Chapter 131
AN: Please let me know what you think if this chapter. It would really mean a lot to me.
The next morning, even though she didn't have to, Emily got up and made coffee for her and Penelope as Penelope makes breakfast.
"I really hope I don't see Barnes today; I don't think I will be able to be my usual pleasant self I do," Penelope admits.
"Pen, you can't make waves," Emily tells her wife. "When she was talking with me Barnes mentioned the fact that Dave's your father more than once," Emily reveals. "My guess is, you're going to be her next target," Emily reveals, feeling concerned about what's going to happen to her wife.
"I'll be okay, Em," Penelope assures her wife.
"Just be careful is Barnes is around, Babe, please," Emily says to her wife, as even if she and Penelope go to Interpol Barnes could still make things extremely difficult for Penelope due to her history, even make it so Penelope wouldn't be able to leave the states or possibly even do something worse, and she doesn't want that to happen.
"Em…" Penelope starts to say, because after what Barnes did to her wife Penelope is pretty sure she is not going to be able to be pleasant around her.
"Please Pen, for me," Emily requests, giving her wife a pleading look.
"Okay; for you," Penelope says to her wife and Emily is very relieved.
A little while after her conversation with her wife Penelope is in the roundtable room with the rest of the team, feeling a huge gap where her wife should be.
"Last night in St Louis, four roommates were killed in a rental home in what police are calling a robbery turned homicide," Penelope says as she puts the images on the screen.
"It's brutal," Luke notes.
"Yeah. Looks like the two sides of his brain were fighting with each other," Matt realizes. "Left side wanted to rob the place, the right ride wanted to cause some destruction," Simmons explains.
"Yeah, both sides got exactly what they wanted," Rossi says.
"What was taken?" Reid asks curious.
"Nothing traceable," Penelope answers. "A computer, tablet, cash, jewelry, and the like," Penelope explains.
"How long was it before local PD called us in? Tara asks curious, And just as she asks Barnes walks in, carrying a bag.
"They didn't," Barnes says. "I called and offered our services to them, because this is exactly the kind of case the BAU takes from here on," Barnes says as she sits down right near Penelope who struggles to keep a disgusted look off her face, and the only reason she doesn't say anything is because she remembers her wife's words.
"Maybe it's just me, but I need a little help understanding our new case selection criteria," Rossi comments, feeling annoyed and also concerned about how his daughter is going to react.
"We want cases with good optics that are also quick and easy to clear," Barnes explains. "Here we have four victims, young upstanding professionals, all of whom the public can emotionally invest in. the crime itself is contained and the motive appears to be determined," Barnes explains.
"The MO is pretty straightforward," JJ says. "Their hands and mouths were duct-tapped and they were stabbed repeatedly," JJ explains.
"I see the unsub left a knife," Matt notes. "Were there any prints?" Matt asks.
"Negative," Penelope answers.
"With this many victim, it could be a team," Luke notes.
"Right. Shouldn't rule it out," Reid says.
"You're right. Okay. Wheels up in twenty," JJ says, and everyone starts to stand up.
"Meet you on the tarmac," Barnes says, to everyone's shock.
"You're going into the field with us?" Tara asks surprised.
"Yes," Barnes confirms.
"No offense," Rossi says, though he means the opposite. "But you're not a profiler," Rossi explains.
"True, but I have worked in the field, a fresh set of eyes might be useful," Barnes comments, and even she can see the less than impressed looks. "I know you think I'm the enemy, but I'm not," Barnes says. "I can be your greatest advocate if you let me," Barnes reveals. "Now, you've had some poor leadership in the past," Barnes says, and Penelope has to bite her lip to stop herself from commenting. "But I know I can help right the ship," Barnes explains.
"No, you're wrong," Reid says angrily, doing what Penelope would have very much have liked to say. "Emily Prentiss is not a poor leader. She defined what a unit chief should be," Reid says angrily. "I'm not going to stand here and let you destroy her career like this," Reid explains. "If you're going, I'm not," Reid says before leaving, causing everyone to be shocked and Barnes to be pissed.
''You know, the kid looks a little flush. Needs a sick day, don't you think?" Rossi asks.
"Anyone else need a sick day?" Barnes asks, and because she is so focused on the rest of the team Penelope is able to sneak downstairs where she goes straight to Reid's desk, where he is packing up his back.
"Spence," Penelope says, and Reid turns to look at her.
"Garcia, you know none of us believe what Barnes said about Emily," Reid assures his friend.
"I know," Penelope says, feeling touched that he wanted to clarify that. "Em's at home, she could really use a friend, and I can't be there," Penelope explains, knowing that even if she couldn't get Emily to fight that maybe Reid will be able to as while she is willing to move if necessary she would prefer not to.
"Thanks for telling me," Reid says, before walking away.
"What are you up to Kitten?" Rossi asks, walking towards his daughter, as even though he may not have heard what Penelope said to Reid he did see her body language which is enough for him to know his daughter is up to something.
"Just helping the women, and team, I love," Penelope explains.
"Are you okay Kiddo?" Rossi asks his daughter concerned.
"I don't know," Penelope admits, with a shrug. "But we don't have time to talk about that now, you should get going. Barnes isn't going to react well if you're late," Penelope says to her father.
"Oh, I know," Rossi says. "We'll talk when I get home," Rossi says, before hugging his daughter. "I love you Kiddo," Rossi says, before kissing Penelope's cheek.
"I love you too," Penelope responds, and once she and her father break apart they go in two different directions.
A couple of hours later, to his dismay, Rossi has been assigned, by Barnes to go to the crime scene with her. Honestly, Rossi would prefer to be no where near Barnes but he also figures that it might give him some insight into her.
"Your youngest daughter is in the bay area, huh? It's beautiful up there," Barnes comments, as they get out of the car.
"Yeah," Rossi confirms, trying to keep the strong annoyance he is feeling, out of his voice.
"I hear you have a grandson who's five?" Barnes asks. "My son just turned six. It seems like just yesterday he was in my arms at the hospital, and now Kenny doesn't want a hug when I drop him off at school," Barnes explains.
"Hmm," Rossi says.
"I look forward to the day I can sit on my porch, enjoy the sunset, glass of red in my hand, with not a care in the world," Barnes says, and as she does Rossi realizes exactly what she is trying to do.
"Okay, stop," Rossi instructs, turning to look at her the annoyance he is feeling being all too clear in his voice.
"Stop what?" Barnes asks, pretending to be confused.
"You're sniffing around to see if I'm up for retirement," Rossi realizes.
"Don't be so paranoid, Agent Rossi," Barnes says. "I'm just making conversations. Besides. I'm in no position to do that," Barnes admits.
"That's right. Because when it's time for me to retire, I'll let you know," Rossi says before heading into the house.
Once he is inside the house Rossi looks around and starts to get an understanding of the crime, and how it would have taken place.
"Our unsub corralled all four victims and killed them here in the living room," Rossi says.
"Four people is a lot to control," Barnes notes. "he must have used a gun," Barnes assumes.
"Yeah, that and the duct tape," Rossi notes. "But why bring a knife to a gunfight?" Rossi asks, as that doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
"It could have been to control the noise," Barnes theorizes.
"Or there's something about that knife," Rossi realizes. "And this window was busted out from the inside," Rossi realizes as he has a look.
"So, the break-in was staged," Barnes realizes.
"Looks like it," Rossi confirms as one of he local police officers walks up to them.
"Agents, I think you should see this," the local officer says, showing Rossi and Barnes a box where the murder weapon was clearly kept in.
"Where did you find that?" Rossi asks.
"Under one of the victims' bed, Ray Murphy," the local officer explains.
"So, it wasn't just left out in the open. You'd have to know here to look for it," Barnes realizes.
"Get that into evidence as fast as you can," Rossi instructs. "So, the unsub's an insider who wanted us to think he's an outsider, and he has an axe to grind with them," Rossi realizes.
"It's looking more and more like Larry did it. I think finding him should be our main focus," Barnes says, pulling her phone. "I'm going to call your daughter and see if she's made any progress," Barnes explains. "See how efficiently things work without Agent Prentiss?" Barnes asks, before walking away, and Rossi really hopes that she doesn't make a comment like that to Penelope as he knows how badly his daughter will react to a comment like that.
Back in Virginia Reid has made his way to Emily and Penelope's house and has been shown in by Emily and so the two of them are standing just inside the main kitchen/living area.
"Spencer, oh, my god, what did you do?" Emily asks shocked.
"I had to," Reid says.
"No, you didn't," Emily assures him.
"Life's too short for people like Linda Barnes," Reid says.
"Spence…" Reid starts to say.
"I wasn't gonna, you know, go with her and help dismantle the team," Reid says, he starts to look around.
"Thank you for standing up for me," Emily says truly grateful. "I appreciate you coming to the house for support but what you did was reckless," Emily informs her friend. "The BAU is under the microscope right now, and the last thing you should be doing is giving Barnes more ammunition. You're making her job easier," Emily says, trying to lead Reid away from the kitchen bench as she knows that if Reid gets the chance, he will realize something about the box that is on the bench.
"Why are you trying to get rid of me?" Reid asks, realizing exactly what Emily is trying to do.
"What?" Emily asks, as she realizes that her plan failed.
"Ever since I got here you've been trying to keep me away from…." Reid says, walking towards the bench.
"No, I just, uh... no, I wasn't expecting anyone and the place," Emily tries to lie.
"You're not unpacking, you're packing," Reid realizes. "It's been less than two days and you're already leaving!" Reid exclaims, sounding shocked.
"I'm…I.." Emily starts to say, but then she just signs. "Okay, look, Barnes wants somebody to take the fall for what happened in Roswell," Emily explains. "I'm willing to be that somebody if it will help Stabilize the BAU," Emily explains. "You're in good hands with JJ," Emily says, believing that.
"There's no guarantee that she won't replace her the minute your gone," Reid explains.
"I think that if I go away for good, she'll leave you alone," Emily explains.
"You can still fight this," Reid tells Emily. "We can still fight this," Reid says.
"Ah… maybe I don't want to," Emily admits.
"Well, now who's making it easy for Barnes?" Reid asks. "This is why Penelope suggested I come see you, she know you don't plan to fight," Reid comments, and Emily isn't at all surprised that it was Penelope's idea for Reid to come see her.
"Pen knows everything, she knows I'm not sure I want to fight," Emily admits. "Spence, this is the right decision for me. I need you to support this, Pen does," Emily explains.
"What's your plan? I mean, where are you gonna go?" Reid asks, not being able to believe that Emily would just leave like this.
"When I left Interpol, they said the door was always open to return, and they have a job for Pen. We both like London. So…" Emily starts to say as Reid is shocked that Penelope would be leaving too as he knows how much the BAU means to Penelope.
"Well, if you really want me to support you, just answer me this one question," Reid requests. "Why is it not okay for me to walk out of the team but it is for you and Penelope?" Reid asks.
"Because our situations are very different," Emily responds.
"No, they're not," Reid admits. "And if the situation was reversed you wouldn't give up on me, and there is no way Penelope would," Reid admits. "And you know what? I happen to know that for a fact because you didn't," Reid says to Emily. "When I was in prison, you both did everything in your power to get me out," Reid says, and Emily sighs.
"What?" Reid asks, as he realizes that there is something Emily isn't saying.
"Yeah, I did everything," Emily admits. "I needed to believe that you were innocent of kill Nadie Ramos," Emily explains.
"I was innocent," Reid says.
"That wasn't obvious at first," Emily admits. "Like when we talked in that Mexican jail. Do you remember?" Emily asks, and Reid attempts to remember back but finds himself unable to do so.
"No," Reid admits. "I know I was drugged, and everything was fuzzy," Reid admits.
"I made a deal with the local cop," Emily admits. "I told him I needed to go at it alone," Emily explains. "I promised I'd give him the recording. I was trying to find any evidence that you didn't do it," Emily explains. "But what you told me was that you remember holding the murder weapon," Emily explains.
"I did?" Reid asks shocked as he does not remember that at all.
"The more you talked, the more you incriminated yourself," Emily explains.
"No. I looked through all the case files after I was exonerated," Reid admits. "There wasn't a single record of… You deleted it," Reid realizes.
"I did," Emily admits. "I crossed a line I swore I never would. Barnes called me out on it," Emily explains. "And that's when I realized she was right," Emily explains. "I do hold this team above the very laws we are supposed to uphold," Emily admits. "You know, you were innocent, and you deserve to be reinstated as an SSA," Emily says. "That's why it's wrong for you to quit. But me, I've lost the privilege to run this team," Emily explains.
In her office at Quantico, Penelope, who is struggling to keep her composure when speaking to Barnes. Is very glad that just Matt and Tara have just called in.
"I love you each so much, I want to lick your faces," Penelope says to her two dear friends. "Oh, listen to me saying my things," Penelope comments. "Isn't the world a brighter place with more air when Linda Barnes isn't around being Linda Barnes?" Penelope asks.
"No comment," Matt says, even though he very much agrees with Penelope. "Next question," Matt requests.
"It's not a question, per say, as much a confirmation of a fact," Penelope says. "Just Franco is exactly what Rachel says he is," Penelope admits. "He's all sunshine and rainbows and unicorns, but, and it's a big, 'but', he's only that on the surface," Penelope explains. "My deep dive into his web life, which is actually pretty shallow 'cause he did not do a good job at hiding his IP address, shows that he says a lot of inflammatory comments on various sites, message boards, et cetera, et cetera," Penelope explains.
"Any topic in particular?" Matt asks.
"Oh, no. it's a scatter shot," Penelope admits. "He's an 'any port in the storm' kind of troll," Penelope explains.
"How charming," Tara says sarcastically.
"The anonymous postings, the masked behavior, he doesn't want the world to see his rage, "Matt realizes.
"Work and home address?" Tara asks.
"Work is easy. He's a marketing coordinator downtown," Penelope explains. "There that is. Home is tricky I got a PO box," Penelope explains. "I'll hit back as soon as I know where he's staying," Penelope explains.
"If Justin's after each of these roommates, we need to keep Rachel here until this is over," Tara explains.
"Let's get a message to Corrine on the plane. They can deboard on the tarmac and we can escort her from there," Matt explains.
"Yeah, thanks Garcia," Tara says.
"I'm going to relish this time we've had alone together forever," Penelope says, before hanging up and once she does she looks at the picture of her and Emily and as she does she hopes that Spencer is able to help Emily.
Back at Penelope and Emily's house Emily and Reid are sitting across from each other on the couch as Emily carefully wraps some of her awards.
"Thank you," Reid says.
"What?" Emily asks confused.
"Thank you for covering for me," Reid explains. "I might still be in jail if you hadn't," Reid admits.
"You're welcome," Emily says.
"I'm not done," Reid admits. "Thank you, but I didn't ask you to," Reid admits. "Who knows? Maybe we could have beaten the charge," Reid comments.
"Maybe. Now we'll never know," Emily admits.
"And that's exactly my point," Reid admits. "You know, sometimes it's painful when you look back at your life and you realize how little choice you had in it. Right?" Reid asks, and Emily realizes that there is something that Spencer wants to say, but for some reason isn't.
"Spence, if there's something you want to say, just say it," Emily requests.
"All I'm saying is that is a lot like when JJ and Hotch faked your death so that you could escape from Ian Doyle," Reid points out. "You didn't have any choice in the matter, but it's what they had to do," Reid explains. "They fought just as hard to save your life as you did to save mine. It's what we do," Reid says.
"It's… not like this," Emily says.
"It is. you want proof? Here are some examples," Reid says. "Michael Lee Peterson, Chad Higgins, Kathy and Jessica Evanson, Gloria Baker, Declan Doyle and Penelope Rossi-Garcia," Reid says, using that particular name for Penelope as he plans to make a point in a minute. "These are men, women, and children you've saved at the BAU, personally," Reid points out.
"But that's our job," Emily says. "Yours, mine, that's what we do, we save lives," Emily says, though she cannot deny that Reid's words are starting to affect her.
"And here are seven more that need it down," Reid says. "David Rossi, Jenifer Jareau, Penelope Prentiss," Reid says, and as he does tears come to Emily's eyes. "Luke Alvez, Matt Simmons, Tara Lewis and Spencer Reid," Reid explains, causing Emily to become even more upset.
"Stop," Emily requests.
"I don't think you understand. After Hotch left, the team could have imploded. It didn't because you were there," Reid explains. "You were there to keep us together," Reid says. "We don't always have a choice in what happened to us, but you know what? Sometimes we do, and right now…" Reid starts to say, becoming upset. "I'm just asking you to make the choice to stay and fight for us," Reid requests. "You know, fight for the team. That's what we do. We fight for each other," Reid says, as both he and Emily becomes upset, and Emily laughs.
"Okay," Emily says and the two of them hug.
"Let's call the team and get back to work," Reid says, as they break apart.
"Yeah, I owe my wife a thank you for suggesting you come over," Emily admits.
"I was happy to come," Reid says, as even without Penelope saying so he probably would have come, as Emily pulls her phone and calls Penelope, putting the phone on speaker as she does.
"Hello, person I would much rather be with rather than dealing with Barnes," Penelope answers.
"I don't blame you there," Emily says.
"How you doing? Not getting to stir crazy in our big house?" Penelope asks curious.
"Nah, Spence has been keeping me company," Emily admits. "So, Pen, I know you really like London, but how you would you feel about staying where we are and fighting for our family, our team?" Emily asks her wife, even though she knows the answer.
"I'd say let's start right now," Penelope says. "Spence?"
"Yeah, Penelope," Reid says.
"There's a tablet right next to the TV, now, Em is suspended so I can't send her the case file so I am sending it to you to read and if Em happens to be next to you when you read it so be it," Penelope explains, causing both Reid and Emily to be amused.
"Sounds good to me," Reid admits.
"Talk later my loves," Penelope says, before hanging up, and once she does Emily and Reid exchange looks.
"Let's get to work," Emily says, and that's exactly what they do.
A little while after Penelope sent them the file Reid and Emily are standing at the kitchen bench, looking at the file, when JJ calls in.
"Hey Jennifer," Reid greats.
"Did you both look at the file?" JJ asks, knowing that Penelope sent it to them.
"We did, yes," Reid confirms.
"I think a validation strategy looks like the best way to handle Justin, engage him by building up his ego," JJ explains.
"That's exactly what we were thinking," Reid confirms. "Never insult him, never mention the others. It's all about him and how great he is," Reid says.
"Matt and Dave are headed to Justin's place now," JJ explains. "Luke, Barnes and I are heading to his office," JJ explains.
"What did Barnes think about your theory?" Emily asks curious.
"Well, you know, she's on board with whatever's gonna solve the case the fastest. Glad to hear your voice, Emily, even though you're not really there," JJ comments.
"It's great to be heard, even though I'm not really hear," Emily says, with a chuckle.
"Uh, I gotta go, talk to you later," JJ says, before hanging up, as she sees Barnes coming towards her.
A little while later the case is over and because of Barnes things ended far from well. As everyone feels angry for different reasons everyone walks onto the plane, and while Rossi sits down everyone else stays standing.
"Those security cameras caught everything!" Barnes exclaims, sounding angry. "Do you have any idea how it'll look when this goes viral?" Barnes asks. "I had a plan. Nobody was going to die!" Barnes exclaims, sounding both angry and upset.
"If you followed our validation strategy…" JJ starts to explain.
"It wasn't working. It was moving too slow!" Barnes exclaims.
"It takes time to unfold," JJ informs Barnes.
"No! No, this is on you!" Barnes exclaims. "Justin's blood is on all of you. I will make sure my report say so," Barnes says, as she truly believes that this isn't her fault and she will not let anyone blame her for it.
"Then let me tell you what my report will say," JJ says. "That we agreed on a theory to engage Justin based on our profile, which was working until you went rouge. And in doing so, you risked the life of a women we had already saved and forced us to kill our prime suspect," JJ explains.
"Why don't we show the video to the director and let him decide?" Barnes suggests.
"I think that's a great idea. You just tell me when to be there," JJ says angrily.
"I tried my best here. You just couldn't let me help," Barnes says.
"We've known from the moment you started with Prentiss that you've wanted to shut down the BAU, the same way you shut down the IRT," JJ explains. "So, you know what? Keep taking your best shot. And maybe you will get us. But we're damn sure gonna take you down, too," JJ says, and Barnes walks over to the other side of the plane, as JJ sits down next to Rossi.
"I think you just earned your stripes, Chief," Rossi says, sounding proud.
Back in Virginia Reid is still at Emily and Penelope's place, though they have moved to the study room behind the kitchen, and Reid is helping Emily unpack the various boxes that Penelope and Emily still haven't unpacked.
"Where do these go?" Reid asks, referring to the sc-fi novels that he has just unpacked.
"Uh, on the shelf over there," Emily says, pointing to the shelf that is on the wall that shares with the dining room.
"Did I ever tell you about the guy in California who has…" Reid starts to say as he heads over to the shelf.
"Seventy-eight things," Emily finishes. "Yeah, four times already," Emily says.
"Well, it just so happens that I just read an article that says he's down to seventy-five," Reid explains. "You want to know what they are?" Reid asks, and then to Emily's relief her phone rings.
"Oh… saved by the bell," Emily says, sounding relieved.
At the BAU the team are just arriving back and are walking out of the elevator and onto the sixth floor.
"Okay. Who's up for drinks at O'Keefe's?" Rossi asks.
"I'm in," JJ says, feeling like she really needs that.
"Oh, that sounds great," Tara says.
"Yeah, it sounds great to me, too," Luke says, as Tara pulls her phone and texts Stephen to meet them.
"The kids are asleep. Wife could use a second alone. I'm in," Matt says, as Penelope walks up to the group.
"Did someone say O'Keefe's?" Penelope asks. "Where have you guys been? You're twenty minutes late," Penelope notes, as she has been paying attention.
"Our flight got delayed," Luke explains.
"Uh, okay. Cool, guys. The radar did not report any weather," Penelope says.
"Yeah, it wasn't weather. Unless you count hurricane Jareau," Tara explains, sounding joyed.
"Ohh! Oh, I'm not up to speed. I hate it when I'm not up to speed," Penelope says, wanting to know just what she missed.
"JJ ripped into Barnes before we took off. Mama Bear has got bite," Rossi explains.
"She's lucky I didn't throw her off the jet," JJ admits.
"Where's the old battle axe now?" Penelope asks curious.
"Probably upstairs licking her wounds," Rossi suggest.
"Linda Barnes is a fighter. She's not finished by a long shot," Matt says, knowing that.
"Well, let's just say I'm glad we won this round," Rossi says as the entire group walk into the bullpen.
"I'm so proud of you," Penelope says to JJ, putting an arm around her friend as they walk, and as they walk into the bullpen the team see Reid and Emily. "Ohh! Shut the front door!" Penelope says, sounding excited.
"You feeling better, Kid?" Rossi asks.
"Much better, thank you," Reid explains.
"Wait. You're suspended," Penelope says to her wife. "How did you get… Did you sneak in? did you do a secret ninja-type move?" Penelope asks, as she wouldn't put that past her wife. "Tell me. I have to know," Penelope says.
"I, uh, I have one of these. I'm Reid's visitor," Emily says, showing her visitors badge.
"Oh," Penelope says a little disappointed that her wife didn't use her ninja skills.
"Well, welcome to the BAU, Visitor," Tara says, sounding amused.
"It's a great place you've got here," Emily says, as she looks around. "Did I hear something about drinks?" Emily asks.
"Yes. And I am buying the first round," Luke explains, and everyone knows how shocking that is.
"You heard the ma…" Penelope starts to say, as everyone turns around, to head out, but they see Barnes standing just inside the entrance to the bullpen.
"Agent Prentiss, Agent Reid, I'm happy to see you," Barnes says, and everyone very much doubts that fact. "Agent Jareau, I didn't get the opportunity to tell you how much I enjoyed your speech on the jet. But you're wrong that I'm here to shut down the BAU, because I'm not," Barnes explains. "This unit is the crown jewel of behavioral profiling," Barnes says. "I couldn't shut it down if I wanted to, but I can help restructure it," Barnes reveals, causing everyone's heart to sink. "The director watched the airport video, and he felt, as I did, that we were in public and your validation strategy was failing," Barnes explains.
"You already met with him?" JJ asks surprised.
"Yes. I've known him a long time. He answers my calls," Barnes explains.
"I haven't even had a chance to file my report," JJ comments, feeling worried as if the director only heard Barnes side then it's likely not going to end well for her.
"He agreed that events should have unfolded quicker, and because they didn't, the suspect died. Now we need to ensure that mistakes, like the ones you made today, never happen again," Barnes explains.
"Mistakes we made?" JJ asks surprised, as they didn't make mistakes, Barnes did.
"That said, Agent Prentiss, your suspension is lifted," Barnes says, and everyone is relieved. "You'll be reassigned within the Bureau. Your new post has yet to be determined," Barnes reveals, causing the relief that everyone was feeling to disappear.
"What?" Penelope asks shocked, absolutely hating that.
"Agent Lewis, you will also be reassigned," Barnes explains. "Agent Reid, you will be a full-time professor with our exchange program," Barnes says. "Agent Rossi, the FBI deeply appreciates your service and the director wishes you nothing but the best in your retirement," Barnes says. "Agent Simmons, Agent Alves, you will remain here at the BAU," Barnes says. "Garcia, your loyalty to the team is appreciated, but it feels like a fresh start in a different department would be best," Barnes explains, to Penelope's horror.
"Fresh start? I don't want a fresh start," Penelope says, as while she was willing to move to London with Emily if that's what happened she really doesn't want this. "I need…. I need to be here," Penelope says, meaning that.
"I'm fired, aren't I?" JJ asks, as that's what she assumes.
"No. You're the conditional unit chief of the BAU. Congratulations," Barnes says.
"There's no such thing," JJ says, knowing that.
"You're right. There wasn't," Barnes admits. "But I was able with the director's approval to create a new positions just for you. I wont be going into the field with you anymore, but you will run every decision past me, big and small, before you act. Good night," Barnes says, before walking away.
"This can't be the end. Can it?" Penelope asks, as everyone stands in disbelief. As Emily can see that her wife is upset Emily walks over to her and puts her arm around her wife, as Penelope starts to cry, while Rossi and JJ put arms around each other.