CHAPTER 50

What had happened to Penelope really shook Sam up, she accepted that her parents jobs were dangerous but Garcia hardly ever left Quantico and to be shot right outside where she lived. Her friends had been amazing by keeping her distracted.

When her mom picked her up at Shirley's she asked if she could see Garcia.

"Tomorrow, I'll take you after on the way home."

"Okay. You catch the guy who did it?" Sam held Rex who was trying to get into licking range of the older brunette.

"Yes we did." Emily debated on how much to tell her and JJ had told her not to worry she would be okay. "He won't hurt anyone else."

Sam raised her eyebrows. Did that mean what she thought it did? Anyone who would shoot someone as nice as Penelope had to be a very bad person. So she wasn't going to waste any more time thinking about him.

"Where's JJ?"

"At home," replied Emily. "I dropped her off then came for you."

Sam studied her mom's profile as she drove, she looked worried. She didn't ask, her mom obviously wasn't going to explain.

JJ was quiet that evening, both Rex and Sergio were curled up next to her for most of that time. Animals always knew when their humans needed them.

Emily made a few sandwiches as no one was particularly hungry.

Sam went to do her homework. The older brunette kept an eye on her lover. JJ managed to eat a little.

Low music came from Sam's room. Emily sat next to the blond and gently hugged her. JJ snuggled into her arms.

"Is it normal to not know how you feel after killing someone?" asked JJ.

"Yeah, it takes a while for the adrenaline to wear off."

"So what did you do?"

"I told myself I had no choice, that I was protecting one of my team and that I would do whatever it takes to make it home to Sam. "

JJ thought about that, "I have you and Sam."

"And I have you as well now."

"He would've killed someone, right?"

"Yes. No doubt he would have."

"Okay," said JJ taking a deep breath.

"You need anything, ask okay?"

"Keep holding me."

In response Emily pulled her girlfriend closer, "For as long as you want."

CMCMCMCMCMCMCM

JJ insisted that Sam go to Peter's party. Sam had suggested staying home if the blond wanted to watch a movie or something. This would be Sam's first high school party since moving here and JJ didn't want her to miss it.

The music was LOUD and the house crowded. Peter's parents were at the neighbours house so they could keep an eye on things.

The three girls stuck together when they first arrived. Sam was sure her friends were up to something she kept catching them looking at each other.

There was a snack table with a huge punch bowl on it. The punch itself was fruit flavoured.

Sam laughed as she squeezed past two guys trying to stuff a large slice of pizza into their mouths. She was enjoying herself. Half of the kids she only recognised by sight. Peter wasn't the most popular kid but there were still something like fifty teenagers there for his sixteenth birthday bash. The spacious living room was where most of the dancing was happening. Sam wasn't much of a dancer but she liked watching. Tony, a member of the debate team asked Trish to dance and she accepted.

Kendra had gone to find a bathroom.

"Want to dance?" Sam looked up to find a skinny kid with braces standing in front of her.

"No. Thank you."

"Why not?"

"Two left feet." The guy wandered off to ask someone else. The thought of dancing with a boy did not appeal to her at all.

Sam tapped her foot to a few more songs. Some of the people coming in to dance were laughing and acting stupid.

Kendra hadn't come back. Sam wanted more punch anyway so she got up. Nearly all the food was gone. Sam refilled her cup and took a drink.

"What the...?" Sam took another drink, it wasn't her imagination. It tasted funny.

Someone had spiked the punch.

Trish was still dancing so she hadn't drunk any of it, but Kendra? She went and got Trish to warn her and to get help looking for their friend.

Trish offered to look upstairs. Sam went checked each room on the ground floor. Nothing.

She was getting worried. Now that she knew about the punch she could see its affects in some of the kids behaviour. She had promised her mom two things. No alcohol and no drugs. Shirley had made her granddaughter promise the same thing. Trish's parents were divorced. Her mother worked as a supermarket manager. Her mom worked even longer hours than the BAU did. Sam always thought the woman looked tired, she was sure she wouldn't want Trish messing with that stuff either.

Kendra wasn't in the house so Sam took her search outside and almost fell over a plant pot on the back porch. There was one person leaning against the wooden rail.

Kendra.

"What are you doing out here?" asked Sam.

"I felt a little dizzy in there."

"Had any punch?"

"Yeah I was thirsty."

"I think someone smuggled some booze in." said Sam.

"That's just great," Kendra held her hand up to her mouth and blew into her palm. "Can you smell it?"

Sam was too far away, she stepped closer. "N..no." Why couldn't she move?

Kendra swallowed when her friend stayed where she was instead of moving back.

Inside a slow song started playing. "Wanna dance?" asked Kendra, needing to say something.

"Okay." Sam didn't move as her friend held out her hands, she noticed they were shaking slightly. Slowly she reached out and was pulled closer. Kendra rested her hands on Sam's hips.

"Sam?"

Sam put her arms around Kendra's neck. She was so nervous. She had been wrong when she told JJ her friend did not make her heart pound because it was at that moment.

It was more swaying to the music more than actual dancing. Sam was acutely aware of the way Kendra smelled and she could feel the other girls breath on her neck when she rested her head on her shoulder.

The song ended.

Someone coughed behind them to get their attention. They turned to find a smirking Trish leaning in the doorway. It was then Sam realised Kendra still had her arms around her.

"It's getting a bit wild in there. Now might be a good time to bail." said Trish.

Sam called home, they were all going to her house for the night. JJ answered.

"Hi Kiddo."

"JJ can you come get us?"

"Not having fun?"

"Yeah, but some idiot spiked everything."

"I'll be there as soon as I can." Sam heard JJ walking out the front door as she ended the call.

They walked around the house to wait on the drive.

"So?" asked Trish looping an arm around each of them. "Did you have fun?"

Sam grinned at Kendra who smiled back, "Yes. I did."

"Then my work is done," laughed Trish, "You two will have to figure out the rest on your own." She was pleased with the results.

That will be fun, thought Sam to herself. She had been so wrong about not being attracted to Kendra.

"You guys need to go on a proper date," said Trish, ignoring what she had just said. "A movie maybe? Burgers?"

Neither sounded particularly romantic to either of them, starting small however was a good idea.

"A movie?" repeated Kendra, after all she had made the first move. "Would you like to go with me?"

"Yeah, I'd like that."

JJ's car pulled up and they piled in.

"Shotgun." yelled Trish jumping into the front seat. Sam knew what her friend was doing. She climbed in the back with Kendra. Part way home she slid her hand into Kendra's. She had a new understanding of why her mom was so hesitant with JJ though both she and Kendra were completely new to this.

The reason JJ had gone to fetch them became clear as Emily pulled up behind them. The girls helped to carry in three large pizza boxes.

"How did you know to order more?" asked Sam, curiously.

"Jen called me after you called her." replied Emily grinning, she was so proud that they'd left. Most kids experimented with booze in high school but her getting drunk and ending up pregnant had really made an impression on her daughter.

The pizza was delicious and JJ was becoming a dab hand at making milkshakes.

The two adults headed to bed after cleaning up. Rex went out in the yard before the girls watched a DVD in Sam's room.

Ever since moving in when they had a sleepover Kendra had slept in the single bed and Trish in the double with Sam. They all agreed it was a good idea to keep it like that.

At least for now.

TBC...

A/N. Hi guys. I think it's fitting that it's chapter 50. I hope you enjoy. Reviews are most welcome. Have fun and stay tuned. T-Rex :)