Chapter 132
AN: I really hope you like this chapter. PLEASE, PLEASE, let me know what you think.
After the team stood in the roundtable room in disbelief they all decided that they desperately needed a drink and so they've all headed to O'Keefe's where the mood is a lot more solemn than they originally thought it was going to be.
"I can't believe that happened," Penelope says, as Emily, who is sitting next to her wife, puts her arm around her, and before anyone can say anything Stephen walks up to them.
"Sorry, I had to get something done," Stephen says as he kisses Tara's cheek, and sits down next to him. "How far behind am I?" Stephen asks, but then he notices the looks on everyone's faces. "What's happened?" Stephen asks worried.
"Emily, Penelope, Reid, and I are begin reassigned, probably to different places," Tara explains. "Dave's been forced into retirement," Tara explains.
"And the rest of us will be supervised by Linda Barnes," Matt adds
"The person who shut down your own team?" Stephen asks, looking at Matt, recognizing the name.
"That's the one," Matt confirms.
"That explains the looks," Stephen realizes, not sure how to respond to that.
"I don't want this to be the end, it can't be," Penelope says.
"I know, Babe," Emily says, kissing Penelope's cheek.
"Next rounds on me," Stephen says, as the group once again drifts into a pain silence.
The next morning, Penelope and Emily, both of whom slept in for the first time in a long time, are sitting together on their couch, both having coffee that Emily made, and breakfast made by Penelope.
"I thought when we woke up this morning, we would realize that last night was a dream," Penelope admits.
"It wasn't," Emily tells her wife.
"It's just… she just destroyed it, everything the BAU is, everything we are," Penelope says, talking about the team.
"She hasn't destroyed everything," Emily tells her wife. "Our team is still our team, Barnes may have split us up, but she hasn't broken us," Emily says. "We'll find a way to be together again," Emily explains, and Penelope smiles.
"So, we're fighting," Penelope says, looking glad.
"We're fighting, and we're not going to stop until our family is back together," Emily tells her wife, as after what Barnes has just done there is no way in hell she can not fight.
"Damn right we're not," Penelope says, before kissing her wife. "So, when do you think we're going to get our new assignments?" Penelope asks, when they break apart.
"Probably tomorrow," Emily admits. "Barnes is likely going to make it so our new assignments aren't pleasant for us," Emily admits.
"I'm away from you and our team, of course it's gonna be unpleasant," Penelope admits, and as she does her phone goes off. "It's Dad. He wants to know if we want to have dinner with him tonight," Penelope explains.
"Sure, that will be nice," Emily admits, as she puts her bowel and cup on the coffee table. "Pen, I know you don't like change, but right now this is something we can't control, Babe," Emily says.
"I know," Penelope says, as she also puts her dishes down and moves closer to her wife, who puts her arms around Penelope as the two of them snuggle in close.
After a pretty lazy day at home, where Penelope and Emily got a little bit of their unpacking done, the two of them are walking into Rossi's house.
"Dad?" Penelope calls, as they enter, though both she and Emily assume they know where Rossi is.
"Kitchen," Rossi calls back, just like Penelope and Emily suspected, and the two of them head there.
"Wine's on the side, help yourselves, dinner will be ready in a few minutes," Rossi explains to his daughter and daughter-in-law.
"Is that how you're going to spend your forced retirement, by cooking?" Penelope asks her father curious, as Emily goes straight to the wine to pour glasses for her and Penelope.
"As much as I love cooking, no," Rossi answers. "I'm going to consult on movies," Rossi explains.
"Seriously?" Penelope asks.
"Really?" Emily asks, sounding just as shocked.
"You don't have to sound so shocked," Rossi says, looking between them.
"Sorry, Dave, it's just consulting on movies doesn't exactly sound like something you're going to enjoy," Emily says, looking a little amused.
"Oh, I'm going to hate it," Rossi says, knowing that without a doubt. "I'm gonna hate anything other than being at the BAU," Rossi explains, his voice overly dramatic.
"Dad, you do know you've been retired before, right?" Penelope asks, a little amused, as from her father's tone of voice you'd think being retired would be the end of the word.
"Yeah, and I hated it, Kitten," Rossi says. "I came back to the BAU for a reason," Rossi reminds his daughter. "Thought of course, last time I was retired I hated a lot of things, myself included, so it worked out," Rossi explains, as an awkward feeling takes over the room as all three of them know exactly why Rossi hated himself back then. "Um, so either of you know where Barnes is going to stick you too?" Rossi asks, after more than a few awkward moments.
"Nope," Penelope answers.
"Probably somewhere horrible," Emily admits.
"Sounds about right," Rossi admits. "Dinner is served," Rossi says, and he, Penelope, and Emily proceed to have an enjoyable dinner together.
After spending most of the morning unpacking Penelope is in the second living room, or movie room, as they have come to call it, while Emily is moving boxes from downstairs to the upstairs rooms, they belong in. As Penelope puts stuff away, she gets a notification email. Reading the subject line Penelope realizes exactly what it is.
"Em! Check your email, I think we just got our new assignments!" Penelope calls, as she starts to read her email and she does not like what she reads.
"Office of Professional Responsibilities," Emily says, as she walks down the stairs about a minute later. "Because apparently Barnes isn't subtle," Emily says, walking into the front living room where she sees her wife and the first thing, she realizes is the look on her wife's face. "Oh god, please don't tell me you're being transferred away from here," Emily says, honestly not putting that past Barnes.
"No, I'm not," Penelope assures her wife. "I'm being transferred to Cyber Crimes," Penelope explains.
"That's not surprising, it's actually what I assumed would happen, so what's wrong?" Emily asks, as she can tell that there is something she is missing.
"In my orders there is also the FBI dress code, with a note about how all Cyber Crimes employees are expected to follow it," Penelope explains.
"Oh, I'm sorry Babe," Emily says to her wife, as she knows why Penelope would hate that.
"I don't start for two days and I already hate this," Penelope admits, and in response Emily just hugs her wife.
The next morning, as Penelope needed to get new cloths, even though she would prefer not to, she and Emily have gone to the local mall.
"Pen," Emily says, as Penelope is standing outside the store, they need to go in.
"I don't want to do this, Em, I really don't want to do this," Penelope admits.
"I know, Babe, but you have to," Emily says as she takes her wife's hand.
"Usually, I love it when you're right, in this moment I don't," Penelope informs Emily who laughs, and as she does her phone goes off. "Ohh, maybe, this will be a reason for me not to go shopping," Penelope says.
"You love shopping," Emily says, sounding amused.
"Not for this," Penelope says, reading the message. "It's Gideon, he wants to know if we want to come over to his place tonight for dinner, to meet his lawyer friend," Penelope explains. "I say yes, you?" Penelope asks.
"Definitely," Emily responds, and Penelope responds to Stephen's text.
"I guess I actually have to do this," Penelope says, with a sigh.
"Yeah, you do Babe," Emily says. "But I'm right here," Emily assures her wife.
"I know," Penelope says, squeezing Emily's hand, and the two of them head into the shop.
Hours later, Penelope has gotten enough 'Professional' outfits to last a little while, she and Emily had a late lunch together, and after getting some more unpacking down the two of them are walking up to Stephen's apartment. As they walk Penelope notices Emily looking like she wants to bite her nails, a look which Penelope has learnt well over the years.
"Hey, it will be okay," Penelope assures Emily, as she reaches out and takes her and. "Gideon's assured me that his friend is a good persona and she is going to do whatever she can to help us," Penelope assures her wife.
"I know, I just… really want this to go our way," Emily admits, as she feels more nervous now than she ever feels at work.
"I know, me to," Penelope admits, squeezing Emily's hand, as they get to Gideon's door and so after pausing for a couple of moments, Penelope reaches out and knocks.
A few moments after Penelope knocked the door opens revealing Stephen,
"Come in, come in," Stephen says, letting them into the apartment, greeting both Penelope and Emily with a hug.
"Something smells great," Penelope notes.
"It should," Stephen says, with a proud look as women with red curly hair, who looks to be about the same age as Stephen, walks over. "Rossi, Emily, this is Keelie Bradley," Stephen introduces. "Keelie, this is Penelope and Emily Prentiss," Stephen explains.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Emily says, as she and Keelie shake hands.
"It's a pleasure to meet you too," Kellie responds, as she and Penelope shake hands as well.
"I'll go check on dinner if you three want to head to the living room," Stephen suggests, as he knows Penelope, Emily and Keelie need a chance to talk.
"So, Stephen told me that you're interested in fostering and adoption," Keelie says, as they head to the living room.
"More than interested," Penelope says.
"It's something we really want to do, but we just wanted to know the first step would be, and how difficult the process would be for us considering our circumstances," Emily explains.
"I'm not going to lie, you will face some unique complications, but I am happy to go through the entire process with you, and help if you would like," Keelie explains.
"We'd really appreciate that," Emily says gratefully.
"Are you more interested in fostering or adoption?" Keelie explains as she, Penelope and Emily all sit down on the couches.
"From our research we feel that fostering with the intention to adopt is what we're most interested in, but we would also consider just fostering or adoption outright," Penelope explains.
"Okay, are you specifically interested in a baby or more open to ages?" Keelie explains.
"Open to ages. Pen and I talked, and we want to give a home to anyone who needs it, no matter their age," Emily explains, and Keelie smiles at that as she really likes that answer.
"You live in Virginia, right?" Keelie asks.
"Fairfax Station," Penelope explains.
"Okay, there are several private agencies as well as Fairfax County Department of Family Services, that handle adoption and fostering, a couple of those it would not be worth going through considering your circumstances, but you do still have multiple options that are worth pursing," Keelie explains, causing Penelope and Emily to exchange looks. "Now, you first steps would be…" Keelie says, before she starts to explain.
A few hours later, having had an enjoyable dinner with Stephen and Keelie, Penelope and Emily are back at home sitting in bed together, with Penelope's laptop on her lap.
"Okay, here's the email from Keelie," Penelope says, opening it.
"She sent through the forms?" Emily asks, moving closer to her wife.
"Yep, we can start them anytime we want," Penelope says, with a smile.
"Let's start them now," Emily says, to Penelope's surprise, as while that's what she wants it is surprising that Emily is suggesting it considering everything they have going on.
"Are you sure? With everything going on?" Penelope asks her wife.
"We'll figure everything out at the BAU, I know that," Emily admits. "That is one part of our future, but this is the other, and I don't know about you, but I want to get started on this future as soon as possible," Emily admits.
"Me too," Penelope admits, kissing her wife's cheek. "Okay, names; Emily and Penelope Prentiss," Penelope types as they get started on filling out the forms that will hopefully change their lives.
Even though they were up late filling in the forms both Penelope and Emily have gotten up early as for both of them it is their first day at their new position.
"I really don't want to do this," Penelope admits, as she and Emily move around the kitchen and get ready to leave.
"Me either," Emily admits, as she reaches out and takes Penelope's hand. "I know this sucks, and we'd both rather be back at the BAU, but we've just got to push through," Emily tells her wife.
"I know," Penelope says, with a sigh. "I'll call you at lunch," Penelope says.
"And I'll see you tonight," Emily says and the two of them collet their stuff and head out. Even though they are leaving at the same time because they are going to different places Emily takes her car while Penelope takes Esther.
Hours after she left home Emily has realized that pushing through is even harder than she though it be, so much so that she is thrilled when it gets to lunchtime and even more thrilled when her phone rings.
"Hey you," Emily answers.
"Hey, you," Penelope responds, and Emily is truly thrilled to hear Penelope's voice, just like Penelope is thrilled to hear Emily's. "How's your first day?" Penelope asks curious.
"Ohh, horrible, you?" Emily asks curious.
"I think Horrible covers it," Penelope admits. "I can do this stuff in my sleep, and everyone's so quiet, so plain, it's strange," Penelope admits. "I miss my cave," Penelope reveals.
"Yeah, I miss my office too," Emily admits. "I'm really nice to here your voice," Emily says.
"It's really nice to here yours too," Penelope admits. "On my way home, I'll pick up food, you get the wine," Penelope suggests.
"Deal," Emily responds and as she does she hears someone calling her name. "Agh, I'm sorry Babe, I've got to go," Emily explains.
"Okay, I'll see you tonight," Penelope responds.
"I love you," Emily says.
"Love you too," Penelope responds, before they both hang up.
Hours later Emily isn't sure she has ever been so grateful for the end of the work day, as she heads towards the garage Emily sees someone she recognizes walking a little way ahead.
"Hey Tara," Emily calls, Tara turns around, and Emil hurries to catch up with her.
"Well you look how I feel," Tara notes.
"Where did Barnes stick you?" Emily asks curious.
"Providing partner counseling, you?" Tara asks curious.
"OPR," Emily responds, as they start to walk together.
"Wow," Tara says.
"You know Pen and I are doing take out and wine, do you Stephen want to join us?" Emily asks curious.
"I definitely do. I'll message Stephen," Tara explains.
"And I'll message Penelope," Emily says as they continue to walk together.
A little while after Emily invited Tara over for dinner the two of them are walking into the Prentiss house. As Emily knows exactly where her wife is she leads Tara straight to the main living area.
"Go, go, go," Penelope's voice says in, a cheering tone of voice and as Emily and Tara walk into the living area they see Stephen trying to fit an entire spring roll into his mouth as Penelope cheers him on.
"Wow, you two really can't be left alone," Emily says amused, as she drops her handbag on one of the chairs, honestly not as surprised as she should be.
"It's totally Gideon's fault," Penelope reveals, as Emily walks over and kisses her.
"Of course, it is," Emily says, amused.
"You alright there?" Tara asks her boyfriend, and Stephen just nods as he struggles to finish the spring roll. "I have so many questions," Tara says, as she sits down next to Stephen.
"Pen and Stephen are children sometimes, that should answer all your questions," Emily says as she starts to look through the food to see what she wants to eat.
"Only sometimes," Stephen, who has managed to eat the spring roll, says. "How was work?" Stephen asks his girlfriend.
"Not great," Tara admits. "I really miss the BAU," Tara admits.
"Same," Penelope comments.
"Oh yeah," Emily confirms.
"You really enjoy being apart of the BAU?" Stephen asks Tara surprised, a question which causes Penelope and Emily to exchange looks as they are both familiar with Stephen's feelings towards the BAU and know that this has the potential to become a volatile conversation.
"I don't know if enjoy is the right word, but it's where I want to be," Tara admits, and she turns to look at Stephen, taking his hands. "I know you your feelings towards the BAU are complicated, and have a different perspective, and I never want to diminish that," Tara admits. "But for me, I want to be apart of the BAU, the work we do matters, and I know that because of what you've been through you might not be able to understand that; but it's how I feel," Tara admits.
"Nicely handle," Penelope whispers to Emily, feeling impressed.
"You right, I do have a very different perspective when it comes to the BAU, and I don't understand why it is where you want to be; I don't know if I ever will," Stephen admits, as he still doesn't understand why Penelope agreed to re-join. "But I do know, and understand, that being a part of the BAU matters to you, and I want you to have everything that matters to you, even if I don't completely understand," Stephen says and as he does Penelope and Emily exchange looks, while Stephen and Tara kiss.
"Thank you," Tara says, as they break apart, as even though she doesn't know Stephen's complete history she knows enough to know how much of a big deal that is.
"Okay, that was adorable, but how about we eat now," Penelope suggests.
"Not so fast Rossi, I ate the spring roll, now you've got to scull a glass of wine," Stephen says.
"Please tell me you two are kidding," Tara says.
"No, they're really not," Emily, who has spent enough time around Stephen and Penelope, to know that. "Just don't use the good wine," Emily requests, as Stephen and Penelope get up and head to the kitchen. "It's going to be a long night," Emily says to Tara with an amused look on her face, as she has been here before and knows that Stephen and Penelope will just continue to challenge each other.
"Really?" Tara asks, feeling a little confused.
"Oh yeah," Emily responds.
Just like Emily suspected the foursome do have a long night together in the Prentiss house, but it also quiet enjoyable, and both Tara and Emily are grateful for each other's company as it means that they aren't alone in trying to understand Stephen and Penelope's behavior, nor are do they have to try to stop the more crazy challenges, alone.