AN: Final chapter, thanks to n2aabmmummy, deeda, NoReins94 and JJandHotch4ever96 for your reviews. Yes in my own little mental world the scenario that they hooked up when JJ left the bureau is what I cling to as a way to cope with TPTB dropping her from the show. Hope you enjoyed my little drabble and I'll get back to work on other fics. Thanks again for reading, hope I didn't downplay Emily's death to much, but this was predominately designed as a JJ/Hotch fic.

Chapter 3

As Hotch opened the door, Rossi entered followed by Reid, Morgan and Garcia, who had apparently not been on the porch when he first looked. Hotch didn't speak as he watched the subdued yet silent group file by as he made a gesture to the table of various drinks. Hotch was a little surprised as he rarely got visitors, the team saw enough of each other with work and travel that they rarely seemed to visit each other at homes, everyone holding their personal time as sacred. He supposed however that it was normal considering the shock they had been through that this would be a time they felt the need to really pull together as a team even if it meant gathering at his house, unannounced.

The room was silent with only the sound of glasses clinking as everyone poured their beverage of choice. Everyone found a respective resting place on sofa's and armchairs and turned to face their leader. Hotch began to feel like he was under a microscope before someone suddenly spoke, he had expected Dave to be the verbal leader, but to his surprise it was Garcia who first broke the silence. Her question causing him to feel as if he had been struck by a train when she calmly asked "We came here so we could all be together, so isn't JJ going to come out and join us?". Hotch's dumbstruck look likely gave it all away, as if there was any doubt, before Rossi called out, "Come on out JJ, we know you're here." The team watched the hallway expectantly, they were soon rewarded by quiet footsteps and the appearance of their former media liaison with bright red cheeks and the tears already threatening to spill down her cheeks, shame at being caught in a lie evident in her expression.

Hotch offered her comfort in his steady gaze as he reached out for her and pulled her close to him as if it was the most natural thing in the world with the teams presence. "How long have you known?" He finally asked smoothly, realizing at the lack of surprise evident on their faces, heart hammering as he wondered which secret it was they were aware of.

"Come on Hotch, you work with a team of profilers, you think we didn't know you and JJ had something going on well before her transfer?" Morgan asked, almost looking like the cat that ate the canary as he viewed the couple. "Can't believe you didn't have more faith in us than that, and JJ don't cry, if we were angry with you we wouldn't have come here."

"Well to be honest we only suspected until the swamp killer case in Florida, where he was feeding his victims to alligators while they were still alive." Garcia clarified. "I know I wasn't even there," she hastily added seeing the confusion on her bosses face, but I heard from Prentiss how she had gone out for ice just in time to see a certain team member slipping out of your room in the wee hours of the morning.

JJ felt her cheeks burn as she realized that she had been seen, slipping to her room just two doors down, clad only in one of Hotch's dress shirts with her own clothes bundled in her arms. There sure hadn't been a way to misinterpret that. She silently chided herself for their lack of discretion, but that had been shortly after they had discovered their feelings for each other were reciprocated and in the phase of stealing every moment they could to be together, so much for secrecy she thought wryly. She also had a new wave of comprehension at Emily's parting words of "Say goodbye to Hotch for me," with that ambiguous smile before they parted.

Hotch and JJ both remained silent, still not sure what they should say next as they observed their friends, watching for reactions and trying to gauge their emotions on the subject.

"When the state department transfer came up, we suspected there might be more to it." Reid picked up the story where Garcia had left off. Garcia did some digging and we discovered the marriage license.

"Which I must admit was not very hard to find, so I worked my magic to bury it just a little deeper," Garcia chimed in, a smug smile evident on her face. Hotch read the body language of the team, and was relieved to see that they didn't appear angry, maybe some traces of annoyance but no hostility was evident.

"So you've known all this time, why come forward about it now?" He finally asked.

"We waited out of respect to the two of you, also Rossi made it clear to us what Strauss could have, and likely would have done if this had been public knowledge. She could have used it to crucify our team, our unit chief and media liaison sleeping together while on cases." Morgan said matter of factly.

"I have to say though, it sure wasn't the smartest move, sleeping with a subordinate even while we were on cases," Dave gently chided. "I was really surprised that you would both would go against protocol like that, perhaps I've had more influence on you than I thought." He almost smirked as he winked at Hotch, "at least you stayed relatively discreet."

Hotch accepted the criticism but quietly squeezed JJ's arm to send her the message that he didn't regret it at all.

"I'm sorry, not for how things happened, but for not telling you all sooner." JJ finally broke, happy to have the pressure of at least one secret out. She accepted the graciously offered forgiveness and could not ignore the relief that she felt washing over her, not knowing how good it could feel to finally unburden herself of the secret. Without thinking or consulting Hotch, she found herself blurting out more, "I'm so glad you understand, and I have one more secret I need to tell you." She gushed, seeing looks of surprise on the faces of the now rapt audience who had not anticipated anymore surprises .

Hotch tried to look calm as he waited, wondering about the repercussions that could follow of breaking the regulations and telling the team of the real outcome for Prentiss. His gut clenched, knowing that JJ shouldn't be doing this, but was wise enough to leave the decision to her.

"I would have had to tell you about Hotch and I eventually she continued as with a small glow as she caressed her still flat stomach. I found out just last week that Henry and Jack are going to be big brothers." She shared the news watching the teams faces light up at the same time Hotch's shoulders sagged in relief, she knew what he had been thinking she was going to say and relished for a moment the rare opportunity to have surprised him. The sadness of Emily's loss was still evident, but it felt good to give some good news for a change, with hopes that one day, when Doyle was out of the picture, she could confess to the team once again along with the return of their missing friend.