Thank you so much for the reviews for the last chapter. I am so glad you all enjoyed it so much.
He deepened the kiss then held her head, the fingers of his left hand disappearing into her heavy mane of soft curls. While the right held her lower back gently. He could feel her body start to respond to him, her breathing for one, she hitched her breath as a soft moan escaped from her throat.
It was the ringing of the door bell that brought his hands and mouth to a stand still. She opened her eyes looking at him with an unasked question.
Seeing the lights flicker she dropped her head into his chest. "I'll kill him. Only two people have this bad a timing."
"Morgan, because he would have heard by now and." Hotch surmises "and Tony, he seems to have taken over where Derek left off."
"Bingo!"
"I'll take care of it." he leaves her standing there and goes and answers the door.
He pulls the door open getting ready to give the man, which ever one of them is standing there a glare from hell. Much to his surprise he sees Ducky standing there with his medical bag and DiNozzo in back of him holding a bag and tray from a local bakery.
"I'm glad to see Penelope is not alone, Young Anthony told me what happened today. And knowing how she is much like the rest of the agents in our line of work , I assume she didn't go to the urgent care or even a doctor, I came to offer my services to see if all is well."
Hotch didn't have the heart to tell him that she was fine. So he stepped to one side letting the good doctor in. Tony came in last, he locked the door then followed the two men further into the apartment. He stood by while Hotch told Penelope that Ducky was concerned for her health and welfare so he came to check on her.
Penelope like everyone else couldn't say no to the older medical examiner so she nodded her head the grabbed a pad of paper and a pen off of the small table next to the couch before leading the was to her bedroom
Tony had taken the time to put the scones on a plate and take the cups out of the tray.
Hotch didn't bother with pleasantries at all he looked at Tony and waited, he knew the man well enough to know that Ducky was a smoke screen.
"She made bail, fought tooth and nail for it gave up her passport and the deed to her house as security. She had proof that the car has been giving her trouble, part of the acceleration system not working properly in and out of the garage. She said all she wanted to do was talk to Penelope. The judge believed her, a sixty something female never been in trouble before looking like a sweet grandmother. He did make it a condition that she wear a monitor on her ankle and she has to stay way from Penelope at least five hundred feet. I got a hold of Sam, and he will be here by Tuesday. That is the next court date."
"I thought you said…"
Tony looks at him not giving anything away at all.
"Thank you."
"These are white chocolate raspberry scones, Penelope's favorites, just in case you ever want to bring her something for late afternoon pick me up."
"'You're not going warn me not to hurt her?"
"No, you know what happens to those that do, so why bother. So how is JJ by the way?" Tony asks leaving the veiled threat hanging in the air.
Hotch smiles as he reaches for a cup seeing they all have tea bags in them, he bypasses the sugar and creamers that Tony left in a small pile on the counter.
Ducky and Penelope soon join the men in the kitchen sitting at the small table enjoying the treat that Tony brought with him.
"She will be fine agent Hotchner."
"Please Dr. Mallard it's Hotch or Aaron if you prefer."
"Why thank you Aaron, please call me Ducky. As I was saying she is fine and I'm afraid she will be quite sore tomorrow. She has stared to bruise on her back and shoulders and legs. I left some cream for her she will need someone to help her rub it in deep smooth massage is best, not to hard mind you. I find this homeopathic cream does a very nice job and it does not offend the olfactory senses at all. Put the cream on twice a day bedtime is best for the application."
"I'll make sure it is taken care of Ducky."
"Now I'm sure you and Penelope have many things to discuss. So young Anthony and I will take our leave."
Penelope walks with them to the door, on impulse she leans over and kisses Ducky on the cheek,. "Thank you for coming and checking up on me." she tells him softly remembering to control her timbre so she wouldn't cry.
Once the door is closed and locked she smiles and Hotch. "Are you staying or leaving?"
"I'd like to stay for a little bit more."
She nods her head she lead the way to love seat, sitting sideways so she can see him as he signs and talks to her. It gives him the ability to see he sign and talk as well.
They didn't talk about anything specific learning about each other and sharing memories. It was getting late just after eleven when they finished the last of the wine they were sipping.
"You don't have to leave, if you don't want too. You can sleep on the pullout, or you can share my bed, I'm not asking for sex. But if you want to sleep in the same bed I won't say no, just so you know my feet are like icebergs."
"You just want me to keep you warm."
"To be completely honest with you, I love you Aaron and what I want is for you to love me more than just a friend and team-mate, and if you keep me warm and protect me than that is a plus."
He stands takes her by the hand helping her to her feet. Kissing her once he looks deeply into her eyes them signs making sure she understands. "I think by know you should know I love you more than just a friend Penelope. Ducky did say the cream should be applied just before bed." He reminds her before he leads her to the back of her apartment and into her bedroom.