(Hey folks, it's me again. I'm trying a story with more of a suspense/mystery sort of vibe to it. It's gonna be a Morgan/Garcia pairing, though the rest of the team is in it. The first chapter here's going to be a bit of set-up, but it'll lay the groundwork for the rest. Hope you'll you like this and read it like you did my last one. And thanks in advance!)

Don't Take Me For Granted

By: TutorGirlml

Chapter One

April 8th, 8:57 a.m.

The cool spring breeze rifled gently through the branches of statuesque oak trees outside on the grounds of Bureau headquarters in Quantico, Virginia, kissing and tickling the newly green leaves into dancing wakefulness. It was 70 degrees and not a cloud in the sky; a perfect day, Derek Morgan thought as he dismounted the cycle he'd just parked in his employee space and took off his helmet, momentarily basking in the feel of the balmy air ghosting over his face, his cheeks creasing in a satisfied grin.

Normally not a morning person, he was in an inexplicably good mood today, and he found himself thinking maybe today the rest of the world could manage not to kill or maim or exploit each other for once. Then he could go in, get some coffee, wander down to computer central and talk to Penelope, catch up on some paperwork, and actually manage to have a calm, uneventful day at work.

Not that he'd want every day to be like that. He wouldn't fool anyone – even himself – if he claimed not to love the rush, the excitement of chasing down the bad guys, kicking in doors, and fighting the lurking everyday tide of evil. He did. Derek Morgan loved what he did, and very seldom did he tire of it, even if sometimes a case did hit closer to home than he liked, or if he sometimes suffered a intense wash of anger and guilt when they didn't catch an unsub in time. He always managed to bounce back, to keep plugging away to catch the next one, and the next. They all did. And he fell asleep most nights able to feel he had helped make the world just a tiny bit safer. That maybe somewhere there was a child he'd kept from going through what he had with Carl Buford, or stopped someone from staring down the barrel of a psychopath's gun like Reid had done in Tobias Hankel's cabin, or saved someone from whatever he suspected drove Emily, and Gideon, and Hotch, and even their ever-cheerful seeming JJ.

But, there were also days when he just wanted a break from all the world's ills and hurts.

Striding confidently into the front lobby, he nodded to the receptionist as he did every morning. She blushed, smiled back, mumbled a shy 'good morning' just as she did every day, then quickly glanced down when he gave her a wink and a disarming smile before stepping onto the elevators and letting the doors close behind him, shaking his head at her reaction. He didn't see what all the fuss was about when it came to women and the way they looked at him. When he looked in the mirror, all he saw was the same ordinary, familiar face that had gazed back at him every morning his whole life. But he was honest enough to admit that the blushing, stammering, and other assorted reactions he got from women did put an added spring in his step and make him feel pretty capable of charming anyone with a 'y' chromosome that he had the mind to.

There was only one exception to this; one woman Derek Morgan had every come across that seemed immune to his flirting, his teasing, his masculine appeal. She played back, she enjoyed their bantering game, but she never lost her cool either. He hadn't managed to get the best of her yet. And for some reason, that made him turn it on all the more. It was a favorite pastime, trying to see if he could finally get her good and flustered.

He was surprised as he reached the floor of the BAU offices, turned into the lounge to fetch himself the morning's first cup of coffee, and came face to face with the very woman he'd just been thinking about.

"Garcia!" he exclaimed, chuckling as she spun around to grin impishly at him, splooshing hot coffee over the sides of her crazily colored mug onto the floor and her hands as she did.

Oblivious to the mess she'd just created, and the near-scalding she'd almost given herself, her eyes lit up as she replied, "Good morning to you too, Gorgeous. How's the day treating you so far?"

"It's been just about perfect, Sweetness," he answered, matching her grin with one of his own, not realizing that the pleased, indulgent expression it put on his face was one that he only wore when talking to her. He saved it just for her without even knowing it. "And how has this morning been for our resident Goddess?"

"Excellent," she assured, stepping towards him to pat his cheek affectionately, "You just keep remembering the amazing-ness that is me and everything around here should be hunky-dory, Sweet Cheeks." She giggled, pleased with herself, but letting him know that she was only kidding.

"You got it," Morgan returned, giving her a nod of mock salute.

She started to slide past him and head back to her bunker and her wall of computers, but then she turned to face him again in the doorway, looking a bit more serious. "Actually, Derek," she said in a quieter voice, "would you mind coming and taking a look at something for me? For just a minute?"

"Sure, Mama, you know I will," he replied, his voice softening considerably at the hopeful look she had on her face. She turned to lead the way, and he placed his hand at the small of her back unconsciously, guiding her even as he followed.

When they got down the hall and she swung the door open to lead him in, Morgan could immediately see for himself what was different. "Whoa," he said, his voice rumbling in surprise. Every surface not occupied by a computer screen or a keyboard was completely, absolutely, covered. There were bouquets of roses, daisies, and marigolds wrapped in tissue, pots of geraniums and ferns, teddy bears, boxes of chocolates. It looked like some cross between a green house and a gift shop instead of the haven of technology it usually appeared as.

"Garcia, what is all this?" Morgan asked, slightly shocked, and interest definitely piqued.

"I don't honestly know," she blushed, chuckling a little and shrugging. "They've been coming two or three things a day for about a week now. Little notes with them, but no name."

Morgan's brow furrowed, the stuff he dealt with every day making him immediately suspicious, "They just started coming?" he asked.

She nodded, taking a sip of coffee and peeking at him over the rim of her mug. "I think it's kinda sweet," she added mischievously. "But I thought I'd better tell somebody, just in case. Plus, the mystery's wearing off, and I want that brilliant profiling ability of yours to help me figure out who's earned themselves a gigantic 'thank you' card."

He shook his head at her, several thoughts rushing through his brain at once. It was kinda funny. There didn't seem to be anything wrong with her getting flowers and chocolates; probably someone who worked around her had a little office crush. So why exactly was he not simply happy for her? Something about someone else flattering her and giving her gifts didn't sit right, and the fact that it upset him niggled at his composure too. All he said aloud though was a sing-song, "Someone's got a Secret Admirer."

"Pretty cool, huh?" she joked back, winking at him cheekily. The tiny bit of concern she'd had over the anonymous gifts evaporating when he didn't seem to be too worried about it. "What woman wouldn't like being showered with presents? Gives me something to look forward to."

For some reason that pricked at Morgan's conscience. Had she been feeling unappreciated before the presents started coming? He hated to think that some mystery man had been the one to make her feel special. She was part of their team. He, or one of them at least, should have done that.

Garcia studied his expression, oddly surprised at the pleasant thrill that went through her. 'No, get a grip, you're reading him wrong,' she cautioned herself before she could get too carried away. She knew better. But if she didn't…she could swear that Derek Morgan looked like he was jealous. Over her. She shook that ridiculous thought off, and playfully reached out, poking his solid bicep as she asked, "What's the matter, Handsome?"

"Nothing," he hedged quickly, looking flustered and unable to explain himself. It was an odd look for the always cool, suave Derek Morgan. But then he seemed to clear his throat, square his stance, and start again. "Nothing, Baby Girl," he repeated more smoothly, "nothing at all."

He was saved from having to elaborate any further by Reid appearing at the door. He knocked once, then let himself in in a rush.

"Hey guys," he started, tucking a stray lock of hair behind his ear. Then his eyes widened at the sight of Garcia's room. "Garcia, I thought your birthday was next month! Where did all this come from?"

"My Secret Admirer," she said nonchalantly, getting a kick out of Reid's excited reaction too.

Reid stepped forward, curiously picking up one of the boxes of chocolate and studying it for a minute before giving a start and saying, "Oh! Sorry, I got sidetracked. Hotch sent me to get you for a briefing in the conference room."

"Thanks, I'll be right there," Morgan told him, sighing. 'So much for a normal, relaxing day,' his mind whispered.

Reid nodded, gave Garcia a wave, and took off back the way he'd come.

Morgan turned back to her, a resigned sort of half-smile on his face. "Duty calls."

She nodded, brightening once more. "While you're gone, start thinking about ways we can figure out who this is," she suggested. "Maybe I can get a hot date out of this!"

"We'll see," he tossed back as he headed for the door. She certainly deserved a fun night out, a nice guy to appreciate what an amazing person she was… Was there some particular reason he didn't feel all that interested in helping her find Romeo? Just before he left, he couldn't help giving her a bit of caution, that was probably unnecessary, and yet… "Hey, Garcia, don't run off to meet Mr. Right all alone if you figure it out, okay? Use that computer genius brain of yours. If the tone of the notes change, if anything seems odd instead of sweet, let one of us know. Deal?"

"Just how naïve do you think I am?" she asked, hand on her hip in mock indignation. "I don't think it's anything to be concerned about, I just wanted a second opinion. But don't worry. I won't do anything stupid. I promise." She held up a hand like she was swearing some sort of oath and then winked at him, completely ruining the action.

He turned to go once more, and she followed him into the hallway. "Call me with a challenge on this one," she said, her voice making him laugh even from down the hall.

"Will do," he called back, waving at her over his shoulder, then turning the corner and disappearing from her sight.