Penelope's Bedroom"

"I can't – I need food – or I may pass out."

She got out of bed dramatically and quickly threw on a jersey fabric dress and an Asian inspired floral robe—she double wrapped the robe and headed to the door.

Derek smiles and says "let the record show that you, baby girl, called for a time out."

He throws on his boxers, slacks, and t-shirt and proceeds to follow her down to the kitchen.

Penelope's Kitchen

"Ok, what did you get? She asks, "Trying to figure out if we should have beer or wine."

"We have Chinese… so beer?"

"Great… oh, did they give you plates?"

"Nope, but we have chopsticks"

"Ok give me a sec. I have to dig them out."

She hops from box to box and Derek is amazed that she hasn't fallen yet. Something about her reminds, him of that trick magicians do with several plates on sticks spinning at different speeds… I'm always afraid that they are going to fall but they keep them moving. Penelope Garcia is definitely a quirky character, from her 70's styled glasses to her pink streaked hair. She brings a fun energy to almost everything. There was something about her that was just easy—she always seemed to say exactly what she was thinking and that kind of honesty was refreshing.

"Where are you plates?- I really have to unpack. Do you mind eating from the containers?"

"Baby girl, please just sit and eat?" as she grabs her seat he continues, "Ok we have shrimp lo mein, Kung Pao chicken, and sautéed broccoli in garlic sauce. Dig Inn."

They eat in silence for a few minutes. "Do you mind giving me a list of good restaurants in the area? I don't think I'll get to unpacking till the end of the week"

"Sure thing." He says as he lifts a piece of chicken to his mouth.

"So, is this the tactical training the FBI offers to all of their newbies?

"Only the pretty ones" He chuckles, "so you have been investigating me?"

"Had to – once I saw you in the office… I was like Fuuuuuccckkkk. I mean I'm not used to running into lovers at work. Are you? Don't answer that. What brought you to the FBI?"

"I always wanted to be in law enforcement since my dad was a cop in Chicago. I was on the police force for 3 no 4 years when the FBI recruited me.. I knew my dad would be proud, you know. What about you? What made you become a technical analyst?"

"Well, I wasn't recruited … the NSA found me because a few friends/colleagues of mine wanted to … what is the word… add transparency to the government by creating a government watch site called . We posted documents like wikki leaks. This wasn't our job, just our hobby. Well, one of my partners became too gun-ho and hacked these top-secret documents from the CIA and posted them to the site. We definitely exercised our bill of rights but, those documents… I would've never posted them. When we were both brought in, we were given the option of working here or jail and darlin' I was built for a lot of things but prison isn't one of them. You see I could've been a future Unsub… minus the killing, of course."

"So not funny baby girl. What about your family? They must've been pissed."

"Well my parent's died when I was in college and my brothers…" Sorry Derek said as he reached for her hand. She pulled away slightly and continued, "y'know they are off and married and I didn't want to be this burden or a neighborhood talking point. The thing that was the most surprising was my friends or lack there of, in this situation they were my heart—and nowhere to be found. Well put it this way.. my best friend and I haven't spoken since I left. It was the worse thing … never mind." Her voice changed to a more forced up beat tone. "I do want to get back to Venice beach- when my tour of duty is over but, I wonder what is left for me there. My mom would say that's the price of being stubborn. I bet your family would fight to be by your side. You seem like the kinda man who comes from a tight knit family."

"Yeah, we are super close. My mom would have moved heaven and earth so would've my sisters but with nagging of course. I was a handful when my father passed away but they wouldn't let me –"

"This kung pao is spicy.. Do you want some water?"

It actually wasn't that spicy he thought but he could see the tears welling up in her eyes. It must be hard being in a new city without anyone. She should change her perspective instead of hell this could be an opportunity.

Crap, she thought. She shared too much – she wanted to keep this light and loose.

As she sat down—she looked over at Handsome and watched him eat the broccoli. She was surprised at how normal this felt.

Broccoli he asked

Sure and he fed her a piece.

"Yum, so Handsome you wanted to talk… Talk?"

"Actually I stopped by your office to ask you about getting the team I-pads for when we travel on cases and then you invited me over… and I never turn down a beautiful lady."

She threw her head back with laughter. "Really?" and she laughter hard. She had the most beautiful smile and laugh, he thought.

As her laughter died down he said "I can see the wheels in your head churning right now" he said smiling.

"Can you?" she asks as she hits him with her chopstick.

"Well I would like our coworkers not to know about this … I mean if I knew we were going to be working together I - I "

"Not a problem… so are you ready for round two…"

"I thought it was round 4 but who is counting," she says as she tosses her last chopstick at him.

"Someone wants a spanking?"

"If you can catch me?" She says as they take off to the bedroom.