Chapter 8

I know, I know…It's been a little while since I posted an update. I hope everyone has been able to stay safe. Thank you for all of the reviews…I love reading each and every one of them. I intended this to be just a quick chapter…a tease…but once I started, I wanted to finish. I hope you like what's next.

"There's a very attractive woman over there at the bar. The one in the yellow dress."

Luke stopped in the middle of bringing his fork to his mouth. "Ah, thanks, but.."

"Oh, I don't mind. I mean, it looks like she's with some friends for a girl's night, but I'm sure they wouldn't mind you stepping in for a quick introduction."

Luke put the fork with the bite of fish back down on his plate, his eyebrow raised as he watched Penelope. "Maybe. But that's really not my style."

"Oh, I know…you like blind dates. But, you know what they say…when opportunity knocks…" Garcia's voice trailed off. She took a bit of her potatoes and looked over the table at him, eyes wide and unblinking.

Luke tilted his head. Something was off. He'd thought they were having a great dinner…but she seemed intent on him going and introducing himself to some random woman at the bar. He took a sip of his wine, then leaned a little closer over the table.

"Penelope… what's going on?"

She blinked. "What? Just trying to help."

"Help what?"

"Well, you. I mean, I know it's been a while since you and Lisa broke up…you should get out more."

"I am."

She tilted her head. "Oh, I mean more than just dinner with a friend…you know… like on a real date."

Luke shook his head. "I AM." He said a little more firmly.

Garcia reached for her wine glass and took a healthy sip. "You're at dinner with me. I mean a real date."

Luke shook his head and sat back. "Huh."

"Huh what? What's 'Huh" mean?"

Luke sighed. "It means I am on a real date…but evidently you don't think the same."

Penelope stared at him. He could practically see the wheels turning behind her big brown eyes. She slowly shook her head. "No…we're just having dinner."

"Not the way I see it. I invited you to dinner, yes…as my date."

"But…I mean…JJ said…and I…"

"What did JJ say?"

Garcia looked down at her plate and mumbled.

"Sorry? I didn't catch that."

Garcia sighed and looked up. "She said we were just having dinner. I mean…she called and I asked her help in picking an outfit. She said I didn't need to stress so much because it was just dinner with our friend Luke."

Luke slowly nodded, finally figuring out what was going through Penelope's mind. "So you thought this wasn't a real date."

"Well, yeah."

Luke smiled. "Well, then I've done it."

"Done what?"

Luke leaned closer over the table. "I've outsmarted the brilliant Penelope Garcia." Luke reached for her hand and held it in his own. "Because when I asked you to go to dinner with me at your party…that was totally me asking you on a date. Not as friends. Not as former colleagues. I wanted a chance to have a real date with you. With a nice restaurant and a bottle of wine…and even dessert for later."

"But…then…that means…"

Luke shrugged. "Yes Penelope…that means I like you. A lot. And I've gotta tell you…I think this is just the first date of many."

Penelope shook her head. "But.."

"Penelope… tell me the truth. When you were getting ready for this evening… were you getting a little nervous?"

"Well, yes but…"

"And yesterday…did you find yourself watching the clock and thinking about this evening?"

"Yes…but it was Friday and-"

"And have I given any impression- any at all- that I was looking for someone else this evening?"

Penelope shook her head silently, eyes still watching his intently.

"Or that I wasn't 100% interested in our conversation?"

"No, of course not."

Luke nodded. "But there is one thing I forgot to mention…and I really should have…even before we left your apartment."

Penelope frowned, thinking. "What was that?"

Luke leaned even closer and said, "I think you look absolutely gorgeous this evening Ms. Garcia."

Penelope smiled. "You…you do?"

"Mm hmm. In fact, I can't wait to see what dress you wear for our next date…which I'm hoping will be very soon."

Penelope felt her cheeks warm as they started to blush. She smiled even wider at Luke. He leaned back into his chair and took another sip of his wine, his dark brown eyes watching her over his glass.

"So…are you ready for dessert?"

"Dess- oh, I mean…I don't have to-"

Luke nodded and waived down their waiter. "I think we'd like dessert…but could we get that to go?" Penelope didn't hear him order…didn't even remember nodding at the two desserts he asked for her opinion. She simply nodded. Her mind was still reeling. Luke Alvez called her gorgeous. She was on a real date with Luke Alvez.

Penelope had been on dates before. Lots of them…. but none of her dates were as good looking as Luke. In fact, the last time she'd been to dinner with someone as hot as Luke was the last time Morgan had surprised her with a night on the town. And that was before he had started dating Savannah.

The waiter returned with Luke's credit card in a small padded leather folder and placed a small paper bag with handles on the table. "Here you are Mr. Alvez. Thank you for dining with us this evening. I hope you come back again soon. Enjoy your dessert." The waiter gave her a nod and a smile and then they were alone again. Luke stood up and stepped to help Penelope out of her chair.

"Shall we go back to your place and enjoy our desserts?"

Penelope, still speechless, nodded her head. She reached for the bag and felt Luke's warm hand on her back, guiding her to the entrance. Once outside, he nodded at the valet. He looked over and took off his suit jacket and placed it around Penelope's shoulders. "It's a little chillier now. Here."

Penelope grabbed the lapels and looked up at Luke. "Thank you." He smiled.

Garcia fumbled with the key. She finally managed to unlock the door and could hear the faint sounds of collar tags jingling like bells. As the door opened, Roxie came up to the door to greet them, her tail wagging. Garcia stepped inside and moved to the side to allow Luke to walk inside as well.

"Hey Rox. You've been behaving girl?" Luke reached down to rub Roxie between her ears. He looked over at Penelope, who was placing her keys and purse on the side table. "So you mind if I take Roxie outside really fast?"

"No, of course. Would…would you like some coffee? Or I have tea?"

Luke nodded. "Coffee sounds good, if you don't mind. Roxie and I will be back…just lock the door behind us and I'll knock when we're ready."

Garcia nodded and closed and locked the door behind the pair. She went into the kitchen and set up the coffee maker. She got out two mugs and pulled out the creamer. She walked back into her bedroom and looked in the mirror. "I'm on a date. A real date. With Luke Alvez."

Sergio meowed a hello at her from his position across her bed. "Yes, I know you knew that. But…I thought it was just as friends. Now it's just a little more…real."

Sergio yawned and twitched his tail, as if telling her he already knew that too. Garcia sighed and went into the bathroom to wash her hand. She smoothed her hair then walked back toward the kitchen. She took out the desserts and got a wooden tray and a couple of forks. The coffee maker beeped its completed cycle. Just as Garcia was folding the small bag the desserts had been in, she heard Luke's firm knock at the door.

As she opened the door, Roxie waited for Luke's permission to go inside. He gave the command and she walked into the kitchen. They could hear her getting a long drink of water. Luke grinned. "She had a little run outside. I think she likes that park behind the building."

Garcia nodded. "Yeah, we've been going there in the evenings when I get home. Lots of squirrels and rabbits around here…a few chipmunks too. I bet she enjoys all the different smells."

Luke nodded. "Let's hope they are quicker than Roxie. I wouldn't want her to actually catch one."

"Oh no", Garcia agreed. She led the way into the kitchen. "I have some creamer. Is it ok if we just sit in the living room to have our dessert?"

"That sounds great." Luke went to the sink and washed his hands. He then poured two cups of coffee and handed one to her. He waited while she added flavored creamer to hers and then added plain cream to his own. She put her coffee mug on the wooden tray and led the way to the living room. She placed the tray on the table and sat down on the couch. Luke sat next to her.

"So, what did you think of the restaurant?" Luke asked.

"Oh, it was delicious. I'm sorry I should have said so earlier."

Luke shook his head. "No, you're fine. I thought it was great, too. Maybe next time we should try the Moussaka."

Penelope smiled. Next time? "I've heard that's good."

"Me too. What other kinds of restaurants do you like?"

"Well, just about anything. I was vegetarian for a while…but now I just try to stick with chicken and fish. But I'm not a fan of sushi."

"I like some kinds…but I'm not a big raw fish fan either."

"I haven't tried any that didn't have raw fish."

"Well, there's California rolls…or some with tempura shrimp…or even just vegetable rolls."

"Maybe I should try one of those."

"I like the Japanese restaurants that have the hibachi as well as sushi on the menu…kind of hedge my bet a little that I will like it." Luke laughed.

Penelope nodded. "Good point."

She picked up the remote. "Would you like to watch something on TV?"

"Sure. How about a movie. You can pick. I'm up for anything except a cartoon."

Penelope frowned. "What's wrong with cartoons?"

Luke laughed and held his hands up in front of him. "Nothing. Just…pick something else for tonight."

"Well, I mean, I wasn't going to pick a cartoon…not that there's anything wrong with them."

Luke smiled and watched as she selected a movie…this one a romantic comedy. He sat back into the cushion as the movie started and placed his arm over the back of the couch. He smiled as Garcia sat back into the cushions as well.

Luke looked down and smiled. After they had shared their desserts – a chocolate cake with mousse and a piece of baklava loaded with nuts and honey- Garcia hadn't made it through the entire movie. She had fallen asleep and now was resting her head on his shoulder. His arm was wrapped around her shoulder, his hand on her waist. She had kicked off her heels and her legs were tucked beside her on the couch.

"Penelope." He whispered. "Hey, Garcia."

She muttered in her sleep and moved a little closer, her head now under his chin. He shook his head. It seemed like she was out for the count. He carefully extracted himself from her and stood up, stretching his arms over his head and moving his neck in a circle. He glanced over at Roxie, who was watching him from where she lay on the rug.

"I guess we should get going, huh?"

Roxie's ears twitched, but she didn't get up from her position.

Luke reached down and gently picked up Penelope from the couch. He held her close to him and walked back to her bedroom. Sergio woke up and quickly jumped off the bed and ran into the open closet. Luke gently laid Penelope down onto the bed and lifted a quilt from the footboard to lay over her. He gently removed the barrette from her hair and took off her glasses and set both on the nightstand beside her bed. He couldn't help himself. He gently rand his hand over her hair. So soft, he thought to himself.

Garcia murmured again and her eyes fluttered open. "Wha-" she started.

"Shh. It's ok. I'll lock up behind me. I'll talk to you tomorrow, ok?"

She nodded, still half asleep. Luke smiled and stroked her hair again. He leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for a terrific first date Ms. Garcia. I'm looking forward to our next one."

Penelope nodded, already on her way back to her dreams. Luke stepped away and turned out the lamp beside her bed, then walked to the door.