life be like without Penelope Garcia?"

"I'd say boring but you got that one now," she nodded towards Emily.

Hotch chuckled, "That is true. She will keep me on my toes."

"Promise me that we will see you all the time ok? You need to come to the BAU for lunch at least once a week. I don't care if the team is there or not. You. Me. Lunch date," Garcia rambled off.

"Of course. Aren't we a family?" Garcia looked at him with a head tilt and misty eyes. It wasn't often that he joined her in that sentiment. "I'll do lunch only if you promise to keep the wedding planning to yourself." Garcia tried to protest. Hotch raised an eyebrow at her. "I know you already have a bridesmaid dress in mind."

"Ohh you take the fun out of everything," Garcia admonished with a playful swat on his arm.

"Part of my charm. Let's not scare Emily away from me by moving too fast," he gave her a conspiratorial wink.

"Sir you are a big softy tonight. I like it but I'm concerned. What did you do with the real Hotch?" He just shrugged and went back to his drink. While strange it felt good to show this side of himself to the team again. They had gotten glimpses with Haley and Beth but even then he was holding back. Very rarely did he slip out of Unit Chief mode with them.

"Did we discuss yet how the women are taking over?" Tara asked bringing the group back together.

"Ooohhh," JJ, Garcia and Emily all reacted at the same time with wide eyes. Luke and Reid exchanged terrified looks.

"Lord Help us all," Rossi whispered before knocking back his drink.

"When didn't the woman run this team?" Will asked to stares from everyone. "You guys don't see it? JJ spent seven years deciding what cases you work on and Penelope saves your sorry asses every time. Emily's brains saved my life, and JJ's, even if you use her as a charming distraction for unsubs. Every one of the BAU ladies could take most of the guys in my department. Plus they put up with you three and Morgan for days on end. Saints, every one of them," he mumbled into his glass.

Hotch took advantage of the commotion from the other men to whisper in Emily's ear. "Yes, you are very, ah, charming," his eyes lingering on her cleavage.

"Have you been hanging around Morgan?" Emily blurted out as her cheeks turned red. Everyone stared at the pair. Emily tried to hide her embarrassed face as Hotch looked smug.

"This whole Hotch as an actual person thing is freaking me out," Reid said quietly to Tara. "He's not supposed to laugh or touch people."

"Funny, that's what we say about you." Tara tipped her head at Reid in a half shrug and crossed the circle to Hotch. "So trading in serial killers for LEOs?"

"I think I might actually prefer the serial killers."

"More excitement?" Tara asked with raised eyebrow.

"More predictable," he quipped.

"It should be interesting at least. There are a lot of changes ahead." Tara was watching Emily, Luke and Garcia laughing. Emily kept sneaking glances over to Hotch.

"No more travel size toiletries. Or living out of a suitcase. More than five hours of sleep at a time. I should probably learn how to make more than three dinners since I'll be home every night." He knew that wasn't what Tara meant by changes but she didn't press.

"That's more than me. I'm sure Jack will love breakfast for dinner every night." Hotch's ability to make breakfast quickly traveled throughout the unit after Hotch and Garcia made omelets together.

"The only time I was at home for more than two weeks since I started at the BAU I was recovering," he said distractedly. His surgeries, Haley and Foyet were swimming in his mind. Along with guilt that he would be willing to leave the BAU for Emily but he couldn't do the same for Haley.

"You deserve this change of pace then. Enjoy it,"Tara said softly as she placed a hand on his shoulder then walked away to leave him with his thoughts.

One of the things he liked about Tara was that she gave him space. Like Rossi, she was often aware of more than what she was told but she wouldn't bring it up first. She was genuinely interested in being a part of the team but she wasn't burdened by the knowledge of everyone's traumatic past. Or did she pry into it. Talking with her was one of the few times he wasn't worried about being profiled. And it made it easier to open up. Boundaries. That's what it was, Tara had boundaries. After almost fifteen years with the rest of the team they didn't know the meaning of the word.

"Let's go home," Emily whispered sleepily as she leaned into Hotch.

"I love that home means together," Hotch smiled into her hair.

"Don't get too excited. I'm moving into my own place," Emily said firmly with a pat to Hotch's stomach.

"Let me say goodnight to Jack and then I'm all yours."

"I should get Michael too," Will spoke up. "The missus is about to fall asleep." He carefully leaned JJ's half asleep head on Garcia's shoulder then followed after Hotch.

"Thank you." It came softly, almost a whisper.

"For what?" Hotch turned to face Will.

"Not letting Jen take that job. I know she can do it. But honestly I don't think I could handle it. Not with everything we have going on." That was Will, always supportive.

"I was only being selfish. I had to leave and it gave me a chance to bring Emily home. She was always going to be my number one choice."

"Well I owe you one. You two should come over for dinner sometime." When Hotch didn't say anything, Will searched his face. "You know Jen isn't really mad. She'll be fine by breakfast time. Until one of us does the next stupid thing to piss her off," he chuckled.

Hotch nodded as they came into the living room where the boys were engrossed in a game with Reid. "Not too late and no more candy," Hotch commanded eyeing the bags of sour gummies lying around the empty soda cans. The rule applied to Reid as much as it did the boys. Will got a sleeping Michael ready to leave as Hotch started cleaning things up. Rossi loved having the boys over, especially when he was home by himself, but if they ruined anything he was going to be in trouble.

"What time are you picking me up tomorrow," Jack asked after his turn finished.

"Around eleven. JJ and I are getting coffee before hand and I know how you love Uncle Dave's French toast."

"And then what are we doing?"

"What do you want to do buddy? I have the day off, completely off," he amended when he saw the look of doubt in Jack's eyes. The team was grounded so they could spend the next week transitioning. He could see Jack thinking it over. He made the face Haley used to when she was studying.

"Will Emily be there?"

"She's spending the whole day with Penelope. And if she has her way she won't let Emily come home." Hotch felt a twinge of gilt when happiness about having Emily gone for the day spread across his son's face. He wanted to say something to let Jack know that it was temporary and that he could talk to him if he was upset but he didn't want to ruin a good night.

"Let's build a fort! And play soccer in the park!"

"Sure thing. Be good, I love you." He gave Jack as much of a hug as the preteen would allow.

Hotch and Will, with Michael in tow, made their way to the foyer where everyone was gathering coats and shoes. Last goodbyes were said and one by one they trickled out the door. Hotch took Emily's hand to walk out into the night air but was stopped by Dave calling out.

"Hey kid, ya did good. I'm proud of you." There was a look of pride in Dave's eyes, like the one he got when he talked about Joy and Kai.

Hotch smiled back and offered a small wave. After all the goodbyes and heart to hearts he wasn't able to process any more emotions. One of the many reasons he hated when people made a fuss over him.

"I was talking to her," Rossi smirked. "Atta girl, Em."

"Night Rossi," Emily chuckled. "Come on. You did good too." Emily tugged on Hotch's hand and steered him to the car.

All the way back to his apartment Hotch thought about how lucky he was. He had a great son, the love of an amazing woman, a family that cared about him and a job that he enjoyed. The last few months were hard though, he almost lost those things. But now he was about to start something new, something good. A new challenge at work, a new chance to make his relationship with Emily work, a new way to connect with Jack.

Emily broke him from his thoughts with a squeeze of his hand after he parked the car. "Have I told you thank you yet for getting me to come back? For not giving up on me?"

"You being here is enough," he kissed her knuckles. "Let's go to bed." He got out of the car and lead her inside. If this was how his nights were going to go from now on he was ready for the changes ahead.

AN: And that's it for this. More will be added to Moments in Time and to You Must be Mrs Hotchner in the coming weeks. Thanks for the follows and comments!