Chapter 9 – It's Just Routine

Monday Morning - BAU

Penelope's lair

Dave stands in the open doorway for a few moments just watching as Penelope putters about in her office. She picks up each knick-knack, dusts it off then places it to the side and grabs another. Just watching her do this simple task brings pleasure to him. She appears to be enjoying herself, which makes him smile. And even though they've known each other a brief time, he realizes that he missed her over the weekend.

He clears his throat, hoping not to startle her.

She glances over her shoulder and his breath catches when she smiles at him.

"Good morning Agent Awesome," she says in greeting.

"Good morning, Penelope," he replies. A huge smile spreads across his face. He steps into the room holding up the canvas bag in his hands. "I come bearing gifts."

She opens a drawer and pulls out the now familiar bag from the doughnut shop. "Me too."

"Hold on to those," he says as he sets his bag down. She peers over the top trying to get a glimpse of the contents.

Dave slides his hand into her hair and gently tugs her close. Before she can protest, he kisses her. Penelope leans into him for several seconds. Voices in the hallway, catch her attention, she pulls back and gulps.

"David," she scolds in a whisper. "We can't do that here. The door is open, and people might see us."

"You want me to close the door?"

He takes a step away. She grabs his arm. "Yeah, that won't look suspicious," she replies sarcastically.

He smirks at her. "It'll be fine," he drops a kiss on her forehead.

He opens the canvas bag and pulls out two reusable plates and a bag of silverware. He hands them to Penelope. She sets the bag of apple fritters to the side.

"We'll have these later," she murmurs. She "sets" the table using her desk.

He extracts two large plastic containers and tosses the canvas bag to the side. He sets the containers down on the desk and yanks the lid off the top one.

"I made veggie omelets," he announces.

She takes a big whiff. Pleasure and disbelief fight for space on her face. "You made this?"

"Well, I made the money that bought it. Does that count?" He portions the eggs out on the plates. He sets the container to the side and opens the other one, placing portions of hash browns on each plate as well.

She smiles. "It looks and smells wonderful. Do you want some coffee?"

"You sit," he orders. "I'll get the coffee. You need a refill?"

She hands him her unicorn mug. "Yes, please."

"I'll be right back," he promises as he leaves with her cup.

Dave comes back a few minutes later. "You're not eating," he points out. "Is something wrong?"

"I was waiting for you," she replies taking the mug from his hand. He pulls a pile of napkins out of his pocket and sets them on the desk before settling into the chair across from her.

She takes a bite of the eggs and moans in pleasure. "Oh my gosh! These are so amazing."

"When I get a permanent place here with a decent kitchen, I will cook for you," he tells her.

She eyes him excitedly. "You can cook?"

He smirks. "I guess you'll have to wait to find out. Eat."

"How was your weekend," she asks between bites.

He shrugs. "Reeni and I made up. Thanks to you."

Penelope freezes, a forkful of food hovers halfway between the plate and her mouth. "I just told her you may need a ride, that's all."

"Uh-huh," he replies. "How was your weekend?"

"Busy. I went shopping with Emily and JJ. Had dinner with friends, saw a movie – all the things I don't normally get to do."

About halfway through their meal, Hotch enters the room.

"I thought I smelled something delicious in the hallway," he said in greeting.

"Dave brought us breakfast," Penelope says cheerily.

"You want some," Dave asks as he offers his plate.

Hotch lets out a slow breath and looks at Dave. "No, I'm fine."

"Are you sure," Dave presses. "You look like you're about to pass out."

"I'm sure," Hotch answers. "Can I see you in my office when you're done?"

"Sure. We get a case or something?"

"Or something," Hotch states as he starts to leave the room.

"Did you need me, sir?" Penelope asks.

Hotch turns around and gives her a soft smile. "I just wanted to say good morning."

She smiles back at him. "Thank you. Good morning to you too."

Hotch's smile fades as he looks over at Dave. "My office."

Dave nods and watches the younger man leave the room. He turns back to Penelope. "He stop by here often?" Dave inquires.

She shrugs. "Once in a while. He just likes to check on me and say Hi."

Dave takes the remains of his meal and slides it into one of the containers.

"Are you done?" Penelope inquires.

"I'm saving room for that apple fritter," he tells her. He settles back into the chair and keeps her company as she finishes her meal. "If we don't catch a case today, you want to go out to dinner?"

"Yeah. Where to?"

He smiles. "Anywhere you want."

"I want to go to someplace sexy," she says mischievously.

"Sexy, huh. You want to dance?"

"What kind of dancing," she asks cautiously.

"None of that loud scratchy shit kids these days call music," he tells her. "I know a nice place that plays jazz or there's another place that harkens back to the rat pack days. Both of them have some amazing food as well."

She thinks for a minute. "Either one of those choices sound sexy. Can I think about it?"

"Of course. Are you done?" he asks gesturing towards her now empty plate.

"Yeah. I'll just go wash these dishes." She stands and grabs the plates and silverware as he retrieves the canvas bag from the floor. She leaves the room as he packs up his leftovers and the other container.

He trails her over to the kitchen. "I'm going to see what Hotch wants. I'll come by in a little while for that fritter."

She smiles at him over her shoulder while she scrubs a plate. "Thank you for breakfast. You didn't have to do that."

He leans in close to her and whispers, "There are many, many things I'd like to do for you. If you like, I'll list them for you later."

"Okay," she squeaks. He touches her shoulder then turns and walks away.

Hotch's Office

Dave walks into the office unannounced and flops into a chair. He drops the bag on the floor. Hotch looks up from the file in his hand and glares at him.

"What are you doing," Hotch asks harshly.

"You said you wanted to talk to me," Dave responds in confusion.

"I meant, what are you doing with Garcia?"

Dave glances out the window, Garcia carries their dishes back towards her office. "We were having breakfast?"

Hotch doesn't reply. When Dave turns back, he sees his friend glaring even harder if that was possible.

Taken aback, he frowns. "What?" Dave asks.

"Don't do this," Hotch states so lowly that Dave can barely hear him.

"Do what? Make a friend?"

Hotch laughs without humor. He rubs his eyes with one hand. "Dave… I've seen this before. You do this with all the women you sleep with. Now I know you haven't slept with Garcia YET, because she would have lit up like a Christmas tree when I walked in. So, I am begging you, do not continue down this path."

Dave sits up and leans forward. "This is different Aaron. She's different."

"Yes, she is. And I would hate to see her get hurt because of you."

"She's an adult," Dave points out. "Capable of making her own decisions. Besides, if this was just about sex, we would have done it already. We were really close Friday night."

Hotch groans and lowers his head to his desk. "I do not want to hear that," comes the muffled reply. He looks up, squinting at Dave. "Have you already forgotten our conversation in Texas? Keep your dick in your pants. It doesn't matter if we are working a case or here at the bureau. I don't want or need to deal with you fucking every woman who crosses your path."

Dave sighs and rolls his eyes.

"I mean it," Hotch growls lowly. "I remember the swath of destruction you left behind when you retired. Unless you prove otherwise, right now, I will walk down to Strauss's office and confirm to her that she was right, and I was wrong."

The two men glare at one another for a few moments. Finally, Dave shifts in his seat. "What do you want me to say?"

"I want you to promise me, on your Mother's honor, that you will not engage in any sexual activity with a member of the bureau or at any time we are working a case."

"Are you trying to turn me into an eunuch," Dave protests. "Sometimes I need to blow off steam and sex is my vent. Some random stranger at a hotel shouldn't be any of your business."

Hotch remains silent.

"Can we compromise? Your rules are going to kill me."

Hotch huffs. "Fine. No FBI personnel, whether here or on the road. And nothing, and I mean nothing, should ever interfere with the job."

Dave leans backs in the chair, his mind racing as a picture of Penelope flashes through his mind. "Fine."

Hotch stands and holds out his right hand. Dave stares at it. "I'd like you to shake on this agreement."

"You don't trust my word?"

"I trust you," Hotch replies. "But I know that your handshake is your bond."

Dave slowly stands and takes Hotch's hand in his.

"Don't make me regret this," Hotch murmurs.

"Have I ever let you down?"

"You don't really want to know the answer to that, do you?"

Dave gives the younger man an appraising look. "Actually, I do."

Hotch lowers himself into his chair. "It's better that I don't say anymore."

Dave eyes the younger man for a few seconds as Hotch opens a file. Aaron lifts his head.

"Something you want to say?"

Dave shakes his head. He bends down and picks up the bag he dropped earlier.

"You look hungry," Dave states. "Are you hungry?"

"Did you save me any? Is it from Carla's? Because it smells delicious."

"Yes, it's from Carla's," Dave answers as he opens the canvas bag and pulls out the container of leftovers. He hands it to Hotch then reaches into the bag and pulls out a third fork. "I knew you'd want some. You should go there yourself."

He watches as Hotch digs into the food.

"You know why I don't go there," Hotch growls.

"There's a chance her husband has forgotten about that," Dave laughs.

"I'm not willing to take that chance," Hotch says.

"Speaking of chances, can I get out of that closet I've been sequestered in," Dave asks. "I'm starting to get claustrophobic."

Hotch eyes him as he chews a mouthful of food. He swallows. "How much longer until your office is ready?"

Dave shrugs. "They're still painting, and my furniture hasn't arrived. A few days?"

"You can use the briefing room again if you like," Hotch offers.

"Not going to let me room with you?"

"Hell, no! Not here or on the road."

Dave's hotel room – Quantico, VA

Bren clutches at the sheets as she wriggles and moans in pleasure. Her naked body glistens in the sunlight streaming through the open curtains. She reaches down with one hand and clutches at Dave's hair.

"Oh, that feels so good," she moans.

Dave grunts in reply and continues his oral ministrations between her legs. Unlike Bren, he is fully clothed. He continues to tease her until she orgasms. Slowly, he makes his way up her body. He stretches out next to her and stares at the ceiling.

Bren rolls over and nuzzles his neck. She licks and nips at his skin, her hand slides over his chest slowly unbuttoning his shirt.

"I can't wait to feel you inside me," she whispers in his ear. She nips at the lobe and giggles. "Somebody is over dressed."

He lays there staring at the ceiling as she works her way down his body. He's always enjoyed sex with Bren, however, today he just wasn't feeling it. To be honest, he hadn't been feeling it for a while. The sex was great and there was a time when he thought their relationship might become more permanent, but now he was having other ideas.

She slides on top of him, rubbing her wet crotch into his. He looks down at her and watches through lidded eyes as she opens his shirt. She pulls his t-shirt out of his pants, pulling it up just enough to expose the bottom half of his belly.

"Don't worry," she assures him as he starts to squirm. "I won't take it off."

She shimmies down his body to where she can lick and nip at the soft skin on his abdomen. Her fingers swiftly release his belt. She rubs her hand over his groin.

"Are you okay," she asks with a frown.

"Yeah," he replies swiftly.

She presses her hand on his groin. "Normally, you're hard as a rock. Do I not turn you on anymore?"

He licks his lips and hesitates. "You turn me on fine. My head is somewhere else, I guess."

She gives him a predatory look. "Well, let me give you something to think about."

Dave looks up at the ceiling again as she opens his pants and pulls out his half hard dick. He closes his eyes as her mouth engulfs him. Taking a deep breath, he tries to relax and just enjoy the feeling of her mouth on him. His mind begins to wander.

How, he wonders, does Hotch think that he could survive without sex? Just because Hotch can, doesn't mean that everyone can. Especially with all the temptations around them.

He's jostled from his thoughts when Bren tugs at his pants. Lifting his hips, he allows her to pull them down to his knees. He looks down again taking in her perfectly coifed hair, smooth skin, and painted nails. Bren was thin and beautiful, intelligent, and ambitious but right now she was doing nothing for him. His dick was not cooperating.

He closes his eyes again and let his thoughts wander to Penelope with her lush curves. He licks his lips as the taste of her tongue fills his mouth.

"Mmm," Bren moans. "Somebody likes me again."

Dave squeezes his eyes tight. He's never fantasized about another woman when in bed with someone. In his mind, Penelope is the one worshipping his cock. Her long blond tresses with pink-tinted tips caress his thighs as her tongue dances over the sensitive parts of his dick.

He moans loudly, shifting his hips causing his dick to touch the back of Bren's throat. Another moan tears from his lips as she slides him in deep. Her throat muscles constrict, milking him. Thrusting his hands in her hair, he holds himself deep in her mouth. Surprising them both, he climaxes.

Bren chokes and fights her way out of his hold. She spits his cum out of her mouth. "What the fuck, David!"

She climbs out of the bed and runs into the bathroom. Dave listens as the water turns on. He can hear her gargling.

Carefully, he slips out of the bed avoiding the mess on the sheets. He grabs a wad of tissues from the nightstand and cleans himself up as Bren stomps back into the room. She grabs her clothes and begins to dress.

"You're leaving," he asks blandly. He straightens his own clothes, checking for any stray bodily fluids.

"I hate that," she yells. "I told you, never come in my mouth. It's disgusting."

"I'm sorry. If it's any consolation, I was as surprised as you."

"What is wrong with you? One minute you've got limp dick and the next you're shooting off like a fourth of July firework."

He shrugs. "I don't know."

She finishes dressing and grabs her purse. "I have to get back to the office. Thanks for lunch."

She slams the door as she leaves the room. Dave looks over at the mess on the bed. The cleaners had already come through for the day so he would have to request new sheets. He pulls forty dollars out of his wallet and lays it on the pillow with a note for the housekeeper.

BAU

Dave steps out of the elevator, the hallway and bullpen are empty. He glances into the breakroom, Penelope and Morgan sit at one of the tables. Penelope talks animatedly; her hands gesticulate wildly. Dave watches for a moment taking in the way her hair moves and how focused she is on telling her story. His eyes land on her mouth. His jeans become uncomfortably tight.

He glances around the room just to make sure he is truly alone before adjusting himself. With a shake of the head, he moves off towards the storage room he had been using as an office. The last time he had let his dick take the lead, he married wife number three.

He stops in the doorway, the chair and table he had been using were gone as were the files he had been working on. Realizing that Hotch had him moved to the briefing room, he crosses the hall and opens the door. His stuff sits on the table along with a small paper bag he knew was from Penelope.

His stomach grumbles reminding him that he and Bren skipped lunch. He grabs the bag and retrieves the fritter. The cinnamon and sugar flavors tease his taste buds. He sits and slowly devours the tasty treat. He should have taken Bren to a nice restaurant for lunch rather than his hotel room. Yeah, she had said she was horny, but he really hadn't been in the mood to fuck.

He needed to apologize. What do you send to a woman to say sorry for white-washing your molars? He finishes the apple fritter and tosses the bag in the trash. He'll think of something appropriate later.

Briefing Room

Dave sits at the large table and peruses a file as the door to the back hallway opens and Hotch and JJ enter.

"Hello," Dave greets them. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"We have a case," Hotch replies gruffly.

Dave closes the file in his hand and adds it to the top of the pile in front of him on the table. He stands. "Let me put these away."

Hotch nods. "Grab the team on your way back, please."

"You got it," Dave states as he heads out the back door.

He pops into the storage room he had been using as an office and slips the files into an empty drawer. As he exits the room, he glances at Penelope's closed door.

"No, Dave," he scolds himself. He heads for the bullpen and stops as he sees Spencer Reid hovering just inside his office door. Dave glances around the bullpen, Morgan and Emily are missing.

Spencer steps further into the office and disappears. Dave crosses the bullpen, climbs the stairs, and stops just outside the door. He waits a few minutes listening to the three agents profile him.

"Means he's into the classics," Reid murmurs.

"What else," Morgan asks.

"Uh, Italian. Strict Catholic upbringing. Probably believes in redemption," Reid continues.

Knowing they have a case Dave decides to cut their rumor mill short. He steps through the door.

"Well, I believe in a lot of things," he says startling the three profilers. He leans against the door frame, hands deep in his pockets. "Catholic, yes. Italian-American, fifty-two years. Strict upbringing? Not so much."

He steps away from the wall and removes his hands from his pockets. He continues. "Now, the artwork, that's 15th century, original. Cost more than my first house. And as for the wall color, it's just a base coat. Painters will come in and finish tomorrow."

He takes the artwork from Reid. "Now, if you're all finished, I think JJ and Hotch are ready for us."

Dave looks directly at Morgan. "Isn't that how a team works?"

The three profilers leave the room. Dave smiles to himself and returns the artwork to the stack of boxes and follows them to the briefing room.

30 minutes later

As the group files out of the briefing room, Dave takes a moment to collect his thoughts. Montana reminded him of Idaho and that was not a place he wanted to be. He had left the bureau soon after the fallout of Ruby Ridge, Waco, and the Oklahoma City bombing. And now he is heading back to the snake pit.

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out the bracelet he carries. Closing his eyes, he whispers a prayer.

The hallway door opens and Penelope steps in. She stops in the doorway. He feels his heart rate pick up in his chest. She rouses him like no other woman he has ever met.

"You're going to miss the plane," she admonishes gently.

Dave closes his hand, hiding the bracelet. "What?"

"You need to go." She smiles and steps closer as he stands. "I'm going to miss you."

She reaches out and places her hand on his chest, he wonders if she can feel how his heart races. He covers her hand with his own.

He smiles in return. "Can I get a raincheck on tonight?"

She rubs her hand on his chest. "Oh, I won't let you forget. You're taking me to both of those places."

"Let's go," Hotch yells from the other room. Penelope's eyes dart to the window.

"You better…" Penelope starts to say. Dave cuts her off with a kiss.

If Hotch sees him, he is a dead man, but honestly, he doesn't care.

End Chapter 9