Secret Lovers

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the ideas.

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

I can not begin to apologies enough for post this several days late but life has been a . . . . (insert your own preferred phrase - mine is unprintable). I won't bore you with the details but promise you that the final chapter will be up tomorrow night to make up for keeping you all waiting. Sooooo sorry.

. . .

The general chatter round the table somehow made Emily feel worse. She didn't want to interrupt the happy group. Though she knew she didn't have much longer as Penelope looked like she was about to burst. Nervously she glanced at Aaron, he obviously knew how she was feeling as he reached under the table and squeezed her hand. The next thing she knew she heard him cough, the same sort of cough he used to silence everyone in a briefing.

"Team…we wanted to meet with you today as we have something to tell you," the way he was speaking so formally to his friends made Emily cringe but she was glad it wasn't her making the annoucement.

"We?" JJ questioned, her eyebrow rising slightly.

"Yes, we, as in us," Aaron indicated the two of them before he continued.

Emily noticed how everyone was sitting upright now, attention fully focused on Aaron, all except Pen who was practically clapping her hands with excitement.

"Emily and I are dating and have been for a few months now. We wanted to let you know, though we both believe we are professional enough not to let it impact on the team. . . "

""Pfft, cut the spiel and let us all enjoy the moment," Pen interrupted.

"You knew!" JJ shot accusingly across the table at her best friend.

"Well, of course, I am the oracle, after all."

"You only found out before the others because you got here first!" Emily added with a chuckle.

Everyone laughed at Pen's over exaggerated pout, and the atmosphere seemed to relax once more as everyone got back to talking about what they had been up to over the weekend. Emily felt Aaron's hot breath on her neck. "See? I told you it wouldn't be so bad."

Emily smiled. He wasn't the one who would have to face Pen and JJ over drinks next weekend.

. . .

Emily stretched before snuggling back into Aaron's warm body. It may be the middle of the afternoon, but after their brunch meeting with the team, they had returned to Aaron's, first they checked out the decorators handiwork, then had decided to make the most of the time they had before Jack was to return.

Emily could still smell the aroma of fresh paint from Jack's finished bedroom and wondered if it would be suitable for Jack to sleep in there tonight.

"What's bothering you?" Aaron whispered from behind her.

"Is it safe for Jack to sleep in there with those fumes?"

Aaron chuckled. "He'll be fine. I've opened the window wide, and his door, which is why you can smell it so badly. Besides, you think we'll be able to keep him out when he sees it? They've done a great job; Dave will never believe I've done it."

"What's so funny?" Emily said as she turned over to face him.

"You," he said tapping her on the nose. "You act like you don't worry about anyone, yet here you are wittering about Jack as if he was your own. I don't think it's funny, I just think it is so you."

Emily wrinkled her nose, "Jack's a sweet kid, who wouldn't worry about him?"

Aaron leaned in the short distance and kissed her, the tender moment soon grew in passion until the both froze as they heard a loud banging at the front door. Aaron quickly glanced at his watch, how had they not noticed the time? Darting out of his bed, Aaron pulled on his jeans and grabbed a nearby t-shirt. Emily quickly followed suit.

Fumbling their way downstairs, Emily tried hard to pull her hair back into a ponytail in the hope to make herself look more presentable. By the time she reached the bottom step, Aaron had the door open and she heard Jack begin to babble rapidly about all he had been up to with Dave. She stepped into the lounge as they approached from the other side.

Dave spotted her before Jack, who was quick to follow and bounded over to hug Emily.

"Emily, you would love it at Uncle Dave's cabin! We've been fishing and cooked our food outside on a fire last night."

"Really? That sounds fantastic," Emily enthused and rumpled Jack's hair.

"How has your little project gone? Or have you been distracted?" Dave said with a teasing twinkle in his eye.

"The job is done," Aaron answered.

"Oh, I'm sure it is," Dave added with a smile before Aaron and Emily's glare silenced him.

"Hey, Jack," Aaron said, getting his son's attention back, "we've got something to show you."

Jack bounced with excitement. "Really? What is it?"

"This way, buddy," Aaron led the way to Jack's bedroom.

Jack's eye widened as he took in the freshly decorated room, a whispered wow escaping his lips as he stood in the middle of the room, slowly turning to see each of the characters blazoned across the walls. Finally he stopped spinning and ran full pelt at his father and Emily, grabbing them simultaneously in a hug. "Thank you."

They both smiled at the boy's reaction.

. . .

Aaron returned into the lounge, Jack was settled under his superheroes bedspread. He quickly glanced between a smug looking Dave and a sulky looking Emily. He couldn't help but smile. He knew how much Dave enjoyed winding people up and obviously he had worked his magic on Emily.

"Can I get anyone a drink?" Aaron asked.

"Love one," Dave replied. "How about you Emily, are you staying?"

Emily glared at Dave. "A coffee would be lovely thank you. It will keep me awake for the drive home."

"Oh, have you not had much sleep this weekend?" Dave asked, without any hint of concern in his voice, instead a large dollop of sarcasm laced his words.

Emily opened her mouth to give him a smart answer back but decided he was best ignored.

Aaron returned with the coffees and sat down next to Emily. He noticed the grin widen on Dave's face. Maybe it was about time to wipe the smug smile of his face.

"As I am sure you have guessed Emily and I are together."

"Guessed," Dave snorted. "More like caught you red handed."

"Ok, we hadn't realised the time when you brought Jack back, but . . ."

"I wasn't talking about tonight; I saw the two of you together in my garden when JJ and Will got married."

"You did?!" Emily interrupted.

Dave nodded as he sipped his coffee, "I've been wondering how long it would take you guys to come clean, and before you say anymore a little birdie told me all about your brunch get together too."

"Penelope," Emily growled.

"Now would she?" Dave continued, "Though Jack seems to be taking it well. It definitely likes you, Emily."

Aaron snorted, "So we have been dobbed in from every angle."

Dave nodded, no sign of the smile being wiped from his face.