Not mine as much as I wish they were. I make not even a penny, but I do get reviews that I enjoy. Because Hotch smiled at something Garcia said, it fed my muse.
It was a rare that they were able to go out together on a Friday night. But this was a special celebration something to be enjoyed as a team. Morgan had finally popped the question to Savannah.
A simple engagement party with just family and close friends. They took up four tables in the back of the bar/restaurant. The music was good and the food wasn't bad either.
The bosses each without dates stayed at the table watching as their team mates danced and talked with their dates, or husband in JJ's case.
Seeing the tick in Hotch's jaw once more, Rossi sighed. "You should have said something to her a long time ago Aaron."
"What are you talking about?"
" Penelope you know the woman that has that tick in your jaw working overtime."
"She's happy, Dave who am I to interfere."
"Are you sure she's happy, she went from one mouse to another mouse, she needs a man, not a mouse. She is going away for two weeks vacation tomorrow, is that why you look so angry?"
He looks at his friend and scowls. "Has she, said something to you?"
"You do remember what I do for a living? Or would you like to be reminded who gave you, your first lesson in reading behavior?"
He glares at his friend and picks up his drink taking a sip he looks at Penelope as she dances with Sam. Once again he can feel the tick in his jaw.
"Penelope." Sam says softly with a frown on his face.
She looks up smiling at him her best theater smile. "Sam, before you say anything how about you smile, if you keep frowning my team will know something is wrong. I will not spoil Derek and Savannah's party."
"You're right." He smiles as he continues to hold her as they dance in small circles.
"You're going back to your ex aren't you?"
"How did you know?"
"I have blond hair and you had a long black one on your shirt two days ago. We haven't gone for out over a month, in fact you stopped touching me two months ago."
"I'm sorry, I never meant to hurt you."
"It's not like I haven't been hurt before, you're not the first and you won't be the last. So lets dance two more dances then we can make our excuses and leave."
"I really am sorry Penelope."
"I know Sam, so am I." then she whispers. "More sorry than you'll ever know." so softly that he doesn't hear or react.
She didn't let him walk her to the door or even get out of the car. She wished him luck then closed the door firmly after saying good-bye.
All she wanted to do was drown her feelings, but that would be to easy she has work to do, her best kind of work hacking to her hearts content.
Jack begged his dad to let him stay with his aunt Jessica for the night, she had promised him to take him to the museum to see the new dinosaurs. Finding himself at odds and not wanting to do paperwork, he calls Dave the one person he knows would join him for dinner. Just a small neighborhood restaurant good food and drinks, not too noisy, they always ate too much Chinese and burgers when out in the field.
Needing to get way from writing the chapter that was driving him crazy Rossi jumped at the chance to get away.
Lifting his drink, Aaron stops mid-sip when he sees Sam walk in with an attractive woman with long black hair. It was the way he had his hand on the woman his hand on the small of her back as they made their way to the empty table. He kicks Dave under the table then stood making Sam stop.
"Sam It's nice to see you again."
"Agent Hotchner." Sam says without any trouble. He turns when he sees Dave stand then says hello to him as well. "I'd like you to meet Sharon."
"It's very nice to meet you." Sharon tells them.
"Like wise." Dave replies.
They don't chat long as the hostess turns to motion them to the empty table.
"Well?" Hotch asks after Sam is far enough away.
"I didn't know, It was just he was giving off bad vibes as the kids would say. You go call Penelope and I'll get his attention to meet me at the bar."
Five minutes later Hotch returned to their table. "I ordered steak for you." Dave tells him with an unreadable face, before he takes a bite of his salad.
"No answer on her cell. I even called the tech center to have them track her. They said that they couldn't find her, no GPS they can't even tell if her cell is on or not."
"Does that surprise you Aaron? This is Penelope we are talking about."
"What did Sam say?" Hotch asks then spears a cucumber with more force than needed.
"He got back together with his ex, she knew, even before he had a chance to tell her."
"Bastard. She let him off with a simple good-bye too I bet."
"You know how she is Aaron."
"She deservers better."
"She deservers a man that respects and loves her, a man, not a mouse." Rossi tells him before he take a roll out of the bread basket. "So what are you going to do about it?"
"Did he give any indication of knowing where she might be?"
"All he said was that she cancelled their vacations plans to the Virgin Islands, she sent him an email and returned half of the money from their booked trip."
"I'm not surprised, she hacked and erased everything. I bet she even back dated her new purchase to where ever she went." Hotch tells him with a bit of admiration slipping in to his voice.
"That does sound like something she would do. I do know one thing, she won't go anywhere were she will be in danger. She's smart enough to go where there will be someone nearby that she trusts in case she needs help. Did you try her personal cell?"
"No," Hotch answers.
Rossi smiles slightly not because he wants to get one over on his friend but because he just want to dissipate some of the stress. "Is there a case, sir?" is the greeting that he gets when the cell is answered on Penelope's end.
"No case and don't hang up. Please."
"What do you need Dave?" she asks.
"Are you safe? Do you need anything, money, a place to stay? A recommendation for a good place to eat?"
"I'm safe, really I am, I promise. As for the rest I'm good."
"I tried your work cell first. I'm just glad I have your personal number in my cell too."
"I turned my work cell off, I'll put it back on, on Tuesday."
"Good. I'm eating dinner with a friend, I just saw Sam come in with Sharon. Do you want me to tell Morgan to beat him up for you?"
He can hear her take in a sharp breath of air. "No, I just wasn't what Sam was looking for, at least he will be happy with his ex. One more thing please don't tell Aaron or anyone else on the team."
" Kitten promise me that you'll call if you need anything?"
"I promise, don't try an track me, I disabled the GPS in both my cells. I will tell you that I'm still in the country ."
"One thing Penelope, Aaron?" Hearing his name Aaron looks at his friend sharply.
"Rules, remember no intra-team profiling. You're too good at your job, I'm out of his league anyway. If you tell I'll buy myself a new bag and wallet. You know the ones with the LV monogram, and make you pay for them."
"If you're going to threaten me Penelope about spending my money, don't just stop at wallet and a handbag, they have nice scarves as well. Do you need the expiration date on my black card?"
"No. You knew all along that I wouldn't, didn't you?"
"You're not a thief Penelope, a hacker yes, but never a thief. But now I know what to get you for Christmas. Call me if you need anything."
"I will, please don't worry, I really am in a safe place. I have my stun gun with me."
Hotch watches as he puts his cell away. "Well?"
"She's fine, still in the country . She said that she would turn her work cell back on Tuesday. I'm assuming in case, we have a case and need her help."
"I don't like not knowing where she is."
"I heard water in the background, sounded liked waves to me. If that helps any." Ross tells him then smiles as he reaches for his Scotch.