A/n: This chapter has been rewritten.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything!
It was the middle of the day when Tara heard the glass-doors of the BAU department open and close, followed by the sound of heels clicking on the ground, which could only mean one thing - it's lunch time. A smile instantly formed on her lips, as she closed the file she was working on and picked up her bag from under her desk and her coat from the back of her chair, before standing up.
''Ready for lunch, babe?'' Tara said, as she turned to her girlfriend.
Penelope stopped at Tara's desk and hesitated a bit before saying, ''I'm sorry love, but I already made plans with Emily''.
''Yes, that's right'' Prentiss said, as she came up behind the pair, ''You can have her back again after that'' she joked, as she shrugged on her coat.
''Yes, of course'' Tara said, knowing she wasn't the only one who wanted to hang out with the blonde, ''Have fun'' she told them.
''Thank you'' Penelope smiled, though it seemed a little nervous and shaky, which made Tara frown. ''I'll come by before I head back to my office again, yeah'' she said, as she leaned up to give the brunette a kiss on her lips.
''Yeah, okay'' Tara replied, as she returned the kiss, ''I love you'' she told her with a smile, as they pulled away from each other.
''Love you, too'' Penelope smiled softly back, seeming normal again, before she walked out of the bullpen with Emily.
With a sigh Tara put all of her stuff down again, and took a seat in her chair. It looked like she was going to have lunch just by herself today.
JJ and Reid, who were the only ones beside Tara still in the bullpen, exchanged a look with each other.
''That sounded like a sad sigh'' JJ spoke up, as she looked over to the brunette, noticing the expression on her face.
''I'm not sad'' Tara said, not understanding why her colleague would think that, as she took a glance at the glass-doors where she could still see her girlfriend and Emily through, who were now waiting for the elevator to arrive.
''No, she's not sad'' Reid agreed with a shake of his head, ''That look is more a look of worry, or concern'' he said.
''Are you guys profiling me?'' Tara furrowed her brows, as she looked over at the pair across from her.
''No, I'm just stating facts here'' Reid told the brunette, as he held up his hands, showing her that he didn't mean any harm with what he just said.
''Why are you worried?'' JJ asked, not understanding her co-workers concern.
''Honestly...I don't know'' Tara said with a sigh, as she slumped back against her seat and crossed her arms.
''Trouble in paradise?'' the blonde questioned, though she would find it odd if that was the issue, because they all had witnessed the kiss and the 'I love you's' between the pair just a minute ago. Though, on the other hand, Tara's sigh- and look definitely showed some concern.
''Not that I know of'' Tara shook her head.
''Than what's the problem?'' Reid asked.
''It's just...Penelope has been acting so secretive in the past weeks, and I don't understand why'' Tara told them, ''She usually always tells me everything, but now...now it seems like she's hiding something every time I ask her what's going on, or what's wrong'' she said.
''You think something's wrong with her?'' Reid furrowed his brows, not having noticed any difference in the blonde's behavior himself.
''It doesn't seem like it'' Tara shook her head, ''It's just...it makes me worried whenever she isn't telling me something, you know'' she told them.
''I understand'' JJ said softly, as she looked from Tara to the two women who were still waiting by the elevators. She knew they had a rule within the team about not profiling each other, but that didn't stop her from noticing some small things anyway. Like Penelope's posture, the expression on her face, and some other things that gave away that the blonde was having an easy going and comfortable conversation with Emily. There was absolutely nothing JJ noticed that told her that Penelope was hiding something serious from her girlfriend, something that should worry Tara.
''You know...'' JJ said, as she looked back to the brunette, ''I don't think you have anything to worry about'' she told Tara with a smile, ''I know Garcia, if something was really wrong with her, she would've definitely told you by now'' she said.
''Yeah, I know that'' Tara nodded, obviously knowing that, but she still felt a bit unsure, because it then didn't make any sense why Penelope was being so secretive towards her.
''Maybe she just needs some time with her friends'' Reid told her.
''Maybe...'' Tara shrugged, ''But I'm her friend too, right?'' she said.
''Yes, you are'' JJ replied, ''But you're also her girlfriend'' she pointed out, ''Just wait, okay...'' JJ told her, ''She'll come to you when she's ready to share whatever she's hiding'' she said, ''Besides, knowing Penelope, she's only this secretive when it comes to surprises or special occasions she organises'' she winked at the brunette, reassuring her that she shouldn't worry about it at all.
''Yeah, that's true'' Tara nodded, knowing her girlfriend was like that, ''And, of course I know that if something was really going on, or wrong, Penelope would've already told me about it'' she told them, ''Our relationship is based completely on honesty, after all'' she added, ''But that doesn't make me stop worrying about her, especially when she acts like this''.
''Of course it doesn't make you stop worrying about her'' JJ said, ''You love her, it's the natural thing to do'' she smiled softly, ''But I still think you don't have anything to worry about, because as far as I can see, nothing seems wrong'' she told the brunette, ''So don't worry, okay''.
''Okay, I'll try'' Tara said with a smile, ''All right...'' she breathed out, ''Who wants to have lunch with me now?'' she asked, ''Because my usual lunch date has been stolen''.
''It's like that, húh'' Reid said, ''You only need us when Garcia's not around'' he teased, as he closed the file infront of him.
''Of course not'' Tara told him, ''I also need you for that giant brain of yours'' she teased back, as she shrugged on her coat.
''People really are only out for my brain and knowledge, aren't they?'' Reid sighed heavily, as he picked up his bag.
''Nope...also that cute little face'' Tara jokingly cooed, which made the guy blush.
''You guys are a bunch of weirdos, you know that?'' JJ chuckled, shaking her head, ''No wonder Penelope fell in love with you, Tara'' she joked.
''I'm gonna take that as a compliment'' Tara told her with a grin, ''All right, come on, lets get out of here'' the brunette said, ''I need food'' she said, as she started making her way out of the bullpen.
''Right behind you'' Reid followed the brunette, a skip in his step.
''It's like working with a bunch of two year olds'' JJ said with a laugh, as she took her coat and purse and followed her friends.
''So Tara didn't look too happy that I stole you for lunch'' Emily said amused, as they got out of the car. After leaving the BAU, the pair had first made their way to the otherside of town because Penelope had to pick something up, before making their way to the restaurant where they were now going to have lunch.
''I know'' Penelope said, remembering the look on her girlfriend's face when she told her that she already had plans, ''But she'll survive an hour or two without me'' she told her, as they crossed the street and made their way over to the sidewalk.
''You sure?'' Prentiss chuckled, knowing the pair has become almost joined at the hip over the past months, they literally have become a two-for-one package.
''Yes, I'm sure'' Garcia rolled her eyes, as she opened the door to the restaurant, ''Besides, I couldn't just tell her the real reason why I couldn't have lunch with her today, could I?'' she said, holding the door open for her friend.
''Thank you'' Emily smiled at the gesture, ''And no, I know that you couldn't just tell her that'' she said, ''But I do believe she has become suspicious'' Emily told her.
''Hi, can I help you?'' the waitress, who was waiting to help new customers, approached them, interrupting their conversation.
''Hi'' Penelope smiled at the redhead, ''Yes, a table for two, please'' she said.
''All right, follow me'' the woman told them.
After being seated, and ordering their food, Penelope replied to what Emily had said to her a couple of minutes ago, ''I know she has become suspicious, but I don't want to spoil anything'' she said.
''I understand'' Emily said, ''It's a once in a lifetime thing, right?'' she smiled.
''If it depends on me...definitely'' Penelope nodded, a smile curling at the corners of her lips, ''I really can't see myself with anyone else but her''.
''You really, really love her don't you?'' Emily's lips melted into a gentle smile, as she looked at the blonde.
''Yeah, I do'' Penelope replied, her smile turning bashful, as a light blush painted her cheeks, ''I can honestly say that she's the love of my life'' she said.
''I can see that'' Emily said softly. She really loved it that Penelope was so in love with someone, because the blonde definitely deserved it, ''So...when are you planning on doing the little surprise?'' Emily asked.
''I hope in a couple of weeks, on our one year anniversary'' Penelope told her, a wide smile replacing the shy one on her lips when she thought about what she's got planned.
''I hope for you that no case will come along around that time then'' Emily said, ''Because we all know there's a big chance of that happening'' she told the blonde. Killers, after all, are unpredictable.
''Yeah, I hope so too'' Penelope said, ''Because I definitely don't want my plans to fall through''.
''Here you go, ladies'' the waitress came back with their orders.
''Thank you'' Garcia told the woman politely, as her plate was presented infront of her, ''This looks really delicious'' Penelope said when the waitress was gone.
''They don't call it the best Spanish restaurant for nothing'' Emily told her.
''True'' Penelope nodded, as she dug into her food, putting a fork full of food in her mouth, ''Damn, I really need to take Tara here one day'' she said, after swallowing her first bite, ''She'll love it''.
''I thought the same thing'' Emily said, ''I was thinking about bringing Mark here, he'll definitely love it, too''.
''Oh yeah, he's moving here soon, right?'' Penelope said, remembering Emily telling her that a while ago.
''Yes, he's finally able to take that step'' Emily told her, ''Which I'm glad about, because I really can't see myself moving back to England again'' she said, ''I can't imagine leaving you guys again''.
''We really don't wanna see you leave again, either'' Penelope told her, ''We are too happy to have you back to let you go again''.
''I know'' Emily laughed, as she thought back to the warm welcome back she got months ago.
''So when is Mark arriving here?'' Penelope asked, before taking a sip from her drink.
''By the end of next month'' Emily replied, ''Actually a week before Christmas'' she said.
''Which means you finally got someone to spend the Holidays with'' Garcia joked.
''Hey, that's not true'' Emily protested with a pout, ''I've spend a couple of Christmases' with you guys'' she said, ''But when you grow up in a place like I did, Christmas isn't really a fun holiday spend with family'' she told the blonde.
''I'm sorry, I know that'' Penelope said, ''I was just messing with you'' she told her, looking sympathetically at Emily, feeling bad for bringing up bad memories from her friend's past, ''I'm just really happy that you've finally found love, and that you found a person that brightens up your holidays and life'' Penelope smiled, ''You definitely deserve that after everything you've been through'' she said softly.
''Thank you'' Emily said, her lips turning up into a small smile, ''It actually feels really nice to have finally found that, to have finally found someone who makes me feel like that'' she said, her cheeks tinting a light shade of pink.
''Wait...'' Garcia raised an eyebrow, amusement filling her eyes, ''Is the tough and badass Emily Prentiss blushing?''.
''Shut up'' Prentiss rolled her eyes, ''It's just warm in here, that's all'' she said.
''Honey bunch, there's nothing wrong with feeling like that'' Penelope told her, assuring the woman that there was nothing to be embarrassed about, ''It's rare to find love in a world like this'' she said, ''So when you find it, you should embrace it, explore it''.
''I know, I know'' Emily nodded, agreeing, ''And I'm definitely embracing it, otherwise I wouldn't have asked him to come live with me'' she said, ''It's just...I've lived my life so long by myself, that I need to get used to sharing it with someone''.
''I understand, and I know what you mean'' Penelope said, having felt the same way in the beginning of her relationship with Tara.
''How?'' Emily frowned, ''You've been in long-term relationships before, at least more than me'' she said.
''I know that I have been in a couple of long-term relationships before'' Penelope replied with a nod, ''But I've never been in a relationship before where I dreamed of the whole nine yards and more. A relationship where I see myself spending the rest of my life with that person'' Penelope told her, ''Also, I've never been in a relationship before where I was this in love with my partner, either'' the blonde said.
''What about Morgan?'' Emily raised an eyebrow, a knowing look on her face, ''I've heard you moan about him, about how you were so in love with him, and how you could see a whole future with him''.
''Do you know how long ago that was'' Penelope told her, not even having thought about that in over more than three or four years, if not longer, ''And you know that wasn't real, that was more like a dream sequence kind of future. It wasn't reality, it was all in my head'' Penelope said, ''So it's completely different from the future I'm imagining with Tara. Because that one is definitely not in my head, that one is real, that one is happening right now'' she told her, ''Besides, I was talking about people I've been in a relationship with'' she said, ''And I haven't, nor will I ever, be in a relationship with him''.
''All right, that's true'' Emily had to admit, as she realized that it wasn't the same.
''So...like I said, I've never had that in my life before either, until now'' Penelope said, ''Also, I've never moved in with anyone before, Tara is the first one'' she told her, ''So I was used to living by myself, in my own space, too'' she said, ''But when you finally find that person you want to completely share your life with, things change, and you realize that living a life with that person sounds so much better than going further on your own''.
''I get what you mean'' Emily said, understanding what her friend meant, ''And I guess, because I haven't had that before, I just need to get used to it''.
''Yes, exactly'' Penelope said with a nod, ''And you'll adjust to it, trust me'' the blonde added, ''Because when you find the right person, all the adjustments are only for the better, because they make you better'' she told her.
''I know'' Emily replied with a smile, ''Has Tara made you better?'' she asked, interested in knowing that.
''She has'' Garcia replied with a soft smile, ''I always thought that it was a cliche that got told in books and movies, you know'' she said, ''The cliche of falling in love with someone, and them turning your life completely around, and bringing the best out of you'' the blonde told her, ''I honestly thought that was something that just couldn't exist'' she said, ''That it was all just a fairy-tale to entertain people, and to keep them believing in love''.
''But that all changed when you met Tara, am I right?'' Emily's lips turned up into a soft smile, enjoying the way her friend was talking about her girlfriend.
''Yeah, it all changed when I met her'' Penelope nodded, an adorning smile curling the corners of her lips, as she thought about how Tara invaded her life and made it so much better and interesting, ''She showed me a whole new perspective on life, and brought a side out of me I didn't even know I had, she just simply made my life better by just being there'' she said, ''And the funny thing is, we both haven't really changed, we've learned and we've grown together. We showed each other what we liked, we've had conversations that brought up a lot of stuff including our childhoods, and we were just ourselves. We didn't fake anything, or hide our true selves'' she told her, ''Also, we balance each other out, because I'm the more happy and upbeat one, and she's the more calm and collected one, which works really well together for us'' the blonde said, ''Besides we're both interested in different things, so we learn something new from each other everyday, which connects us even deeper''.
''Which is a really good thing'' Prentiss said, ''It keeps the relationship interesting''.
''Yeah, it definitely does'' Penelope nodded, as something else popped up in her head that could be really important in most relationships, too, ''Also...a good and healthy sex life can keep a couple really happy and really satisfied'' she told the other woman with a wink.
''Definitely'' Emily chuckled, agreeing, ''There's definitely no lack of that when it comes to Mark and I'' she said, though now that they were both on different continents it, of course, wasn't as much as usual.
''With a delicious looking man like yours, I can understand why you can't keep your hands off of him'' Garcia told her, as she knew what Emily's boyfriend looked like through pictures she had shown them.
''Hey, keep your eyes on your own lover'' Emily teasingly warned.
''Oh...trust me, I could never keep my eyes off of her, even if I tried'' Penelope told her with a smirk, ''She's definitely one hell of a gorgeous woman I could never get enough of'' she said.
''Damn...that's a little too much information, Garcia'' Emily scrunched up her nose, ''You know I still need to face Tara again today at work, right?'' she joked, both of them knowing that Emily was only teasing Garcia.
''I didn't say anything inappropriate'' Penelope said with a shrug, ''You're the one making it sexual'' the blonde told her.
''I know you didn't say anything inappropriate, but your smirk says it all'' Emily told her, ''You're just giving away too much sometimes'' she chuckled, though knowing that, that was the nature of their favorite technical analyst.
''I can't really help it'' Penelope shrugged, ''There's just no filter between my brain and mouth sometimes'' she said.
''Yeah, we all know that'' Emily said, ''The 'talk dirty' comment is a great example of that'' she laughed.
''God...I thought everyone already forgot about that'' Penelope's face flushed red, embarrassed that, that was still a sentence people remembered so vividly.
''Penelope, that comment will never die'' Prentiss told her with a chuckle.
''Great...'' Penelope rolled her eyes, ''I thought-'' but before she could say anything more, her phone went off, interrupting their conversation. Picking up her phone, and reading the message she received, the blonde sighed, ''It looks like we have to get back to the BAU'' she said, ''We caught a case''.
''There goes the rest of our food'' Emily sighed, as she put her fork down.
''Yeah...and my five minutes with Tara'' Penelope exhaled.
Both quickly took a few more bites from their lunch, not wanting to waste their money too much, before gathering their stuff together and paying for the meal, before heading back to the bureau.
After that case, the cases seemed to keep coming in, and a couple of weeks later they again were called to another state to help the police department there with a series of homicides. And this case...this case was nowhere near being solved, which was something Tara was definitely not happy with, because today officially marked her and Penelope's one year anniversary, and she was a hundred percent certain she wasn't going to be able to celebrate it with the blonde tonight.
She actually, on purpose, hadn't planned anything big just because she knew this could happen, but she still felt sad when she had to call the restaurant, she made reservations at, to cancel. And because she didn't know when she would be home again, she couldn't plan anything new either.
But eventually, after a rough and long day, without much results, the team decided to call it quits for now and everyone went off to do their own thing. All of them being too tired to do anything else but head back to their hotel room and relax for the night, which Tara didn't mind at all. At the moment she longed to be alone for a bit, she longed to have some privacy so she could call her girlfriend.
Laying down in bed, after having done her nightly routine, Tara picked up her phone and looked at the time, seeing that it was around 12.30 pm back home. She thought about not calling Penelope and just going to sleep, because the blonde must already be asleep in bed too, but eventually she decided against that. She just really needed to hear her girlfriend's voice right now. So she speed dialed number one, and put the phone to her ear, before waiting for the blonde to pick up on the other end.
''Hello, my love'' Garcia drowsily greeted, sounding like she had just been woken up.
''Hey, baby'' Tara said back, ''I'm sorry for waking you up, but I just couldn't go to sleep without having talked to you today''.
''It's okay'' Penelope said, sounding more awake now, ''How was your day?'' she asked. Through the whole day they hadn't been able to really talk to each other, only through phone-calls about the case, so Penelope definitely didn't mind that the brunette had woken her up.
''Long...'' Tara sighed into the receiver, ''This case is so frustrating, and I just can't wait to be home again'' she said.
''Yeah, I can't wait for you to be home again, either'' Penelope said, the house just feeling too big and empty whenever the brunette was away on a case.
''Babe, I'm so sorry I couldn't be there with you tonight'' Tara said, feeling like she should apologize, even though she couldn't have done anything to prevent this.
''It's okay, Love bug'' Penelope told her, ''I know we've got an important job'' she said, ''So as long as you catch the Unsub, and come home safely to me, all is good''.
''I know, and we will eventually catch that bastard'' Tara said, ''But I still would've rather been home with you celebrating, than be out here on a case, alone'' she told her.
''I know'' Penelope replied with a tender smile, ''Are you in bed now?'' she asked, as she heard the rustling of covers in the background noise.
''Yeah...we called it a day about an half hour ago'' Tara told her, sinking further into the soft material that surrounded her body, ''I really miss you'' the brunette said, ''The bed feels too big, and too empty, without you in it''.
''It's the same here'' Penelope sighed, ''I miss you like crazy, too'' she told her, as she looked over to the empty spot beside her. This was definitely not the anniversary both of them had in mind.
''I'm sorry'' Tara said, ''I really wish I could've been home with you''.
''Don't apologize, my love'' Penelope told her, ''We know how unpredictable Unsub's are, and how demanding the job can be'' the blonde said, reassuring her girlfriend that she shouldn't feel guilty, or sorry, about being away on their special night. It wasn't like the brunette did that on purpose, or anything. ''Besides, we can always make up for lost time when you get back home'' Penelope said, her voice low and sensual, as both knew exactly what the blonde was implying.
''We definitely can'' Tara said, the sexy- and smooth voice of her girlfriend instantly turning her on, ''You know...I could always give you a taste of what I had planned tonight, now'' Tara told her seductively.
''Are you implying phone sex?'' Penelope questioned with a raised eyebrow, enjoying this phone call more and more.
''I am'' Tara nodded.
''I like it'' Penelope bit her lip.
''Darling, I'll make you love it'' Tara told her cocky.
''That sounds like a challenge I'm totally up for'' Garcia grinned, lust settling in her lower belly, as she was fully awake now, and definitely not in the mood to go back to sleep any time soon.
''That's what I like to hear'' Tara smirked, ''So...Sweetheart, what are you wearing?'' Tara asked, her voice dripping with desire, as both of them saw their night start to get a little bit brighter.