A/N: Hey all! I'm so sorry for the long wait! I kind of got distracted with the new season. But I'm back! Hope you all enjoy!

Super important note:

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Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds.

Chapter 25: Emily/Hotch/JJ:

Emily stared at the small house in a bit of a daze. She really wasn't surprised that Doyle had done this. She'd expected it, actually. But they were all under the impression that the entire team had gone. It wasn't Rose's fault that she didn't get the memo. The decision to leave Ashley behind had been a last minute one on the brilliant Strauss's part.

Morgan came to stand by her; they both stared at Ashley's house solemnly.

"There's at least four people inside, according to infrared," Derek let her know.

Emily let out a sigh. "Oh Ian, always one for breaking the rules."

"We've got a hostage negotiator setting up," he continued. "A lot of good that's going to do…"

"Derek—" she started, but he cut her off.

"I know, I know, any other way and we've got a bigger chance of losing her," Morgan assured her that he understood.

"We've got SWAT too." Emily tried to make him feel better. "They should be setting up snipers in the neighbouring houses. One way or another, Derek, we've got him. There is no way he is getting out of here tonight. He's backed himself into a corner."

"Yeah," Derek agreed. "I just wish Ashley went with the team."

"Me too."

They were interrupted by Mike coming to join them. "We're ready. We're going to make the call."

Emily nodded. Yes, they'd gotten a hostage negotiator, but she knew, and they knew that Doyle would want to talk to her.

Emily started to follow Mike towards the little tent they'd set up. But before she could take two steps she felt Derek take hold of her hand.

"We're coming," Derek called out.

Mike turned briefly, sparing them a knowing look before he nodded. Derek suddenly jerked her arm, pulling her around a SWAT van, out of everyone's line of sight.

"Derek, what are—"

The next thing she knew he'd pressed her body against the van and his lips were crashing down over hers. Her arms waved around for a second in surprise before coming to rest around his neck.

When he pulled away a second later she was seeing stars.

"What… what was that… for?" she questioned, breathily.

He gave her a small smile. "I just… we're just… we're so close to getting what we want…"

"What we want?" she asked cautiously.

"Us, Em… that's what we want… right?" It was his turn to be unsure.

"Yes," she breathed out.

His face absolutely beamed. "Good. I just wanted to make sure you knew that after all this is done I'm here," he paused. "So please, don't do anything crazy. All right?"

She scowled at him. "I never do anything crazy."

He gave her a look that made her feel the need to amend her statement.

"Ok, sometimes I do. But not this time," she reassured.

He gave her a wry look. "Just tell me everything will be all right and I'll believe you," he propositioned.

"Everything will be all right," she parroted.

"Good." He gave her another quicker kiss. "Now, let's go get that bastard, get Seaver out, and get your life back."

Hotch passed JJ on the plane on his way back to his seat; a look passed between them. The kind of knowing look, two people with a secret shared. He knew it was time. He knew he couldn't reveal what he had about Seaver and it not be time. They needed to know.

He felt JJ hover behind him, her nerves not letting her sit down. Everyone was gathered already and focused on him. He let out a mental sigh.

"What's going on Hotch?" Dave wanted to know.

"Why does Doyle think Emily's still alive?" Reid questioned.

"Yeah, doesn't the psycho know he killed our dear girl? Why is he going after Ashley now?" Garcia questioned, unhappily.

Hotch took a deep breath. "It's time you all know what we did…"

"What did you do?" Rossi accused.

"It was a decision I had to make in literally a split second," JJ took over. All eyes were on her now. "It was the only way I knew that we could keep her safe…"

Hotch took in his teams reactions, both Rossi and Reid's jaws had dropped. Garcia on the other hand looked like she was going to be sick.

"What's she saying?" she asked the two stunned men. "I don't understand, what's going on?"

Hotch glanced up to see JJ was more than a little concerned.

"Penelope—" JJ tried.

"No," Garcia practically shouted. "I need some… air…"

She quickly rushed towards the washroom.

Hotch watched JJ go after her. He sure hoped she could calm their excitable analyst. They needed everyone ready once they got back.

"What are you saying, Hotch?" Reid inquired, voice surprisingly hard sounding.

He let out a sigh before answering, "Emily is alive."

"Son of a—" Rossi cursed under his breath.

"And what, you three were never going to tell us?" Reid said, clearly agitated.

"We were, we just needed to get Doyle first," Hotch assured the young man, his explanation sounding lame even to his ears.

"She really is alive?" Dave asked in wonder.

Hotch nodded his head.

He didn't say more, hoping their silence meant they were attempting to process. He examined his two colleagues and friends. Dave seemed to be in genuine awe over the fact. But Reid, he was the hard one to read.

His face was definitely on the stormy side. Hotch knew Reid cared for Emily like a sister. When she 'died' it was a devastating blow to the young genius. But to know that she really was alive and just failed to let them in on the fact… Hotch knew that Reid—with his already established abandonment issues—might see this as a betrayal. Hotch just hoped Reid could look past the emotional side of this and see the logic behind what they'd done.

"So…" Reid broke the silence.

He still looked angry but at least his tone was resigned. Maybe he did understand.

"What's going on? How does Doyle know Emily's alive?" Reid finished.

Hotch breathed out a temporary sigh of relief. He settled into his chair and began to tell the two of them everything. He just hoped JJ was doing all right with Penelope.

JJ had finally gotten Penelope to calm down long enough to impart the whole story on her. To say she'd been pleasantly surprised would be a gross understatement. She'd practically jumped on her, causing them to both to titter dangerously, which would have been extremely painful in the tiny bathroom.

"Oh Jesus," Penelope breathed into her shoulder. "This is… wow…"

JJ chuckled. "Yeah… wow's a good word for it."

Garcia pulled back. "Does Derek know yet?"

JJ frowned. "I don't think so."

Garcia grabbed JJ's shoulders and gave her a bit of a shake. "He needs to know. He's going to be so happy."

"I hope so," JJ answered tentatively.

"I know he will," her friend stated definitively. "That man was so in love with her!"

"Thank you!" JJ exclaimed. "That's what I kept telling Aaron."

Penelope smiled. "Speaking of Aaron…"

JJ's smile faltered. "We should get back to the others—"

"Nah uh… no wonder you and Hotch have been so close recently. That's one big secret to be keeping to yourselves."

JJ looked down guiltily. "We really wanted to tell you—"

"It's ok, I get that part," Penelope assured. "I'm just glad some good has come from all this. Emily's alive… You and Hotch are together… good… that's what I choose to see."

JJ hugged her friend. "Thanks Pen, I just hope everyone else is as forgiving as you."

"They will be, it just might take time," Garcia assured.

JJ couldn't help but feel pensive about it.

"I hope you're right."

Well that's it for this one. Hope you enjoyed.

Thanks to everyone who's been reading and reviewing: Hotch Fan; lilli-glenanne; canny-bairn; ChocoboMuffins (yeah I know what you mean, the plot has been getting away with me, and that plot centers mostly around Emily/Morgan; but it will get back to JJ/Hotch soon); Come2MyRescue; JJandHotch4ever96; CriminalMindsWhore; mindspsychoaddict; jltmysterylover; and deeda.

And just one question for you all, am I and CriminalMindsWhore the only ones who got the Wheels Up reference at the end of the last chapter? If you don't know what I'm talking about check out this criminal minds music video: http:/ www . youtube . com / watch ? v=a4z3fsf6V9I

Just take out the spaces, or search on youtube for Criminal Minds: Wheels Up!