"So, who's up for a round at Magoo's once we land?" Morgan asked as they started their descent.

"Sounds good to me," Ashley said as she checked the time on her phone. "I have nowhere to be."

"I'm game," Reid answered at the same time Rossi and JJ gave their assent. The lone holdout was Aaron and they all looked at him.

"I have paperwork to do, guys, but you have fun without me." He didn't look up from the file he was holding. "You should see if Garcia wants to go along. She hasn't been out with you all in quite some time."

Morgan nodded and called her up on the video uplink. "Yes?"

"Hey, Baby Girl, we're heading out for drinks once we land. Do you want to come with us?"

"Sugar, I am swamped with work here. I don't think I can."

"But it isn't a party without you Penelope," Ashley said, a slight whine in her voice.

"I'll have to see. Come ask me when you get here. You'll have to drop your bags here anyway." She cut the connection with them and Morgan frowned at the screen.

"Give her time. She's still struggling with Emily's death," Hotch said lowly, touching Morgan's shoulder. "We each grieve in our own way and she hasn't come out the other side yet. Once she finds the way to move on, she will."

"I thought things would be easier once I came back, Hotch. It just seems to have made things worse." JJ looked down at her hands, a frown spreading over her face as well.

"So did I. But Penelope is, at her core, a most tender-hearted soul. Events like this scar her, deeply. Just keep working to pull her out of her shell. I'm certain persistence will win. After all, isn't that how she wears us down?" A ghost of a smile flickered across Aaron's face as he thought about all she'd done for him over the years.

They finally landed and all went up to the bullpen, their faces strangely peaceful in spite of the case they had just left. Hotch disappeared up to his office while the others set their bags down and then left the bullpen. A few minutes later, someone knocked on his door. "Come in," he called out and the door opened, revealing Penelope. "Don't you want to go with the team?"

"Kind of, but I have things to do here. Aren't you going to go?"

"I will if you will, Penelope. The team would really like it if you were there."

"It's just not the same without Em. I mean, I'm glad JJ is back and all, but there's still a her-shaped hole in my heart. I loved her like a sister, Hotch."

"I know. We all did. Now, are we going for drinks or not? Jack's going to be at Jessica's tonight, anyway. It's too late to take him home." She nodded, a tiny smile flickering across her face. "Great." He stood and held out his arm to her and she slid her hand into the crook of his elbow as they walked through a silent bullpen.

She didn't say anything as they went down the sidewalk, though he noticed she clung closely to him, using him for support. Finally, she stopped and looked at him. "Did you hear where Kevin was transferred to?"

It clicked in his head, in that moment, where the sorrow was coming from also. "He hasn't transferred anywhere, Penelope."

"Oh." She turned her face from him and took a deep breath. "Why would he lie to me?"

His first instinct was to tell her what he really thought, that Lynch was a spineless jackass, but he knew that wouldn't help things. "Maybe he couldn't think of a kinder way to break up with you."

"You're probably right," she said as they went inside the bar. Ashley waved them over to the table the team had commandeered and he placed his hand on the small of her back, guiding her through the throng of people.

"Hey, you guys made it!" Morgan hugged Penelope close and pulled her down to sit on his leg. "What do you both want to drink?"

"I'll take a beer," they both answered at the same time, and Penelope giggled as she looked up at him, some of the sadness lifting from her features for a moment. Hotch sat next to JJ, who nodded at him. A dance song came on the sound system and Morgan pulled Penelope out onto the dance floor, followed closely by Seaver and Rossi. Reid went and ordered another round of beers for the team.

"How is she doing?" JJ asked, looking at her out on the dance floor.

"It's not just missing Emily. I guess Kevin's gone MIA. He told her he had been transferred somewhere. Can you believe that? When Morgan gets wind of what he's done to her, Kevin is going to wish he'd been so lucky as to be transferred."

"And why do you care, Sir?" JJ asked softly, staring at him intently.

"Because she's Penelope." The other woman just smiled like a Sphinx and he frowned at her. "That's all it is, I swear."

"Sure, I believe you. But do you believe yourself?"

He fell silent, continuing to watch Penelope dance with Morgan and then Rossi. "I have to."

"Go out and dance with her. One dance won't hurt anything."

He nodded absently and stood up, taking a swig of beer before going out to the dance floor. He tapped Penelope's shoulder, and she turned to face him, a smile breaking out on her face. She wrapped an arm around his waist, pulling him flush against her. The song suddenly switched to a slow ballad and he stiffened slightly as Penelope rested her head on his chest, swaying in time to the music. He relaxed a little as the song went on, leaning down to breath in the unique scent that defined her so well.

The song bled into another slow one and he didn't let her go. He thought he heard her sigh as she snuggled closer to him. He caught Morgan's eye and nodded at him. The other man finally broke a smile and pulled his current honey closer to his side. "Can we just make this last forever?" she whispered in his ear, before resting her head back on his chest.

"If only we could. Sometimes all we have is one brief, shining, moment, though."

"I know." He felt her tears wet his shirt and he unconsciously rubbed her back, comforting her. As the song came to an end, she pulled away from him to look up into his eyes. Her own eyes were still shiny with tears and he wiped them away delicately. She leaned into his touch, a small smile on her lips. He pulled back his hand and led her over to their table. JJ got up and let Penelope slide in between Reid and herself.

Hotch took a sip of his beer, finding it strangely bitter. Looking around at his team, he felt somewhat glad that Penelope had come out with them. She looked a little happier, talking to Reid about something and he smiled, knowing he could go home and she'd be looked after by the others. Pushing the beer away from him, he stood and waved at them, eager to be home and alone, away from these feelings that were bubbling up to the surface. Penelope looked slightly distressed to see him go, but Reid soon pulled her back into his conversation.

He turned to go back to the Academy once he was out the door, only to pause near the corner of the building. It was entirely the wrong thing to do, as from the shadows of the alley appeared three thugs, brandishing knives and clubs. He tensed, preparing for a fight. "Hey mister, can you spare a dime?" one asked nastily as they surrounded him. Aaron tried to remain calm as one of the men poked his back with his club.

"I don't want any trouble," he evenly replied, going for his wallet. That, however, revealed his gun and they were on him like a pack of wild dogs, dragging him into the dark alley and beating him unmercifully. He grunted as he felt cold steel slide into his body. Time seemed to stand still as they took the money from his wallet and then ran off. He couldn't move, his voice wouldn't work, and he writhed carelessly, injuring himself further.

"Aaron, Aaron, where are you hurt?" Blinking, he looked up into Penelope's face. She was crying, the tears splashing down on his face.

He vaguely pointed with his hand to the closest stab wound. She pulled out her cell phone and hurriedly dialed 911. "Hello, this is Penelope Garcia. I'm with my boss, Aaron. He's been stabbed and beaten up, and I can't find the source of all the bleeding."

"Where are you, Ma'am?"

"In the alley next to Magoo's. Please, hurry."

"Police and fire rescue are on their way. Don't leave his side."

"I won't." Penelope hung up and took hold of Aaron's hand. "Aaron, the paramedics are on their way. I won't leave until you tell me to."

"Jack…"

"He's with Jessica right now, remember, Aaron? I'll call her as soon as we get to the hospital." She squeezed his hand tightly, not wanting to let go. "Do you remember how many guys did this to you?"

"Three," he whispered, his voice thin. "I think, I think."

"Shh, Aaron. Don't speak right now. Save your strength." She brought his hand up and kissed it gently. "I'm not going to leave you, I promise."

"I know, Penny."

His eyes fluttered closed once more and she felt panic grip her heart. "No, Aaron, look at me. Please, focus on me." Slowly, his eyes opened again and she smiled at him through her tears.

"Ma'am, are you the one who called 911?" the paramedic asked as she came up to them moments later. Penelope nodded, then watched as they worked on Aaron, getting him stabilized.

"May I ride along with you? I promised I wouldn't leave his side."

The woman smiled at Penelope. "Of course you may. Follow us. You can give me your statement on the way to the hospital." She held open the front door of the ambulance and Penelope climbed in, talking into the recorder the woman set up, answering the questions asked of her.

Soon, they were at the hospital and the EMTs wheeled Aaron in. "Are you taking him up to the OR?"

"Yes. Do you want me to lead you up there?"

Penelope shook her head. "I know my way." She went to the elevator and pressed the button, waiting for the doors to open. As soon as she was settled in the OR waiting room, she pulled out her phone and began making the necessary calls. First, she dialed Jessica's number.

"Hello? Do you know what time it is?"

"Jessica? It's Penelope Garcia. There's been an incident, and Aaron was hurt. He's in the OR now. I don't know much more than that right now."

"Is he going to live?" Jessica's voice had taken on a panicked tone and Penelope bit her lip.

"I think so. He was talking to me on scene, which is a good sign. Just, I don't know, prepare Jack for seeing his daddy vulnerable. I know our little guy sees Aaron as s superhero, and I don't want, well, I…"

"I know what you mean, Penelope. Call again in the morning for when we can come down and visit."

"Will do." Penelope hung up with her and then called Morgan. "Sugar…"

"Baby Girl, what's wrong?" She could hear the noise of the bar in the background and hoped the others will still there as well. It would be easier if they were all in one place.

"I'm at Washington Memorial."

"What? Are you all right?" In the background, she heard Dave ask what was wrong.

"I'm fine. It's Hotch, he's been hurt. Some thugs jumped him earlier tonight. He's in surgery right now. Will, will you tell the team for me? I don't feel like calling everyone. And hurry here, please. I feel like I'm going to break at any moment."

"Of course, Penelope. We'll be there as soon as we can. Hang on until then." Morgan disconnected the call and Penelope stared at her hands, trying not to cry. His blood was on her palms still, and she felt the tears slip down her face. Time seemed to crawl and then she felt a warm hand on her back. Looking up, she saw Morgan's brown eyes, concern and love shining there.

"Have you heard anything yet?"

"No. The doctor hasn't been out yet. What if this time he doesn't make it? What do I tell Jack?"

"He'll make it, he's Hotch." Morgan sat down next to her and clasped her hand. "Were you the one who found him?"

She nodded, tears continuing to slip down her cheeks. "I didn't even realize his blood was on my hands until just a moment ago." She curled up into Morgan's side, letting him wrap his arms around her, ignoring the others. The wait stretched on for another few hours and finally a doctor approached them.

"Aaron Hotchner?" Penelope nodded, springing to her feet. "He's in recovery right now; you should be able to see him in another thirty minutes or so." The doctor pulled her to the side, looking at her sympathetically. "It's going to be a long, arduous recovery. Thankfully, his scar tissue deflected some of the knife blows. There is some damage to his left arm, which we're going to keep an eye on. Do you know of any family members who could come and help him as he gets better?"

"He has a brother I can call. And I can see if his sister-in-law here could come stay at his place." She pulled out her cell phone and began to look for Sean's number. After Reid had been taken, she'd put all the numbers of their families into her phone so she could get in contact with them instantly.

"Hotchner," a tired voice said.

"Sean, this is Penelope Garcia. Your brother's been attacked and he needs someone to stay with him for the next few weeks. Is there any way you could come down and be with him?"

"Oh, god, I wish I could, Penelope. We have a big catering event for the UN next week, and I can't miss that. I'm going to be the head chef and all. Do, do you think he'll understand?"

"Of course he will, Sean. Though I'm sure he'd like a visit as soon as you can get away."

"Sure, yeah. Keep me updated, okay?"

"I will." Sean hung up and Penelope sighed. She dialed Jessica's number once more that evening. "Hey, it's me again."

"Is Aaron out of surgery?"

"Yes, and he's going to be fine, in time. That's actually what I'm calling about. Jess, he needs someone to help him out, once they release him from the hospital. Sean can't, so I was hoping that you could."

"No, I can't."

Penelope was incredulous at her quick refusal. "Why can't you?" she asked rather shortly.

"It's one thing to look after Jack, but I can't play nurse. Penelope, please understand. I, I just can't." Jessica sounded close to tears and it suddenly clicked into place for Penelope.

"No, I do understand, Jess. I'm sorry I snapped at you. Get some sleep and I'll see you in the morning." Hanging up, she went back to her team and sat down next to Morgan. "So, I've called and gotten no's from Sean and Jessica. The doctor said Hotch will need someone to help him at home once he's released. Would any of you be able to stay with him?" As she looked around at the other five, she knew what the answer would be.

"Sorry, Baby Girl, that is one responsibility I don't need in my life right now. He can just get a visiting nurse or something."

Penelope's shoulders slumped a little. "Or something," she echoed. Obviously, it would be up to her to make sure Aaron got better and returned to them whole. "I'll go see when we can visit him." She stood and went to the doctor, who was making notes in a chart. "Excuse me."

He turned and smiled kindly at her. "Did you find someone to look after him?"

"I'm the only one available, it looks like. Do you know when we can go in and see him?"

"Tomorrow afternoon would be best. He needs some time to heal before we shock his system with visitors. But if you're his girlfriend, I can have an orderly set up a roll away bed in the room and just you can spend the night."

"Would you?" Penelope asked, not thinking of the consequences. The doctor nodded and she sighed. "I'll go let the others know." Once more, she returned to the team, smiling slightly. "He'll be up for visitors tomorrow. You all will be able to go home now. Thank you for waiting with me."

The others stood and came up to her. "Are you staying the night?" JJ asked quietly as she pulled her away from the group, letting them leave without her. Penelope nodded.

"I have to, Jayje. No one else will. After what happened with Haley, he deserves to have someone look after him, don't you think?"

"Of course, Garcie. Just be careful not to let your heart get too entangled just yet. Neither of you are ready for a relationship right now. Especially with this creeping up now."

"He's just a friend, Jen."

"Is he?" Penelope blushed and turned away from her friend. "Just, take care, Penny."

"I will, I promise. Give Henry an extra kiss from his godmother when you get home." JJ nodded and left, while Penelope slowly took her time walking to Hotch's room. Was JJ right, did she care for Hotch more than as a friend? She slipped into his room and saw the roll away was butted up close to his own bed. As she crawled in, she sighed. "You're my friend. My dear, dear, friend," she whispered as she turned on her side to face him. "That has to be all." She fell asleep soon after, a tiny, sad, smile on her lips.