Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds or the characters. Some "guest stars" are based on people in my life while others are totally made up, as are some places.


Chapter 52

Monday morning dawned cloudy and damp but that did not dampen Penelope's spirits. She was finally going to return to work. She carefully picked out her clothes and accessories, opting for a fuchsia and plum-colored patterned dress and with her cat pendant and pink glasses. She straightened her hair and added her pink cat ears. She finally slipped on her fuchsia Tieks flats, deciding that she wouldn't be outside long enough to get them wet. She also packed a fresh go-bag, making sure she had an extra pair of fuzzy socks in case she got cold, plus her medications and gloves.

Derek was quiet as he got ready for work as well. She knew he was nervous about her returning. She was nervous, too. She had some idea about the cases the team was consulting on but had no idea how the substitute tech treated her Batcave. The team was purposely vague whenever she had asked and she wasn't sure if that meant a good thing for her lair.

Derek had, of course, picked her up and put her in the SUV, stowing her wheelchair and walker in the back. He had stopped at the coffee shop and she had won the argument about whether or not to go in, saying she missed the baristas. She was allowed, with doctor's permission, one coffee a day, and she was going to order it herself. She conceded the secondary argument over whether or not to use the wheelchair and let Derek lift her out and put her in it instead of using the walker. After ordering coffees and pastries, they were finally on their way to work.

"Derek..." she began as soon as they merged onto the highway.

"Yes, Baby Girl?" Derek glanced over and laced his fingers with hers.

"Derek, I... do me a favor, please."

"Anything."

"Don't... When we get to to the office, don't push my wheelchair for me."

"What? I don't..." Derek frowned.

"I don't want everyone to think I'm not capable or not ready to be back or something."

"Nobody will think that," Derek said firmly.

"They won't?" Penelope raised an eyebrow.

"Nope. Everytime I go into the office, at least two people ask when you're coming back. Not to mention Jack Garrett and Sam Cooper's weekly calls. You have been missed, and not just by the BAU." Derek grinned as he brought her hand up to his lips. "I'll help you get into your chair but I'll let you push yourself. If you get tired, let me know."

"Thanks, Sugar Shack."


Just like he promised, Derek got her wheelchair out of the back and helped her sit, then allowed her to push herself away before closing the door. He kept pace with her, all the way up to the 6th floor. As soon as the elevator doors opened, a roar of applause greeted them.

It seemed like the entire sixth floor- and most of the tech pool from the fourth floor- had come out to welcome her back. She lost count of the hugs she received, not to mention the handshakes and back-slaps and fist bumps Derek got. The women cooed over her belly and admired her rings.

The crowd quieted when Penelope's phone chirped, then before she knew it they were scattering off to their own offices. She looked at her phone and saw that Hotch had texted, asking her to see him in his office. She looked up at Derek, who shrugged innocently. He bowed as he opened the door for her, then followed her in.

Penelope froze as she gazed at the re-arranged bullpen. File cabinets and desks had been moved to accommodate the pair of ramps that replaced the stairs that led to Hotch and Rossi's offices. The steps that led from the glass doors to the bullpen had also been replaced with a ramp.

Derek grinned, then kissed her hand gently and walked down the ramp. He plopped down onto Reid's desk, giving the younger man a playful slug on the shoulder, and leaving her alone to wheel to Hotch's office. She knew they were all going to profile them from the bullpen but she was used to it and didn't care.

"Welcome back, Penelope," Hotch nodded as she knocked on the door and wheeled herself in. He was back in Unit Chief mode, although his gaze softened at her approach.

"I see you all have been redecorating," Penelope grinned as she stopped in front of his desk.

"A little," Hotch offered a tiny smile as he made his way around his desk. He sat down on one of the guest chairs. Penelope figured he did that to make her more comfortable.

"You didn't have to do that, you know," she replied. Her throat tightened when she thought of the efforts the Bureau made to accommodate her.

"Yes, we did," Hotch argued. "Morgan brought up a lot of key points. None of us realized how difficult it is for people in wheelchairs to get around. Making the unit wheelchair-friendly is the first step in making the whole building handicap accessible."

"But Bossman, I'm not going to be in this chair forever," she reminded him.

"I know, but what about those that are stuck in wheelchairs forever, Penelope? You're the inspiration for this, but this is also for every person- victims, families, visitors- who need them, to use. It really should have been done years ago."

"Thanks, Hotch. That means a lot. You're right. As a government building, this should be more handicap accessible," Penelope agreed.

"Good. Now," he reached behind him and grabbed a file. He flipped through it briefly. "You have been cleared to return to work. Does that include traveling?"

Penelope nodded and pulled out a piece of paper from her bag. "Yes, Sir. I am cleared for flying and driving as a passenger, but I have doctor's appointments every two weeks. I may be put on travel restrictions at any time, though."

Hotch nodded. "I'll do my best to keep us all close to home, especially as your due date approaches, but you know how it is. Morgan has been approved to stay here if the unit is requested to travel and be gone overnight. We'll make it work out."

"Great," Penelope nodded. "Are there any new cases we need to go over?

"No, just some profile consults and profile evals. JJ and Rossi have a custodial this afternoon but it's only to Baltimore. Also, Cooper's team is getting their own analyst. Aside from occasionally helping Monty, you'll only be working with my team from now on."

"Sir, I'm more than capable..."

"You work harder than anyone. You've logged in more hours than any of us. From now on, you only work when we do," Hotch looked up from the file after he added the travel clearance paper to it. "It's not a punishment or a demotion, and your salary increase begins today."

"Thanks a lot, Sir. Is that all?"

"Yes, for now. Thank you, Penelope."

Penelope wheeled herself out and down the ramp on Hotch's side. Derek stood up from his spot on Reid's desk.

"Everything go all right , Baby Girl?"

"Of course, hon. Hotch just had to go over some stuff." She looked at the ramps. "I heard you were the one who instrumented this."

Derek grinned his megawatt smile. "Yep. My design and I helped build them."

"They're perfect," she beamed.

"Ready to get to work, Princess?" he asked as he opened the glass doors for her.

"You bet!" She smiled as she wheeled herself down the hall. "You don't need to go with me," she said as Derek walked past his office, ignoring it.

"Can't a guy walk his lady to her door?" he replied.

"Wha...? Penelope gasped as both doors swung open automatically as soon as she typed in the passcode. She looked up at Derek's grinning face.

"I found a way to always open your office doors for you," he explained.

"Oh, sug..." she shifted as she wheeled herself in.

"There's two buttons here," he explained as they walked into the main office. He gestured to a small panel to the right of the inside door's frame. "Left is for the outside door and the right, inside."

"Cool." She wheeled over and pressed the left button. The outside door slowly closed itself. She did the same to the right button. "Thank you."

"You are most welcome, Sweetness." He glanced at his watch. "We have ten minutes until morning briefing. There's one more thing I want to show you."

"Oh?" Penelope parked her chair in the corner and set the brakes. She got up and walked the few steps to her office chair. It felt comfortable but different. She looked up at Derek. "You got me a new chair?"

Derek held up his hands innocently. "Hey, don't look at me. The new chair was Hotch's idea. The director's the one who said to get you anything to make you comfortable. Hotch suggested a better chair. I suggested this." He pressed on something on the left arm's side. Penelope gasped slightly as her chair rose. He pressed another bottom and the chair sank back down. He pressed another button and the chair spun itself.

"Oh. Emm. Gee...! Derek, you got me a Dr. Evil chair!" She laughed. "Thank you. It'll make getting in and out easier."

"You're welcome. Besides, you needed a new chair." He chuckled as she started up her system, then stood up to turn on her top monitors.

Penelope stopped and turned around after she turned on the last screen. "What do you mean, I 'needed a new chair'?"

Derek blanched. "Well, um..." He cleared his throat. "Hotch and I kinda broke your old one."

"You and Hotch broke my chair?! How does one 'kinda'' break a chair?! Did you slam it into the wall or something?"

"It was still usable!" Derek argued. "We just broke the arms off."

"Wait... you... and Hotch... broke the arms off my chair? Why?"

Derek sighed and guided her back down to her new chair. He knelt down in front of her. "It was when they shared the video of them breaking your leg. We were all upset and worried about you, that's all. I thought I was the only one who broke your chair. Hotch broke the other arm."

Penelope gulped as she remembered the feeling of the bat breaking her bones. She remembered being so scared for JJ when she was abducted and not knowing what was happening to her... And imagining got her family actually knowing parts of what happened... Her heart broke for her family having to see her being hurt and being just as helpless to stop it. But they did stop it. They saved her. And the thought of her stoic and serious Unit Chief... She never in a million years could've predicted that the stiff man in the nice suit who offered her a job instead of sending her to prison would be caring and protective enough to lose his self-control over her being hurt. She was not surprised at Derek's visceral reaction... but she was in awe of Hotch's.

Penelope beamed. "It's OK, Derek, besides, I really like my new chair," she beamed and gave him a hug.


A/N: Yes, I am back. It has been over a year since I updated my three TBC stories. When I posted that little one-shot a week and half ago, I said I may talk about why I have been gone so long and why I almost abandoned fanfiction altogether. One year ago next week my 13 year-old cousin and her friend were murdered while hiking on a trail in the country. There are/have been a few suspects but as of now the case is unsolved. Murders are rare here and even more rare in the rural areas. That is why I had so much trouble writing my stories, especially this one. Twenty years ago, I was the 13 year-old hiking the rural areas, usually with my best friend or cousin, both of whom are my age. Twenty years ago, I WAS those girls. I know the rural areas well and incorporated several places I explored into this story. I just never thought real FBI profilers would come to my stomping grounds, let alone to investigate the murder of little girls, one of whom was family. I can no longer watch a few episodes because of this.

In late March, my dad had a stroke. It was scary for awhile but he recovered quickly. He has had a ton of therapy but had to retire. I spent most of last summer helping him sell his business although I think I spent most of it bashing my head on walls and desks. He's doing well now but hates retirement.

Finally, I am still as infertile as ever. We were chosen by a lady to adopt her baby but she changed her mind and decided to keep her. I thought about adding a chapter to my Morcia infertility story about it but I still can't write about it. It was the biggest fear I had and why I balked at adoption for so long.

So yeah, 2017 officially sucked. I can't and won't make any promises that I will update regularly again but I will try.

Until then,

Pita(still kickin' tail)Cake