Addiction

Disclaimer: I owned nothing but the ideas

Thank you for the reviews – sorry I haven't replied to them personally but thought you would prefer me to get on with writing the next chapter.

Here goes.

. . .

Picking up both mugs from the counter top, Dave headed across the bullpen with the freshly brewed coffee. If anyone was watching it looked like he was either having a massive caffeine fix or doing a friend a favour. On route his eyes met JJ's as he passed; she smiled guessing he was about to implement his part of the plan. She had already let him know her success.

He sauntered up the steps, slowing as he neared Morgan's door. Through the window he could see the younger agent hunched over his desk. The pile of manila files on either side of him was just about equal, meaning he had made some headway over the day.

Dave tapped the door tentatively.

"Yeah?" Derek grumbled from the depth of his office.

Dave pushed the door open with his foot and entered. "Thought you could use a break – have you actually left this room at all today?"

Placing down his pen, Derek dragged his hands down his face. He glanced at his watch, realising he had now officially missed lunch. No wonder he felt like crap. His eyes fell on the steaming mug of coffee placed directly in front of him.

"You look like you could use something stronger . . . but I think Hotch would string me up for cracking open the scotch this early."

Derek snorted a laugh, "Yep, guess even you couldn't get away with that one. Thank you though, I appreciate the thought."

Dave watched as Derek took the coffee and relaxed back into his chair, sitting down opposite, his own coffee in hand. The pair sat in silence, enjoying the break from the reports and consults. Dave observed, as Derek seemed to inhale the coffee he was drinking it so quickly. It was obvious that the guy was running on empty. The shadows were building under his eyes from lack of sleep and he was making hard work of getting through his workload. Dave grabbed to top file from Derek's left and leafed through it. Sighing deeply he looked up "Is it wrong to wish for a maniac to pop up and cause us to jet away from all this?"

Derek groaned, he had no wish to jet away. Not wanting to be away from Penelope, but equally being near her was doing him no good. "I think that is officially classed as bad taste, but I know what you mean. A few less consults would be good. You finished all yours?"

"No. I'll be honest I came after a favour."

"No I am not helping you out with your consults, as you can see I still have plenty." Derek waved his open arms in the general direction of the work pile, "Ask Pretty Boy."

"No this isn't actually work related, it's more of a personal favour."

Derek's eyebrows rose, "Dare I ask?"

Dave smiled, sipping his coffee and prolonging the moment; "I have a date."

Nodding slowly Derek listened.

"She has a daughter . . a rather over-protective daughter. And well . . . I have arranged for use to have dinner this weekend and the daughter is insisting on joining us."

"And?"

"And I was hoping you might come along and distract the daughter for me."

Derek laughed out loud, "Distract her."

"Keep her busy, flirt with her, charm her . . . use your imagination. Anything that means I have the full attention of Delia without her daughter scrutinising everything I say and do."

Shaking his head Derek laughed once more "Sorry Man, I'd love to help but . . ."

"Derek, I'm begging you. I need a wingman and there is no way Hotch is going to be up for this one. Just this once . . . then hopefully the second date can be chaperone free."

Letting out a deep sigh, Derek agreed. He didn't want to as he had no wish to being chatting up any woman that wasn't Penelope Garcia, but maybe it would do him good. Get his mind off her and for a while. Let him get some perspective. "Ok, I'll do it but you owe me big time for this."

"Oh I'm sure we'll soon be even," Dave said with a smug grin as he finished his coffee. Step one complete.

. . .

Derek and Dave walked towards the restaurant together, chatting casually. As they walked in the Maitre d' greeted Dave with a fondness of familiarity.

"Eat here often?" Derek asked.

"Not as often as I'd like. Ideal please for a romantic rendezvous." Dave winked. "Which Derek brings me to the real reason we are here tonight. There is no double date tonight, but there is a not-so-blind date instead."

Derek's brow furrowed.

"Through there," Derek pointed towards the main restaurant, "Is Penelope Garcia."

He paused, watching Derek process what he had just said. As he opened his mouth to speak, Dave held his hand up to silence him.

"Save it. Now she is expecting JJ for some girl's night out. So I am warning you, screw this up and I will cause you permanent damage, understand?"

Derek stood, stunned into silence.

"Good. Now go get the girl. The whole evening is on me, unless . . . well lets just say I am expecting results from this."

"Dave I don't mean to sound ungrateful . . ."

"Then don't. I don't want to hear any more excuses. No, you two are not 'just good friends'. Yes, the FBI does have fraternisation rules but they are . . . flexible. Now please put us all out of our misery."

Derek turned towards the restaurant, he could just about make out the bubble of blonde hair he knew was her. A knot tightened in his stomach. What if she didn't feel the same? Looking back at Dave he tried to speak again, but was stopped by the older agent shaking his head and indicating that Derek should follow the Maitre d' into the restaurant.

"Good luck, Stud." With which Dave turned around and walked away.

Derek looked back into the restaurant.

It was now or never!