"So, who's put the smile on your face this morning, Hot Stuff?" Morgan asked as she stepped into the office Monday morning.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" she teasingly replied, smiling all the wider. He came up to her side and steered her over to his desk.
"Sit. What's his name?"
She looked up at him, and shook her head. "I'm not going to tell you. I don't want to jinx anything. Suffice it to say that we are both extremely happy. There's nothing for you to worry about this time, I promise." She saw him glower suddenly, and she followed his gaze up to see Rossi staring at them, hostility radiating from him. "If anything, he's who you need to worry about," she said without thinking, then clapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes widening in horror.
Morgan turned her to look at him. "Sugar, are you saying what I think you are?" She looked away from him, staring at one of the pictures on his desk. His hand came to rest on her shoulder. "Penelope, if he's the one that hurt you, you need to say so. He needs to pay for his crime, and there's no statute of limitations between friends."
"But he won't pay, Derek. They made sure they wouldn't. And that's all I can say. Please, don't push this any farther. When the time comes, he'll pay, I know he will. At this point, with it being my word against his, he won't. I've accepted that, you need to as well. And my dove makes me indescribably happy. I've chosen to focus on that than on things I can't change."
"If the opportunity ever arises…"
"You won't. You're too much a hero to do something that dark. Now, I have to get to work." She stood and went up to her office, locking her door. An hour passed and a knock came at her door. "Just a minute!" She turned her monitor off , then went to the door. "Who is it?"
"Gracie. I have a delivery for you, Penelope. It just came across my desk."
Penelope unlocked and opened her door. The mousy haired girl from reception stood there, holding a large, thin box awkwardly. "Who is this from?"
"Don't know. There was no card with it. But I do know it came from that really cute boutique I'll never be able to afford on my salary. Whoever you're seeing has really good taste."
"Thanks, Gracie." She took the box from the young woman and went back into her office. Opening the box, she found a card sitting on top of the tissue paper. Taking it out, she read the note from Erin. 'We have tickets to see Fidelio at the National Opera this Friday, and I want you to wear this. Happy early birthday, my sweet peacock. Love, your dove.'
Setting the card down on her desk, she peeled back the tissue paper to reveal a blood red silk shantung dress. Pulling it out of the box, she saw that it would hit her about mid-calf. The dress was sleeveless, but there was a black silk shawl in the bottom of the box. She wanted to try it on at once, then saw the back was laced rather than zippered. Determined not to let that stop her, she picked up her phone and dialed Emily's desk.
"Yes, Garcia?"
"I need your help here, pronto. Come up to my office, will ya?"
"Give me three minutes."
"Perfect." While she waited for Emily to come up, she stripped off her skirt and top, putting the dress on. A knock came at the door. "Emily?"
"Yes."
"Okay." Holding the dress to her chest, she let the other woman in. "Hurry and lace me up. We're going to the opera Friday for my birthday, and I want to make certain this fits."
"Oh, my god, Penelope. This dress is gorgeous," Emily said as she tugged the laces, making the dress fit to her body. The skirt flared out, helped by the tulle underneath, and the boning gave her even better cleavage. "Can you breath still?"
Penelope nodded. "Do you think I look okay?"
"Honestly? That dress screams 'fuck me'. You look absolutely amazing in it. Whoa, and it came from Joyce? Penelope, does your boyfriend have a brother?"
She blushed and shook her head. "Sorry, I picked an only child for a lover. I really look that good?"
"Yes. Do you want me to get Morgan up here to tell you that?"
"Tell me – whoa. What happened to my Baby Girl? 'Cause all I see here is one smoking hot woman," he said as he entered her office.
"I know, right? She doesn't believe me."
"So, what's the occasion?"
"We're going to the opera for my birthday on Friday. Did you need something, Derek?"
"Yeah, there's a new case to be briefed. You might want to change, though. Don't want to give Reid and Hotch a heart attack." They all laughed, and he left, closing the door behind him.
Emily quickly unlaced the dress and put it back in the box while Penelope pulled on her clothes. Once she was presentable again, they went into the conference room. The case was briefed smoothly and she was back in her office before she knew it, looking for information. As the day wore on, she found she couldn't concentrate, her gaze going back to the box frequently.
Finally, it was five, and she shut down her system, switching everything over to her home system. Picking up the box, she made her way down to the parking garage. Erin was waiting for her, leaning against the car. She struggled not to break out into a run and hug Erin close to her. She saw her lover smile and couldn't help but grin in return. She set the box on the back seat and got in the car. Once they were off government property, she leaned over and kissed Erin's cheek.
"I take it you like your dress."
"I love it! And it fits like a dream. But I don't know what shoes I'll wear with it. I don't have anything elegant enough to match this divine dress."
"I'm certain you'll find something before Friday." Erin pulled into their parking spot and took Penelope's purse and mug while she took the box. Going upstairs, she unlocked the door and let them in. Penelope made a beeline for the closet and lovingly hung the dress up, arranging the shawl around it. She felt Erin's arms snake around her waist and she leaned back into her.
"Erin, you managed to find something that makes me look beautiful. Have I told you I love you?"
"Oh, once or twice, I think. I'm glad it fits." Penelope turned and kissed Erin, then let herself be pulled in the direction of the bed.
"…and that's all I could find, Hot Stuff. If you give me more to go on, I might be able to find extra data," Penelope said, leaning back in her chair. Someone knocked at her door and she rolled her chair to the door. "Yes?"
"It's Gracie, again. You have another delivery."
"Ooh, what are you getting now, Mama?"
"I don't know, Derek, I haven't opened the door yet." She opened it and took two small boxes from Gracie. "Thank you." She shut the door once more. Opening the larger box, she found a fantastic pair of heels, black, with rhinestones studding the straps. "Oh, these are so perfect," she whispered, taking one out and looking it over.
"You got shoes, didn't you?"
"Uh-huh. Morgan, I am so loved."
"I'll have to remember that for the future. Talk to you later."
"Okay." She hung up the phone and pulled the other box onto her lap. She opened it and parted the tissue paper, sucking in her breath at what she saw. Frothy blood red lace lay nestled in the paper and she pulled out the bra first. There was hardly anything more to it than lace and hooks. Setting it aside, she pulled out the panties. Erin's hand was all over these, since they matched the ones she normally wore. Finally, she pulled out a garter belt and a pair of thigh high hose so delicate she felt like she was holding on to air. Sighing happily, she put the lingerie back in the box and waited for the night to come. Somehow, she knew it would be better than the last.
Penelope waited with anticipation for the knock on her door Wednesday. She didn't have to wait too long, as about eleven, Gracie knocked, handing over two packages once more. "So, are you going to get something every day this week?" she asked, a whine in her voice that rankled Penelope to no end.
"We'll just have to see, won't we?" she replied coolly, unconsciously mimicking her lover as she arched her brow and looked at the other woman.
"I-I guess so," she stammered, backing out of the office. Penelope shut the door in her face and locked it, then sat down in her chair. She couldn't decide between the small, thin box and the round box. In the end, she chose the thin box and pulled it onto her lap. Removing the cover from the box, she pulled the tissue paper back and gasped.
As she had once told Reid, she knew her knock-offs, and this was most certainly not a knock-off. Lovingly, she lifted the black Badgley Mishka beaded clutch out and held it close to her chest. She'd always wanted a designer bag, but could never justify the cost. She felt tears prick her eyes and she blinked them away as she set the clutch back in its bed of tissue. Setting that box aside, she grabbed the round one. Stamped on the lid was 'Mary's Merry Millinery' and she smiled, wondering what she could expect inside.
She felt like the breath had been sucked from her lungs as she beheld the creation that was inside. Delicately, she took out the pill box shaped hat, noticing it was made from the same fabric as her dress. The blood red silk shimmered slightly as she turned the hat to get a closer look at the applique on the side. It was a black peacock, standing in profile, with his tail feathers trailing out behind him. The feathers were a mix of black and red, and she touched them softly, relishing in the feel of marabou feathers against her flesh. Then she noticed the black mesh netting that was on the front of the hat.
She put it on her head and found the netting reached down to cover her eyes, though it didn't really obscure her vision. Looking back in the box, she saw two more items. First, she pulled out a long, thin, pin that had a gemstone on the end. The gem matched the hat, and Penelope thought it might be a tourmaline. She figured she would attach the hat through the eye of the peacock, thinking herself clever. Then she took out a single red marabou feather. Looking in her compact mirror, she smiled wickedly.
Her day went slowly, time crawling in response to her desire to be home. Finally, five o'clock came and she packed up her things. As she exited her office, she found she had to fumble around to shut the door. She finally got it closed and went over to the elevator.
"Oh, you have a hat from Mary's," a woman from counter-terrorism said, noticing her hat box. "Do you mind if I see what you had made?" Penelope opened the box and showed her the hat. "That is absolutely gorgeous. Where are you going to wear it?"
"To the opera on Friday. It's my birthday."
"Well, happy early birthday. Enjoy the hat."
Penelope smiled. "Thanks, I will." The elevator doors slid open and she smiled widely at Mike as she walked past him. He nodded in response. Erin was sitting in Esther, waiting for her. "You, my love, are spoiling me."
Erin shrugged and started the car. "I just want you to look as beautiful as you are to me for your birthday," she said quietly, a gentle smile curving across her lips. Penelope leaned back into the seat, letting the sound of classical music wash over her. She had found it easy to like this type of music, since Erin loved it so.
Once they were home, Erin carried the hat box for her and let them into the apartment. "So, what should we have for supper?" she asked as she hung up her coat. Penelope pulled out the feather from her purse and didn't answer right away. After a moment, Erin turned to look at her, and she smiled.
"I can think of something I'd like for supper," she sensuously said, twirling the feather at her. Erin blushed becomingly as Penelope took a few steps forward, closing the gap between them. Penelope brushed the feather over Erin's face, watching her eyes close and lips part. She couldn't help but kiss her and, as Erin held her close, her hands made short work of the skirt and blouse Erin had been wearing. Quickly, she unclasped Erin's bra and broke the kiss, stepping back from her.
Holding the tip of the feather between her teeth, she stripped down to her skivvies. She took Erin's hand and led her to the bedroom. "You should have made sure they didn't give me something to tease you with," she said as she brushed the feather over Erin's nipples, watching them harden under the light touch. She dragged it down Erin's body, flicking out patterns on her skin. Erin shuddered and stumbled back onto the bed.
Penelope joined her, skimming off her panties, then running the feather along Erin's core. She was fascinated by how quickly Erin climaxed under the light ministrations of the feather. And she was hardly surprised when Erin wrapped her legs around her hips, pulling her down on top of her. Penelope kissed her passionately, reveling in the feel of Erin's nails raking down her back. Somehow, she knew they wouldn't be getting out of bed until morning.
Both Erin and she moved stiffly the next morning, a contented smile on their faces. Penelope went down to the commissary for lunch, since there had not been time to make one that morning. When she came back, she found a package sitting on her desk. She was a bit disturbed by its appearance, since she was certain she'd locked her door before leaving.
Hesitantly, she opened the hinged box and released the breath she'd been holding. Picking up the note, she read: 'I wanted to deliver these myself. Erin'. Setting the note aside, she giggled as she pulled out the pair of vintage cat's eye glasses. She switched out her current pair for the new, and found she could see perfectly, then knew she had to call Erin. "Hey."
"Hello."
"So, how did you know my prescription?"
"I have my ways, Ms. Garcia. Much though you would like to know, I shall never divulge my sources."
Penelope smirked. "Oh, I can think of a few ways to make you talk. Until later." She hung up and went back to work, not taking off her new glasses. Around four, her cell phone buzzed and she answered it without thinking. "Hello?"
"Hey Baby Girl. We've just landed at the airfield and were planning to head out for drinks tonight after work. Did you want to come with us?"
She thought for a moment. "Let me check my calendar a second and get back to you." She paused his call and dialed Erin's cell. "Hey, do you mind if I go out with the team for drinks after work?"
"Oh, we were going to have supper with Karen tonight, remember?"
"Crap, no, thank you for reminding me. That's at six, right?"
"Uh-huh."
"Okay, I'll let Morgan know." She let Erin go and clicked back in with Morgan. "Hey, sorry, it's going to be a no-go for me. We're going out with her daughter for supper tonight."
"Wait, wait, back that train up. Her who?"
"My girlfriend," she replied steadily, smiling as she imagined Morgan's face.
"Since when do you like girls, Penelope?"
"Ever since I fell in love with her. She's the one, Derek, that special someone meant just for me."
"Then that's all that matters, isn't it? When do I get to meet her?"
"We're still working on that. There are some logistical issues that we need to work out first. But I promise you will get to meet her eventually."
"And she's treating you all right?"
"Have you seen what she's bought me for my birthday? I've never been so lavished in love."
"You deserve it, you really do. I'll see you tomorrow then. Have a good night."
She heard him hang up and leaned back in her chair. No further calls came in before she shut her system down for the evening. Pulling out her compact, she checked her makeup, wanting everything to be in place. She knew Karen liked her and all, but she still wanted to make a good impression. After she touched up her lipstick, she changed back into her old frames, sticking the case in her purse along with Erin's note.
At the elevator bank, she passed the team as they were coming back. Rossi smirked at her, looking her up and down like a piece of meat. She tried to control her body, but couldn't keep from shivering. He laughed quietly as he brushed past her. "Until tomorrow, Kitten," he whispered in her ear and she clenched her fists at her sides, fighting the urge to wipe her ear clean of him. She stepped into the elevator car and refused to look at him as the doors slid closed. Once his ugly face was out of sight, she sighed, slumping her shoulders as she rubbed her temples.
Wearily, she made her way to the car, smiling slightly at Mike as she passed him. She got in the car and started it up, but before she could back up, Erin put a hand on her wrist. "What's wrong?"
She turned to look at Erin. "Rossi. He was just acting weird."
"Weirder than normal?"
"Uh-huh. I'm just getting a really bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. Could you just tell me it's probably nothing, so I'll stop worrying?"
"Honey, it's your birthday tomorrow. He probably just wants to unnerve you. Don't let him do that." Erin brought Penelope's hand up to her lips, kissing it softly. Penelope relaxed at the touch, smiling genuinely at Erin.
"Thank you. I needed to hear that." As she pulled out into traffic, she asked, "Where are we heading for supper?"
"That little Italian trattoria we were at a while ago."
"Ah." They fell silent and she drove out to the restaurant. Karen was there already, waiting for them. She hugged her mother first, and then Penelope. They all went inside and were shown to a secluded table in the back.
"So, Mother said it was your birthday tomorrow. Is she dragging you off to a concert or something?" Karen asked after they'd ordered.
"We're going to the opera tomorrow night, yes. But I wouldn't say I'm being dragged. I want to go." She squeezed Erin's hand, smiling at her. "And even if I didn't, your mother gives lovely bribes."
"You never bribed me or Annie," Karen said, shooting her mother a very familiar look. Penelope couldn't help but smile, recognizing her lover in her daughter.
"Ow," she said as she rubbed her arm. "It's not my fault the two of you are obviously related." They both continued to look at her and all she could do was smile. Eventually, she saw Erin's lip twitch up slightly. "That's what I thought."
The rest of the meal passed quickly and they got to know each other a little better throughout the course of the evening. When they'd finished their meals, Karen asked," Do any of you want desert? I've heard the gelato here is exceptional."
Penelope and Erin shared a look, and Penelope felt her cheeks flush in response to the question. "You're right, it is absolutely delicious," Erin replied, not breaking eye contact with Penelope.
"All right, do not want to think about that," Karen replied. "I think I'll stick with the lemon torte." They all ended up getting a piece of the torte and Karen held out her hand. "Can I see your phone for a minute?"
Penelope handed it over and watched as Karen tapped away, then handed it back. "What did…?"
"Don't worry, I just put my and Annie's contact details in your phone. I know you and Mother are getting serious, and just in case there's an emergency, you'll need to be able to get a hold of us. Remember the time difference for Annie, though. She's at Trinity College for this entire year, so it's always better for you to call me first."
"I'll try to remember that. Thank you."
"For what?"
"For trusting me. For not hating me."
"I don't think it is possible to hate you, Penelope. You're too nice of a person to wish ill upon." She looked over at her mother and smiled. "And you make Mother happy. I haven't seen her like this, well, in ever." Karen lowered her head, swiping her thumbs across her eyes. "And now you've made me cry."
"I tend to have that same effect on your mother. Sorry," Penelope said as she leaned into Erin, who put a hand on her shoulder. They all shared a laugh as they got up from the table and walked out. Before they parted ways, Karen hugged them again then walked off into the night. Erin got behind the wheel and drove home.
Once in the door, Penelope wrapped Erin in a hug, bursting into tears. "I don't deserve you, Erin. This, this is too much."
"It could never be enough, my peacock. You are more precious to me than gold or silver, and Karen sees that. I'm blessed to have you in my life." She took Penelope's hand and led her into their bedroom.