Chapter 1

AN: Okay, my angst-loving friends: Here is something completely different. Per request by a few people who wanted "minimal pain and a lot of fluff once in awhile." Got this in the middle of all my angst! You're going to think a ghost writer did it, LOL

"Derek! Stop laughing," she said, scowling over at him. "I'm serious. I'm thirty-two years old, my biological clock is ticking."

He looked at her with mock surprise. "Oh, that old, Garcia? You're practically in your grave."

She pursed her lips and went to stand up. "Fine. I shall talk to someone else about this."

"Wait, wait, baby girl," he said, getting his laughter under control. He cleared his throat and adopted a serious look. Except for his eyes, they were still dancing. "Now, please. Run that by me again."

"I want to get married in six months. I dumped Kevin. If after two damn years that I dedicated to that fool, he didn't ask me to marry him, he never will," she sighed. She left out that she asked him, and he blanched. He wasn't ready to settle down, he said. "So, will you?"

"Baby girl, that's a tall order, I don't know if I can," he said, but he was back to laughing again.

"Derek! Now or never," she said, her brows knitting.

"Honey, you don't need me for that. You're fine the way you are," he said. He tamped down the laughter again to hold her hands. "I can't teach you to be any sexier than you already are, hot stuff."

She pursed her lips again. "That's not what I asked you. I asked you to help me seduce some guy of my choosing. Help me win for once," she said, her voice turning a little sad. "Just give me a little advice. I'd tell you about what he said, you help me by letting me know if I'm doing the right things."

"Baby, I am sure you are doing the 'right things' just being you."

She scoffed, "Yep. That's why I am still single or dating a nerd. Doing everything just swimmingly."

He couldn't help but smile a little again. Her sarcasm always cracked him up. But a part of him was a little sad. His best friend, the one with the great sense of humor and the endless energy, was lacking a little bit of self-esteem, it would seem. He never guessed that about her anymore. Before Battle shot her, she had her moments, but she emerged like a butterfly, gaining in confidence.

He thought about what she asked. She was asking for his help in deciphering what a man thinks in certain situations. She thought that having a male best friend should be helpful. He couldn't argue that. She was plan oriented. She had an agenda. Married, six months, pregnant 12 months. She had dates all set, she just needed to know how to get to that marriage point.

She didn't need anything more that a few self-esteem boosters and helpful hints. He could do that. He was, if anything, a very good friend. "Alright, Penelope. I'll do what I can."

She smiled, an enormous smile and tossed herself over to sit on his lap. "Oh, thank you, thank you! You're so wonderful; you deserve kisses and hugs," she said, putting her hands on his cheeks and planting a kiss on his lips. It was the first time Garcia ever kissed him.

A second later, she stood up, giggling. "I have to get ready for my date with Kyle. I'll brief you sometime tonight." And with that, she was out the coffee shop doors.

And he sat there, wondering why his lips still tingled where she touched them.