I do not own Criminal Minds or any characters therein.

Behavioral Analysis Unit, Quantico

0800

Penelope smiled to herself as she walked through the doors of the BAU. It was good to be back. 10 months ago she had been approached by Section Chief Strauss and offered a short-term relocation to the Los Angeles FBI field office. Her skills as a technical analyst were in high demand. The L.A. office was starting a team specializing in cyber-crime and needed an agent to train them in computer and network intrusion, as well as helping build the agency's contribution to the National Cyber Investigative Joint Task Force.

Strauss had instructed that she have little to no contact with her team in Quantico, as she was afraid her coworkers might prove to be a distraction from this important assignment. In reality, Strauss just wanted to make her life miserable. She never liked the seemingly "unprofessional" way Penelope spoke to her team on the phone, nor did she appreciate her unorthodox style and interests. Her only communication with the team had been through Hotch, who kept her briefly updated on current cases. He was the only one who knew she would be returning today.

As she looked around the bullpen she noticed the room mostly empty. The team had just returned from a case in Dallas the night before and would most likely be getting in late. She noticed that Hotch was already in his office pouring over mounds of paperwork scattered across his desk..

She knocked quietly on his door, smiling as he turned in her direction. "Hello, Sir".

Hotch got up from his desk as his eyes grew wide with surprise. "Garcia, it's good to have you back, I didn't know you'd be in so early. I told the rest of the team they could come in a few hours late." He put his hand on her shoulder. "So, are you ready to dive back in?" Before she could answer he looked her up and down before settling on her eyes, "You've changed, Garcia. I take it you completed the last few weeks of the agent academy qualification program I recommended since we last spoke?"

Penelope had struggled the last few years at the BAU. She had always felt so safe in her office. The only threat of harm was to her team as they were out on cases, not to her. But the longer she had worked in the BAU the more exposed she felt when they were gone. After her run in with Battle she thought she'd never feel safe again. She had been so trusting, so naïve, and as a result, now scared that without her team she couldn't protect herself. It wasn't required that she complete agent training, but after talking to Hotch about her fears he recommended that she look into it, or at the very least self-defense classes. Conveniently, her superior in Los Angeles was training a new set of recruits 5 months into her assignment. After Hotch pulled a few strings she was given special clearance to complete the program. Her friends at the BAU wouldn't recognize her; she barely recognized herself. She had slimmed down considerably. The curves were still there, but she had gained a lot of muscle from physical fitness drills and tactical exercises. Although she was now authorized to carry a weapon she kept it safely in her bag, not quite ready to wear it on her person. She felt, in a way, that her former self had died, and a new Penelope had taken her place.

Remembering that Hotch had asked her a question she quickly nodded her head. "Yes, sir."

"Excellent. I'd like to meet with you later with the rest of the team to discuss the changes in your agent status, as well as how we will go forward in using you on future cases."

Penelope's eyes grew wide at the thought.

"But, Sir, I have no intention of going out in the field with the team. I just wanted to learn to defend myself and my family. Is it mandatory that I do this?'

Hotch looked at her seriously but with gentleness in his eyes, "Garcia, no one is going to force you to take a case that makes you uncomfortable, but as you know we are spread thin as it is. You will always be our tech analyst and that is your wheelhouse, but I can't say that I won't pull you if needed to help with a case, is that understood?"

"Yes, sir."

He smiled gently. "Good, now go get reacquainted with your office and I'll call you in if I need anything.

Penelope walked back through the bullpen toward her office. As she walked past her coworkers desks she noticed a pink fuzzy pen sitting on one of them. If she wasn't mistaken that was Morgan's desk.

She laughed out loud as she passed by. Her team must miss her more than she thought, especially him.

2

Morgan was beat. They had just landed this morning around 2am after completing a particularly bad case. Cases involving children were always hard for him. There were days that he felt like he'd never be free of the hold Buford had on him. Every time he thought he was close to forgetting, they'd get a case that touched too close to home. When he got home in the wee hours of the morning all he could think of was how much he missed his baby girl. 10 months was a long time. He hadn't had any contact with her, per Hotch's request. They were told her relocation could last up to a year. What he wouldn't give to talk to her for just a few minutes.

After tossing and turning the rest of the night he gave up on getting any sleep, unable to rid his mind of nightmares. He found himself back at work bright and early. Coffee in hand, he walked past Penelope's office and saw a woman searching through her personal files. He shook his head, wondering who they got as their temporary tech analyst this time. He caught site of her from behind and couldn't help but appreciate those curves. He leaned against the doorway admiring the site. Long blonde curls, short black pencil skirt, high heels, and muscled calves. He put on his best lady-killer smile and walked toward her.

"Excuse me, I'm Supervisory Special Agent Derek Morgan, I don't believe we've…." As the beauty in question turned around the words died in his throat. His mouth became dry and his heart threatened to beat out of his chest.

"Cat got your tongue, sweet cheeks? Derek Morgan, I don't believe I've ever seen you speechless." She said as she took hold of his chin and closed his mouth.

He quickly grabbed her in a tight hug, hoping that his shallow breathing and pounding heart wouldn't give him away. "Baby girl, you just surprised me that's all. I've missed you."

Penelope studied him as she pulled back from his hold, trying to gauge the thoughts behind those beautiful brown eyes. Whatever feelings she thought passed through those eyes had quickly been replaced by cool resolve. That was the Morgan she knew. He quickly pulled away and seemed to be in a hurry to get back out to the bullpen.

"Look, I have some work to finish from this last case, maybe we can catch up later. You can fill me in on how you coped with being away from me for so long." He grabbed her hand, trying not to notice how soft it felt in his grasp, "Good to have you back, sweetness."

As Derek left her office she found herself letting out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. Had Morgan really just hit on her? Not just shameless flirting, but really, truly hit on her? Or had it only been because he thought she was someone else? She banished the thought from her mind as she turned to back toward her files.

News spread quickly that Garcia had returned as the rest of the team slowly made their way into work. Reid, J.J. and Prentiss were standing in her office just staring at her.

J.J was the first to break the silence with a bone-crushing hug and a tearful voice, "We've missed you so much, I didn't know how much longer we'd make it without you. Henry has gotten so big and asks about his aunt Penelope all the time."

Reid spoke up, "I'll have you know I missed a very important sci-fi convention while you were away because I had no one to help me with my costume." His tone was matter of fact, but the smile on his face betrayed him.

Emily added, "I'm just glad you're back because Morgan has been an absolute pain in the ass. We've burned through every spare tech analyst that's come through these doors."

J.J proceeded to elbow her in the side. "What was that for?"

"What she means is that Derek has a tough time communicating with other tech's who…"

"Don't feed his ego?" Garcia interjected.

J.J. smiled knowingly. "You could put it that way."

Penelope laughed and quickly hugged each one of them before shooing them out of her office. "Alright, enough with the chit-chat. The sooner that paperwork gets done the sooner we can catch up."