"How's Norah," Penelope questioned

"She's sleeping peacefully," Aaron said pointing at the monitor that he had on in Norah's room.

"I hope you aren't spying on her," Penelope said disapprovingly. "Norah won't appreciate it."

"Of course, I'm not spying on her," Aaron protested. "I simply asked the computer if she was asleep and then turned on the monitor just to check for myself that she wasn't tossing and turning. I just set an alert that will warn me if Norah either starts to wake or if her heart beat changes because of a nightmare. I was just about to turn it off when you arrived."

"Well good, because spying on her is one sure way to get her to refuse any further dates from you," Penelope told Aaron. "No woman I know likes to be spied on. In fact, you could be considered a pervert, for spying on a sleeping woman without her knowledge."

"You know me better than that," Aaron said, even as he rolled his eyes at Penelope, as he didn't really take offense. Penelope was just trying to warn him not to ruin his chances with Norah, by spying on her.

"Usually I do, but you're in love with Norah, which can lead men to do strange things, even if that's just keep an eye on them when they're sleeping."

"She'll never know that I was just checking up on her, making sure she was sleeping well," Aaron said.

Aaron ordered the computer monitor off, so he could no longer see the image of a sleeping Norah. "As you can see she's fine."

"I'll tell Derek that she's fine. He was worried. He thinks of her as a sister you know," Penelope said changing the subject.

"I know. I don't mind that at all. It's good, for Norah to get close to Derek and you, as it might help cement her decision to marry me when I ask If she knows that you don't disapprove of our relationship. I don't believe that Norah would want to put up with anybody that doesn't approve and shows it, because you're my friends as well as my employees."

"So when are you going to tell her about your immortality?" Penelope asked.

"I'm not exactly sure when," Aaron admitted. "I don't want to do it too soon and have her reject me. On the other hand, technically, we've been dating nearly a year now, but considering how upset she was just weeks ago I'm not sure she's ready to know about something that most people would never believe. I want to give it another few weeks at least perhaps two or three months. I thought about taking her on a trip with me, somewhere where I have business to conduct, but we could still spend time together."

"I wouldn't wait to long bossman," Penelope told him, "or Norah is likely to feel hurt that you didn't trust her."

"I think she'll be okay once she has some time to think about why I didn't tell her sooner. Norah is nothing if not innately sensible. Once she has time to think, she'll realize that trust needed to be built between us before I told her such a fantastic but true tale. Of course, that doesn't mean there won't be a lot of emotional pain involved before she sorts out her feelings, something I'd like to prevent if possible. She needed to stop thinking that she was unworthy of me, when really it's the other way around."

"I think she finally has," Penelope said quietly. "Derek said that she didn't complain, except to protest about cleaning up in one of the guest bathrooms in the house, instead of one that is set aside for employees about sharing lunch with you in the kitchen. She said that she didn't want to mess up one of your nice bathrooms until Derek remind her that's what it was for."

"Only Norah would worry about something like that," Aaron snorted with a grin.

"I think she was just overwhelmed," Penelope suggested. "She had never been inside, except for that one time when you interviewed her. She only saw a little bit when Derek escorted her to your office and I'm sure what she did see left her somewhat overwhelmed. You can probably fit her entire apartment in the living room here. She doesn't come from a wealthy background remember."

"I hadn't thought about it that way but you're right," Aaron said. "I'm going have to give her a tour at some point. She did mention that it would take awhile to be comfortable living someplace like this."

"It certainly took me awhile and Derek as well, though that was a long time ago," Penelope said. "Neither one of us grew up in such surroundings, but that was years ago. Besides, Derek and I always knew that we would be working directly for you once we finished college, so our futures were already set."

"I didn't come from these kind of opulent surroundings either, not originally anyway, but that was so long ago that I barely remember not being used to having the best of everything," Aaron admitted looking around at the dark bookcases filled with real books, and at his massive desk that was reclaimed teak. Reclaimed wood was more expensive then new wood, not that wood fresh from the forest was the cheaper option. Reclaimed wood was at least double.

"I suspect I need to think about things from Norah's point of view. She didn't grow up surrounded by this kind of thing," Aaron admitted.

"Anybody could get used to having everything they desire, to not having to struggle," said Penelope. "But Norah will not want to change who she is. She could get used to living in this kind of place I'm sure, but I doubt she's ever dreamed about being as rich as Midas as that just isn't like the Norah I know."

"You're saying that Norah won't let all this go to her head," Aaron said sweeping his arm out to indicate the opulence of the room.

"No, she won't, just like you haven't," Penelope told him. "Make sure that you think of her needs, her wants, her desires, not just your own. If she thinks you're ignoring what she wants then you'll lose her."

"Thank you, for the advice, Penny," Aaron said. "I think we all have the same goal and that is to have Norah permanently, as part of our lives as my wife, but I won't ignore her feelings either, as that would make her flee as far way she could get, because as Derek said she's very independent and if she thinks I'm threatening that..."

"She won't want anything to do with you no matter her feelings" Penelope said. "You just be careful of Norah's feelings boss. I want her as part of the family just as much as you do, but so many things could go wrong."

"I know they can," Aaron said. "Let's hope they don't go so wrong that Norah wants nothing to do with me."

"I think I can safely say that's a hope that Derek and I share," Penelope said, before I leave then Aaron's office. Penelope left a very thoughtful Aaron Hotchner behind, so he simply sat back in his comfortable office chair and thought of ways to best introduce Norah to immortality.

~~~Aaron and Norah~~~

Several weeks later

"So you're asking me to take a trip with you?" Norah questioned.

"I have business in San Francisco and I just thought you might want to come with me. We can take a few days, see some of the sites after my business is finished," Aaron said.

"I don't know," Norah said uncertainly.

"Of course, if you don't want to go I'm not going to force you. I just thought that you'd like to see some of the country. I believed that our relationship was solid enough now that you wouldn't mind traveling with me at least once in awhile. We'll have separate rooms in the same suite and I promise I won't try to molest you."

Since Aaron said this with a smile to show he was joking Norah blushed instead of getting annoyed.

What was making her hesitate, Norah thought to herself. She already knew that Aaron was a good guy and wouldn't do anything she didn't want him to do. He had been nothing but kind and generous towards her and had never once mentioned about taking their relationship to the next level, though Norah knew that he must want to, as he was still a young man and probably had a very active libido.

Norah had dated guys in the past that demanded sex after taking her to a vid or dinner or somewhere else and Norah didn't understand how taking her on a date meant she had to have sex with the guy as payment. Aaron had never even brought it up, even though he had to be only a few years older then those guys as he didn't look more than 30.

"What is your hesitation," Aaron asked. "I would think you'd appreciate getting out of the city for a few days because of the heat wave."

"It's just that I feel like I'm taking advantage of your generosity," Norah said finally. "I mean you've done so many things for me since we met and it's not like I can return on the favor of taking you out of the city for a few days or in some other way."

"Don't worry about that Norah," Aaron said in a gentle tone. "You do so much for me without even knowing it just by being present. I like the way we can just talk to each other about anything. I like the way you can make me laugh, the way you can make me feel lighter and make me smile. Believe me, I didn't used to smile much before I met you, as it was mostly one round of work after another. Oh, I took little breaks watched a vid, took a swim in the pool that kind of thing, but that was only for a few hours at a time. I've told you numerous times already that you've changed my life so much, as I take joy in things now, something I had lost for a long time. I wouldn't have offered if I didn't want you to come with me."

"Alright," Norah caved. "I can't help, but think I'm taking advantage of your generosity though.

"Take advantage all you like, as I don't do anything I don't want to do, Norah, you couldn't convince me to take you anywhere if I didn't want you to go. If it makes you feel better think of it like one of your friends who had a private shuttle and agreed to take you wherever you wanted to go whenever you liked."

"Too bad I don't have any friends that well-connected," Norah joked.

"You do," Aaron said with a raised eyebrow at Norah's obtuseness.

"I do," Norah questioned "Who would that be?"

"Myself, of course," Aaron told her with a dazzling smile when Norah made a face at him.

It was clear that Aaron was laughing at her and she supposed she deserved it for falling into such an obvious trap. "Unless of course, you have another friend who's a private pilot or owns their own shuttle."

"You know darn well I don't," Norah told him.

"Exactly," Aaron told her smiling.

"You're laughing at me," Norah accused him.

"And if I am?" Aaron chuckled openly now.

"I'll figure out a way to get you back," Norah vowed half seriously.

"You can certainly try," Aaron smirked at her.

"I might not want to go anywhere with someone as cocky as you," Norah told him. She was actually happy to see the lighthearted and funny side of the man she knew she loved emerge, though she wasn't sure if she would never tell him.

"I'll try to contain myself," Aaron promised knowing that Norah wasn't serious.

"I would love to come," Norah repeated. "I've never been to San Francisco."

"Good," Aaron said relieved. "Be prepared to be gone for at least a week, as my business should take no more than a few hours and then we can see some of the sites, shop in some of the famous stores."

Norah rolled her eyes at Aaron and he chuckled. Aaron had absolutely no problem spending money while she was more conservative, but on the other hand, she didn't have his vats of moolah either. She supposed it had to do with their different upbringings.

The two of them had come a long way ever since the night of their first date.

"Go home and pack a bag. I'll pick you up at 8 AM tomorrow," Aaron told her.

"Good, this will give me time to tell JJ where I'll be. I wouldn't want her calling the cops just because she thinks I'm missing."

"What about your parents?" Aaron asked. "Shouldn't you let them know that you'll be gone for awhile?"

"No, they live in Philadelphia, so it's not like they could just drop in for a visit. I'll just tell mom if she calls me where I am. I don't plan on mentioning who I'm with you though, as mom will make all kinds of assumptions, something I'm not in the mood to deal with."

"Do they even know about my relationship with you?" Aaron asked.

"Yes, they do, as I told both of them several months ago. Mom was so excited at me possibly getting married, especially to someone so wealthy. I tried to tell her that it wasn't a sure thing, that we might not work out and she told me to stop being so negative."

"I think I'll like your mother, as she's right," Aaron chuckled.

"I wasn't being negative just practical, as I'm well aware of such relationship between people of unequal status often don't work," Norah protested.

"Alright, I'll admit that's true and I know that's one thing that stopped you from wanting to get close to me at first," Aaron said. "You were so sure that it wasn't going to last that you didn't want your heart broken."

"I suppose, I can't blame mom for being excited about me seriously dating you as I don't usually mention my boyfriends, but then, most of my relationships don't last long enough to get serious enough to mention them to my parents. As to your earlier comment about liking my mother, yes, you will once you meet her," Norah said.

"I can hardly wait for the introduction," Aaron said. "What about your father?"

"You'll like him to," Norah promised. "He'll be happy for me so long as you love me and he knows I'm happy and that's only if our relationship reaches that stage."

Aaron made no comment to the last part of that statement, because their relationship had already passed the stage where he should have already met Norah's parents, but they were taking things slow, even though Aaron ached to make Norah his in every way. Really, slow was the best way because of certain factors.

"Unfortunately, my parents died many years ago so you will never get a chance to meet them," Aaron said, "and unlike you I was an only child."

What Aaron told Norah was the absolute truth, he just didn't tell her that his parents death had happened many centuries ago of natural causes.

"That is so sad," Norah said. "I know I'll lose my parents one day and I'm not sure I'm prepared for that to happen."

"Nobody is, Norah," Aaron told her. "Not unless one of them has been suffering from some kind of long illness, so it's nearly relief that they're free from the pain."

"There is that," Norah agreed soberly. "At least they'll be around to see me get married eventually, but that's only if our relationship gets that far."

"You've said that already and I just wanted tell you that our relationship is way past that point, at least for me," Aaron told her. "We've been out on numerous dates and you know we're very suited, but it's you that keeps stopping our relationship from going to the next level. I think because deep down you're still afraid of it not working out, but Norah both our feelings are involved now. Even at the beginning of our relationship I already knew you were the one for me and us dating for so long has just confirmed it. You are perfect for me and I'm perfect for you to if you would only admit it, if you would only let your true feelings for me emerge instead of suppressing them or at least denying they exist."

"I…" Norah started to protest, then stopped because she realized that Aaron was right. "I didn't realize that I was stopping our relationship from proceeding farther."

"Its not entirely your fault as there're some serious things I need to tell you, before we do take our relationship to the next level, I wanted to make sure that you were ready to hear them, so you weren't as likely to overreact when I finally revealed all."

"What's so bad about this secret that you haven't told me before now?" Norah asked.

"It's not bad really, it's just something that will be hard to accept that's all," Aaron said. "Before I said anything you needed to trust me completely."

"And that took awhile," Norah said in understanding.

She had trusted Aaron a hundred percent for awhile now, though she was still astonished that he had picked her to be his girlfriend, as really there was nothing out of the ordinary where she was concerned. She was from an average upper middle-class family, had an ordinary job, with ordinary hobbies and ordinary friends. Aaron had told her more than once, that no matter how she saw herself he saw so much more.

Personally, Norah thought he was seeing things that weren't there. Still, Aaron had overcome her doubts and that was really saying something, though JJ's numerous lectures hadn't hurt and also the talks she and Derek had had.

It was clear that Derek cared about Aaron a great deal and that they were friends. If anybody knew how lonely you were it tended to be your servants. Derek and Penny both wanted to see Aaron happy with a wife and children. That Aaron had chosen her as his wife was something both of them readily approved of. After all, they didn't want some rich female as Aaron's wife that would likely treat them like dirt and just order them around or perhaps work out a way to get rid of them, so whoever Aaron married could do whatever she liked without any observation. They had trusted that Aaron had more sense than that and had been proven right.

Norah could definitely understand that.

"I suppose I better get home and pack," Norah said finally, reluctantly disengaging from Aaron's arms.

"That would be a good idea, unless you want to wear the same outfit for a week," Aaron told her with a teasing grin. "Or maybe you could walk around sans clothes."

"You would enjoy that wouldn't you, you pervert," Norah told him nearly choking on her own laughter. Aaron could have such an odd sense of humor at times but she had to admit she liked it.

"Yes, I am, at least where you are concerned and proud of it," Aaron told her with a smirk.

The two of them kissed tenderly, before Norah took her leave.

"I'll see you at eight," Aaron called after her.

"I'll be waiting," Norah promised flashing Aaron one last grin before disappearing out of the library where they had been talking.

~~~Aaron and Norah~~~