Don't Own.

Yeah, it's been a long time since I updated, sorry about that but my muse has not been cooperating. However, for those who have been asking, I haven't abandoned this story, it's just taking me a while to get it done.

Enjoy!

…

Penelope knelt down in front of her son "Payton?" she asked gently.

Payton had been staring through the glass doors into the bullpen, but his focus came to rest on her "Yes Mama?"

She looked into his sparkling brown eyes and smiled at him "Payton I need you to do something for me. I know you have waited a long time to meet your father but I need you to wait just a little bit longer."

Payton didn't say anything but pouted.

Penelope squeezed his hand "I promise you will meet him soon, but for now I need you to go with Spencer," Penelope looked up at Spencer silently asking him if that was okay, he nodded. "Spencer will show you around while I talk to your father and explain everything. Then you can meet him, I promise."

Payton sighed but nodded, he seemed to understand that it was really important "Okay Mama."

"Thank you Honey," Penelope said straightening, she kissed him on the forehead and then pushed open the glass doors.

She stared at her old teammates who were still chatting at Emily's' desk.

She bit her lip, trying to think of what to say when Derek looked up.

His eyes widened when he saw her and he stood unblinkingly in place."Penelope..." slipped quietly from his lips, which caused Emily to look over.

"Oh my god!" she said standing up "Pen? Is that really you?"

Penelope found herself nodding.

Emily rushed over to her and pulled Penelope into a tight hug. Penelope hugged her back without a thought, relaxing somewhat at the reception.

Emily pulled back "I...we never thought we would see you again."

"Yeah..." Penelope said "sorry about that."

Emily shook her head but hugged Penelope again "I'm glad you're back." she said quietly "I mean you are back aren't you or are you..."

"I'm back." Penelope answered before her friend could finish.

Tears of joy came to Emily's eyes "That's awesome."

That's when Derek walked over. Without a word he pulled Penelope into a fierce hug and didn't let go. Penelope hugged him back and waited for him to pull away.

"Hey," she heard Emily's voice behind her "is this your son?"

Derek reluctantly pulled away at that. He looked over Penelope's shoulder and she turned to see that Reid and Payton were still standing behind her.

"Yes," she said "Payton," she held out her hand to her son and brought him close to her "these are my old friends Emily and Derek."

"Hi," Payton said shyly.

"Hey Payton," Emily said smiling at him "it's nice to meet you."

They didn't get a chance to say anything else though because at that second Dave came over with Aaron following right behind him.

"Kitten," Dave said affectionately when he reached her, he gave her a kiss on the cheek "it's good to see you."

Penelope smiled at him softly "You too."

Then her gaze moved to Aaron, he was staring at her stunned and Penelope felt a shiver run down her spine.

"Um Spencer," Penelope began but she didn't take her Eyes away from Aaron "do you think you could show Payton the conference room now?"

"Sure," she heard him say "this way Buddy."

Penelope waited until they were gone before she stated "I know you all have questions..."

That broke the trance that seemed to be over them and a flood of questions were thrown her way.

"Where have you been?"

"Why did you leave?"

"Why didn't you contact us?"

"Whoa," Penelope said "Okay, I promise to answer all of your questions but first I need to talk to you Hotch."

He frowned but after a moment gestured to his office.

She nodded and followed him.

The others stared after them in surprise as they watched the two make their way to his office."

...

"They've been in there a long time," Emily stated staring at Hotch's office from the conference room where they were all waiting.

Spencer had gotten some paper and pens, and he was playing tic-tac-toe with Payton. "It's a long story." he said simply as he Payton beat him for the third time.

"You sure you can't tell it to us?" Emily asked.

"It's not my story to tell," Spencer said simply.

"Reid's right," Dave said "Penelope promised to tell us everything once she finished talking to Aaron. We just have to be patient."

Emily looked over at Derek thinking he would have some objection to that but Derek just shrugged. He had been oddly silent since Penelope had shown up.

JJ, who Emily had gone to get as soon as Penelope was in Hotch's office, patted Emily shoulder "I don't like it any more than you do by we just have to wait."

All of a sudden the door to Aaron's office flew open and he stepped out. He looked flustered and there was a furious look etched across his face. He stepped out and headed towards them, Penelope hurried after him.

They watched in confusion as he stopped outside the door, took a deep breath and then walked into the conference room. His eyes went straight to Payton, who looked up from the table.

Aaron's voice was gruff when he spoke "Can you give us a minute?" It was directed at the whole team but he didn't look at them, his eyes never left Payton.

There was some quiet shuffling, the team wasn't sure what was going on but they wanted answers. They all looked at Penelope who had followed Aaron into the room. Her face was red and it was obvious she had been crying.

Aaron's gaze left Payton to shoot a glare at the team.

Deciding that it was a good idea to leave the unit chief alone at the moment, even if they didn't like it, they one by one headed out of the conference room, hoping that they would soon be given an explanation.

Aaron gave Spencer, who was the only one remaining other than Penelope and Payton, an expectant look but Spencer hesitated. Only when Penelope gave him a slight nod, did he get up and leave.