Friday dawned, and she woke up to Erin kissing her. "Good morning, my dove."

"Happy birthday, darling." She kissed her once more, and Penelope noticed Erin was already dressed in her favorite outfit. "I've already laid out your outfit for today." Erin sat on the bed. "Go take a shower, get dressed, and then join me for breakfast."

Penelope nodded and got out of bed, picking up the outfit Erin had picked out. After she finished her short shower, she saw the heart on the mirror and noticed a whole new makeup kit on the counter. Smiling, she picked out complimentary colors to her outfit and quickly applied it. Then she pulled on her clothes and stepped out. She smelt pancakes cooking and made her way into the kitchen.

"Sit down, they're almost ready," Erin said, looking over her shoulder and smiling. Penelope did as told and soon had a plate of blueberry pancakes in front of her. Erin then sat, putting down her own plate. They ate in a contented slice, and then did the dishes. "One more thing before we go to work." Erin held out her hand and Penelope took it, letting herself be led back into the bedroom. "Please, sit."

Erin turned and pulled an elegant crystal bottle off their dresser. Even before Erin removed the stopper, Penelope could smell the delicate scent of roses. As she watched, Erin ran the stopper down her cleavage. The feel of the cold liquid caused her to shiver slightly, and she leaned towards Erin, who kissed her cheek. Erin repeated the motion on herself and then smiled. "Erin?"

"Yes?"

"Now I'm always going to associate you with roses."

"That was the point. Now, let's get going before we're late." Penelope stood and followed her out, grabbing her bag on the way. The ride to work seemed short and too soon they were parking. "Until this afternoon, my peacock," she whispered and then got out of the car.

Penelope floated up to the BAU bullpen and into her office. She logged on to her system and sat in her chair, her smile not fading for one moment. A knock came on her door and she called out, "Who dares seek answers from the oracle of wisdom?"

"It's me, Garcia," Morgan replied. "I need my goddess to come out here and sign for something."

Standing up, her brow furrowed in bewilderment, she opened the door, looking into Morgan's smiling face. "What do you mean I have to sign for something?"

"There's a delivery guy waiting for your signature down by security. He won't release the packages into hands other than yours. So, are you coming, or not?" She nodded and followed him back downstairs. Mike was chatting with the delivery man, smiling as they approached.

"Good morning, Penelope," he said.

"Morning, Mike. I hear you have something for me?" she asked as she turned to face him and the delivery man.

"Sure do," the man, Doug according to his nametag, said. "Sign here on this line," he said, holding out a clipboard. Once she had done so, the man handed over two small, flat boxes. "We hope these please you. If you have any questions about the upkeep or craftsmanship of these pieces, please do not hesitate to call this number." He handed over a card with a name and phone number on it, and Morgan whistled lowly when he read the name.

"Duane Knachbor Designs? Baby Girl, I have to see what's in there."

"When we get back to my office. I don't want to open these down here," she replied, nodding at the other men. Morgan and she got back on the elevator and rose up to the BAU. He opened the door for her, then held the boxes while she unlocked her office. Both took a seat on her sofa, and he handed her the smaller box first.

She gasped as she looked at the chandelier earrings lying on a bed of velvet. "Are those diamonds and rubies?" Morgan asked, his eyebrows lifted in surprise.

"Not rubies, rubilites. It's a type of tourmaline." She fingered the gems delicately, smiling at the way they twinkled in the light. She set that box aside and opened the larger, square box. She gasped once more at the sight before her and felt tears prick her eyelids. "Pinch me, Morgan," she whispered as she stared at the pendant in the box.

"Baby Girl, you have someone who loves you very much, don't you?" She nodded. "Do you want to try it on?" She nodded again and watched as he picked up the chain from its bed of fabric. Carefully, he draped it around her neck and fastened the clasp. The length would be perfect when she wore her dress tonight, resting in her cleavage gently. "That has to be at least twenty carats, there. When do I get to meet her again?"

"Soon, I hope. It's just, I want you to like her as much as I love her, and I'm afraid you won't."

"Oh, Sugar, if she makes you this happy and showers you with gifts of love like this, how could I not like her? Though she certainly puts my birthday gift to shame," he replied as he took out a long, thin box. "It pales in comparison to your necklace and earrings, but I hope you like it."

She carefully unwrapped her gift and then opened the box. He had gotten her jewelry as well, a diamond tennis bracelet. "Morgan, I love this. It looks like it belongs with my other things. Thank you so much!" She leaned over and hugged him tightly, then held out her wrist. "Put it on me, would you?"

He obliged her, gently kissing her cheek as he did so. "Happy birthday, Penelope. I hope you enjoy your show tonight." She nodded more, not trusting herself to speak without crying. He left her and she locked her door. Holding out the camera on her phone, she took a picture of her wearing the pendant. In the text message, she wrote: 'After the opera, it will only be this on me. I love it and you. Your sweet peacock.', and then sent it to Erin's phone.

A few minutes later, she felt her phone buzz. Taking it out, she saw Erin had texted her back. 'I'd hoped I would hear something like that. Your dove'. Penelope blushed and smiled, eager anticipation filling her. At four, she called her fill-in tech and asked him to take over for her, then she put her earrings in her purse and left the office. Reid came up to her side and walked with her, and she smiled at Hotch when he peeked his head outside his office.

"So, you're going to see Fidelio tonight. I hope you enjoy it, it's one of my favorite operas."

"How do you know where we're going?"

"She asked me if you would enjoy it. I know, Bowie and Cher are more your thing, but there's something about the story to this one that I think will resonate with both of you. You're lucky to be able to see this with the one you love."

"I'm lucky to have found the one I love. Things happen for a reason, Reid. If you hadn't mentioned that constellation, my head wouldn't have been in the clouds, and I would have walked right past her that night. She would still be with him and have no hope of happiness in this life. So, thank you, you've actually given me the best birthday gift of all. My love." She smiled up at him, noticing his blushing cheeks. "And you must admit, she hasn't been such a hard ass to our team lately. You're welcome."

He just shook his head and smiled back at her. Erin was waiting by the car and she smiled at them as they approached. "Hello, Dr. Reid," she said once they were next to the car. "I hope you have a relaxing weekend."

"Any weekend we're home is relaxing. I'll see you Monday, Penelope. And happy birthday." He hugged her close, then went back inside.

As Erin drove, Penelope fingered her pendant. "You know, you've set the bar really high for me when your birthday rolls around. I don't think I can top this."

"That's all right. The best gift would be you in my arms." There was a pause and Penelope looked over and saw she was biting her lip.

"What's wrong?"

"I just don't want you thinking I'm trying to buy your love and affection. I'm not trying to do that, I promise. I love you for you and want to give you things because, well, that's all I know. Gift giving is my main love language, but…" she trailed off, wiping away the tears that had sprung up.

"Oh, Erin. I know you're not trying to buy me. Besides, I kind of like being a kept woman." Erin choked on a laugh, a bright smile breaking out on her face. Penelope smiled in response. "If Morgan could see you like this, away from our job, he'd like you. He really wants to meet my girlfriend."

"Perhaps we could arrange that."

Penelope looked at Erin in amazement. "Really?"

"Yes, if it's just him and you think he can be discreet. We haven't talked about this before, but I know we're walking on thin ice with this relationship. If it comes down to it, I'll transfer or quit before you got fired." She reached out and Penelope took her hand, squeezing gently. Erin pulled in their spot and they made their way upstairs.

"Will you unclasp the necklace? I don't want to shower with it on," Penelope said as she took off her bracelet. She placed all her jewelry on the dresser next to her shoes. From the corner of her eye, she saw Erin take off her clothes. She followed suit, then made her way to the bathroom. Erin was holding the shower door open for her and she stepped inside.

Penelope shivered as she felt Erin wash her hair, the action suddenly sensual when done by someone else. Penelope returned the favor and enjoyed hearing Erin's purr of pleasure. They stayed beneath the water until it ran cold, and then they got out. Penelope wrapped a towel around herself as she used the blow dryer on her hair. Once it was dry, she handed the dryer over to Erin, then stepped out into the bedroom. Letting the towel fall to the floor, she first stepped into the panties.

Even with them on, she still felt naked. Hurriedly, she clasped the strapless bra and adjusted her breasts in it, giving herself better cleavage. Then she took the bottle of rose water off their dresser and put some on her pulse points and between her breasts. She pulled open her new makeup case and artfully applied the various paints to her face. Once she was finished, she put on her hose, attaching them to the garter, then stepped into her shoes, fastening the straps around her ankles.

She could feel Erin's eyes on her and she stood slowly, running her hands up her body as she did. "If you keep that up, we'll never make it to the opera," she said huskily, moving closer to Penelope. Penelope just smiled in return.

"That's for after the show, my dove," she replied, holding out the necklace. "Since you've joined me, though, will you put on my pendant? I can't seem to do it myself." She leaned back into Erin once it was on, and smiled when she felt her lips on her shoulder.

"Do you want me to lace you up now?" Erin asked as she released Penelope. She nodded and went over to the closet and pulled out the dress. She stepped into it and held it against her chest as Erin tugged on the laces, pulling the dress tight against her body. Erin tied the laces and then places a kiss in Penelope's back, right above the dress line. "Tonight, you are mine," she whispered.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," she replied, turning to face Erin. She was still in her underwear, a virginal white in color, but sinfully delicious in execution. "I hope you're planning to wear something else tonight, otherwise I might not want to leave."

"Of course, your final birthday present will have more wrapping on it. Can't have you opening it too quickly, after all."

Penelope smiled, then put her earrings in, watching Erin pull out a garment bag from Joyce and disappear into the bathroom. She had just finished clasping the bracelet from Morgan when she saw Erin come back out. Her hair was in soft waves that copied the movement of her dress. Crushed velvet fell to the floor, the light lavender color complimenting her skin tone. Penelope couldn't help but sigh in pleasure at the sight of her.

Both women picked up their shawls and clutches, then went downstairs to Esther. Erin drove, navigating them through the busy Friday evening traffic in D.C. Penelope thought she noticed a car following them at one point, but shrugged it off as paranoia. Arm in arm, they entered the hall, and after they'd shown their tickets, got two glasses of wine. Once the drinks were gone, they handed in the glasses and then made their way to their seats. Erin had managed to get them their own box, and Penelope settled into the plush seat.

Soon after they'd been seated, the lights came down. Penelope found her anime habit helped her, in that she could follow the translated libretto easily. At the intermission, she turned to Erin, a smile on her lips. "This is so wonderful, Erin. Thank you for getting these tickets for my birthday. Who knew I'd really like opera?"

"I'm glad you're having a good time, Penelope." Erin reached out her hand and Penelope threaded her fingers through her lover's. Even when the lights came down, she didn't let go of Erin's hand. At the end of the opera, she copied the audience and stood, applauding the performers. Slipping her shawl back on, she followed Erin down into the lobby. Ahead of them, she thought she saw Rossi, speaking into his wrist to someone and instantly she could feel dread in the pit of her stomach.

Trying to shake the feeling of impending doom, she smiled and rubbed her upper arms vigorously. In the parking garage, she felt someone brush past her and then her clutch was falling to the ground, spilling her things everywhere. She crouched down to pick them up and when she stood once more, Erin was gone. Frantically, Penelope looked around for her lover, panic filling her bones. She heard a sharp scream come from somewhere, but the acoustics of the place distorted the sound so much, she couldn't tell where it was coming from.

Penelope began to look down the rows, searching for Erin, pushing through people who stood in her way. She thought she caught a glimpse of her down the last row, and hurried down it. A dark colored van, its windows tinted past street legal levels, roared past her, nearly running her down. The van, however, was not sound proof, and she could hear Erin's screams for her. Hurriedly, she pulled out her phone and took pictures of the fleeing vehicle, hoping she could salvage an image of the license plate. Then she dialed Reid.

"Hello?"

"They took her, Spencer," was all she could get out before she burst into tears.

"Where are you now?" he asked, panic tingeing his voice as well.

"Still at the parking garage. What should I do? I'm so frightened."

"Get back to the BAU as soon as you can and wait for us in the conference room. I'll call Morgan, Prentiss, and Hotch. Don't worry, Penelope, we'll find her, I promise you that."

"Thank you, Spencer."