Sorry for the delay,thank you for all of the alerts and reviews. I shall try to be better at turning out the next chapter.

It was a soft groan that woke him up, that and the sensation of something soft and full in his left hand. opening his eyes she sees that Penelope is on her side looking away from him, spooning into his body. It was a perfect way to wake up, it is then he realizes that his hand is full of her breast, he can feel the pebbling of her nipple through the tank top that she is wearing. He closes his eyes enjoying the feeling of having a warm soft female in bed with him. Something he never really had before both Haley and Beth were slender woman. Not that that is a bad thing, but having her next to him made him realize that he like a soft woman's body better.

Feeling the softness of the old cotton tank top he opens he eyes remember that it is not what she wore to bed the night before, she had on a pajama top that had short sleeves and sleeping pants that covered her legs. He rubs her legs with his feet discovering that they are bare, she changed sometime in the middle of the night. Lowering his hand he can feel that she is wearing shorts.

A soft moan of protest escapes her throat. "You're awake and you moved your hand, it felt good." She turns so she can look at him. Leaving a space so he can sign to her.

"You changed?"

"Mmmm. I woke up around three I needed to go and I was in pain took some over the counter stuff and changed, you generate lots of heat besides the extra weight of the pajamas was uncomfortable on the bruises and scrapes ."

"You should have woken me."

"Why? You need your sleep and I didn't want to disturb you, you looked so peaceful laying there."

He pulls her close, so close the sides of their heads touch.. "I love you Penelope." He tells her not bothering to whisper.

"I love you too, Aaron."

He pushes her away making them both sit up within seconds. "You heard me!"

"What? How could I? Ninety percent hearing loss remember?"

"Let me try something." he signs. He holds her head close to his mouth and talks in his normal voice. " You'll need to remove the tank top so I can put the cream on that Ducky left for you." he pulls back and looks at her waiting for a reaction.

"Cream, really? Kissing me would be more fun." It is the smile on her face that is speaking volumes.

"We need to talk to someone who knows if the hearing you have can be increased, maybe a hearing aid or something?"

"I'll ask Ducky, he can point us to the right person. Maybe I can figure something out with Reid. Now that's settled how about a kiss before you have to leave."

"Why should I leave?" He signs to her.

"Jack?"

"I told him that I would be getting him to go out for breakfast and bringing a friend. So go get ready. I'll make coffee."


It is a small family restaurant not more than twenty seats. The food is made to order and always taste good.

Jack put his juice down then looks at Penelope. "Are you going to be my Dad's new girlfriend?' She has to wait for Aaron to translate for him.

She looks at Hotch's face and sees the smile he has before she answers. "Would you mind if I was his girlfriend, Jack?"

"No, I like you and you teach me all about computers, getting me games and shortcut that the other kids don't know about. Are you going to kiss him a lot?"

She has to smile as Hotch relays the what his son says.

"You should know Jack I that I like your father very much and I like when he kisses me."

"Are you going to move away like Beth did? He was sad after she moved away."

"No I'm not going to move away. My friends and job are here. Looks like you're stuck with me."

He smiles then looks at his father, like any child once his questions are answered and h is satisfied he moves on. "Dad can we go to the mall after breakfast I need new sneakers?"

"What a good idea I need a few things as well." Penelope adds after Aaron translates.

After a few hours in the mall a very tired Aaron and Penelope watch as Jack puts another quarter into the video game. "Where does he get the energy?" She asks him before she covers her mouth hiding a yawn.

"Are you sore?"

"A bit maybe I should go home that way you can spend the rest of the day with Jack."

"I don't think so, not with Margret on the lose. We can stop to get you some clothes then you can come and stay with us."

"But she can't come near me." Penelope counters.

"I don't care I want you safe, in my home were I can protect you."

"I can sleep on the couch. I know you don't have a guest room."

"Jack knows that adults sometimes sleep in the same bed, you can share mine."

She nods her head, then quickly changes the topic. "Dinner what does he like to eat? I can make some pasta primavera. Or maybe grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup?"

"We'll ask him. Come on lets go I need coffee."

"Coffee? I want to take my shoes off."

A real laugh escapes erupts from deep within him. Just as he starts to laugh he reaches and takes her hands placing them on his chest and throat.

"Tony has a big mouth." She tells him leaning into him.

He pulls her close to him, talking right into her ear so she can hear him. "I'm glad he told me."

"So am I." she shares with him.


She woke up pleasantly sore and happy, very happy. She tried to remember the last time she felt this happy only to come up with a memory from childhood when her parents were still alive. She had completely forgotten what it felt like to be truly happy without forcing it.

Sipping her cup of tea she as she looks out the kitchen window she can see the sun is starting to rise, a beautiful morning. She sees Jack standing there in pajamas looking a little surprised. She puts her cup down then goes to him.

"If you talk in a normal tone of voice you can talk very close to my ear, I can hear you."

"I thought you were deaf."

She pulls back and looks at the small boy. "I am deaf, your dad discovered that I can hear but you have to talk right into my ear. According to the doctors my hearing loss is ninety percent. Do you know what that means?"

Seeing him nod she smiles. "Are you hungry? How about I make you eggs in a nest and a couple of sausages?"

Cooking for the Hotchner men was becoming a very easy they both ate everything without fussing.

Hotch stood to one side and watched as Penelope cooked every once in a while Jack would tug on her sleeve and she would lean down so he could talk to her. He stifled a laugh seeing Jack with a hot chocolate mustache after he put the mug down. Where she got the makings for hot chocolate he was afraid to ask, but Jack was enjoying the rare treat. And that is all that matters as far as he is concerned.

"Jack go wake up your dad please the food is all ready." Seeing Jack shake his head then point she turns and looks into Aaron's eyes.

He goes to hug her and kiss her good morning. Pulling back he signs to her. "You left my bed, I was hoping for a morning quickie."

Seeing her turn a very pretty shade of pink he smiles. "So food what did you make?"