UNDER THE WEATHER
Hotch and Garcia have developed an outside of work friendship. On this Christmas Eve, will Aaron take the chance to let Penelope know how important she is to both him and Jack? Will they find love with each other this Christmas?
Author Notes:
I'm new to the criminal Minds fandom, though not new to fan fiction. I discovered CM this past summer, when I was looking for something new. It's on late where I live, and I start work very early in the morning, so I've never watched it before. I fell hard, from the beginning, and binge-watched through season eleven. I stopped after Thomas Gibson left. Aaron Hotchner is my favorite character, deep, complex, strong and controlled at work, passionate and fragile in his love. He described Haley as being fierce in her love, but he was really describing himself. Few TV characters have moved me as deeply as Aaron Hotchner. But I love Garcia, Reid and Rossi too. Penelope can give Hotch something he needs, a warm heart, a shoulder, absolute acceptance, laughter. Setting: any time before season twelve. But after Haley's death and Aaron's relationship with Beth, whom I liked a lot. Beth made Aaron laugh, as we never saw him do with Haley.
I'm sorry I didn't get this posted before Christmas. I had company from out of town and little time to write. Enjoy. And if you know of other Hotch/garcia stories, let me know. They seem to be hard to find.
For song inspiration, check out Under the weather, by Chris Young.
Under the Weather
It had been the worst kind of case. The whole team had been affected by the murder of children, but Aaron supposed he and JJ took it the worst. Any time he handled one of these cases, he couldn't help but think of Jack, safe at home with Jessica. Aaron hoped desperately that he could always keep Jack safe. As he got out of his car at home, he felt thankful that they had caught the unsub and had returned one child to his parents. Sighing, he unlocked the front door, slipping soundlessly into his quiet home.
"Hey, Aaron," Jessica came from the living room. "You look tired. Tough case?"
"Yeah. Is Jack asleep?"
She nodded.
"Can I talk to you for a minute?" Jessica asked.
"Hang on. Let me run up and check on Jack."
Running up the stairs, Aaron wondered what Jess could want to discuss. Did she want to stop helping with Jack? She had looked serious.
Quietly, he opened the door to Jack's room. Stepping over to the bed, Aaron gazed down at his son. He lay sprawled over the bed, his hair tousled, his face calm and peaceful in sleep. As always when he looked at his sleeping boy, Aaron felt a swell of fierce protective emotion. Jack was growing up too fast. How soon would it be before Jack no longer thought his dad was a super hero who could do no wrong? Bending, he kissed Jack's forehead and left the room.
Before rejoining Jessica in the living room, Aaron poured himself a drink. Taking the glass, he sat down on the couch and turned to his sister-in-law.
"What's going on, Jess? Is everything okay?"
"Oh, yes, everything's fine. I'm sorry if I worried you. It's nothing like that."
"All right. If you're sure." Aaron paused. Jessica just smiled.
"Well, Aaron, it's like this. Would you mind if Jack spent Christmas Eve with my family?"
Aaron started to frown but Jessica hurried on.
"Just Christmas eve, I promise. I'd bring him back late that night, or in the morning if he fell asleep. Or you could come with him, of course."
Aaron shrugged.
"You know your family still blames me for Haley's death. Just Christmas Eve then? He'd be home Christmas morning?"
"Definitely." Jessica said. "I'd never suggest keeping the two of you apart on Christmas. Besides, Jack would have a fit if he couldn't be with you on the day."
They both smiled. Jack had become very close to his father and as protective of Aaron, as Aaron was of Jack. Reaching out, Aaron took Jessica's hand and squeezed it.
"Sure. He'd love to be with everyone on Christmas Eve. And it will mean I can do all the final wrapping and putting together of things without worrying about him peeking."
"Thanks, Aaron." Jessica stood up. Aaron joined her, walking to the front door at her side.
"Night, thanks for everything, as always. I don't know what we'd have done without you."
She smiled and kissed his cheek. Stepping outside, she waved and headed to her car. Before opening the door, she turned back to Aaron.
"You know," a mischievous smile crossed her face. "You could ask Penelope over for the evening on Christmas eve."
"What?" Aaron raised his brows, but Jessica just laughed and got into the car.
With a chuckle, Aaron watched her drive away. When he could no longer see her tail lights, he turned back into the house, closing and locking the door behind him.
"Penelope," he whispered.
He couldn't help smiling at the thought of his technical analyst. He'd always had a special bond with Garcia, from the time he'd interviewed her and offered her the job. He still had her homemade pink stationery with that first resume. He'd carefully transcribed all the information in the resume, offering a more standard resume to human resources, keeping Garcia's offering for himself. In the past few months, however, he'd begun to be more than colleagues with Garcia, more than Hotch and Garcia. They'd become friends and outside work, they'd become Aaron and Penelope. Somehow, Aaron could no longer imagine his life without Penelope. Her bright clothes, her smile, her teasing, her gentleness and her protectiveness toward them all, her concern for those who were wounded by the world, her friendship with both him and Jack.
It had all started a few months before. Hotch had just gotten off the phone with his former mother-in-law. She'd been harassing him about Jack. She didn't like the way Aaron raised him, didn't like Aaron's job, didn't like Aaron depending on Jess so much. Mrs. Brooks occasionally took the opportunity to give him hell, and she'd laid it on thick that night. Eventually, it had gone from asking him how he dared still being at work, to telling him how it was his fault Haley was dead. For Jack's sake, Hotch always tried to be polite to Haley's mother, but there were times when he wanted to scream at her to shut the fuck up. He didn't of course.
Hanging up at last, He dropped his face into his hands. Though he thought he'd worked through his guilt about Haley, and his relationship with Beth had helped him move farther away from that guilt, there were moments he still felt it, and Mrs. Brooks knew exactly where his buttons were and how to push them till he felt he could bleed from it. It had been one of those times, and Hotch wanted nothing more than to go home, hold his son to his heart and dare the world to interfere.
Someone tapped on the door. Looking up, he called for the person to enter.
"Hotch? What are you doing here still?"
"Garcia? I thought you'd gone home."
She breezed into his office.
"Nope, but I'm about to. What are you still doing here, my Liege?"
"Paperwork. And Haley's mom caught me."
Garcia groaned in sympathy. The whole team knew that Mrs. Brooks blamed Hotch for her daughter's death. Garcia wished she could give the hateful woman a piece of her mind.
"I know Rossi has told you, and now I'm gonna tell you. You don't have to listen to her crap. You don't owe her any penance, you know. Haley died because a madman murdering asshole went after her to get to you. It's not your fault. You could never have made the deal with him. And in your heart, you know that Haley understood that and didn't blame you. You wouldn't be you, if you'd taken that deal. So quit letting that woman get to you every time she decides to dig in her claws."
Hotch waved his hand, cutting her off."
"She's Jack's grandmother. Much as I'd like to cut her out of our lives, I can't and wouldn't ever do that."
Garcia sighed inwardly. Hotch would continue to crucify himself. Nobody could change the essential core of the man.
"Yeah, yeah, I know," she said. "Look, boss man, forget the paperwork. Everyone else is gone. Why don't you come with me now? We could grab some dinner."
Hotch started to brush off the invitation.
"Oh no, you don't get to do that," Garcia stopped him before he could speak his refusal. "You need to eat, and so do I. it won't hurt you to spend an hour with a friend getting some food in you. I will not take no for an answer."
She strode to him, removing the pen from his hand and just staring at him. Hotch laughed.
"You win," he said. "Give me five to lock away these files."
That was how it began. They'd laughed a lot at that first dinner. Aaron had been glad he'd given in. They didn't talk about work, and they didn't talk about the brooks family. They talked about Jack, talked about Garcia's volunteer work, talked about Hotch's time as a prosecutor, talked about current events, everything and anything but the BAU. Aaron hadn't felt so free and relaxed in a very long time. Penelope had seen a different side to her stern intense boss, and she liked it a lot.
"Thank you for this, Garcia," he said, walking her to her car. "You were right. I did need this. Somehow, you always seem to know what we all need before we do."
"Penelope."
"What do you mean?"
"Outside the office, call me Penelope."
He smiled, dimples in full force. Penelope felt a thrill at the sight of that smile.
"Then it goes both ways," he touched her shoulder. "Outside work, it's Aaron. You used to call me that once in a while, remember?"
She nodded.
"Goodnight, Aaron. Tell Jack that Auntie Penn will be over soon with some cupcakes."
He smiled again, and she felt that same thrill. Those dimples could tear down any woman's defenses, she thought.
"Goodnight, Penelope. Drive safely."
It had all started then. At least once a week, providing the team was not away on a case, Aaron and Penelope did something together. Sometimes, it was dinner, sometimes a quick drink at a quiet neighborhood bar, she just happened to know. Sometimes, she'd come over and spend time with Aaron and Jack. They'd have a movie night, Penelope joining in Jack's joy over super hero movies. Sometimes, they had a picnic in the park, went to the zoo or other Jack focused outings. They didn't talk about it with the team. They didn't talk about what was happening. Neither of them admitted to the things they were beginning to feel. Penelope saw her boss in a whole new light and he felt he was seeing beyond her color and over the topness into the deep caring woman underneath it all. They both came to cherish their time together, both came to depend on each other and their private time together. They both wondered why they had taken so long to take this step. And they both wondered who or if or when, they'd reach out and take the next step.
She was there for him, when Mrs. Brooks started talking about custody battles. Thankfully, Jessica put her foot down on that one, vowing to testify on Aaron's behalf if her mother dared try such a thing. Aaron felt a sense of peace with her. He never had to pretend to be anything he wasn't. He didn't have to be always strong, always in control. He could just be Aaron. Not Hotch, not SSA Hotchner, just Aaron.
Aaron held Penelope the many times she cried after Morgan left the team. They were confidants, best friends, but would they ever step over the line into love? Could either of them take the risk?
Smiling at the memories, Aaron picked up his glass and sipped the whiskey. He stretched. Exhaustion swept over him. Once he could let go of the stress of tough cases, he'd become tired, feeling every bit of his age, even older. He stood up and headed for the kitchen to pour out the rest of his drink. He thought about calling Penelope. Maybe he could invite her over for Christmas Eve, so neither of them would be alone. He rinsed out his glass, setting it in the sink and pulling out his phone.
"Aaron?" He could hear the smile in her voice, and it made him feel better. "How may I be of service?"
"I just wanted to say goodnight." Aaron checked the alarm and began to climb the stairs toward his room.
"Aw, how nice. Are you feeling okay? I know that case was a tough one for ya."
"I'm fine. Just hearing your voice makes it better."
He paused. Penelope felt her heart race a little.
"Same back at you."
"Penelope, listen, I was wondering—"
It wasn't like him to fumble for words. Aaron was always straight-forward, precise. It was kinda cute, she thought, listening to him search for the right thing to say. Penelope sat up from her prone position on her couch.
"Yes?" she prompted, her voice soft and breathy.
"Well, Jess asked if she could have Jack for Christmas Eve, so he can see his grandparents and all. And you know, she'd invite me, but Mrs. Brooks and me in the same room right now-:
He trailed off and Penelope laughed.
"Um, not a good plan for sure. So, you're gonna be alone Christmas eve then?"
"Actually, that's what I was going to ask you. Yes, I'd be alone, unless."
"Unless?"
"Would you like to come over and have dinner and spend the evening with me?"
There! He'd finally gotten it out. He felt like a teenager again, anxiety curling around in his guts as he waited for her answer.
"I'd love to. Would you rather go out though?"
"I've got presents to wrap and toys to put together, so no, I'd like to stay here. But I'd really like if if you'd come over and spend the evening with me."
"Say no more, kind sir. I shall certainly be delighted to attend."
They laughed. Aaron felt relieved. She'd said yes.
"Do you want me to bring dinner?" Penelope asked.
"Oh no, I will be doing the cooking. I'm a pretty good cook, in case you didn't know."
"I guess you had to learn to do more than mac and cheese for Jack, didn't ya?"
He laughed.
"You are so right. So, say about six on Christmas Eve then?"
"It's a date." She replied. Suddenly, her eyes flew open. "Aaron, is this a date?"
"Yes, Penelope. I'd like to consider it a date. If you do, of course."
"Oh, my poor heart can't take it." she giggled. "Yes, it's definitely a date. Thank you, Aaron."
"Well, I'll see you then. You know I'm taking the rest of the week off, so I won't be back in the office until after Christmas."
"I remember."
"Okay. Well, I need to get to sleep. Jack's on vacation, and he'll be up early."
"All right then. Goodnight, Aaron. I'll talk to ya tomorrow."
"Goodnight, Penelope. Sleep well."
"Oh, I will." She laughed. "I'll be dreaming of Christmas eve."
For some reason, Penelope could never flirt and tease Aaron in the ways she had with Morgan. Their relationship had become too important, and she never wanted him to think she took it or him lightly.
"Sweet dreams then." His voice was husky.
"Mmmm. Same to you."
With a smile, Aaron ended the call. He checked on Jack again and then got ready for bed. He could hardly wait till Christmas Eve. As he drifted to sleep, he vaguely wondered how it had happened that Penelope Garcia, of all people, had become the most important person in his world, other than Jack.
Christmas Eve
Aaron and Jack spent Christmas Eve day together. Jack was beside himself with excitement that it was almost Christmas.
"Dad, can we make some cookies? I can take some to Aunt Jess, and then you can have some here."
"Sure, Buddy. I was planning on it. Let's finish wrapping your presents for your aunt and grandparents. Then we can do the cookies. How's that sound?"
"Yay!"
Jack high-fived his father and then rushed up the stairs to get the gifts to wrap.
"Hey Jack, don't try to find the wrapping paper. I'll grab it."
"Okay." Jack's voice was muffled, as he dug through his closet to find the gifts.
Aaron run upstairs. Jack's presents were hidden in the closet in Aaron's bedroom. The gift wrapping supplies were there, and Aaron did not want Jack to find them. Scooping up rolls of paper, Aaron closed the closet doors firmly and headed back to the living room.
Together they wrapped, and then they baked cookies. Laughing at the sight of Jack covered in flour and cookie dough, Aaron sent him up to take a shower, while he cleaned up the kitchen. Flour, sugar and colored sprinkles covered the floor and all the surfaces, but for Aaron, the time he spent with Jack was worth all the work afterward. It wouldn't be long until Jack became a teenager and went through the I-hate-you-Dad stage.
Jack ran in just as Aaron was wiping down the counters for the last time.
"Hey, Buddy, that was fast. You all ready?"
Jack nodded, swiping a cookie from a plate as he passed.
"I just have to get the presents for Grandma and Aunt Jess." Jack's reply was muffled by the cookie.
"Swallow " Aaron laughed, ruffling Jack's hair as we passed. "Sit down with me a minute, buddy. I want to talk to you about something."
"Uh oh." Jack slid into a chair.
Joining him at the table, Aaron smiled.
"It's nothing bad. At least, I don't think it is. I just wanted to ask you about something."
"Okay?"
Taking a deep breath, Aaron took the plunge.
"Jack, how would you feel if I start dating Penelope? Uh, romantically, I mean. I know we hang out together a lot, all three of us, but I've come to care a lot for her. I know you really loved Beth, and it hurt a lot when she left, but_"
Jack punched the air.
"Yes!" Jumping up, he ran to Aaron and hugged him. "I've been waiting for you to get around to it!"
Aaron laughed.
"Have you now? Well, that's good."
"You were seriously worried? Geez, dad, I love Penelope. She's so much fun!"
"Well, that's good to know." Aaron sighed with relief. "It's like I said, I know you loved Beth, and I did too. But that didn't work out. I just didn't know how you'd feel if I started dating someone else. You're my first priority, and that will never change."
"Sure, I missed Beth, but she's gone. Penelope has always been around. I like her. And she makes you smile and laugh."
"That she does. Well, I'm going to talk to her about it tonight."
Jack grinned.
The doorbell rang, and Jack raced to the door.
"It's Penelope," he called back over his shoulder, giggling all the time.
"Don't give it away," Aaron said. "I'd actually like to discuss it with Penelope first."
"Dad."
Flinging the door open, Jack grinned up at Penelope.
"Hey, Penelope. Come on in. Dad and I made cookies."
"Wow." Penelope smiled, reaching out to give the boy a hug. "Merry Christmas, Jack. Are you already for Santa's visit?"
"Silly, there's no such thing as Santa. I am ten you know."
Penelope frowned.
"What do you mean, there's no Santa? Aaron, did you hear your son?"
Chuckling, Aaron joined them, giving Penelope a quick hug.
"Don't tell me you believe in Santa?" Jack said, turning back to Penelope.
"Of course I do! Maybe I don't believe in a fat guy all in red coming down my chimney. Especially because my apartment doesn't have a chimney. But I believe in the spirit of Santa, of giving and loving and doing good and kind things. You know, your dad and the rest of the team do that every day. It's just that at Christmas, we can all reach out and be caring for others. Right, Jack?"
"Right. I like that version of Santa. But you're wrong. My dad is better than Santa. He's a superhero."
Smiling, Penelope squeezed his shoulder.
"Yes he is. What's his superhero name? Aaron the great perhaps?"
Aaron blushed, and Jack and Penelope laughed.
"You look really pretty, Penelope," jack said. "I especially like those Christmas tree earrings. Doesn't she look pretty, Dad?"
"Yes she does. Hey, Buddy, Aunt Jess should be here soon. Why don't you get your things together, so you won't keep her waiting?"
"Okay." Jack ran out of the room, giggling again.
Penelope turned back to Aaron, smiling.
"He has one speed and volume, doesn't he?"
"Yes, fast and loud. But I wouldn't have him any other way. Come on in to the kitchen. I'm just finishing dinner." Reaching out, Aaron tapped one of her earrings. "I do like the earrings. And you look beautiful tonight, in all your sparkling glory."
Penelope smiled at him. She was wearing a long red skirt with a matching sweater sprinkled all over with sequins. She was happy that in all the years she'd known him, Aaron had never complained about her very unorthodox way of dressing. She remembered when she'd first taken over part of JJ's job, and how she'd tried to conform, dressing professionally. She'd rarely felt so out of control and not herself, and it had affected her job in disastrous ways. Aaron had told her to be herself, and she couldn't have loved him more for it.
"Lead on, kind sir," she said.
Turning, Aaron walked back to the stove to stir something simmering in a pot. He smiled to himself, remembering his talk with Jack. Now, he just had to have a similar conversation with Penelope. Feeling as nervous as if it was the first time he'd asked a woman out, he set the spoon back on the stove and looked for something else to do to keep his hands busy.
"Aunt Jess is here," Jack yelled, running in to the kitchen. "Where's the presents for Grandma?"
"In the hall closet," Aaron answered.
Grabbing a hand towel, he wiped his hands and followed Jack to the front door to greet his sister-in-law.
In a flurry of hugs and Christmas wishes, Jack and Jessica left, with Jess promising to have Jack home around midnight. As Aaron started to go back in to the house, snow began to fall. Smiling, he tilted his head back to let the snow fall on his face. Snow on Christmas Eve? A good omen, he thought.
"Hey, Penelope, it started snowing."
"Yay. I love the snow. It just washes away all the bad stuff and makes the whole world seem new."
"I know what you mean. Would you like a glass of wine? I have some nice red. I know you prefer red."
"I'd love a glass. Do you need any help with the rest of dinner?"
He shook his head.
"Nope, it's almost done. I just have to put the bread in the oven. Let me get the wine."
Reaching in a drawer to find the corkscrew, Aaron smiled to himself. He was feeling hopeful for where this night might lead him and Penelope.
"Would ya grab a couple of wine glasses?" he asked, turning to Penelope. "They're in that cupboard to your right."
"Sure thing, bossman."
"Hey now. I'm not Bossman today. I hope?"
Penelope grinned mischievously.
"Just had to see if you were paying attention."
"I'll get ya for that."
"Oh please. Just try."
She placed the glasses in front of him.
Pouring the wine, Aaron smiled over his shoulder at her.
"I'm glad you're here with me, Penelope."
He handed her a glass. Taking his own, he walked back to the living room.
"Let me get some music going."
"Oh, that'll be nice. We need a little soft Christmas music, I think."
Aaron started a playlist he'd put together specifically for the evening. Soft sounds, romantic feelings, he wanted to set the mood. He was going all out for this evening, everything riding on it. As Dave King's "Christmas and You" began to play, he smiled. It was exactly what he wanted.
He went to the dining room and lit the candles he'd put there earlier. Turning back to Penelope, he took her hand, smiling a soft smile.
"Come and sit. I'll bring in dinner. I've made a beef stew with salad and bread. I hope that's all right?"
"Mmm. It sounds delicious. And on a cold night like this, it's exactly right. Oh, Aaron, the table is beautiful. You did all this for me?"
"Of course. I wanted everything to be special for you tonight."
She beamed. She could swear she felt her heart miss a beat. Maybe, just maybe, this night would go the way she hoped. Sitting in the chair he held out for her, Penelope smiled up at Aaron.
"Bring on the food, Mister, she said, tossing her head. "This woman is hungry."
"Yes, ma'am. I'll be right back."
He pulled the bread out of the oven. Slicing it quickly, he placed it in a basket and wrapped in a warm towel. Carrying the bread and a plate with a cube of butter, he returned to the dining room and placed bread and butter on the table.
"Go ahead and get started with the bread," he said. "Would you like anything else to go on your bread?"
"No thanks, this is perfect. Don't tell me you made the bread too."
He shook his head.
"Not me. That's not one of my talents."
"Ah well, you have plenty of others. Leave bread making for someone else who has fewer."
He laughed.
Returning to the kitchen, he opened a cupboard and took down a couple bowls. He scooped the bubbling hot stew into the bowls and carried them to the table. Next he brought in the salad, and at last, he seated himself, joining Penelope at the table.
"It all looks great, Aaron. I'm impressed."
"You should be. I worked on this all day. While making cookies with Jack and helping him get ready, of course."
"Of course."
Aaron reached for his wine glass. With a soft look on his face, he tipped it toward her.
"To Penelope," he said. "And to our evening. May you only be happy always, and may this night be the start of many others."
They clinked their glasses, and each took a sip.
Over dinner Aaron kept the talk light. He had so much he wanted to say to her, but he wanted to wait until everything else was done. He was nervous, afraid she might not be wanting the same things he did. Maybe this was only friendship for her.
Penelope watched Aaron anxiously. He seemed nervous. In all the years she'd known him, she'd never seen Aaron fidget. But there he was, touching his glass, but not picking it up, pushing the food around on his plate, folding and unfolding his napkin. She could imagine what was up with him, unless he had something important to discuss. Her thoughts seemed to freeze at that. Could he be leading up to something? A break up? A move forward? Did she want things to change? She felt her stomach twist in fear at the idea that Aaron might want to end things, to go back to the formal work-friendly relationship they'd had before she'd impulsively invited him out to dinner with her that night. Penelope did not want to go back to that. Aaron and Jack had become so much more to her now.
After dinner, Penelope helped Aaron clean up and get the leftover food put away. They laughed as they loaded the dishwasher. Aaron wondered why it was that Penelope could get him to laugh so openly so frequently.
"I've got to run to the garage to get a couple of Jack's things," he said, reaching for a dish towel to dry his hands. "And I actually have a couple things in the trunk of my car."
"Oh, well, while you're at it," Penelope scrambled in her purse. Finding her keys, she tossed them at him, admiring how he caught them in midair. "There are a couple packages in the back seat."
"Okay, I'll grab those too."
Opening the door, he saw that it had started snowing harder sometime since Jack had left. He smiled and turned back to tell Penelope.
"It's really coming down," he said. "Looks like we're gonna get that white Christmas."
Penelope clapped her hands.
"Yay. I know the weather guy said we might get snow, but I didn't want to get my hopes up."
She came to stand beside him in the doorway.
"Oh, it's so pretty. And the ground is already covered!"
Aaron reached out, lightly touching her shoulder.
"I love the joy you feel at the world around you, Penelope. It always makes me see things more hopefully. You've always done that for me, and even more now since we've gotten to know each other."
They shared a long look, each feeling so much, afraid to speak, but wanting to say so many things. She laid her hand over his. Turning his palm, Aaron grasped her hand and squeezed.
A car sped down the street, the sound of the engine breaking the moment.
"Let me go grab the stuff," he said. "I'll be right back."
Penelope stood in the open door, watching as he gathered the various gifts. Humming Let it Snow, she smiled. She loved his confident stride, the way his body moved with such grace and command. She smiled seeing the snow in his hair. She wanted to run her hands through that hair, to see if it was as soft as it appeared. She wanted to touch his face, to kiss those lips …
Stop it right there, she thought. You cannot go down that road, Penelope Garcia. Shrugging, she walked down the front steps, joining Aaron at her car.
"Here, let me carry some of those," she said, taking the top packages from his arms.
"Thanks."
"Do you have wrapping paper and all that?"
"Yes I do." Pausing, he gave her a wink. "I almost forgot though. I had to rush out and buy it yesterday."
Chuckling, they made their way back to the house.
The next hour was spent wrapping the gifts.
"You make them all look so nice," Aaron said. "Perfectly wrapped, pretty ribbons, not overly taped up. Not like me."
Penelope eyed his pile of wrapped gifts.
"Um, Aaron, those look, shall I say, interesting?"
"I know. I'm no good at wrapping gifts. Never have been. Fortunately, Jack doesn't care. He rips everything off before he has time to notice my poor job at wrapping."
"You know, it's actually kind of nice seeing something you aren't perfect at."
"Oh, is it now, Ms. Garcia?"
The wicked twinkle in his eyes should have warned her.
"Indeed it is so, Mr. Hotchner."
"Well. We'll see about that."
Picking up a wad of discarded paper, he tossed it at her.
"What?" scooping up her own paper, she tossed it back. Soon the living room floor was covered in the remnants of brightly colored paper, ribbon and gift cards.
"Oh, look at this mess!" Penelope couldn't stop laughing. "We'd better clear this up."
Watching her smile, her cheeks flushed, Aaron thought he could look at that face all day, every day.
After a long pause, in which they just stared at each other, Aaron stood up, taking her hand to help her to her feet.
"It's getting chilly. I'm gonna start a fire." He said softly.
"Okay. I'll put this stuff away while you do that. Where does everything go?"
"Put the wrapping paper in the hall closet for now," Aaron replied. "Uh, the scissors go in that drawer with all the gadgets in the kitchen. Tape goes there too."
Kneeling before the fireplace, he deftly started the fire. Silently, he watched the flames take hold. It was time, he knew it. He thought about Haley. He had loved her so much, and she had been his best friend. And yet, though they'd known each other for so many years, there were things she had never understood about him, ways she had never accepted him. He'd spent years feeling guilty and ashamed about that, even as he knew he wouldn't, couldn't change. The job was so much of who he was. Beth had come close to understanding, but their separate careers had meant the end of that relationship. Now he had another chance. Penelope was someone who not only knew him, but knew and understood the job. He couldn't imagine her ever expecting him to give it up. She was also someone he could count on to be there for Jack, when he was away, or if anything ever happened to him. He felt like his whole future was hanging in the balance. Whatever happened in the next minutes would change everything. Somehow, it felt more frightening than confronting the worst unsub. He sighed.
"Something wrong?" Penelope spoke softly from just behind him. She'd returned from putting things away, but she had just watched him for a few moments.
Aaron patted the floor beside him.
"Want to join me by the fire?"
"Sure." Settling beside him, she wondered what thoughts had caused him to look so serious just before she'd spoken to him. "The fire is beautiful. In fact, it's a beautiful night all around."
"Yes it is." He took her hand in his and for several minutes, they sat together, not speaking, watching the flames.
At last, Aaron turned to face her. It was time, now or never. It had been a long time since he'd felt such hope and anticipation. What would she say?
As Aaron turned to face her, Penelope felt a flash of fear. He looked so serious. The lighthearted air of the wrapping paper fight was gone. She knew this look. She'd seen it hundreds of times over the years. Whatever he'd been leading up to all night, Aaron was ready to tell her. She only hoped her heart could survive whatever it was.
Taking a deep breath, Aaron reached for her other hand.
"Penelope, I want to talk to you about something. About us, you and me, actually. It's been great these last months, getting to know each other outside work, spending time together the way we have. You've changed everything for me. Your friendship, our time together has come to mean the world to me. But, I—I want to change things now."
Before he could continue, Penelope jerked her hands out of his.
"No, no, Aaron, don't say it. Just, just don't say it! I can't bear it if you do."
"Penelope."
"I care so much for you and Jack. Don't, don't say it, Just, don't. I can't handle—"
"Penelope!"
"I mean, I just love you both so much. And if you breaking it off, if you want to end this, Aaron … I can't, can't take that. Just, just don't."
"Penelope!"
"I do not want to hear it."
Tears had flooded her eyes. She looked away from him, her hands twisting together.
"Penelope."
There was only one way to get through to her, Aaron thought. She was not going to stop, she couldn't hear him.
"Oh, Penelope."
Pulling her into his arms, Aaron leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers. It was a soft gentle kiss, but it was not a kiss of friendship. It was a tender kiss, to show her that the very last thing he had on his mind was ending their relationship. It stopped her frantic babbling. For a moment, she froze in shock, and then she met the kiss with her own, and as the kiss deepened, she put her arms around him. Clinging to each other, they continued to kiss for several long moments. Mouths open, tongues tangling, hands stroking through each other's hair. When Aaron broke away, they both were panting, smiling with joy at each other. Sitting back, his back against the couch, he stretched out his legs and pulled Penelope against his side. He put an arm around her and smiled into her eyes.
"You're glowing," he said. "The Christmas tree lights are shining in your eyes. It's beautiful."
She blushed.
"Thank you. I guess you aren't breaking up with me. Wow."
"No, Penelope, I'm not breaking up. Quite the opposite."
Holding her hand, he continued.
"I'm falling in love with you, Penelope. You've brought so much into my life. I've always appreciated your positive spirit at work, your tender heart for the victims of the crimes the team investigates. I admire how you work with the families of victims, and all the volunteer work you do, in spite of our crazy schedules. Those are things I've always appreciated about you."
He paused. She snuggled closer, and he tightened his arm around her.
"For the past few months, as we started seeing each other outside work, I've gotten to know all the other sides of you. You make me laugh. You bring me a feeling of peace when I'm with you. I know I can be myself. I don't have to be tough commanding Hotch. I can just be Aaron. I can't wait to talk to you every morning. I can't wait to see you and find out your latest adventures every day. The first moment I see you is the moment my day begins to feel full of excitement. Saying goodnight to you before I go to sleep is the way I can go to sleep with happiness in my mind. And, Jack adores you."
He was silent for a moment."
"Oh, Aaron," Penelope smiled at him. "I feel all that too. I've always been contented, not the type to waste time stressing over what I don't have. But these last months with you, they have been the joy of life for me."
"Hell, this shouldn't be so hard. I want to make it official. I feel so much more than just friendship for you, Penelope, and if you do the same, I want to go forward, explore this, see where it takes us. I want to take you out, date you I mean, hold you, kiss you, make love to you. I want to be yours, and I want you to be mine. I just can't do without you anymore. I have fallen in love with you, and I couldn't be more ecstatic about it."
"Yes, yes, yes and yes!"
She threw herself into his arms and kissed him with all her soul.
"Oh, Aaron, this is exactly what I want, what I've wanted for a long time now. I love you, too. You and Jack. I only have one question."
"Work?"
"Yes. How do we handle that? I know it's not good for you to be my boss if we're involved. But I don't want to leave the BAU, and I know you aren't leaving."
"I've got that all figured out," Aaron said. "I'll have Dave be your supervisor. I think our situation is a little different. You rarely come to the scenes with us, and when you do, you're at the police station, or wherever our base is. You're not in the field in any kind of danger. Dave would be glad to do it, I'm sure, and then work wise, things can continue. In fact, Jack and I are going to Dave's tomorrow for dinner, and I planned to ask him about it then, if you said yes tonight."
"That would definitely work. What a coincidence. I'm going to Rossi's tomorrow too. Okay, with that out of the way. Yes, I'll be your girlfriend, and we can follow this road wherever it leads us."
Aaron wrapped his arms around her. This time, the kiss was not sweet and gentle. It was passionate, hungry, saying all the things in his heart. Penelope met him all the way. She was not a woman to hold back after all.
Breaking away, breaths coming fast from the passion, Aaron took her hands and looked into her eyes.
"I love you, Penelope. I'm not one to enter into casual relationships. You know that. You saw when I went through when Haley left, and then, after she was murdered. I've had months, years to get to know you and come to love you. This is it for me. I just want to be sure you understand that. I won't be getting over this any time soon."
"Me either. I mean it."
"I know you do. Come on. Let's have another glass of wine and toast to us."
Aaron helped her to her feet, and then they walked hand in hand to the kitchen. Pouring more wine, Aaron couldn't stop smiling. She'd said yes!
"Here you are," he handed her a glass. "To us."
"To us." Penelope tapped her glass against his. "I'm so happy!"
"Me too."
"Do you know, I've always adored those dimples of yours?"
"Do you know, I still have that homemade pink stationery with your resume?"
Laughing together, they went back to the living room.
As they were about to sit down on the couch, a new song started playing. Aaron set both their glasses on a side table. Holding out his hand, he smiled at Penelope.
"Ms. Garcia, would you do me the honor of dancing with me?"
"Oh, I would be delighted." Penelope moved easily into his arms.
Holding her close, Aaron led her around the living room, humming softly along with the music.
"Baby, it's cold outside, we ain't gotta go nowhere,
"can start a fire, lay beside ya, all night right here,
"The snow's coming down, and it won't be the only thing fallin',
"so let's stay here together, under the weather."
Aaron sang along with Chris Young on the last few lines, pressing Penelope against his body.
"Mmmm. That sounds absolutely lovely." Penelope whispered, laying her head on his shoulder.
"Indeed it does."
Aaron bent his head, pressing his lips to hers again in a passionate kiss.
When the song was over, they returned to the couch. They talked talked quietly, making plans for the future. Occasionally, they turned again to kiss. Aaron couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so contented. Jack would be home soon, and with his son home, he knew nothing could be better than being with these two people. Glancing at his watch, he smiled and took Penelope's hand.
"Look, it's midnight. Merry Christmas, Penelope."
"Merry Christmas, Aaron."
"And may this one be the first of many." He said.
Then, taking her in his arms once again, they kissed, sealing their new beginning.