Fic: Deep Sleep - Garcia

[shamir-26.livejournal.com]

Title: Deep Sleep – Part 6

Author: Sara Nublas

Character: Penelope Garcia

Rating: FRT

Disclaimer: I don’t own the characters of the show Criminal Minds. No infringement intended

Warning: tag to 6x08 ‘Reflections of Desire’

Summary: sleep is the only moment when profilers expose their troubles and fears without being able to control them, so I decided to try and dig into their minds to see what’s most frightening or bugging them. There will be one shot for each profiler, all the stories are completely independent from each other and take place in different moments, the only common theme being sleep

Notes: Beta’d by the amazing freddlerabbit

 

 

 

 

Garcia: Madame Noir

 

‘I believe humanity was born from conflict, maybe it’s why in all of us lives a dark side’

 

I stop in front of a sign for “The Black Rose” and enter this bar with the resolute walk of a woman who learned how to get respect, but is also able to blend in and go unnoticed when necessary.

It’s Friday night and the room is lively and crowded; a few waitresses are snaking around clusters of clients, skillfully balancing their loaded trays.

On the stage dancers are charming the crowd with their sinuous grace, winking at the bewitched men and flirting with the pianist, who tirelessly provides the soundtrack for the night.

Bartenders are busy fixing drinks and following up new orders.

The space is filled with smoke and music; so many voices are darting from every corner, that for a moment I don’t know if I will make it; I lean on the marble counter top and take deep breaths.

Then a familiar voice rises from the crowd, I move my gaze searchingly through the teeming room, but to no avail.

“Where’s the new girl?” the voice inquires briskly.

“Right here, boss. I’d hurry up before she passes out” a bartender answers from behind the counter, addressing me with a teasing look.

Finally the voice gets a face. I smile, comforted; thanks to this man I will accomplish my revenge.

Dave Rossi moves toward me with a grin, framing me from head to toe, “So, you must be Penelope” he approaches me.

Rumor has it that this man has a giant ego, but an even bigger heart. If you’re friend to him, you’ll have help and protection granted.

“Yes, sir...” I respond in a whisper.

Rossi bursts out laughing, echoed by the bartender and by the other waitresses who overheard the quick exchange “Sir… it’s been a long time since someone called me this, young lady” he explains after regaining speech. Then he takes a step back, brushing his chin with his forefinger and scanning me from head to toe. Finally he resolves, “you’ll go by Penny here, Penelope is too showy for a waitress. Maybe, if and when you get on the stage, we will let you use your full name”

I smile gratefully. I almost feel guilty for taking advantage of his generosity, but I can’t afford kindness in this situation. Just then I notice how he looks good in his tuxedo; he holds a cigar in one hand and a glass of whiskey in the other, at his sides two beautiful girls. if I didn’t know his true story, I would think he’s some kind of ruthless gangster.

“There are three rules here:” he warns me “don’t steal from me, don’t get drunk during working hours and make my friends happy. Clear?”

I nod, refraining my enthusiasm. I’m in.

Tonight I will accomplish my mission. Tonight I will kill the man who ruined my life.

“Good. You’re hired” he concludes before disappearing, swallowed by the incoming wave of people.

 

I’m still gazing in his direction, searching the crowd for the object of my interest, when I feel a hand tapping on my shoulder. It’s Kevin, the awkward bartender; he smiles at me and offers a shot of tequila.

“Thanks, Kevin” I smile back, accepting the drink.

“Good girl” he blushes, filling clumsily some other glasses “you remembered my name!” he exclaims in satisfaction, “You’re real lucky, the boss really likes you..” he reassures me.

“Yeah,” I mumble pensive “ so real lucky”

“Are you looking for someone?” he asks, noticing I’m scanning the crowd “because if so, I know everybody in here, and I can tell you all their dirty secrets”

I turn around suddenly interested and with a crooked smile I flirtatiously encourage him “I love secrets…”

“So, let’s start with our pianist, Spencer Reid. We all call him Spence here,” Kevin nods at the stage where a skinny guy in a suit is playing the piano and winking at the dancers. He explains that this Spence guy is a weird one. Apparently girls go crazy for him, but he doesn’t mind much about them; he doesn’t really mind about anyone. All he’s got in mind is his music and his books. “He’s a funny one, but you’ll like him,” he grants.

“Then, you see the couple talking and laughing with Rossi?” he redirects my gaze toward a quieter corner, where a tall man and a petit blonde are chatting with the boss.

“Those two are Mr and Mrs Hotchner” he explains.

Their hands are intertwined, occasionally they hold each other’s gaze lovingly and share a silent smile.

Kevin tells me that Aaron is one of Rossi’s wealthiest clients and dearest friends, and his wife, Jennifer Jereau, has French origins and comes from an aristocratic family.

“Is he an aristocrat too?” I ask curiously pointing at Mr Hotchner.

 “Not at all. He worked his way out of the gutter ”

“Let me guess, her parents never approved the story” I prompt.

“Of course” he confirms, “they threatened to cut her out of their will and she married him. But honestly I’ve never seen a happier couple.”

I am still looking at them dreamingly, agreeing with Kevin’s take, when he points my attention to another client who just walked in. He doesn’t look at anybody, just beckons at Hotchner and Rossi and sits alone at a table in the opposite corner of the bar. I stare at him speechless for a few seconds, he’s one of the most beautiful men I’ve ever seen, but there’s a deep sadness in his eyes that gropes my throat.

“…And that’s Morgan,” Kevin cuts it short, not hiding his hostility at the obvious interest the man draws from the women in the bar. To his knowledge Morgan is one of Mr Hotchner’s dearest friends. “Apparently Morgan saved his life so many times that the man lost count. They’re like brothers” he explains.

“Why is he so sad?” I can’t help asking.

“Nobody knows. He’s a troubled man. Women love that” again that rough edge in his voice, “He comes here late at night, sometimes he disappears for months. But don’t raise your hopes, he’s taken”

Kevin’s glare veers a bit and I follow it, to glance at the woman who just walked in “ah, speaking of the devil… Emily Prentiss” he announces.

She walks through the bar with resolute strides and her gaze stands up to every man’s in the room, challenging them all.

She goes to sit in front of Morgan and smiles coyly, sipping some of his drink.

“What’s her story?” I ask interested.

“Miss Emily Prentiss. Unique woman. She’s educated, she travels a lot and she lives alone. Nobody can tell her what to do, or who to be with. Rumor has it that she was previously tied to some Irish guy, involved in illegal smuggling. Bad stuff, the kind you don’t want to ask about.”

“And how did she end up here?” I urge.

“Morgan helped her out of that situation. They say that he killed the guy in order to save her… or to have her. Since then they’re often together, always exchanging glances… they like to keep it mysterious”

 

At that point a new client enters the bar. Kevin is still speaking, but I don’t listen to him anymore.

I walk toward the man, the one I came here for, the one I’m going to kill.

He smiles at me and I respond in kind, then when I’m close enough, I speak “I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long…”

He smiles at first, but his grin fades as he sees the gun in my hand. I don’t give him the time to react.

The trigger clicks so easily under the pressure of my finger.

Bang!

 

“Pen… Pen..” someone’s calling me, “Wake up honey, you fell asleep in your office. Everybody’s gone by now. C’mon let’s go home” Kevin shakes my shoulders delicately.

I take few moments to realize where I am; then I brace myself and answer him “Kev, you would never believe me. I had the weirdest dream ever….I was a killer”

“Oh boy” he startles, swallowing the surprise.

“…and you were a barman”

“Ah” he adjusts his glasses, clearly expecting a nobler role.

“JJ was married to Hotch and Emily was kinda with Derek, who saved her life,” I carry on.

“Why does Morgan get to be the hero and I’m just a barman?” he asks disappointed.

I nudge him lovingly and carry on recounting.

Walking through the familiar corridors of the bureau, I sigh in relief as I fully realize it was just a vivid dream. Glad to be back to the sunny, innocent, chatty side of me. I hug him and bid this place my goodbye, till tomorrow

Comments

[freddlerabbit.livejournal.com]

Hee hee! Thanks - I got it from icy_imaginary, and I really love it.

The muse, she is mercurial - I got 19 chapters into my story, and I've been stuck for months now! I have another that I'd like to write, but I'm trying to get myself to finish the other one first. . .

[shamir-26.livejournal.com]

I love even the new userpic! ah Morgan and his mugs...
I am a huge Prentiss-Morgan shipper, but I guess this is pretty clear by now.

I'd love to read your story, I remember enjoying a lot your fics!

Good luck with your projects :)