A/N: This chapter has a little fluff and cute moments to set us up for some surprises I have coming. We are no where near finished, just so you loyal readers know.

Reviews and alerts really are love. Thank you!

I do not own Criminal Minds

Hotch had called ahead to hospital security in the car, informing them that JJ would need a private room in an area where security or an agent could be on post at all hours. She could still be a target victim for the unsub yet to finish the job.

It was things like that, taking care of everyone by making sure they had what they needed that made Hotch so undeniably sexy to Penelope. He was a man in every sense, in control and organized and caring in his protective nature. But she could see it weighing on him as everyone filtered into the waiting room while JJ was still being seen.

"Aaron, thank you." She whispered when he finally took a seat beside her.

"For what?"

"For taking care of JJ, all of us, me." She looked around to make sure no one else was in ear shot. "Last time I sat waiting for one of us it was Emily and she died, well sort of."

Reading the tears starting to build in her eyes at the memory he couldn't help but ask. "Do you think you could ever forgive me for that?"

She looked at him confounded. "I already did. You were just protecting her the way you always do. What is there to really forgive?"

"Yes, but I did lie to all of you." He tried to hide his regretful look from her.

She didn't know what to say to him so she just laid her head gently against his arm as she sunk down in her seat. She did it partly to keep contact and be comfortable and partly to trap his arm against his body. As much as she did enjoy his little hand holdings in front of everyone, she didn't think she was ready for everyone to see him hold her.

Emily came back into the waiting area with the doctor in tow. "All for Agent Jareau?"

Hotch nodded yes and sat up in his seat, Garcia doing much the same and accepting the comforting arm of Morgan around her. That was always platonic, everyone knew that.

"How is she?" Reid was intensely anxious for news. He had been pacing and muttering under his breath.

"She's stable. Our lab is still trying to identify what particular substances have been injected into her system but she is still essentially paralyzed. I do not expect it to be permanent but we will have to further assess what long term damage may occur. For now she is being rehydrated and receiving a regimen of tear duct stimulating eye drops. She may blink somewhat for communication but do not force it. You may see her now, please do not overcrowd the room."

Reid didn't hesitate further he walked right down the hall and slammed the door shut. He was going to get a few minutes alone with the woman he loves and be damned the consequences of offending anyone.

Emily and Rossi shared a look. She had told him what Reid had said earlier, they were in the habit of sharing secrets these days.

Morgan caught the look, and a similar one passing between Hotch and Garcia. "Alright, what am I missing? Don't tell me there isn't something going on between those two, there has to be."

He watched as baby girl looked at her feet to try to escape his examination. "Baby girl? You holding out on me?"

She sighed and looked to Hotch who nodded his consent, but with an obvious hint of caution of not over sharing. Bringing up Henry's paternity was obviously out of the question. She just settled for a simple "They're in love."

"Well anyone can see that." He felt like adding it was obvious she and Hotch were too. "Are they doing anything about it though?"

Emily could read Garcia's discomfort, wondering how she found out. Did Hotch tell her? He never shares secrets… things could be more serious with them than she realized. "Yeah, they are an item, a definite item."

"Wow, it's good to know that kid has it in him." He was a little proud of the goofball genius.

"I've always had it in me." Reid's voice called behind them, returning to the waiting area. "Now that you all seem to know I suppose one of us is going to have to transfer out of the BAU." It was to the whole group but obviously to Hotch.

Garcia could feel her chest clenching as the question hung in the air. She couldn't face losing her family again.

"We'll work a way around it." Hotch replied easily but non-committedly. He had been wracking his brain for two months on figuring out how, there were two options and he thought he could make it happen but things had to fall in line just right for either path.

Emily and Morgan decided to take the next visit, leaving Reid with Rossi. "You alright there kid?"

"I just didn't expect anything like this. I know that is naïve, it's not the first time one of us has been taken by an unsub."

"You just didn't expect it to happen to the woman you love." Rossi understood that, three marriages makes you an expert of the rose colored glasses of love.

Reid took a moment to think over his visit with JJ. He was really worried about her, especially how she was rapidly blinking without a real rhythm. This was to say nothing of how he had found her exposed, but he was really trying not to think about that or whether or not the unsub had successfully... How was JJ going to move past this?

Not to mention what the doctor told her while he was in there. Some of the substances identified thus far were in such large quantities he informed them she may have impaired fertility after this. Of course it changed nothing on how he loves her, but he did want kids some day. Raising Henry as a step parent would have to do.

"Tell me what's on your mind my genius boy." Garcia called across the room, having linked her hands with Hotch's even as he preoccupied himself on the phone.

Rossi noticed the hand holding and decided he would have to talk to Hotch about that later. But for now, Reid needed all his attention.

Reid decided to take the small worry and run with that. Other things were out of his turn to share. "When I was in there she just kept blinking strangely."

Emily and Morgan came out, informing Garcia it was her turn. She was shaking in her nerves as she walked down the hall, Hotch followed at a cautious distance where he could lend support but offer privacy. Unlike everyone else, she hadn't seen JJ in this state. She had no idea what to expect.

"Hey Jayjee." She kissed her friend's cheek. She was so pale, and stiff as a board. Pen's eyes began to tear almost instantly, wondering how far the unsub had gotten. No one told her that either.

"Reid said you can answer yes or no. Yes is two blinks, no is one. Honey, just tell me, did he assault you?"

Two blinks.

"Did he rape you?"

One blink.

She felt herself sigh in relief. Of course any sort of assault is awful, but at least it hadn't gotten that far. Maybe JJ could move on, at least a little easier… though of course this was just the worst experience she could imagine being in. She would be there for her friend the whole route of recovery, utilizing her experience volunteering with the victims support group.

JJ began rapidly trying to communicate her thoughts. Why is it that even her genius love-of-her-life couldn't figure out her blinks? 'Please Garcia, please figure this out' she begged internally, all the while blinking in code.

"Jayjee sweetie, what is it? Is it? Are you- Reid!" she knew JJ would try her hardest to get her thoughts out there, but she couldn't make sense of it on her own.

He came running in. "What, what's the matter?" everyone else followed behind.

"Come here, is it Morse code?" she pointed to JJ's blinking.

JJ felt relief for the second time today. She had so much to say and only one way to say it. She made a mental note to tell Garcia how much she loves her once this was all over.

"Reid. Alone." Reid translated. "I guess that she means she wants to talk to me."

Everyone else agreed and moved to the hall. Emily and Morgan decided to get everyone coffee while Rossi went to the gift shop to find some flowers and have a good excuse to leave Hotch alone with Penelope. It was obvious the spunky blonde needed comforting and Hotch privacy to give it to her.

He pulled her into a tender hug as they stood just outside JJ's room.

"You alright?" he whispered into her hair.

She nodded against him. "I'm just overwhelmed right now. It seems like so much is changing doesn't it?"

'Tell me about it. A week ago I wouldn't be holding you like this.' "We'll figure it all out. I'm not letting anything tear us apart."

She wasn't sure if he meant them or the whole family, but probably the latter and that made her equally happy. "Thank you."

They fell into silence and turned their embrace sideways to allow for leaning against the wall but close to the door entry. After a few minutes Reid's voice picked up volume, they didn't mean to eavesdrop but neither really had the strength to move away, plus they were the persons standing guard until security got back in a few minutes.

"Henry. Is. Son. Yes, I know he's your son." He looked at her confused and she was so frustrated with that beautiful literal mind of his she rolled her eyes.

Hotch and Garcia shared a look. They could both imagine how frustrated JJ must be right now. They both were, but there was no way they were going to drop in and clear it up for Reid, this was a private moment and they felt bad enough listening to it. Plus, they were shocked she had the results.

She tried again. "Your." She blinked.

"Do you want to me to call Henry and let him know you are ok?" Maybe that was what she was getting at.

Hotch palmed his face. This is the genius of the BAU? He must be really in love with this woman for his IQ to have dropped about a hundred points in his worry.

"D.N.A. You are dad." He translated and Pen thought she would burst from her spot outside the door hearing the realization dawn on Reid's voice, imagining the astonished look on his face.

"We should go." Hotch advised and Garcia agreed. They already trespassed enough on the private moment and thankfully the guard had returned.

They took the opportunity to go to the cafeteria themselves, Emily and Morgan hadn't brought them coffee. When they got there Garcia was relieved to see she had wifi access on her ipad. "Hey Hotch, is Jessica with Jack on his visit?"

"Yeah, she offered to take him since she was already visiting for her father's birthday. Why?"

"I have a good signal." She waved her ipad. "Do you wanna skype with Jack? Jessica is logged on"

He looked at her with genuine delight and was a little more than impressed that she had Jessica's skype on file. How thoughtful, he really missed his son and the phone just isn't enough. Alright, he didn't like the idea of using a work device for private use but this is Garcia, she does 'things'. He giggled internally and agreed.

She set it up and soon enough Jack was on the screen. "Hi Aunt Penny! Will you come to my spelling bee no matter what?" he wanted her to promise.

It broke her heart, he needed more stability in his life. "Of course little man. No way would I miss it."

She was rewarded with a large smile and decided that was as good a time as any to make an excuse of getting some coffee to give Hotch time alone with his son.

"So Jack, are you behaving yourself?"

Jack rolled his eyes. "Yes, daddy."

"What have you been up to? Aunt Jessica said you went to the science museum?"

Jack's eyes lit up. "Yeah, there were dinosaurs, well their bones. And then we saw this big machine that made lightening inside!"

"That sounds great buddy. So you had fun then?" Hotch loved seeing that smile on his son's face, but it was bittersweet. He was growing so quickly that soon he wouldn't have that same fascination with the world, and Hotch was missing out.

"Yeah. But I still want to go to the zoo." Leave it to Jack to be blunt and unrelenting, like his father.

"Of course you do. And we will get sushi too, ok?"

Garcia decided to start moving closer to scope out the conversation and suggest a movie when they got back but was surprised by what she heard next.

"Ok. Will Aunt Penny come too? I like her daddy."

Oh crap. Garcia stopped in her approach a few feet behind Hotch. She knew she shouldn't have heard that but did wonder what Hotch would say.

"Yeah, I think she could come. I think she likes elephants." He knew she loves elephants.

"So you can multitask like you taught me." It was such an innocent suggestion but it confused both Hotch and Garcia.

She wrinkled her brow. Hotch is teaching multitasking to a young kid? Eh, she shouldn't be surprised.

"What do you mean buddy?" Yes, they had discussed multitasking before, but he was clueless. Jack seemed full of surprises lately, learning so much about life.

"You can spend time with me and take Aunt Penny on a date." Duh. Again, Jack rolled his eyes. 'Dad is so clueless.'

She spit out her coffee and had to turn away quickly to find some napkins to clean herself. That boy is just far too sweet. But she didn't want to hear Hotch's response, she didn't know if she could handle the rejection if he didn't intend on anything like that with her. Yes, they were growing to something. Yes, she was pretty sure they were going to have sex. Yes, she knew Hotch was treating her well. But she still had no communication on feelings (and neither did he, for that matter). So, she was just not confident in where they stood and far too afraid to face reality.

Hotch looked over his shoulder to see Garcia still at the coffee station and was thankful she was purposely giving him time alone. He turned back to his son, so innocent yet wise like most children. "What makes you think I want to date Aunt Penny?" he bit his lip waiting for a response.

Jack giggled. "Daddy," he chided "Don't boys date girls they like?"

"Sometimes. Who taught you about that?"

Jack shrugged. "TV."

Of course. "Well, what makes you think I like Aunt Penny?"

Jack giggled. His dad was so smart but he was silly too. "You talk in your sleep."

"I do?" this was news.

"Hmm mmm." These were getting boring.

"And what do I say?" and did he even want to hear this?

"Sometimes you talk about me. Or sometimes you mumble about paper work but a lot of time you talk about Aunt Penny and someone named Kevin." He shrugged, he had no idea who Kevin was.

Oh. Dear. Lord. He was more far gone than he thought. "How long have I done that?"

"I dunno. Long time." He shrugged again, adults focus on such strange things.

He snapped his head off screen. Jessica was calling him for dinner. They said goodnight and Hotch promised to call again soon. As he waved Garcia back over to the table he wondered how he had gotten so good at repression that he hadn't noticed this all along, and his young son had. The team had to have picked up on it.

"So how's my favorite little 'nephew' doin'?" she trained her face as neutral as possible. There was just no way she could let it slip that she overheard the date thing. Was Hotch talking about her or was Jack just hopeful for a mother figure maybe? He had told her when she took care of him one time he was sick that she was better at it than his real aunt, Jessica. He asked her if she wanted to be a mommy but she shut that line of questioning right down. She couldn't entertain that potentiality if there wasn't reason to hope she could attain it.

"He wants you to come to the zoo with us. I think I will take him after the spelling bee if that works for you?"

"The bee is at what? 9am right?"

"Yeah, next Saturday. If it doesn't work for you we could always try another—"

She cut him off. "No its sounds great. I was just thinking about lunch, maybe sushi for Jacky poo."

Hotch laughed. "I already promised him that. Great minds Pen. He loves you, you know that right?" he almost added his own sentiment but refrained.

"I love the bugger too. So, yeah. So long as the zoo has elephants." She agreed and was only thankful for the interruption of Rossi calling them back to JJ's room before everyone said goodbye for the night. Reid was given permission to stay in her room but visiting hours were over for everyone else.

-Criminal Minds—

Garcia was returning from the vending machines and to her room when an arm snaked out and grabbed her into another hotel room. She was petrified before she noticed it was Emily.

"Shhsh, PG. Sit down."

"You scared the crap out of me! What's going on?" she sat cautiously on the bed as instructed.

Emily pulled up a chair close to her friend. She loved this girl like the sister she always wanted and really needed some girl time. "Hotch." It was a question and an accusation all at once.

Penelope rubbed her face and sighed. "I honestly don't know."

"Oh come on. This is me. You can tell me anything."

"Shouldn't we be focusing on how JJ is doing? Or catching our unsub?"

Emily took her hand gently. "PG. JJ is alright, all we can do is pray and wait. And we aren't going to get any further without JJ's account of him. The doctors say she should be able to speak again by tomorrow morning. Reid said she successfully grunted when she was telling him something personal. Try as I might, I couldn't get what out of him."

Garcia locked her face down at that and decided to change topic to back on her if only to save that little secret for the people it belongs to. "We slept together last night. I mean not, ya know sleep. Just sleep."

Emily cocked and eye brow. "If it was just sleep why are you blushing like crazy?"

She was blushing? Great. "It's just. Well, I don't know something might have happened if Reid hadn't come to get us this morning. But anyway, it's all been this rapid change and with the case and JJ I haven't gotten to keep stock of everything."

She really hadn't. Things were running off the charts with emotions, lack of sleep and devotion to catching the unsub and getting JJ back. It seemed every spare moment was too short and confusing to properly process.

"Alright. Well, let's start at the beginning. What changed?"

She shrugged. "Honestly, I don't know what got into him. On Valentine's he asked me to dinner casually, but neither of us remembered it was even the day of love. Which was surprising when our waitress assumed it was our first date, more surprising that Hotch played along. But anyhow. For me it changed before I noticed anything in him."

"Baby Girl don't stop. Dish." Morgan just sunk into the room and pulled up a chair. Emily had given him the spare key so he could check on her throughout the night.

"Do I have to?"

"Yes." They answered in unison, wearing identical expressions and postures. It was creepy.

"I always had a small crush on him."

"Duh." Again, what is with the unison thing?

"Anyhow." She was getting short. "When I had thought that Morgan and I slept together after a fight with Kevin it made me think. And frankly I had started realizing I didn't want Kevin all that much anymore and even with him I was lonely. And then I started having sex dreams about Hotch again. So, I went to therapy but it only got more intense but I let it stay at Hotch is sexy. Which I mean come on, he is."

Emily agreed wholeheartedly.

"But?"

"Well, now, I dunno."

That worried Morgan to no end. When the hell were these two going to figure it out? Sure, it wasn't the most obvious thing in the world. It wasn't like JJ and Reid. But, there was something always there between them. Neither would ever face it or express it, so that is probably why hardly anyone saw it. But they all did at least once in a weak moment or two. For Morgan, the first time was when Hotch heard Garcia call him one of their flirty pet names. Jealously, clear as day ran across Hotch's face, though he tried to hide it as annoyance at unprofessionalism. Right, Hotch. We all bought that.

"Baby girl. You need to take some time and figure out how you really feel about all this. Obviously something is there, right?"

She nodded. She knew she had feelings. She was just terrified, terrified he wouldn't return them so she couldn't face to what extent hers ran.

"G. You know we will support whatever happens right? We love both you and Hotch."

"I know, but what if it breaks up the family?" And that really was a big worry. It is enough to deal with JJ and Reid's indiscretion coming down on the head of the anti-fraternization rules. But she was trying to bone her boss for crying out loud.

"Stop worrying so much. Feel what you feel. We will take care of the rest of it. But I do suggest you spend tonight actually asleep. You look like a MAC truck hit you."

"Thanks Hot Sugar, that really makes a girl feel special."

She hugged them both and left the room, sparing just one small thought as to why Morgan seemed so intent on staying behind.

-Criminal Minds—

Tonight she decided more modest pajamas were in order, so she was clad in drawstring sparkly purple and pink flannel pants with a matching purple tee. She did go braless though, she had to let Hotch have some fun. But that of course meant she needed her robe on her walk to his room.

He opened on her second knock, surprised to see her there. He had been about to call her room about twenty times to ask if she wanted him to stay but he couldn't figure out a way to make it sound like he wasn't propositioning her.

"Can I stay here tonight? I don't feel safe with the unsub still out there." She was embarrassed because other than loving the feel of his arms around her, that really was the reason she was here.

He nodded and closed the door behind her, surprised that when he turned around she was facing him and removing her robe. God damn her braless outfits. He didn't want to lose control right now.

She had to admit she loved that expression he wore right now. He was so obvious in his appreciation of her breasts, it made her feel undoubtedly special to be openly ogled by the subtly master. Plus, that beginning of a bulge in his pants was just a great perk to witness. She was really not going to make it to sleep tonight if she didn't lock her thoughts down.

Hotch was having much the same problem. He needed time to think and figure out what the hell he was feeling and tonight would be his best opportunity for it with nothing to do as they waited on JJ to be able to communicate. As tempting as it would be to just rip off those bright get ups of hers and lick every square inch of her body- he needed a distraction.

"T.V." A question, a suggestion, and order. Garcia definitely agreed.

He switched it on and joined her on the bed, maneuvering himself as her back rest.

He had to keep this fairly innocent tonight. He was falling so fast, so hard (in more than one way). He switched on a neutral family movie, Ice Age the Meltdown.

"I love kids movies." She murmured, so content listening to his heart beat in his chest.

"Get used to it. When you have kids you probably won't see another grown up movie for years."

"I think the benefits far outweigh that consequence, don't you think?"

He agreed, and continued to tell her how he wished he saw more of Jack's childhood. He missed so many big moments.

"You're a great dad Hotch. I don't know anyone who could deal with what you do and still raise a son that worships him."

He straightened at the compliment. It might have been the nicest thing anyone ever said to him. "I'm glad you think so. I wonder if I will ever get the chance at more someday. Jack has wanted a sister for years now."

She looked up at him, a little shocked. "You want more kids?"

"Well yeah. What? You think I shouldn't right? I can understand that, I mean with how little I—" he was glad she silenced him, he was beginning to ramble.

"No. I mean I just would think you have enough on your shoulders."

He shrugged. "You know me. I am addicted to responsibility."

Yeah, she knew that. It was part of his sex appeal. She couldn't have died right then when she realized she spoke that last part aloud.

He laughed until he yawned. She mimicked the action. "I am glad someone thinks I am sexy." He muttered as he lowered them under the covers in preparation for sleep. It had been a very long day.

She turned off the light and he turned off the TV. They laid facing one another, their heads sharing the same pillow. "Good night Aaron." Garcia yawned out.

"Goodnight Penelope." He kissed the tip of her nose. "And for the record, you are sexy too."

He fell asleep before he could hear her reply.

I felt I needed to slow down things a bit for them emotionally here, but next chapter will definitely have some action moments. Thanks for reading!