AN: I know everyone wants to know what happens with Morgan and Parker, but well... first of all the story of what Pen did while Morgan went through her apartment. And you'll see a nicer Emily! As promised, that would make it the third chapter this week. Don't expect this now with every week :)

After Detective Morgan had left, there was a sudden silence. A silence she didn't like. She could still hear an occasional phone ringing in the front of the building, or some people speaking down the hall, but other than that there was nothing. Utter silence – and Penelope didn't like it one bit.

This was supposed to be her birthday, - a fun day to meet up with friends and enjoy herself. Instead she was held in a small cell, that had nothing else other than a bed with a cushion and a window that was so small and so far up that she couldn't even look through it.

Penelope was supposed to meet her best friend JJ for lunch, like they did every year, and now Penelope didn't even have any possibility of letting JJ know she had to cancel those plans. Or telling her what was going on. Eventually lunch would turn to evening and all her friends would meet at some place for her super-surprise birthday party she wasn't supposed to know about. She always knew but never let it show. After almost eight birthdays she knew what to expect.

She wondered how long it would take for them to find out she wouldn't come. Wondered how disappointed her friends would be that she didn't show, or how worried JJ would become. JJ was always a bit of a worrier – in a good way though.

Penelope hated to disappoint people, but that was what this was going to be. She would disappoint her friends, who had probably spent weeks, if not even months to plan this. And she wouldn't show. This had disappointment written all over it. It wasn't as if she was a constant let-down for her friends, no Penelope actually considered herself a very good friend, but she had difficulties imagine how they would take her not showing. Especially when every year she threatened – or teased – that next year she surely wouldn't show up. Of course she had a very good excuse – being held by the police would surely be that – but it wasn't as if any of her friends would expect that. Yes, she was maybe not the most law-abiding resident of Washington D.C., but she wasn't the worst either.

And maybe it was time for a few changes in her life. Now seemed a good time to think about it – all by herself, in silence. She always had to think about JJ and her best friend's life. Penelope had to admit, she was a bit jealous of her best friend – who seemed to have it all. The boyfriend, the kid from said boyfriend, a job that actually challenged her. JJ was 28, and already at a stage, where Penelope wanted to be with 30. Today she turned 32 and was anywhere but close to any of these. She was single, without kids and had a job that didn't really qualify as brain-stimulating and currently under arrest. Technically speaking her life only could get better. And maybe that was the silver lining.

"It just can't get worse, right?" she more or less mumbled to herself and startled when a moment later she heard a voice talking to her.

"Oh, trust me, it can. It always can get worse. "

Penelope looked up, through the bars of her cell and saw the brunette she had seen with the detective a bit earlier approaching her.

"I thought you might be hungry," the brunette said and a few moments later a sandwich landed on Penelope's lap, followed by a pack of chips.

"Thank you," Penelope said with a soft voice, playing with the edges of the food packaging.

"Can I get you anything to drink with that? I have to mention though we only have sodas."

"No, no this is okay, thanks. "

"Anything else you need?"

"I s'pose you couldn't just let me go, could you?" Penelope asked, laughing a bit and seeing her opponent smile as well.

"I'm afraid not. That's usually not how this goes. But you still got your call, you know? I know Derek mentioned it to you earlier, but… well maybe there is someone you want to call?"

Penelope looked up again, unsure. "Who do you usually call in a situation like this?"

"My guess is a lawyer," the brunette smiled softly at her.

"I … I don't know anyone. Or anyone who might know someone. I never needed one before…" Penelope said, having gone back to picking on the corners of her sandwich. A moment later she looked back up. "I can call anyone with that call?"

The female detective nodded, not sure what would come next.

"I think I'd like that phone call now," Penelope said determined and a moment later saw the detective come back with a phone in her hand, its cables behind her. She handed the phone to Penelope through the bars and a moment later the blonde was dialing a number.

"JJ, it's Penelope."

"Happy Birthday," Penelope heard the happy voice of her best friend after two rings. "How's your day so far?"

"JJ… I'm… I think I'm in trouble," Penelope said.

"Penelope, you have to stop getting so dramatic about becoming older and embrace it."

"JJ, I'm serious. I think I am in a lot of trouble," she said again, this time with as much seriousness as she could muster up. She heard her best friend getting quiet for a moment.

"What… what is going on?"

"JJ, I was arrested. For …. for murder. And they're keeping me in a cell overnight. I … I don't know what to do, " Penelope started and went silent for a moment. "Kevin Lynch was killed. Last night. And I am their prime suspect. "

"What?" she heard her friend all of a sudden saying, sounding rather shocked. "But you didn't see Lynch in almost three months…"

"I know, but… well, I don't have an alibi for last night and apparently I had motive and… I just don't know what to do."

"Where are you right now?" JJ asked, a seriousness in her voice as if she had a plan. Which Penelope had no doubt her friend had. She was great when it came to crisis management.

"I'm at the police station not far from where I live. Oh, JJ. This really isn't how I imagined my birthday at all," she said, almost close to tears. "I just…I thought you should know, you know, for the surprise birthday party you are planning for tonight. And maybe,… maybe we should reschedule." Penelope said and heard JJ on the other end laughing softly.

"Maybe we should. But… I'll think of something, don't worry…" JJ said.

After a few more minutes and a bit of small talk Penelope hung up and gave the phone back to the brunette detective. "Feeling better?"

Penelope just let out a sigh, not sure how to react to this question. She saw the brunette getting closer to the cell, and placing something on one of the bars. On second look it was a small cupcake, with bright pink frosting. Before Penelope could ask, she saw the female detective move, placing a small candle on top of and lighting it a moment later.

"Might not be a birthday party at a swanky club, but well… better than nothing," the brunette smiled. "Make a wish!"

Penelope got up from her bed, got closer to the bars and leaned over the candle, closing her eyes and blowing out the candle and making her wish, hoping for the best.