Don't own of course.

Wow, amazed myself with this one. It's been a very long time since I've been able to write more than one chapter of the same story back to back.

Which sounds better? My Techie's Boyfriend or My Technical Analyst's Boyfriend. I was trying for humor with the first one but I think the second one sounds more like Hotch. Not sure if you can tell but I had trouble naming this fic.

Please R&R

Enjoy!

"Hotch?" Penelope called as she saw him push the door open "Wait, Hotch…" she trailed off when the door closed behind him.

Penelope deflated a little. It was hard to believe that he hadn't heard her since they hadn't been but a few feet away from each other.

She mentally shrugged it off as she turned towards the table, guessing that he had been lost in thought or something. She knew Hotch wouldn't ignore her on purpose, but still she wished she'd gotten a chance to say goodnight.

"He didn't stay long…" she stated as she looked at her friends.

She realized then that they all seemed to be studying her, staring at her in the same way they did when they were profiling someone.

She frowned "What?"

That snapped them out of it and within seconds they were back to normal.

But she wasn't buying it. She knew them well enough to know that something was up and she wanted to know what.

She had the question on the tip of her tongue when Eric's hand brushed hers and she looked up at his grinning face.

"Should I order us another drink?" he asked gesturing towards the bar.

Penelope felt giddiness rise up inside her as she met his sparkling emerald eyes. It was the same way she had been feeling for the last month and a half since he had asked her out.

She smiled back at him "Yeah, I'll have another Sapphire Sin, thanks."

"Of course," he said winking at her before he scanned their table "would anyone else like another?"

Derek looked around the table "I think we're all good here but thanks."

Eric nodded before walking away.

Penelope watched him go, admiring his toned ass as he moved.

When she finally turned back to the table she looked at her friends and decided to forget the previous conversation; at least for the moment.

It wasn't like her to drop something when she wanted the answer but so far she was having a great night and she didn't want to drag something up with the chance of it ruining her evening.

She would just have to corner one of her teammates in the following days and get them to spill. Her sight was set on Spencer for that, he'd be the most likely to give it up.

But for now she was just going to enjoy her evening.

She sat down in the empty chair beside Derek "Isn't he great?" Penelope asked with a happy sigh as she turned back to stare at Eric.

The others, who were expecting for Penelope to come at them guns blazing and berate them with questions causing them to have to lie through their teeth, were surprised and had to take a moment to let her words register.

JJ was the first to speak up "He seems really nice Pen."

Emily nodded her agreement "He's a good catch."

Penelope beamed "I know right."

Eric returned that moment and placed their drinks on the table. He then grabbed a chair from the next table and pulled it up so it was right beside Penelope's. He sat down and wrapped his arm around Penelope's shoulders.

He took a quick drink from his beer before putting it back down and placing his hand on Penelope's thigh under the table.

Penelope picked up her own drink "So what was up with Hotch tonight? He left in a hurry." She asked before bringing the drink to her lips.

"He wanted to get home and get to sleep because he had a big day planned with Jack tomorrow." Derek explained.

"Oh," Penelope said putting her drink down "It's too bad that he couldn't stay, I would have liked to introduce him to Eric but I'm glad he gets to spend the day with Jack."

"Jack?" Eric asked.

"That's his son, the cutest seven year old on the planet." Penelope elaborated.

"Ah," Eric said "Yeah, Penelope was telling me about how crazy your work schedules are, I don't know how you do it."

"Well it is tough at times," Dave said "but it is rewarding knowing that we're taking those bastards off the street."

Eric nodded "No I get that and I really respect all of your for it, I'd just never be able to do it that's for sure. I'm too used having my flexible schedule." He joked.

"So why did you decide to become a trainer?" Spencer asked from the other end of the table.

Eric shook his head "Truthfully about three years ago I wasn't in the best health. I had a bad lifestyle. I was one hundred pounds overweight and then my doctor told me I was at risk for getting diabetes. I decided then and there that I had to change my life. I stared eating healthy and working out and found out that not only did I like it but I was also good at it. After I had lost eighty pounds I knew that I wanted to continue with it and I wanted to help other people that were like me."

"Wow, congratulations," Emily said "that couldn't have been easy."

"Thanks. There were a few moments where I had trouble and wanted to give up but eventually I would pick myself back up again and keep at it. I'm glad I did too," he said looking at Penelope "or I wouldn't have met this beautiful woman."

"Aww…" both Emily and JJ cooed at the same time grinning at their friend.

"I take back my earlier comment," Emily said "You're not a good catch, you're an amazing one."

Eric chuckled at that, unfazed he leaned down and captured Penelope's lips in a soft, quick kiss.

Penelope let out a nervous giggle, aware of the attention they were receiving.

She felt Eric squeeze her thigh and laughed as she playfully shoved his hand away "Hey, hands off Mister!"

"For now…" Eric drawled just loud enough for Penelope to hear as he pulled away.

Penelope blushed a pretty pink but it was obvious from the way her lips twitched up slightly that she enjoyed the attention.

Watching the couple from across the table Dave silently acknowledged that it was a good thing Aaron left when he did.

The group chatted for a while longer until Eric whispered something to Penelope that caused her to start giggling again.

She turned her attention towards the others and announced that she and Eric were calling it a night.

They exchanged goodbyes as the two stood up. Eric expressed his pleasure in getting to meet Penelope's friends and the team all said how they enjoyed meeting him too and that Penelope was a lucky lady.

Eric helped Penelope with her coat then they both waved goodbye and were off.

When they were gone there was a moment of silence between those left at the table.

Emily broke it "Could someone please tell me what just happened?"

"Wish I could." Dave grumbled.

"But that meant what I think it did, right?" Emily continued.

"That Hotch has feelings beyond that of a co-worker or friend for Penelope? Yep, I think it's safe to say that's a sure bet." Derek answered.

"Shit." Emily muttered.

Dave raised his glass to that before taking a gulp of his scotch.

"What do we do now?" Spencer asked.

"What can we do?" JJ responded.

Dave ran his hand over his face "I was hoping it wouldn't come to this."

"Wait, you knew about this?" Emily accused.

"I had my suspicions," Dave explained "but I never thought anything would ever come of it. I hopped it was just a passing fancy or a deep admiration. I reasoned with myself that even if it was more it wouldn't matter because Aaron would never cross that line."

"Do you think after tonight he will?" Spencer asked.

"I don't know," Dave said honestly "When Penelope was dating Lynch I sometimes got the feeling that Aaron was jealous but he never acted on it outright. I never expected him to act the way he did tonight."

The team grew silent again as they thought it over.

Emily broke the silence again "Shit!" she repeated "I have to say Hotch honestly has the worst timing. It was months before Penelope got over Lynch when they broke up; she's only now finally getting over it. Plus Eric is genuinely a good guy and he obviously likes Penelope. Not to mention she obviously likes him. I don't want her getting hurt over this; it could tear our team apart."

"Hopefully it won't come to that. Aaron may just need some time to cool off." Dave reasoned.

"And if that doesn't help?" Derek asked.

"Then we'll deal with it if it comes to that." Dave stated.

Emily shook her head "Shit…" she muttered one last time before downing the rest of her drink.

A/N:

I'm really starting to like making these covers for my stories which is surprising since I normally hate making graphic art.

But I really like how this on turned out. Although I'll admit Aaron does look a bit stalkerish, if not slightly out of place. Well he's supposed to be displeased with their steamy relationship! I didn't think it would be so hard to find a picture of him looking all stony faced and disapproving since Hotch almost always looks like that but alas I could not find the perfect picture.

Anyway hopefully my muse won't desert me and I'll have the next chapter up soon.