Note: Based on a challenge I issued to a couple of friends. The challenge is thus: On everybody's 18thbirthday, time freezes everyone except them and their soulmate for 24 hours. It's your birthday and you and your bf/gf had already planned what you'll be doing in those 24 hours. Both of you truly believe you are soulmates. When the time comes, time freezes like it's supposed to, except you find that your S/O is still frozen. One of your OTHER party guests is unfrozen.
For my story, I made a few changes. It's the main character's 55th birthday and when the 24 hours is over, only the birthday person knows who was unfrozen with them.
"Please, please, please, please, please!"
Dave walks into his office and briefly contemplates slamming the door shut in the face of the technical analyst who had been following him since he got out of his car in the parking lot. Instead, he tosses his briefcase on his chair, gives her a dirty look, and begins to remove his jacket.
"I don't know what the big deal is, Garcia," he says in exasperation. He hangs the jacket on the rack behind his desk. "It's just another day to me."
"Just another day!" She utters with so much contempt you would have thought he had broken all the deadly sins at once. "My darling Italian Stallion, this is not just another day. It's your fifty-fifth birthday."
He drops his briefcase to the floor, sinks in the chair and lets out a groan. "Not so loud, I don't want the powers that be to know that."
She looks at him and laughs. "Why? Do you think they're going to make you retire?"
He gives her the stink-eye. "That is part of the rules. Have you not read the requirements to be an FBI Agent? It's mandatory retirement at age fifty-five. I half expect to see Strauss and a few armed guards here on that day to escort me off the property."
"They wouldn't dare," she spits out. "One, you are the God-father of the BAU. Two, you are an amazing profiler and FBI Agent. And three, if they try, I will make them regret it."
He looks at her and chuckles. Fists clenched, jaw set – she's ready for battle and she doesn't care who she is fighting. Her fierce protectiveness is one of the things he really likes about her. It's also one of the many things that drives him crazy too.
"Please Kitten," he pleads softly. "Let me celebrate my way, with no celebrations."
"But David," she whines dragging his name out to ten syllables. She drops into one of the chairs across from him and puts on her best puppy dog look. "You know what's special about this birthday, don't you?"
This statement brings a sneer to his face. "I don't believe all that mumbo-jumbo."
She gasps. Leaning forward she whispers conspiratorially. "It's not mumbo-jumbo. I've been researching it and it truly is a thing. Now, granted, there are some spiritual things that have to take place, however! If done correctly, your soulmate will be revealed to you. Don't you, of all people, want to know who your soulmate is? Haven't you been looking your entire life?"
He scoffs and shakes his head. "Again, I don't believe in that kind of stuff. If it were true, why do you have to wait until your fifty-fifth birthday to find them? Why not your twenty-fifth birthday that way you have a lifetime to spend together? That seems like a lot of wasted time to me."
She nods. "I agree, that does seem hinky…"
"Hinky?!" he protests. "It's more than hinky, sweetheart. It's downright cruel. And what if my soulmate's not there that night? How do I know how to find her?"
"All valid questions," Penelope agrees. "My source tells me that it has been determined that by the time a person reaches their fifty-fifth birthday, their soulmate is among their circle of friends. See?! It's someone you already know!"
He sits back in his seat and rolls his eyes to the ceiling. His brain is telling him that this is a ridiculous idea. However, deep in his heart a whisper cries out, 'what if she's right?' He wasn't going to tell her that she hit pretty close to home with that comment about him searching for his soulmate his entire life. It's the only thing that explained his three marriages. Three attempts at happiness forever and three failed marriages. Did he really want to set himself up for heartbreak again?
"Just a little party," she asks quietly breaking into his thoughts. "I'll arrange everything. All you have to do is be there."
"And hand over my credit card," he smiles wanly as he drops his eyes to her.
She shakes her head. "No, we got this covered."
He muffles anther groan knowing there was no way he was getting out of this. "Fine. But keep it under twenty people."
"Promise."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Dave had never been as upset about a case finishing quickly as he was about their latest one. It had taken the team less than seventy-two hours to profile and apprehend a serial rapist that had been terrorizing a small college in Colorado. It was Thursday and he should be happy that they were heading home for the weekend. But Saturday was his birthday and that meant the birthday party was starting tomorrow after work.
He finishes his paperwork quickly throwing it in a folder, grabs his jacket and briefcase to carry with him to Hotch's office before heading home for a few moments of peace. He knocks on the door and waits a brief moment before pushing it open and walking inside. Hotch looks up from his desk as Dave approaches.
"So, you gave in, did you?" Hotch says with a smirk on his face.
Dave holds out the folder and frowns. "What?"
Hotch holds up an envelope that carries a distinctive smell and pretty handwriting. "Your birthday party?"
Dave groans as he places the folder on the tray which sits on the corner of the younger man's desk. "You don't have to come."
"Are you kidding?! I chipped in for this shindig. Hailey and I will be there," Hotch smiles.
"Great," Dave mumbles.
Hotch laughs. "I don't know why you're so worked up over this. It's not like anyone will know if you do or don't find your soulmate."
"I'll know," Dave grumbles.
Hotch laughs again. "So?"
"So?" Dave repeats. His eyebrows lift nearly disappearing into his hairline. "What if it's you?"
Hotch chuckles and shrugs, a slight pink stains his cheeks. "We'll have a good time."
"What if it's Haley?" Dave asks again.
This draws a more sarcastic chuckle. "That's not happening. The two of you are definitely NOT soulmates."
"True," Dave agrees. He looks out the window to the group in the bullpen. The younger members of the team are laughing and joking with each other. Kevin Lynch, Penelope's boyfriend has joined them as has Anderson. JJ sits at Morgan's desk, her hand protectively cradling the bump of her unborn child. Dave wonders if she'll come and if her Cajun boyfriend will come as well. He'd be okay with JJ being his soulmate but isn't certain he wants to raise another man's child.
"Could be one of them," Hotch teases.
Dave shudders. "What if it's Kevin?!"
"Promise me you won't tell me if it is," Hotch says pleadingly.
"No worries on that," Dave replies. "I'm heading home. You?"
Hotch looks at the pile of papers on his desk then up at Dave. "As soon as I can. Stay home tomorrow, rest up for your birthday. Twenty-four hours with your soulmate, I'm sure you're not going to wait to miss a moment of it."
Dave grunts in response as he leaves the room. He says his goodnights to the team and heads to the elevator. About to push the call button, he is stopped by a hand on his arm. He looks up into the glowing face of Penelope Garcia.
"Hey," he grimaces.
She grins widely. "Hey! I just wanted to update you on the party."
He nods but doesn't speak.
"I'll be at your place at seven pm."
"We're doing this at my house?"
"Yes," she nods enthusiastically. "I figured it would be less conspicuous if twenty people were frozen at your house rather than a restaurant or hotel."
"True," he sighs. "So, seven o'clock, huh?"
"Yes. That way I can get the house set and set up," she explains. "The guests will be arriving around nine o'clock. I figured three hours of partying should be enough."
"Who all have you invited?" he asks.
She smiles mischievously. "You'll have to wait to find out."
"Kitten…" he growls as she leans over and pushed the call button.
She places her hand on his shoulder and kisses his cheek before whispering in his ear. "Don't worry. It will all be fine."
His eyes follow her as she strolls back into the bullpen. "Don't worry, she says. It's not her damn heart that's on the line." The elevator door opens, and he steps inside, grateful that the car is empty.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Dave checks his watch as he hears a car door slam outside. Six-fifty-nine. "Right on time," he mutters as he gets up from his desk and walks to the front door. The bell rings as he reaches the entryway.
Dave opens the door part way, sticking his head out through the opening and looking at Garcia dolefully. "Are we really doing this?"
She grins. "Yes, now open the damn door so I can come inside."
He steps back and swings the door open. Garcia, ladened with bags, crosses the threshold followed closely by Kevin, who also carries several bags. The younger man half-nods and half-bobs as he walks past. Dave rolls his eyes and sends a prayer to the Heavens. He closes the door and follows the pair into the kitchen.
"Put that stuff on the table for now," Garcia tells her boyfriend.
"What the hell is all this stuff?" Dave grouches.
Penelope looks at him and smiles. "Don't you worry about it, Handsome. Is that what you're wearing tonight?"
Dave looks down at his casual t-shirt and worn jeans. "What's wrong with this?"
Penelope lays a hand on his shoulder and looks at him adoringly. "Honey, you want to make an effort for your soulmate."
He frowns. "If she's someone who already knows me, she knows what I can do. Besides, what if she's a guy?"
Penelope's eyebrows lift and hide behind her hairline. "I hadn't thought of that. Are you… Bi?"
"I've gone both ways," he admits.
She gapes at him for a moment, a blush staining her round cheeks. "I never imagined that for you."
"What have you imagined?" he purrs.
The blush deepens. "You should go shower and change." She pushes at his shoulder, but he doesn't move to leave.
"How does this whole thing work anyways?"
"I've been wondering that as well," Kevin chimes in. "Does everybody just fall over?"
Dave and Penelope both look at him sharply.
"That's a good question," Dave replies. "I don't want anyone to get hurt."
"I already thought of that," Penelope assures them. "We're going to have everyone sitting before midnight arrives."
"This is going to be weird," Kevin mutters. "What if I have to go to the bathroom while I'm frozen?"
Dave chuckles. Penelope glares at Kevin. "Go unpack the stuff, while I talk to Dave."
Kevin mutters to himself and begins to empty the bags on the table. Penelope guides the reluctant birthday boy into the front room.
"Okay, here's the plan. People are going to arrive around nine o'clock. You will be showered, shaved, and dressed appropriately to greet them. We will have snacks and drinks. At eleven thirty, there will be cake with candles and singing."
Dave groans. "Really?"
"It's part of the ceremony," she tells him. "Everybody, including you, have to have at least one bite of the cake."
"What did you do to the cake?" he asks with suspicious.
"It has magical properties."
"What the hell does that mean? Are there drugs in the cake?"
"No! There are special herbs and a few drops of a potion covered by an incantation. It's all perfectly harmless. I checked with a doctor."
"Oh, good God!"
"After we have the cake, we will all sit down and relax. Then at midnight, everyone except you and your soulmate will freeze and you have a wonderful twenty-four hours together," she smiles.
"What the hell are we supposed to do for twenty-four hours?" he asks.
"I made you a list," she giggles. He watches as she reaches into her bra and pulls out a piece of paper.
"Is that part of the magic too?" He wiggles his eyebrows at her.
"Hush, you." She blushes as she unfolds the papers and hands it to him.
He reads it out loud. "Bowling. That could be fun."
"There's a twenty-four hour alley. And they have karaoke too."
"Hmm. Wine tasting/picnic/walking along the river, that would be a good afternoon activity."
"Exactly. It's supposed to be a nice day tomorrow."
He frowns. "A bicycle tour of what?"
"The city," she replies gleefully.
"Too much exercise. Why would you put that on there? I don't ride a bicycle."
"No, but your soulmate might. Don't you want to do things she might like as well?" Penelope suggests.
Dave eyes her. "You think Erin Strauss is my soulmate, don't you?"
She goes for an innocent look. "I'm not thinking anything."
"Liar," he says. "What else you got here… ooh, Topgolf National Harbor. Erin hates golf. But Emily likes golf."
"She does?"
He eyes her again. "Yeah, she and I did a mixed tournament a year ago. We came in third."
"I didn't know that!" she replies indignantly.
"Well, apparently you don't know everything," he laughs. "Toby's Dinner theater…"
"It's a fun place. You eat dinner and watch a play."
"You've been there, I take it?"
She nods. "Once or twice."
He grins. "A week?"
She smacks his shoulder. "Don't judge me!"
"I'm not!" he protests. "Okay, what else? Ghost City tours… interesting. That's a walking tour – again, lots of exercise. The paddle club? No."
"No?! It's a lot of fun," she says.
"Little known fact, Kitten. I get seasick easily. No water sports for me, unless it's fishing or duck hunting on a calm lake."
"Huh, and now I've learned something about you. How about that last one? You okay with that?"
He shrugs. "I'd rather do a one-on-one massage with my partner rather than have some stranger do it."
"It's more than massages, Honey."
"I don't do mud baths."
She laughs and shakes her head. "Well, those are some suggestions for you. You do whatever you decide. But I want a full report when it's over."
He sighs as he folds the paper and puts it in his pocket. "What am I supposed to do when I'm the only one not frozen? Stare at all of you for twenty-four hours?"
"You're not going to be alone," she says softly as she rubs her hand up and down his arm. She squeezes his bicep.
"How can you be so sure, Kitten? What if my soulmate is already gone?"
"I have to believe otherwise nothing makes sense to me and you don't want me floundering through the world."
"No," he says in agreement. "We don't want that."
"Come on, go get ready," she presses. "I have things to prepare."
He turns away and takes a step onto the stairs. "Kitten? What if something happens here, while I'm out playing golf with my soulmate?"
"Like what?" she questions.
He pauses for a moment. "Like a fire or something."
She looks at him patiently. "You have a fire alarm."
"Yeah, but will that wake you up? How do you guys get out of the house?"
"You're thinking too much," she smiles. "But I have a back-up plan. Derek and JJ are not coming tonight and they both agreed to periodically drive by and make certain everything is okay."
"Won't they freeze too?"
"Not if they don't eat the cake."
"That's right. The magic cake."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Right at nine o'clock, the guests begin to arrive. Aaron and Haley, Erin Strauss, Anderson and Gina, Reid, Emily, six other FBI agents, Father Jimmy, and a couple of Dave's close friends.
Dave greets each person warmly and shows them to the kitchen where Penelope and Kevin have spread out food from the caterer as well as party hats and favors.
Everyone dons a pointy, paper party hat except Dave. Penelope places a felt top hat on his head. "For the distinguished gentleman," she announces.
They help themselves to veggies and dip, meats and cheeses and an assortment of fruit. In the middle of the table sits a homemade chocolate cake. There's nothing special to it from the outside. On the top sits a handmade sign that reads: Happy Birthday Dave and a few dozen candles. Dave notes that there are a lot of candles, most likely, exactly fifty-five.
He makes his way around the room, smiling and shaking hands or exchanging hugs with most people. Father Jimmy pulls him into a bear hug and holds him for several seconds.
"Happy birthday, Davey," he says enthusiastically. "I'm glad you made it this long. There were times when I didn't think you would."
Dave chuckles. "There were times where I didn't think I would either. I'm surprised to see you here."
"Wouldn't miss this for the world," his friend smiles.
"You know what Penelope thinks is going to happen right?"
"The soulmate reveal?"
Dave nods.
"Isn't my first one to attend," Jimmy confides.
"Really? Does it work?"
"That's what I've been told," Jimmy replies. "I have a few twenty-four-hour periods missing from my memory."
"Huh. I guess I didn't think you would believe in magic."
"Why not? Everything God does is magic, isn't it?"
"You would know better than me," Dave says wryly.
"Also, I wanted to make certain I was the one who oversaw your last marriage. You are going to marry your soulmate, right?"
"Oh, no pressure, huh?"
Father Jimmy laughs. "None at all."
The two of them are joined by Erin Strauss.
"Chief Strauss," Dave says formally. "This is Father Jimmy. He didn't bring his holy water, so you're safe."
"Oh, cut the crap, David." Strauss replies. She smiles at Father Jimmy. "It's nice to meet you Father. I'm Erin Strauss."
"The pleasure is mine," Jimmy smiles back. He claps Dave on the shoulder. "Excuse me, I need to use the facilities."
"You know where it is," Dave tells him.
Father Jimmy leaves the two older agents.
Dave takes a sip of his drink and peers at Erin over the rim. "I'm surprised to see you here."
Erin takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "I'm only here to show the team that I can be sociable outside of work."
"Is that really the only reason?" Dave murmurs. He leers at her.
"Don't get your hopes up," she replies testily. "There is no way that you and I are soulmates."
"I don't know. I seem to remember you and I are compatible in bed," he teases.
"Sex and soulmates are two different things," she says stiffly.
"Are you sure?" Dave questions. "Did you and Alan have a soulmate party on his fifty-fifth birthday?"
"We did not. Neither of us believe in that sort of thing."
"The party or the soulmates?"
She sighs again. "What do you care? I'm going to go talk to someone else."
Dave smirks as she walks away. If Erin Strauss is his soulmate, life will no longer be boring.
The next two and a half hours fly by. Dave can't remember a birthday party he had enjoyed as much as this one. Even if this doesn't work, he was happy that he agreed to let Penelope throw him a party.
Clapping her hands together loudly, Penelope gets everyone's attention. "Okay everybody, it's time for the cake. Now this part is very important, so please do as I ask. We're all going to go into the kitchen. I will light the candles on the cake. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, will sing happy birthday. Dave will blow out the candles and then everyone gets a piece. If you only want a bite, that is fine. But everyone HAS to eat at least one bite or the magic doesn't work. And no one wants to ruin Dave's soulmate party, do they?"
She gives the group the evil eye. Each person shakes their head as she looks at them. Dave chuckles to himself.
"Alright, Kitten. Now that you've scared the guests, shall we move to the kitchen?"
Penelope collects herself. "Yes. Yes, lets do that."
She leads the group into the other room. Dave is the last to enter the room. Aaron pushes him towards the front through the mass of people. Penelope is hurriedly lighting all the candles.
"Did you have to put fifty-five candles on there?" he asks her.
She gives him an irritated look. "What do you think?"
"It's part of the magic?"
She nods in response. He watches quietly as she finishes her task.
"Okay everybody," she shouts. She begins to sing. "Happy birthday…"
The entire room fills with sound. Some off-key, some pitch perfect, some soft and some loud but all are enthusiastic. As they reach the end of the song and it's almost time to blow out the candles, Dave feels a rush of something spread through his body from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet. It's like some poured a vat of ice cream over his head and it seeped all the way through his body.
As the singing ends, Penelope looks at him encouragingly, "Make a good wish."
Dave closes his eyes and thinks for a moment. What does he want to wish for? Something tangible, like a new car? Something profound, like world peace? His mind settles on an answer. He opens his eyes, takes a deep breath and thinks, 'I wish for love'. He blows hard and has to take a second breath to blow out all the candles.
"YAY! Happy birthday!"
"Okay, someone help me with the cake," Penelope calls out.
"I'll help," Haley volunteers.
Reid and Kevin also step up to help.
Aaron grabs Dave by the shoulder. "You feel any older?"
"Every day," Dave responds honestly. Penelope hands him a plate with a good-sized piece of cake. Dave sniffs it. The cake smells like chocolate and looks okay. "Thank you, Kitten."
"You're welcome," she smiles.
The cake is passed around to each person. No one dare upset Penelope, so they all obediently take a bite of the cake. Dave picks up his own forkful of the chocolate dessert, he sniffs it again before putting it in his mouth.
"Did you make this?" Strauss asks.
"I did," Penelope replies.
"It's very good," Erin praises. She takes another bite.
Dave analyzes the morsel in his mouth. Lots of chocolate, very moist. His tongue tingles momentarily then the feeling dissipates. He takes another bite. Same flavor, same moistness – no tingles. He shakes off his doubt and enjoys the cake.
They finish quickly as time ticks closer to midnight. Penelope and her helpers clean up everything quickly, putting dishes in the dishwasher and the extra food in the refrigerator. Penelope then ushers everyone into the living room.
"Okay! Everyone get comfy," she says eagerly. She settles on the couch with Kevin next to her. "Dave, you take the good chair."
"Nah, I'm going to stand. If this works out, someone else is going to need the chair," he jokes. "Erin? It's a comfy chair."
Strauss looks at him warily before crossing to the chair and sitting down. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," he smiles.
The room goes quiet as everyone waits for time to pass.
"Close your eyes," Father Jimmy suggests. "It's less creepy that way."
Several people chuckle. Everyone closes their eyes except Dave. The room calms, only the sound of breathing and the tick-tock of the old Grandfather clock in the hallway. The low gong of the clock fills the room. A feeling of warmth slides through Dave's body. He holds his breath and watches as the others turn into statues.
Part of him doesn't believe this is really happening. He waits to see if anyone moves. The last gong of the clock reverberates through the room. He waits a few more seconds, expecting everyone to suddenly laugh and yell surprise, but nothing happens.
"I knew it," he says aloud. "Okay, everyone. You can open your eyes now."
One person opens their eyes and turns to look at him. "Is it over? Did you have fun?"
Dave stares slightly surprised. He swallows hard and clears his throat. "It's just beginning, Kitten."
End Chapter 1
