A/N: I am trying to produce all of these chapters in a certain time length. I don't know if that will be successful, but here is to hoping. I am meeting with the head of my program on Wednesday to see if my research article and lit review about cognitive neuro science will be used in an upcoming journal. I sure hope so. Here's to hoping- fingers crosses. And, here's to hoping that you will enjoy this chapter.
Again I do not edit my things. This is fanfiction- leave me be.
"So, where are we going?" Garcia asked after spotting Harry waiting for her at the top of the South Capital metro stop escalator.
He handed her a single rose- purple, she liked his style, and offered her his arm. "To only the best restaurant in all of DC."
Garcia grinned, but internally she was nervous. She wasn't sure if she had gone for the right look: not too prim, but not too shabby. A cream coloured sweater-dress with purple, gold, and red accents in her shoes, scarf, jewelry, and handbag. He on the other hand was wearing a simple fawn coloured button down and dark jeans.
They went right out of the station's landing area and then left onto Pennsylvania Ave. The walk was short and landed them in front of an absolutely packed restaurant with a line streaming out the door and down the sidewalk.
"Where are we?" She asked, having never been here before despite its central location.
"Good Stuff Eatery." Some kids raced by on their longboards despite the brick walkways in this part of town.
"So, what brought you here?" Garcia asked before stuttering and flashing her hands about, "And I mean here as in the United States and this area, not this business."
Harry's laughter was rich and Garcia instantly felt warm, warmer than an already heated DC summer night made her. "I came here to work for the Smithsonian Institute. I work in the division of art history. And I came here because it was an opportunity to work with one of the most respected research institutes in the world."
Garcia made an, 'o' form with her mouth at his declaration. "And what do you do, Miss Penelope?"
She blushed prettily, "I am a," she paused suddenly unsure of how her tech side would mesh with this artistic soul. So, she lied. "I am a web designer and digital graphics artist."
He nodded appreciatively and shoved his hands into his pockets as they ambled forward in the line. "I used to be absolute rubbish with computers until I got to University. My secondary primary and secondary education was not very technology heavy. We still used quills, often because that was tradition and that was how it was it be done. I figure myself to be a decent tinkerer of technology now." He pulled a hand out of his pocket, "I have a smart phone and everything."
"Smart phones are not all equal." Garcia replied instantly, provoking a conversation about the pros and cons of certain technology aspects and devices. Harry, it seemed, was an avid Mac user- unsurprising due to his profession. Their conversation abruptly ended upon reaching the turn and line up by the register. The restaurant itself did not look like much, downstairs was tiny with no room to sit or breathe. Upstairs sounded noisy and packed as well. The walls were painted brick and had various local pictures on them.
"What are you getting?" She asked whilst looking at the menu.
"A Sunnyside Burger and a Toasted Marshmallow Shake."
"Oh, that sounds good." Garcia replied slowly, mesmerized by the options.
Harry nodded, "The shakes are hand spun and absolutely, sinfully, delicious. A diet's worst nightmare."
Garcia grinned up at him and folded the paper menu in half to shove in her purse. "Luckily I do not believe in diets or dieting."
"Good girl." Harry replied happily and they slid forward in line. "Girls that diet just gain the weight back after they finish. Life style changes, changing your life, as a whole for the better- not just for bikini season, now that's the key."
Garcia blushed at the idea of Harry seeing her in a bikini. He seemed like a man who could appreciate some curves- why else would he be out with her.
"So, you think I should do it?"
"The shake? Absolutely, you haven't lived until you've had one."
"And the burger?" She questioned staring up at the board.
"I always go for the Spike's Sunnyside Burger, but that is just me."
"I think I'll go for the Blazin' Barn Burger." Garcia replied mind settling on the exotic burger."
"Adventurous, I like this. Mint, Cilantro, and picked daikon, and spicy mayo? You must know how to party."
"Oh, my handsome man. I created how to party." Garcia made the flirtatious movement of tracing her a single finger down the line of buttons on his chest before turning away and ordering her meal.
"For here or to go?"
"To go." Both Harry and Garcia responded at once. They shared a pleased smile that came with people who had similar thinking styles.
They finished their ordering and Harry paid despite Garcia's protests ("You bought me coffee." "Only after I destroyed your first one!").
After being handed a square buzzer the two stood off to the side and watched the chaos continue. "Where are we going to eat?" Garcia asked before realizing that Harry couldn't hear her over the din of the rooms. She tapped him on the shoulder and he leaned down to listen.
"Where are we going to eat?" She repeated loudly enough that Harry stuck his finger in his ear and wiggled it around to help with the feeling.
"The walk to the mall isn't too bad from here. Or we could go back on the metro and take it to the Smithsonian stop."
"Metro." Garcia replied and gestured down to her brown knee high boots. "These boots were not made for walking."
Harry grinned at her and nodded as their buzzer went off and the two grabbed their respective bags.
A short walk later found themselves at the South Capital stop and they stepped as one onto the descending escalator.
"Have you tried your shake yet?" Harry asked after finishing a slurp of his.
Garcia shook her head, "I'm nervous."
"I'd be nervous too if I was about to consume more than half of your daily allotted calories." He paused for dramatic effect and then held up his own shake. "Oh, wait- that's right. I already started on mine." He grinned up at her, for he was now on a lower step. Holding up his plastic shake container he grinned wider and offered his to clink, "Prost."
She repeated the foreign word and clinked her drink against his and then lifted the straw to her lips. A hand on her elbow stopped her. Harry made a tsking sound and shook his head mournfully.
"No, no, no. When you salute like that you must make eye contact." He nodded for emphasis and reraised his milkshake. "Prost."
Garcia firmly made eye contact. "Prost." She drank and felt the headache that had appeared in her mind decrease. The taste was sweet- almost too much to bear and yet also completely and utterly delicious in a marshmallowy way that she never knew possible. It was vanilla and chocolate and roasted marshmallows all rolled into one godly creation. She took a deeper sip and then they were at the turnstiles.
Without missing a beat, or a sip, both Harry and Garcia pulled out their passes and swiped them. Harry's was firmly kept in his wallet, and Garcia had kept hers in her 'bra pocket' for just such a reason.
It wasn't until they were on the metro, where rules strictly prohibited eating, that they ceased from drinking their milkshakes.
"Good Stuff Eatery," Garcia murmured staring at her cup. "Where have you been all my life?"
Harry laughed and replied, "Georgetown, Capital Hill, and Crystal City?"
Garcia pulled a face and grimaced, "I was being facetious and I would never spend more time in Crystal City than driving through it." They laughed and continued to converse comfortably until reaching the Smithsonian stop and exiting the train. The stop brought them up near the Smithsonian Castle, Frear Gallery, and the Carousel. The two ambled along in the summer's heat before sinking into a bench that gave them a good view of both the Capital building and the Washington Monument.
"Do you enjoy DC?" Garcia asked as she unwrapped her grease soaked burger- Harry had been right, Good Stuff Eatery was not somewhere to go if you were watching your waist line. "I mean," She took a bite and moaned as he mouth exploded in spicy delicious flavour, "do you miss your home?"
Harry shrugged as though the topic didn't bother him. "Frankly I do not think of England often. Yes, I will eventually have to return there, and yes I do visit. However," he paused and took a first bite of his own burger with much the similar reaction, "I have committed myself to making this area my home, and I am quite enjoying it. In fact, as touristy as it sounds, I saw the booth where the Kennedy's got engaged."
Garcia took a sip of her magical milkshake. "Oh, that place in Georgetown?"
Harry nodded, "Coolest night ever."
Garcia didn't necessarily agree- however Harry seemed enthusiastic about it enough that he could be that happy for the both of them. Silence reigned over the couple for a while as they consumed their meal. For Garcia it was a new favourite and instant classic. Harry even let her try his burger- it was good, but nothing compared to her spicy paradise.
"How did you find this place?" She asked as they were wrapping up their trash.
Harry shrugged and tossed the garbage into a nearby receptacle. "I just asked around the interns on the hill where was the best and most economical food place in the area. I got several answers, but this one is my favourite. My other is this pizza place on P street by DuPont Circle. You go down into a basement and wham. A slice of pizza for 4.50, and that slice is a fourth of a pie. Can't beat it."
Garcia laughed, "You talk so passionately about everything. Doesn't it ever tire you?"
Harry shook his head, "If you aren't passionate and willing to put in 100% of yourself into everything, than nothing is worth it."
"Very philosophical of you."
Harry tipped an invisible hat, "I live to please."
They laughed and started to stroll down the mall, their shoes making scraping noises on the gravel. "Before I moved here," Garcia started, "I never knew that this," she kicked the tan rocks, "was gravel."
Harry nodded. "Before I moved here I didn't realize how freaking big the mall was. Still don't, really."
"Oh, look." Garcia paused as she saw a swarm of people around the doors of the Natural History building. "They must be having an event tonight."
Harry grabbed her hand and started tugging her across the grass towards the huge building. "Than let's go. The night is young and so are we." Garcia laughed and let him take her towards the crowd. This was much different than any date that she had been on. It was so honest, pure, and spontaneous. Harry had a player's ability in timing and dramatic effect. It barely took him two seconds before all her stress and worries melted away. It was more than just charm and smile, Harry was one of those rare souls that seemed untouched by time and unravaged by distress- despite what his history had shown.
She felt bad about her fib, her lie. However, she was feeling unsure about that part of her life right now. She loved the BAU, and didn't intend to leave. However, there was no harm in wondering what life would be like if she had become a graphic designer or an artist. What would life be like for her without being witness to all the gore and travesties that they tried so hard to hide from the general public? Would Harry be disgusted in what she really did? Her mind said that he would accept her for everything she was, wasn't, and would ever be. Her heart, however, worried about being alone and not singing with another. The spark of happiness, something that existed with Kevin, but was already blooming under Harry after only a half of a date. She was in trouble.
Oh no! Garcia what have you done! I feel as though i am hitting the mark with her character. She acts all forward and confident when she actually lacked it in a large way. As Derek Morgan pointed out in an episode she wears her individuality like a shield. I made her more vulnerable in this chapter by calming down her outfit slightly. Don't worry- the crazy isn't gone. I just wanted to show and develop this relationship with the reader and the story that proved her vulnerability and how easily it is for her to feel unsure and for her to become hurt.