Two days later, Hotch summoned the entire team, plus Section Chief Cruz, to an early morning meeting in the conference room.
"What do you think is going on?" Blake asked Morgan as they walked up the ramp.
"I have no idea," Morgan replied. "I don't think it's a case."
"Nothing has come across my desk," Garcia joined them. "I have no idea what this is!"
As the team was taking their usual seats at the conference room table, Blake looked around. "Where is Rossi?" she questioned. "He is coming, too, isn't he?"
"Dave will be here," Hotch assured her from his place at the front of the room. "He had to make a stop on his way in. We'll wait until he arrives."
Chief Cruz checked his watch. "I have a meeting in 15 minutes," he warned.
"It won't be that – " Hotch stopped mid-comment as Rossi suddenly appeared in the doorway with Christine.
The silence was deafening and then Garcia erupted. "OMG!" she shrieked. "You're back. I knew they had found you, and now you're finally here!" She ran around the table and Christine was quickly enveloped in a cloud of colors.
"Penelope! I've missed you so much!" Christine sounded as if she was about to cry.
Morgan and Blake hurried around the table to join the two women.
"Morgan," Christine nestled in his arms as she gave him a hug. "I always feel so safe around you! I have missed that like you wouldn't believe!"
"And, Blake," she turned to hug the linguist. "It is so good to see you – I have missed you like crazy! I have some books I really want to discuss with you." Christine was smiling and trying hard not to cry.
"And, I have one book in particular I want to discuss with you," Blake returned with a watery smile.
Rossi was beaming as he took out a handkerchief and handed it to Christine.
JJ just sat, warily watching.
"Okay, everyone," Hotch called to get the team's attention. "If you will all sit down. I have something that needs to be said."
He watched as Rossi pulled out a chair, seating Christine between himself and Blake.
"Something has occurred," Hotch began. "And, as it affects both Reid and me, that means it affects the entire team."
For the first time anyone could remember, Hotch looked nervous. He took a deep breath, and then began. "It seems that Reid and I both had – sexual relations – with Christine within a very short period of time," he said. "And, as a result, she is pregnant."
Christine was carefully studying her hands, which were lying in her lap.
"It is another set of twins," Reid spoke up authoritatively. "Because she already delivered one set of fraternal twins, the doctor feels it is possible that she hyper-ovulates – releases two eggs at once."
"And, that means that there is a possibility that both Reid and I may both be the fathers," Hotch conclude.
"Can that happen?" Garcia was astonished.
"Yes, it is called heteropaternal superfecundation," Reid was always ready with the facts. "It's not common, but it does occur."
"YOU BITCH!" the words rang out across the room as JJ sprang from her chair. "I don't believe it! You did this on purpose to ruin everything! I hate you!"
Before anyone realized what she had in mind, JJ had run around the table to where Christine was sitting and had begun showering blows on Christine's face, neck, and head.
Reid stared in horror at the scene in front of him as Rossi quickly put himself between the two women and Blake grabbed JJ from behind, pinning her arms. Throughout the entire episode, Christine sat motionless with her head bowed.
"Agent Jareau!" Hotch snapped. "That is enough! This is not acceptable behavior! Blake, take her to my office and stay with her. I will be there shortly!"
As Blake escorted JJ out of the conference room, Garcia rushed over and began helping Morgan as he examined Christine's head and neck, as well as the side of Rossi's face where JJ had hit him.
"There doesn't seem to be any real damage," Morgan declared. "However, they should probably be iced."
Not a problem," Garcia promptly rushed off to get some ice.
Christine looked up at Hotch and quietly spoke. "Aaron, Please – Take it easy on her. I deserve this."
Morgan looked at her, shocked. "No You Do Not!" he declared vehemently. "No one deserves to be treated like this! And, don't you ever think that – Not Ever! You did not deserve what happened to you with George Wyatt, and you most certainly did not deserve this!"
Everyone stared at Morgan, stunned by the intensity of his delivery. Gently he put his hand under Christine's chin and raised her head so he could look into her eyes.
"Everything is going to be fine," he assured her. "Just relax and let me and my Baby Girl take care of you."
"Well, Agent Hotchner, your team certainly has some interesting meetings," Chief Cruz stood up to leave. "At this point, I don't plan on saying anything to the Director, but I assume you will be in my office later today with a complete report?"
"Of course, Sir," Hotch replied.