Chapter 9

In the kitchen, Emily moved around the room refilling the mugs of her teammates, each of whom was engaged in a different activity. Reid and Alex were doing the daily crossword. Morgan and JJ were working on a jigsaw puzzle, an open space at the table where Emily had been sitting. Hotch was at the bar drinking coffee and reading the sports page of the newspaper.

"How long are we going to wait here," Morgan asked.

"Until one or both of them come downstairs," Hotch answered absently.

"Why doesn't someone go let them know we are here," Reid inquired.

Alex gives him a bemused look. "Do you want to go?"

He straightened up. "I can."

Alex smiled at him. "Trust me, you don't."

He frowns. "What do you think they are doing up there?"

"From the sounds earlier? Something I don't want to interrupt," Hotch interjected.

The others laugh. Reid thinks for a moment. "You think they are…"

"Absolutely." "Without a doubt." "Yes!"

Reid blinked, shook his head, and went back to his crossword.

After a few moments, Mudgie, who had been lying near JJ's feet, got up and headed towards the stairs.

"Hey Mudge," Dave greeted the dog.

The team stared at the doorway waiting for the older profiler to appear. They weren't disappointed as he stepped into the kitchen and stopped.

"How the hell did you get in here," Dave asked in confusion.

Penelope stepped up behind him and wrapped her arms around him.

"I have a key," Hotch replied stoically.

"For now," Dave growled. "Why are you all here?"

"When neither of you showed up for work this morning, we figured Operation Dave and Penelope was working and we should come over and unload the truck," Hotch explained.

Dave stood solid for a moment, soaking in the warmth of Penelope wrapped around him and the obvious acceptance of their peers. "Is there any coffee left?"

"I just made a fresh pot," Emily smiled.

"Alex and I brought muffins," Reid offered.

"I took Mudgie for a walk," Morgan said.

"And he's been fed," JJ added.

Dave chuffed. He moved into the kitchen pulling Penelope with him. "I could get used to this, people."

"Don't," Hotch replied quickly.

Grabbing two mugs from the cupboard, Dave poured out the coffee as Penelope moved to examine the muffins.

"How much stuff is there to unload?" Dave asked.

"A lot," the team answered in unison.

Dave looked at Penelope who smiled and shrugged. "I've lived there for a long time and I have a lot of little things that added up."

Dave sighed. He handed her one mug as he leaned over her shoulder to look at the muffins. "Well, we have plenty of space here."

"Why don't you get ready for your trip," Penelope suggested. "We can unload my stuff into the garage?"

"Sure," he agreed. "That will work for now. When I get back, we can figure out where things can go."

"I have a better idea," Hotch cut in.

Everyone focused on the leader of their team.

"Why don't you both get ready and go on this trip together?"

Dave and Penelope exchange looks. "Seriously?" Dave asked.

Hotch nods. "We can unload the truck. I'll take Mudgie home with me. I'm sure Jack will be happy to have a dog for the weekend. You guys get to know each other away from here."

"That sounds like a good plan," JJ concurs.

The others agree as well.

"Make sure this is really what you both want," Hotch pressed.

"What do you say, Kitten? Want to go to Portland with me?" Dave asked.

"Yes," she grinned.

"You better work your magic Mama and make sure you can get on the same flight," Morgan told her.

Two hours later, the truck unloaded, Dave and Penelope were packed and ready to go. Hotch had packed up Mudgie's stuff in his SUV.

"Have fun guys," Hotch said. A small smile on his face. "We'll see you soon."

"Thanks," Dave called out as the younger man climbed into his SUV. Mudgie sat in the front seat next to him. "That dog is going to be so spoiled."

Penelope settled into the window seat as Dave arranged their bags in the overhead bin before he settled next to her.

"This is so exciting," she squealed.

Dave leaned over and kissed her. "Much better than traveling alone."

"I still can't believe how all of this is working out," she gushed.

He chuckled as he fastened his seatbelt. "I agree. Honestly, I'm waiting for 'the other shoe to drop', as they say."

Penelope rubbed his thigh. "Let's just run with it and see what happens," She suggested.

He nodded. "It's going to be late when we get to Portland. We'll check into the hotel and get some sleep. Tomorrow, I have the signing in the morning and then we can relax and check out the city. Have you ever been there?"

"Once that I can remember," she tells him. "When I was growing up, I think I had family in Portland. I remember us driving up in my parent's station wagon and staying at someone's house for a few days. But I don't remember much else."

"As you know, we've been there for a few cases," he reminds her. "And I've gone for a couple of book related things. Portland has a lot of readers."

"Probably because of the rain," she said.

"Agreed," he smiled. "There are plenty of things to do there outside of the bookstore. But I bet you already know that."

She grinned back. "You do know me."

The flight attendant came by and took their drink and food orders. As they were sitting in first class, they got immediate service.

"Okay," Penelope said as the flight attendant walked away. "This has to be better than the jet."

"Really? Why do you say that?" He asked.

"There are no flight attendants on the jet. You have to do everything yourself," she pointed out.

"True," he agreed. "But the jet has fewer people and more room."

"Hmm. Point taken."

They settled in. After the plane was in the air, they had dinner and a drink. The flight attendant brought pillows and blankets. Dave and Penelope laid back and put on a movie. It was near the end when both fell asleep.

End Chapter 9