Changes But Yet The Same:
Authors Note: This is after the events of the season 11 finale or maybe even following what Mr. Scratch did to Hotch if people want some sort of time line. Also Tia Jennings grew up across the street from Derek in Chicago. She was his friend growing up and then his first girlfriend for a while. Her mother moved her away due to issues with her father. Tia is a detective with Special Victims in the DC area and works with JJ's husband Will LA Montagne. They reconnected just before Derek was promoted to Unit Chief and they live two houses down from each other near one property that Derek decided to keep for himself and not try and flip because he felt it was time for a house of his own.
Two months before:
"Derek has been in there with Chief Cruz for over an hour and Hotch isn't here yet. I do not like change." Garcia said.
"Hotch is likely taking some time off since the events with the jail break and his arrest. Morgan knows the job." Reid told her.
"Well I know that, you're right sweet genius. I should get ready to present the case anyway. Thank you." She patted Reid's shoulder.
"Yes we can brief Morgan on the plane if we have to."
"That might be a plan, I'll be in the room if you want to get everyone to come in."
"Good."
Then Chief Cruz's door opened and Morgan stepped out. "Let's get started everybody." "What do we have Garcia?"
He walked down the hall ahead of them.
"I'm just collecting the troops and we'll get started."
"Good I need a coffee anyway."
"Okay then we'll start."
"All right." Derek poured his usual coffee with a little hazelnut syrup and then exhaled. Was he really ready for this and would the team have his back. He swallowed some of his drink and then just got ready to do this.
"Before we get started, I have something to tell everybody. I am the new Unit Chief. Hotch wants an indefinite leave of absence. He could be back at some point or not. I just got promoted an hour ago." "Now let's get rolling please Penelope."
"All right and congratulations." So here's what we've got. "
Derek listened to the details with the others and gave a few ideas. Someone had killed a 7 year old little girl outside of Ohio and she was later found in the basement of her family home. She had been in a few little girls beauty pageants so there could be a motive there. They knew the town would be terrified and so would the family.
"Wheels up in 30." "Garcia I need a moment." The team headed to the jet when he said it.
"You're still my best friend even if you are the boss." She whispered.
"I know I was just going to say that I might have to be a little more professional. They are going to be watching me for a while."
"I know but we're still us okay?" She asked hugging him.
"Yes we are." He smiled
"Thank you."
"Good."
"I've got my first case to run."
"Yes you do, you're going to be great."
"We'll see." He got his coffee and his go bag and got ready to head to the jet.
"Yes you will hot stuff."
He nodded. "Yeah."
"Now be safe crime fighter."
"I will."
On the jet a few minutes later:
Derek walked on and everybody was looking at him. "It's still me."
"That's just a dressier shirt than you usually wear to the office."
"Well sometimes I just find things in my closet that I haven't worn in a while and change it up. "
Four very long days later: Derek had gone to the back of the jet as he usually did when a case was finished. He sat down in his seat with a quiet exhale.
"Do you need a drink, I have some Scotch in my office?" Rossi asked.
"Maybe might help with the butterflies in my stomach."
"It could come on."
"All right." Derek walked off the plane with Rossi beside him.
A few minutes later after Derek had put his go bag in his freshly painted office he went down the hall to Dave's.
When Derek walked in, Dave was pouring Scotch into two tumblers. He added one ice cube to the one for Morgan but not his own.
Derek sat down in the chair opposite Dave's slowly. "Thanks man."
"You're welcome Derek."
Dave swallowed some of his drink slowly. Derek had taken a swallow and then put his down on the corner of the desk.
"I forgot." Dave said pulling a gift bag out. "This is for your office."
"Wow that's some serious top shelf gin and even fancy glasses too."
"I know you're a gentleman Jack man but there are a lot of guys who form an opinion of a man by what he keeps for meetings."
"Oh I see and those are going to be a part of my world now. Thanks."
"Yes they will. Always offer a drink and master the slow sip."
"That's good advice." Derek nodded.
"If you have any questions please come to me and ask."
"I will right now I'm still trying to get my head around it."
"I know it's a lot to get used to."
"Yeah but all I can do is one day at a time."
"You're right."
There was a soft tap on the door frame and Derek saw Penelope standing there. "Hey."
"Hey you I was thinking about a night of coconut ice cream and silly movies?"
"I'd like to Baby girl but I'm thinking my pillow needs some time, can I get a raincheck?"
"Um yeah sure thing honey. I guess it was a big case for you. If you change your mind, just call okay?"
"I will sweetness thank you." He kissed her cheek though.
"Good feel better my dark chocolate hunk."
"I will just need some sleep."
"Okay." She hugged him.
He hugged her back. "That's my girl." There was a softer smile on his face than his usual sometimes flirty one with her.
"See you soon angelfish."
"You know it."
Derek went and got his go bag and headed home then.
Later at Derek's house: He opened the door and found his cat Ice waiting for him near the corner table. He dropped his keys and phone on it and then picked her up gently. She had gotten that name at the shelter and he had kept it since she was all white with one black spot on her right front paw. She had been through three homes in her first year of life and Derek had said that his would be her forever one.
He fed his cat some kitty crunchies and then changed her litter box and water bowl. He rubbed her ears gently. "I've had a long few days sweet kitty but I'm home now."
Derek walked to his living room couch and decided to stretch out for a while. He wasn't sure he was ready for his bed yet. He found a pillow and put it behind his head while he stretched out. Then his eyes closed.
"My sleepy Honey bear." Tia found a blanket with little Batman emblems on it and put it over Derek quietly.
"Hey Tiger." he whispered.
"I didn't mean to wake you honey."
"I didn't mean to fall asleep."
"Are you hungry?"
"A little bit yeah."
"Well then let me see how I can help that." She kissed his cheek and went to the kitchen coming back with a peanut butter and marshmallow fluff sandwich and a glass of milk for him. "I think this will help you feel warm and fuzzy."
"How the heck did you remember these sandwiches?"
"Because I've had them once in a while when I feel stressed. They remind me of home." She smiled.
"All right fair enough, thank you Tia."
"You're welcome after you eat I'll give you a nice shoulder rub."