Author's note: bit of a recap here and Hotch's reactions

Disclaimer: do you reckon Megz could marry Mark Gordon and then technically half of it would be ours? (hmmm nope probably wouldn't work)

Through the Darkness Chapter Seven

He had heard enough. He didn't want to hear anymore. The conversation he had just overheard the girls having playing over and over in his mind. His mind reaching the same conclusion every time. After he had picked up Jack, Jessica had phoned to say she was on her way home and wondered if he wanted to go out for the night and she would look after Jack. Taking her up on her offer, Hotch headed straight over to Emily's apartment. He arrived at her apartment to find the door was left open slightly, he crept in and made his way towards her bedroom, where he assumed she would be, reading one of her geeky books. When he reached her room he heard voices, so he stayed outside to hear what was being said.

"Only is one way of doing it. Just tell him straight." Garcia... what's she doing here? And tell who what?

"That simple eh?" Emily...

"Nothing is ever simple, Emily, you should know that. But you've got to do something. You can't carry on the way your going, that's only going to end in both of you getting severely hurt." JJ's here too... who's going to get hurt?

"What? More than he will if I do it now. Now or later, it won't make a difference."

"Yes it will. He'll be more hurt because you were sneaking around behind his back, because you lied and weren't honest to him. And you can't avoid Hotch, nor can you bury you head in the sand over an event as big as that." WHAT? What event? She wouldn't lie to me, or be dishonest... wait...no... she couldn't have...

"JJ is right Emily. You have to tell him. Be honest. To yourself and him. You'll pull through it, together." Emily couldn't have been dishonest, she would do that to me, to Jack.

"But Pen, you don't understand. Hotch can't take another hit like this. What if he can't cope? What if our professional relationship is affected as well as our personal? What if... Argh, this wasn't meant to happened, it shouldn't have happened, it's all my fault!"

Hotch felt a deep sickening at the mere thought of Emily with another man. What's worse is he never even saw it. This is what he did for a living, but he couldn't see the signs. He couldn't listen to it anymore, he headed straight out the apartment and over to vehicle, only to be stopped by JJ when he reached it.

"Hotch, wait..."

"What JJ?" he snapped.

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to see Prentiss. I came to see how she was feeling. But clearly she's fine with you and Garcia there, she doesn't need me." Hotch turned back round to get into his SUV.

"Hotch. Wait, what did you hear?" JJ asked, dread building up in her.

"Enough. Enough to know she doesn't want me around."

"What? Why do you think that?"

"You were in the room with her. You know why. She's been lying to me. Sneaking about behind my back – "

JJ eye's widened as she realised what Hotch thought the conversation was about. "No! That's not it!"

"No! Then what is it JJ?"

"I... I can't, you need to talk to Emily."

"I'll rather be on my own just now. I'm sure she has enough to talk about with you two in the room. I've got to get home to my sick son." Hotch then started up his engine and drove off before JJ could get another word in.

JJ stood for a minute before heading back into the apartment. She grabbed some wine glasses and a couple of bottles and headed back into Emily's room.

"Take your time" Garcia teased as she entered the room.

"What took you so long?" Emily asked.

JJ looked at the floor, wondering if she should tell her. Not tonight. "I need to go to the toilet."

"Ewww to much info!" Emily replied.

"Well you did ask..."

Author's note: More to come...