Derek knew that there was still so much for them to work through, and it was going to be a somewhat challenging road ahead of them, but he didn't care. He finally knew what he wanted and that was Penelope and he was going to do everything in his power to get her to believe it.

Though she had agreed to give them a chance, they were both aware that whatever their issues were, it took a back seat to getting Hotch and Jack through the hardest season they have yet to navigate, a life without Hayley.

"Hey P, what are you up to today?" Derek called early Saturday morning.
"I'm going to take Jack to the Carnival. Hotch had some work he needed to do at the office so Em and I were going to take him, but Em got sick so it's just Jacker and me."
"Can I crash your date?" he asked. Penelope hesitated for a moment, before agreeing knowing she had to meet him half way if she truly wanted to give THEM a chance. Having Jack there would be like having a buffer, she felt was necessary at that point.
"Sure, did you want to meet us there?"
"No, I'll come and get you guys. Noon okay?"
"Perfect, I'm just about to head on over there now and hang for a bit."

It had been a couple of weeks since their talk in her apartment, since their little make out session that proceeded to confuse an already confusing scenario. They were taking it slow, and have yet to actually be alone together. Their time was mostly spent with the rest of their team as they rallied around Hotch in solidarity. Derek was aware of her hesitation and sensed her fear of allowing him to get close to her again. He knew the part he played in that, and he was willing to live with the consequences of his actions.

"So, Derek called me this morning, and he asked if he could crash my date with Jack." Penelope said somewhat in confession as she sat on Hotch's couch with a cup of coffee in her hand. Jack had stayed at Jessica's the night before and she was bringing him home at noon so they could go to the carnival. Hotch raised an eyebrow and turned his head to look at her as she chuckled,
"You know for a stoic man, you're starting to lose your poker face." She teased
"And?" he pried ignoring her observation.
"What could I say? I have to be a grown up at some stage and face my fears right? So I said yes,"
"And now you're here on my couch looking for ways to get yourself out of your predicament. What would you like me to do Penelope, tell him he can't go?" Hotch asked bemused. Penelope sighed with a shrug,
"Hey, I'm teasing but if that's what you want, you know I'd do it for you."
"I know." She replied appreciatively.
"Seriously Pen, if you're not ready to do this, he'll understand."
"Being with him scares me Hotch." She admitted,
"Allow me to play devil's advocate for a moment."
"Sure, why not."
"You love him right?" Penelope nodded without hesitation,
"Then would you rather take a chance and be scared or do you want to be safe and wonder in regret for the rest of your life?" Penelope dropped her gaze to her lap.
"I know you were hurt, and you have every right to be weary of him, I'm not saying to jump back in there, but maybe open that door to your heart. You have so much love in your Pen, and I would hate to see you waste it because you're scared to be hurt again."
"I know all that in theory, it's just I don't know. There's a wall between us now and I can't quite tear it down."
"Give it time. Take your time. He loves you. It may have taken him tragedies to get there, but he now knows what he's got."
"He's had years to process his feelings for me Hotch, how do I know he's not reacting because of his emotions and false sense of connection. What if it's me because I'm the closest thing to the one he could find, what if I won by default?"
"Penelope…" Aaron said softly, his heart clenching tightly for his friend,
"I doubt it. Derek has always loved you. He may not have understood what that love was, but it has never wavered. Out of anyone in this world, with the exception of his family, you're the closest human being to him."
"As his best friend maybe,"
"No, as a person and as a woman. You need to see how he looks at you Pen. It certainly isn't from the convenience you perceive. I get that you're still angry, but don't confuse that anger with what's truth, and that truth is, he does love you, and you can't let your hurt and anger cloud that. Yes, be careful but if you're willing to really give this a go Pen, you need to drop the baggage and start from square one. Talk to him." Penelope remained quiet for a moment, letting his wise words sink in,
"Okay, but may the defendant make a suggestion to the prosecutor while the point is fresh on his mind?"
"It would only be fair,"
"Take your own advice. You love her, do something about it. Hayley said she wanted you to teach Jack about Love, then show him Hotch. Teach him that hearts mend, and are capable of love even after losing such a huge part of it. Hayley would not want you to give up this opportunity because of some false sense of loyalty to her."
"Pen,"
"Tell me I'm wrong."
"You know I can't."
"Hotch, Hayley wanted you to be happy. She knew your feelings for Em were evolving and it gave her comfort that there was someone in your world who not only understood the work that consumed you, but the man that you were, that you found someone who got both your worlds. I'm not saying ravish her the next moment you see her, though I'm not at all opposed to that, but I just don't want you to take it out of the table. She loves you too."
"I don't want to give her a shell of a man Penelope,"
"Then don't. Don't let Foyet take away more than he already has, it wouldn't serve Hayley's death any purpose to deny yourself of love and happiness that you so deserve."
"How did you manage to turn this around on me?" he wondered in amazement.
"It's a gift." She replied with a smirk getting up from where she sat beside him to put her cup in the sink.
"I made chicken soup, it's on my stove. I figure after Jacker and I leave, you can bring it to Em and make sure she eats something."
"You're on the verge of being demanding Garcia."
"You wouldn't have me any other way Boss Man." She quipped as he shook his head knowing she was right.