It was just a fluke. That's what Penelope Garcia told herself all afternoon. Sure they'd had a night, but come on, his declaration of wanting more had to be a manifestation of guilt. He felt bad that they took things too far and he was trying to make it right with the dinner invitation.

When he called at 4:30 to tell her that his sitter fell through, she wasn't surprised. After all, she never really thought he meant to take her to dinner in the first place. She played it off, telling him she understood and that it was okay. But it wasn't okay for him. Instead, he asked her to have dinner with both of them. After all, he reasoned, Jack had come to love his Aunt Pen.

In the time since Aaron Hotchner had become a single father, the entire BAU team had pitched in to help with Jack's care. "Aunt Pen", as he'd started calling her, and JJ and Will had done more than their share of babysitting and Jack had really started to feel that they were family.

Penelope couldn't resist the invitation and their intimate dinner for two turned into Chuck E Cheese for three. As the night went on, she was glad it ended up that way. For the first time in ages, she saw Aaron laughing, playing, enjoying himself. She'd almost forgotten what he looked like when he smiled, forgot the sound of his laugh.

They stayed until the restaurant closed then made their way home, to his new apartment. As Aaron carried a sleeping Jack back to the bedroom, she looked around. She'd been there many times before, but somehow, tonight, it looked different. She stood in the living room, still wearing her coat, unable to make herself comfortable as she had last time she'd been there to watch Jack.

This fact did not go unnoticed when he returned to the room.

"Pen," he began, with a soft smile, "You can take your coat off."

"Hm…yeah…sorry…" she laughed, nervously.

"You're nervous," he said, helping her out of her coat.

"Me? No…yeah," she laughed again, "I guess I am."

"Why are you nervous?" he asked, hanging her coat on the coat tree.

"I…" she said, then stopped, feeling a blush creep up her cheeks. "I guess, I keep waiting for the moment when you realize you don't have to do this."

"Don't have to do what?"

"This. Pretend to be interested in me…"

"How long have you known me?" he seriously asked.

"Years, why?"

"And in all of those years, have you known me to lie?"

"No…but…"

He took her hands, "Penelope, I am interested. If I wasn't, I never would have allowed things to go as far as they did."

"But…"

"No, no buts," he smiled. "Now, if you're not sure…"

"No," she quickly said, too quickly, she thought. "I am sure. I'm really sure…."

"Are you?" he gently teased.

"Oh yeah, I am," she said, then, in a move that surprised them both, she kissed him. It wasn't a chaste kiss, nor was it a passionate kiss, but a basic, full-on kiss that left no doubt as to her seriousness.

He responded by pulling her close and returning the kiss.

"Still think I'm not sure?" she asked, between kisses.

"Not any more," he smiled, studying her face for a moment before kissing her again.

She let herself get lost in the moment, forgetting her doubt, wanting nothing more to be in his arms. As his hand slid beneath her sweater, his skin warm against her back, she remembered that Jack was sleeping in the next room.

"Aaron," she said, pulling back. "We can't…"

"I know…." he answered, giving her another kiss, then pulling back. "Jack…"

She nodded, "I just…I can't."

"We shouldn't," he agreed, reluctantly allowing her to step away. "I asked JJ if she'd watch Jack on Friday night."

"You did?"

He nodded, "If we don't catch a case, I'd like to take you out to dinner. Somewhere more adult than Chuck E Cheese…"

"I'd like that," she smiled, as he pulled her close again. "Aaron…"

"Just a good night kiss," he said with a laugh, as he kissed her softly.

"You call that a good night kiss?" she challenged, prompting him to give her a deep, full kiss that took her breath away. He pulled back a moment later, "Better?"

"Better," she nodded. "I do have to go…if I stay…"

He nodded, walking her to the door. "I'll see you tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow morning," she repeated, kissing him again.

"I thought you had to go…"

"I do," she kissed him again, "In a minute…"