Destiny Turns On A Dime

Chapter Six

May 2004

Penelope spent some time in the bathroom fixing her hair and makeup before she went to the elevator and took the short ride to the sixth floor. Her nerves were really getting to her because she knew she might meet Derek's co-workers for the first time today.

What if they looked at her and thought "Why would he want her?" Or worse if they thought "She's just one more in a long line. What a dumb bunny to think he's gonna keep her."

Keep me? Is that what I think? she asked herself as she came off the elevator. No, of course not. We're just getting to know each other right now. Who knows? Maybe the attraction will fade in a few weeks on both our parts. Lets not jump ahead.

She screwed up her courage, planted a smile on her lips, and pulled open the glass doors of the BAU. Looking all around it only took a moment to spot Derek's desk.

Carrying her little brown bag lunch she walked over there and when she was nearby said "Hello, Agent Morgan."

His head jerked up and soon he was on his feet. He shoved his hands in his pockets. His eyes went dark and met hers. "Hey there, baby girl! You made it!"

"That I did," she said with a small grin. Her eyes moved to his co-workers but she didn't want to introduce herself. "Are you ready for lunch? Its just after 01300."

He chuckled. "No more military time for you."

"You said its 01300 not 0100. Now what did I get wrong?"

He chuckled again. "Forget about it." Derek turned and looked like he was about to introduce her to his co-workers when the man sitting nearby at another desk spoke up.

He was tall, lanky and had brown hair that was a little long for the Feds. Penelope thought he looked just like a cute little puppy. He was a baby, by F.B.I standards. Adorable.

He said "Its 1300 actually. You don't use the oh if its after 0900."

Penelope said "Really? Well that is kinda confusing."

He told her "Actually military time is meant to be less confusing, not more so. It's a specific way of expressing time that is recognized internationally which makes it easier to assure there is no mistake about the hour and minute that an event is scheduled to take place. Whereas different cultures could refer to time in different ways that do not translate so simply to foreigners. The whole method was first derived during-"

Derek cut in "Kid, just say hello like a normal person."

"Hello."

Penelope shot Derek a look for saying his co-worker was not normal and then she laid on the charm for him. "Hello to you too. You seem like the brain around here. I've always loved a man who can out think his counterparts."

The man blushed a little and stuttered. "Well, everyone here is very smart. I just happen to be more so."

Derek said, with a grin, "Don't let him down play it. He's a genius. Penelope Garcia, I'd like you to meet our resident smarty pants Dr. Spencer Reid. And, over there staring at us dying to be introduced too, is another good friend of mine: SSA Elle Greenway."

Elle stood up and walked over. "Hi! You know I could tell you a thing or two about Morgan here-"

Derek broke in "But she won't. Come on, sweetheart, its time for you and me to get our grub on."

Penelope told Elle "It was nice to meet you. Maybe we can talk again soon."

Elle smiled and her eyes taunted Derek as she told Penelope. "Real soon."

Penelope told Spencer "It was good to meet you too, Dr."

"You may call me Reid. Everyone does."

"Thank you, Reid. I'd love to hear more about how military time was derived one day if you ever have the free time."

His eyes lit up. "You would?"

"Very much so. All of CTU uses it and I can't seem to get it down for anything. Just when I think I have it tackled it seems I don't. I'm the best of the best when it comes to hacking but give me all this military junk to learn and I'm lost. Its so strict around here and, I swear, everyone and their brother here was in the service but me. I have a lot of catching up to do when it comes to certain things."

"I'd be happy to explain anything to you that you don't understand about military codes and procedures."

"You are such a sweetie! Thank you so much!" Penelope looked over at Derek. "Well I better get him fed. I think I can hear his stomach growling from here."

"Of course," Reid said, sitting back down. "It was good to meet you. Morgan has done nothing but go on about you-"

"Reid!" Derek barked. "That paperwork won't do itself." Then he looked at Penelope and motioned with his hand "After you, princess."

His hand went to her back and they headed for the break room. When they were a far enough away so they would not be overhead she hissed at him "You know maybe it is not my business-"

He stopped and looked at her with wide eyes. "What? Now you're mad at me?"

She whispered "Its not funny to tell him he's not normal. That's the kind of crap I always heard in high school. You're better than that. At least I would hope so."

"Hey, listen, Reid and I are tight and he knows I was just kidding around."

"Hmpf."

"Baby girl-"

She gave him a stern look. "Jokes can still sting."

Letting out a breath Derek's voice grew serious "Well I didn't intend that." After a moment he asked "Would you rather just forget about lunch then? Cause if you're pissed at me then it probably isn't the best idea."

"So that's how you are? You can't take someone disagreeing with you? I guess when you are as gorgeous as you are it very rarely happens."

"It happens more than you would think. I just don't get why you're picking a fight."

"I just didn't think you were so insensitive."

"Hey! I'm not, okay?" He ran his hand over his head and looked across the bullpen toward Reid. "At least I don't mean to be." After seeing her brown eyes soften he dropped his voice and said "I don't think it bothered him at all but I'll keep in mind what you said and try and be more careful, okay? We good?"

She smiled a little. "Okay. Thank you. He seems very nice. You said you're close?"

"He's a great kid. You would not believe how much he knows and how much he adds to this team. Its mind blowing."

"Agent Greenwell seemed nice too."

"Greenway and Elle is alright."

"I have so much to learn still about working here."

"You need a guide? Look no further. Seriously."

"Oh, I won't. Your friend already offered."

"I meant me, baby girl."

She grinned widely. "Oh, sug, I know what you meant. So where is this break room? I'm about to swoon from hunger and then you'll have to play hero and wrap those big, muscular arms around me to catch me when I fall."

He gave her a smile full of lust. "That could work for me." Then he motioned again toward the break room. "Right this way, princess."

XXXXXXXXX

Derek could hardly believe how his heart raced when he thought Penelope was about to cancel their lunch date. Everything in him screamed he wanted to keep her there but his stubborn pride flared up and started to tell her to go if she was mad.

He was happy she stuck around because they had a good time laughing and joking at lunch. She asked where he grew up and he told her some stories about living in Chicago. All too soon lunch was over.

He stood up and grabbed their garbage. Taking it to a nearby trash can he tossed it in. "Thank you very much for joining me. I've never had a date in this building before. Didn't know it could be so much fun. We'll have to try it again some time."

"So I'm your first?"

"In this building, yeah." He winked at her. "Am I your first?"

"Not hardly. All the tech boys love the Oracle."

His grin slid off his lips. Jealousy, this time undeniable as being just that, grabbed hold of him. He cleared his throat. "No surprise there."

She gave him a soft smile. "Walk me to the elevator, sug?"

He joked with her, using the words she used earlier, "How very Junior High."After a pause he added "Lets go, mama, its time for you to return to that kooky office of yours and me to get back to my mounds of paperwork."

They strolled toward the elevator. When they were there she told him "This was nice. Thank you, Derek."

"Anytime you get bored you know where to find me."

"One look at you and I definitely would stop being any sort of bored."

The elevator came and Penelope added "That's my cue," before she got on the otherwise empty car. "See you Monday, handsome. That is if you don't get a case that drags you away. Keep me on your mind every minute cause you will so very uber much be on mine."

His hand darted out to stop the elevator doors from closing and he got inside. His voice was tender when he asked "Hey...uh....you got plans for this weekend?"

She blushed a little. "I do now."

He grinned. "Cool. What you in the mood for?"

"Do you even have to ask, sug?"

"Penelope," he whispered in a tone seething with sex. "Behave, woman, I mean it. This is our workplace."

She smirked and the elevator stopped on her floor. "This is where I get off. You have my number."

"Expect a call, mama. You be good now, you hear me? And tell those tech boys you ain't having it if they push up on you."

Penelope chuckled sexily. "I'll think about that but since I find your jealousy so very attractive I just might have to misbehave."

As the doors closed his eyes- hot with lust- held hers and when he was alone Derek let out a long breath and then smiled. He had a date with his hot blonde.

Hot damn. That was a very good thing indeed.