"Alright everyone, listen up. I hate to be the one to break up the impromptu reunion, but we've still got a lot of work to do and in light of recent events, we now know things just got a whole lot harder. Not to mention, it's going to take far longer to solve this case than we originally thought," Rossi declared before nodding to Hotch.
"Garcia, this is where you and your skills come in and as far as I'm concerned, not a moment too soon. We've run into some major complications with this case and from what I can tell, we're going to need every ounce of your computer expertise to get around them if we have any hopes in solving it, without serious consequences to everyone involved - including this entire team. A lot has happened since you and J.J. went downstairs earlier and given everything that took place there, I doubt Morgan had time to fill you in. Sit down and I'll quickly bring you both back up to speed and then you can get started." Hotch's quiet words had the whole team turning to take their seats, everyone instinctively and easily, snapping into BAU mode.
"C'mon Baby Girl. Time to get those gorgeous fingers of yours of flying and work us some of your magic." Unable to resist, Derek brought their joined hands up to his lips, brushing her fingers with a feather-light kiss before gently pulling her towards her laptop.
Both his quietly spoken comment and the whispering touch of his lips made Penelope tingle and blush just a little, even though no one would ever call either one of her personae shy by any stretch of the imagination. Because she didn't remember their past together, she couldn't know what it was exactly about Derek per se, but his words and actions were bringing out the impish side of her nature. A side she couldn't resist letting have a little free reign any longer.
"Your wish is my command, Hot Stuff. With a mouth like yours, you already know I'd follow you anywhere."
The nickname and sassy attitude rolled off Penelope's tongue with an even greater ease than it had before, and most definitely did not go unnoticed by Derek. In an almost automatic response, his dark eyes sparkled playfully, yet with silent elation and he couldn't help grinning widely back at her. In the single beat of a heart they were attuned only to one another and completely oblivious to the rest of the team's reactions happening around them. Their flirtatious and unforeseen comments to one another, had everyone stopping where they stood to stare open-mouthed at the pair. Finally, the lack of movement and ensuing silence had both Derek and Penelope pulling their eyes from each other, pausing mid-step to glance over at their teammates.
"Unless you... have something else in mind for me, Sir?" Penelope raised questioning eyebrows towards Hotch and then back at Derek, not understanding what she was missing and why everyone was staring at her. But Derek, just as confused as she was, could only give an answering shrug to her unspoken query.
"What's going on? Did we miss something?" Derek's voice held a tone of challenge, more than actual inquiry. When everyone remained silent, exchanging furtive glances with one another while trying to put their thoughts into words, anger began to slowly crawl across Derek's face. J.J. sensing an impending explosion, finally took the plunge and spoke up.
"Maybe I can explain, at least from my perspective at any rate. You guys have to understand. It's been a really, really, long time since Garcia was here with us – not to mention right here in the BAU as part of our team. Every now and then, at least for the next little while, memories involving her and the two of you are bound to sneak up and hit us over the head like the business end of a sledgehammer. When that happens, we're going to be left tongue tied and floundering. Not that it's a bad thing," She rushed on when she saw both their bodies tense in reaction to her words, her eyes darting to Emily for help. Like a relay runner, she grabbed the baton from J.J.'s outstretched hand and took up where she left off.
"Actually, it couldn't be more opposite. Garcia I know you're not going to remember, but you and Morgan had this... thing, this... way of talking to each other that you did every day both inside the office and out. And c'mon if we're being completely truthful here, it teetered precariously on the edge of sexual impropriety far more often than not. But, that said, it was a unique type of bantering that belonged only to the two of you. After we lost you it took a very long time, but we finally got somewhat used to not hearing it anymore. So when you and Morgan spoke just now - well, it gave me a good, hard memory jolt, as well as everyone else I'm sure. I never, ever thought I'd get to hear you guys talk that way to each other again, let alone witness it first hand. And honestly, until this very minute I hadn't realized how much I'd missed it. It's just going to take me - us - a bit of time to get used to having you back and all the returning memories that come with it. Everything is fine. Really. Unfortunately until reality finally sinks in for us and stops having some major shock value, I'm afraid you, and Derek too, are in for a few more 'pin drop' moments. Sorry."
"Well do you think all of you could maybe, you know, try not to have them all together at the same time then? It's making me feel like I should be checking to see if my fly is open and I'm not even wearing any pants!" Her off the wall comment dissipated the remaining tension and everyone began laughing. For the first time since she arrived, Penelope finally felt comfortable enough to be herself and allow her quirky sense of humor to come out to play. And it felt good, natural even. For her, it was her greatest break through yet.