Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Everything from Criminal Minds belongs to CBS and other such lucky souls. Everything Sons of Anarchy belongs to F/X and Sutter, Ink. - not for profit - merely for fun.
Penelope groaned as the shrill ring of her cell phone pierced her ears and wakened her from much needed sleep. Reaching over she grabbed the offending appliance from her nightstand and flipped it open to mumble, "Garcia."
Her eyes shot open and she sat up as she listened to the voice on the other end of the line. Barely a minute later she said, "I'm on my way," closed her phone and threw back her covers. Slipping quickly from her bed she pulled on an old pair of blue jeans and a worn blue FBI tee shirt that belonged to Derek before slipping her feet into a pair of sneakers. She pulled her long red hair back into a ponytail then quickly packed a bag. She grabbed her cell phone and dialed a number that she knew would go straight to voice mail.
She cleared her throat then began to speak, "Hotch, it's Garcia. I have had something come up that I have to take care of. You'll want to ask for Kevin Lynch as a tech in my absence, he's almost as good as I am." She paused then said, "Try not to worry boss man, I'll call when I can."
Penelope turned off the phone and set it with her credentials on her nightstand. She shouldered her laptop bag and purse then grabbed her bag. She locked the door and made her way out of the apartment and across the parking lot to a black Ford Taurus. She settled her bag in the back before climbing in the front with her laptop and purse. She locked the doors and started the engine then pulled off into the dark of night.
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Aaron Hotchner set his brief case on his desk and frowned at the little red light blinking on his telephone. He hit the little button for his voicemail then listened to Penelope's message. He saved the message before calling down to the tech pool and requesting that Kevin Lynch be sent to his office.
A few moments later an awkward Kevin Lynch knocked on Hotch's open door. Hotch looked up, "Come in Lynch."
"You wanted to see me, sir?"
"Yes, please have a seat." Hotch waited until the other man had taken a seat before speaking again. "I received a message this morning from Penelope stating that "something came up" that she needs to take care of. She also said that I should get you to fill in for her." Hotch stood and moved around his desk so that he was standing in front of Lynch, "Kevin, if you know what's going on you need to tell me."
Lynch swallowed, "I'm sorry Agent Hotchner. Penny and I broke up a while ago and we haven't really talked too much since."
Hotch met the other man's anxious eyes and sighed, "Alright, well if you think of anything please let me know. In the meantime, I need you to fill in here during Penelope's absence."
Lynch paled considerably and gulped before standing up, "Yes sir."
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Morgan dropped tiredly into his chair; he'd barely fallen asleep when his alarm had gone off. He really needed to take some time off and soon. He took a swallow from his coffee and saw a scowling Hotch stalking towards the cubicle he shared with Reid. Derek groaned, "C'mon Hotch don't tell me we've got another case already."
"Not exactly. I need you to come with me," Hotch replied cryptically.
Morgan followed the slightly older agent out of the bullpen then out of the building and into the garage. They were seated in the black SUV and pulling out of the lot before Morgan glanced at Hotch behind the wheel and said, "Are you going to tell me where we are going?"
"Garcia's."
Derek sat up straighter in his seat, "What's going on?"
Hotch spared the younger agent a brief glance, "I really hope that we're going to find that out."
A scant few minutes later they came to stop outside of Penelope's apartment building. A quick glance over at the parking lot revealed that Esther was still there. Morgan led the way up the stairs and knocked loudly on Penelope's door. After a few minutes when they hadn't received any answer, he dug into his pocket and pulled out his keys. Unlocking the door they stepped inside and found her apartment undisturbed.
Hotch walked around the living room, while Derek made his way to the bedroom. He immediately spotted Penelope's credentials on her nightstand with her cell phone and an envelope addressed to him and Hotch. "Hey Hotch, you better come take a look at this."
Derek opened the envelope and began to read Penelope's note:
Hey there my superheroes:
Something came up that I absolutely have to take care of. I'm leaving my credentials because I don't know what the future is going to hold.
I know that you are thinking that you would help me if I just told you what was going on…and I really wish that I could. You're just going to have to trust me to handle this one on my own.
You both need to be strong and focus on keeping the team together – they need you.
Try not to worry too much. I'll touch base if I can.
Penelope