I just got back from my trip and I'm overwhelmed with the response I've gotten for my story! Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed, followed or favored it. It has put a big smile on my face to actually get a response for my writing because I've been so unsure if I'm any good at it. That's why I've started with such short chapters, just to get a feel for it now at the beginning. I'm going to answer every review, but it will have to wait until tomorrow because it's currently 2am and I have school in a couple of hours. Here's a new chapter, enjoy!

Chapter 3

Hotch's jaw was literally on the ground after I tell him that I'm here with my daughter. Had I not been so nervous about his reaction, it would be quite hilarious. He kind of resembles a goldfish right now, opening and closing his mouth without any sound coming out.

"Hotch?" I try coaxing a response from him

"You have a daughter?" He looks dumbfound, looking over at Kahlan, then back at me. "How, w-why have you never told me." He actually looks hurt that I never told him. Before I get to answer him, Kahlan comes running towards us, with Jack on her heals.

"Mommy, mommy, look at what Jack and I found in the sandbox." She beams at me as she holds up an old dirty coin in her small hands. I lift her on to my lap and I forget about the conversation with Hotch for a moment to focus on my daughter.

"Wow sweetie that looks really cool! Do you want to keep it?" When she nods vigorously, I can't help but smile and say "we'll have to wash it first, though." As I look over at Hotch and Jack who are both watching us curiously, I sigh. I turn Kahlan in my lap so that her back is to my front before I say "Hotch, Jack, I want you to meet my daughter Kahlan." Looking at Kahlan I ask "Sweetie, can you say hi?" She smiles, gives a small wave and says hi in a little shy voice.

Hotch's gaze softened at my daughters wave. He still looked hurt and I could see that he had lots of questions, so I told Kahlan that I would watch over her coin and that she and Jack could go play again. After they left, I look at them playing, not sparing a glance at Hotch.

"Ask away." I say.

"Ok, so you have a daughter, that no one on the team knows about. Why didn't you tell us? How old is she? Who's the father?" He fires off these questions and I let him get it out before answering. I take a breath.

"I didn't tell anyone about her because I want her to be safe! You know that what we do is tainted, dangerous, and I don't want her to be a part of that so I shield her from that part of my life. Unfortunately, that means you guys too. Kahlan was born two and a half year ago. As for who's the father, well that is none of your business!" I know I come off a bit harsh, but I don't want to be questioned. But I soften my tone, knowing that it's not his fault. "I'm sorry that I didn't tell you"

He looks at me before saying "Why isn't any of this in your file?"

"Let's just say that I have friends in high places that owed me and could alter my file. The people who need to know are in the know, so it wasn't that big of a deal." I know now that Hotch knows about Kahlan, the rest of the team will too. I can't and won't ask him to keep that big of a secret for me.

"I can't keep this from the team, you know that right?" Huh, maybe he's a mind reader too…

"I would never ask that of you" Is my answer to him. Looking over I can see the wheels turning in his head, trying to figure out why I kept her a secret, despite me already explaining why.

"Look at Jack" I tell him. He turns towards his son, looking at him and Kahlan building sandcastles. "Think about how much you love him, how you would do anything to keep him safe, protected. If you had the chance to do that, to shield him from the life that you chose, not him, wouldn't you take that chance?" I can see on his face that he now understands, and it makes me feel a little better for keeping her from the team.

"I get that now that you know that the rest of the team should too, but can you please let me tell them myself? They need to hear it from me, and I need to explain like I just did with you."

"I understand, but it can't be too long from now be-" I interrupt him before he can finish "Of course, how about all of you come over tomorrow for dinner at my place, and they can meet my daughter at the same time."

He nods his head "Deal"

Thanks for reading, will update again soon!