Chapter 7
"Was that a dog," JJ asks as Penelope pulls the door open.
Morgan slides through the door not waiting for an answer or invitation. "Where the hell have you been, woman?"
"Derek, you promised," Emily growls as she rushes in behind him. Both agents stop when they see Dave sitting on the couch.
"Rossi? What are you doing here," Morgan demands.
"Obviously, he is here with me," Penelope answers.
JJ makes her way past Derek and Emily. "Oh my God! Is this your dog, Dave?"
"Yeah," Dave replies as he releases the dog. Mudgie, tail wagging, goes to JJ. "His name is Mudgie."
JJ squats down and begins to scratch Mudgie's ears. "Hello, Mudgie."
"Please tell me you didn't kick the door in," Hotch states as he and Reid enter the room. The younger man closes the door.
"Oh good, the whole team is here," Dave quips.
"Dave," Hotch says sounding startled. "When did you get here?"
"That's what I want to know," Morgan growls. "And why?"
"Why shouldn't I be here," Dave challenges.
"Because…" Morgan stammers. "You're not her friend."
"Excuse me?!"
"That's enough," Hotch cuts in.
"Why are you all wound up," Penelope asks.
Morgan looks at her like she's speaking a foreign language. "Why am I wound up? You've been missing for three days!"
"Missing," she repeats. "I wasn't missing."
"You were to us," Reid cuts in. He stands stiffly as Mudgie leans against his leg, while JJ scratches the dog's chest.
"You haven't been answering your phone," JJ accuses.
"We came here to see if there were any clues to your where abouts," Hotch explains. "It's not like you to be so quiet."
Penelope glances at Dave before turning back to the team. "Band-aid method?"
Dave nods. He starts to rise.
Still looking at Dave, Penelope speaks to the group. "I went looking for my future."
"What the hell does that mean," Morgan asks.
Dave takes a moment to stretch before reaching out and gently pulling Penelope to his side. "What that means is, we have something to tell you guys."
"Oh my God," Hotch moans. He hides his face in his hands. "Dave…"
"I told you," JJ says as she smirks at Emily.
"I've been with Dave at his cabin," Penelope says quickly. "And we've decided to get married."
The entire team stares at them in silence with a mixture of surprise and confusion on their faces.
"Baby girl, I don't know what kind of bullshit he's been feeding you," Morgan says.
"He hasn't been feeding me any bullshit, Derek. We're in love and we have been for a long time," Penelope replies.
"I didn't know you guys were even dating," Emily cuts in. "You haven't said a word to me."
"Or me," Reid pipes in.
"Or me," Hotch says firmly. "Of all of us, I should have been told you were dating."
"I don't know if dating is the right word," Dave says.
"Oh? What is the right word," Hotch asks.
"Dating suggests that we've been… well, that we've been on dates," Dave replies vaguely. "And we haven't."
"I need a beer," Morgan huffs. He stomps to the kitchen and opens the refrigerator.
"Maybe we should sit down," Hotch suggests. "Then you two can explain what is going on."
"I'll take a beer too," Emily says to Morgan. "Anyone else?"
Dave and Penelope settle on the couch. Emily sits next to them. Hotch and Reid each grab a chair. Morgan enters the room and passes out beers to Emily, Hotch and Dave. The others decline the beverage. Morgan sets the extras on the table and sits on the arm of Reid's chair. JJ continues to sit on the floor and scratch Mudgie's chest.
"I for one, am not at all surprised by any of this," JJ announces as Mudgie makes himself comfortable in her lap.
"Really?" Morgan says not believing her.
"Nope," she replies. "You guys haven't spent the last, how many years? Listening to Penelope talk about Dave. Oh, she tried to play it off as just a passing fancy but deep down I knew there was more to the story."
Dave looks at Penelope and sees the redness in her cheeks. He kisses her cheek gently. She looks up at him and they share a smile.
"Oh, and Dave," JJ stated getting his attention. "I've seen the looks you've sent in Penelope's direction when you thought no one else was looking."
Dave frowns at JJ. "Why aren't you a profiler?"
JJ smiles in return and shrugs.
"That doesn't explain this," Morgan says as he waves a hand at the couple snuggled on the couch. "When did this happen?"
"This weekend," Dave sighs.
"And you're already planning to get married?" Emily asks.
"Why not?" Penelope cuts in. "Neither one of us are children. We both know what we are getting into and we understand each other's jobs and lifestyles. Obviously, we've cared for each other for a long time. It's just that it became more apparent this weekend."
"What about Kevin?" Reid asks. "I thought you two were still dating."
"No. We broke up when he wanted me to buy a farm with him and leave the BAU," Penelope explains.
"That sounds like a nice change," Morgan offers.
"But I don't want a change," Penelope growls. "Even with all the bad things that we see and have to deal with, I actually enjoy my job. And I love you guys… not the same way I love David, of course."
"Oh of course," Emily repeats.
Dave takes a sip of his beer and looks over at Hotch. "You've been quiet. Anything to add?"
Hotch takes a deep breath and slowly lets it out. "I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to convince the powers that be to allow both of you to stay with the unit once you're married."
Dave and Penelope look at each other. Penelope looks scared and Dave apprehensive.
"We hadn't thought about that," Dave says.
"I don't see why it should be a problem," Derek states. "Dave isn't her supervisor, and they don't work in the field together. If it was going to be a problem it would have become apparent by now."
"You sound as if you're okay with the fact that Dave and I are together," Penelope says softly as she looks at her best friend.
They share a look for a moment.
"I am okay with it," he says finally. "I really am. I want both of you to be happy."
Dave and Pen look at each other again and smile. "We are," they say in unison.
"So, when's the wedding going to be?" Reid asks.
"Next Saturday," Dave suggests as he continues to look at Penelope.
She smiles and nods. "Yes, please."
"Looks like we have a wedding to plan," Hotch exclaims. "Someone grab a pen and paper."
End Chapter 7
