Author's Note: Some fluff - a bit of loving smut (so rated M). I really love this chapter (totally just amused myself)...so I hope you do too! Let me know what you think?
The afternoon sun filters in through their spectacular stained glass window - and Luke and Penelope's entangled bodies seem to glow with a worldly beauty.
After their lovemaking, they both fell into a long much needed dreamless sleep - and they are about to wake - not yet - but when they do they will both feel rested and whole in a way neither gets to experience very often.
The sunbeams dance and kiss around them - a festival of joy - for sunbeams are always fraptuously happy to witness love.
Love. That is what this is - there is nothing tawdry about these two lovers - just a love that is delicious and nourishing to the spirits of the sunbeams as they taste their reality the way you or I might sip a glass of very very good wine at the best type of party - savouring the unique notes and character - but enjoying the company of those sipping with us even more.
The sunbeams are aware of course that there is a tinge of uncertainty - of desperation - of potential heartbreak between these two souls - but the honeyed notes of their connection are stronger than any bitter notes - if anything the risk that tangs this love makes it more exquisite.
If sunbeams bet - and they don't of course - but if they did - the sure money would be placed on this love lasting - although there would surely be some disagreements about the form the their future will take and how long these hearts might need to wait until they can truly be together.
It is a long way to travel from the sun.
The journey gives these missives of light and warmth the time and space to ponder a great many truths...so while sunbeams are by nature ephemeral and literally light-hearted - wisdom infuses their spirits. They understand that sometimes patience is needed so that the longer but worthy trail can be tread - that hard choices are sometimes needed to bring light to darkness.
Yes - sunbeams know joy - but they also know sacrifice - for as they illuminate their destined destinations - they are split into something new as they allow part - sometimes all - of themselves to be absorbed while the rest of them continue their journey - in this way they both die and create - make the worlds they reach colourful - visible - alive.
Sunbeams give of themselves both spectrum and heat - freely and wholly - so if - as is the fate of these sunbeams - they get a chance to linger - to exalt in something precious before their ends - they do.
They shine brighter and hotter in their joy.
As Penelope emerges from her cocoon of sleep - her mind - so often racing and crowded with thought and worry and impression and feeling is at peace.
She is propped up on some pillows and Luke is lying with his head resting halfway down her body - arms and legs wrapped around her. Her hands are resting on his broad shoulders.
One bright word rests in the bosom of her thoughts and that is one she has never ever let herself think - even when a foolish girl - about a man ...and the word is 'husband'.
It is a name - a fact.
It is not girlish or giggly.
It is not a promise or a wish.
It is just the truth of who he is to her today.
This man who is lying heavy on her - arms wrapped around her - a damp spot where his mouth has rested high on her stomach as he slept - his breaths even - is for today - even if never again - is her husband - and there is nothing scary or awkward or wrong or false about the word as it settles heavy and peaceful deep within her.
She will of course not call him that aloud today.
It is enough she knows - accepts - the truth.
The unimaginable has happened. Penelope Garcia has accepted a man as her husband.
She feels him begin to stir against her and she tightens her arms around him.
They should get up - this day will not last forever - and it is too important to be slept through.
Luke opens his eyes and shifts to rest his chin just below the space between her breasts so that he can peer drowsily up at her - he is still in a place of in-between - and perhaps is not totally aware he has spoken - but he has:
"Hello Wife."
The last word jettisens him wide awake - adrenalin pumps in response to what he realises he has voiced.
This could be messy. A disaster. Should he turn it into a joke? It wasn't. But...
"Hello Husband."
She is not joking. She is not angry. She does look a bit wistful but not sad or inconsolable or giddy.
He can't help but ask though.
"Yeah?"
"Today. Yes."
"Today. OK."
"OK?"
"Yes."
Penelope then reaches down and takes his jaw in her hands - drawing him up towards her so that they are face to face - gaze to gaze.
He thinks for an instant she is going to kiss him. But instead she speaks very seriously.
"I, Penelope Garcia, take you, Luke Alvez, as my heartfully wedded husband. To have and to hold. To love and to cherish. In sickness and in health. For rich or for poor. For today even if on no other."
He peers at her in wonder and then follows her into this strange wilderness:
"I, Luke Alvez, take you, Penelope Garcia, as my heartfully wedded wife. To have and to hold. To love and to cherish. In sickness and in health. For rich or for poor. For today - even if on no other."
What has happened?
What does this mean?
But - then Penelope leans forward and performs what he has set in motion as theirs...she presses a kiss to his cheek, then the other...his forehead..the tip of his nose...his lips...one palm...his finger tips...then the soft skin on the inside of his wrist.
Their eyes never leave each other.
Luke takes his turn.
As his lips leave her wrist - they sit back and as their eyes continue to lock - a bolt of something passes between them and suddenly they launch at each other - their mouths collide - their arms wrap around each other - but they are not close enough - not nearly close enough.
Penelope pulls away and dives for another condom off the bedside table - she opens it and asks "Yes?"
"Please."
It's on and he is inside her - this time neither holds back - neither stops - or thinks - or plans - there is no finess or art or eroticism - neither leads - neither follows - they are rutting - coupling - mating - furiously trying to get closer and closer - somehow meld into one.
Then they are.
Neither knows where one begins or the other ends.
Their bodies spasm together - their hearts are beating so hard it is as though they are trying to cross into the other's chest to be with their mate - they breath the other's air - their orgasm is one - synchronous and pounding - pulling them closer and closer - and then there is nothing more.
They are one.
When they finally come down - they are still holding each other - letting their breaths and hearts slow.
Minutes - perhaps hours - pass
They do not ease away from each other just lie there tangled - until...until...
Truly?
Luke's cock twitches - and then - unbelievably Penelope feels it start to thicken inside of her. Slowly she feels his cock expand until he is filling her again. Her cunt answers his call and swells back around him.
This time they do not kiss.
Their joining is not fast and frantic.
Instead Luke and Penelope look deep deep into the other's eyes and they very slowly move apart and then together - nothing is said - neither makes a sound - just slowly they flex and lift their hips...in...deeper than either imagined possible...out...until just his tip is inside her entrance...and again and again and again and again...the pace does not change...their gaze does not break...on and on...on and on...on and on...
The crest is quieter is time - not an orgasmic explosion that rockets through them - but blissful release - like stepping into a warm pool of sunbeams. It is a shiver - a promise - that undulated through their bodies - and still their gaze is never broken - they hardly blink.
That which they have set between themselves has been consummated.
They lie together - not thinking - not feeling - just being.
Finally, when it seems like they will never be able to escape the moment - Penelope says with her familar cheekiness:
"Well Mr. Garcia - I guess this means we'd better get dressed and head into town - I need food - and we've got rings to purchase!"
They change into warm comfortable casual outfits then hand in hand make their way into town.
"Well there is a world famous candy store that we have to have to have to visit...and I want to look at anywhere with works by local artisans...oh and we probably need some more souvenirs for our BAU family...and Phil...anyone from your family or friends?...I have just a few more people I will keep my eye out for at any rate...oh and we need to remember Sergio and Roxy and Lou-"
"Pen. We do not need souvenirs for cats and dogs."
"Says you. Cats and dogs are people too you know! So lunch - any thoughts?"
Luke looks at the darkening sky and laughs right out loud at her.
"I think we missed lunch, Chica."
"Fine. Mr Smarty Hotpants - do you have any ideas for dinner?"
"I was thinking food would be good. But if you prefer old rubber boots..."
"Remind me why I like you again?"
"You don't. You luvvvvv me!"
"Yeah just keep telling yourself that Newbie."
"Someone is getting hangry - here let's eat here."
Luke pulls her into the wood fired pizza place they'd eyed earlier in the trip.
"You've been aiming for here the whole time haven't you! But it's so busy we'll never get a table and I am starving! You optimistic but cute time waster! We should just go somewhere not so popular - oh shoot it smells delicious now I am starving and salivating. You are mean Luke Alvez and I do not appreciate it!"
"Oh ye of little faith!"
Luke walks up to the front and smiles at the greeter. "Hello! My wife and I have a reservation for dinner - under Alvez."
"Reserv...? Wh...? Ho?"
"Yes sir. Your table is ready - right this way, sir. Mrs Alvez? We've set a cozy one at the back as requested."
Penelope picks her jaw up off the floor - sweeps by Luke - hitting him with her adorable clutch but softening the blow with a kiss on the cheek - then follows the waiter calling back over her shoulder:
"Stop making me like you Luke Garcia!"
"Ha! Never!"
Luke grins his widest grin of the day and follows her.
He can't wait for her reaction to the next surprise - not only did he call ahead for a table - he pre-ordered a bottle of wine and some vegetarian appetizers...which looks to be making their way across the room now...
Luke cannot remember feeling so gleeful.
It's not every day one gets one over the indomitable Penelope Garcia - ahem - Penelope Alvez.
...just one more thing he could get used to.
This is going to be some Big Discussion when they get home...but he refuses to think about that now.
His "Wife" is waiting...
Dinner is delicious.
For the appetizer they devour Buffalo Cauliflower Bites and Veggie Springrolls with a Thai dipping sauce.
Then they share two pizzas: one has blue cheese, figs, pear, arugula , pine nuts, swirled with a balsamic drizzle; the other has wild mushrooms, a garlic white sauce, and three types of cheese.
Then for dessert they share a giant slice of Chocolate Black Forest Cake. Penelope moans with each bite - licking the cherry chocolate off her lips - until she catches Luke's incredulous look that says "Would you please stop that!?! I am trying not to jump you here!"
They are almost done dessert when Penelope asks Luke...
"Luke, when was the last time anyone from the team called or texted you?"
"Um...Matt sent a text yesterday afternoon in reply to the picture I sent from us at the top of the mountain... saying that they didn't have a case and that he was enjoying a weekend at home with his kids. But nothing else... you?"
"Nothing. No replies to the photos and gripes I sent Emily and JJ and Tara...I heard from Derek briefly - just the couple pictures of Hank I showed you last night - but nothing really since Matt and J.J. synchronized their calls on Friday..."
"They are probably just busy...right?"
Penelope gets that intense look she gets when she suspects friendly collusion and/or subterfuge.
"What? You suspect them of some great plot?"
"Perhaps..."
"Don't you just think they just are hoping we aren't killing each other?"
"Profilers. They are tricky."
"Hey!"
"Oh you know it... I bet we get a calls in the middle of night or something...Profilers are sneaky. What did you tell Matt?"
"That we did a hike. That we were having fun...that the roomsssss were nice."
"hmmmm...I wonder if we should head them off...call them...although I bet they would see through it...why are your coworkers so troublesome?"
"They are your coworkers too!"
"Yes but since you're the one who tricked me into this escapade..."
"Wasn't this your idea?"
"Yes - but you're the reason the team knows!"
"So what? So what if they do know? So what if they even found out that we *gasp* like-like each other? I'm sure they've suspected me for ages and..."
"Don't you dare say it Newbie!"
"Penelope! Is it that hard to believe that someone might think someone might like me? Am I really that horrible?"
"No."
"Well then? What's the big deal? Who cares if they suspect something or even know something? Who the fuck cares Penelope?"
Luke glares at her. He is unexplainedly pissed. Why is she always so difficult? So dramatic? If she had just been nice from the beginning... admitted...he just...
...might never have noticed her - fallen in love with her - tried to win her...
"Look - I'm. sorry - I just - I - I'll be back in a minute ok?"
Her eyes follow him across the restaurant.
She watches him settle up with the waiter and then head for the restroom.
She pulls out her phone and stares again at the lack of texts, calls and emails...
He's right. But he's also wrong. Of course they suspect and maybe even know...they are bloody profilers...and they probably would be more than supportive of she and Luke became a real life couple...but...she can only stand considering breaking one...maybe two at at a time...if the rest of the team gets involved...well it could be more...either way they decide to go...because she still thinks it's either one of them leaves the team...or they choose not to be together. Maybe she's wrong...but she doesn't think so. And change...change is seriously not her favourite.
Although - she supposes with a sigh there is going to be some sort of change for her to process - no matter what happens next.
Maybe they should have kept with the plan to make their decision this weekend...
But she knows that if they decide now or tomorrow morning...there is no way on this earth that she won't choose him. And she fears that would trap him...or her...
So probably better to wait until they are home and back at work - with a bit of distance from the magic they've spun this weekend.
Back in D.C. J.J, and Emily are chatting on the phone.
"..just the pictures pretty much, eh? Nothing else new? Em, I know we agreed we should leave them alone...but I'm dying to know what's going on...and I feel awful not answering Pen's texts. I mean I will if she sends anything urgent...but like I saw today has been radio silence. Do you think they'll come back friends? Or..?"
"Oh god.. J.J. you shut your mouth. I don't even want to think of the H.R. nightmare it will be if they come back as an 'OR' - I'm not sure we thought this through."
"I know Penelope has had her hackles up since he arrived - but...I kinda always thought..."
"The lady doth protest too much? Yeah. And I always thought he might like-like our colourful Technical Analyst despite or maybe because of her fierceness. Oh well...I guess we'll find out when they get back. to work on Tuesday."
"You sure you don't want me to phone the hotel and see how many rooms they have? Or I could call Pen after midnight her time...see.if I hear anything? I could get Matt to call Luke at the same time again?"
"No. And that's an order, Jareau."
"Yes Boss Lady! Anyone ever tell you you're a spoilsport? Opps I hear that it's my turn to read stories - gotta run! Have a good night Em."
"Night J.J. give my love to Will and the boys. See you tomorrow!"
When Luke returns to the table, Penelope is ready to apologize and so is he.
By unspoken mutual agreement they drop the topic, hold hands, and head back into the early winter evening.
The candy store is still open so they step out of the November chill and purchase old fashioned sweets for all their friends and their children.
They walk through town - stretching their legs and window shopping. It starts to snow - big magical flakes - as they pass by a bar pulsing with music - Penelope automatically starts bopping.
They share a laugh - finally the tension that had been clinging to them since dinner dissapates.
Luke takes that as his cue and impulsively drags Penelope into the entranceway - handing a handful of colourful Canadian bills to the door guy for cover - and onto the dance floor...
It turns out that dancing together is another thing they are very good at...
And when a slow song comes on - Luke pulls her into his arms - and they circle - her arms around his neck - his around her waist.
They dance...for ever and ever...
...or is it just for one day...
To be continued...
