Secret Lovers

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the ideas.

Thanks to my Beta for the song prompt: Secret Lovers by Atlantic Starr

. . .

Ten days later, the team walked back into the bullpen. It was late enough for most people to have left but not everyone, so not the latest flight home they'd had.

Erin was hovering on the walkway and made her way down to meet them. Though she was pipped to the post by a violet clad Penelope who came scurrying through the door with a tray of brightly coloured cupcakes.

"I thought you could all use a pick me up after . . ." Her voice trailed off not wanting to put into words what had happened over the last few days.

"That's very thoughtful of you, Garcia." Erin added, "In response to the recent events, it has been decided that once your reports are complete, then you may have a long weekend to recuperate. It is up to you if you wish to stay and finish up tonight or come in tomorrow, but I expect all reports to me by 5 pm tomorrow."

The team nodded their understanding, some even attempting a half smile of gratitude.

The case had ended badly. JJ and Morgan had found the still warm body of Tommy Bale. Alex Grafton had escaped. They had been moments too late. It had hit them all hard. To add to the frustration and disappointment, the team knew their actions would be scrutinised, which was why their reports couldn't wait.

The team seemed to scatter as they all opted for the complete the reports now options. Emily watched as Aaron headed silently up to his office, the slight slump to his normally straight shoulders was sign enough of how he was feeling right now.

Sitting down at her own desk, she made a start on her own paperwork knowing that whoever finished first that none of them would leave until they were all finished. After all, they were in this together.

. . .

A couple of days later Emily opened the door and smiled as Aaron stood on the other side. She knew he had pulled Jack out of school for the past two days. It wasn't something he made a habit of, but every so often a case came up that just made you reassess your priorities in life. This week had been one of those.

In fact, she had been surprised when Aaron insisted they keep their weekend together. Emily had assumed he would want to spend it with Jack, though Aaron had explained that he couldn't cancel the decorators without losing his deposit and that Dave actually needed some Uncle time after this week.

So, here they were at her place, avoiding the decorators and getting some valuable couple time.

"Are you letting me in or do I have to stand her all day?"

"Come in," Emily stepped aside as she spoke, closing the door behind him. She watched as he took his go bag down to her room. Emily headed back to the kitchen where she had prepped coffee and open the box with the carrot cake in from the little shop down the road. This weekend was about her getting chance to spoil Aaron the way he frequently did her.

Sat together in the lounge, Emily curled up next to Aaron on the couch. She held her steaming mug of coffee, blowing absentmindedly at the steam.

"I want to tell the team as soon as possible. Shall we meet them all for brunch tomorrow?"

"Really! What brought this on?" Aaron said, unable to hide his surprise.

"Life is too short to waste the time we could have together. I adore Jack and he has seemed to accept me being around more. . . And I'd like to be round even more eventually."

Taking her mug and placing it down Aaron pulled her into a hug, kissing her softly as he did so. He knew this was the closest he would get to her asking for more of a commitment.

"That sounds fantastic. You calling them or shall I?"

"I will," Emily snuggled closer into Aaron as she spoke.

"You realise Dave won't be there don't you?"

"Yeah, but I figured that Jack might well spill - especially under Dave's legionary interrogation skills. And if he doesn't, then we can tell him when he drops Jack off tomorrow night."

Aaron nuzzled into Emily's neck. "Sounds like you have thought this all through."

As his kisses travelled down to her collar bone, Emily suspected that the carrot cake might just wait until later.

. . .

Emily sat nibbling at her nails as she waited. What had seemed like such a good idea yesterday was now rapidly making her want to bolt for the door. Especially with the added issue of the throbbing headache that was developing behind her eyes. The combination if one glass of wine too many and a lack of sleep had left her feeling fragile.

Aaron placed the steaming cup of coffee down in front of her. Emily sniffed it hopefully. It was mornings like this that she wished she hadn't taken a decaf vow. How she dream of a rich roast fully caffeinated coffee. Sadly the beverage she had even smelt like it had something missing.

"You OK?"

"Yeah, just . . . How do we do this? I mean how do we actually tell them?"

"Tell us what, Hunny?" Penelope asked as she arrived at the table, a worried look on her face. "Is there something I need to know? You're not going away again are you?"

Penelope sat down opposite Emily and intense look on her face. Emily reached across and took her hand. "There is nothing to worry about, I promise. In fact I will guarantee you will love it. Now can you please just wait until the others get here as I need my coffee first?"

"Oh, has the DIY been that hard work?"

"The what?" Emily's face dropped back down as she realised that in her hungover state she had just been caught out by her own lie.

"I knew it!" Penelope picked up on the slip straight away. "DIY my arse! What have you been up to Missy?" Then she looked at both of her colleagues, her eyes narrowing behind her white spectacles. "Wait a minute . . ." She spun to face Aaron. "Weren't you decorating Jack's room this weekend? You aren't looking very grubby to me. What's going on?"

Emily looked up to see Penelope pulling her tablet out of her oversized bag and her start to tap the screen.

"I have ways of doing things you don't want me to do, even from here, so one of you had better start talking!"

Emily sighed. "Aaron and I have been seeing each other for a while," she admitted. "We were getting the team together over brunch to let you all know." Before Emily could say another word, she was engulfed in a crushing Penelope hug, with a shrill squeal resonating through her ear and around her delicate head.

Aaron finally stepped in to rescue Emily. "Penelope, would you like another coffee, seeing you have spilt most of that one."

Sitting back down, she nodded, her eyes glistened as the focused on Emily. "And while he is off getting that you have a few questions to answer before the boys arrive!"