Alex still hadn't returned by the time Penelope left the next morning, and she could tell that Erin knew that it was bothering her more than she was willing to say. "I'm certain that she'll be all right, Penny. She can look after herself," Erin had said as she hugged her tightly before pushing her out the door. "David will get here soon, so you'd best be off. If I see her before you do, I'll let her know that you have turned into a pining Victorian lady who needs her fainting couch."

Penelope rolled her eyes a little at her friend, shaking her head a bit as she stepped out onto the porch. "You're lucky that you're pretty, because your humour leaves something to be desired," she teased back, watching as Erin smirked at her. "Remember, I want pictures from today, and proof that you two at least held hands. And if you need to, don't be afraid to call me. God knows it will be a slow day, what with my main team grounded."

"I'll keep that in mind, darling. Now go, before you're late."

Nodding, Penelope turned and made her way over to her car. Before backing out of the drive, she made certain to wave to Erin, and then she turned her focus onto the drive in. It took longer than normal, due to an accident tying traffic up. By the time she managed to step into the bullpen, Alex was already behind her desk, working on something, and she didn't feel right interrupting her to say good morning. Instead, she slowly made her way up to her office, hoping that the woman would notice her, and wave or otherwise acknowledge her presence.

That didn't happen, and she sighed a little as she went into her office and dropped off her purse, turning on her system before grabbing her coffee mug and heading down to the break room to get coffee, since she hadn't had time to stop for it that morning. Hotch was there, filling up his own mug, and she smiled at him as she picked up the pot and poured it into her mug. "Good morning, Hotch."

"Morning, Garcia. How are things?"

Her hands tightened around the mug as she took a seat at the table, not surprised when he sat across from her, gazing at her steadily. It was enough to make her sigh and she swallowed thickly as she returned his gaze. "They've been better for me, but at least Erin is going to have a great day. The weather forecast looks amazing, and she'd going to have the love of her life on her arm as she lets him guide her around the botanical garden."

"So that's why we've been grounded for a few days?" She nodded. "I suppose that that's all right, I know that Dave's been a little on edge since Erin has been keeping him at arm's length ever since her return. How is she really doing?"

Penelope smiled. "She's doing a lot better than she was. It's been a month, but between her therapist, and our little group, most of her nightmares have gone away. I know that there will continue to be good and bad days as she continues to heal and work through her issues, but I think that I can safely say that Erin is on her way to recovery."

The look on Aaron's face was so happy, and Penelope couldn't help but return the expression as she took a sip of the coffee, trying not to grimace at the bitterness of it. "Anderson made it this morning. I know, it's…stronger than I would like, too." She chuckled as she nodded. "And how are you finding it at Blake's house?"

Trust him to cut to the heart of the matter, and she blushed a little as she looked down into the mug, not really certain of how she should answer. Before she could speak, however, another voice answered, and her spine stiffened a bit at the sound. "We're doing just fine, Aaron. Penelope is the perfect house guest, and Erin needs the support of the two of us right now. And as long as it doesn't affect our workplace, I don't think that it's your place to go digging."

There was a coolness to Alex's words that physically hurt Penelope and she licked her lips softly as she tried to gather her emotions. "He was trying to be nice," she said softly as she watched Alex fill her coffee mug.

"No, he was trying to pry, and I don't appreciate that. You, of all people, should know that I value my privacy. If you'll excuse me." Alex left the room without ever looking at Penelope, and she felt her lower lip start to quiver at the coldness in her voice.

"Penelope…"

"No, she's right, she is a private person. I do know that."

Hotch reached across the table to cover her hand with his, and she looked up into his eyes, watching everything go blurry as tears clouded her vision. "She didn't have to talk to you in that tone. While I do not know everything that's gone on between the two of you, I do recognize that look on your face. You care for her, and that is why her words cut you a little deeper." Penelope nodded. "And I suppose that Erin has already told you that you're playing with fire?" Again, she nodded. "Then there's nothing left for me to say, other than that you will have friends to rely on, if things blow up in your face."

"Thanks, Hotch. There was a really bad argument that happened between James and me last night, and this is the first I saw her since that happened. I think she spent the night here, if truth be told, because she didn't come home at all. I just never thought that I'd find myself as the other woman in a relationship?"

"Does James know about your feelings for Alex?" he asked, his voice infinitely kind, which seemed to make it all the worse.

"He knows that there's someone else, I think he might know that it's me, but I'm not entirely certain. It's a muddled quagmire that I find myself in, but I am going to try and make certain that it does not affect my work."

"I should hope so, Penelope. And if you ever need a more level head to bounce your thoughts and feelings off of, please consider talking to me. I can be a dispassionate sounding board."

"You'd do that for me?"

He nodded, tightening his hold on her hand. "I remember what you did for me, when Jack and Hailey were in WitSec. There are kindnesses that were never repaid, and so that makes you a bit dearer to me than some of the others. But don't tell them, I wouldn't want there to be a hint of favoritism." He gave her a small, quick, wink and she laughed a little as she nodded. "Seriously, though, you have been a good friend to my son and me throughout the years, and as long as any drama doesn't spill over into the workplace, I will try to make certain that you are okay." She gave him a small smile before getting up and refilling their mugs.

"Thanks, Hotch. I really appreciate knowing that you're watching my back." She put the pot back on the burner before heading for the door, patting his shoulder as she left, trying to put herself into a positive frame of mind for the day ahead.