AN: Just twelve chapters left :) And none of you got the right guess about who'll show up next as a character. But half a brownie point for trying :) tT this stage I think some of you might die of a heart attack - or attack of laughter - when we get there in about 6 chapters I think... And thank you for taking David in so nice, I know he comes across a bit like a ... superficial, limelight seeking douch :) But he has a nice side as you'll find out later as well... Oh... suspense :)

Life as a cop usually meant early hours to start your shift with. He had never been one who could sleep until way past noon, but ever since he'd become a cop that had gotten even worse. Most days he'd been up and awake way before seven – and even today that would be the case, despite the fact that he and Penelope had had quite a night and probably only went to sleep a few mere hours ago.

Usually he would hate it if he was up too soon, but this morning he actually didn't mind. He would need to drop by his place anyway for a fresh set of clothes and it also gave him a few moments to study her – without any interruption and her noticing it. Of course there was this little matter between his legs, the problem men usually faced quite often in the morning, and it didn't help that he woke up next to her, naked and wrapped in only a thin sheet, resting on his arm. For a moment he really debated with himself whether he shouldn't just wake her up and repeat last night, but then, looking at her she was just so beautiful, looking so peaceful and he knew – despite her not letting it on – the last few days had taken its toll on her as well.

Watching her just another few moments, he eventually got up with a sigh, not really wanting to leave this or her - but he had to – at least for now. One thing was for sure however he wouldn't just sneak out and maybe give her a feeling of this being just a one-night stand. Oh no, he wanted repeats, loads and loads of repeats. He considered several options of leaving her a message, making sure she would get it. Standing in her bathroom, looking into her well-lit mirror, and seeing several items of make-up laying on the counter Morgan had an idea – a bit unconventional, but at least she'd see it. And there wouldn't be any way of her misunderstanding.

Picking up a lipstick in deep, crimson red he started writing his message all across her mirror.

Sexy, call me when you wake up. Didn't want to wake you! Don't make any plans for tonight. And if you already have, cancel them…

So far he didn't know what they'd be doing tonight, but one thing was for sure, she'd be with him - hopefully. He would come up with something for them during the day. Or he could just ask Prentiss. After all she always had seemed to complain about his choice of location for a date whenever he had mentioned to her the day after where he'd taken the girl.

Putting the lipstick back on the counter he made his way quietly to her door and slipped out, driving first to his place to change clothes and get a shower, before he continued onwards to the station, having already informed Prentiss about their new suspect.

"So… your little blonde played PI," he heard Emily comment the moment he made it through the door. "You two are a better match than I had assumed initially."

"Well, you have to admit what she found out was quicker than if we would have done it…"

"Hey, do you hear me complain? What exactly did she find out by the way?"

"Apparently McCulkin was blackmailed by Lynch because Lynch had some… sensitive information about the guy. Sounds like good motive to me. I'd say we go and have a little chat with him, see where he was a few nights ago."

Not even ten minutes later they were on their way to Martin McCulkin's place.

"Mr. McCulkin, I am Detective Emily Prentiss, this is my colleague Detective Derek Morgan. We have a few questions for you," Emily said when they located his apartment and had knocked on his door, being greeted by a very sleep-deprived looking man a few moments later.

Morgan saw Martin look first at Emily's badge, than at his, before he looked surprised at him.

"You are a cop? Didn't you say you were Penelope's boyfriend last night?" McCulkin asked confused and Morgan didn't miss the surprised look on Prentiss' face.

"I can't be both?" Morgan asked casually back and Martin McCulkin didn't look too impressed.

"We have a few questions for you about Kevin Lynch and we would like to ask these questions downtown if that's okay…" Emily went on. At that McCulkin looked not too pleased either.

"What if that isn't okay?"

"Well, then we just arrest you. You have a choice here, but we certainly won't wait forever…"

"I certainly don't see what you could possibly want from me… so… no," Martin explained, looking slightly annoyed.

"Then we'll have to arrest you," Morgan said, reaching for the back of his jeans, where he came up empty. That moment he realized he left his handcuffs at Penelope's apartment.

"Um… Prentiss, I think… it's better if you arrest him," he finally said, seeing Emily look at him funny for a moment. A hundred bucks she had her own ideas about the whereabouts of his handcuffs.

"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford legal representation, one can and will be provided for you free of charge," Emily said, while cuffing Martin McCulkin.

It took them fifteen minutes to get McCulkin from his place to the precinct and into interrogation, a time that was used by their suspect to continuously complain – and bring up the word 'harassment' a few times.

"When's the time you saw Kevin Lynch?" Morgan asked, taking a seat opposite of Martin.

"At work, maybe four or five days ago. Can someone please tell me why I am here?"

"Kevin Lynch blackmailed you, in regards of your… preferences of clothing at some times…" Morgan said, phrasing it careful which got him a confused look from Martin at first before it dawned the other man.

"Yes he did. And… because he is dead you now think I did it. That's harassment…"

"I fail to see how that could be harassment, but… what were you doing that night when Kevin Lynch died?"

"You are just pissy cause your girlfriend totally digs me. Me, the nerd with the glasses, instead of you, the brawny cop. Age of the geek, baby. Sooner or later they all come to their senses. And because you realized she wasn't that much into you anymore, but now into me and feared you'd be left for someone like me, you now decide on arresting me and…. Making me a suspect, hoping I'd get scared and run away. But it won't work – she wants me. And for a girl like her, I'll fight…" Martin said and Morgan wondered about his opponent's sanity.

"Um… yeah. Back to Lynch's death. Where were you the night he died?"

"I don't know, probably drunk in some bar. Not that I really care or want to care. Did I hate Lynch? You bet. Did I want him dead? Most likely. Did I do it? Probably not.," Martin said, but before Morgan could get a word in, his suspect continued. "I hated him and it certainly didn't change when he started blackmailing me. I mean, yes we get paid rather generously, but that doesn't mean I need to shove six-hundred bucks down Lynch's throat. It was annoying, but my secret was worth that. I couldn't need to have the whole company know about my - free-time activities."

"So you have no alibi for the night of the murder?"

"Please… what would be my motive? Because Lynch blackmailed me? He did blackmail me for almost two years now. Don't you think I would have ended that a whole lot sooner?"

"Maybe it wasn't blackmail. Maybe you just decided to finally fight what you thought should be yours - Penelope Garcia."

"She and Lynch had split three months ago," Martin laughed. "Why would I need to kill him three months after they split, when he wasn't in the picture anymore?"

"Well, you know women. They always end up wanting to get back to what they used to have. Maybe you worried about Kevin becoming a possibility again and… decided on stabbing him. After all, you like to dress up in women's clothes and shoes, so you had access to the murder weapon."

"Which was?"

"A stiletto. What's your shoe size, Martin?"

"That is harassment. Just because I like dressing up in woman clothes and shoes does not mean I go around and kill people…"

"Well, we'll see about that. At this moment colleagues of mine are going through your apartment and you can rest assured we will check out the names of your alibi."

"You are wasting your time, Detective. I didn't do it," Martin said confidant and Morgan just shook his head.

"Why don't you let me be the judge of that?" A moment later he got up, and took Martin McCulkin with him, bringing him to the holding cells.

Feeling his phone ring, he had a feeling who it could be – but before he could answer it, his phone went quiet again. Having martin in his cell, Morgan checked the display, happy that his suspicion had been right. He hit redial and after only two or three rings she answered the phone.

"And here I thought you'd already forgotten about me again," he heard her laugh, making him laugh as well. As if he ever could forget about her again.

"How could I after last night?"

"So… you sneak out of bedrooms often?" she asked innocently, with a teasing in her voice.

"Usually I would have woken you up, getting a repeat of last night's workout, but you looked really gorgeous, laying there so peaceful. And after the last few days I figured it would only be fair."

"Fair would have been to wake me up and get that… repeat," he heard her reply and needed to sigh.

"I wish you would have mentioned that earlier, than I wouldn't have needed to take care of it myself…"

With his comment there was silence for a moment, Penelope's breathing was the only thing he heard.

"Instead you left me with the cleaning up. Is that how it's going to be from now on? You create the mess and I'll be there to clean up after you?"

Morgan just chuckled for a moment, loving how she said 'from now on'. That for sure meant he had that date tonight, he was sure about that.

"Well… I am terribly sorry and will promise to make it up to you, Baby Girl. Tonight," he offered and knew she get his teasing.

"I was about to ask you about that anyway. What… what have you planned for tonight?"

"You'll see," Morgan answered mysteriously. Mainly, because he himself had still no clue what they'd do.

"I see. Can you at least give me a rough idea what I should wear?"

And now he was in trouble. How could he tell her what to wear if he himself didn't even know where they'd be going? Maybe charming would help.

"Oh, baby, that question I would love to answer with 'Wear nothing at all', but I have a feeling that might maybe be slightly underdressed than."

"So…. Jeans and a shirt okay?" she asked and Morgan somehow had issues imagining her in jeans and a t-shirt.

"Well, I was hoping for maybe something … um… similar to last night's outfit in all fairness," he laughed.

After a few moments of silence he heard her asking "So how is that day going for you?"

"Not too bad in all fairness. I just brought your friend from last night in. You should have seen his face when he realized that your … um… boyfriend also is a cop, and even better works the case he now is my new prime suspect."

"You're questioning McCulkin? Oh… I'll … I'll be there in a whiff…"

And of course that'd get her interest.

"Oh no, Baby Girl, you won't," he said quickly, knowing she probably was already half out of the door.

"But…" he heard her protest.

"Listen, this is an ongoing investigation, and the fact that I already told you just now we brought someone in could potentially cost me my job. Furthermore I don't really see what you could do. You wouldn't be allowed to listen to the investigation or anything, so…. Coming down here might be just a waste of time for you, sweetheart," he explained.

"You call me wanting to see you a waste of time?" she teased sweetly and oh boy, she was playing unfair.

"You have a very cute way of turning things around, against me," he laughed. "And whatever I'll be saying now will start a discussion anyways. So… I won't say anything at all – other than I see you at seven tonight, when I pick you up from your place."

"Okay," came her short answer. Too short. He knew he couldn't keep her back. If she wanted to come and see him, there was nothing he could do. So maybe he should just let her have her way and … make the best of it.

"And I somehow have a feeling I might be seeing you before seven, so… I could do with some coffee, when you are already on your way, which I assume you are…."

The end of their conversation was quickly reached and she hung up, leaving Morgan laughing.

"Prentiss, I need your help," Morgan said to his partner a few moments later. Emily was hunched over some file, which she seemed to study closely.

"What is it I can help you with?"

"For a first date… what do you think would be perfect? Well, for someone like Penelope."

"You mean, you actually slept with her without a date first?" Emily asked surprised and Morgan was confused.

"What makes you think slept with her?"

"Well, your handcuffs were the first clue. Handcuffs? Seriously?" she asked, but went on straight away. "And then … you didn't shave this morning. And you always shave. I figured you didn't have time to do so… because you stayed someplace else…"

"You take your job too serious," Morgan remarked at which his partner just laughed.

"Yes and when I solve your case, you'll love me for it…" she said, tapping on the file in front of her.

"Why? What do you got there?" Morgan asked curiously, taking the file from Emily.

"Not entirely sure, but it looks like Lynch had a second account and that…it had a rather frequent traffic on it. I'll keep an eye on it and keep you updated with anything I get…" Emily said.

"Okay, this… this case gets stranger with every minute. But… back to my date…"

"How about something…more domestic?" Emily suggested.

"Domestic?"

"Yeah, you know, cooking, candle light… all of that. Would be something different…."

He was thinking about Emily's suggestion and he had to admit at first he really didn't get too excited about it, but now – the longer he thought about it – it actually started to sound really good. He would have her all to himself, without anyone around… and the he spotted her walking through the door. "Well, what a lovely surprise."

"I know. I … happened to be in the neighborhood," Penelope laughed back, a bit nervous.

"I bet you were," he smiled when she stepped in front of him, taking one of the two coffee cups she had in her tray. The next thing he saw was Emily, taking the second coffee.

"That was actually… mine," Penelope protested slightly.

"Well, consider yourself lucky. I see this as my payment and you get off really cheap with just coffee…"

"Payment for… what?" Penelope asked confused.

"For him, talking you, all morning long. I think it was the only topic he actually talked about the whole day so far. Except for the two second when he mentioned we need to get a warrant and have to arrest Martin McCulkin."

And that was a lie. Morgan's hadn't spoken about Penelope at all for the entire morning, in order to keep his nosy, curious partner out of this for as long as possible. That way she couldn't give any advice to the blonde.

"Speaking about Martin… anything?" Penelope asked all of a sudden, and Morgan wasn't entirely sure whether he should be happy for not asking further about him talking about her, or whether her going right for their new suspect should be a concern.

"Listen Penelope, I know you won't like this, but I really would like to see you…not getting so involved. I mean… I understand why you do it, why you feel you have to do it, but I'd rather see you not stalking after possible suspects. You never know what could go wrong. Turns out Martin was rather … into you, like a step away from obsession and last night could easily have ended in other ways than what it did…" he finally said and saw Penelope looking at him concerned.

"But I…" she tried to argue, but stopped.

"I know we… I know it does look like it was a single incident that cost Lynch his life and although we don't know all the details yet, we can't rule out that people that know him, were or are still close to him aren't in danger either. And the last thing I really would want is you ending up in the line of fire when push comes to shove. I really don't want you in danger, Baby Girl," he said softly, having gotten up by now and caressing her face softly. And he loved to touch her, to feel her soft skin under his fingers.

He noticed her turning away slightly, looking around and for a moment he wondered about her. He wondered whether she felt uncomfortable at this moment, but before he could say anything, she had turned towards him again, a sudden fire in her eyes. But before either could say anything he heard a voice from behind her.

"I.. I'm sorry, I am looking for a Detective Derek Morgan?"

Looking up he saw a middle aged guy, dark hair with a few grey areas, wearing a suit. And great, f that now was McCulkin's lawyer he'd scream. He had asked martin several times whether he wanted a lawyer present, but that guy kept constantly saying no.

"That would be me. Can I help you?" Morgan finally said.

"I'm here about the Lynch case…" the man said and took a step closer, smiling.

"The Lynch case?" Morgan heard Penelope ask in the same moment he asked 'And you are?'

Morgan was ignored and the guy turned his attention towards Penelope. Great.

"Are you involved with the case as well?" he heard the man asking towards Penelope.

"I… I might," she said vaguely at the same time Morgan said "Penelope, don't answer that…"

He already had enough of this before it even began. He had a weird feeling about this man. And somehow… he seemed familiar.

He saw the guy turning towards him now, smiling.

"Penelope?" he asked. "As in Penelope Garcia?"

"Um…" Penelope said and Morgan started getting fed up. He wanted to know who this was.

"Who are you?" he finally asked again and this time he saw the guy getting out a card, handing it to Penelope, who handed it onwards to him.

"I'm David Rossi, and I'll make you a star," he heard the man say the next moment. And did he just say David Rossi? The legendary David Rossi?

"Ex-excuse me?" Penelope laughed, nervously.. "I… think you mistake me for someone…"

"No… you are Penelope Garcia, ex-girlfriend of Kevin Lynch who died a few days ago. He was stabbed with a stiletto."

"David Rossi, like… like the author?" Penelope asked.

"Yes, I also used to work for the FBI, but that… well, after a while you kinda had seen it all. SO I decided to write books about what I'd seen. Which is why I am here today… Because of you, kitten," Rossi said and Morgan saw him smile at Penelope, who returned the smile. Was he trying to charm his girl?

"I am not entirely sure what you would want with me, Mr. Rossi. I mean… you write books, I… don't, so…"

"David, call me David please." Oh, please, Morgan thought to himself and was about to stop this. "And your story… is exactly what I was looking for. I would love to use it, make you a main character in my next book. A book about this case, which id Hollywood material. It has everything that sells. Sex, porn, kinks and fetish, affairs and girlfriends and… a stiletto as murder weapon. And on top, it has you, a smart, young, beautiful woman, who decided to investigate the death of her fiancé, a death she was accused of and now has to solve to clear her name."

"I… um… Kevin Lynch wasn't my fiancé," Penelope explained and Morgan saw Rossi waving it off.

"Darling that is called creative process and freedom of a writer. We just have to slightly amend the story, to make you more likeable…"

"I am not likeable at this moment?" Penelope asked, slightly taken aback.

That's my girl, Morgan thought, glad she gave him some attitude.

"Yes, you are. You are a doll. But… you are the ex-girlfriend. That would look suspicious why exactly you try to solve a case of a murder of the guy that cheated on you, kitten."

And what was with the constant 'kitten'. In his eyes, Penelope was a temptress, and not some cute lap cat.

"Sorry, but.. how exactly do you know about these details?" Morgan asked irritated. The details of this case were not given out – to anyone.

"Papers and … well I have a few friends that keep me updated with interesting cases. And this…. man, this is a goldmine," he heard Rossi's answer

"Yes and an ongoing investigation. And you aren't supposed to know about any of that."

"Well… I happen to know about it…"

"Yes, maybe. But this is an ongoing murder investigation and if you don't want to be on my suspect list, I'd suggest you leave. Now."

"Fair enough," Rossi said, turning towards Penelope. "Could I invite you for a coffee? Or lunch? Or dinner even?"

Slowly he started pissing Morgan off. And no way would he let Penelope go anywhere with Rossi.

"Um…." he heard Penelope reply. Time to step in, Morgan decided.

"I don't think so. As per a law you are prohibited from talking to witnessed and/or suspects of an ongoing murder investigation. As well… she already had plans for dinner."

To get his point across he rested a hand on Penelope's shoulder, pulling her softly towards him a few inches.

David Rossi looked between him and her for a moment, before it seemed like realization hit him. "This is even better. The Case Detective having a thing with the first prime suspect who now has been cleared – or … well, will be eventually. I couldn't have come up with a better idea myself…"

And all of a sudden he was gone. Just as quickly has he had arrived. What the heck?

"What on earth was that?" Penelope asked a moment later.

"I have no idea. But… promise me you'll be staying out of my case," he said and added mentally and away from that guy.

He really hoped this time, she would listen. And tonight would come soon.