A/N: Here's a chapter I am sure you have all been waiting for. But we aren't done yet. There's still a road to go.

I do not own Criminal Minds

She woke to the smell of bacon, the second best way to wake up, only after being in Hotch's arms. Drowsily she opened her eyes, and sure enough he was there in her kitchen frying eggs and making toast.

"Morning sweetheart." He couldn't help his smile widen when he called her that. He finally felt like he had the right to use endearments.

'He called me sweetheart. Wow.' She was swooning, trying to hide that fact as she walked over to the kitchen island. "What's all this?"

"I was up before you, so I thought I would get a head start. Go get dressed and ready. Breakfast will be waiting when you're done."

She did just that, selecting the first thing she found in her closet and making her way into the bathroom to wash and do her makeup. 'This must be what it's like to be part of a real couple.' She thought as she applied her eye shadow. 'Doing things for one another, taking care of each other's needs. I never really had this before. I could get used to it.'

She combed her hair and clipped half of it back with a large glittery purple butterfly clip. 'So, maybe we are a couple then. He has to care about me. Aaron Hotchner doesn't do half way on anything.' That thought made her fuzzy and warm all over. Just the idea that he really did care more than just a fling, or that he was really going to be the other half of a couple with her… she was definitely getting frustrated that they hadn't had this conversation yet. And she knew he wouldn't bring it up so close to Carver. He's been walking on egg shells and she was just ready to move on.

The knock on the door startled her. She had been staring into the mirror, her work complete for a full three minutes, just going over how she could show Hotch that she was ready to move on. Yes, she was still a little afraid to be alone at night, but he could just stay and take care of that. Otherwise, her big emotional drama was worrying about how to care for JJ. She herself, she was ready to tackle whatever she and Hotch were… she really had just needed another night like Rossi said she would.

"You alright?" he asked with some concern as she opened the door, relieved when he was met with a bright smile and her clutching to his arm, leading him back to the kitchen.

"I'm great. Just takes a while to get pretty."

"Nonsense. You are always pretty."

Her heart was thudding a mile a minute. This man was just too wonderful. "I-uh. Thanks." She gave him a once over, he was already dressed in his suit.

"What?" he asked, a little nervous that she might not like the fact he used her shower.

"I used to think you just naturally came with a suit, like a set. Now that I have seen you in pajamas I am trying to figure out what sight I like more." She bit her lip, she was getting a little forward this morning.

He turned to hide his grin. If this woman had half an idea of the effect she had on him. "Well I can say for sure your outfit last night was definitely my favorite." Really, anytime she isn't wearing a bra is a blessing directly from God.

She decided it was time to change the subject as they sat to eat, or they would never get to work on time. "Did you get to talk to Jack yet?"

Hotch nodded, having to give himself a second to finish chewing his toast. "I skyped with him before they left for the aquarium. He asked me to tell you that he will be looking for the tuxedo children when he gets there… penguins I assume?"

She chuckled. "It's amazing what kids remember. One time when I was watching him when he was sick he asked me what my favorite animals were. I told him elephants and he said they were too big for him to buy me one. So he asked 'what about those birds that look like daddy?' It took me a minute to figure out he was talking about your suits."

It was Hotch's turn to chuckle, which turned into an all-out laugh. "I would never have figured that out. He really loves you. You have a special bond with him, one I can't have."

"It's just a woman thing. Maternal, I suppose." She shrugged to hide how excited she became at the prospect that she might fill the role someday.

Hotch was equally pleased with the prospect, but it was time to leave for work. She cleared their plates and put them in the dishwasher, he poured them each a to-go cup of coffee and they set off towards the BAU for a long and grueling day.

-Criminal Minds-

"How nervous should I be?" she whispered as they got off the elevator and headed to the bull pen.

"It's nothing to worry about personally Penelope. They are just going to watch us work, ask us questions. Just be honest. And, be fully honest about us, ok?"

That was perplexing. Surely he would get in trouble if they were to be found out. But then, he knew more about this than she did. She trusted him.

"Alright. Is JJ here or is she at home?"

"She will be coming in for half the day with Reid. Strauss knows about them, that's part of the problem. But at least that means he can openly care for her."

She nodded. "I'm glad she is getting cared for."

She walked off to her lair to begin her work. She had to make several reports on her methods for obtaining the information she found in the case. Usually these would be used to help a prosecutor be sure that the proper chain of evidence rules were adhered to. But in this case, if an inquiry were to occur because Carver was fatally wounded, they could end up for the FBI's use instead.

She had to fib a little on how she got the information for the call to the tip line. But she wasn't doing anything illegal per se, just sneaky. Yes, just sneaky.

She had spent a good half hour she should have been working just talking to JJ in the conference room. Apparently she had it out with Will last night about the divorce and took Henry to Reid's. She wasn't entirely sure whether or not the paternity of their son came out or not that night, she didn't think it was right to ask. But she was more than worried about how this was going to affect her friend's recovery. She was only happy to see Reid take her home, promising that the three would go get something to eat and maybe see a kids movie.

She finally got back to focusing when she was more than halfway through her first stack of papers and an unfamiliar knock came on her door.

"Director Strauss." She couldn't hide her surprise. "Please, come in."

Strauss took a seat on the sofa, allowing Penelope to sit in her desk chair as she preferred. "Ms. Garcia. How do you feel?"

"I'm alright, I think. Rossi has been wonderful to talk to. It's not the first time I have been in a situation like this." She had once been stabbed by an unsub, after all.

"Still. I imagine with so much change in the team on top of the ordeal you went through that you must have some lingering pain."

Was this woman trying to make her mad or just make her feel worse? "I'm not totally over it. But I'm not vulnerable either, or even on edge. The thing I worry about is JJ."

Strauss nodded as she adjusted to crossing her legs at the ankle. While she was not pleased with whatever 'romantic attachment' was building between Hotchner and Garcia, she did like girl. And frankly, it's not the relationship she objects to at all. She's not entirely heartless. She just objects to the appearance it creates within the bureau. It makes Hotchner look bad and by extension the BAU, but thankfully since Garcia truly has nothing to gain by sleeping with her boss as a technical analyst, this shouldn't come down negatively on her.

"It will be several weeks before she can be cleared for the field, I believe. But it would be helpful to us all if you would be there for her. Perhaps you need to formally establish yourself as a lifeline of sorts. Often, if she would ever consider hurting herself after this, having an established set of people to call on who insist on it openly can make all the difference."

Garcia nodded. "I'm going to program myself on her speed dial and make sure she knows she better call me no matter what time it is."

"Exactly. Let her know her call is a priority and not an intrusion." Strauss was happy to see such solidarity among the team. Everyone seemed to have some sort of role in agent Jareau's suicide watch… something necessary for anyone to have gone through what she did.

"Is there anything else I can help you with ma'am?"

"Actually yes." She stood, preparing to leave. She had a lot of work to do. "Be careful when it comes to agent Hotchner. If you aren't serious about him, end it now while he still has a chance at saving his career."

She left before Penelope could fully process the words.

Hotch was locked in his office with the inquiry team, sealed off from everyone so she couldn't go up there and say anything, and what could she say? Did Strauss imply that if they were serious then it could ruin Aaron's career?

She went to Derek first. He was busy going over paper work but always had time for her. "What's up baby girl?" he motioned her to a chair pulled beside his desk.

She sat heavily. "How much trouble is Aaron in?"

Derek bit his lip. "Listen. He knows what he is doing."

"That didn't answer my question. It's almost the end of the day. He's still up there, arguing with Strauss over something. She told me to end it if it wasn't serious."

"Is it serious baby girl? We haven't talked much about how you feel." In fact, they hadn't had much time together all week. But maybe it was a good thing, his presence always seems to interfere with her relationships somewhat.

"I- I'm serious about it. It's embarrassing how serious I am about it."

"Good to know." Now he can mentally prepare himself for supporting her in this.

"But if it is, it seems like that could really screw things up. I can't do that to him. To the family!" she was about to break down crying, and she knew it.

"Shhsh there pumpkin." Rossi had heard all this from Emily's desk. He couldn't bear to think of work getting in the way of a relationship anymore for Hotch. "You aren't doing anything wrong. And we all know that. You just need to take care of you first. Stop worrying about us, think about you and Hotch. That is what matters."

She almost responded but Rossi received a text. Whatever you are talking about, take it outside. Everyone go home.- Hotchner

"We all gotta get out. Come on pumpkin, let's finish this in the car. Ok?"

She wanted to protest, Hotch was supposed to drive her but she could see he was still very busy. She agreed silently, going to her lair and grabbing her coat.

-Criminal Minds-

"Let's grab a latte." Rossi suggested as he read a second text, just a minute into their drive. "Aaron won't be done for hours."

She agreed silently. She knew her time with Rossi was going to be about talking about her. But she had her own questions for him, and she used the time to figure out how to frame them.

After ten minutes they pulled up to a café which Rossi proclaimed to be almost as good as in Italy. Rossi showed Garcia toward a small bistro table by the window, giving her a great view of the small garden the café kept.

"Great place isn't it?" Rossi took his seat after yelling their order in Italian. That was how everyone ordered here, apparently.

"It is. I didn't even know about it before."

"Me either. Emily introduced it to me a few months ago." He hurriedly continued before Pen could open her mouth. "Do you love Aaron?"

She could feel her jaw drop. No one had ever asked her that yet. More importantly, her answer shocked her with how natural and true it rang. "Of course I do."

Rossi let out a long relieved breath while the waitress brought over their order. He took a sip, savoring the aroma of a truly good roast. "I am glad to hear it."

"What do I do, Dave?"

"You know I think that is the first time I remember you calling me Dave?" he was pleased by it.

She shrugged. "Work/friend lines are being blurred all over, aren't they?"

He nodded. He understood how confusing this could get, personally. "Yes. But that doesn't mean anything is wrong with it. We just have to be careful that we don't let it interfere with protecting the public. That's really the big concern."

"But Aaron's career…"

"Has recovered from things before. He does know what he is doing when it comes to that. And I understand that you want to save him from having anything bad happen… it just proves to me that you love him. But no matter what, you have to have a talk. And he won't start it after everything."

They fell silent for a while, then went to discussing the coffee and the process for roasting the beans. Rossi knew everything about it, a true gourmet understands the science behind the preparation. She always loved Rossi's passion for food, but it wasn't until now she really got how good of a man he was. He deeply cared about everything and everyone important to him. If Emily was indeed with him… she had to find out and she knew it would take a lot of careful work.

"So, how is Emily?"

"You saw her today. She's alright."

"No. I mean, you seem to be closer to her than anyone right now, you and Derek. Is something going on I should worry about?" There, maybe concern would help him open up a bit.

He hesitated. "She's just trying to figure some things out. What's going on is just starting. Nothing to worry about."

Damn it. That didn't give her anything at all. Stupid profilers, knowing when you are trying to squeeze them for information.

He paid, she protested, he insisted. And they got back to the car, silently headed for her apartment so she could wash up, maybe prepare herself mentally for Hotch's arrival.

"Whatever is going on with Emily, I am glad she has you around." She finally said it.

He almost preened at the compliment. "Thank you pumpkin." He pulled in front of her place. "And I am glad that you feel as you do for Aaron. Just remember, breathe and let go. You are far more healed than he thinks you are. Show him it's all ok."

She nodded. "Thank you Dave. And thank you for the coffee. Again sometime?"

"Anytime." And with that, he drove off leaving Garcia to shuffle inside, nervous about tonight.

-Criminal Minds-

"Hey sweetie." She greeted as she let Hotch in. She noticed him immediately sniff the air appreciatively. "I made chicken Piccata."

"I had no idea you were such a cook." He loosened his tie and took off his jacket before stepping to the stove to smell dinner.

"I'm not. Rossi taught me and Emily this recipe a few months ago. He suggested I make it tonight." She shrugged. She liked cooking, she just never had anyone to cook for.

"Well it looks great." He pulled her into a hug. He needed her affection more than ever after the day he had. "Let me help you finish up."

She agreed and they plated their dinner, taking it to the table to eat. She wasn't entirely sure how she was going to broach this topic. They had become pro's at avoiding the big conversation on how they felt for one another. So they stuck to neutral topics for now, adding in Jack and JJ here and there.

When they cleared the plates Penelope decided it was time, then sort of chickened out. "What kept you at work so long?"

He stiffened. He wanted to protect her, not tell her the truth but he's lied to her enough already. He took a deep breath. "Strauss has suspended me with pay for two weeks."

"What! Why?" she was frantically searching his face for answers and then she realized why. It was because of her.

"This is all my fault!" she stomped, so mad at herself.

"It's not your fault at all. Why would it be your fault?" He was honestly confused. She wasn't to blame for him blabbing to Strauss.

"Because!" Again, she was angry at herself and stomping. She was supposed to be protecting the people she loves and here she is screwing up lives. "Because my feelings for you are landing you in trouble!"

Shock read on both their faces. She couldn't believe she just said that, and in the way she did. She was mortified and spun on her heel nearly running into her bedroom and slamming the door in her embarrassment.

She was pacing her room, her mind racing with regrets and relief about having finally said something to Hotch. Every little insecurity she has ever had seemed to have seeped out of her and she couldn't quite get a handle on it.

After a few minutes of letting her cool down, he knocked and she opened the door to reveal Hotch had changed into his dark polo and jeans, his hair slightly mussed from running his fingers through it repeatedly. She tried not to ogle him and turned her gaze directly to his eyes ready to face the music.

"Pen." he breathed.

"Aaron. I-" She wasn't sure what words wanted to fall from her lips. Should she apologize? Explain her feelings more to him and rip open her wound fully?

"I- I think-" He couldn't think of what to say either.

Rather than just stand awkwardly in the hall, she let him in and backed into the room just short of the bed before she turned around.

"I-um."

"Oh God, Penelope. I can't do this anymore." She entirely misunderstood his meaning as rejection and looked to the floor to be entirely surprised a second later when her chin was tipped upwards by strong fingers and she had just a bare chance to catch the heat of his gaze before he crushed his lips to hers.

He spared a moment of air and locked his eyes directly on hers as he held her head in place. He needed to drill this into the woman. "I can't hold back my feelings any longer." And before she could say, or not say, anything he continued his passionate assault on her lips.

She was swimming in sensation, her legs weak as the impact of their kiss backed them across the bed, his weight falling entirely on her. Did he say he has feelings for her? Could this really be? She had to try to say something before passion swallowed her whole.

"A, Aaron-" she began to pant against his mouth as his hand caressed her right breast through her shirt, teasing the nipple. She wasn't going to be able to return the sentiment with all this distraction.

"Should I stop? Tell me." He didn't think he had been going over the line, she was responding to the kiss passionately, with those little moans that always drove him wild.

"Don't you dare stop." she breathed out in pure passion. "Aaron, I-"

He realized she was going to talk about what she may or may not feel, aware her earlier proclamation wasn't intentional. "Later." he instructed almost breathlessly before recapturing her lips. Whether she would return or reject his feelings fully, he needed at least this time with her and forged on ahead determined. She seemed fine with that.

He sucked gently on her bottom lip with urgent rhythms, using his tongue to trace the crease between her pressed lips until she parted and allowed him entry. He delved his tongue to hers, tasting cinnamon toothpaste and something else, something defined only as her taste, her scent.

She furiously searched her internal memory banks to remember a time a man ever took such control over a kiss but found nothing. It was incredibly hot, more so than she imagined before and she nearly struggled to find the proper response, her body deciding on its own to settle into licking the underside of his teeth and to slightly pull back, scraping her own gently across his lower lip. That elicited a feral growl she hadn't anticipated, followed immediately by a new attack along her jaw line that traced down her neck in kissing love bits.

She thought she was about to cry when the pressure and teasing of his hand left her breast but relief and then pure desire returned to her as she realized she felt both of his hands capturing the hem of her shirt and pulling it as his hands sensually rose to just under her breasts, her stomach now entirely exposed. She had just a split second to allow herself to feel embarrassment before his calloused thumbs scraped over her sensitive nipples but didn't stop their progress until her shirt was lifted over her head and off her body. She watched his face intently as he finally looked down and the image of his nostrils flaring as his eyes raked over her form flooded her panties in desire. "My God." He whispered reverently as he lowered himself to kiss just at the top of the bulge of her breasts. "My God." He was in thanks he didn't miss his chance to close his lips over her nipples and massage her other full breast gratefully.

Her teeth were chattering in the sensation of his tongue flicking over her sensitive tips and the feeling of his long length through his pants as she ground her legs into him. She wove her fingers into his soft hair pulling gently at the roots which forced him to peek up at her. "If you keep doing that I won't be responsible if I lose all my control."

The idea alone of being able to make Hotch lose that famous control nearly got her halfway there. "Aaron." She began to beg. "Oh God, please." She pulled his face back to hers for another long and greedy kiss, not terribly surprised when she found him round his hands behind her, under her last two layers of clothing to cup her ass.

He used the leverage of his baby fingers hooked onto the edge of her pants and lacy scanty cut briefs, slowly sliding them over her hips. She raised her legs and hips to allow their escape and he used to opportunity of the new angle to lead his hands with his thumbs, slightly massaging the edge of her lower lips and her resulting whimper made him impossibly harder. He kept the sliding motion, keeping in full contact with her skin the entire length of her legs until she was fully free. She was so soft, supple, and the sight of her bare for him and laying there in wait was incredible. "So fucking beautiful."

He crashed back down on top of her forcefully, relieved when she moved to nearly rip his shirt over his head. She was beyond her insecurities at this point. She was nearly savage in her desire for him, immediately reaching down under his pants and boxers to grab his ass. She kept her pace with the intense and breathless kisses he smothered her in, all the while hooking her toes under the hem of his remaining clothes to assist in pulling them off his body. When she got as far as her legs could take them, he kicked them off the rest of the way, wiggly in such a manner that his shaft slightly ground against her clit leaving another moan from her lips.

It was gratifying to feel her open her legs wider for him, obviously ready for him to just plow in and how he almost lost that control when she reached between them to discover his length. Even more gratifying was the little shock to register in her eyes as she felt him, now aware of just how much more of him she would have to contend with.

He was huge and momentarily she worried if he would even fit but she lost that train of thought when he lowered himself down her, his fingers pulling her lips apart and attacking her nub. "Oh, ahh.." she was breathless once again.

"So wet for me already." He mumbled between kisses from her belly button down to replace his fingers with his tongue, two digits now trying to gain entry to her depths.

She was riding high, promising herself that if this was another dream she was going to check into a mental ward. "Is this real?" she breathed between bucking her hips.

Hotch offered a small pinch on her thigh so she would know it was indeed real and giggled into her, the humming sensation driving her wild as he captured her nub between his lips and made one last concerted effort with his tongue and fingers curled within her to bring her over the edge.

"Oh, Aarooon." Her back arched, body twitching uncontrollably as he continued his assault as she rode out every last wave of her first orgasm of the night.

The sight of her in that state as he looked up her gorgeous body was too much for him and he launch himself back on top of her, hooking his hands under her knees to spread her wider for him.

The feel of her nails lightly ranking across his ass was the last hint of permission he needed and he instantaneously moved find her entrance, his whole mission now to fully claim her. He grunted her name as she moaned his, feeling his entire length enter her in one slow and swift pump inside. She needed a minute to adjust to him, she was so damn tight. So he allowed her the moment before fluidly withdrawing almost entirely leaving her and determinedly returning, pushing another set of thankful moans from her lips.

He set a slow and steady pace, the whole time keeping constant eye contact. He loved watching her face as it wavered between bliss and need, love and lust. She loved staring back at him, this incredibly handsome man that she was beyond in love with. As hot as all this was, it was also making love. Naughty and nice, all in one.

"More. Oh, please more. I need you." She was begging, greedily grabbing his back and ass to push him impossibly deeper into her. He was hitting spost she never knew she even had and each sensation was more incredible than the last.

"Oh, Pen. You are driving me crazy." He was losing his ability to concentrate on her pleasure. Her hands through his hair, down his back, when she launched herself up to meet his lips. He was beyond himself, his pace rapidly increasing, his thrusts deeper and needy.

"Yes. Oh God, more." She was matching his thrusts with her hips, all the more eager for him.

"Anything you want." He replied verbally while his body replied by swirling his hips as he thrust in and out, discovering every angle on her canal.

It was too much. Oh it was so good. "Yes. Right there. Oh, I'm gonna." One last breath. "Aaron!" she yelled as she desperately clutched to his still moving body. This was the most intense orgasm she ever had, helped by the fact that he wasn't giving up on her. He slowed his pace so he could watch her face as her walls locked around him but picked back up once she rode it out, determined to make her cum one last time with him.

Her body finally relaxed enough for her head to hit back to the bed again. She looked up into his eyes again, purely addicted to this man. "Thank you." She mumbled, as she began to feel herself build again.

Her thanking him was the final straw, he was about to throw over the edge, so he reached between them to find her sensitive nub one last time. "Cum for me Pen. I want to ride it out with you."

Her head flew back in the sensations, feeling him about to burst within her. There it was, she was there and watching that third orgasm spread across her body pushed him over to filling her entirely.

He collapsed on top of her to continue in a series of passionate kisses. Together they rocked gently back and forth, riding out the aftershocks until the passionate moment died down to an ember.

She stroked his hair lovingly as he remained on top and looking into her eyes. "Penelope."

The way he spoke her name said it all. He loved her just as much as she loved him. She pulled him into her for a much more chaste kiss. "Stay tonight?"

He rolled off of her, pulling her face into his bare chest. She nuzzled into him, already feeling herself slip under the spell of sleep. Both yawned in unison.

It was late, they were exhausted and they had been at it for… wow, a long time. "Goodnight sweetheart." He cooed as he turned off the light.

"Goodnight Aaron."