So it seems that at the start of my game, over 50 hours of game play ago, I got caught pickpocketing by some NPC's who hang around with other NPCs essential to certain quests. Even though I paid off my bounty long ago, when ever they see me they attack on sight, causing all other previously friendly NPCs, (including the quest givers) to join in on their side.

Is there anyway to force an NPC to be friendly (stopcombat only works for a second then they attack again) or make the NPC forget I tried to pickpocket them months ago in-game?