The Reveal
"Hey, what's Hotch and Garcia doing in the conference room?" Tara Lewis asked. It was a late night and they just got back from a heck of a case in New York.
The rest of the team smirked and Rossi had a twinkle in his eyes.
"Don't tell me we have another case!" the newest member of the team exclaimed.
"Oh, they're 'breifing' alright," Rossi smirked.
"What do you mean—oh!" Lewis exclaimed.
"Come on Lewis," Morgan teased, "even Reid knew there was something going on."
As if on cue, Reid answered, "Exactly for three months and two days."
"When did all this start?"
"Sometime after the Dirty Dozen thing," JJ answered, "they got real close when she was in protective custody."
"And she got wasted at Savannah's house and called Hotch to pick her up," Reid quipped.
Just then, Hotch walked out of the conference room.
"I'd like to see everyone in here," he commanded.
The team rolled their eyes—knowing full well what this was about.
Garcia could barely contain her excitement as the team sat down.
"Okay, so Aaron and I have somethikng to tell you!" she squealed.
"They probbably figured it out already," Hotch said. He leaned in Garcia's ear and whispered, "But this is just a mere formality."
"What's a mere formality?" Reid asked.
"Oh, don't feign innocence, Reid," Hotch smirked, "Penelope and I are-"
"Dating," Garcia finished, "We're totally in love with each other!" She leaned on Hotch's shoulder.
"For how long?" Morgan asked.
"Since the fiasco with the Dirty Dozen," Hotch answered, "I got to spend a lot of time with her. We got to know each other really well."
"We share many of the same interests," Garcia explained, "And he comforted me during the whole situation. Plus, a lot can happen when you're alone in an office with someone all night!" She giggled.
"Penelope!" Hotch chided.
"What?" Garcia whispered, "Like they don't know about your aggressive tenedencies anyway."
"O-kay," Rossi interrupted, "I guess that settles it: You owe me fifty bucks, Reid."
"Me?!" Reid exclaimed, "why do I owe you? I was the one who predicted how long it's been going on."
"Yeah, but I was the one who first predicted the relationship," Rossi argued.
Hotch's eyes narrowed.
"You were betting on our relationship?" he asked.
Rossi and Reid gulped.
"In that case," Hotch started, "Penelope, you owe me a twenty."
"Only if you give me what you owe me," Garcia whispered.
"You were betting on how long it took us to figure it out?" Reid asked.
"Your profilers," Hotch answered, "of course you were gonna figure it out."
"I just thought me and my favorite Unit Chief would have some 'friendly competition,'" Garcia added.
"Well, well, well," Rossi said, "this calls for drinks on me!"
The team hugged Hotch and Garcia and echos of "congratulations" buzzed through the couple's ears.
"As much as we love that, Dave," Hotch said, "I'm afraid we're gonna have to take a rain check. Penelope and I have plans." He held her close and the tech analyst let out a squeal.
"Oh, right," Rossi said, "Plans. Well, we can do it tommorow."
"Sounds good," Hotch agreed, "Don't bother coming to work tommrow. Enjoy your weekend."
As soon as the team left, Hotch twirled Garcia around and dipped her. Then, he growled, "You still owe me that twenty."
"Of course I do, Boss," Garcia laughed, "but you'll have to find it first."
