Author's Note: This takes place at the end of Compromising Positions 6x04. While I would love to tackle the great M/G scene in that episode, I think the actors did a great job in expressing what wasn't said so I don't need to elaborate. Also, this is much shorter than I anticipated, but there was something about Garcia and Hotch's relationship that needed to be said. Lastly, tonight's episode, 6x19 With Friends Like These, sort of put a damper on my M/G dreams, but that's not my main peeve with the episode. It's just me or do you think Penelope would have been alot madder about those cupcakes? Anyway, that's neither here nor there, now... On with the fic...

Penelope loved Aaron. Always had, going all the way back to when they first met and his hair was longer, looking like he had just walked off the set of General Hospital. She learned in that first interview that Aaron Hotchner had strong, but not cocky voice and demeanor as well as a smile that lifted your mood solely by its presence. She thought she had found a kindred spirit in the man she hoped would become her boss. However, this job tended to kill bright spirits like the one she saw hidden underneath Aaron's dark suits and shades. In months after Gideon left, Penelope watched the complete transformation of Aaron, the protective, but occasionally playful older brother of the B.A.U. team, turn into Hotch, stoic and uncompromising Unit Chief. The metamorphosis was complete after Hailey was killed. By that time, the dark clothes that he wore actually suited him. Most people outside the B.A.U. family thought Hotch was just a hardass, but Penelope knew better. The whole team looked to Hotch for strength. He was the center that kept them together in the most dire of circumstances. In a job like their's, the people you worked with were the people you needed to have the most faith in. The team believed in Hotch and he wasn't about to let them down.

Being the empathic soul that she was, Penelope saw the toil all of that responsibility took on Hotch, especially after he lost Hailey. Penelope's heart broke for him. That's why every once in a while, she went out of her way to try to make him smile, to lift the burden of responsibility just a little bit. A joke, a batch of cookies, something to remind him that there was still light in the world and there was no shame in enjoying it.

Penelope thought back to her first interview with Hotch. When she had been "recruited" to the F.B.I., her superiors always told her to "tone it down". She tried, mostly because she didn't want to go to jail, but once she opened her mouth, her Freak Flag was out loud and proud. It took a special man and a special boss to truly appreciate Penelope Garcia and all she had to offer. Aaron Hotchner did and, like Penelope figured out a few moments ago as he left her office, still does. Hotch's word replayed in her head as she continued to scan documents.

"I've seen you given everything to this case and to this team over the last two days," he had said, commending her efforts.

Penelope laughed at that. Hotch should know by now that she doesn't know how to do anything else. If it's a case, a play or even babysitting little Hotch, she puts her all into everything she does. But even Penelope learned that there was some things even a goddess couldn't do, like be two people at once. She just wished she didn't have to learn that while lives were at stake.

"But I let you down," she had insisted.

He replied, ever so calmly and in a tone that left almost no room for argument, "In no way what so ever."

"I kinda lost my marbles out there," she replied, still unconvinced.

"Garcia, when you applied for this job you gave me your resume on homemade pink stationary. I realized then that you were… unique. And I wouldn't want you to change that."

As she had seen him walk away, she had to admit, a part of her would always love Aaron Hotcher and moments like the one that just passed, helped her believe that a part of him, loved her back.

"Hey, babygirl, you ready to go?" asked the savior of her sanity from the door about 15 minutes after Hotch left.

She turned and smiled at him.

"Not quite, my knight," she replied, smiling at her little rhyme, "but if you cop a squat, I'll be done in a jiff."

She turned back to the scanner, continuing to work. Morgan did as he was told and proceeded to be entertained by watching his baby work.

"So," he started after minute, "how are you doing?"

"Better," she said, still focusing on her work, "Helping bring a criminal to justice is always satisfying."

"And?"

Penelope rolled her eyes, "Aaannd…"

She sighed and turned to look to at him, about to say snarky quip or a sexy remark, but she stopped herself. Looking at his face and thinking about what they had just experienced, there was only one thing she could say to him, "Thank you."

He relaxed his expression. He wasn't fishing for appreciation, he had only wanted to get a handle on her state of mind.

"No thanks necessary, princess," he replied.

She put her materials down and stepped over to him.

"It is," she stated emphatically and took his hand, "Thank you… for being what I needed, when I needed it. I couldn't have done this without you."

Morgan took other hand. He lifted both of her hands to his lips and kissed them.

Looking her in the eye, he replied, pausing for emphasis so there would be no misunderstanding, "It's no more than what you've done for me a million times. Baby, I can't tell you how many times your voice has lead me through the darkness. How many times I fought just because I knew I'd see your smile on the other side. I owe you more than you could ever know. So believe when I say I don't deserve your thank you's. I'm just giving a Goddess what she's due."

Penelope's eyes start to fill with water as a slow smile played on her lips. She swung their clasped hands.

"Just when I think I couldn't love you more…" she said and walked into his personal space. She bent down, inadvertently giving him a nice view of her cleavage, and kissed his forehead. Morgan closed his eyes at the contact. Penelope stood back up, silently put her things away and grabbed her purse. She put her hand out to him.

"Take me home?" she asked.

Derek smiled, put his hand in hers and stood up. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they walked out of the B.A.U. together.