"So how did it go?" Penelope immediately asked, as soon as Aaron walked into the den. This was where all three of them spent a lot of time together. Most wealthy people weren't close to their servants but Aaron was, as they knew his secret. He had known both their families for generations. They acted like his servants when they had company, but when they were alone they were his friends, even if he also paid their salary.

"It went fine," Aaron said. "She enjoyed the food at Charles. I promised we could go again and she could try something else on the menu. We also had two nice long conversation, going and coming back."

"She confronted you about all the things you bought her, didn't she?" Derek guessed quite accurately.

"I wouldn't say confront," Aaron disagreed. "I happened to bring it up, as I was kind of surprised that she hadn't. She said she should thank me for the beautiful dress, but suggested I return the jewelry, as she'd never go anywhere to wear it. She said it would just sit in a safety deposit box for the next 50 years."

"I'm assuming you changed her mind," Derek said. That Norah had suggested Aaron return the jewelry wasn't surprising to him as Norah was nothing if not practical and also not in the least greedy. She wouldn't have seen the point of keeping all the beautiful pieces if she was never going to wear any of it again.

"I just told her I wouldn't take it back and that I wanted to attend many events with her, have many dates with her."

"I can just bet what she said to that," Derek chuckled. "That it wasn't her and that the wealthy set would know she was not of their class. I can see her believing that you can dress up a work horse but that the people in your class would know that she wasn't a racehorse. In the minds of people of your set she has no breeding, no money and no class."

"More or less," Aaron agreed. "I told her that she didn't have to attend the events with me, and she said something along the lines that even if you don't marry someone with money to their name there are still many people that are bound to be better than me."

"You told her that you she was being unrealistic, didn't you," Penelope said knowing how her boss and friend thought.

Aaron nodded. "Yeah, I did. I tried to imply that I really did love her, though I'm not entirely sure that she believes it. She knows I believe it, but that's not the same as her believing it. She said she needed time to think to sort out her feelings, but she'd see me on Monday."

"Well, that's not too bad," Penelope decided. "She could've told you that she didn't want to see you until she sorted out her feelings."

"Believe me, I am well aware she could have done, but we're supposed to meet in our usual spot Monday morning," Aaron said and the relief in his voice was obvious.

"So there is still hope," Derek said.

"We might want to get in contact with her friend JJ, as she's very supportive of you and Norah being together. JJ could talk to her friend, get her to see that you do love her and that she probably loves you too," Penelope suggested.

"I would save that as a last resort," Derek told Aaron. "You don't want Norah feeling betrayed, that you went behind her back to talk to her best friend about her.

"I agree," Aaron said. "That is Norah likely reaction at least at first, until she has time think. I'd rather save both Norah and me that heartache if possible. JJ too course, as she would have to deal with Norah's reaction and that's only if she doesn't feel betrayed by her friend."

"It's quite possible that JJ will talk to Norah herself, no help from any outside source needed. She seems good at telling Norah's moods," Penelope said.

"Well, if she does I certainly hope she convinces Norah that she does love me. I'm pretty sure she does actually, but whether Norah has figured that out for herself is another question."

"She could have and just doesn't want to say so," Derek said.

"I know," Aaron sighed. "Having waited so long to find the right woman and she has to be so stubborn."

"She's worth fighting for bossman," Penelope said and Aaron nodded

"I don't believe it's stubbornness so much as cautiousness," Derek put in his two cents. "She knows how relationships between employees and bosses often end, which is part of the problem. I'm sure those thoughts are always preying on her mind making her doubt your feelings for her."

"You're probably right," Aaron said with a nod of respect at Derek. "I well remember having a conversation with her about that very thing, back when I let my feelings be known and she finally realized that I was courting her."

Penelope snorted at that term, as it was a very old-fashioned word, one that had mostly fallen out of fashion.

"Yes, yes I know it's a very old term," Aaron said that with a smile. "But it fits this situation, because that's exactly what I was doing."

"Poor Norah," Derek said with a shake of his head.

"Why poor Norah?" Penelope asked her husband.

"Because she's bound to be feeling confused and out of sorts. Her nice safe world has been upheaved a lot lately. She had friends, a good job, a roof over her head, food in her belly and money in the bank for a rainy day. She's never truly been in love before, so she likely doesn't really know what she feels. That she's attracted to Aaron is not surprising, since even married women are attracted to him and might even have a mild crush on him. As for Norah, her attraction to Aaron will only make her fight harder for her own independence I think. While I don't think she has any stigma against marriage, I think the way her feelings and attraction surged up the first time she met him probably left her all confused," Derek explained.

"She's probably been attracted to men in the past, as that would be a normal part of growing to adulthood, but her feelings likely weren't as strong as they seem to be for you," Penelope told Aaron, once she understood what Derek was saying.

"So I need to be really careful then," Aaron said his expression thoughtful.

"You need to give her time," Penelope put in. "If she doesn't come around in a few weeks, then you might want to try something else."

"I would give it a month at least," Derek suggested. "It's clear that Norah has doubts about the length of your relationship. She might just be trying not to admit that she's falling hard for you because she's afraid you don't feel the same. Even if you told her that you loved her she might not have believed you, as men make declarations of love every day and don't really mean what they say. Also, you have to consider that she probably believes she's not good enough for you and likely imagines that there is someone better for you then herself."

"Someone with money even if they're not ultrarich, as she would likely see someone like that as more your equal then she could ever be. Most every woman has doubts about their guy and I'm not even sure that Norah considers you her guy, not yet anyway," Penelope said.

"She's likely afraid you'll lose interest sooner or later, probably sooner," Derek said. "I would be if I was in her position of having a filthy rich, handsome, athletic man showing interest in me. She probably considers herself quite ordinary. Mildly attractive, but not drop dead gorgeous either."

"I would send her some flowers, though I would avoid roses for right now particularly red roses," Penelope suggested to Aaron.

"A very good idea," Aaron told Penelope with a smile. "I'm going to need your advice both of you. Usually I just have women throw themselves figuratively at my feet."

"I would think you had plenty of experience since you are centuries old," Derek said.

"I do, but I've never been in this type of situation and it doesn't help that every woman is different. I was a workaholic back when I was still completely human so I didn't date much and when I did whoever I asked out on a date just accepted, though we usually spent a few minutes chatting first or we'd known each other for awhile. I've never had any woman be so resistant, but I also understand where Norah's coming from. I think her resistance is more from fear then anything else. Fear that she won't be able work in the garden attached to my home if our relationship fails. Fear, that I'll find her another position, as far away from me as possible, even though I promised her I wouldn't. Fear, that I'll change my mind and fire her. Fear, that I'm only leading her around by the nose and then I don't really have any feelings for her besides a little lust and attraction."

"That's a lot of fear of things that'll never happen," Derek said. "I do understand where she's coming from though, if you're right and it's mainly her fears that's holding her back. Fears are not logical, though they do tend to have a basis, even if that person doesn't know what they're fears are based on, as they could be practically anything. A overheard conversation as a child that they didn't understand for instance. It's possible they understood the tone of voice more than the words, but still, that kind of thing tends to stick with you, no matter how they came about."

"Yes, they do," Penelope agreed seeming to be remembering her own childhood if her pained expression was anything to go by.

"I suppose it's too soon to tell her your secret. I think she would understand better why you fell in love with her and not some other women if she knew about your immortality. I think she would understand why you had to be careful in choosing someone to be with you for eternity."

"That would probably hurt more than help at this point," Aaron said seriously considering the idea for a few moments then shaking his head. "She might never trust me if she thinks I'm making up something so fantastic, just to explain why I never married what she considers a more suitable candidate. She probably wouldn't even give me a chance to demonstrate, before she was running away, probably with tears in her eyes, because she would likely think that I was feeding her a line. I think she needs to trust me a little more before I go that route."

"Probably a good idea," Penelope said.

"Yeah, it probably is," Derek agreed.

He really wanted Norah as permanently part of Aaron's life, he truly believed that Norah would be good for him and vice versa. He wanted to see Aaron settle down have kids before he and Penny left this world leaving behind a few children as their legacy, ones that would continue to serve Aaron and hopefully, Norah for many years.

~~~Aaron and Norah~~~

Monday, early

"Good morning Norah," Derek greeted her just like he always did.

"Good morning Derek," Norah said in a subsided voice.

"Did you have a good weekend?"

"It was okay," Norah said with a remarkable lack of enthusiasm.

"Are you okay?" Derek asked in concern.

"I haven't been sleeping well," Norah admitted. "I tossed and turned both Saturday and Sunday."

"Yeah, I know all about what you and Aaron discussed," Derek said. "I know he'll be upset that he caused you to toss and turn for the last couple of nights."

"So you must know him pretty well?" Norah questioned casually.

Derek was usually noncommittal when it came to his relationship with Aaron. Norah had often wondered what the big mystery was, why Derek wouldn't talk about his employer other then in the most general of terms. She could understand employee/employer privilege, and that Derek had to keep secrets as he could likely be fired if he was to reveal something he wasn't supposed to. Still, it was a mystery.

"Yeah, I do," Derek agreed. "We are friends at least when there's no visitors, but there is also a certain line I can't cross."

"So he talks to you," Norah said.

"Yes, he does, about a lot of things," Derek said.

"He told you all about our conversation Saturday," Norah asked.

"Yeah, he did," Derek winced. "Something that I thought could've gone better."

"Yeah, it could have," Norah admitted. "I suppose I just panicked. I wasn't expecting the direction the conversation took."

"No one could have, especially not during your first official date," Derek agreed. "I think Aaron jumped into the deep end of the swimming pool. I think he should've waited at least a few weeks to say anything. On the other hand, you have to know that he cares about you very much or he never would have bought you that lovely gown, the shoes or that jewelry."

"So it's not something he does for all his girlfriends?" Norah asked surprised.

"No, you are the first he's ever done that for," Derek said. "He just wanted you to look like all the other women at Charles Chophouse, as he didn't want to make you uncomfortable if the other ladies noticed you weren't dressed the same as them. Penny made him realize that you likely didn't have any fancy gowns in your closet as you didn't grow up in that kind of environment."

"I did appreciate it," Norah said. "The gown is gorgeous and the jewelry is exquisite."

"Your middle-class sensibilities just got in the way of accepting Aaron's generosity without an argument," Derek suggested with a smile.

"Yeah, that's exactly it," Norah chuckled. "Of course, it also has to do with the fact that I had been taught not to accept gifts from strangers and yes, I know Aaron is not really a stranger, but we also don't know each other that well. Besides, most of the time such expensive gifts come with certain expectations. You know what I mean."

"Yeah I do, but Aaron isn't like that at all, something you should know if you would only let yourself admit that he's not like most of his social set."

"I know," Norah said. "I think Aaron has demonstrated ample times that he's not like most of those that are wealthy."

"He's changed a lot you know ever since he met you," Derek told her.

"Has he?" Norah questioned Derek curiously.

"Yeah, he has. He's opened up a lot emotionally, been more free with his feelings. He used to be very closed off. That's not to say that he didn't go out, go to social functions, usually with plus one, but those women meant absolutely nothing to him, Norah, just that he knew if he didn't show up with a date he would be surrounded by women. The kind of women that he hates. At least with a plus one he had some protection from them as it would be the height of rudeness to pull their usual act at such a high class function. Their parents would definitely do something about their daughters behavior, even if they were all technically adults, because if they pulled some kind embarrassing act in such a social setting, not only embarrassing Aaron, his date, the hosts, but the parents of whoever's involved. There would be serious consequences for any of the women involved, as they would have embarrassed their good family name."

"I see," Norah said quietly.

"I can see Aaron going back to his old behavior, closing himself off from anything that makes life worth living and only you can change that Norah," Derek told her seriously. "I can see him locking himself up in his home and not going out much basically withdrawing from society if you reject him and refuse to have anything else to do with him."

"What do you mean?" Norah asked tilting her head to the side with a thoughtful expression.

"Aaron's been looking for someone he can settle down with for a long time," Derek explained not going into details why Aaron had never came close to marrying. "Aaron very selective. He doesn't want someone that he's going to have constant trouble with, disagreements, even arguments, especially pointless ones. He doesn't want someone that will cheat on him when he's gone on a business trip or believe he's cheating on them, just because he's gone for a week or more. He wants someone who is loyal, honest, kind, and compassionate, but who also has a life of her own and a job. He doesn't want someone that's just going to sit around the house or constantly go to the saloon, clothes shopping or shoe shopping, as a way just to spend Aaron's money, while giving him nothing in return like affection, love, kindness, tenderness none of it.

"He doesn't want the kind of wife that will just keep taking advantage of his extreme wealth and social position. He doesn't want someone selfish and shallow, someone who doesn't really love or even care for him, but does love being his wife, because of the money and the status. He wants someone who will give him her opinion, whether asked for or not, someone he can talk to about anything and have them listen and perhaps someone that gives him advice if he's stuck for a solution to a problem. Really, it's very simple, he wants someone to share his life with, truly share. He doesn't want to live in the same house with someone, but it's like they have two totally separate lives and the only thing that they have in common are their children. That kind of marriage happens more than you think, particularly among the wealthy set and it's not a fate Aaron wants for himself."

Something became clear to Norah after Derek had finished speaking. Her heart and brain had been putting up quite a fight. Her heart knew that she did love Aaron, her brain however, had been coming up with logical arguments why she couldn't possibly be in love because she hadn't wanted to admit that she was falling hard for Aaron Hotchner. She had been sure that he would eventually dump her, no matter how many times he had told her that he loved her, because after all men said that every day and didn't really truly mean it. She had known at the back of her mind that Aaron wasn't like most men, as he had demonstrated that he wasn't on numerous occasions.

Most wealthy men wouldn't have spent more than a minute with an employee. They might've said good morning and that would've been the end of it, well, not unless they were giving them some orders. Most men didn't pay attention to those around them especially someone like a servant or an employee. Yes, an employee at some store was just like a servant to a certain type of people. Such people were invisible to a certain type of man or woman for that matter. It was like they were so used to having servants that they were invisible, as they were considered the little people beneath their notice unless they were insulted then it was a different story.

Aaron had never been like that not even doing her interview. He had been somewhat distant sure, but that was because he was interviewing her for a position on his private property.

Norah made a decision and decided to stop automatically denying that Aaron could possibly love someone like her. She needed to forget about what happened between most bosses and one of their women employees when they got involved and then the boss turned his attention elsewhere, leaving his former lover's heart broken and possibly jobless. One thing she had forgotten was that when you fell in love it wasn't necessarily with someone considered appropriate for your station in life. The heart wanted what it wanted and it didn't care how illogical the match was at least by society standards. It was biology at its simplest.

"I seem to have helped you out with whatever conflicts you were having," Derek observed, watching the expressions on Norah's face change several times.

Norah flushed knowing that her thoughts must've shown on her face. She had an expressive face and she never had been able to control her expressions when she was deep in thought.

"Let's just say you clarified a few things I have been struggling with," Norah answered vaguely.

"Care to share?" Derek suggested with a black eyebrow raised in obvious question.

"Just that you made me realize that the heart wants what it wants and it doesn't necessarily fall in love with someone considered appropriate by society or any other standard you can think of."

"Aaron doesn't give a damn about society, you know this Norah," Derek told her seriously. "He's a powerful man and while I know they're a lot of women that hope that he'll eventually settle down with one of them, it isn't going to happen. Aaron's always done exactly what he pleases, something I'm sure you know already."

"Yeah, I did," Norah said. "My brain kept arguing that I couldn't possibly love him."

"But your heart knew differently," Derek guessed very accurately.

"Yeah," Norah answered solemnly. "I had better go though, as I'm already late for my normal early meeting with Aaron. I'm sure he's worried that I'm not going to show up at all."

"Probably," Derek said smiling. "I'll see you Tuesday if not before."

"Yeah, thanks Derek," Norah said smiling kissing his cheek softly.

"You're more than welcome Norah. I want to see both you and Aaron happy and if that means you get together then I will not only not object I'll probably send you a bottle of champagne," Derek told her smiling.

Norah chuckled even and as she hurried to her and Aaron's usual meeting spot.

~~~Aaron and Norah~~~