Penelope tapped her foot anxiously. All she wanted was to return to her office and carry on with her life. With Erin. Those words still seemed odd to think, even though they'd spent a wonderful weekend together. And she'd told her that JJ was coming back to the BAU. She didn't know how Erin had arranged it in the two weeks they'd been together, but her best friend was coming home.
"Penelope Garcia?" She looked towards the woman who'd said her name and saw she was being motioned over. Sighing, she stood up and followed the woman into her office. "I'm Doctor Johnson. We spoke on the phone."
"Yes, hi. Look, all I want is to be cleared so I can go back to work. I did something stupidly rash, I know. It won't happen again, especially since I have a support system now."
The woman looked at her for a few minutes, and Penelope squirmed with discomfort. "But why did you attempt suicide, Penelope?"
"Because I thought I was going to be alone. I have just come out of one of the worst experiences of my life, and my best friend is still angry at me. It's not my fault that I thought he, they, were dead. Really, if they hadn't gone down, none of this would have happened."
"I take it you work closely with Agent Hotchner's team. That was quite a shock for everyone. Why did it effect you so much?"
"I was taken home by a colleague, one who's not very well liked by my team, and we ended up in bed together. Agent Morgan came to my apartment as soon as he was home and caught us in flagrante delicto. He became quite upset and set into motion the events that led to my suicide attempt. Not that it wasn't my fault for doing that, there were just extenuating circumstances."
"I see. You profilers are the worst to analyze. You know what to say to all my questions. Do you think you need anything to help make you better?"
"No. I'm fine. It was just a moment of stupidity that will never happen again. And if I do happen to backslide, I'll make sure to see you first thing. So, will you sign off on me? I'd really like to get back to work after all this time off." Penelope slid the piece of paper across the desk and smiled.
"Only so long as you keep your promise to see me should you need further help." She nodded and Dr. Johnson signed the paper, shaking her head a little as she did so. "All right, you can go see Chief Strauss now."
"Thank you, Doctor Johnson. This makes me very happy." She stood once more and shook the woman's hand before leaving the room. It was a short walk across campus to her building and she rode up to the floor Erin was on. Walking quickly, she made her way to the office and stood in front of her assistant's desk.
"Good morning, Ms. Garcia. What can I do for you today?"
"I need to see Chief Strauss, Mary. Is she in yet?" Though Penelope knew the answer, she asked anyway, not wanting to make the woman suspicious.
"She is. Let me go see if she's busy." Mary disappeared into Erin's inner sanctum and returned a few moments alter. "You're free to go in, Ms. Garcia." Penelope nodded and slipped behind the door, locking it after her.
"How did your session go, Penelope?" Erin asked as she took a seat in front of her desk.
"Doctor Johnson cleared me for work. As long as I go see her if I ever feel that way again, she says I'm fine. So, are you going to sign off on me, too?"
Erin looked at her over the rim of her reading glasses, setting the case file she was reviewing to the side of her desk. "Not so fast. What did you tell her?"
"That I'd done something rash and now have a support system to keep me sane and safe. As long as I have you, I know I'll be fine." Erin smiled at her, taking off her glasses and putting them on top of the file. "I didn't let her know you were the colleague I slept with, though. We can still get in trouble if anyone finds that out."
"Yes, we can. Are you sure you feel up to going back so soon? You could spend the day with me."
"I'd love that, Erin, but I want things to go back to normal." She nodded and stood up, joining Penelope on the other side of the desk. "Though I could spend a little time with you now." Standing, she led Erin over to the couch and sat down, curling up into her lover. "May I come home with you tonight?"
"If that's what you want, then yes."
"I want what you want. I'm tired of asking others to change for me, to let their wants be consumed by my own." She threaded her fingers with Erin's and squeezed her hand tightly. "I adore you and want nothing more than to make you happy for however long we're together."
"Until forever?" Erin looked away from her as she asked that question, as if she were uncertain how Penelope would react/
"If you can put up with me for that long," she responded, resting her head on Erin's shoulder. Slowly, Erin nodded, the hand in Penelope's tightening. "I'm not good at keeping secrets. What if the Director were to find out about us?"
"I'll be suspended, most likely. Maybe even fired."
"Oh. And what about me?"
"You'd just be put on probation. After all, I am your superior, I would be the one who should have put a stop to this." Erin sighed and Penelope snuggled even closer to her lover. "I suppose I'll sign off on your paperwork now, Penny."
"That eager to get rid of me?" she teased.
"No, I just need you to leave before I do something rash."
"Sugar, I can erase all evidence of that," Penelope replied, turning her head to kiss Erin's neck. The groan that spilled from her mouth thrilled Penelope to no end and she crawled into Erin's lap, straddling her as she buried her hands in her hair.
"Penelope, that's not what I meant. Oh," she said lowly as Penelope cupped a breast, kneading it gently as she let her thumb tease the nipple to hardness. "That feels lovely," she whispered breathlessly, bringing her hands up to grab hold of Penelope's hips.
"Are you sure you want me to stop?" There was a long pause before Erin nodded.
"I'll just have something to look forward to tonight. Honey, please." Penelope heard the gently pleading in her lover's voice and nodded reluctantly. "Thank you."
Penelope stood and smoothed her dress, smiling at Erin. "Will you come see me at lunch?" Erin nodded slightly and then held out her hand. As she stood, Penelope pulled her release out of her bag, handing it over. "Good. I might even put myself on the menu. There are no video cameras in my domain."
"We'll have to see about that." Erin smiled as she signed and then handed the paper back. When Penelope reached for it, she took hold of her wrist, pulling her flush against her body. "But I'll leave you with this until then." Quickly, she tugged down the neckline of Penelope's dress and bent to kiss the spot above her heart.
"Not fair," she moaned as Erin sucked hard, leaving her mark. Letting go, the woman grinned up at her before straightening up.
"I'm just leaving you in the same state you left me." She kissed her cheek sweetly as she adjusted the dress, putting things back in order. Then she softly kissed Penelope's lips and prodded her over to the door, squeezing her ass before shooing her out. "I am glad you're doing better. Give my regards to Agent Hotchner."
"Of course I will, Chief Strauss. See you later." Penelope deliberately let her hips sway a little more than normal, knowing Erin was watching her. By the time she got back to the bullpen, she wished it was lunchtime. She was incredibly worked up and knew the only release would come from her sweet lips and fingers.
She opened the door and stepped inside, her eyes drawn to Rossi's office. Penelope saw a familiar blonde head and her grin widened. Rushing up the stairs, she burst into the room. Both JJ and Dave looked up at her and the woman was on her feet before Penelope had shut the door. "Penny!" she cried out as she hugged her friend. "How did you do it?"
"Do what?" Penelope replied, a dazed look crossing her features.
"Get Strauss to ask for me back. My supervisor over at the Pentagon said she called in a few personal favors this weekend to make sure I could be home with my family by the end of the week. I was just coming in today to thank Dave for softening her up when he said it was all your doing. How'd you do it?"
Penelope took a deep breath. "It's a long story, Jayje. You see, we're lovers now." She watched her friend's face wrinkle with confusion and pressed on. "There was an accident, and we thought the team was lost. She brought me the bad news and took me home. One thing led to another and we ended up in bed."
"Okay, but that still doesn't explain the tenderness of the gesture. Something else precipitated this."
Penelope looked away from her friend. "I may have tried to kill myself," she said in a rush. "Don't worry, I'm seeing someone about it. But Erin wants to make me happy. I want to be with her, Jen."
A sad look crossed over JJ's face. "I wish you had turned to me."
"I do, too, kind of. Yet, I can't help but think the start of something great is beginning. Please trust me in this. I need at least one of my friends to be okay with this." She met JJ's eyes steadily, hoping she would give some indication that she wouldn't reject her.
"If only it had been Anderson. But, if you like her, there must be something good about her. So, what's she like?" Ignoring Rossi, JJ hooked arms with Penelope, leading her out the door and down to her office
"She's incredibly sweet. I would never have thought that about her until I wept in her arms. Erin never left me, even though she could have. I think I could love her, given enough time."
"I think you might already be in love with her, honey." JJ opened the office door and ushered Penelope inside. "You kept our picture in the forefront," she whispered as she took a seat in front of the monitors. "Hey, you have a present here from the others. Are you going to open it now?"
"No, I think I'll wait until tonight. We'll do it together." She put the small package in her purse and began to turn her babies on. "So, are you going to be the media liaison once more?"
"Actually, no, I'm going to be a profiler. I've been taking the classes in my free time and found that I loved it." The door opened and they both turned to see Hotch standing there. "Hey, Hotch."
"I just heard the good news, JJ. It'll be nice to have you back. Garcia, did you get your work release signed?"
"Yes, Hotch. By both Doctor Johnson and Erin. I am ready and able to return to my duties." She smiled up at him and rummaged through her purse, pulling out the paper. Penelope stood and handed it to her, stiffening slightly as he rested his hand on her shoulder. "What is it?"
"I want you to be happy, Penelope. If they give you trouble, just let me know. And if you want to escape to her office, just let me know beforehand, okay?"
She blinked back tears and quickly hugged him. "Thanks, Hotch. Now, I have work to do, so if you'll both excuse me." Penelope looked pointedly at the door. Hotch nodded and led JJ out into the bullpen. Turning to her monitors, she began to run her searches from last night and then called up her email. She saw a new one from Erin and read it immediately.
Hey, Penny, I forgot I have a lunch meeting with AD Robinson today. It's not something I can get out of. I'm so sorry, as I was looking forward to our lunch. I'll make it up to you tonight, I promise. Erin Sighing, Penelope consigned herself to a day spent without her lover and got to work.
At five, someone knocked on her door and she got up to see who it was. "Erin!" she said with a smile as she opened the door wide. "What can I do for you?"
"I'm heading home now to start supper. Is there anything in particular you want?"
"Chicken cordon bleu?" she asked and Erin nodded. "Great! I'll be by in about an hour or so. I just have to finish up a few things for my teams."
"I understand, take your time. I'll see you soon." Stepping behind the safety of the door, she kissed Penelope, letting her hands come to rest on her ass. "Think of me until you get home."
"I've been thinking of you all day. Why would this change anything?" Penelope asked before kissing her once again. "Now hurry home before I lose my will power and have my way with you here."
Erin giggled and Penelope cocked her head, grinning at her. "What?"
"I've never heard you laugh, let alone giggle. You make a cute giggler." A faint blush spread across Erin's cheeks and Penelope softly pushed her to the door. "Go, seriously, before anything else happens." Erin nodded and sashayed out the door. Penelope's eyes were drawn to her ass, exactly what Erin wanted, she was certain.
"Hey, Garcia," Reid said and she turned to look at him. "I was hoping to catch you before you left for the day. Is there anything I can do? I know I lost your trust by being stupid. JJ was asking me what happened, she knows you didn't tell her the whole story. You protected us. Why?"
"I couldn't hurt you like that. Reid, you all are still my friends. I just don't know how to trust what comes from your mouth now. I wish things could just go back to normal."
"So do I. May I hug you? I was afraid…" He hung his head, unable to look her in the eye. Penelope stepped forward and let herself be pulled into a tight embrace. She felt his shoulders shake a little and knew he was trying not to cry.
"I still have a little work to finish. Do you want to keep me company?" she asked as she let go of him.
"Sure." He ambled inside and watched as she typed away. "So, what's your girlfriend like?"
It was a start and she smiled. "She's really smart and very protective of those she cares about. She took care of me when I thought I had lost all my friends in a horrible accident. See, she thought she had also lost a dear friend and knew the grief I was experiencing. We bonded in that one brief encounter, and I've found myself drawn to her."
"I always assumed she was married."
"She was, he left her, said she was too frigid. Where he got that from, I'll never know, since she burns white hot." She saw the blush that s[read across his face. "Anyway, you'll have to have supper with us sometime, get to know us together." Penelope finished up her work and then stood.
"Are you going home now?" he asked as she picked up her bag.
"Yes, supper's waiting for me. Perhaps we'll talk some more tomorrow?" He nodded, a shy smile spreading across his lips. Penelope patted his shoulder as she passed by him. "Go back to work, Reid. I'm going to be fine now, I think." He nodded and followed her out the door, going back down to his desk.
Penelope locked her office and walked out the glass doors of the bullpen, smiling slightly as she watched Reid wave at her. Humming under her breath, she rode down the elevator and quickly walked to her car. The drive to Erin's home didn't take long and she grinned as the garage door opened for her. Parking next to Erin's car, she got out and grabbed her spare go bag and her purse. "Hi, honey," she heard Erin call out and she hurried to join her in the kitchen.
"Reid came and saw me after you left," she said as she let her things fall to the floor. "He's trying to make amends."
"He's not the only one. Did you get a present today as well?"
"Yes. Did you open yours yet?"
"I thought I'd waist for you?" Erin turned and smiled at her. "Unless, that is, you've opened yours already."
Penelope shook her head as she began to set the table. "I wanted to wait, too." Erin nodded, biting her lip. "Did your lunch meeting go okay?"
"As much as could be expected. Our budget is looking up, that was the only good thing to come out of it. I'm so tired." The smile on her face faltered. "He was nosing around what happened to you and why I went with you to the hospital. Someone in the office must have seen how panicked I was when I figured everything out."
"Oh. I-I can go…"
"No!" The sudden ferocity startled Penelope and she stilled, staring into Erin's eyes. "No. Please stay. Please." Erin stepped closer to Penelope, holding out her hands. Penelope drew in a suddenly shaky breath and closed the distance between them. Erin held on tightly to her as she struggled not to cry.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she whispered as she stroked Erin's hair.
"Don't be, I just… I don't…" Erin turned her head and kissed Penelope's cheek. The timer on the over went off and Erin let go of her, taking the food out and setting it on top of the oven.
"Honey?" She looked over her shoulder at Penelope. "I love you, too. JJ said that I was falling for you, but I've fallen already. I know it's sudden, but I know it's true for me." Penelope turned from her lover, not wanting to see if she had pushed too far. After the longest few moments of her week, she felt Erin's arms wrap around her waist.
"I think I love you. I can't be sure just yet, this is happening so quickly." Erin kissed her cheek and Penelope turned in her arms. "Can you be patient with me?"
"Of course I can. You saved me, in more than one way." Penelope kissed her lips softly. "Now, let's eat. The sooner we're fed, the sooner we can have more pleasurable thoughts and pursuits." Erin nodded and held out her hand. Penelope clasped it and let Erin lead her to the table. As she sat, she smiled up at Erin and was rewarded with a kiss.
They ate quickly and left the plates in the sink. "Don't forget your gift." She nodded and pulled it out of her purse, following her into the living room. As they curled up on the couch together, Penelope slid a fingernail beneath the tape on the thin square box. "They're the same size. What do you think they are?"
"I don't know." Penelope set the wrapping on the coffee table. As one, they opened the hinged boxes and gasped in surprise. "They're beautiful." She touched the filigreed 'P' on the front of the locket, smiling gently.
Looking over at Erin, she saw a few tears roll down her cheek as she picked the locket up out of the box. "I'm almost afraid to look inside," she whispered. Penelope covered Erin's hand with her own and smiled.
"Whoever gave these to us, and I have a good feeling it was Dave, would not do anything bad to something so expensive. Here, I'll open mine first and show you." Carefully, she pulled apart the two halves and felt her smile soften. "Have I told you how lovely you are? And I'll have that with me as long as I wear this. When was this taken?"
Erin looked down into her smiling portrait. "At one of the staff parties last year. I'd just split with my husband and went looking for some way to be happy. Shepperd had just told some joke and Dave took a picture at that very moment. I never saw it until now." She opened her locket and they saw a picture of Penelope smiling sunnily. "You are just as lovely."
Penelope shrugged and clasped the necklace around her neck. Erin followed her lead and then reached out to bury her hands in her hair. "Are you going to kiss me, my sweet?" Erin nodded and leaned forward, pressing her lips gently against Penelope's. She felt a thrill of desire run through her body and leaned in closer. They fell back onto the couch and Erin wrapped her arms around Penelope's neck as the kiss lingered on.
Penelope tugged the blouse out from Erin's skirt and slid her hand beneath it to creep up to her breasts. Gently, she thumbed the nipple to an erect peak. Feeling Erin nip at her lower lip, she opened her mouth and let her tongue slip inside. A low moan escaped from her lips as Erin broke the kiss to cup Penelope's face. "Shall we head upstairs now?"
Slowly, she nodded and crawled off Erin, getting to her feet. Looking down upon her lover, she smiled at the disheveled hair and swollen lips. "If only I could carry this image with me everywhere," she murmured. Erin bit her lip and raised an eyebrow. "Really?" She nodded and Penelope grabbed her cellphone from her pocket, quickly snapping a picture. Then she held out her hand to Erin.
Hand in hand, they climbed the stairs and Erin opened the door for her. "I remembered you like vanilla, so I bought some scent diffusers at Bath and Body Works." Penelope breathed in the delicate scent and grinned.
"Thank you." Penelope stepped forward and pecked her lover's cheek. "But if you don't like it, please pick out a scent that you care for. I don't want you to change for me." The side of Erin's mouth ticked up and Penelope kissed her once more. "What?"
"We always change a little for our lovers. I just want you to be happy, Penny. If you feel like you can't talk to me, or to Aaron, please go to Doctor Johnson." Penelope nodded a little, hot tears prickling her eyes.
As Erin wrapped her arms around Penelope's waist, she kissed her deeply. "I love how much you care about me," she whispered as she rested her head on Erin's shoulder. "So much, so much love in my heart." Pulling away from Erin, she tugged the blouse over her head and let it fall to the floor. The skirt followed soon after and Erin stood before her in only her bra and panties.
"My turn." Erin reached forward and slipped the buttons on Penelope's dress from their holes. She shivered as the back of her hands brushed against the top of her breasts. Her body was so responsive to Erin's touch, and she sighed as she felt the cool air lap against her overheated skin. Leaning forward, she kissed Erin's lips softly. "My lucky Penny."
"How am I lucky?"
"Just by being in my life." Erin kissed her once more, her fingers tracing their way down her body to cup her ass, kneading the soft flesh. "It's so easy to be sharp and harsh. You've brought a tenderness to my life, honey. I would not have dealt with the grief of thinking David dead had I not done so in your arms."
Penelope grinned as Erin enveloped her in a hug. Those beautiful hands of hers stole down her back to slip under her panties and she turned her head to suck on the pulse point of Erin's neck. Reaching up, Penelope undid the hooks on her lover's bra and tugged it off her chest, letting it join the pile of clothing on the floor. "You undo me every time, with those sweet kisses. If I hadn't had those sweet, sweet kisses that night, I don't know what I'd've done. If you had not been there…"
"Penny…" She pulled away to look at Erin.
"Yes, my love?"
"Thank you." She shimmied out of her panties and went over to the bed, sprawling out as she laid on the mattress. "You're overdressed."
"I am." Penelope quickly removed the rest of her clothing and joined Erin on the bed. She fitted a leg between her thighs and could feel how wet she was for her already.
"I've been like this all day."
"How do you want me to relieve you?"
It was a wicked question, and Penelope didn't really expect an answer. "Your mouth, please." Raising an eyebrow, she leaned down to kiss Erin's lips first. It was just a quick brushing of lips and then she moved on to the deep dimples that framed her mouth. From there, she made her way down Erin's body, stopping to pay special attention to her breasts. Erin whimpered lowly as Penelope suckled on the erect peaks, drawing the breast into her mouth as her tongue flicked the nipple.
"Does that feel good?" she asked breathlessly. Erin nodded, her eyes closed as her hands dug into the sheets. Her hips moved restlessly as she opened and closed her legs, trying to stimulate herself. "None of that, love. I'm the one who's supposed to please you." She brought her lips back down to Erin's soft, giving, flesh and dragged them along her body. Knowing there was no time to play now, she sought out that little nodule of pleasure, capturing it between her lips.
"Oh god, Penelope!" Erin buried her hands in Penelope's hair as she ground against her face, her orgasm coming hard and fast. She made her way back up Erin's body, capturing her lips in a searing kiss. She squeaked in surprise as Erin flipped her onto her back. "I told you tonight was also going to be about you. Why so shocked that I've taken the lead?" she asked as her hands cupped her breasts, tweaking the nipples gently.
Penelope arched up into the touch, enjoying the feel of her lover's amazing fingers. "You can do that all night long, honey. That feels so wonderful." A soft trill of laughter escaped her lips and Penelope smiled as she reached up to cup her face. "I love you."
Erin just sighed, a gentle smile on her lips. "Wait for me?"
"Until the end of time." Penelope arched up and kissed her, pulling Erin down on top of her, giving herself over to the sweet pleasure of her lips and hands.