A/N: heyyyo! back with more. i've been double-timing on stories, but this one got priority, so here's some new prendoza content! thank y'all for the faves, follows and reviews. i like having people in this with me;) anywho, i have nothing more to say. hope you enjoy! xoxo
Sitting at her desk with a fresh mug of coffee in one hand, Emily pushed her reading glasses into place. A small stack of brown bureau files were her focus. In her time as a unit chief, and even in her years spent as an Interpol supervisor, she had taken to reading leftover paperwork like it was the morning newspaper. Of course, she had boundaries. Seeing as it was the weekend, she wouldn't read too much or work too hard. Debriefing cases was simply a productive way to start her Saturday.
Besides, she had other plans. Housekeeping things like picking up a couple of new work shirts from the mall and trimming her bangs. In addition to this, Mendoza had planned to stop by. This was a relatively new addition to today's simple agenda, as her boyfriend was supposed to be out of town visiting with his daughter. Granted, he did fly out on Wednesday, but his week-long trip had been cut short by a case which demanded his attention back in D.C..
Just then, Emily's phone vibrated. Tearing her attention away from the classified documents, she tossed a glance to her screen.
Come downstairs. Read the text from Andrew.
Emily frowned. Still in her bedtime clothes and robe, she shook her head. She wanted to see him, but she was expecting him a little bit later, if not very late that evening. So, to say that she wasn't at all ready to greet a guest was an understatement. But, having been in this relationship with him long enough, she knew he didn't care too much about how she looked first thing in morning. If anything, he was always sure to remind her how much he loved her, no matter what her appearance.
This, however, could not change the additional fact that Prentiss simply wasn't ready to abandon the warm comfort her home for the cool fall air. Mendoza had a key code, he was practically best buddies with security, he could've come to her apartment door and entered at his own leisure, but he didn't. And while curiosity made her wonder what was waiting downstairs, she picked up the phone to call him and to make sure it was something worth leaving her morning routine for.
"Hey, beautiful." His mellow tone carried over into her ear after one ring.
"Hey," She greeted him,"Case closed early?"
"Yea, we finished up late last night."
"That's good." Emily commented, mindlessly taking a sip of her dark roast, "Hopefully you were put to good use. I would hate for it to have been a routine case cutting into your family vacation time."
"Nah, it was a pretty nasty one." Came his response,"So, I suppose it's a good thing I swore an oath to protect the people, and not oath to endlessly get lost in Halloween corn mazes with my daughter."
They both shared good-hearted laugh before he spoke again,"Anyway, enough about my case. How're you this morning?"
"I'm good." She exhaled quietly.
"Good enough to climb down a few flights of stairs to see me?"
"I have a better idea," Emily queued up her suggestion,"Why don't you take the elevator up to see me? It's chilly out and I'm still in my pajamas…"
Mendoza chuckled,"You know I would, but right now I have something I want you to see."
"Mhmm," She hummed as he confirmed her suspicion,"I figured as much, but may I ask what it is?"
"Now you know I'm not going to spoil a good surprise." He teased.
Emily arched her brow. The mystery compelled her curiosity. With all vagueness, he was 90% successful at coaxing her downstairs. And based off the smile she could hear in his voice through the phone, it was hard not to wonder what— at 7 in the morning— he was genuinely excited to show her.
"Please?" He pressed sincerely and softly, "Pretty please?"
Emily groaned weakly. Begging pushed him to 100%. "I'll be down in 5."
Ending her phone call, Prentiss stood up from her desk and stepped into her bedroom. After pulling on a bra and putting on a trench coat in place of her robe, she kicked on some shoes and took her hair out of the messy ponytail she'd tied it back in. Then, she exited her apartment, and headed for the elevator. A short descent 3 floors down put her at the complex lobby.
The few sips of strong, dark brew were now circulating through her veins, fueling her as she stepped through the main door into the outdoors. From underneath the overlook, it was hard to miss the sun coming up and the sky painted cheery hues of deep peach and buttery yellows. It was equally hard to miss him in the foreground of the sunrise, with a grin stretched across his face.
Not long after spotting him, Emily's mouth dropped open. Immediately, she saw what it was he wanted her to come downstairs and see. Standing beside him, with kick stand down and engine running, was a motorcycle.
"Oh my god…" She breathed,"Is this yours?"
Mendoza's smile widened when Emily's eyes, still behind her reading glasses, observed his impressive two-wheeled vehicle. Wax-shined black and brown paints covered the metal of the bike's body, and were strikingly complimented by sparkling silver rims. Overall the cycle presented itself as a vintage classic with modern accents and a brandname in orange lettering across the side.
"Emily, meet Ramona." He gestured proudly to the motorcycle.
"Ramona?" She asked as she approached and circled the bike.
"My mother used to read my sister and I the Beverly Cleary Ramona books as children," He explained with a shrug, "At first, I hated being dragged along to listen in, but after a while, I kind of became more into the books than my sister was."
Emily snickered,"That's adorable. And you were how old?"
"Seven years."
"And how old is this bike?" She asked, her fingers gliding over the brownish, bronze section that connected the metal frame to the bike's seat.
"A few years. 5 to be exact." He said, "I bought her back when I first moved to D.C.."
He didn't have to mention that it was most likely a mid-life crisis purchase. There were many things Prentiss' job taught her to do, but it didn't take a profiler to comprehend that, 5 years ago, a man in his late 40's, finalizing a divorce whilst enduring other family traumas— wanted a little joy in his life. And judging by the unwavering smile on his face, the joy he experienced was incalculable.
"So, you ready to take a ride with me?" He asked candidly.
At his inquiry, Emily's face shifted from mesmerization to stern and questioning. She backed away from the bike, crossing her arms over her chest and sitting her weight on her hip.
"Ride with you?" Her voice kicked up in pitch,"Do you know how many people are injured or die in motorcycle accidents a year?"
Mendoza shook his head. While she might've been intrigued and impressed by the vehicle just milliseconds ago, her logical and protective defenses were up. If he wanted a chance at fulfilling his proposition, he needed to assuage her concerns— and quick.
"I do know the statistics," He assured her,"But but I've taken the motorcycle road safety course. And, if it makes you feel better, I've got plenty of rider gear."
Andrew gestured to his outfit, which was composed of a solid pair of dark denim, a sturdy leather jacket, and a helmet in his hand. Then, he pointed to an additional helmet attached to the back of Ramona. He didn't often bring it along, but today he was hoping to have a plus one. After all, ever since purchasing the bike, he'd clichely dreamed of having a girl he loved seated on the back, holding onto him tightly while they rode over the open road.
"You'll drive safe?" Emily questioned, trying to garner more assurance as she considered his offer.
"We'll take back roads, so there will be less cars." He responded,"And I promise, promise I will not let you fall off."
A faint smile tugged at Emily's lips. She wasn't scared, per say, to hop on the back and join him for this ride. She'd already taken so many risks in life that this would seem like a drop in the bucket of her many adventurous or dangerous feats. But certainly, now that she was a little older, and especially since she had an entire team under her wing, she tried to take more precautions.
"So, is it yay or nay, Emily?" Andrew followed up,"I don't mean to rush you, but Ramona's getting impatient."
The brunette rolled her eyes in good humor and annoyance. Her decision was coming, and it would be in his favor. Because even as a smile was still set upon his face, something told her that not agreeing to this would just about break his spirit. Reservations aside, as she took in view of the morning sunrise once more, it was hard to turn down a potentially exquisite and almost cinematic moment.
"Alright." Emily finally said,"Let me go change into my rider gear, and then we can go wherever it is you have planned for us to go."
In response Mendoza immediately crossed to her, and gave her an appreciative kiss on the cheek,"Thank you, babe."
Emily nodded, then returned to her apartment. To properly dress for the ride, she traded her trench for a black leather jacket with matching leather gloves, and coupled it with dark skinny jeans and her favorite pair of boots. Giving her hair a quick brush through, she decided to leave her locks down so everything would fit easier into the helmet. Then, after stealing a few more sips of her cooling coffee, she made her way back to her biker boyfriend.
"Well, well, well. Look at you." Mendoza ogled her as she arrived, "You must've been playing games a moment ago. Pretending you didn't want to ride when this look screams 'I ride regularly!' "
"If that's your way of saying I look sexier than you, then you'd be correct." Emily quipped.
"Hey now— I've got the drip, I don't know what you're talking about."
Emily laughed. His motorcycle attire was something… different. A little bulky and out out-of-character for such a mild-mannered gentleman like himself. But frankly, it struck a chord with her rebellious inner teenager. Her younger self having notoriously been attracted to whatever was deemed "abhorrent" or "undignified" by her mother. His look was quite tantalizing, and if she hadn't already made up her mind to ride with him, she'd be tempted to ride in a different sense of the word.
"Let's get on the road." She said as she took the extra helmet off the back of the bike and fastened it under her chin.
"As you wish." He said and placed a helmet on his head as well.
Mendoza mounted the motorcycle, and Emily promptly straddled the small seat behind him. Taking the kickstand out of position, he revved the engine, which sent reverberating vibrations through both of their chests. One last time, Emily tugged at the strap of her helmet, then she leaned in close and wrapped her arms around his torso.
When they took off, her apartment complex quickly faded into the rear view mirror. So early in the day, it didn't take long for them to get outside the city limits. Shortly, there was nothing surrounding them but burning orange and browning yellow trees. And as they coasted through the mountains, the morning sun grew brighter and the sky grew more glorious.
Emily felt a peacefulness and calm. A sensation which was often accompanied by his presence, but which was intensified by this moment. The wind, crisp and cool, whipped past them relentlessly, but she couldn't be too cold with the warmth of their bodies pressed against one another. No matter what her future qualms with riding on this motorcycle would be, today, she was glad that she agreed to come along. Because, ultimately, this was a far better start to a Saturday morning.