Chapter 5

Dave closed the garage door and popped out of his car, opening the trunk with the touch of a button. He was much later than he had hoped, no thanks to Aaron. But there was still time to get the last-minute touches done in the house before Penelope arrived.

He hadn't realized until he told Hotch that Penelope was moving in, that he really wanted that to be true. They had been co-workers and friends for years, however, there had always been an extra spark between them. When they went out as a group, she was always seated next to him. She continually touched him, whether by accident or on purpose, he wasn't sure, but it didn't matter. He loved her touches and the little nicknames she called him.

Sure, she had nicknames for everyone on the team, somehow though, she made him feel extra special. There were times when she called him David, and the way it fell from her lips made him shiver. His want for her was undeniable. Rules be damned, he was going to make her his, and he would be hers for all of eternity.

He grabbed the bags of goodies and his briefcase and headed into the house. He needed to hurry and get dinner started before he finished his surprise. Penelope had offered to bring dinner, but he had told her that he was cooking for her and to not eat or purchase anything before coming over.

Walking out of the bathroom, Penelope felt a sense of déjà vu mixed with nostalgia as she entered the bedroom area of her one-bedroom apartment. Boxes lined the wall; the bed was in pieces and the doors to the closet were flung open revealing the emptiness within. She moved through the room gracefully joining her friends in the equally empty living room. All her beads and scarves and tchotchkes had been removed and packed away.

"Last chance," Hotch murmured softly as she stopped mid-stride.

She took a moment to look around, reliving the years she had spent inside these walls. Her gaze followed every line and plane, filling in the gaps before she settled on the reserved faces of her friends.

"We can bring everything back, Momma, just say the word," Morgan assured her.

"No one would blame you if you changed your mind," JJ said.

Penelope smiled gently and slowly shook her head. "No, it's time. I've been waiting long enough. If I don't make the first move, nothing is ever going to happen."

Alex was the first to relax and offered a smile of her own. "Well, I think it is very brave of you. Unusual tactics, but brave none the less."

The rest of the team relaxed and chuckled.

"Penelope always does things her own way. Don't you PG?" JJ asked.

"I like to take the path less traveled for certain," Penelope agreed. "And speaking of travel, it is time for all of us to leave. I'll see you in the morning."

"Good luck," they cheered.

"Alright, Mudgie, you know the rules," Dave said as if talking to a child. "No running, jumping, barking, licking, or farting. You have to behave otherwise Penelope is not going to want to stay here. She's going to be your new Mommy soon and you want to make a good impression."

Mudgie sat on his haunches and tilted his head taking in everything his master was saying but not understanding a word. The man hadn't uttered one thing he recognized other than his name. This was different as his master normally didn't talk to him this much.

"Now, I'm going to give you your dinner, try not to get it everywhere and then we'll go for a walk," Dave said. "I expect you to do your business and when we get back, you go to your bed and go to sleep. No begging for food at the table, Capice?"

Mudgie thumped his tail on the wood floor. He understood dinner and walk. The rest he'd figure out later. He stood and followed his master to the back room where his dinner would be served.

Penelope grabbed the small suitcase off the front seat and exited her car. She stood at the front door of Dave's mansion and took a deep breath; Operation Became the Final Mrs. Rossi was about to begin.

She rang the bell and waited for the door to open. Within a minute, there was a click as the lock was turned and the door opened.

Dave smiled. "Is that it," he asked gesturing towards her one small suitcase.

"No, there's more in the car," she assured him as she smiled in return.

"Step inside, I'll get the rest."

She took a step through the mansion door, feeling a little like Belle in Beauty and the Beast, only her Beast was a handsome Italian. Dave swiftly moved outside as she cleared the doorway.

She put the bag on the floor of the foyer and headed back outside. Dave stood in the driveway and stared at the pile of suitcases and boxes that filled the antique convertible.

"I hope you don't mind," she said as she stepped up beside him. "I have a hard time sleeping in unfamiliar places, so I brought a few things to help me feel more at home."

"A few things," he emphasized the word few.

"Well, you do have a large home," she told him as she looked over her shoulder and up at the two-story mansion.

Dave blinked then internally shook himself. He did tell Hotch she was moving in, it had to start sometime, he told himself.

"Let's get this stuff inside," he announced. "I cleared a spot for you in the garage. You can move your car in once she's unloaded."

"Thank you, Mon Ami." She smiled at him as he walked by with a couple of boxes.

It took nearly half an hour for him to retrieve all the boxes and luggage. The foyer was full, a small trail ran between the two piles of stuff. Penelope put the luggage and two boxes near the bottom of the stairs along with the small suitcase she had carried in.

"I'm assuming my room is upstairs," she inquired as Dave brought in the last box.

"Yeah," he agreed breathlessly. He set down the box and sucked in a lungful of air. "I'm a little more out of shape than I thought."

"You look hot," Penelope murmured as she quickly looked away.

"What?"

She smiled. "I said, I think not."

He frowned. "Okay. Do you want me to move your car?"

"Sure," she said eagerly. "I'll start moving my things upstairs. Which room is it?"

"Uhhh, just wait here. I'll help you in a minute. I don't want you hurting yourself."

"It's okay," she replied. She picked up a suitcase.

Dave grabbed the bag and pulled it out of her hand. "I insist. Please! Just wait for me."

She stared at him for a moment. "Okay. Is it okay if I sit down," she asked carefully.

Dave lowered his head. "I'm sorry. I… I'm being a little crazy. Maybe I should take you upstairs first. I can move your car in a few minutes."

"If you don't mind," she said.

At that moment, Mudgie bounded into the foyer. He spotted Penelope and let out a series of loud barks before rushing through the pile of boxes and knocking several to the floor. Dave reached out to settle one box and grab the dog but missed both and ended up face first on the floor. The box crashed to the floor as Mudgie raced by and made a beeline for Penelope. He jumped up, landing both feet on her chest and knocked her to the floor.

Penelope yelped in shock and began to giggle as the excited lab began licking her face. Dave slide across the floor and grabbed the errant dog pulling him away from Penelope.

"I am so sorry," Dave apologized. "Are you hurt?"

Penelope giggled as she sat up. "I'm a little wet, but otherwise unharmed."

Mudgie struggled to free himself from his Master's grip.

"Mudgie sit," Dave commanded.

Mudgie did not sit.

"I swear the only time he behaves is when we are hunting," Dave growls.

Penelope giggled again. "You need to spend more time with him. Teach him to be a good boy."

"I tried," Dave sighed. "Sent him to a training facility, they kicked him out after a week. Said he was a monster."

Penelope looked at Mudgie and frowned. "This sweet little baby? He just needs some love."

Mudgie apparently agreed. He sat on his haunches, burped, and released a very gaseous fart.

Dave rolled his eyes to the Heavens and prayed that Penelope wouldn't be so disgusted as to leave immediately.

End Chapter 5