"Friends are the family we choose." – Jess C. Scott

When they came back into the bullpen, they could see that the light in the conference room was burning. A quick investigation revealed JJ and baby Herny that were waiting for their return.

As Morgan carefully took Henry into his army, the others quickly formed a circle around them, with Garcia and Emily bantering with Morgan. JJ observed them, when she noticed the presence of someone besides her.

Without looking, she knew it was Hotch, as he was the only one missing and as she recognized the familiar steadfast aura he was emitting. When she glanced over to Hotch, she could see that a smile grazed his lips. He had always been stoic and reserved regarding his emotions, but since Haley's death, she couldn't remember seeing him smile at all.

"You're smiling", she slipped, before she could contemplate if she should say anything at all.

"Yes", when he looked over to her, she could see it was a genuine smile that even reached his eyes, lighting them up. This sight made her crack a soft smile.

"We miss you", he added, looking at the others again. This admission made her heart melt. Of course, she knew that her friends missed her, but hearing it, especially from Hotch meant the world to her.

She had always been closer to Hotch than the rest of the team, maybe for the exception of Gideon and now Rossi, but their roles in the team led to a close connection. This also meant, he was more open to show his emotions to her. She smiled at the thought, glancing up to the man besides her once more.

His eyes met her, and seeing her smile coaxed another smile out of him. Without a second thought, she leaned over to him and rested her head at his shoulder, feeling that he could use some extra reminders that he had another family, after the recent blow to his real one.

She could feel him stiff up for a split second, before he whispered to her, carefully not to distract the others.

"That is not exactly the usual etiquette between a unit chief and his agents" he half-jokingly interjected. She chuckled before she responded.

"Yes, but technically I am on maternity leave, so technically you are not my boss at the moment. I am simply snuggling up to a good friend."

That being said, he placed a hand on her shoulder, pulling her into a sideways embrace. They remained in this pose, watching their teammates.