Disclaimer: Not Mine

A/N – I love stories where JJ and Hotch have this secret life outside of the office that they manage to conceal from everyone. Probably because I imagine the characters go off together after every episode…. ;)

JJ stared down at the stick in front of her in absolute amazement. They hadn't planned on this.

"Hey, you okay in there?"

Great. They must have sent Garcia in to check on her. "I'm fine." She tried to make her voice as normal as possible.

"You sure, Peaches?"

Hating herself for lying, JJ winced, and gave her a lame, yet feasible, excuse. "Yeah, I just have really bad cramps."

"Oh, poor baby. I have some Midol in my office, I could get you some."

"That's okay. I just took something." The lies continued to spill from her lips until she managed to convince her friend that all was right in the world.

"She look petrified. I've never seen cramps make a woman go stark white." Morgan argued.

"And you're an authority?" Rossi challenged, not having given Garcia's medical report or the fact that JJ left the office sick a second thought.

"Hey, I grew up in a house full of women." He frowned, and addressed the part that was really bothering him. "Besides, when is the last time that JJ took a sick day?"

"She did look peaked." Alex commented.

"I'm just saying, it's not cramps." He was so convinced that his desk mate was in trouble it was all he could do to stay seated. But he knew JJ wouldn't welcome the interference.

Rossi rolled his eyes. "Then what is your diagnosis, Dr. Morgan?"

"I think she's got a bun in the oven." He couldn't help but remember the blonde's behavior the last time she found herself in the family way.

"She's not even dating, Derek." Garcia protested, not happy that they were discussing her friend when she wasn't there to defend herself but none the less, just a wee bit curious herself. Because it was true, JJ was never sick. She was like a freak of nature.

"She wouldn't necessarily have to be dating someone." Reid commented, drawing shocked looks from the team. "I'm not implying anything, I'm just stating a fact."

Rossi nodded and rubbed his goatee. "True. She and Will are still friendly. Maybe there is a reconciliation in the works?"

That idea appealed to Garcia. "Ooh, you think so?"

The Italian shrugged. "It's been known to happen."

"What's been known to happen?" Hotch asked, joining the team in the bullpen.

"JJ and Will getting back together." Garcia stated happily. "And giving my little peanut a baby brother or sister."

Hotch looked around for JJ, noticing belatedly that she wasn't present. "What?" He croaked. "Where did you hear that?"

"They are only speculating." Alex stated, giving the entire team a warning glance before turning to Hotch with an explanation. "JJ left work early. She isn't feeling well and the team decided to guess as to the reason why."

"She said cramps." Morgan said dryly. "I've worked with her for almost ten years, she's never had cramps before."

Hotch looked at the empty desk. "Well, it's a safe bet that she wouldn't appreciate any of you gossiping about her. If something is going on with JJ I'm sure she'll tell you when she's good and ready."

"Yeah, like when some whack job is bombing New York and her boyfriend shows up and announces it for her." Morgan groused.

"Maybe I should call her." Garcia mused.

"Maybe," Hotch growled, "We should let JJ be and all get back to work." He gave them all a pointed look then turned for the stairs.

Hotch closed his office door and reached for his phone in one movement. He blew out a breath. The team didn't know anything. They were just making wild assumptions. He listened as the phone rang.

She answered on the first ring. "Hey. I'm sorry, I should have told you I wasn't feeling well."

"What's going on JJ?" Concern made his voice was sharper than he intended.

"I'm just wasn't feeling well. I decided to take some leave and come home."

"You'd tell me if something was wrong?" His voice softened. He knew something was wrong, she wouldn't just leave without telling him otherwise.

"Yes, but nothing is wrong, Aaron."

"Are you sure?" He heard the long sigh on the other end of the line. "You know you can tell me anything. Talk to me about anything."

Her voice was very soft when she finally answered, "I know."

He was fairly certain that she was crying and doing her best to disguise it. He didn't know why, but he was determined to find out. "Why don't I run to that deli you like and pick you up a cup of chicken noodle soup? You said yourself that never fails to make you feel better."

"No, thank you. I appreciate the offer but it's out of your way."

"It's not out of my way and it would make me feel better checking in on you and making sure for myself that you're okay." He told her softly.

"Aaron, if you were to leave the team would really be in a tizzy. I guarantee you they are already debating the cause of my early departure."

"Well right now speculation has you and Will reconciling." He growled, not liking repeating the supposition any more than he liked hearing it. "And I don't care. I told you months ago that I didn't understand why we had to treat this like a dirty little secret. I love you. I don't care who knows that."

She didn't try to hide the sob that escaped her lips. "How soon can you be here?"

He smiled, glad she gave in. "I'll be there as soon as I can."

"What do you mean he left for the day?" Rossi growled.

"He said he had some stuff to take care of and he left." Morgan shrugged. "He didn't volunteer any additional information and I didn't press him. He is the boss."

"Well that's just – odd." Rossi huffed, looking at the darkened office of his colleague. "I mean, when is the last time Hotch ever took an afternoon off?"

"That's the point." Morgan scoffed. "I'd say he was long overdue."

Rossi's frown deepened. "I don't disagree with you but it's not like him. What was his demeanor when he left?"

Morgan put down the file he'd been working on and growled up at Rossi. "Dave, if you're so worried about Hotch why don't you just call him?"

"I'm not necessarily worried, I just think it's odd."

"Lots of odd stuff going on around here." Alex commented, offhandedly.

Rossi glanced at JJ's desk then back up to Hotch's office. "You don't think?" He let the question hang.

Alex chuckled. "No, I don't think anything other than the fact you and Derek tend to worry over your friends unnecessarily. They are both responsible adults."

It took Derek a minute to catch on to Rossi's unasked question. "What? You think JJ and Hotch? Nah. I mean don't get me wrong, but Hotch?"

"What about Hotch?" Garcia asked, having seen the gathering and wanting to be part of it.

"Rossi thinks JJ and Hotch are hooking up." Morgan cracked, making his opinion on the subject evident.

Garcia's eye's widened. "Really?"

"Never happen." Morgan stated emphatically.

"You seem pretty sure of yourself." Alex said.

"Don't get me wrong. Hotch is a great guy but he's not exactly JJ's type."

"Yeah, because tall, dark and delicious is so overrated." Garcia snorted. "I love you, but you are so off on this."

Derek narrowed his eyes. "What do you know, Baby Girl?"

"Oh I don't know anything." She was completely guileless. "I mean, nothing to support or refute your theory one way or the other, but I do know that Hotch is sweet and funny and kind. He's a great dad. He should be every woman's type."

"He is very attractive." Alex added. "He'd be a great catch."

"He has dimples." Reid commented, then shrugged when four sets of eyes swiveled to him. "Apparently a lot of women like them."

"He's wound way too tight." Morgan stated.

"He's focused." Garcia rebutted.

Morgan rolled his eyes. "He's a workaholic."

"It's called dedication." Garcia argued.

Rossi let out a loud whistle. "Okay folks, we might be getting off track." He needed to intervene before they were in the middle of another epic Garcia versus Morgan debate. They hadn't managed to solve any mysteries about the odd behavior of their two coworkers and he doubted they would. "Although I agree with you that Aaron is a lovely fellow, don't you think we'd know if there was something going on between them?" He let that sink in. "You know, Hotch probably just decided to do something special with Jack and JJ is probably genuinely sick. No story here."

JJ looked at the row of tests lined up on the back of the toilet. Each of them screaming 'dummy' in unity. She dropped her head. What was the likelihood of getting pregnant unexpectedly twice? They had been so careful. She would have laughed at the irony if she didn't feel like crying. During her marriage she had tried unsuccessfully for years to conceive. She heard the car pull into the drive and rushed from the room wiping at her cheeks to remove any tear trails.

She pulled open the door before Hotch even made it to the porch. She watched as he looked a silent inventory. "I'm fine." She smiled as he held a container of soup out to her. "I told you I didn't need soup."

"How about you let me worry about you for a minute?" He stepped close to her, his hand palming her face. His thumb gently rubbed her cheek. "Why don't you tell me what's going on?"

Her lip quivered slightly but she staunchly stated. "There's nothing to tell."

He gave a sad smile. "JJ, I can clearly see that something is bothering you."

She didn't deny it this time. "I just need to figure it out."

"You don't have to do that on your own you know. Whatever it is, whatever you need, I'm here for you."

She nodded, her eyes filling once again at his sincerity. "I know, and I'll tell you. I just need a minute to process it."

He reached for her hand, holding it softly. "I'm not trying to pressure you, Jay."

She moved into him, wrapping her arms around him. "You never do." She laid her head against his chest, letting his beating heart sooth her. "Maybe you should."

He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. "Maybe you should eat your soup while it's hot."

"Why do you even put up with me?" She questioned as she stepped out of his embrace and moved towards the kitchen.

"Eh, you're good in bed." He teased, knowing it would get a response from her or at least lighten the moment. He expected her to swat at him indignantly, he didn't expect for her to laugh, then dissolve into tears. "Okay, you need to tell me what's going on. Now." He demanded. "Are you sick?" He asked worriedly, framing her face, making her meet his eyes.

"It's nothing bad." She watched as he went white, obviously fearing the worst. "No, honestly, I promise you."

"Just tell me." He bit out, not happy with her avoidance any longer.

"Okay, let's sit down and talk." She moved back into the family room. "Oh," She said as she looked around the room. "Can you go and grab me my sweatshirt?" She rubbed her arms for affect. "I left it in the bathroom." He was already moving towards the stairs. She sank down in the couch drew a deep breath and waited for the discovery he was about to make.

Hotch took the stairs two at a time, his heart pounding furiously as he considered what could possibly be wrong. He raced into the room, eyes darting to and fro, searching for her elusive, stupid sweatshirt. He was just about to holler when he glanced back at the toilet. He reached for the door frame as he felt his knees begin to buckle. Steadying himself he moved over to see the assortment of positive signs lined up. Pregnant! She was pregnant! Derek would just love that. He laughed out loud, then sobered. They were pregnant.

JJ frowned as she waited for him to reappear. It'd been several minutes. She knew he had to have seen the multiple tests announcing that he was going to be a father again. She wasn't sure what kind of reaction he would have but the fact that it was taking him so long to come back down couldn't be good.

She rose from the couch and moved to the stairs when he suddenly appeared at the top of the staircase. She couldn't read his expression and stood frozen until he reached her. "Are you going to say something?" She finally asked, unable to keep quiet any longer.

He didn't speak as he pulled her to him and fused his mouth to hers, kissing her hungrily as his hands moved to rest on her slight stomach.

"I don't know how it happened." JJ said in wonder as they separated.

Hotch grinned. "I would be happy to give you a demonstration."

"Are you okay with this?" She asked worriedly.

"I'd be happy to show you how happy I am." He teased, as he pulled her to him once more. "I should throttle you for scaring the shit out of me."

"I'm sorry, I panicked. I stopped at Walgreens this morning to pick up a prescription and I passed an end cap with tampons and it dawned on me that I haven't had a period for a while. Then it occurred to me that I've been feeling kind of wonky. I've been irritable and tired, and then, I just knew." She looked at him in stunned wonder, still not quite able to believe it. "So anyway, I bought a test to take this evening but that lasted for about a minute."

He flashed back to the scene upstairs. "So what's with the other twenty you have in the bathroom?" Twenty was a slight exaggeration.

"After my freak out at work I wanted to be sure and I couldn't get in to the doctor's until Friday." It all seemed silly now but her immediate reaction had been terror. They were both very committed to the relationship but another child had not been in the plans.

"When were you planning on telling me?' There was a slight undertone of hurt in his voice that he wasn't able to disguise.

She leaned up and offered him a soothing kiss. "As soon as I wrapped my brain around it." Then she teasingly batted her lashes. "I mean, I wanted to tell you right away at the office but since you insisted on keeping this relationship secret it kind of added to my anxiety."

"You are so not funny." It had been their one and only argument. He had wanted to announce the change in their relationship to the world the minute it happened. She wanted to keep it to themselves. In the end he wanted to do whatever made her happy because she made him so happy.

"Well you're about to get your wish. Everyone is going to know." And boy weren't they in for a double whammy.

Hotch could sense the tension in her. "It's going to be okay." He pulled her over to the couch and sat down, pulling her on to his lap.

JJ rolled her eyes at his easy reassurance. "You're going to get in trouble, in case you've forgotten, I'm still your subordinate."

"So I get reprimanded, big deal." He shrugged.

JJ sighed. It was just like him to downplay the severity of the situation. "You could get fired, Aaron."

"They can fire me, I don't care. Everything that I've given them over the past twenty plus years? I'm not going to feel guilty about falling in love with another agent."

She smiled at his declaration. Then worried, "The team is going to be angry that we're keeping secrets again. I can already hear Garcia now." She laid her head on his shoulder.

"Please, once Garcia finds out your expecting no one will be hearing anything for days." He made a mental note to have earplugs at the ready when they told the team. "Just think, anyone that dares to say anything will have to face her wrath." Hotch grinned at her. "Actually this is perfect. Good plan, honey."

She rolled her eyes at his optimism. "I didn't exactly plan this."

He studied her for a moment, taking notice of her red rimmed eyes. "You asked me how I felt about this, but you never said how you felt. Are you okay with the idea of having a baby with an old guy like me?" He rested his hand on her slim stomach.

"I'm seventy five percent terrified and twenty five percent thrilled." She said honestly. "That's better than the ninety five – five I started at." She cupped his face. "Actually just looking at you brings it to fifty – fifty. I'm sure by the end of the day I'll be five – ninety five." She giggled at him. "You said I keep you young. I want you to remember that when it's your turn for a 2 a.m. feeding."

He grinned at her. "I can't wait."

Thanks for reading!