Penelope and Derek stood outside of the courthouse waiting for Hotch to show up and walk inside with them.
Derek looked at Penelope and said, "Baby girl we don't have to do this, it's not too late. I'm sure Hotch would understand."
Penelope smiled and said, "And miss my handsome husband wearing a suit all day, no thank you."
Derek chuckled, and Penelope placed a hand on his cheek and said, "Derek I am fine. Look Hotch is walking up now."
Hotch nodded and said, "Good morning."
Derek and Penelope both replied, "Morning."
Hotch said, "The rest of the team wanted to be here but everyone got tied up with either paperwork, or phone consults."
Penelope said, "It's okay Hotch. Just knowing they wanted to be there is enough for me."
Derek glanced down at his watch and said, "Baby time to go in. You ready?"
Penelope took Derek's hand and said, "As I will ever be."
Penelope felt safe being surrounded by two men that loved her very much. She had her husband by her side, and she had her surrogate older brother who was very much her protector.
A blonde woman approached Hotch. Hotch gave a small smile and said, "Derek you already know District Attorney Gwen Burton. Penelope in the next few months you and Gwen will be spending a lot of time together building a case."
Penelope stuck out her hand, Gwen reciprocated and they shared a hearty shake.
D.A Burton said, "Penelope don't worry we will nail this son of a bitch to the wall."
Penelope said, "God I hope so. So what happens now?"
Gwen smiled and said, "Firstly we are going to go in the courtroom, Penelope if you feel comfortable I want you up front. I want Agent Morgan and Agent Hotchner to see Lynch's mannerisms and behavior. Penelope are you comfortable with sitting that closely to Lynch."
Derek placed a hand on Penelope's back and rubbed small circles in a comforting gesture he had done a million times.
Penelope said, "That is fine especially since I have my two guard dogs with me."
D.A Burton held the doors open to the court room and the four made their way inside to take their seats.
Derek, Penelope and Aaron sat behind the plaintiff side of the courtroom on the very first bench. Gwen sat in front of them at a large oak table with two other lawyers.
Derek leaned over and said, "The man sitting next to D.A Burton is D.A Assistant Allan Overholt and next to him is State Attorney Victor O'Connor."
Penelope smiled and said, "I'll try to keep the names straight."
Hotch leaned over and said, "Don't worry you will get to know them as well."
Hotch said, "During a bond hearing the judge will call the defendant up and read off the charges, if no bond has been set during the time of arrest then this will be a very short process. If a bond has been set then D.A Burton will need to tell the judge that Lynch is a risk to himself, to you and Derek, and he is also a major flight risk."
Derek snorted and said, "That should be easy."
The judge walked into the courtroom and took his place behind the bench.
Everyone stood up until the judge sat down.
Penelope noted that the judge was older, and even though he had a stern face, his stormy gray eyes were kind and caring.
Penelope gripped Derek's hand. She let out a shaky breath.
Derek followed Penelope's line of sight and saw Lynch surrounded by three police officers and a prison guard. Lynch was in an orange jump suit with numbers printed on the front. His ankles were shackled and his hands were cuffed in front of him.
Kevin shuffled and was placed next to his lawyer at an identical oak table.
Kevin sat down. He hadn't noticed Penelope yet. He was talking quietly with his lawyer.
The judge said, "Kevin Lynch vs. the State of Virginia."
Kevin and his lawyer stood up as did D.A Burton.
The judge then said, "I see that the state is asking that Lynch be denied bond due to his charges."
Gwen Burton nodded her agreement and said, "That is correct your honor. We feel that Kevin Lynch is a danger to his victim, himself, and he should certainly not be allowed to travel."
The judge said, "Right well I have the charges here as followed; Stalking in the first degree, Conspiracy to kidnap, holding a federal agent against their will, attempted rape in the first degree, attempted murder in the first degree, and breaking and entering a federal building."
Kevin's lawyer finally spoke and said, "Your honor I would like to have a bond set, so that Mr. Lynch can be released, and be allowed to seek further metal treatment in a facility. His family has set up a fund for quality mental healthcare in Atlanta Georgia."
Penelope now had Derek's hand in a tight grip. Derek whispered, "It'll be okay."
Kevin's Lawyer said, "With all due respect sir Penelope Garcia is not a Federal Agent, she is a technical analyst."
D.A burton said, "And with all due respect to Attorney Neale but that is a moot point. Ms. Garcia is a fellow employee of the F.B.I which makes her a federal employee."
Judge Lambert Mills sat up and said, "Neale you are not going to waste my time with schematics."
Kevin hung his head, he was tired, and always agitated, he just wanted this whole mess over with. If he was going to get the electric chair he wanted it sooner rather than later.
The judge said, "I have made my decision counselors."
Everyone at both tables stood up.
The judge lifted his gravel and said, "After reviewing the charges bond shall be denied for Kevin Lynch. We will adjourn for the criminal trial in two months time."
The judge slammed the gavel down. He sternly called the next case.
Kevin was shuffled once again out of the courtroom, but not before he stopped in front of Penelope and said, "I missed you."
Penelope shuddered. Derek went to speak but Hotch shook his head no.
The guards yanked Lynch forward and they proceeded to leave the courtroom.
Penelope whispered Derek's name.
The Kevin that just stood in front of Penelope was not the Kevin she used to have feelings for. Kevin's eyes were cold and distant.
Derek, Penelope, and Hotch walked out of the courthouse.
Hotch immediately put on his shades and said, "Well I have to get back to the office and let everyone know how it all went."
Penelope smiled a small smile and said, "Thanks Hotch."
Hotch offered up a rare smile and said, "Don't worry Garcia, Kevin will never see the light of day again."
Derek and Penelope walked toward the parking deck to get into Derek's SUV.
Penelope sat quietly with her hands in her lap.
Derek placed his index finger under Penelope's chin and said, "Baby don't you feel sorry for that bastard. Do you hear me?"
Penelope looked into Derek's eyes and said, "I know honey, but whoever that man that was in there was not Kevin."
Derek sighed rubbed Penelope's shoulder and said, "You are right. Kevin lost himself a long time ago. The person you saw in there was a shell of Lynch. Remember what Doctor Stevens told you. What happened to Kevin was not your fault. Baby you saw the evidence for yourself what Kevin's mother put him through. You had nothing to do with that."
Penelope wrung her hands and said, "I know that baby, it's just maybe if I had seen the signs sooner…"
Derek said, "Penelope Garcia Morgan don't do that to yourself. Baby I know you have a big heart and you want to save everybody but Kevin is a lost cause. Matter of fact the S.O.B should consider himself lucky to ever have been loved by Penelope Garcia."
Penelope could feel warm salty tears stream down her face.
Derek's brow wrinkled. "Penelope what's wrong?"
Penelope took a breath and said, "That is why I feel so guilty. I never really loved him. I cared for him, I really did, but the entire time I was with him, I felt guilty for loving you."
Derek pulled Penelope into his arms and said, "Oh baby girl, I'm sorry too. I should have told you a long time ago I loved you."
Penelope chuckled and said, "I love you, you love me, can we please get the hell out of here and to the office."
Derek asked, "Why the office?"
Penelope smiled and said, "Because you know how protective JJ and Emily are. If we don't go see them now they are going to come over later tonight and I have very naked plans for my chocolate god of a husband."
Derek quickly put his seat belt on and said, "Good point mama. I say we take them lunch, show them you are all good, and we take our happy asses home."
Penelope giggled as they made their way to the BAU.
As always read and review!
Just in case you are wondering why I know so much about bond hearings, no I am not a felon my best friends dad is a judge, and he is even pissed Morgan and Garcia aren't together.
A/N: Nothin wrong with being a felon we all screw up.
