A Helping Hand

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the ideas.

For those of you who missed the first, it might be worth reading it. However, basically David Rossi has challenged Derek Morgan to become a one-woman man, with Emily Prentiss being the one-woman.

This part of the story is about a month after the last (basically around Valentine's Day – hey I'm a romantic at heart). Sorry no Morgan or Prentiss in this chapter.

. . .

Penelope Garcia liked to think that she was not easily disheartened; however the melancholy mood of her Chocolate Adonis since the start of the New Year was really starting to wear her down. It had become increasing obvious that he was carrying a heavy weight on his shoulders and no matter how hard she pushed she was no closer to knowing the root of his problem.

And that was what was bothering her more than anything.

Derek Morgan told her everything, and she meant everything!

It irked her that no-one in the team seem to know what the matter was. Though she suspected it was something to do with that damn resolution Emily had told her about. Pen huffed at the idea of Derek slaving over his paperwork to get it in on time. Fancy him taking on a resolution to be the first to get his reports in Hotch; everyone knew there was no beating Reid with his reading speed.

Shuffling into her office, juggling an array of gadgets and coffee cups, Pen was started to see David Rossi perched on the edge of her vast desk. Apart from the fact he rarely sought her out, it was even more rare that it was this early in the morning. Rossi's casual pose was doing nothing to relax her frayed nerves.

"Urm . . . Sir," she stammered, her hair swishing as she looked frantically around for an appropriate surface to abandon her belongings, "I'm not late am I?"

Dave rose and took the tray of coffees from her before she lost the lot trying in vain to clock a look at her watch.

"No, you are in perfect time," he soothed; placing the tray down in front of the mass of computer screens before helping her unburden her load. Finding a home for the array of belongings on the separate grey desk, Rossi placed everything in a heap.

"Have we caught a case? I thought I heard my cell," she spoke as she reached to rummage through her oversized sequined purse.

"No we haven't got a case, and briefing isn't for another half hour," he tried to placate the panicking tech Goddess.

Dropping into her plush leather swivel chair, Pen looked up at Dave, her eyes wide and fingers clutching the top of her purse. The large sparkling item creating a convenient barrier between them, as Pen worried about what was the cause of the visit.

"Then, my Shining Knight, please can you still my beating heart and explain to what I owe the pleasure of your company this early on a Monday morning?" Pen spoke, trying to add some cheer to her slightly squeaky tone.

"Well," Dave drew out the word as he perched once more on the edge of her desk, watching as she spun the chair on her tiptoes to follow him, "I have a little project that I may need a little assistance with."

Pen gulped, her puppy dog eyes fully focused on him, as she nodded - having no idea to what she was agreeing to. Sudden flashes of previous 'projects' she had helped him with came to the front of her mind. Ones that involved finding information of decades old cases and passing it to him in secret, had he learnt nothing over the years of how the team worked together?

"Don't worry, this is nothing that can get you into trouble; to be honest you're unlikely to need to go near a computer," he patted her hands reassuringly as he spoke calmly, guessing at the mirage of memories flashing through her mind. The uncertainty of Rossi's unexplained request was contorting her pretty features.

Her already wide eyes seemed to saucer out further, fear evident. "No computer? You sure you have the right person? After all I am known for my technical skills more than anything else."

Dave smiled. "You are also known for your powers of persuasion, especially over members of the team. I have need of those very special skills of yours."

Penelope's whole persona changed at the mention of her beloved team. Penelope placed her purse down beside her chair. As her eyes narrowed, her personal defences dropped, to be replaced with her protective nature for those she adored. "Just what do you have in mind?"

Standing and pulling over another wheeled chair, Dave homed in on his Tech Kitten, getting so close he was practically touching. His mission was secretive to say the least, although he knew they were alone he wanted to make it clear that this was a private conversation. Nothing he was about to say was to be shared, with anyone!

"This year, Derek Morgan has sworn to become a one-woman man, and he has asked my help to get the woman of his dreams."

Pen batted him lightly. "You do know that I am practically a married woman, and all the banter is just that, don't you? I mean I love the guy, but not like that."

Dave dropped his head and laughed. "Not you Kitten, Emily!"

Pen inched closer. "You are telling me that my grumpy Grizzly Bear is pining for our very own raven haired beauty. Oh my how did I miss that one?"

Dave raised one eyebrow, mocking her lack of observation. "Well you aren't a trained profiler with unmentionable years of experience, are you?"

"No," she scolded, "but I am the best friend of both, and neither of them has mentioned it to me! So how do you know?"

"Long story," he said, leaning back Dave folded his arms. "Are you in?"

"Hell yes!" Pen replied eagerly.

"Good, so here's the plan."