Sorry for the delay. Thank you so much for all of the reviews and alerts. My many thanks to WmGeorge for her tireless work as my Beta.

The two men stopped and watched as Penelope and Tony kissed by his car and then as Penelope walked away leaving Tony standing there. It wasn't so much the kiss as they weren't officially on the clock yet. It was Tony the way didn't move, he just stood there watching Penelope walk away.

"You okay there Tony?" Rossi asked with just a hint of mirth in his voice.

"You know you can let go of the car, I'm sure you're fine?" Derek teased.

"Yeah, but is the car? I though she scorched it." He replied, not looking at either of the men.

"Man you got it bad." Morgan draped an arm over Tony's shoulder. "Come on we're going to be late."

Rossi laughed softly as he handed Tony a handkerchief.

"Thanks." Tony smirked as he wiped the lipstick off.

Tony said a quick hello and handed Penelope a cup of tea as she went to her seat for the briefing. They kept it strictly professional at work, well at least where anyone could see them. They did steal a few kisses from time to time in her office. If was fun and just the chance that they could be caught made it all the better.

Garcia watched them leave the briefing room. "Stay safe and be careful." She didn't stop to talk to any of them as she went to her office. Normal and professional, she said to herself.

Opening the file she starts doing what she does best, she digs and looks for a common denominator. Reaching for a pen without looking she swears slightly as she fumbles and it falls to the floor only to roll under the desk.

Once she is back on her feet she is surprised to see the unit chief standing there watching her. "Are you hurt?"

"No, I just dropped my favorite pen. How can I help you, Agent Cruz?"

"I need some information. I've been told by more than one person that you can get it for me, without causing a stir."

She skimmed the file and looked up at him. "I'll need a few minutes."

"What case are they working on?"

"Serial killer, they went to Nebraska."

"How bad?"

"Just your run of the mill sick puppy as far as I can tell. I've just started to dig. I just do the digging and leave the profiling to the pros." She shivered.

"Don't sell yourself short, Penelope. I've read some of the past cases that this unit has worked on. Your work with children has helped them more than once. Not to mention what you can do with an unsub's computer once it's found."

"Kids like me. And computers, well I like them." She laughed, and reached for the paper the printer is spitting out.

"What do you need DiNozzo?" Gibbs says as he answers his cell.

Tony was standing just outside the conference room the team was using as their base of operations. "Would you mind going and checking on Penelope for me? We're still in Nebraska, I know she is fine. But. . . "

"How long have you been gone?"

"Almost a week."

"I'll go tonight, been meaning to anyway. I bought a laptop, I have to take a course. New mandate came down from the SecNav."

"Thanks, Gibbs."

Tony ended the call and entered the room.

Aaron frowned at him. "She won't like it, you know."

"I know, but I worry about her when I'm away for more than a few days."

"I understand, we all do." He cleared his throat. "Have you moved in yet?"

"No, but my piano has." Tony's smile that spoke volumes.

Rossi snorted from his seat. "Marry her already, Tony. I've never seen her this happy before."

"Well, now that I have the blessing of the team, I'll asks her when we get back."

"Hey man, if you hurt Penelope." Morgan pointed his finger at Tony.

"You'll punch me?"

"Oh no, JJ deals with the people that hurt Penelope. Call it her specialty."

"I heard how she took care of the last person that hurt Cookie. I promise I'll be good."

"Thank goodness. I wasn't looking forward to burying your body in the woods near Rossi's cabin." Reid was completely straight-faced as he spoke.

"We take care of our own Tony, you should know that by now." Hotch nodded at him before he answered his cell. "Garcia what do you have. . .

It was just after dark when Gibbs pulled up to Penelope's home. He turned off his car and lights, gathering his thoughts like he always did when he came to her home. The street was quiet and peaceful just like his own. He sat there for a minute, remembering a happier time in his life. He shook his head putting the memory back where it belonged, getting out of his car with the new laptop he sees a shadow and a small light right next to the large tree in Penelope's yard.

He walked to where he saw the light with his usual stealthy walk. The light she was using was tiny, just enough light for her to see.

"Penelope." He squatted next to her as he spoke.

Penelope squeaked. "Damn! Don't do that you scared me." She scowled as she scolded him.

"What are you doing?"

"It's a fairy door and a few windows, paving stones and a chair." Her voice was joyful.

She put the small light between her teeth and picked up a small hammer.

Gibbs snorted. "Give me that, you hold the flashlight."

It took him only a few minutes to nail everything to the tree. Once he was back on his feet he watched as she made a small path for the stones then put the tiny wicker chair by the door.

She turned and smiled at him. "Are you hungry? I have pasta primavera."

"Yes, please." He handed her the laptop and picked up the few tools she'd brought.

"Good, I'll set up your laptop after we eat."

After the dishes were in the dishwasher, they made them selves comfortable at the larger dinette set that Tony bought for her. Gibbs picked up his cup and watched her as she worked.

She spoke without taking her eyes off the computer screen. "I love him you know, very much. I want to spend the rest of my life with him."

"I know that, I can see it in your face every time you look at him or even talk about him."

"I was hoping you would talk to him, give him a shove, and hopefully your blessing."

"You have my blessing already. As for a shove, maybe a head slap would be better, make him focus and see what is right in front of him."

She tipped her head slightly, conveying her thanks to him. "I've set up your course, a study guide, and an automatic save when you start to type anything."

"Thank you for doing this for me."

"You're welcome, although I'm sure McGee could have done it for you."

"Yes, he could have," Gibbs admitted.

"But it was a good excuse to check on me, like Tony asked you to."

He kissed her cheek. "You're perfect for him." Gibbs stepped outside and headed for his car.

Penelope smiled as she closed and locked the door.