(A/N: Well, no lemons for this chapter. A lot of mini conversations between David and Penelope as they have their first time apart after their long weekend. Hope you enjoy. And understand why this needed to be shared. KK)
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As everyone settled back into their chosen seats on the jet, Rossi glanced around. Morgan was behind him, leaned back and listening to whatever he had playing across his earphones, eyes closed and seemingly relaxed. Aaron was reviewing the files they had just went over, more than likely being sure there was nothing they had missed in the first look. JJ was towards the front and he could hear a soft murmur coming from her area, talking to her husband he assumed. Emily and Reid were in the back, and looked to be having an intense discussion about something on their tablets. And, his Kitten was back at the nest, safe for now. At least she wasn't out in the field with them.
He hadn't even begun to think of how he was going to handle his concerns for the times when she was pulled out into the field. Considering Penelope's independent streak, he better figure that out quickly. He was full blooded Italian, had spent most of his childhood being raised and sometimes groomed for the local mafia, was a former marine and his protective streak where women were concerned was as hereditary as his dark skin, his dark eyes, his loud outspoken honesty, and his love and admiration for the feminine mystique. How was he-
His thoughts were cut short by the feel of his phone vibrating. Reaching into his pocket he saw that it wasn't a call and flipped open the phone, lips uncontrollably quirking upon noticing who was texting him.
"Let me know when everyone arrives safely?"
Digging out his recently acquired texting skills, he replied, "Will do, Kitten."
"Be smart. Stay safe, my Caramellino."
"I will have to remind you about using that little."
"Looking forward to it. ;P"
Perplexed for a moment, Rossi stared at her reply. " ;P ?"
"Turn phone sideways."
Turning his phone sideways he stared at the screen for a moment before realizing what the symbols looked like. A smile taking over his features as he got the allusion, Rossi retorted with a quick text, "Cara, if you're bored, I have other things you could be doing with that tongue."
He waited anticipatorily on her reply.
"As I said, looking forward to it, Mon Loup! Now get some rest, one of us has to get to work. :) "
Rossi smiled widely, putting his phone up and leaning back in his seat, more relaxed than when he had first stepped on the plane.
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Their discussion – argument –settled, both Reid and Emily were quietly talking when Emily gave a small grunt, nudging Reid to catch his attention, "Hunh. Is that Rossi, texting ?!"
Reid followed her glance, watching as Rossi stared at his phone perplexedly before turning it sideways. Both he and Emily continued gazing at Rossi as he huffed out a soft laugh before rapidly typing a reply.
"That is what it looks like." Reid's matter of fact voice came calmly.
Seeing Reid's quiet acceptance of what she thought was a fascinating change in behavior, Emily settled back in her seat, deciding not to question to closely what she was watching. "That old adage must not be true. You can teach an old dog new tricks."
Reid's voice once again drifted from her side, this time with a touch of whimsy and an arch to his lips, "Maybe he just needed the right teacher."
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"We have arrived and settled in." David moved around the room, looking at everything before returning to look out the window.
Penelope's voice lowered from her high flirty tone to ask, "How are my babies? Everyone tucked safely away?"
"JJ and Emily are sharing a room down the way, Reid and Hotch another, and I rented my own room tonight so Morgan will have his own and I can share my privacy with you, Cara. Though the room isn't much to look at."
"Ah, my Lord of the Manor, your airs are showing."
"Lord? Now, I should rate being a King, shouldn't I? At least a Prince." David's voice was baiting as he spoke to Penelope.
"Well, your Highness, you need only wave your Royal Scepter if you are truly a Prince and your minions will have no choice but to obey you and move you to a better room, maybe even a better hotel."
"I don't have any minions." David smiled as he leaned a shoulder against the window frame and looked out at the parking lot.
"No minions?"
"None."
"What about a Royal Scepter, My Prince?"
Dave looked down to see his halfway aroused state visible with the way he was leaning. Chagrin colored his voice as he replied, "Well, Cara, I'm glad you think of it as a Royal Scepter. But, I assure you, I'm not about to go waving it around here."
His smile increased a little more at hearing her laughter peal forth from his phone.
"Super Sexy, all you need to do is find some female minions and your Scepter will be waving just fine."
Dave lost a bit of his smile. "Kitten, the only 'waving' of my scepter lately has happened around you. Even now, your voice has me heavy."
"To bad I'm not there. But, then, I would outrank you, being the Goddess I am."
"And goddess's are meant to be worshipped. " Dave's voice had grown husky at their flirting.
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Laying on his side in the bed in the hotel, he spoke to Penelope on the phone. "I don't know, Kitten. This unsub has me baffled as to what he is getting from his murders." Rossi signed a little as he leaned back, holding the phone close to his ear as he looked up at the ceiling, not really seeing it but running over the photos of the crime scenes in his head.
"You have to get some rest, my pet. Give your mind a rest and come at it fresh in the morning." Dave could hear covers shifting in the background as Penelope spoke.
"So, Tuesday night isn't it?" Penelope's voice echoed a little from the phone, "Where are we going tonight on our date, Super Agent?"
"Damn!" Dave sat up in the bed, dismay colored his voice as he spoke, "Cara, I'm sorry we missed our date."
"Super Sexy, where are you taking me on our date tonight?" Penelope whispered through the phone into Dave's ear.
Dave leaned back against the bed pillows. "Kitten, I'm so sorry our date was canceled this way. I can make it up –"
"My pet, you are not getting out of our date that easily." The giggle floated from the phone as he heard her move, it sounded like she was settling deeper into the covers. "Now, since you're already in my apartment, tell me where we're going so I know how to dress."
"Kitten?"
"You heard me, Sexy, the Goddess of Bliss has spoken and must be obeyed. Now, get down to the business of seducing me, tigrotto."
Dave smiled. Depend upon his Dolcezzi to ensnare his mind tonight. "The whole point of seduction is to captivate and enthrall your lady. How am I supposed to do that across all these miles?"
"You're the top SSA Negotiator. You teach classes on how to seduce, to cajole and coax," putting a teasing sound in her voice, making it soft and breathy, she added, "how to incite, how to sway, and how to hook. And you're telling me, Super Sexy Agent Rossi, you can't think of how to –"
"Come sono belli i tuoi piedi nei calzari, O figlia di principe! Le curve dei tuoi fianchi sono come gioielli, opera di mani d'artista." Dave put passion in his voice, letting the husky tones coat his words with a plain meaning that could not be misunderstood, even though the language was unknown to her. Switching to English, Dave continued. "You take my breath away each time I glimpse you, Dea Dolce. I remember once you had alternating blue and pink highlights in your blonde hair and I couldn't keep my eyes away from you. The life you exhibit never fails to draw my eyes and speed up my heart. And you don't fail to do so tonight as you open the door to let me into your apartment."
"Ah, tonight, for you, I've re-did the streaks in my hair. And the pink and blue brings out the blue and lavender of my dress. The skirt flows to just above my knees." Penelope's quiet voice whispers softly in his ear, leading him deeper into the imaginary world of their first date.
"As you turn away, my eyes stray to your legs and I'm captivated by the seam in the back of your hose. The ones my eyes can't help but follow up the back of your leg as it tucks away under your skirt as you walk away. You may not have noticed it, but the moment I glimpsed you, I grew heavy from wanting you." Shifting his legs under the covers, he can't help but notice the same applying to him now at just the imagining of his beautiful goddess.
"Taking your hands, I twirl you around, watching as your skirt swirls a little higher above your knees. I know you have to be wearing garters with those stockings and I can't pull my eyes away, the prospect of catching a glimpse of their hidden color, holding me spellbound." Dave tucked one arm behind his head, enjoying this banter. In his mind's eye, he could see her apartment taking shape, Penelope centered in it, her beauty holding his inner eye. Crime scenes and murder were forgotten in that moment. Just the magic of words and adoration creating a healing place for both of them.
"Knowing you just got in, I persuade you into staying in with me tonight and just ordering out. Do you like Thai food, David?"
"Yes. And it doesn't take much persuasion, Cara. Spending time with you is really all I wanted for tonight. Besides, this just means we can spend time dancing, again." Dave shifted restlessly, the thought of dancing now associated with the sexual heat that flared when he remembered the last time he had danced with Penelope. "Do you like old movies, Kitten?"
"Love them. Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn give me shivers. And The Thin Man series was always a favorite." Penelope's voice waxed enthusiastic, with unfeigned happiness.
"Do you have 'Arsenic and Old Lace', then?"
"Yes, I do! Are you suggesting we curl up and watch the original serial killers of the black and white genre?" Listening to Penelope's giggles, David could feel contentment settling over him.
"Well, I'm definitely insisting upon the curling up together. In fact, if you will slide your legs over mine, I'm going to offer to massage your feet."
"You, my dear, may very well become chained to my couch if you offer that service."
"And, Dea, where will I be chained if I offer other services?" Dave smiled at the giggle that reached his ears. This woman definitely had him beguiled.
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"Good Morning, Mama. You're on speaker." Derek grinned, waiting for his friend's voice to fill the room they were sitting in.
"I'd show you a 'good' morning, my Chocolate Adonis." Penelope's cheery voice rang out.
"Now, woman, be polite, we have guests."
"Oooh, voyeurs." The smirk in her voice could be heard clearly through the line. "What knowledge do you need from the Garcia files today?"
Rossi leaned forward, "We need a list of bus driver's in a 50 mile radius from here."
"Ah, my favorite Super Sexy Agent David Rossi. I need more information, my pet."
Hotch's voice broke in, "Garcia, cross reference your list with any open custody disputes."
The sound of rapid clicking could be heard before her voice returned, "50. I need more information, my minions."
Rossi looked at Hotch, "This unsub is focusing on the women more than the children. Aaron, more of his time is spent – grooming – the women." Pulling Morgan's phone across the table towards him, "Kitten, look for custody cases that do not include the mother in the custody dispute."
"You ask and the Goddess of Divine Knowledge answers, we have 12. The list is on its way to you now."
"Thank you, Garcia." Hotch left the room to go pick up his tablet, quickly scanning through the list Garcia had sent.
"Talk to you later, Sweet Pea." Morgan reached for his phone, only to have Penelope's voice issue forth once again.
"Super Sexy, I have minions." Sensuous amusement laced her voice and Morgan paused with his hand outstretched towards his phone. Was she talking to – Rossi?
Dave's face took on a satisfied air as he stood up to follow Aaron, "Yeah, Cara, but I'm the one with the Royal Scepter, aren't I?"
Giggles erupted from the phone before she replied, "Goodbye, my Angels. Return to the realm of the Goddess when next you need me."
The phone clicked and Morgan finished picking it up as Rossi left the room, a confused look on his face before he shook his head to follow him.
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Rossi stepped into his hotel room and moved his go bag from the chair to the bed. His mood was not the best. Not only had they pulled a case the first day back from his and Penelope's weekend, but, it was serious enough they had to fly out. Now, it was Monday night again, a week after they had left, and they had just got back from the precinct where they had delivered a profile. He was in a hotel room miles away from his Kitten. Frustrated, Rossi threw his jacket across the one chair in the small room. Sitting down, he untied his laces and toed off his shoes. He and the team had eaten together earlier before separating to their rooms. Penelope was back at the BAU. And he was here.
Looking around, he pulled out his phone and sat it on the table beside him. He had been waiting all day to call Penelope. Listening to her chipper voice singing out information that they needed, he was once again reminded of how much she meant to all of them.
Dialing her number, he placed the phone on the table beside him and turned on the speaker.
"Garcia's Gates to Endless Bliss, Knock and be recognized," Penelope's voice trilled from his phone, bringing a pleased look to his face as he leaned back.
"Hello, Kitten. " Rossi could feel himself relaxing farther, "I'm too far away to knock, is there a password that I can say. I could use some Endless Bliss this evening."
"Well, SSA Rossi – Super Sexy Agent Extraordinare – I do believe I will give you the chance to try." Penelope's voice continued, "Ah, Mon Loup, have you missed your Goddess?" There was a lilt of a question underlying her flirting tone.
"Dolce, I have wanted to call you all day today."
"Why didn't you, my Super Agent?"
"After last Monday morning, I was worried I would have another door shut in my face. I wasn't willing to lose the gift of your affection, yet." With a grin, he added, "At least, not till I was sure I had the password to reach those 'Gates of Bliss' again, my Goddess."
"And have you learned the words that will open the gates for you, Mon Loup?" Her voice had lowered and David shifted a little in his seat, as his body reacted to the throaty sound.
"Chi è lei che il looketh avanti come la mattina, giusta come la luna, chiarisce come il sole e terribile come un esercito con gli stendardi?" David's voice echoed in the quiet room as he leaned forward to brace his elbows on the table, crossing them on the table top as he spoke through the phone directly to Penelope.
A rasping sound came from the phone before Penelope's voice drifted to Rossi's ears, "I don't know what you just said, but, I believe, Dave, for you, the Gates to Endless Bliss will always be open." With a throat clearing sound, Penelope's voice came across the line a little more clearly, "What did you just say, Dave?" A phone rang in the background. "Save that thought, Mon Loup, for another time. Being a Goddess is a busy job tonight and others need my all powerful skills."
Dave winced at the realization that his Kitten was still at the BAU at – looking around, he saw the clock on the nightstand – 10pm. He knew their job put them through strange hours, but, he hadn't realized that there were times she worked when the rest of them were off. "Duty calls. Now that I have heard your silvery tones and been graced by the Goddess's blessing, I can sleep tonight."
"I go, Mon Loup." Dave could hear the squeak of her chair as she leaned away for a moment, before she leaned back. "Quickly, tell me what you said?" The lilt was back in her voice.
"Song of Solomon, Chapter 6, verse 10." Rossi smiled fondly as he reached for his phone, "Look it up with those Goddess skills of yours tonight."
"I will, Sexy. Goodnight, Dave"
"Night, Kitten."
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"Ah, Mon Cherie, from your lips to this Goddess' ears, the information is on its way to your tablets as we speak." Penelope's voice briskly from the phone Rossi held out.
Hotch stepped away, heading for the room the precinct had set aside for them. It had been a long week and a half. But, Rossi felt like they were closing in. Having his nightly conversations with Penelope, instead of tiring him out, seemed to make what sleep he got, deeper, better for him. He knew more about her now, than he had from all the years of working with her. Oh, he knew things about her, but, now the things they had sometimes ended up talking about in the night, were personal and intimate. Often, things he hadn't shared with anyone else.
He turned to follow Hotch, "Talk to you later, Kitten."
"I'll be late getting home tonight, my pet."
Pausing before leaving, Dave asked, "You'll be careful? Watch –"
"Dave," Penelope's voice came stridently from the phone, "I'm always careful these days. Don't go wrapping me in cotton, I'll suffocate. Besides, tonight is my volunteer night with my support group. I need to be there."
"Don't get prissy with me, Cara."
"Would you lecture JJ or Emily every time they have to go somewhere?" quiet surrounded them for a brief moment in their conversation.
Dave replied seriously, "If I thought they were going into a dangerous situation they weren't aware of, I would say something to them." After a short moment of thought, he added, "Don't ask me not to be protective of you. I won't wrap you in cotton, but, I will remind you to take care of yourself. Especially when I'm not there to protect you myself."
"Dave," Penelope's voice dropped all its pretense. "I will be careful."
"Will you call me and let me know when you get home?"
"Yes. If you promise to go right to sleep afterwards. Au revoir, Mon Loup."
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"Kids are the worst for me, Dave." Penelope felt her eyes tear up. This case of Cooper's had tore at her heart.
"For me, too." Dave sat at the table in his room, wishing he was with her so he could make her pain go away.
"Parent's are not supposed to outlive their children."
Dave winced at the deep hurt he could hear in her voice. It prodded at a spot that ached still to this day. "You know, Carolyn was pregnant. Years ago. We were so happy. We bought clothes, and diapers, and rattles, and decorated. Everything was ready but us."
Coming out of her shell a bit, Penelope whispered, "Why do I hear sadness underlying your voice, David. This ending isn't a happy one, is it?" She knew it wasn't. If Dave had a child, there would be pictures everywhere and no end of stories of family. It was the kind of man he was.
"No, Dolce. Not a happy ending. Medicine wasn't quite the same as today's. As soon as he was born, we knew something was wrong. They rushed him away to the nursery, but there was nothing they could do. Carolyn had woken up enough to realize what was happening. By the time the doctor came to talk with us, we were both crying and numb. They explained what had happened and they were going to bring him back in to us, so we could say goodbye."
"Oh, David." He could hear suppressed sobs in Penelope's voice and knew she would be crying. But, now that he was sharing the story, he couldn't seem to stop.
"I think that was the beginning of the end for Carolyn and I. It was a loss too great for her. Then, she lost me to the BAU. I sunk myself in my cases then. I was unable, maybe even unwilling to face what waited for me at home. That was one of my greatest moments of regrets. That I wasn't there for Carolyn when she needed me." Dave could feel tears sliding down his face.
There was a quietness between them for a few minutes. Not an uncomfortable one. Just, a sharing of peacefulness and support. Then, Penelope's voice broke the silence, speaking slowly.
"I always thought I'd have the whole picture when I was young, you know? I wanted a family, with children and a husband." With a gulping laugh, she continued. "And I wanted to be a crime-fighter. Something, I suspect, that thoroughly horrified my hippie parents. When they died, I went off the grid. Now, I know, some of that was my way of honoring my parents. Not conforming, embracing my originality. Rebelling against the government; proving my freedom. I enjoyed it, don't get me wrong. But, when the FBI recruited me, it seemed like fate. I always say things happen for a reason. When the FBI approached me, it seemed to be my parents' way of letting me know I was forgiven."
"Do you still want children, Cara?"
"Someday. It scares me, Dave. More than anything else in the world." Dave could hear the strength of her emotions. "More than marriage to Kevin. More than leaving the BAU and my family." With a shudder she added, "More than losing one of my ducklings. Not being able to have children one day, or having children and then losing them, terrifies me."
"You will make a wonderful mother, Kitten." Dave's voice broke a bit. The picture of her round with child suddenly arresting his breath for a few sweet seconds. He did not just think that. This was way, way, too soon to have those feelings crop up. Suppressing the image, David turned his attention back to Penelope as she started to speak again.
"Do you want kids?"
"I –" There was a pause from Dave. "I've spent the last few years thinking that chance has passed me by. Kitten, I'm an old man."
The sound of a big raspberry floated to him.
"Seriously, Cara. I am almost 60."
"Dave, honestly, men do have it easier than women. Men can stay in reasonably good shape and still have healthy little swimmers for most of their life. Reasonably good shape, Dave. You're in better shape than most of the men my own age. And you're one of the top agents we have at the BAU. You still beat some of our trainees on the physical tests."
"And how would you know that, woman?"
"Hush, you." Penelope sounded a little flustered, but continued on, "Now, women. Or, say, me. I have just entered the down side of 35 years old. Do you know what they say about women who are over 35?"
"That they are the most beautiful and sexy women they have met? That watching you walk into a room leaves my body humming with need? That I spend my days away looking forward to these talks we have every night? That –"
Another raspberry sound from the phone, but this one was followed by a quick laugh. "Oh, you! No need for flattery, my pet. But, the downside of turning 35 last year is that my eggs are older, too. The longer I wait to have kids, the more chances I'm taking with me and my possible children's health." With a sigh, Penelope continued, "Maybe Kevin had the right idea, David. Maybe to have a family, the picket fence, the everything, you have to get away from the BAU."
With an exclamation that he couldn't' contain, David spat out, "Kevin hasn't got anything right since he came into this world. I'm sure if you contacted his mother, you would find out it was a breech birth, Kitten."
"David!" Struggling to contain her shock, Penelope's depression abruptly got swamped by a gurgle of choked laughter at Dave's swearing.
"All it takes is two committed parents, love. Two parents who are willing to work together. Having a parent in the BAU is tough, I won't lie. I couldn't with all of our history with our co-workers, even if I wanted to. But, Kevin knew what he was getting. Just like my ex-wives did. You can't go into a marriage with the expectation that someone will change for you." Dave smiled as he finally relaxed back against the chair. "If there's one thing I've learned, all kidding aside, it is that the only way to make something work, is to work at. To talk things through at the first thought, not at the last moment. And you, my Cara, couldn't hide your thoughts if you had a smokescreen and a set of camouflage clothes."
"Oh, how you do talk sweet to me, my Prince. I do enjoy how blunt you are. There is no pussyfooting with you. There's no wondering if you're saying one thing you think I want to hear and thinking something else." Penelope's voice rose on the next sentence, showing a mellowing of her mood, "How do you know just what to say when I need to hear it, my pet?"
"How do you make me feel better by just listening to me, dolce?" Dave smiled. "Though, I insist, our next serious conversation can only happen if we are sharing the same couch, or the same chair, or bed. Somewhere I can hold you in my arms."
"Then it's a good thing you'll be home soon, isn't it, Mon Loup?" her teasing tone finally lifting a smile into his eyes.
"Yes, it is. Will you wear those stockings with the seams for me, cara? Something to greet me with so I know you missed me?" Dave cajoled.
"You know I will, Super Agent." With a purr, Penelope's voice drifted to his ears, "But, only if you promise to help me with my garters again."
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(A/N: Yeah, yeah, I played with the ages some. But, I'm not exact ages I'm guessing at a little. They mentioned on 'Penelope' episode where she got shot that they were bringing a 30 year old female in to the Emergency Room. And I think on one of the shows they first introduced David Rossi in, they mentioned that he was 55. And I think both those shows happened in 2007. So, some guestimating was done on their ages.
And, again, there were no lemons in this chapter. I wanted to show more of a relationship growing between the two. So, I had to split them up with a case just to keep the lovebirds from getting physical. LOL
Hope you enjoyed this Chapter! KK.)