"Aunt P, will you come and see Grandma with us?" James asked excitedly as she came through the door. Penelope was taking him to the movies for the evening. It had been weeks since she and Derek had established their new boundaries, and outside coming over to drop off or pick up James, they had very little to do with each other. Their team and friends watched in growing concern as their banter and flirtation had clearly diminished, in its place came awkward silences and somewhat resentful glances from Derek who was clearly mad at Penelope for the decision she enforced.
"Sorry Kiddo, Aunt P has other plans." Derek lifted his head in surprise. Hotch had given them all a few days off after an incredibly hard case. He decided to take James to Chicago to see his Mom and sisters mainly because things between him and Penelope were becoming more and more difficult,
"What other plans?" James asked sounding more and more like his father every day as he stood there with an identical furrowed brow.
"Aunt P is going to New York for a few days." She answered smiling at him,
"What's in New York?" he asked suspiciously as though voicing out his father's every thought.
"Nothing little man, Aunt P has a few things she needs to do. Now are you ready to go?"
"Yes,"
"Are you packed for Gramma's honey?"
"Yup."
"Well good. Let's get going. I don't want to keep you out too late. You have an early start in the morning. Say bye to your Dad." Penelope stood uncomfortably by the door as James ran to his Dad to give him a hug.

"Hey Aunt P, are you and Dad fighting?"
"No honey, why would you think that?"
"You don't talk anymore. You guys don't even kiss each other hello anymore, and you don't hug. You always hugged."
"We're not fighting honey. I just felt really bad that we were confusing you by acting the way we act around each other."
"I'm not confused Aunt P." he stated
"Honey, you refuse to let anyone in your father's life because you think we're going to get together."
"Aunt P, Daphne is a jerk and you know it. She was one person with me, and another when Dad was around, that's why I didn't like her. And yes, I do want you and Dad to get together."
"You know that's never going to happen."
"Why not?" James insisted while Penelope let out a sigh,
"Because your Dad doesn't see me that way."
"Do you see him that way?"
"James Zachary Morgan."
"Come on Aunt P."
"You're six."
"And?? Besides I'm almost seven."
"Really because you sound like you're forty."
"Tell me you don't love him"
"You know I love your Dad."
"Love him, or Love Love him?"
"Okay, there you're six." She pointed out hoping to cease their conversation.
"Please Aunt P."
"Kiddo, it doesn't matter."
"It does because you suspiciously look like you're about to run away."
"What?" Penelope said astonished.
"New York? I heard you on the phone the other night."
"Oh," Penelope said guiltily.

"That's certainly a promising prospect Mac,"
"Well come on down and take a stroll around the office and see if you can see yourself in here."
"Your timing…"
"Is impeccable as always?" he finished. She had known Mac Taylor since they were in college and they had remained friends since. For years he had been trying to recruit her into his team and she had always refused, so when she called him to see if anything was available he was more than surprised.
"You could say that. Give Stella my love and I will see you guys in a couple of days."
"Alright Pen. Call with your flight details and we will meet you at the airport."
"Sounds great, see you then."

"How much did you hear?"
"Enough to bug you right now."
"I haven't made any decisions. I'm going to New York to see a couple of old friends that's all."
"And?" he pried,
"There's a job. It would be a great opportunity for me, but I don't know if I'm going to take it. I would have talked to you the moment I thought it was a possibility. I promise kiddo, you know I'd never walk on you."
"I do know that Aunt P."

Despite the seriousness of their initial conversation Penelope and James had a good time. They had dinner at the Diner near the office that they all loved before going to the cinema for a Looney Tunes Marathon. It was just on nine when Penelope dropped James home.

"Alright Kiddo, you have a great time at Gramma's. Give her and your Aunts a big hug from me." Penelope said as she hugged him,
"I will Aunt P. Promise me you'll come back?" he whispered in her ear.
"Of course I will." She said looking straight into his eye dropping a kiss on his forehead.
"I love you Aunt P."
"I love you too Kiddo." Derek watched their exchange somewhat worriedly. Penelope glanced up at him and gave him a wave before heading out the door. James looked up at his father and gave him a disappointed look before heading to his room to get ready for bed.