Because he should never just die, just move on to a better life with a new start. Not Beta'd please let me know if I missed anything.

He let out a breath of air as the last student left the lecture hall. He enjoyed teaching and the students kept him on his toes, of at least they tried too. There was one in particular that was being more demanding of his time and energy. He was becoming more like Reid when he first started at the BAU and not in a good way. This student wouldn't learn and it was going to be a problem in the future.

Eight months that is how long it has been since he talked to anyone from the BAU, except for Dave, he knew they were all very busy. Doing what they did best hunting the worst of the worst. It was something he no longer missed doing. Jack was happier and he was thriving in his new school, making friends living without fear.

He did get an occasional letter or email from some of them, even Rossi made the trip up to spend a long holiday weekend. It was enough he missed them very much but not enough to go back, he had enough. He needed the peace and his son needed him home.

He opened the door to the office he shared with another professor. He liked the man, he taught English and French. The man also had four sons and one daughter, he spent a lot of time in his office just to get away from the noise in his house

"I just made a fresh pot of coffee, Aaron."

"Thanks Steve, It's been a long afternoon."

"Hill, still trying to suck up and play teachers pet?"

"Yes, He is never going to be a good attorney he if continues to behave that way. Some of the judges I've come across will eat him alive."

"Now I'd pay to see that, he did the same thing to me as an undergrad. I wanted to throttle him more than once."

"What's this?" Hotch as picking up a small box from his desk?"

"A lady dropped it off for you. She was pretty too, in a non descript sort of way."

He opens the box and sees two beautifully handmade scarves pulling them out he see the larger one is steel grey cashmere, the smaller one a dark blue. Looking for note or a card he sees a slip of paper on taped to the inside of the box lid.

He has to smile at the penmanship it is very familiar to him. Very feminine with smooth lines and intertwining loops giving it a very elegant appearance.

Aaron, the grey one is yours the blue for Jack, New York winters are cold. Stay warm and give my love to Jack.

P.S. That Reid wanna-be, cheats. I zapped his hand held and his laptop. He was trying to hack you. I left you the memory stick with the evidence in the box. He won't be able to do it again.

With fondness, your favorite Queen.

"What did she look like, the lady that brought the box?"

"Normal, blond, curvy and not too tall. She was wearing a pink sweater and jeans and sneakers."

"Did she say anything, anything at all?"

"She said thank you after I put the box on your desk, she also said we need more color in here. She smiled then left. Who is she?"

"A friend, a dear friend." Hotch answers then picks up his cell.

"Rossi."

"Are you in town?" Hotch asks not wanting to waste Rossi's time if he is working.

"No, I'm in the office why?"

"Penelope was here she left me a gift, two cashmere scarves one for me and one for Jack."

"Aaron, she quit six months ago, just walked out on a Friday and never came back. Her apartment was empty, when we went to look for her on Monday. She didn't leave a trace, nothing to follow, and we did try. But you know just how good she is."

"Thanks Dave."

"If you find her, tell her I'm sorry."

"Dave?"

"The last case I think it finally broker her, I keep forgetting she was never trained to deal with all of the horrors. Entire families were tortured and crucified by a religious fanatic. There were babies that died too, six families in three states before we caught them. If I had to guess she'll go were she feels safe closer to a friend even if the friend has no idea she is close by."

"If I find her."

"You'll keep her safe and remind her just how strong she really is."

"Right. I'll let you know."

Just after spring he kept hearing about a new little book store that had the best prices for used books. The owner was always willing to set up a payment plan for students in need. But it was the book store that was the best part all kinds of books in lots of different languages. Children's books and even a few puzzle toys, the owner sold yarn and crochet hooks and needles in one little corner. And if you had a problem with your computer and asked her nicely she would fix it for you .

Thinking that it might just be her, but not entirely sure after hearing that the lady was a brunette and always in jeans, be it a skirt or pants, paired with a bright colorful shirt, or blouse. He knew for sure when he heard that she gave classes on knitting too, explaining that some times it helped relieve stress to have something to do with your hands instead of eating or smoking and when you're done you have something to wear.

The sign on the door said they closed at noon on Saturday's. He looked at his watch seeing that it was just a few minutes before. He pushed the door open making the chimes ring .

She calls over she shoulder as she continues to stock some shelves on his far right. " I'm closing in four minutes, unless you know what you want come back on Monday."

"I'm having a computer problem I heard you've the one to fix it, one of the best in the world. We also brought cookies to share, didn't we Jack?"

Hearing his voice she drops the books she is holding back in the box then turns and looks at them. "Aaron, how did you find me?" she asks him, not really smiling just a look of acceptance on her face.

"Word of mouth, you fix computers, it was the knitting that gave you away. So coffee?"

"Let me lock up and we can go upstairs."

He watches as she lifts the box of books from the floor only to place them on the counter by the check out. Then she locks the door and sets the alarm.

"Hi Jack." She greet him warmly as she leads the way.

A small flight of stairs and they walk into her home. Simple nothing like the colorful apartment she had before. Tasteful in the word that comes to mind she takes the small box out of his hands then leads the way into her kitchen.

" Do you want some milk Jack? I have chocolate if you want."

"Yes please." He answers.

It didn't take long before the three of them were comfortably seated in her living room.

"What is that?" Jack ask pointing to the large animal coming into the room.

Penelope smiles seeing the cat. "That is Nicodemus, I found him walking back one day about four months ago he looked like a drowned rat, hence the name. I wasn't expecting him to get so big. The vet says he is a Maine Coon cat. He might get even bigger than he is now."

"Can I pet him."

"Yes, of course, he likes it." She looks at Aaron and sees a look she recognizes; one of economical restraint, the same look he had dozens of time while working at the BAU with Reid or herself. She can't help but to softly smile then look at Jack. "He'll follow you into the office if you want he has lots of toys in there, I keep the TV in there as well."

" Dad?"

"It's fine."

"The door is open you can't miss it." She tells him as he starts to leave the room.

She pulls her legs under her, trying to get comfortable. This is the first time she has had anyone in her home. She knows she is safe, safer with him being here with her than she ever is alone.

"How have you been, Penelope?"

"I can sleep the whole night through now, without a nightmare. What about you?"

Hearing that tells him everything he needs to know. "I'm good, teaching, but you know that, Jack is doing well in his new school."

She doesn't say anything she just nods her head. Then takes another sip of coffee.

"Why didn't you ever come back to see us?"

"In all honesty I didn't want to intrude in your new life, you don't need old baggage to show up out of the blue when you're trying to get a fresh start."

"You are not old baggage." he tells her sharply.

"I'm sorry, but you know what I mean."

"We came to invite you to dinner, Jack misses you, please say yes."