Getting this in right under the wire... This is my contribution to the Chit Chat on Author's Corner Wedding Bells Challenge! My assigned characters are Aaron Hotchner and Penelope Garcia, and my prompts are wedding rings, wedding vows, and a wedding mishap.

This will be a two-shot.

Also, fair warning to some: There is some mentions of Hotch/Beth. They are dating in this story, and they are happy together. If you don't like them together, ignore it.

It's really hard to not notice someone like Penelope Garcia. With her colorful clothes and vibrant personality, she stands out in any crowd, much less the hallways of the FBI building. The only way someone could miss her was if they were trying really hard not to, or if they were simply not paying proper attention.

In Aaron Hotchner's case, it was the latter.

He was so absorbed in the case file in his hand that he didn't notice Garcia shooting down the corridor, shoving past the agents in her way. The two collided, papers flying everywhere.

"Hey, buddy, why don't you look where you're go-" Garcia froze once she notice the figure on the ground. "Oh my God, sir, I am so sorry! I didn't even see you…" Her face was bright red.

"It's fine, Garcia. I wasn't paying attention either." Hotch began to gather up the papers currently strewn all over the floor.

"Here, let me help," Garcia said hurriedly. "I really am sorry…"

"Garcia," Hotch said gently, but firmly. "It's alright. Honestly." He frowned. "What had you all anxious anyway? You were walking pretty fast, if your impact had any indication."

If possible, Garcia flushed even more. "It's nothing, sir. Seriously. Silly stuff."

Hotch extracted a slip of paper from the pile. It was different than all the others. It was smaller, and the material was less flimsy. He realized it was card paper, the kind used for invitations and whatnot. This one was clearly the former.

"Could what you're so upset about be this?" He held it up for her to see. Garcia's eyes widened.

"Uh, maybe?" She rolled her eyes. "It's stupid."

Hotch studied her. The technical analyst was usually so bright and happy. Now it was like there was a cloud over her head. Her eyes were downcast, and a frown replaced her typical grin.

"Anything that makes you upset isn't stupid," he said softly. "Come on." He stood up, file tucked under his arm, and held out his hand. Garcia took it, and he helped her up.

"Where are we going?" she asked when Hotch began to lead her down the hallway.

"My office. I want you to tell me what's wrong."

"Oh, Hotch, it's fine. You don't have to."

"Stop. Just walk."

A few minutes later they were situated in his office. Hotch had opted for the couch in the hopes that it would get her to open up more. He did not want her to feel uncomfortable.

"So…" he said when she didn't speak up right away. "What's up?"

Garcia sighed and played with the invitation. "My brother is getting married."

Hotch cocked an eyebrow. "Okay… Do you not like the bride?"

"No, she's fine. It's just…" She closed her eyes and shook her head. "No, it's stupid. You don't want to hear about this. You have work to do."

He actually did, but right now that wasn't important. "You can tell me anything, you know."

Garcia seemed to deflate before his eyes. "I don't have a date. And normally, I guess I wouldn't care, but my brothers… They have a tendency to tease me about… my job."

Hotch's eyebrows furrowed. "They don't approve?"

"They thought that maybe working in the FBI would make me more 'serious,' since apparently I don't fit that bill. However, obviously I haven't changed, since I don't want to, but now they're saying I don't have a 'real' job in the Bureau."

"And showing up alone makes this worse because…?"

"I don't know… they have more to tease me about?"

"Okay…" The gears in Hotch's head were turning. He didn't know why he was about to offer this, but he knew he had to.

"What if I came with you?"

Garcia's mouth fell open a tiny bit. "Oh, sir, you absolutely do not have to do that…"

"I know I don't have to. I want to." The corners of his mouth quirked up. "Think I'm serious enough to satisfy them?"

Garcia giggled. "Yeah, just a bit. You're like the ultimate G-man."

"Then it's settled. I'll be your date to your brother's wedding. When is it?"

"Next weekend." A horrified look crossed Garcia's face. "But sir, what about Beth?"

"She'll be alright. She likes you. Besides, we're only going as friends."

"Right." Garcia smiled. "Thank you so much, Hotch!"

"Anytime. Now go get some work done."

Andrew Garcia could not believe his eyes when he saw his sister walk into the chapel with a tall, dark-haired, stern-looking man escorting her. As the oldest brother, he always took it upon himself to dig into his sister's business when it seemed necessary.

Now was one of those times.

"Hey, Penelope," Andrew greeted. He resisted the urge to size up the man next to her, instead waiting for her to give proper introductions.

"Hey, big bro." She gave him a hug, then looked around the crowded space. "Where's Luke and Chris?"

"Chris couldn't make it, and Luke is helping Jake in the back." Jacob Garcia was the second-oldest, and also the groom. After him age-wise was Garcia, then Luke, then Chris.

"Shouldn't you be back there?" Garcia asked, tilting her head to the side.

"He wanted me to do crowd-control until the ceremony starts." Andrew not very subtly glanced at Hotch. "Pen, you should know better. We're being rude." He turned fully towards Hotch and stuck out his hand. "Andrew Garcia, Penelope's older brother."

"Aaron Hotchner. I'm Penelope's-"

"Co-worker," she interrupted. Hotch raised his eyebrows at her, but said nothing.

Andrew smirked. Co-worker his ass. They may work together, sure, but the hasty title change and sidelong looks clearly said "boyfriend." Still, he could play along.

"Oh, so you work at the FBI too?"

Hotch bristled slightly at the condescending tone, but ignored it. "Yes. Penelope and I are on the same team."

"Oh, nice. And that's the behavioral, psychological one, right?"

Hotch struggled to keep his expression impassive. "The Behavioral Analysis Unit, yes."

"Right, right." Andrew's eyes flickered over to his sister briefly. "You know, I don't even know how Pen can be in the FBI, let alone that unit. She hates guns, and she doesn't know shit about human behavior."

Hotch felt anger bubble underneath his calm persona. He was very protective of his team, and he hated it when people put any of them down or questioned their abilities.

"You'd be surprised," he replied coolly. "Penelope is an invaluable asset to our team. We wouldn't be able to do anything without her. Her skills are unparalleled in the Bureau."

Andrew blinked in surprise. "And your position is…?"

"I'm an agent."

"Yep." Garcia finally spoke up. Hearing her brother discredit her and her job was nothing new, but hearing Hotch defend her gave her new strength. "Supervisory Special Agent Aaron Hotchner."

Andrew blinked again, caught off guard. "Wow. That's very impressive."

"Thank you."

Someone called Andrew away at that moment. He excused himself, leaving Hotch and Garcia alone.

"You weren't kidding when you said they could be harsh," Hotch muttered.

"That was only one," Garcia pointed out miserably. She brightened a second later. "Thanks for, you know, standing up for me."

He smiled one of his rare smiles. "He should know you're important to the team."

Before Garcia could respond, Hotch's cell phone started ringing.

"Oh, please tell me that is not a case," Garcia said.

"It's not," he assured her. "It's Beth. I'll be right back."

Garcia waved him off, and he disappeared through the front doors. As she turned in search of seats, she didn't notice Andrew watching Hotch leave. And since she missed that, she didn't see Andrew follow her boss out the door.

Like it? Let me know! The second part should be up soon, if not tomorrow! Thanks for reading!