geekystudmuffin | O Captain My Captain (2/3), Hotch/Garcia, NC-17

Title O Captain, My Captain (2/3)
Authors

severity_softly
Pairing: Hotch/Garcia
WC: ~21,400
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Slight AU - After the arson case in Indiana, Penelope decides that her adored boss needs to learn to relax a little, and she's just the woman to help. For his part, Aaron is surprised at how relieved he is that Kevin is out of the picture, even if he isn't sure what to do about it.
Note: Thanks to

resolucidity for the beta! Spoilers for "House on Fire" and set during Season Four.

Part 1

Aaron's cell phone chirped and he glanced down at it, then sighed and flipped it shut again. Sean had taken to randomly texting him annoying messages like, "Say hi to Penny for me," and "Made your move yet?" Aaron had started thinking about pulling out old blackmail material and threatening to tell their mother who it was that had really broken her favorite vase.

"You seem preoccupied," Dave remarked. "I know I'm not the best company, but if you keep looking dour and staring at your phone or your watch, none of the pretty girls are going to come ask you to dance." He sipped his scotch and glanced around the Auld Dubliner, his expression one that meant he was waiting for Aaron to have a good comeback.

Instead, he lifted his own drink and looked out at the bar. Surely, Dave couldn't know what happened last time he was here, but Aaron thought wildly that was supposed to have been a jab. Maybe he was letting Sean get to him.

Of course, he would like to dance with Penelope again, after he'd thought about it. It was just completely inappropriate for him to so much as indulge the thought. "Help yourself to the pretty girls," he said finally. "Unless you want to dance with me, I'm not letting some stranger drag me out there. At least not before I have a few more drinks." His lips curled suddenly, remembering how Penelope had said she'd pay good money to watch him and Dave dance.

Dave snorted, then laughed. "Oh, God, that would be a sight. You wouldn't let me lead, so I'd keep stepping on your toes." He glanced over at Aaron, grinning. "I suppose if you don't want to dance with a stranger, I could call the team. Prentiss might agree to dance with you."

Aaron looked back and smiled. "No. No. JJ and Garcia are more the dancing type. Or maybe they're more the type with enough patience to humor me until I'm willing."

"Oh, JJ and Garcia, right. Except now you have to look over JJ's shoulder for Will and hope he won't get offended that you're dancing with his girl." Dave winked and sipped his scotch again.

"I would say I'm a better shot than Will, but it's probably not all that funny now that she has a child," Aaron replied. They were starting to slip towards a dangerous subject.

Dave snorted and sipped his drink. "I guess you're stuck with Penelope, then," he said lightly. "If you can beat Derek away from her. He might play around, but he strikes me as a jealous kind of guy."

Aaron rolled his eyes, trying not to show the sudden ridiculous surge of jealousy that hit him. "I'm fine sitting here with you and my drink," he said, then glanced at Dave. "Are you trying to tell me something, Dave? Because you know how I feel about fraternization," he added lightly, glancing back across the bar.

"Yup. You'll make exceptions where the happiness of your team is concerned," Dave said. He grinned and finished his scotch. "You know damn well those policies are more to keep agents from taking advantage of the Academy students than anything."

Or to keep the SAC from making inappropriate sexual advances towards any of his team members, Aaron thought guiltily. "Actually one of the cases mentioned when they wrote those rules was a certain young special agent who made a pass at one of the first female unit chiefs in the mistaken belief that she was a clerk," he said, making his voice mild.

"Pshhht," Dave dismissed, waving a hand. "That was thirty years ago. I need another drink. Be right back."

Aaron's eyebrows went up. He wondered why Dave was going to the bar instead of getting a waitress, but didn't say anything as Dave walked away.

Aaron just watched the people on the dance floor for a few moments, feeling a sudden pang now that he was alone that Penelope wasn't here. He shook himself mentally and told himself to stop indulging the thought, then his internal chiding stopped when he heard a familiar voice.

"Hey, man. Out drinking alone? You know that's a bad sign, right?"

Aaron smiled and turned around. "Morgan..." he said, then trailed of as he saw Penelope. Morgan's arm was draped around her shoulders; her own arm was cinched around his waist. "Garcia," Aaron finished.

"Hi," she said, smiling. She was wearing green, and it suddenly struck Aaron how red her lips looked.

"Just decided to take my Baby Girl out to turn her around the dance floor a few times. I wasn't expecting to run into you," Morgan said.

"Dave dragged me out," Aaron explained.

Morgan looked around. "Please don't tell me he's already beat me to the pretty girls." He kissed Penelope's forehead, then released her. "I'll go get us drinks and see if I can spike Dave's with something."

Aaron's eyebrows went up, and he watched Morgan walk off towards the bar. "Please tell me he's joking about that last part."

"Oh, no," she said. "When you're not looking, I'm doing the same to yours. I already told you I wanted to see you two dance." She smiled, but looked down, seeming strangely uncomfortable.

Aaron laughed. "Damn, I'd better get Dave to leave now," he joked, and then realized he wouldn't mind if Dave left. Then again, he shouldn't be thinking things like that. "Here, take his seat," he said, standing and pulling it out for her. "He won't care. Or if he does, I don't care."

She glanced down at the seat, then smiled at him, looking a little surprised by the gesture. "How chivalrous," she said, and sat. "He can sit on my lap when he comes back, if he wants."

He frowned. "I wouldn't tell him that," he said. "Knowing Dave, he'd take you up on that." He didn't want Dave flirting with Penelope.

"Oh, come on; the guy needs a snuggle every once in a while."

"Not from you," he muttered, and then wished he hadn't said it. He took a long drink of his beer and looked over towards the bar, where Morgan and Dave were talking.

Her smile had widened when he looked back. "Well, I don't see Morgan doing it."

Aaron raised an eyebrow. "I think that would be more interesting than me and Dave dancing together," he said dryly.

"Maybe I could see both?" she suggested, grinning. A moment later she sighed. "Look, Hotch, I'm sorry about what happened last time we were here."

That sent a pang through him, and he shook his head. "Don't," he said, reaching out and touching her shoulder briefly. "Don't apologize, Penelope." He couldn't say it was forgotten, because it wasn't. He couldn't say he enjoyed it, even though he had, except for how the evening ended. But he didn't want her apology.

"No, no, you obviously aren't interested in me, and I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable," she said, looking down at the table.

His eyebrows went up in surprise. He'd thought...well, he wasn't sure what he'd thought, but he hadn't expected her to care if he was interested in her. "That's...not..." He shook his head. "That's not the point, Penelope. I'm your supervisor, I...I can't..." He trailed off, then sighed. "You didn't make me uncomfortable. I'm sorry that I seem to have made you uncomfortable. It wasn't my intention."

She stared at him for a moment. "That's not the point?" she repeated. "You can't what?"

"I'm the SAC," Aaron said, looking seriously at her. "It would be wrong of me to take advantage of my position, and while friendship with a team member--with all of my team members--is something I value highly, it wouldn't be right to...form any closer attachments than friendship. You do understand that what I want or don't want isn't the point, don't you?" It felt cowardly, somehow, taking refuge in his position to keep from hurting her feelings or lying to her. He noted, with relief, that Dave and Morgan had finally left the bar and were heading this way.

She frowned at him. "I understand that's a total crock. You and I both know you're not taking advantage of me," she said. She held his gaze for a long moment, not looking happy at all, but when Dave and Morgan got closer, she turned and managed to smile faintly at them. She patted her lap and looked at Dave. "Hop on, big boy; you know you want to."

Dave's eyes widened and Aaron caught the glance Dave flickered at him. Then Dave cleared his throat. "And here I was just going to ask you to dance." Aaron's eyes narrowed, and from the corner of his eye he noticed Morgan seemed just as surprised as he was.

She laughed. "Well, in that case," she said, and glanced at Morgan. "Keep my seat warm, will you?" she asked, and pinched Morgan's cheek lightly.

Aaron gritted his teeth as he watched Dave lead her away, but after a moment he took a deep breath and forced himself to look away. He sipped his drink and glanced at Morgan. "Don't feel like you have to keep me company just because Dave abandoned me," he said, hoping he sounded normal.

Morgan watched him for a moment, then slid into the chair. "Oh, I don't," he said. "He just ran off with the woman I promised my first dance to, though."

"Hm, maybe you should have secured her promise in return," Aaron suggested. He took another drink and looked back out at the dance floor where Dave was actually doing a credible job of making them both look good. It made him wonder what he had looked like dancing with Penelope.

He could feel Morgan watching him, even after he looked away, and it didn't help that Morgan was silent for a long moment. Finally he said, "Hotch, is everything all right?"

"Hmm? Oh, sure," he said. He met Morgan's gaze, wondering if he was just paranoid because of Sean or if everyone was starting to watch him more closely than usual. "It's just been a long week."

"They always are," Morgan said, but he didn't push anymore. He just sat back and sipped his beer.

"True." Aaron looked back out at the dance floor, watching Dave lean in to say something to Penelope. He felt himself starting to frown again and took another long sip of his beer. The hell with it. "Excuse me, Derek." He stood up and walked away, not bothering to look at the younger man. He was about to do something stupid and he knew it, but he was damned if he would sit there and watch Dave dancing with the woman Aaron wanted to dance with.

"Mind if I cut in?" He looked at Penelope, not Dave, as he asked.

Penelope was staring up at him, looking completely surprised, but she didn't even get to say anything before Dave chuckled, stepped away, and pushed Aaron toward her as he left.

"I appear to have been deserted," she said, and then her expression of surprise melted quickly into a wide smile. "Well, not exactly deserted."

"Will you dance with me?" he asked, watching her. He didn't know what to say, whether he should apologize or just pretend everything was normal. He didn't even know what he was doing.

She arched a brow. "As long as it's just dancing. I'd hate to be the reason for you doing anything inappropriate."

He winced. "Penelope..." After a moment he sighed and held out a hand. "I'm sorry."

She took his hand, and let him pull her against him as they started dancing. She was smiling up at him. "Does this count as forming closer attachments than friendship? I just want to make sure I'm completely clear here."

He swallowed. He shouldn't be surprised at that question. He deserved it. But... "I don't know," he murmured finally.

Her smile faded and he felt her back stiffen. "Then why are you...?" She sucked in a breath. "What is this?" she asked finally, a slight accusatory note creeping into her voice.

"I don't know," he repeated helplessly. He pulled her closer, though, not wanting her to pull away. "Is...Do you...I didn't expect this," he said finally. He had his head lowered to hear her, and he caught a whiff of her perfume, making him feel a little light-headed. "I apologize if I'm confusing you. I'm a little confused myself."

She hadn't relaxed. She hadn't pulled out of his arms either, but she was leaning back to glare at him now. "What's confusing, Aaron? I want you. You seem to want me. All I see is fear, and I'm not afraid."

He held her gaze as he tried to think of something to say. The suggestion that he was afraid stung, but he had to admit that it might be true. He didn't want to risk either of their jobs, and he hadn't forgotten all the ways he'd let Haley down. "I do," he whispered finally. He knew she couldn't hear him over the music, so he cleared his throat. "I do want you," he repeated.

And that was when someone tapped on his shoulder.

"Go away," Aaron snapped, not looking to see if it was Morgan or Dave.

Penelope had been watching him, her gaze warming as her body relaxed in his hold. He saw her gaze dart over to whoever was trying to butt in, though, and then she bit her lips together, ducking her head in an effort not to laugh.

"What the hell, man?" Morgan asked, and Penelope lost it, pressing her forehead to Aaron's shoulder and snickering.

Aaron glanced over at him. "You can't cut in. Penelope and I are talking. Penelope, can he dance with someone else first?"

She was still laughing, but she managed to lift her head and look at Morgan to talk through it. "Oh, I will take you around the world and back again, once I'm done with Aaron, sweetie. Unless you're both up for a three way."

Aaron and Morgan exchanged a long look, then Morgan held up his hands. "All right, I'll leave you two alone." He gave Penelope a look that clearly said he would get an explanation, but he went.

Aaron looked down at her, waiting for her to speak first.

"I'm going to have to tell him. You know that, right?" she said quietly. "And you'll probably get the 'what are your intentions with my Baby Girl?' talk." She touched his jaw, but then let her hand drop, and cleared her throat. "Of course, I'd like to know the answer to that first."

Aaron nodded. He knew Morgan and Dave would both be watching them now, and he knew he would have to explain himself. That was going to be interesting, when he still felt like he'd been spun in circles by one beautiful, confusing woman. He cleared his throat. "My intentions are to try to make you as happy as I possibly can," he said finally. "And to try to do that every single day." He licked his lips. "I...I don't know how to do this casually, Penelope. I don't know if you want something casual, but...you ought to know now that I don't think I could do that."

She smiled at him. "Good," she murmured. "Now kiss me." He stared at her for a moment, then she answered his fear by tilting her head in the direction Morgan had left to. "They're going to know soon enough. We might as well shock and dazzle them too," she said, grinning wickedly at him.

He blinked, then tilted his head. She was right. They were going to know--if they hadn't already figured it out. Slowly, a smile crept across his face. "Shock and dazzle?" he murmured, and tightened his arms around her. Then he ducked his head and pressed his lips to hers.

She made a surprised noise, but then a moment later she made another noise, one that sounded suspiciously like a whimper as she opened her lips to him. The feeling of finally kissing her, really kissing her with intent, went straight through him.

"God," she panted when he pulled back. Her cheeks were flushed, and then she started laughing happily. "I wasn't expecting you to actually do it!" she exclaimed, then pulled him down to kiss him again.

They weren't even pretending to dance any more, but Aaron didn't care how it looked. He stroked his tongue softly along her upper lip and felt a flash of happiness when she almost melted against him, her tongue sliding against his. He spared a moment to hope Morgan didn't come over and hit him, then he gave up on thinking about anything but the taste of Penelope's mouth and the feel of her body pressed against his.

Her arms tightened around his shoulders and he felt her sigh against him. God, she was wonderful. Her fingers were playing with his hair as they kissed, and after a moment she started chuckling softly against his mouth.

"Who are you and what did you do with Aaron Hotchner?" She grinned, looking utterly pleased, and stuck a finger in his face. "And don't lie to me. I'm FBI."

He laughed softly and moved, guiding her into dancing again. "I'm not wearing the suit," he explained, and pulled her close to rest his cheek against her hair.

"So next time you come in to work looking all sexy in casual clothes, I'm allowed to jump you on the round table?" she asked, lifting her eyebrows as he spun her and brought he back against him. "You'd better be careful; you know I'd do it."

He felt himself smiling broadly at her. "Somehow I think that might be a bad idea," he said. "If you distracted me, we'd never get the briefing done."

"Everyone would be entertained for a few minutes, at least. Not that I think you're a minute man, or anything, but I can be quick. Speaking of which, I'm sure there's a dark corner around here we could disappear into." He could tell by her smile that she was kidding. Mostly.

He snorted. "Right, and Dave and Morgan probably have every available dark corner already under surveillance. We're going to have to explain ourselves sooner or later."

She sighed. "Shall we?"

He sighed too, then kissed her cheek and nodded. She led him away from the dance floor to the table, where Dave was looking a little too smug, and Morgan had his mouth open, staring at Garcia.

She dropped Aaron's hand and climbed into Morgan's lap, pulling him into a hug so that he was pressed against her chest, then kissed the top of his head. "I love you, my sexy stallion," she said sweetly.

Hotch hid his laughter by taking a long sip of his beer. He had to admit, it felt good to have shocked Morgan that much, even if Dave clearly wasn't all that surprised.

"You--you--" Morgan said, pulling back to stare from Hotch to Penelope and back. "You were just making out with Hotch on the dance floor."

She kissed his cheek. "You did wait a little too long to make your move, hot stuff. I had to move on, live my life, stop pining for my chocolate god and waiting for him to seduce me."

"Yeah, but I mean...you were making out with Hotch."

"Who is sitting right here," Aaron pointed out. "And is actually feeling pretty damn smug about having stolen your baby girl out from under your nose without your noticing it."

Morgan glared at him. "Hey, don't you talk to me just now, man. Penelope can explain things first, and then I'll decide if I have to kill you."

Garcia's eyebrows went up, and she touched Morgan's chin to turn him back to look at her. "I was making out with Hotch," she said, "who is still Hotch, and therefore the most infuriatingly honorable man I know. No killing required. I'll have to distribute some very realistic looking pictures of you and Strauss doing the horizontal mambo to everyone on our floor if you do anything too stupid."

Morgan looked narrowly at her. "You would not do that to your boy's reputation," he said, but he sounded marginally calmer. "Maybe you can explain how this all happened?"

Aaron was more than willing to shoulder any responsibility she wanted him to, but he knew she would be able to handle Morgan better than he could, about this.

She eyed Morgan for a minute, then glanced up--first at Aaron, then at Dave--and back to Morgan. "Sure. Can I have my dance now?"

"Just don't make out with Morgan, too," Aaron couldn't help but say.

Morgan shot him another look, but he set Penelope gently on her feet, then stood and led her to the dance floor.

***

Aaron looked around the bullpen in relief. It was good to be home. They'd been away for nearly two weeks, and he was glad to be back, and glad to be more than just a voice over the phone to Penelope. He watched the team as Reid and Morgan made a beeline for the coffee while Dave and the girls headed to their respective desks. Smiling faintly, he changed directions and went to knock on Penelope's door.

"Hark, who goes there!?" she called through the door. "Enter and kneel before your most glorious queen Penelope, for it is she who bestows upon you all knowledge!"

Laughing, Aaron pushed the door open and went in, hiding the bouquet he'd picked up at the airport until he had knelt obediently. Then he held them out, feeling a little goofy, but happy. "Hi."

"Oh, I love a man who knows how to properly honor his queen," Penelope said, and stood to walk over and pull him up. Then she kicked the door shut and kissed him. "Hi," she murmured when she pulled back.

"I missed you," he admitted. It had felt strange at the time, because he wasn't used to feeling like he was allowed to miss her. But at the same time, he had always hated the cases when they had to take her along, because it always meant she was more exposed to the ugliness of their job. He kissed her again, feeling himself relax a little. When he pulled back, he tickled her ear with the flowers still in his hand.

She laughed and took them. "Thank you," she said, and kissed him briefly. "And as much as I love that freaking gorgeous hunk of metal you all fly around in, I'm perfectly fine here in my own little cubby hole, thanks." She stuck her nose in the bouquet, then smiled at him. "Not that I wouldn't have liked to have been doing this all week."

He lifted a hand to stroke his thumb across her cheek, smiling at her. "We still haven't had time to figure everything out," he murmured, and brushed his lips against hers again. It felt so good to be with her like this. He could feel the strain of the past two weeks draining away. "I did get the Intentions Talk from Morgan, by the way. I think he's forgiven me for stealing you."

She snorted. "Because he's knows I'd kick his scrumptious little butt, if he didn't."

Aaron laughed. "Can I take you to dinner?" He'd finished up the most important paperwork on the flight back, hoping she would say yes.

"Of course," she said. "You know, I did buy us copious amounts of alcohol on our first disastrous date, so you sort of owe me."

"Oh, was that our first date? Well, in that case, I definitely need to treat you to a nice meal." He smiled and tightened his arms around her. "You pick the restaurant while I drop off my paperwork at my desk."

"Okay," she said, and pushed him lightly. "Shoo. I'll meet you in a few minutes, and I want steak," she added, grinning brightly.

Aaron kissed her once more, then went to finish up. The others were already on their way out, but he caught their glances. He supposed he would get used to that, eventually. He didn't know whether to ask Penelope that they keep their relationship quiet, even at work, or whether that would be stupid. She was such an open person, and he loved that about her, even if he was much more private about his personal life. He pushed the matter out of his mind. They would deal with that later.

Half an hour later they had settled into a booth at a local steakhouse and placed their orders. They both had a glass of red, though Aaron had ordered water with his wine. He glanced over at her and smiled. "The pink streaks are new."

She shrugged. "They'll be gone tomorrow. I'm a fickle mistress." She tilted her head. "With my hair." She took a sip of her wine, then said, in a serious tone, "I was thinking when we dyed Jack's hair blue, we could give you a few highlights too." She reached over and rested her hand on his.

Aaron laughed. "I like the pink on you, but somehow I think it wouldn't work for me." He turned his hand and interlaced their fingers, brushing his thumb against hers.

"Well, we'd do something more manly on you, you know," she said, smiling.

"Hmm. I'm not sure what that entails," he said, "but I have my doubts that I could pull off any color in my hair. And you can forget about putting me in eyeliner. I was in a play once. I know how horrible makeup is."

She laughed. "Aaron Hotchner, Drama Queen?!" she exclaimed. "Oh, this I have to hear."

He made a face. She didn't want to hear about Haley, and that was the only thing that really made the story worth telling. "I wandered into a drama club meeting my junior year in high school, and played the absolute worst Fourth Pirate ever. End of story." He still had the hat. He really ought to get rid of it.

She pursed her lips. "Oh, that was the most boring story ever. No eye patches? Wooden legs? Nothing?"

He shrugged. "I had a hat, and messed up my line. But I managed all the ensemble dancing all right." He gave her a crooked smile. "It was my first and last time on stage. I preferred debate club, honestly."

"Of course you would," she said. "And the world thanks you for not getting rusty." She pulled back, her smile fading just a little, and took a sip of her wine. "I was in Best Buddies my Junior and Senior years."

He nodded. "I don't think I know what that is."

"It was a program to help the developmentally disabled students. They got paired up with a buddy who hung out with them, helped them if they needed it." She smiled again. "My buddy was Carolina. She had cerebral palsy, and pretty much rocked. She was way cooler than me, actually, as hard as it is to believe anyone could be."

"Cooler than you?" Aaron grinned and shook her head. "You must not have been as cool then as you are now." He sipped his drink. "Have you stayed in touch with her?" He knew the severity of someone's condition could shorten life expectancy, but he didn't know much about cerebral palsy in general.

Her smiled slipped, but didn't totally disappear; it just looked a little sad suddenly. "No." She shook her head and glanced down. "My parents died in my freshman year at Cal Tech. I dropped out of school, pretty much out of everything, and we lost touch... I could probably find her if I wanted to, but... it's been a long time, and I'm not sure she'd want to hear from me again."

"I'm sorry," he murmured. "That must have been hard. But I'm sure she wouldn't hold that against you."

"Maybe I just feel guilty," she admitted. Her smile strengthened a little after a moment, though. "But everything happens for a reason. I'm not entirely sure why that part of all that happened yet, but if I hadn't dropped out of school, I wouldn't be sitting here with you right now."

"This sounds like a story I need to hear," Aaron said, leaning forward and smiling back at her. "You dropped out of school but still ended up working for the FBI?"

"Aaron Hotchner, are you questioning my powers of awesome? I really am that good; drop out of college, get recruited by the FBI and wind up dating a handsome, successful ex-lawyer and sexiest Unit Chief in the Bureau." She nodded, grinning, then launched into the story about how she dealt with her parents' deaths, and how that had eventually landed her on a government watchlist.

It wasn't an entirely happy story, but Penelope really did have a way of looking at the brighter side of just about anything. That, and he suspected that she probably really wasn't inclined for this second first date to wind up anywhere near as downbeat as the first first date had been.

By the time they'd finished dessert and were ready to go, Aaron had learned more about Penelope in an hour than he ever had. It was strange, he reflected, how you could spend so much time with someone and know them so well, but not know the facts about them. It was funny how little he knew about the woman who made him so happy...and how that didn't matter to him, because they had all the time in the world to learn.

After he paid the bill, they walked out holding hands. He opened doors for her and felt little surges of happiness at the way she smiled over that. When they reached his car, though, he tugged her hand lightly, making her stop.

"Penelope," he murmured, brushing a finger down her cheek, "I wouldn't usually do this...but..." he paused and took a deep breath. "Would you come home with me tonight?"

She sucked in a breath, looking surprised, but happy. Then she lifted up to wrap her arms around him and kiss him slowly. It sent a thrill through him, and when she pulled away, she answered his question with one of her own. "If you don't normally do this, why do I get so lucky?"

"I missed you," he said honestly. "And tonight, more than anything else, what I want is to have you in my arms. If you don't want anything to happen, that's fine, I understand." He was honestly a little nervous about having sex with someone other than Haley, but he wanted that, even if he was afraid he was rushing this. "Being with you makes me feel good."

"Then I'm doing my job," she said, a smile in her voice. "It's funny; you left me all the time before and never missed me," she teased, and kissed him again. "I'd like to come home with you."

Her answer sent a happy thrill through him, and he pulled her closer. "Before I wasn't spending all my time thinking about how nice it is to kiss you," he murmured, "or how beautiful you are, or how your smile can change my whole day."

She sucked in another breath, this time a little sharper as a shiver went through her. "You'd better take me to your house now, because if you keep talking like that here, I may drag you into the back seat of the car."

"Mmm, you're lucky I've only had one glass of wine, or I might let you," he teased, and kissed her softly. Then he opened her door for her and walked around to get in the car.

All the way home he kept thinking it was stupid to be nervous about this, but his heart was beating harder the closer they got to his house. When he pulled onto his street he reached over and took her hand, telling himself to calm down. Still, by the time he got the car in the garage and was opening the door to the kitchen for her to follow him in, he was almost wishing he'd waited to suggest this.

For a woman who wasn't a profiler, Garcia was deceptively intuitive, too, and when he turned to take her coat, he realized she was watching him carefully. "You got quiet," she murmured gently, with no judgement in her tone.

He licked his lips and studied her for a moment. "I...haven't slept with anyone since Haley," he confessed. "It isn't something I can do casually." He smiled faintly at her, feeling a little embarrassed, even though he knew she wouldn't hold that against him.

She smiled faintly. "We don't have to. We can just sleep, if you want."

"It isn't that I don't want to," he said, moving closer to her. "I do want you, Penelope. In every way. I just...I suppose I'm nervous. And I want you to know where I'm coming from."

She nodded slowly, sliding her hand around his waist. "I won't bite the first time," she teased. Then she tilted her head at him. "Haley was... your high school girlfriend, right?"

His smile strengthened at her teasing. "Yes. We had a short break in college, but..." He shrugged. "Would you like something to drink?"

"If you're having something," she said.

"I thought I'd have a cup of tea," he said, "but I don't think you drink tea. Coffee? Another glass of wine? I have a nice red, I think."

"Aaron, I'm really fine with anything you want. Tea, wine, Coke..." She leaned up and kissed him softly.

"I'm babbling nervously, aren't I?" he asked sheepishly. "Tea, then." He stepped away, but took her hand to pull her with him. Once he had the water heating, he tucked her against his chest, wrapping his arms around her.

She hummed a contented noise and returned the embrace, turning her head against his chest. A minute later, he frowned in confusion as she got shorter. She pulled back and grinned at him, and he realized she'd just slipped off her shoes.

His heart gave a funny squeeze in his chest and he smiled back at her, then ducked his head to kiss her slowly. He had no idea why a barefoot Penelope made him feel this way, but he wasn't going to question it.

"I haven't ever not worn heels around you. You seem a heck of a lot taller this way." She leaned in and kissed his neck.

"Mmm. Suddenly I don't need tea as much as I thought I did," he murmured, tilting his head and running his fingers through her hair.

"Wow, that was easy," she said, then nibbled lightly at his jaw.

"Maybe you're just irresistible," he said, smiling. He pulled back and touched her lips with one finger, then turned to switch off the burner. "Maybe we should continue this discussion somewhere more comfortable."

"Are you sure?" she said, then bit his finger lightly.

It sent a pulse of desire through him and he grinned at her. "Oh, definitely," he murmured, and leaned in for another slow kiss. When he pulled away, he murmured, "You're so sexy," and then kissed her again quickly.

She made a little noise into the kiss, as if she hadn't expected to hear that but had liked it. She slid a hand just up under the back of his shirt, and he sucked in a breath at the feel of her hand against his skin.

"Where are we going?" she murmured.

"Will you come to bed with me?" he asked, equally softly. God, he hoped he was doing this right.

"Considering that was what I was hoping you'd say, yes," she whispered.

He smiled and kissed her again. "It's this way," he said, and took her hand, lacing their fingers together. He led her to the bedroom, glad all over again that he'd taken Dave's advice and moved to a smaller house after the divorce. This room wouldn't bring up any memories of Haley; he had enough of those in his head.

When they got there, he flipped on the light by the door but left the room somewhat dim. He paused in the middle of the room and looked at her, feeling a flutter of anxiety even through his desire. Then he pulled her close, telling himself to ignore it.

"Mmm," she hummed. She watched him for a moment. "You know, I've liked you for a while," she said. "I never thought you'd be interested, regardless of our positions." Her fingers were stroking through his hair.

"Really?" He laughed in surprise. "Why would you think that? You know how highly I think of you...don't you? Penelope, you're beautiful and vivacious and...frankly I'm a little stunned that you like someone who's such a stuffed shirt, as my brother so kindly put it."

She laughed. "Your brother is fantastic, by the way," she teased, then kissed him. She shrugged. "I'm not exactly the kind of girl anyone might think you'd go for." Her fingers slid up the back of his shirt.

"My brother's a jerk," he said without heat. "I like the way you view the world as a happy place. Maybe I've realized that's what I need." The touch of her fingers was sending shivers up his spine. He traced a finger down along the neckline of her shirt, watching her face.

When he'd just barely reach where the swell of her breast began, she sucked in a slightly shaky breath. "That is what you need," she panted, then leaned in to kiss him slowly, her hand sliding a little farther up his shirt.

He hummed into the kiss, letting his fingers tease down to the first button of her shirt. Then he paused, playing with the button and waiting for her to say it was all right.

She made a happy noise and then her lips were moving along his jaw, kissing and nipping lightly as her fingers traced a little pattern against his skin. Then one of her hands slipped down to his ass, and she looked up and grinned at him. "Always wanted to do this," she teased. "It's just so tempting."

He let out a surprised laugh and decided that her groping his ass was permission enough. He leaned down for a kiss, mumbling against her lips, "You never stop surprising me, Penelope Garcia." Then he started unfastening her shirt as he kissed her hungrily.

"Mmm," she hummed, and he felt her breath quickening as his fingers slipped past her breasts. His own heart was starting to thud quickly in his chest as he leaned in and kissed down her throat. "Oh, God," she whispered.

"Is this all right?" he breathed, suddenly nervous again. He forced himself not to look up at her for reassurance, but he had inferred from one or two overheard remarks that she'd been intimate with Kevin. He suddenly thought about how much younger she was than he, and couldn't help wondering which of them had more experience.

"Oh, yes," she said, sounding absolutely sure of what she wanted. One of her hands slipped up and started loosening his tie. "Anything you want," she whispered, tossing his tie aside and starting to work on his buttons.

God. Those words sent a shiver of desire through him. Hastily he finished with her shirt and slid it off her shoulders, kissing his way across them. "You're so beautiful," he murmured, ridiculously pleased that she was wearing a purple satin bra. "I want too much."

"Oh, honey, I can give you too much," she said playfully. "Be careful what you ask for."

He lifted his head, suddenly unable to believe this could be real. He studied her expression for a moment. "How can you want me?" he whispered. "You saw my marriage fall apart. You know how bad I am at this."

She blinked at him for a moment, her lips parting in surprise. After a minute, her brows drew together a little, but there wasn't anything but compassion in her expression. "Aaron... it takes two people to take a marriage work. Any relationship, for that matter. I didn't witness all the dirty details, but it can't have been all on you, and what I know for sure? Is that you're a smart, loyal, honorable, and faithful man, who gives everything he has every day to help people who are hurting and dying." She held his gaze for a long moment, then said, "Why wouldn't I want you?"

Aaron's throat tightened as she spoke. He knew she was only looking at his good qualities, but it felt so damn good to hear her say that. After a moment he let out a shaky breath and lifted his head to kiss her hard, sliding one arm around her. As they kissed, he walked her backwards to the bed, stopping as they reached it.

"You always see the good in people," he whispered, helping her get his shirt off. He hoped she understood that he was grateful for that.

A smile had already bloomed on her face again. "I just prefer it that way," she said, kissing his shoulder. "It's not like I'm unaware that you're also stubborn, broody, and sometimes impossible." She gave him a grin that meant she was mostly teasing, but her hands were roaming his chest.

It startled him into a laugh, but he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "Thank you," he murmured, and kissed her again. He let one hand stroke down her back, slipping just inside the waist of her skirt. "I want to look at you."

A smile crossed her face that was almost shy, and totally adorable, then her fingers slipped into the front of his pants. "As long as you reciprocate, I think I can oblige."

He nodded and kissed her again. He pushed his shoes off and let her unfasten his pants before undoing her skirt. One hand was resting at her hip, stroking softly against her skin.

She glanced down and pushed his pants down, leaving his boxers, and then twisted slightly to indicate he should do the same with her skirt. Her panties were purple to match her bra, and he slid his hands over the small of her back, tracing his thumbs over the top of them.

Smiling, he nudged her back onto the bed, leaning in to kiss her as he did. "Gorgeous," he whispered.

"Mmm, stop or it'll go to my head," she said, climbing back and pulling him down against her. "God," she breathed, her hands massaging his ass through the thin fabric of his boxers. A hand slid up into his hair as she kissed him, and then her other slid underneath his boxers.

He gasped and settled down against her more firmly, groaning at the delicious pressure that provided. She felt so good, he couldn't help wondering why he'd resisted this. He wanted to make her smile, he wanted to hear her gasping his name in the throes of passion. "Penelope," he breathed, kissing her throat.

"Yes," she replied, trailing her nails lightly up his sides until he sucked in another breath when a shiver ran through him. "Have condoms, right?" she panted.

"Mm-hmm." He gestured vaguely at the nightstand but didn't stop running his lips along her skin. He kissed his way down to one satin-covered breast, smiling at the way her breath caught. "God, you feel so good," he murmured, licking teasingly along the top of her bra.

"So do you," she murmured, shifting against his mouth.

He chuckled and brushed his jaw against the swell of her skin, then kissed softly. Remembering that she'd once claimed to be a bigger nerd than he was, he smiled. "There's a shortage of perfect breasts in the world," he quoted, adapting to suit him, "but I believe yours are perfect."

She laughed. "That's not how it goes, but I like your way better," she said. She slipped her thumbs into the top of his boxers and pushed until they slipped off his hips, then he lifted up to help her get them off.

He couldn't help the little twinge of self-consciousness that went through him once he was naked in front of her. He hadn't been naked in front of anyone but Haley in decades, aside from brief moments in the locker room.

She was looking down at him too, her fingers trailing up his hip. "You are just as gorgeous as I thought you would be," she said.

He let out an amused breath, but he felt better. "I don't know where you got this inflated idea of me, but I kind of like it," he teased, leaning in to kiss her.

She laughed against his lips. "You know, this self-deprecating act is almost sort of charming. If you were as cocky as you could afford to be, no one would be able to stand you." She kissed his jaw, then whispered in his ear, "I want you."

"God," he breathed, stroking his fingers along the edge of her panties. "I want you too. So much." He let his fingers trail down along the warm satin until he felt her body jerk in reaction, then smiled and kissed her. "These need to go."

"I agree," she said, then sat up and watched him as she reached back and unhooked her bra, her eyes not leaving his face. God, she was gorgeous, and Aaron couldn't help leaning in to mouth at her full breasts. She gasped, then giggled and rested back, letting him continue to suck and kiss as she slipped out of her panties.

He hummed and gazed warmly up at her, his hands cupping her breasts, thumbs stroking idly. He was careful not to touch her nipples yet, wanting to tease a little. "I was right," he murmured. "Perfect."

"You're just a man," she teased, and pulled him up to kiss him. "I'm definitely glad you like, though. I hope you'll keep them around." She smiled warmly at him and kissed him again, her hand slipping back to his hip before her fingertips brushed his cock lightly.

He exhaled, moving into her touch. "That's definitely the plan," he murmured, and kissed his way down to close his lips around one nipple, sucking lightly.

She moaned quietly, and her fingers closed around him, massaging gently without stroking. She sucked in a shaky breath and dropped her head back, shifting into the touch of his mouth as his other hand squeezed lightly. Then he rolled her other nipple between his fingers softly and she gasped and moaned a little louder. "Aaron," she panted.

He hummed happily and pulled back, flicking his tongue across her skin. "I like how my name sounds when you say it." He blew lightly across her skin, then kissed his way to the other breast, giving it equal attention.

She hummed an amused noise that melted into pleasure again. "God, baby, you could read the phone book and it'd be sexy." Her free hand slid up into his hair as her other hand started to stroke.

He couldn't help laughing at that, but then he got caught up in the way she was touching him. He groaned and tried to keep from pressing closer. Instead he massaged her breast a moment more, then stroked his hand down her stomach, still licking and sucking.

"Oh, God," she panted. It was amazing to have Penelope like this, to watch her respond to him. She whimpered and then her thumb slid over the head of his cock, through the slickness there, and he groaned again. "Aaron."

"You're so beautiful," he murmured, slipping his hand between her thighs. He watched her avidly as his fingers teased at her folds.

She moaned, biting her lower lip and shifting to open her thighs to him more. The expression on her face was amazing, the way pleasure lined her features, and Aaron couldn't help but feel good that he was making her feel like that. So often, in their job, he brought too much burden to her.

He followed his hand with his mouth, and when he ducked his head to taste her, she gasped and moaned louder, her fingers curling into his hair. "Yes," she moaned.

Her reaction sent a thrill through him, and he responded with an eager tongue, enjoying her reaction.

She arched and writhed, then her fingers went tighter as she made little noises of need. "Aaron," she panted. "Yes." He flicked his tongue against her clit until she was gasping, then slowed his tongue, mouthing more gently. "Oh... good," she murmured.

He hummed, slipping a finger inside her. The noises she was making were wonderful. He was aching with need, and he shifted, pressing his cock against her leg for friction. He wanted her so much.

She shifted a little, her hand sliding over his shoulder as each swipe of his tongue brought another little noise from her lips. "Mmm, don't... want to finish yet," she panted, giving his shoulder a squeeze. "Aaron."

He pulled back, licking his lips. "No?" he murmured, and dropped a kiss on her thigh. "Tell me, Penelope. Tell me what you want."

She opened her eyes to look down at him, a lazy, wanton smile on her lips. "C'mere," she murmured, and kissed him when he obeyed. "I want you."

"God, you're wonderful," he murmured, because he had no idea how else to express how good it felt to hear her say that. He kissed her hungrily, stretching out over her and cradling her face in his hands. "I want you so much."

He kissed her once more, then stretched to reach the nightstand, pulling a box of condoms from the drawer. Then he kissed her again, loving the brush of her tongue against his.

"Mmm," she hummed, pulling the box open for him as he held it and tearing off a condom. "You're sexy," she murmured. "Handsome," she added, tearing open the packet, then grinning at him. "You smell good."

"If this is your secret plan to make me never want to leave this bed, it's working," Aaron murmured, feeling himself grinning back at her. He shifted back, wondering if she was going to put it on him, too.

She leaned in and kissed him, then pulled back to whisper, "As much as I'd like that, I couldn't steal you away from the rest of the world." She smiled at him as she rolled the condom over him, not even looking as she did, her gaze never leaving his.

"Penelope," he whispered, a rush of desire going through him. "I want you so much." He kissed her, pressing close and loving the feel of of skin against skin. "Let me have you. Please."

She hummed a happy noise and kissed him softly. "Yes."

He smiled and settled between her legs, trailing kisses down her throat as he positioned himself. Then he caught her mouth with his as he slid inside.

She moaned, deepening the kiss as she did and slid one of her knees up over his hip. "Oh, yes," she whispered, his hands sliding down to his ass and pulling him closer.

"Penelope," he murmured, stroking his hand from her knee up her thigh to rest at her hip. "God, you feel so good." His breath was coming fast. He could hardly believe this was happening like this.

"Mmm, you too," she breathed, then squeezed. "Have me." She pulled him down for another slow kiss as he started to move.

He couldn't stop stroking her skin and hair, relishing the feel of her under him. His lips found her ear and kissed, then sucked lightly. "Beautiful," he whispered. He wanted her to know how gorgeous she was to him.

She whimpered quietly, her hands stroking up to brush over one of his nipples, then she said, "More." He groaned and obliged, speeding up a little and slipping his hand between them to seek out her clit. She gasped and moaned when he started circling his fingers against her. "Yes, Aaron."

"So good," he panted, thrusting more energetically into her. Pleasure was racing along his veins, and the sight of her pale skin and pink-streaked hair was wonderful.

She moaned and shifted, moving with him, their bodies in sync. Her kisses were growing more passionate each time, every bit of her desire for him showing itself, and the noises of pleasure as his fingertips rubbed against her were getting louder. "More," she said again, and this time her tone was hungrier.

God, it was such a turn-on to know she wanted him. He gave her more, his kisses becoming little nips and nibbles at her lips as he pressed deeper. A moan escaped him when he felt her leg tighten around his hips.

Her hand was nudging his shoulder a moment later, and he looked down to see her smile had gone a little mischievous. When she nudged again, he realized what she wanted. Oh, God. He let her roll them without hesitation, and when they settled again, she slid down over him again.

"God," he breathed, resting his hands at her hips, then sliding them up to fill them with her breasts. She was glorious, and it occurred to him as he stroked his thumbs across her nipples that he had it bad. She just grinned at him and started to move, and he grinned back happily and moved with her, pleasure rushing through him.

Her hand slid down to touch herself as he massaged her breasts, and Aaron's breath was stolen. The sight of her riding him like this, giving him a full view of herself and she pleased herself, was the most amazing thing. She sounded a little like she was trying to catch her breath too, one red lip between her teeth as he started thrusting harder.

Her gaze met his for a moment as she lifted her hand to lick her fingertips, and then it slid back down again as she moaned and bucked against him.

"Fuck," he gasped, his hips jerking up as a jolt of pure lust ran through him. She met his gaze, her eyes widening, and then he felt her trembling. A moment later she was crying out and coming, still holding his gaze as he thrust up into her, fucking her through her orgasm. The feel of her clenching around him dragged him closer to his own climax, but he tried to hold out, wanting this to last a little longer.

She was still breathing hard when she leaned down, kissing him hard. She couldn't seem to stop making noises of pleasure as he pushed into her, and he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. His fingers went into her hair, and she murmured against his lips, "So good."

He let out a low groan and came, his fingers tightening in her hair. Then he sprawled back, panting and holding her close.

"Mmm," she hummed, and he felt her melt on top of him when he stopped moving. She nosed along his jaw, and then let her head rest against his shoulder.

He made a quiet noise of agreement and stroked her hair idly.

She hummed again, this time sounding amused, and slid off to his side, snuggling against him. Her fingers brushed his jaw. "You're amazing," she murmured, then kissed his cheek.

"Mmm. You are," he replied, turning his head to kiss her forehead. "That was great." He really didn't want to move, so he just settled more comfortably into the bed and held her close.

"Oh, absolutely," she said, a smile in her voice. She was quiet for a while, and they into silence settled together, catching their breath and stroking each other's skin. She drew a deep breath after a while and held him closer.

"I had a wonderful night," she whispered. "I wouldn't have normally done this on a first date, but I think having known you as long as I have makes that point moot." She lifted up to look at him. "I would love it if I could stay, but I understand if--"

"Stay," he interrupted, pressing a finger against her lips. "I wasn't inviting you here just to make love and take you home." He smiled and then replaced his finger with his lips. "I want you in my arms, Penelope. All night."

Her lips curled against his mouth. "Oh, good," she whispered.

"I wouldn't have done this with someone I didn't know," Aaron said after a while. "But we're so close anyway...I wasn't sure there was any good reason to put off what we both want." His fingers were stroking lazily over her skin. "I'm very glad I asked you to come home with me."

"Me too," she whispered. "I really was going to have to do naughty things to you in inappropriate situations if you hadn't." She kissed his jaw. "I wouldn't have been able to help myself."

He laughed and kissed her again. "I've had a wonderful evening," he murmured. "You're wonderful."

"I know," she said, grinning. "Now we just need to work on you believing you are too." She stroked her fingers through his hair. "Let's start with fantastic in bed, yes? That one might be the easiest."

He snorted but glanced down at her, feeling oddly shy. "I'm glad you enjoyed it," he murmured. It was strange, talking like this--being like this--with someone who wasn't Haley. But it was good, and he felt comfortable with Penelope.

"Very much," she assured him. He had to wonder how much she'd inferred from his answer to her question about having been with Haley since high school. He hadn't specifically said she'd been his only one, and had mentioned they'd had a break. Still, a tiny voice in his head wondered if she was exaggerating his prowess to make him feel good. "Earth moving good," she said, and he snorted again. She laughed. "Okay, maybe not, but I'm glad you're a boob man."

He felt his cheeks heat. "Well, yours are fantastic. Any guy would be, with you." But he was grinning as he said it, and he pulled her close. "You're going to make me egotistical."

She kissed him again. "Don't worry. I'll knock you down a peg if you start to really need it."

He chuckled. "I'm sure you can. Just try not to do it in front of the team unless I really deserve it." He stroked his fingers through her hair, his eyelids drooping.

"I shall do my best, buttercup," she said, settling against him.

He fell asleep with her in his arms.

Part 3