***DISCLAIMER*** I don't own ANY of Criminal Minds!

Chapter 1

Penelope walked into the elevator as she looked at her glittery pink shoes. She wondered if it would be good enough. She had recently been told that she was to tone down her wardrobe or resign from her position as tech analyst. She chose to try and tone down her wardrobe. She was having a hard day, but it was only 8:00am and she knew it was going to only get worse. It was the anniversary of her parents' death. She had always thought it was her fault, even after years and years of therapy and support groups. Everyone at the BAU knew most of the story. They knew every part of it except for the part that she never told anyone. And that was that her parents were out looking for her after she had snuck out of the house. They were hit head on by a drunk driver who swerved into their lane and killed them almost instantly. Had it not been for her, her parents may be here. The loud ding of the elevator brought Penelope back to the reality of her life in the present.

She opened the glass door to the round table room and prepared herself to present the newest case. The reaper was back. Not the real reaper but it was a copycat killer that she hoped would subside and disappear so her family could return home. Agent Emily Prentiss walked into the room. She looked like a model to Penelope. More so than normal. She sat gracefully and crossed her legs. Her feet slightly shaking. She was an anxious person. More than Penelope herself. It also wasn't sitting with Penelope that the Reaper was back. The team had already lost so much to him. After a few moments passed the whole team was seated and the case was presented. Hotch said in a low deep voice "Wheels up in 20."

The whole team knew what this meant so everyone went to their office to grab their "go" bag and loaded on the jet. Off to Kansas they went. This was how they knew it wasn't the real Reaper (or so they thought). The Reaper always killed in Boston. He started in Boston, and ended in Boston every time he went on a spree. Why change MO now? This was the discussion on the jet. Reid sat in the corner and read a book. He had already finished the seven that he keeps with him at all times. So he resorted to asking the co-pilot if he could read the manual for the jet. Reluctantly after multiple attempts to coax the co-pilot Reid was triumphant. He sat in the corner quietly turning pages at a steady rate. Emily sat on a window seat, seeming to be lost in a muddle of thoughts. Penelope who normally didn't get to join the team on a trek of dangerous adventure, watched Emily in the corner. She knew that face, Emily had never been quite right after the whole Ian Doyle incident. Emily Prentiss was supposed to be dead. She was supposed to be six feet in the ground resiting in a casket for the rest of eternity. And Penelope could understand how that might change a person. Emily has her good days and her bad days, but she wanted to come back to the BAU she didn't have to. She said she missed her family.

Ian Doyle is dead now. He was killed while trying to catch him. In efforts to save Ian's son who Emily had personal connections to Ian had been killed and Emily had almost lost her own life. Morgan was the reason Emily was still here today. He radioed for an emergency vehicle as soon as he caught a glimpse of Ian Doyle shoving a wooden post through Emily's abdomen. She was forever affected by it, and would never be able to have her own kids. Derek Morgan got up from the back of the jet where he was sitting with agent David Rossi. He walked briskly up to the front of the jet and sat with Penelope. They had a good 4 hours left on their flight to Kansas. Derek noticed Penelope watching Emily sit in the corner. Derek looked at her too. Emily was totally unaware that most of the team was watching her at this point. Or maybe she was aware, but just chose to ignore them. Penelope Garcia stood up and walked over to Emily. She sat down in the seat next to Emily. She jumped and pulled out her gun .

"Oh, my God, Em it's just me, please don't shoot!" Yelled Penelope frantically. "

"I'm so sorry. You know how I am about people scaring me. I'm trying to get better, but I just I have a lot of things on my mind right now." Said Emily

At this point the team had all turned back to their previous occupations. You could here David and Derek and Hotch all talking about Emily's mental state. She had just pulled out a gun on Penelope.

"I've noticed that you seem a little off here lately Emily. I just want you to know that I care about you and I have watched you become stronger and better from this whole thing. I know it's only been three months. You are getting stronger than ever, but you just have been spiraling here lately. I just don't want to lose you. I almost lost you once." Said Penelope

"Pen, I know you're concerned but the best thing for me to do right now is to keep to myself." Said Emily in a low depressed tone.

"Emily, you don't trust anyone and I don't know why. I just don't get it. It's not fair. You need to talk about whatever's on your mind. I just don't want to see you hurt anymore." Said Penelope.

"Dammit Penelope, I've tried to be nice! Okay? Leave me the hell alone." Emily exploded then returned to her previous position.

Penelope had tears running down her face at this point. She stood up and sniffled getting ready to go over to Derek. Penelope looked over at Emily one more time and saw a desperate look on Emily's face. Emily turned her head as soon as Penelope made eye contact. Penelope proceeded to go sit with Derek. He put his arm around her and she fell asleep. Not long after, Derek fell asleep as well.