Hang Your Dreams

Pursuit

James sat on the front steps of a museum as the crew set up their cameras and lights around him. "I think it could be interesting. We never truly dove into the relationships Reddington has had with any of his associates other than a few gatherings here and there, usually resulting in trouble" one of the producers chuckled while talking to James, sitting next to him. "I think it'd be appealing to the audience. Without Keen or Aram or Park, the scope of focus becomes smaller and more so on me but it's nice to introduce new characters every now and then. Keeps things fresh."
"There ain't nothing fresh about Reddington unless you're talking about his attitude." Penny's boisterous self walked over. Over the past few days she had grown quite comfortable with James, letting out her true vibrant self. James chuckled and clapped to himself. "There she is." He announced. "I was beginning to worry you got lost." James said. "Oh don't you worry, I can find my way to you." She smirked. James looked down, now becoming flustered himself.

The past few days included two lunch outings and a few line rehearsals just between the two of them. James had confided in her that he has had a bit more free time now that he was living alone again but never expressed that he was particularly single. He had gotten Penelope so comfortable around him though that she was no longer afraid to be loud or take up space in his presence which gave him a proud feeling as the first time they met, she had been shy and trying to hide herself.
"Want to hit up that hole in the wall for lunch?" James leaned over and asked. "Sure, do we know when we're breaking for lunch?" She responded. The producer looked at his watch and said "probably in 2 hours or so depending on the next few scenes honestly." She nodded.

They shot a few scenes and broke for lunch. "Alright, we have an hour, it's a 10 minute walk, we'll be good to grab a quick bite." James looked both ways before remembering the crosswalk sign. "You want to sit in or?" Penny asked. James paused for a moment trying to remember the last time he sat in at a place to eat. He usually gets crowded with people and he avoids it at all costs. "Sure, let's relax off our feet." He said as they crossed the street.
They made it safely to a small Ecuadorian place and ordered a few tacos to stay. "Hopefully I don't get anything on the wardrobe outfits." Penny said looking down at her thin tank top they provided her. "Oh shit yeah." James said after sipping his drink.

He looked up at Penny who was giving him a small genuine smile. "So tell me about that tattoo." He said, pointing to her chest. "3 birds. My mom, myself and my sister." "Ahh you have a sister." James leaned in, interested. "Yes, unfortunately she passed from cancer 2 years ago, so I got the tattoo because no matter where I am, those two women are always flying with me." "Your mother pass too?" James asked. "No but, I don't live with her so, I keep her close with this." "I see I see. I have a botched tattoo I tried fixing two too many times. It was a spade then spider then tried doing something with birds but nothing like your tattoo. Yours is beautiful." Penny touched her chest and necklace playfully, "Aww, thanks." "Props?" James asked, referencing the necklace. "Yes and no, wardrobe said it looked natural for me to have on so we went with keeping it. But it's mine." "It's beautiful." James admired her momentarily.
Unsure of what to say next, he blurted out, "I'm enjoy our friendship." The next few moments of silence were awkward and slightly tense. "Me too..." she said softly, touching her necklace again, almost as a comfort object. "I'm sorry, I..." James tripped over his words unsure of what to say. He looked around briefly, the place was empty except for the cashier and them and they were a full restaurant length apart. "I don't know how to go about this anymore." He said softly. "I think I read this wrong..." Penny began to say. "No...you didn't." James interrupted. "You didn't read anything wrong. I just don't know how to be single I guess. Leslie left so I moved out, and the first thing I do is find the most beautiful girl I can find and fall flat on my face..." James began to speak in a firmer more convicted tone. "It's like everything aligned so I can find you, and I enjoy your vibrancy and your mannerisms are gorgeous but I not only feel guilty, I feel unrequited and that's not on you."
Penny grabbed his hand as soon as he said that and placed it flat on the table. She leaned in and said softly, "I'm trying to learn how to be normal around you, because to me you're the only man I see. And I don't want come off too strong." Her eyes grew glossy as a single tear fought it's way out. James leaned in and softly kissed her. "Normal isn't fun. Normal isn't normal. Be weird with me." He said, pulling away. Penny smiled and jokingly said, "Is this the part where we break up, I turn into a baker and sell you guns?" James broke out in his iconic laughter, doubling over in his chair. It was the first time she had seen him laugh this hard in person.
Their food was served and that quickly ate before walking back to set.
"I prefer the street side" James gestured her away. "Ooh what a gentleman." Penny said humorously. James smiled and his head fell as he shook it, "I can't be nice? I'd take the oncoming car for you." He said. "As much as I appreciate good old fashioned chivalry, I think the world would be much more devastated if you got hit over I." Penny replied. "But the world doesn't matter, I'd be hurt if you got hit." He said in a serious tone. "James, we-" "I feel like I've known you forever." He looked into her eyes again. "I don't know what it is, just looking at you I felt comfortable. Kissing you on set before even knowing you, I felt comfortable. It was like our lips had met before..." he continued.
Penny slowly felt her heart beat harder and harder for this man. She had never had a man fall for her so hard, let alone an older gentleman, a celebrity, and a damn good looking one at that. "We can cross now." He said, grabbing her by the end momentarily to get her to cross with him.
"You still have my number?" She asks him as they get to the other side. "I saved it actually." He responded. He walked together back to the studio and headed towards set with time to spare. "I'll text you." He whispered to her right before he walked away. Penny stood against a wall scrolling through social medias on her phone until her scene was called.

After work everyone had gone home. While entering her apartment, she received a text. "Damn look at you Ms Popular?" Sarah said while chewing loudly as she watched a movie in the living room. "Mind yo damn business, I can't get a text without you hollering?" Penelope said putting her bags down. "No because you never got yo sound on so obviously you was expecting something." Sarah turned around and eyed Penelope sassily. Penny eyeballed her back. They had a small chuckle before resuming their activities.
"25 West 28th Street NY, NY.  The Ritz-Carlton. Back a bag or two. Ask the front desk for a key to Red's room. It'll be a club level Hudson room on the 36th floor."
Penny stared at the text for a moment in confusion and awe. She glanced at her closet and messy room and sighed before grabbing a few cute outfits, some shoes, slippers & necessary toiletries. She wasn't sure why or how long she'd be with James there but she wasn't going to deny that type of luxury. "When?" She remembered to respond back after packing. "Any time 😉" he sent. "This man uses emojis!?" She shouted out loud. "What man!?" Sarah shouted from the living room. "Nothing!" Penny sucked her teeth at her nosey but lovable roommate.
Penny stumbled out her room with her bags & looked over at Sarah who was intently watching her movie was still loudly chewing. "I'm going to be gone for a few days probably." "Probably?" Sarah asked. "I don't know, we're doing some on site filming and I wanna stay in a hotel closer to the location." Penny quickly said as she thought it up. "Is it up north or on Long Island?" Sarah asked, making sure she knew where she was in case of anything. "Long Island, not too far but I don't want to take train after train in the morning, you know?" Penny opened the door to go. "Have fun!" Sarah waved goodbye as Penny left.