Penelope woke up five minutes before her alarm clock was set to ring. It was an old fashioned one, with the clanging domes on top, not the piercing buzzer of digital clocks. She switched it off, stretching out her legs and arms. It was sunny outside and there was frost on the window. And it was a good day.
Every once in a while, it happens that feeling good is a given from the moment you roll over on your pillow. Penelope was out of the shower with dry hair ahead of her usual morning schedule. She took time to pick out what she wanted to wear, and sat down for breakfast in her kitchen, rather than a rushed grab at food on the way out the door.
Derek's alarm woke him up at six so he could go for his morning run. He stared at the ceiling. He had sensed that JJ had been eying him on the plane, but hadn't been sure of the reason why. He had been talking to Garcia. Texting. Garcia. It had been a few days since he'd seen her. Derek rubbed his forehead with a hand. He'd missed her. More than usual. He'd found himself thinking of her during slow moments in the case, when he'd usually be thinking about sports, or the unsub, or a girl he'd met the last week. Which was impossible because he hadn't met any girls in the last…..month. Which was unusual. Derek exhaled and pulled himself out of bed. It was cool out, and the grass was crisp with frost as he took his first strides across the edge of the lawn and up to speed.
Penelope had coffee from her favourite shop, which had taken her several weeks to return to. The girl at the counter had been slipping her the premium blend for the past week as a show of kindness. She was in the hallway that led to her office, where she could sit and enjoy it. Far away from her equipment.
Derek stepped out of the bull pen. In front of him was Penelope. His face set into a grin.
"Good Morning."
"I'll show you a good morning, hot stuff." Pen said saucily, showing off her good mood as she passed by him. Her expression over her shoulder was teasing and coy. Morgan smile widely back at her.
"Whoa whoa whoa, girl, get back over here." Morgan demanded. Penelope turned around and stepped slowly to stand in front of him. She looked at him questioningly as he stared at her. His eyes tracked to hers, scanning over her shoulders and down to her feet. He frowned.
"Hmph." He puffed. Penelope was surprised as he grasped one hand and held her arm away from her. Derek raised his free hand, turning his index finger in a circle. Spin. Penelope raised her eyebrow at him questioningly, then turned in a full circle, keeping her eyes on him as continuously as she could manage. As she came to face him, Pen noticed that he had shifted closer. She had to look upwards a little more than usual.
"Baby girl, what has got you looking so fine today?" He inquired, his voice quieter than he usually used to project his comments.
Pen could only manage a nervous smile that she hid under her bangs and ducked head.
"No reason. Does a girl need an occasion to dress up once in a while?" Penelope shot him a smile and started towards her office. Derek took the few quick steps to catch up with her and fall into pace.
"No, but there usually is one." He reasoned.
"No ulterior motives sugar, sorry for your prying little mind." She patted his cheek in consolation.
"Well if you haven't got an occasion, you can't just let all that hotness you got going on go to waste." Penelope grinned, but shook her head.
"I have to get to work and so do you." She unlocked her office door and stepped inside. "You should be getting down to the bull pen." She was already pulling out a stack of CDs from her bag. Derek leaned against the doorway, blocking it from shutting. He crossed his arms.
"Let me take you to dinner."
Penelope turned around, brushing a strand of hair out of the way of her eyes.
"What did you say gorgeous?"
"I said let me take you out to dinner. We can go tonight, after work. Wherever you want." Derek watched her for her response.
"Sweetie. I'm okay, really. I honestly don't have anything going on. I swear. No dates with strange men. I'll be okay." She shook it off. He had done the same thing right before she had been shot. Seemed to think that if he could keep her busy, she wouldn't have time for some lunatic to find her.
But Derek's face darkened slightly at her response. She didn't get it.
"Come on, baby girl. I want to take you out. A nice dinner. I'm serious. You shouldn't be wasting what you've got going on at home tonight." Maybe compliments would work where being straight with her had faltered.
Penelope looked at him. He was going to break her heart one of these days for sure.
"Fine. When should I be ready?"
"Can I pick you up at seven?" Garcia grinned.
"I'll wait for your car outside my office door."
Morgan clapped his hands together quietly.
"Alright then. I'll see you at seven." He shot her a grin and slid back around the corner, his step echoing in the hallway.
"Garcia?" JJ knocked on the office door.
"Hey Jayje. Come on in babe." JJ slipped inside and closed the door behind her.
"Wow." JJ looked at her with her eyebrows up. "You look good today. I love those shoes. Any occasion?"
"Nope. Just felt like it this morning. Sometimes a girl needs to get herself looking a little special for no reason." Garcia grinned, tapping out along the keyboard.
"Hey do you want to go out tonight after work? We can hit up a place, get some drinks or something. I can see if Em wants to come."
Penelope winced.
"That sounds great, but I already made plans." She replied apologetically. " I told someone I'd grab some dinner after work."
"Okay, well, raincheck maybe." JJ smiled. "Oh, and Hotch wants to know if you filed those tracking reports yet. I knew I came here for something."
"JJ ?" Reid ducked in the door. "Team in the conference room in three Hotch says."
"Thanks Spence." JJ rolled her eyes. "Duty calls. Hey," JJ paused at the doorway. "Who's dinner with?"
"JJ." Reid's voice came from down the hall.
"I'm coming Spencer!" She turned back for just a moment. "Garcia?"
"Jen!" JJ looked shocked in the direction of Reid's voice. Garcia stood up.
"Go." She instructed JJ. "I'll talk to you later."
"Pen!"
"Go……It's Derek." She added quickly, shutting the door and hearing Reid call Jayje again. JJ was going to try to kill him in the elevator. And then come after her after the briefing.
