“Morning Pen. How was the wedding?” JJ enquired as her friend entered the briefing room.
“Marvellous! The perfect way to spend a weekend celebrating love and happiness rather than this…” Garcia replied, pointing at the idle screen which would soon fill up with gory images, reminding them of the wickedness they had to deal with regularly.
JJ nodded only too aware of their need for regular respite between cases. “That’s lovely.” She commented when the TA removed her cardigan. Her short sleeves dress allowed her henna designs to be showcased.
“Let’s see.” Asked Tara, intrigued, grabbing her hand for a closer look. While the rest of the Team gathered around to take a peek.
“Did you do the name thing?” Asked JJ.
“You know about that?” Garcia posed, surprised.
“Yes, I was introduced to the custom when I attended a similar wedding of one of Will’s colleagues, last year.” She confirmed.
“Oh- good.” Frack! She knew she shouldn’t have done it.
Hubris always got her! Thinking she was the only one nerdy enough to bother researching specific cultural customs of the particular bride and groom she was invited to celebrate with. Though… hopefully no one would be able to read the foreign script.
“I don’t see your name anywhere-” Commented a perplexed Alvez.
“Cos you're not meant to. Doofus!” Teased him Tara. “They write the name of her beloved within the design.”
“Yes, if one is married or has a boyfriend then their name on one’s skin means continued happiness. If one is single, having the name of the person they’re interested in drawn within the design, is meant to help catch their attention, promoting good fortune -hopefully bring them together.” Elucidated Matt.
Even Mr Biceps knew!?! Oh, goodies! Thought Garcia. Yayyy for culture awareness of course- not so much for what that could spell for her (her doom!?!) if anyone actually found the epithet written on the side of her index finger. Garcia couldn’t help a low exasperated sigh and a shake of her head. At that point, refusing her colleagues a few goes at guessing or wearing her cardi to cover up her ill-advised wish upon a henna tattoo would probably result in even more questions.
“Ah!” Luke nodded his thanks for the explanation. Quickly resuming his search. Looking harder for the name she had all but admitted having tattooed. Who could the guy be? Rizwan from accounting? Alvez never liked how overly touchy-feely he was with Garcia. He had planned to speak to the guy, let him know that wasn’t appropriate behaviour- however, if this meant she was interested in him…
He was startled out of his thoughts when he heard Reid’s voice, drawing out his nickname.
“Neewwwbieee.”
He looked up. “What can I do for you Spence?” He asked with a smile.
“No, I meant-” The Doc pointed at Garcia’s left hand. “Newbie!” He repeated with a triumphant smile.
“OMG BoyWonder. You can read Urdu?” Her face redder than the Henna on her upper limbs.
“No, Arabic. But the alphabet is practically the same in both languages. So with names all you need to do is sound out each letter and-”
“This is not happening…” Pen said in a daze. Taking a couple of steps back from the table, her friends, him .
She had chanced only the briefest glance in Alvez’s direction as the meaning of what Spencer was saying had finally sunk in.
Was that terror on his face? Scorn?
Nope, she wouldn’t check to find out which.
Garcia recognised his touch as soon as he gently placed his hand on her shoulder. At once wanting to shrug it off and run out of the room, but also desperate to turn and place her head on his shoulder to be comforted. Him and being the frickin person she could go to cry to. Wanted to cry to.
FRACK!
“Hey Chica-” Luke began softly.
Unsure on how to react, she turned to stare him down. Maybe if she feigned confidence and abrasiveness she could mask her true feelings. The humiliation of being outed so publicly. “It doesn’t mean anything.” She tried in a dismissive tone.
“Ok-” He nodded his assent hoping to placate her.
“Don’t say that.”
“I didn’t say anything.” He chuckled nervously. Luke was scrambling trying to think of a way to make his Chica feel better.
“I know you’re thinking it! I can see it in your smug smile, in your eyes.”
“You know what I’m thinking?”
“Yes I do.”
“That makes one of us at least.” He retorted supportively.
“ What does that even mean, Newb- SSA Alvez?”
He smiled at her endearing slip up and adorable attempt at a cover up. “That I wish I knew what you were thinking by having your special nickname for me tattooed on your hand. If you had ‘Luke’ written instead - we would all probably have assumed you were referring to someone else.” He noted. Hopeful for a further misstep on her part. Confirming beyond any possible doubt what he could only wish that (her choice of name) meant.
“Exactly! Too many Lukes out there. Needed to ensure the vibes (!?!)- message (!?!). Whatever this thing is meant to convey-” She said, lifting her arm between them. “-was getting to the right recipient.” She looked around the room at her sniggering friends. “Instead of laughing at me, perhaps one of you could make themselves useful and stop my rant? Help me not dig an even deeper hole for myself?”
“I’ll help you Chica.” Alvez declared eagerly and sincerely. Taking a step closer to her. Bringing the hand with his name written on it to his lips. Kissing it softly.
“Lu-ke.” She whispered, his name sticking in her arid throat.
He gazed intensely in her eyes. “Nu-uh Chica. It’s Newbie . It’s even tattooed on your skin, lest you forget it.” He affirmed with glee caressing her cheek. Glad to see she was finally relaxing at his words. A big smile gracing her face.
“It’s only a temporary one.” She pointed out with a hint of disappointment. Referencing the henna lasting only for a few days.
“I’m sure I can find a more permanent way to remind you everyday that it is, and I always will be - your Newbie.” He stated.
“I’d like that.” She confirmed, taking the last step so she was flush to him. She slid her hands to the top of his shoulders, settling them either side of the column of his neck. She pecked his lips before continuing. “I’d like that very much.”
“For fuck’s sake!” Emily screeched when she entered the briefing room. “Can I leave you guys alone for 5 minutes without having to come back to a HR nightmare!?!”
Alvez and Garcia turned to look at their Boss, breaking into laughter.
“Don’t worry Boss Lady. The rest of this discussion will be held behind closed doors.” PG asserted as Luke pulled her chair back, helping her sit down, before taking his spot right next to her.
“It’s a good thing I’m ambidextrous-” Pen quipped, picking up the remote with her right hand to start the briefing.
Smiling, overjoyed at the view of her left hand swathed in his. The feel of him squeezing it lightly. The pleasurable tingle of his index finger tracing his name on hers.
“Alvez!” Prentiss called out.
A shit eating grin that would not fade for quite some time to come fixed on his face, he looked up. “Yep, here, paying attention Boss.” Luke confirmed.
Training his gaze on the screen to take in the details of the case. Lowering her hand on his thigh so he could continue to hold, caress it, more discreetly.
Wish upon a henna tattoo by LilP7
Story Note:
☄️Disclaimer/info/⚠️warnings☄️
If you sort of recognise the custom mentioned in the fic, it’s bcs it’s based on one that exists irl. However, it has been changed heavily and adapted to fit this particular story.
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Endnotes: Thanks for reading. Comments and constructive feedback are always welcome.