Rossi's retirement/Garcia's farewell party in perfect time. The band was breaking up, Prentiss and boyfriend were looking for a place in Denver, she wasn't leaving the BAU and the two of them would keep her apartment for when she was working. Matt and his wife Kristy were getting used to having babies again; Spencer was continuing to teach while still consulting at the BAU. Nobody else could understand how he was going to manage it. Penelope was leaving for the next step, she already had multiple offers but had settled on a research non-profit in Silicon Valley. But she had chosen a non-profit still close to home with a dress code not as strict as the FBI's. Rossi had considered retiring again but had decided to stay on at the BAU. Garcia's goodbye party was in full swing. They'd had speeches, hugs, danced their feet off. Luke and Penelope had been dancing their feet off, at some point Penelope had needed to kick her shoes off to continue.

Breathlessly, trying to catch their breath Penelope and Luke made their way off the dance floor giggling. Getting to the table Luke poured a glass of water.

"Thank you" Penelope said taking the glass out of his hand and putting it to her as he poured himself a glass. Luke glanced at her as he put the water jug done – it was now or never.

"So – ugh." He put the glass to his mouth and took a sip. Trying to catch his breath and muster the courage to ask her the question he had been burning to ask her all night. "I was thinking since we aren't going to work together any more – that ugh maybe I could take you to dinner."

She stared at him; her mouth opens in disbelief as she started to nod. "Yeah"

"Yeah?" He asked enthusiastically

"Yeah", She returned nodding her head even more enthusiastically

"We'll eat?"

"Ugh – I – yeah" she was still nodding enthusiastically. Butterflies in her stomach, she'd almost said I eat. She couldn't believe it Luke Alvez was asking her out.

"Cool!" he said with a grin. Penelope couldn't help but smile as well.

The rest of the night was full of dancing, good food, good company, laughter, and lots of wine. For the rest of the night Luke was never far from Penelope's side, every now and then he would wrap his arm around her waist, or across her shoulders and she wouldn't push it away. It felt comfortable and right, he'd asked her out on a date, there was no more fighting it.

At the end of the night, they'd decided to split a cab as their apartments were only a few blocks apart from each other. The two of them had decided to split a cab as they lived in a similar area of town. During the drive, the two of them reminisced over the night. Reid's dancing, how animated Rossi got when he had a bit to drink.

"You're not much better" Luke laughed; Penelope gasped jokingly offended by Luke's comments.

Penelope yawned and shuffled closer to Luke. She absentmindedly put her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. She could smell his cologne; he had a manly musk to him that she couldn't quite put her finger on. All she knew was that it was intoxicating, and she couldn't help but inhale. She felt his hand move to her knee, his fingers drawing little circles. She couldn't help but giggle at how touchy it was. He looked down at her and kissed the top of her head.

"Does that tickle?" he murmured into her hair.

"You know it does", she laughed; in true Luke fashion, he continued doing it. She laughed and pushed his hand away, looking up at him with a serious look. "I will drop you if you aren't careful!"

"I'd like to see you try!" he whispered in her ear.

"Don't tempt me?" she said, looking up at him. Luke cupped her face in his hands, pushing her hair out of her face. Garcia bit her lip softly; Luke's eyes dropped to her lips as he licked his own. Luke ran his thumb over her cheek before leaning in.

"Luke", she murmured as his lips moved closer to his. Luke's lips were inches from hers when the driver announced, "We're here."

Luke moves away from her, resting his head on the back of his headrest. Garcia collected her stuff, opening the door; she looked back at Luke, briefly opening her mouth but thinking better of it. She got out of the car; Luke shuffled over and paid the cab driver. Penelope turned around to shut the door, Luke pushed the door open before she could and got out of the cab.

"You're not going to take the cab to your apartment?" Penelope asked him.

"No, I am going to be a gentleman and walk you to your door first" He smiled, a smile spread over Penelope's face in return.