"He kissed you?" JJ asked.

"Oh, yes, he definitely kissed me," Norah said touching her mouth where she could still feel the imprint of Aaron's lips on hers. She knew it was just her imagination, but she felt claimed by Aaron Hotchner.

"So how was it?" JJ asked.

"Bloody spectacular," Norah answered. "It's the best kiss I've ever had. It was possessive, tender and loving all at the same time. I've been kissed by a lot of guys, you know that and some were quite good, but Aaron's kiss blew all the others from very handsome and nice guys out of the water. He didn't seem to be half trying either," Norah added.

"So was he affected or just you?" JJ asked.

"That's the funny thing the kiss didn't seem to affect him at all," Norah said becoming puzzled, as she remembered Aaron's reaction to the kiss. "He just sat back with his legs stretched out, his back against the bark of the tree looking completely relaxed.

"He was probably just faking not having any reaction," JJ guessed very accurately. "Some men or women for that matter are good to the poker face look. You have no idea what he was feeling inside."

"That's true," Norah said. "If the kiss was spectacular for me I would think it would be the same for him, but if you're right Aaron was just faking not being affected. I mean, if he was a psychopath or just an uncaring hot guy and he kissed a woman of course, he wouldn't have the same reaction, but Aaron's not like that at all. He's actually quite nice considering his position in society. He actually listens to you when you're talking and I know that a lot of men don't do that, they just tune a woman out, as if what she says isn't important. I know he has to be very busy, but he takes time to share breakfast with me a lot of mornings, sometimes we just talk while I eat and other times he brings his own breakfast and shares it with me."

"That's pretty considerate for any guy, much less one of his wealth," JJ said.

"Yeah, it is and I should've realized sooner that he was interested in me as a woman, as I don't know any guy that will share his breakfast unless they are. He also allows his employees to have as many cups of coffee as they want, the real deal, not a soy."

"Wow! Now, that's really nice," JJ said a little enviously. "Being so generous must cost him a fortune as real coffee isn't cheap."

"Not if he owns the company it doesn't," Norah said dryly.

"I hadn't thought of that, but you're right," JJ agreed. "Still, it's bound to cause a dip in his profit margins, though probably not much of one considering how much he's supposedly worth. I suspect it would depend whether he's just been generous with the staff that actually works at his estate or if its for all his companies and employees.

"No, I believe it's just for the workers at his estate, as I certainly never had a real coffee in the break room at the nursery, where I worked before. I've gotten spoiled," Norah admitted. "I'll never be able to drink a soy product again without wincing, not now that I've had the real stuff so often. I've had it before but only probably half a dozen times, before I started working for Aaron. I bought it as a special treat to myself, like when I got that raise when I was still working for the Hotchner Nursery a couple years ago, but now that I've been drinking it on a regular basis over the last few months..."
"You're addicted," JJ said.

"I suppose, I'll have to stick to tea from now on, whenever I'm not working on the Hotchner garden," Norah said. "I'll never be able to stand that sludge they call coffee again and definitely not glide cart coffee as it's usually worse then the stuff they serve at most businesses for their employees."

"But if your relationship becomes permanent you could have real coffee every day," JJ pointed out logically.

"That would be nice, but I'm not counting my chickens before they hatch," Norah said, sounding just a little pessimistic. "I know Aaron believes he's in love with me, but it might turn out to be nothing more than infatuation or lust, both of which will fade over time."

"Norah you're deliberately casting a cloud over a relationship that has just started. Yes, it could all go wrong, but I don't believe for a second that Hotchner would've said anything if he wasn't at least 80% sure of his feelings. Originally, all he might have been looking for was some uncomplicated friendship, but friendship can turn into love if people let it. From all reports, he's had numerous girlfriends but he never married any of them and that should tell you something."

Norah considered her friend's words and then realized what JJ was trying to say. She was saying that Aaron never would have given her signals or spent so much time with her if he wasn't fairly sure it was love. He had a reputation to protect and as far as she knew it was impeccable. He had been lorded in the paper as dating many famous or well connected women, but Aaron had just told her that what was written in the papers, mostly the tabloids, was all a load of manure. That wasn't to say, that Aaron hadn't dated a lot of women, but none of them had stolen his heart.

"Actually, Aaron just told me today that the tabloids are a bunch of crap," Norah said. "He has a whole horde of attorneys that deal with such matters if they go to far. As for the New York Times, he admitted that most of the articles are accurate."

"Well, tabloids aren't exactly known for their honesty or their integrity," JJ said with distaste. "As for the Times they should be accurate or they could be sued. They're a serious newspaper, so their customers need to trust that the news in it is accurate."

"Well, considering how long they've been in business I would say they do a good job. They would've been out of business a long time ago otherwise," Norah said. "They've been around sometime since sometime in the late 1800s, though I don't remember the exact year they went into operation, right off hand."

"That's probably accurate considering that the opening date for the New York Times is a very old piece of trivia," JJ said impressed. "But you're also right that they've managed to stay in operation and that's pretty impressive considering how many centuries it's been. Most businesses don't last so long not even newspapers, even if that's online nowadays. They have to stay relevant to an an advancing society and not get stuck in the past, which a lot of businesses have trouble doing."

"Well, that doesn't seem to be the Times problem," Norah said more cheerfully.

"So what are you going to do about Aaron Hotchner," JJ persisted.

"I'm going to give a relationship between us every chance," Norah said. "You don't find guys like him that have honor and integrity often anymore. He's also honest and didn't try to lie when I figured out that he had been subtly courting me, probably ever since he brought me that coffee months ago. He's also generous and kind to not only his employees but he gives generously to charity as well, so he's hardly a miser like so many wealthy people who keep it all to themselves and spend it on what they want."

"I agree with you that he is generous, as I'm paid better then I would be at another news station," JJ agreed.

"I can only hope that there is no violent break up like happens so often, as I like working there, as it's a very pleasant work environment for one thing and the enormous boost in pay certainly didn't hurt, but relationships with bosses often don't work out and that's why I'm so worried. I doubt I'd want to work for him if we do happen to break up, or both of us will suffer for it, as we'd see each other practically every day."

"Think about Aaron though and think about what his likely reaction will be. He'll probably retreat and not come out onto the grounds when he knows you're there and if he's like most other men he'll probably date numerous women doing that time and dump them trying to get over you."

"Or he might retreat into his mansion and not come out for months," Norah said worrying her bottom lip.

"We really have no idea what his reaction will be, so why worry about it unless it happens?" JJ shot back. "It probably won't happen after all."

"Maybe dating him is a bad idea," Norah said sounding indecisive. "I know I'll be devastated if it doesn't work out as I'm pretty sure I'm in love with him. Do I really want to risk my heart being broken if he tosses me aside for someone else?"

"Love is not safe, Norah," JJ told her friend in a gentle, but firm tone. "If you want to be safe don't get married, don't date at all. Period. Of course, if you go that route just be prepared to be a lonely old maid with no one except a few friends and your family to share your life with. It's certainly not an option I'd choose for myself."

"Wow! Harsh!" Norah said blinking at her friend in astonishment.

"But true. Truth is often harsh. If love was safe then couples might forget why they loved each other in the first place. Love is nebulous not solid and you have to keep your feelings fresh by telling each other you love them and doing things for each other. Living life is stressful enough, but sharing your life with someone is joyous and will complete you in ways you never expect, so long as your love is true.

"I thought I felt that way about Will and that he felt that way about me, but his love wasn't true or at least he didn't love me enough to stay. I could've moved to New Orleans I suppose, but my life is here and I realized, after my grief wasn't so fresh, that I didn't love him like I believed. It wasn't a love that was meant to last a lifetime, it was just a passing love that faded after a certain amount time had passed. Will missed New Orleans too much to stay permanently and I loved New York and my job here to much to follow him.

"We were like two ships passing in the night. I have a great job and great friends, so just like you I would hate to leave New York, because of a bad break up. Finding true love is rare in this world, so don't toss away your chance, just because you're worried about a break up that will probably never happen. I really don't think Aaron Hotchner would have spent most every morning you were there with you, even if it was only 15 at 20 minutes at a time, if he wasn't mostly sure it was the real thing or at least could develop into the real thing given half a chance."

"Wow! I've never heard you being so philosophical before," Norah said in awe, staring at her friend as if seeing her for the first time.

"Will leaving hurt me, as I said a minute ago, but I came to realize over time that our love wasn't true, it wasn't deep or long lasting, though that didn't mean I didn't grieve for the loss of him for several months afterwards. Grieving for someone like that changes that person," JJ said. "It certainly changed me, emotionally and mentally at least."

"I'll give the relationship a chance," Norah said after a moment. "I would hate to pass up my chance at truelove if that is what I feel for Aaron, just because I'm a coward and don't want to risk my position that I enjoy very much. If it happens to turn into something other than a passing infatuation then I'll probably buy you something expensive, for convincing me not to back out of my agreement with Aaron. It was something I was seriously considering doing, because I was panicking, thinking about all the consequences if things went haywire."

"Well, tell your brain to shut off and to quit being so negative. Follow your heart, as it won't lead you wrong," JJ told her friend firmly. "If you're feelings are already so strong for Aaron Hotchner, considering you only met him six months ago, it's likely not just infatuation."

"You're probably right," Norah decided ignoring the little devil on her shoulder that was urging her to break it off before she got hurt, whispering doubts into her ear. The angel on her other shoulder cheered, as Norah firmed her decision to at least give a relationship with Aaron a try, while the little devil sulked, arms crossed, tail lowered and head down, knowing he had lost at least for now. His expression turned rather annoyed at the angel's dancing of a jig, but there was nothing he could do about the situation at the moment. Norah's friend had unfortunately encouraged her to pursue a relationship with Hotchner and was being listened to. The devil glared at the angel on Norah's other shoulder and all he got for his trouble was a stuck out tongue. "Arrogant bitch," the devil muttered solemnly, while the angel just smirked smugly giving her nemesis the finger behind his back.

"Wanker," the angel replied serenely.

~~~Aaron and Norah~~~

"Good morning, Norah," Aaron said as soon as Norah had sat down in her usual spot on the bench with a muffin.

"Good morning, Aaron," Norah said more calm than she had been last night.

"You look well rested this morning," Aaron said, as he came to join her at what had become their spot handing Norah a cup of coffee that he had brought from the kitchen. They both sat on the bench and looked out at the misty gardens. It had rained rather heavily last night, which had caused the fog this morning. Still the gardens could be seen through the fog and the leaves of the plants glistened with rain, making what could be seen an even more gorgeous sight than normal. "So you slept well?"

"Like a baby," Norah replied truthfully.

Her usual sexual dreams of Aaron and her in a massive bed together in what she assumed was a representation of the master bedroom in the Hotchner Mansion or them getting hot and steamy somewhere in the massive garden had thankfully left her alone last night. She was grateful. She had gotten the first restful night's sleep she'd had in several weeks, not even getting up to use the toilet. Her imagination kept coming up with scenarios of her and Aaron having sex or where they were about to have sex, but where they were only exchanging, steamy kisses and a few innuendos.

Norah, remembered blushing in her sleep at the rather, sensual and sexual scenarios her brain was supplying her with. While she enjoyed the dreams she often woke up in the middle of the night panting with desire and had a heckuva time going back to sleep.

"I'm glad," Aaron said sincerely. "I was afraid you would try to get out of our agreement to date, once you had a chance to think about possible consequences."

Norah blushed and how accurate Aaron was.

"You thought about it," Aaron said knowingly, seeing Norah's rather red face, red from her embarrassment at being so accurately analyzed.

"Yeah, I did," Norah admitted. "You're very convincing, but once I was heading home I couldn't help thinking about what could go wrong. I've never had these kind of feelings for anyone, but my brain tried to convince me just to forget about it. Luckily, for you, JJ convinced me to give it a try. She knows I'm not one to casually fall in and out of love, so if I was feeling strong emotions for you, especially considering we hadn't known each other long, that it might be an opportunity to genuinely fall in love. JJ has a way with words when she's feeling really passionate."

"Well, thank God, for your friend JJ then," Aaron said clearly in a rather cheerful frame of mind. "If you had wiggled out of our agreement I just would've had to convince you to give it a try again. Thanks to your friend I won't have to bother."

"Yeah, JJ got rather passionate last night, which is rather unlike her," Norah said. "She had a bad break up not too long ago, but she realized that it wasn't true love. The guy went back to whence he came, as he apparently missed his hometown. What I'm trying to say, is because of that break up, it changed JJ's perspective on love. She believed that she loved him when they were together and that he returned her feelings at least until he left. Several months after he had left she realized that it wasn't really love at all or at least not the long-lasting kind."

"So JJ convinced you to give a relationship between us a chance, because of experience," Aaron said and Norah nodded.

"I admit, I was panicking and JJ calmed me down," Norah said looking sheepish. "I was just thinking about all the negative aspects of what could happen, instead of the positive."

"I might have to send your friend some flowers as a thank you," Aaron said. "Look, I know dating the boss is rather dangerous and could be a career ender, at least in most cases, but I thought we had established by now that I'm not like most bosses, that I wasn't going to do anything to ruin your career."

"You had," Norah said. "Just by being friendly with your employees, who are hardly in your social circle convinced me of that. As I said earlier, I just panicked. I haven't been in a serious relationship in a long time and I never had such strong feelings for any of my previous boyfriends, not even after we had been dating for months. That I had such strong feelings for you at our initial meeting was rather surprising, but I was sure I wouldn't see much of you since I knew how busy you are. I suppose, I turned out to be very wrong about that, but then, most men don't care about taking a walk in the garden, unless it's with a lady friend and it's what she wants. You're an unusual man in a lot of respects Aaron Hotchner," Norah added.

"I don't think I'm unusual at all really," Aaron said in a dismissive tone. "I just learned to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us everyday and walking in the garden gets me outside for a few minutes at least. While the house is massive you can still start to feel confined and going outside, even if it's only for half an hour or so helps."

"That's a point," Norah agreed not having thought about it in that way before.

The two of them fell silent as they just admired the gardens that were covered in a light mist, that made them see nearly mystical and otherworldly. Still, it was beautiful at this time of the morning something Norah definitely appreciated.

"Ready for our first date?" Aaron asked. "Or do you need a little time."

"I'm ready now," Norah said. "We need to go on a date before I change my mind and think this is a very bad idea. There might be no JJ around to convince me otherwise."

"I'll put her on speed dial so if you start to have massive doubts again she can come and convince you otherwise. She's obviously someone you trust and respect and if she's the only one that can talk some sense into you then I'm all for it."

"You would be," Norah laughed her doubts fading away once again, even as she laid her head against Aaron's shoulder.

Aaron didn't object at all, instead placing an arm around her waist, pulling her closer.

The two sat like that for a few minutes before Aaron got up and said he had a meeting in a few minutes.

"Dress fancy for our date, it'll be on Saturday," Aaron told her before disappearing towards the house.

~~~Aaron and Norah~~~