Title: True Love Where it's Least Expected
Author: Trista Groulx aka dustytiger
Rating: T (for now)
Disclaimer: As always I am a poor barista who has only aloe based cosmetics and debt to show for her hard work; these characters belong to their creator, network, writers and all the lovely people who bring them to life each week, none of which moonlight as baristas.
Summary: Valentine's Day is approaching, and Garcia finds herself single but being courted by a very unlikely suitor.
Notes: This was written as a response to the valentine's day fic exchange on chit chat on author's corner. I asked for something unexpected like Garcia/Rossi, and that's what I got with the prompts: First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack); silk sheets, bubble bath, rose petals and written for Kathi1C. I am using all the prompts, and each part will use one. Therefore this will be a four part fic, the last part will be rated M. You are warned.

Penelope Garcia went into her office, gasping when she saw what was in it. Any area of her desk that wasn't covered by paperwork, equipment or trinkets was covered in white, red, and pink rose petals. Sitting in her chair was a small gray kitten plushie with a silk rose in its mouth. Garcia noticed a note tucked into the plushie's collar. It read simply; "Sorry your new kitten made a mess." She smiled at the note wondering who had done this for her. She and Kevin had gone through a rather public breakup just before Christmas. For a moment she suspected her work crush and best friend, Derek Morgan, but she knew his writing. He had not written the note that was in her had. She examined the writing a little more closely, shocked to discover who it belonged to.

She dropped the piece of paper, and rushed through the bullpen. She ignored her teammates who were calling at her, trying to get her attention so she could explain why she was running, in four inch heels from her lair toward one of their boss' offices. In her haste she even narrowly missed Reid who was holding a fresh cup of coffee in his hand. She went right into Rossi's office, without even knocking. Shutting the door with a louder "thud" then she had wanted. Rossi looked up from what he was typing, his face strangely calm despite what she thought he had put in motion.

"What was that about?" she asked, pointing toward her office.

"Sorry, what are you pointing at, Kitten?" he asked her.

"My office."

"I hoped you'd like it, perhaps I was wrong. I felt two months seemed an adequate amount of time for you to lament."

"I don't think I understand."

"What is there to understand, Penelope? Hasn't anyone done anything like that to catch your eye before?"

"Honestly, no. Look at me, you sweet man. If a guy is crazy enough to be interested in little old me, he just asks me out on a date, and I kind of jump at the chance. But that way seems to only get me a broken heart. I still don't fully understand what you're up to though."

"I'm sorry to hear that so many men have hurt you, and none of them have shown you the respect you deserve. Will you let an old fashioned Italian show you how a real man gets a beautiful woman's attention?"

Her cheeks began to turn red. "I'd like that, Sir."

Rossi was surprised to see her blushing. In all the time he had known the woman in front of him he had never seen her blush. He didn't think she was capable of it. He didn't want to embarrass her he wanted her to know what he was feeling toward her. She was the kind of woman who deserved to be treated like a lady. As quirky as she was he understood she hadn't had much success in love, and if nothing else he wanted to give her a happy memory.

"If you want to go forward, there are no more Sirs, please call me Dave."

To his surprise her cheeks go redder. "Okay."

"I've never seen you blush before."

"I have never been approached like this before, and certainly not by someone like you."

"That's a shame and a sin, Penelope. I plan on rectifying this situation."

"Okay," she whispered turning to leave the office.

"Please, wait."

She turned around uncertainly. "Yes, s- Dave."

"I hope you liked your kitten. The one I left in your office."

"I did- I mean I do."

"I want it to keep you company when you miss yours."

"Wait… you got me a kitty?" she asked.

"I did, I'll bring him over tonight, after work if you'd like."

"Wow that would be great. Um, thank you."

He didn't have chance to say anything before she left the office. She couldn't believe it. She thought she was in some surreal dream. She walked back through the bullpen, this time slower, and in a daze. It took her a moment to realise that Morgan had been speaking to her almost since she left the office, as she replayed what had happened in her mind. Her smirk was growing as she realised Rossi was serious about showing her how he felt. A voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

"Earth to Baby Girl, come in silly lady," he laughed.

"Hm?" she asked. "Sorry, what was that Hot Stuff?"

"I asked you what the heck that was all about."

"Oh, um… which, what now?"

"Don't start with me woman. With Rossi, in his office, just now."

"Right, when I know what that was all about you'll know my gorgeous hunk of chocolate."

"Okay, pretty girl, if you need me to set him straight you just come me."

"I will Gorgeous G-Man, you are always my man."

"Damn right I am."

She went back into her office, still surprised by the sight which greeted her. She could not believe how many rose petals were all over her office. She tried not to wonder just how much Rossi had spent on roses for her. She wanted the gesture to remain sweet and special and didn't want to get rid of the fuzzy feeling she was feeling in the pit of her stomach. She was glad that the B-team had a case she could help them with so she could keep her mind off that evening. David Rossi was going to come to her apartment. She had no idea what to expect other than a surprise pet.

When she got home she let her hair down, and made herself comfortable on the couch. She hugged one of her throw pillows close to her as she watched an old movie she found on TV. She had her stocking clad feet tucked under her. She was just getting to her favourite part of the movie when the doorbell rang. She was startled for a moment, then realised that what had happened that morning had really not been a dream. Even though she had been expecting her she was still surprised he was there. He was holding a cat carrier in his hand.

"Would you like to meet your new friend?" he asked, after she let him in.

"Most people think that lonely crazy women need cats," she told him.

"You are unique, Penelope and I like that. I just want you to have a little something for you to remember me by when I'm on a case. I don't want you be lonely or miss me."

"Oh, sweetpea, it's impossible to be missed when you're unforgettable."

"That's nice. Why don't we see if he likes it here?"

He put the carrier down and opened the door. The two of them waited for the kitten to finally get out of the contraption. When he did he walked slowly looking around. As soon as he found Garcia's leg he began to run up against. Garcia grinned glad that the kitten wanted to get to know her. She leaned down, sitting on her knees, to scratch the small animal's head. He started to purr softly the second she touched him.

"Well hello there RossiKitty. I'm your new food lady, Penelope, and the handsome Italian man that brought you here is Dave. I don't know what he's going to be to you, but know this no matter what happens, or what you hear from my mouth, he'd never hurt me."

Rossi was surprised by what she had said. "RossiKitty?" he asked.

"Mm hm," she assured him. "I think the name suits him. Thank you, by the way, he is great. I just don't want him scratching you if you kiss me or whatever. Shoot! Where are my manners? Did you want something a drink something to eat, my sexy bod to ravish, maybe?"

"I'm fine thank you Kitten. I'm glad you like your new friend so much."

"He's a sweet little kitty. Thank you, I love him already. Dave, please make yourself at home, even if you don't want anything, you can take your coat off."

"I came over to give you your kitten, and give you time to get to know him. I also would like to know if you'd like to join me for dinner at Luigi's tomorrow?"

"That sounds beyond amazing! That place is beyond beyond my budget."

"You'll love it. The food is great and you don't leave hungry like some places I've been. Do you need me to buy you a dress? It is formal."

"No worries, I have fancy clothes too, I just don't get to wear those dresses often."

"Maybe I'll have to continue to be your excuse to wear them. I'll pick you up tomorrow at six."

"Okay."

He then leaned in to her and kissed her lips softly. The second they touched her heart fluttered, and her heartbeat was racing. She had never been with a man who took anything so slowly and sweetly before. She wanted to shout from the rooftops and tell everyone what was going on, but she knew they had to be discrete until they knew where their relationship was going. They couldn't let anyone on the team know so they would not split up the team because of their new relationship. He kissed her one last time before leaving. She closed the door, and fell against it, grinning. She hadn't realised men still courted women, but Rossi never did anything like the rest of people. She was glad she was the person he had his sights on, she had never felt anything like this before, and she wanted to help whatever her feelings were grow.

End Part 1

Note: I hope you enjoyed the softer sweeter side of Rossi. I see him as old fashioned (yet unlucky) in love. Any and all feedback is welcome with hearts and hugz don't be shy. Righto, if you haven't read my fic before. I update daily short of the site going down, but it can be any time of day or night.