AN/Really, I know you thought I never would finish this story, but it's ALMOST done! There is one chapter left, so there. :)

"Alright boss man, spill." I heard Garcia command just as I was about to enter the break room.

Hiding myself around the corner, I smirked as I pictured Penelope backing Aaron against a wall as she pressed him for information.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I could hear Aaron's failed attempt to dodge the question. Rolling my eyes, I shook my head in disbelief. If he honestly thought he'd satisfy Garcia's taste for gossip with that answer, then he'd be in for a wild experience as she dug for any morsel of information she could get.

"Really? You think I'd believe that?" Penelope scoffed. "I'm looking for information, and I won't be satisfied until I strike gold."

I fought a chuckle as I heard Aaron bite back a snort of laughter. "Garcia I don't know what you're-"

"Tell him Derek."

My eyebrows shot up in surprise, I hadn't anticipated Morgan being in on this interrogation. "Hotch, man-you'd better just tell the woman what she wants to know."

"I think all of you need to back off." I heard Aaron warn. Though I could easily detect the humor in his voice, I also picked up on a slight amount of fear.

"Hotch," This time it was Emily's voice that carried towards her, "cut the crap. We know you're practically living together. We want details."

"I'm not afraid of any of you." Hotch said. I had to clamp my hand over my mouth to stop the giggle from errupting at the slight fear trembling in his voice. I'm sure I was the only one who picked up on it, but if I had a video camera to record that moment, I would have had the best video for the Christmas Party.

"I'm a trained interrogator." Rossi's deep chuckle was almost too much for me to handle. "I can break you." He teased.

Hotch chuckled, obviously relenting. "What do you want to know? I just might tell you." I could picture his confident smirk as I leaned back against the wall. Some times, things with Hotch just felt right.

And that terrified me.

Because I couldn't be so completely in love with Hotch that I was willing to let go of Will completely.

Was I?

"Do you love her?" I heard Spence ask him quickly. Suddenly, I felt incredibly uncomfortable listening to the team hound my "boyfriend" for details on his feelings. While they were all his friends too, I felt almost like a voyer, peeking in on a moment I had no business witnessing.

As I tried to quietly step back to my office, Hotch's reply quickly resounded in my ears. "Yeah, I do. I love her more than I ever thought I could love someone. Happy?" While his tone was joking, I could tell that his words were sincere.

Which only added to my dillema.

Because I wasn't sure I was ready to fall in love with Aaron Hotchner.

But I was pretty sure I didn't want to live without him.

And that scared me.

I slowly walked up to the headstone that I had been avoiding for months. The crisp leaves crunched under my feet with each step, and though I could feel Emily and Garcia watching my back intently, I was grateful they could watch my son while I shared this short moment alone with the man I used to love.

"Hi Will." I smiled as I reached the marble headstone I had completely avoided for the next little while. "It's been a long time."

That's not my fault, Chere. I pictured him smirking cockily as he sat on his own headstone. His presence felt so real I could almost see it. Almost.

"I know." I chuckled dryly. "I've...I've had a hard time lately." I admitted honestly.

Really? I could feel Will smirk sarcastically, I hadn't noticed.

"Shut up" I laughed under my breath, "You had it easy, you got to die I had to-"

Live? Will's presence in my mind supplied. Poor JJ, you got to live and raise our son.

My face fell at his teasing tone. Though this version of Will was only in my mind, I knew Will well enough to know exactly how he would respond. "I'm trying to apologize here." I said sarcastically as I raised my eyes heavenward.

Don't you get it Chere? You don't have anything to apologize for. Will's memory smirked at me happily. All I ever wanted for you was to be happy.

I smiled, for the first time feeling a weight that I hadn't known I had been carrying lifted off my shoulders. "I always loved you."

I know. Will's memory faded and I stared longingly at the gravesite in front of me.

Maybe I had just found my answer.

Sitting on the cool park bench later that day, I felt a cold breeze nip through me. "Five more minutes Henry," I called to the blossoming boy. Somewhere along the way, Henry had turned from a toddler to a boy, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia that my baby boy was growing up.

And looking more and more like Will every day.

He had Will's hair-Will's crazy cowlick that stood up in the back and refused to be tamed. When Henry was born, I used to hope it would grow out.

Now, I hope that he always has it, just like his father did.

Suddenly I felt a presence sitting down next to me. I smiled as Hotch offered me a cup of coffee, "Here. I thought you might be cold."

"I didn't expect you here." I grinned as I kissed him chastely on the lips, "I thought you were going to meet me at home."

Hotch shrugged though I could see how pleased he was with himself, "I thought it might be a nice surprise."

"It is." I scooted closer to him, seeping in his warmth. "Aaron?" I looked up at him, smiling at his chisled features.

"Yeah?" He asked when I hadn't spoken further.

"Aaron, I love you." I sighed as I leaned against him. "I thought I should just let you know."

He pulled back, his normally stoic face breaking into a wide grin. "Really?"

I nodded softly. "Yeah, I love you. I'm ready to be with you-I'm ready to move on."

One of the reasons I loved Hotch was his quiet and understated responses to dramatic events. I knew that our argument the other night had hurt him, and I was also painfully aware that I had yet to utter the three very important words. Other men might try to make a big deal about it.

Instead, Aaron leaned back against the parkbench and smiled, raising his arm along the back of the bench and pulling me in close to him. "I love you too, JJ. Don't ever forget that."

I didn't think I ever would.