"Do you think we should tell them the other thing?" Emily whispered in Hotch's ear later at the dinner table. They hadn't really been trying to hide their relationship after the first few months. But with only limited time together when she was in D.C., Emily didn't have much of a chance to tell her friends.

"Yeah, I think Garcia might burst if she can't say something soon." He eyed the tech nervously, she was constantly sipping her wine and darting her eyes over at them. He and Emily had an interesting conversation following the prison break. In between yelling at him for playing the hero, Emily let slip that Garcia knew. She made it seem like his fault she was so rattled and therefore she accidentally told Garcia. He was more impressed with how she turned it around on him than he was concerned that Garcia knew.

"Hey guys, there's something else I need to tell you." As everyone turned to look at Emily she felt Hotch's hand grab her knee reassuringly. "I don't know how to say this but I… We've been…" she stuttered. She was pretty sure most of them already figured out that they had a history, but confirming it for them was different. A scary kind of different.

"Emily and I are in a relationship," Hotch stated as a simple matter of fact. "Have been for a while." He leaned over to kiss her. It was short and sweet but enough to elicit hoots and hollers from Garcia. Hotch leaned down to whisper in her ear. "See that wasn't so bad was it."

"Pegged it in under two minutes," Alvez stated triumphantly holding is fist out for Tara to bump.

"It's 'bout time you guys said something. You were about as subtle as me and Jen." Will gave a shake of his head.

"I'm so glad I can finally talk about this! I don't think I've ever kept a secret for that long." Garcia took a few deep breathes then turned to JJ. "Jayge! I'm so sorry I never told you! She threatened me into secrecy."

"No worries," JJ replied sipping her wine casually. "Jack let it slip to Henry months ago that they were back together." She shot a knowing look to Emily. JJ had her suspicions about the two but decided not to push them to acknowledge anything given their rocky history.

The two boys exchanged looks with each other then Jack mouthed 'sorry' at his dad and ducked his head. Henry just shoved more pasta in mouth and avoided eye contact with everyone.

"Back together!" Morgan asked with his mouth open has he looked around the table.

"JJ, when did you find out?" Rossi asked ignoring Morgan's outrage.

"Boston," she stated simply knowing they needed no other clarification. Everyone politely ignored the shutters that involuntarily ran through Hotch and Emily. Boston held nothing but bad memories for both of them. "You?"

"Oregon, when the guy was running people down with his truck." Rossi looked lost in thought for a second then snorted. "Or at least that's when I got confirmation. I suspected since Colorado."

"That long! Pretty Boy, tell me I wasn't the only one who didn't know."

"Come on Honey, even I knew they had a thing," Savannah teased.

"I suspected since she came back from Paris," Reid said trying to hide the triumphant smile, "but your wedding was when I knew for certain something had happened."

"If it makes you feel better I only beat you to it by thirty minutes," Luke offered.

Morgan glared at him. "Tara?"

"It was obvious by the way they were looking at each other at the restaurant after that copy cat case."

"That's what we get for giving in to Garcia and doing tequila shots." He was relieved that the biggest concern was who knew first. "Are you done putting together a timeline?" Hotch asked trying to hide his smirk.

"Details later?" Garcia asked hopefully sending a wink to Emily.

"Not a chance," Hotch said flatly. Emily just smiled back at Garcia knowingly. "So Morgan, how is life outside the BAU?"

Despite Hotch's best effort to steer the conversation away from him and Emily the team, mostly Morgan and Dave, continued to get in a few more good nature ribs. Everyone seemed to readily except the idea of Hotch and Emily together, once Morgan got over his initial shock anyway. After dessert the Morgan's started to say their goodbyes while the rest of the adults made their way outside.

"Princess, I am so happy you are back." Morgan pulled Emily into a hug and kissed her cheek.

"Me too. I still can't get over your beautiful family. Derek Morgan changing diapers," Emily shook her head.

"Remember when you said you would rather stick to practicing?" Hotch asked as they shook hands.

"I had no idea what I was missing. You really undersold this dad thing." Morgan looked to where Savannah and Emily were fussing over baby Hank in his car seat. "I get why you're leaving but it doesn't make it any easier to accept. You are the BAU."

"They will get on fine without me," Hotch dismissed.

"No really. I know we butted heads a lot but without you holding us together I wouldn't have them. I'm glad you're taking the chance to have that again."

After exchanging a final goodbye Hotch made sure the boys were settle in the den with videogames before making his way outside with Emily. Everyone was gathered around the fire pit with a glass in their hand. As Hotch was pouring his own drink from the side table, Luke approached.

"Hey Hotch, got a minute?"

"Sure thing," he nodded moving away from the group a little farther. Before Luke could even get out a word Hotch placed a hand on his shoulder. "I know you are concerned. I brought you in and now I'm leaving. But you've shown great skill and you click with the team. That's not going to change without me."

"As you've seen, Emily is pretty easy to get along with. And she is as capable as they come. Five years leading an Interpol office, seven years with us, and ten years profiling with the CIA." Hotch held back a chuckle as Luke let out an impressed whistle. "Did I mention she speaks seven languages? As long as you are willing to call her out when she's being stubborn, you guys will be fine."

"So you're set on leaving?"

"Honestly, I didn't have a choice. But if I did," he paused to watch Emily laugh with Garcia and Reid just like old times, "I would do it anyway. I need to be around more for Jack. And for her." Hotch knew that him leaving his job for Emily to take it didn't give him more time with her. But they would be on the same continent and maybe even in the same town a few days a month. It was better than what they had before.

"I can respect that." Luke nodded looking back to Hotch. It was obvious that Hotch would do anything for Emily. "We won't rest until we get Mr. Scratch. You have my word."

"I know. Thank you," Hotch nodded. He swirled his drink watching the ice cubes. Looking up again he spoke softly as he asked, "One more thing you can do for me. Watch out for her like you did JJ. Emily has a habit of throwing herself in the line of fire to protect others. She forgets that we need her around."

"I'll watch out for your girl," Luke clapped Hotch on the back as they walked back to the group.

"Just when I was starting to like you…" Emily teased coming up next to them. "One of these days you guys will learn I'm not your girl."

"Uh oh," JJ and Garcia exchanged looks.

"I feel like there is a story here," Tara prodded.

"It's a good one." Emily promised. "We were talking about how we would cover JJ's work load when she was pulled to the DOD. He refused to replace her so I mentioned how that meant I couldn't leave either so we could tell people about us. His response was, and I quote, 'can't lose my best girls.' He's lucky he was so pathetically sad and cute." Emily shot a full smile in Hotch's direction as he tried to hide the blush on his cheeks.

"Am I not a 'best girl'? Garcia demanded.

"Sorry Garcia," Hotch said sheepishly. "You are my best agent. Period." Garcia flung herself at Hotch who stumbled a few steps back at the force. After a minute of high pitched squeals, thank yous, and other words of affirmation he was finally released.

"A piece of advice," Will offered Luke quietly, "don't call her ma'am either."

JJ seized the opening created but the laughter and commotion. She pulled Hotch off to the side again for a private chat. Once she got him alone however, all the thoughts swirling in her mind since he made the announcement were lost. Hotch waited patiently for her to gather her thoughts as the sounds of Emily being grilled about Interpol drifted towards them.

AN: Thank you for all the kind words! The next chapter will have the rest of the team goodbyes. (Can I mention how hard it is to fit that may people into a conversation?)