Series 6 One-shots: Compromising Positions

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the ideas

Prompt:

Garcia: I'm not trying to replace her. I'm trying to do this job the way she'd want it to be done.

Morgan: You know what JJ would want? She'd want you to find a way for you to do this job on your terms. Play to your strengths.

Garcia: OK, so my extensive knowledge of operating systems and internet protocol is not really going to help me out here!

Morgan: That's not what I am talking about.

Garcia: What are you talking about?

Morgan: You need to go OG – Original Garcia

. . . . . . . . . .

Garcia flung her bag down on her coffee table and headed straight to the kitchen. Pouring a large glass of wine she smiled, she deserved this one. It had been a tough case, but more so than usual for Pen. She got back to the couch and flopped down, kicking off her orange stilettos. She pumped up the volume on her stereo and sang along, at the top of her voice. Stress relief OG way!

After she finished the first glass of wine she made her way through to her bedroom. Stripping off as she went. After a quick shower she threw on her PJs and padded back through to the lounge. Make up gone, hair all braided and glasses firmly on – one-hundred percent Garcia. Nothing to hide behind.

Setting up her projector and pouring another glass of wine, she settled to watch the images from her childhood. Smiling as tears silently plopped down her check. Seeing her Mom she giggled, she always felt a little silly doing this, but it always helped when she had something to talk through. Seeing her Mom made her feel connected, like she was there to talk to.

"Mom, you wouldn't believe what I got myself into this time," she paused, even though she knew she wouldn't answer, "I decided I could do JJ's job, as well as mine. I know, I know Mom, but the theory sounded so good. I created the programme JJ used. My role and hers overlapped so much as I liaised with her when the team needed things. It seemed to make sense. Hotch was worried that I wasn't fully trained but I've always been willing to learn new skills, all I needed to do was tone down my wardrobe choices, a bit. Not change myself, just my image."

Garcia smirked remembering the team's faces as she got onto the plane. Her smart dark dress and those blasted contact lenses.

"I got off to a good start Mom; I sorted all the pre-prep really well. I sent through information about the team to help the lead investigator and made sure he had a list of the equipment the team needed. I was so proud, so sure I could do it and make the team proud of me."

Penelope let out a little sigh, silently watching the images on the screen, imagining her Mom's words of praise and encouragement.

"Then I made my first mistake, I thought I was doing so well trying to deal with the media, when I couldn't find Hotch. I was absolutely insistent that I was making 'No comment', and then just as Hotch walked out he was lying to me. Mom I didn't see his lie, Hotch did. He saw right through him. Am I so naive? I felt such a fool for being so trusting. With all that we see you would have thought I would have learnt to be more suspicious of people actions."

Penelope watched the familiar scenes unfold in front of her, taking comfort from them. Leaning back she closed her eyes. Her shoulders were still so tense from the stress of doing to jobs. She knew she should ring Kevin and apologise for snapping at him when he tried to help her. But right now she needed her space. That was why she hadn't gone out with the team either.

Massaging her temples, she began to realise how much she ached all over. She couldn't believe how easily distracted she had been in a field. She had got so lost under all that she was trying to do. To be fair to Hotch he had tried to warn her. Also he had tried to help her prioritise, but each time he had tried to help her she had felt another kick to her self esteem. She knew he didn't mean it, but it hurt. She knew she shouldn't take it personally but she couldn't help it.

She had to admit that Derek, her Chocolate Adonis, had done an amazing job of picking her back up. She smiled, remembering her friends support. He knew what to say at just the right time, every time. He may call her his solace, but right then he had been hers, without a doubt. OG – Original Garcia - trust him to see the light shining through.

It had worked. She had put the pieces together, found the lead they needed and ever got a well done from Hotch.

"Did you hear that Mom? A well done from Hotch," see beamed, "He even came to see me, before I came home, I think he was worried because I was heading home and not going out. He told me how he had struggled when Gideon had left. How he had tried to take on too much. I felt such a failure, like I let the team down, but he assured me he that I hadn't. He assured me that he appreciated me just the way I am."

Penelope was plunged into darkness, as the film ended.

"Unique, Mom, that's what he said I was, and that he didn't want me to change. Your words Mom, he used your words. I'm still living life as you wished I would, uniquely, my way."

Sitting in the dark Penelope enjoyed the silence. She relished her own company. She liked being with herself and her thoughts. She was no longer stressed or upset. She no longer felt she had let the team down. She was Penelope Garcia, one in a million.

. . . . . . . . . .

Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are

Bruno Mars Just The Way You Are lyrics

. . . . .

I had two ideas for this episode. The other one was originally going to be a separate one-shot Morgan/Prentiss (not a usual pairing for me) M-rated. Didn't feel it fitted in with this series. Which I now glad I didn't include it as a chapter as it has grown into a little bit of a smutty story called Surprises. If this interests you please feel free to read it and let me know what you think.

Thank you for the reviews, favourites and alerts, it is all very encouraging and keeps me writing.