So folks, this is my first piece of creative writing in well over a decade, so apologies there. Also, I am not an expert on the 20's. I will try and keep things somewhat realistic, but I'm also likely to have things or references from the 30's. I'm writing this for my own entertainment so I will do as I please, but I hope you'll join me on this weird journey

Enjoy!

ps: it gets gay, don't worry

Chicago 1927...

Jenifer sat at her desk, the dusty oranges of a sunset streaming through the blinds. Tossing the small note pad in her hand down onto the cluttered surface in front of her. With an exasperated sigh she stood and began collecting the few items she needed before she left from around her office, a couple of files, a few different notepads, and her keys. Tucking them each into a brown leather satchel before flinging it over her shoulder.

Turning back to the small space locking the door with the words "Jenifer Jareau Private Investigator". Her shoulders slumped the slightest bit and a small eye roll was barely noticeable as she turned to continue down the hallway. Heh that feels like an over exaggeration, lately its been all over dressed women dripping in jewels that their husband's got them. Begging me to find out they were cheating or some other scandal. Find the proof so they could leave a loveless marriage that only ever served as a way for them to have a taste of wealth. I guess it's kind of amusing, to me anyways, that these men's secrets will be revealed with their own cash. I do feel a little sorry when I see the ones come in tired, defeated, regretful, and their eyes swimming with sadness. The women who really thought they could make it work, those ones hurt the most. If it wasn't that then it was serving the papers for a divorce that the evidence was already abundant. While it wasn't glamorous nor what I wanted, it pays well.

Walking down the familiar streets to her favourite little cafe, lost in her own thoughts knowing the route with her eyes closed. She moved further to the side seeing a small group of young men walking her direction, refocusing her thoughts and quickly sinking back into deep thought.

Suddenly she felt a harsh bump to her shoulder and heard the laughter of the men she had passed. She quickly turned on her heel looking directly at the group before shouting "What is wrong with you, did your mother never teach you to treat a lady with respect". Jenifer had a gaze of steel and flames as she stalked closer to where the men had stopped. Looking at the man she had assumed was the one to run into her dead in the eyes. The other two men looked bemusedly directly at him, openly smirking.

The young man that she could now see was closer to a boy, no more than sixteen. He looked directly into her eyes unwavering, and with a scoff replied "You think of yourself as a lady?" He chuckled. "Look at yourself, there's nothin' ladylike about ya other than that hair. What a waste."

While by traditional standards he was right, she stood before him in a pair of tweed, well tailored, high waisted slacks, a simple white blouse, a dark wool pea-coat left open, no makeup, and a pair of flat boots that would be highly stylish had they been on a man. She was taller than average, stronger than most men, hands calloused lightly from years of work. Despite that Jenifer knew she was attractive, hell the amount of dates she's been asked out on alone would be enough of a reminder of that.

She wasn't in the mood to argue with a bunch of kids, she was confident in herself, what she wore had nothing to do with what she was capable of. Most of her clothing choices were made out of practicality. With a sigh and an over-exaggerated move flicking her coat further open, resting her hand on her hip. Impatiently tapping her fingers.

The other two boys noticed immediately their eyes going wide, while one grabbed at the arm of the boy currently staring JJ down, the other turned around nearly falling flat on his face as he quickly walked away. Trying to shrug off his obviously frightened friend, he wasn't letting up. As he looked down at the panicked boy to his side he caught a glimpse of what must have been the cause of his reaction. The handgun strapped to the blond's hip. She looked on with a small smirk as he stammered holding his hands out in-front of himself as he backed away. "Hey, look we're sorry lady, don't want any trouble."

JJ had to try her hardest to suppress a giggle, schooling her features quickly, replying with a smirk, "Well then kid, you best get out of here. Respect people or someone may not be as kind." Turning to walk away without so much as a glance behind her.

"Y- yes.. Yes ma'am." The words could be heard, barely above a whisper, behind her retreating form. With a shake of her head and a chuckle she resumed the path she has walked time and time again.

The air was crisp and cool, only a light breeze blowing the crunchy leaves through the streets, causing the distinctive sound of fall. She smiled lightly, finding comfort in the world around her if just for a moment. Reaching out and pulling the door open to the cafe she frequents, the small bell above the door announces her arrival.

Walking up to the counter, hands balled deep within her pockets for warmth, she smiled widely at the woman behind the counter which was returned in kind. "Hey Mary, has Penelope been around yet?"

"No love, haven't seen her at all today. Worrying, that means she hasn't had more than one cup today." The short brunette behind the counter replied, hair tied back loosely, the odd curl escaping. A small smudge of flour right above her eyebrow and the slight sheen of sweat spoke of fresh sweets to be sampled and JJ couldn't resist.

Glancing down at her wrist to check the time, figuring it wouldn't be long now. "Thanks Mary, I'm sure you'll be safe. You are the one handing her the goods after all." JJ said with a wink. "So, what delicious goodies did you bake today? I'll take one of whatever it is and my regular coffee please."

"That would be strawberry puffs, though they didn't turn out the most beautiful. They are indeed delicious." Mary said with a smile as she began busying herself with the order at hand. JJ laid her payment on the counter, stealthily sliding in a generous tip to the jar off to the side, avoiding the argument that would be inevitable from the stubborn barista. A stubbornness that could rival her own. Almost.

The chime of a bell indicated another patron entering the cafe and based on the loud sigh and hurried clacking of heels, both of the women already knew who it was. Mary quickly grabbed another mug and poured two without even turning around. Quickly mixing them to her friend's preference and placing them on the counter before the visibly agitated Penelope even reached them.

No words, only what could be discribed as a growl escaped her lips as she reached her cup, and turned to sit in their regular seat near the window. JJ shrugged looking at the brunette and mouthed an apology. Picking up a plate with two pastries and her own cup, turning to the table where her friend sat.

Setting the plate down in the middle of the small table as a peace offering before taking her seat across from the dangerous looking woman. Silence was the safest conversation for the time being. Her scowl slowly softened as she began to get further down into her cup. Jenifer was amazed how quickly a mood could shift with one simple beverage. Meeting the spectacled eyes of Penelope she slid the plate closer to her. Raising her brows over her cup before speaking. "So, what's got the ever so perky Penelope Garcia, goddess of all information, in such a sour mood."

Penelope sighed, looking down into her now empty mug. Right on cue Mary walked up quietly behind her and replaced it with a fresh, steaming cup of her favourite liquid, quickly making her way back to work as a few other customers entered.

"Where should I start." She answered, looking up to the ceiling as if she were trying to gain strength from whatever deity would give it. JJ thought to herself that her friend did always have a flair for the dramatic, releasing a small chuckle. She was met with eyes squinted and full of fire as Penelope's face slowly lowered to meet her eye.

In a move reminiscent of earlier events on her journey here, she half raised her hands. Trying, only partially succeeding however, to apologize with the biggest, brightest smile she could pull off. Penelope narrowed her eyes slightly before allowing a single amused laugh and starting the story of her day.

"Well, Spencer has been completely and totally focused on organizing the Russian publications, which by the looks of what I had seen hadn't been done ever. He also spoke of a friend from college coming to work here. A friend is surprising enough, a lady friend is even more of a shock. Who knew our boy genius was a social butterfly in his college years. He said something about having to clean up the Russian section for her. Then something else about her being a human lie detector, at that point I tuned him out thinking about how much of a crush he has to be doing all that. As entertaining as it was watching him get all worked up over his lady friend, that left me to deal with all the requests on my own." While JJ wasn't fully able to know all the inner workings of an archive, the information that Penelope has been able to retrieve has proven that it is an invaluable resource. She settled in, just enjoying the comfort of her friend's rambling story.

The now perky blond continued. "Then a few hours ago, something I can only describe as a life changing event had happened. He walked in. I nearly fainted on the spot just so he could catch me in his big strong arms." Her cheeks flushed a bright pink as she recounted the memory.

JJ nodded urging her to continue. "He was tall, dark and handsome. I'm a girl of simple needs. Once he got to me he was looking a little flustered and worried. I have to say, it was a good look on him. Anyways, he comes up and asks for his sister's most recent address, I thought that was strange. As I was taking down the information I looked up and was about to ask him about it. Before I could even speak, he was answering all the questions I was about to ask. He said he doesn't live here, just home to help out. That his mother is unwell, and she hasn't been in touch with his sister for a month. Apparently that was something that wasn't normal for her. He said he got a letter from his mom and he was on the next train out here as soon as he read it."

The investigator in front of her was hanging on every word, at some point she had slipped a notepad and pencil out of her bag and was taking notes. With a quirked brow the eccentric woman continued, "Easy enough, but with Spence preoccupied I had a little bit of a backlog of requests. I told him that he'd have to come back tomorrow, but that I would make sure it was the first thing I would do in the morning. Then, even weirder. He sighed and leaned in closer over the counter, I thought I was going to just clim-"

"Focus Pen." Jenifer cut her off knowing exactly where her thought was about to go. She leaned in closer, trying to absorb every detail.

She shook her head slightly before continuing. "He asked for whatever I could get on two guys. I tried to ask why, but he just gave me the sweetest smile and said and I quote 'Oh come on baby girl, I know you can do it. I have faith in you.' Then he slid me over a piece of paper with the names on it." She digs around in her purse before pulling out a small scrap of paper, before she could even move to hand it over, it was quickly removed from her grasp.

I'm really glad I'm this woman's friend, she would make a dangerously good pickpocket. She thought to herself, looking across the table taking in the investigator's expression. Her brows furrowed as she read the names, mouthing them to herself a few times. "Do those mean something to you Jay?"

"You said he has to come back to the archive tomorrow to get more information?" Penelope just nodded, taking notice of the intense look. Seeing the wheels turning in her friend's head. "Do you think you could hold off on giving him the information until he comes to see me? I have a few things I want to ask him."

Seeing the look of hesitation on the archivist's face "Please, Pen. I know you want to know more before you agree. Please just trust me." Penelope nodded once more.

Jenifer stood, slinging her bag over her shoulder. Leaning down and kissing the top of the other woman's head before running out of the cafe. With a "thank you" shouted over her shoulder as she reached the door.

I hope you enjoyed. Please leave a review, lemme know what you'd like to see or what needs improvement.

Thank you for making it this far.

And thank you for just being.