Chapter 134
AN: Please let me know what you think of this chapter.
Feeling beyond glad that they are going be back at the BAU Penelope and Emily are in their kitchen getting ready for the day. As they get ready Penelope's tablet goes off so she goes to check it.
"Are they the casefiles?" Emily asks curious, as they are expecting files.
"No, it's an email from Keelie," Penelope explains.
"What is it?" Emily asks worried, feeling terrified that their applications have been rejected.
"We're moving on to the next stage; our homes study is in five days," Penelope explains.
"Five days?" Emily asks shocked, as that's a lot sooner than she was expecting.
"Five days," Penelope confirms. "Okay, closer than we were expecting, but we can do this," Penelope comments.
"Yeah, we can," Emily confirms, though she is a little worried. "Okay, we should go, we can figure out what we need to do once this case is over," Emily says, as she puts the lids on both hers and Penelope's travel mugs.
"Sounds good to me," Penelope says, and both she and Emily head out of their house, both patting Sergio as they go and both feeling glad that they are able to drive to work together.
A little while later Penelope, who has received the case files they were waiting on, is standing in the roundtable room as the rest of the team walk in.
"Okay, okay, and by okay, I mean the abbreviation of the great state of Oklahoma, 'cause everything I'm gonna say now is not okay," Penelope admits. "The unsub we are looking for killed last week in Colorado and then again last night in Oklahoma," Penelope explains.
"Big mistake. Crossing state lines gives jurisdiction," Rossi realizes.
"Attacking in two states is ambitious," Tara notes. "Maybe he's a truck driver or has other work in the area?" Tara asks.
"I can check the highway serial killer database," Penelope says.
"So, our latest victim, Mark Wilson, thirty-five, was beaten to death in his home, like our fist victim, Sam Franklin," Emily explains.
"They were both hard-working Midwestern men," Penelope explains. "Both homes were robbed, and you know that super-sensitive side of your mouth part here? On both of them, it was cut," Penelope says, as she points out the area and puts the images on the screen.
"Are they smiling?" Rossi asks surprised.
"How did he do that?" JJ asks shocked.
"That's awful," Reid comments.
"This wasn't about inflicting more pain. I mean, they were already dead. He was compelled to do this," Tara says.
"He's got a type. Strong married man with kids. It could be a surrogate," Luke says.
"He's got patricidal tendencies, shows power-assertive behavior," Matt realizes.
"At fist glance, he feels like a family annihilator attacking the home, but he's not killing the whole family," Rossi notes.
"And he choose to destroy the heads of household without an audience," Emily notes.
"There could be some mercy in him after all," JJ says.
"Well, that might be true without Sam Franklin, but with Mark Wilson, his seven-year-old son Dylan saw the whole thing," Penelope explains, causing the entire team to be horrified.
"Oh, no, is he talking?" Matt asks.
"Well, he was, but not anymore," Penelope admits. "It's unclear what he saw, but he says his dad was killed by a clown," Penelope says, with a shutter.
"Maybe the unsub wore a disguise," JJ suggests.
"Or he's protecting something he fears," Reid suggests. "There's a word, even though it's not recognized by any dictionary or psychology manual, for the excessive fear of clowns… coulrophobia," Reid says, saying what several people around the room know.
"Well, whatever he saw, we need to find out if it was real or perceived. Wheels up in twenty," Emily says, and once she does the entire team head out of the roundtable room, both Emily and Penelope heading to Emily's office.
"So, Oklahoma," Penelope says.
"I know what you're thinking, but this shouldn't take more than a few days and even if it does I'll take a commercial flight back, there is no way I'm going to miss the home study," Emily promises her wife.
"Okay," Penelope says, wanting to belief her wife, and a huge part of her does, but there is a tiny piece of her, a nagging part, that was forged in her childhood, that doubts it.
"I'll see you when I get home," Emily says. "I love you," Emily says, before kissing Penelope.
"I love you too," Penelope responds, and the two of them break apart. Once they do both head out of Emily's office. While Emily heads to the jet, Penelope heads to her office.
After a day of working the case in Oklahoma the unsubs have been caught, and the little boy who observed everything is doing better. As, even with Penelope doing things the night before, they have a lot to prepare for Penelope and Emily both left the BAU relatively early, at least for them, and are sitting in their living room, both looking at Penelope's tablet.
"A lot of these requirements we've already fulfilled," Emily realises. "Have since the day we moved in because we wanted to make things safe for our Nephew and Godchildren," Emily realises.
"Yeah, that means we don't have as much to get done," Penelope realises. "We've just got to get upstairs ready," Penelope says. "But that's not going to take that long either, I might be wrong, but I think our team might have done some unpacking for us while we were trying to save Jessica," Penelope says.
"They did," Emily says.
"Oh, they are amazing," Penelope says amused. "So, we want to set up the loft bedroom, and all the regular bedrooms do you think?" Penelope asks her wife.
"As many as possible I think," Emily says, and the two of them start to make plans for their upstairs spaces, realistic plans to get things set up as soon as possible.
The next evening Penelope and Emily, who have paperwork they needed to do after arriving to work late so they could do work around their house, are in Emily's office, having dinner.
"Okay, I think any boxes we cannot unpack we should move to the garage," Penelope suggests.
"It is the best idea," Emily says, as there is a knock on the door. "I gave at the office," Emily says, causing her wife to laugh.
"Oh good, you're both still here," Rossi says, as he walks in.
"Yeah, it's the BAU, Dave. I've got a pup tent, cot, and k-rations in the closest," Emily comments.
"Dad, Eggroll?" Penelope asks, offering it to him.
"Uh, I'm good thanks," Rossi responds. "Emily, do you think I can get the next few days off, use some of my annual leave?" Rossi asks, to the absolute shock of his daughter and daughter in law.
"You don't take time off," Penelope tells her father.
"Not unless it's forced. Have we entered a parallel universe?" Emily asks, shocked.
"I don't know, but I'm afraid," Penelope says, in an overly dramatic tone.
"Okay, you can both stop the theatrics," Rossi says, looking between the pair. "I got a call this evening from Krystall," Rossi explains.
"Krystall with the K and two L?" Emily asks.
"As in the step-mother in never met because you got married drunk and were only married for thirty-six hours?" Penelope asks her father.
"That's the one," Rossi confirms.
"Why'd she call? Have you been in contact all these years?" Penelope asks surprised.
"We've exchanged birthday and Christmas cards, but we haven't really talked," Rossi admits.
"Then why did she call?" Penelope asks, feeling confused.
"After we got our marriage annulled she moved to LA, got remarried, had a kid, got divorced," Rossi explains, causing Penelope and Emily to exchange looks as that seems like a lot more than birthday and Christmas information. "Now, her daughter's gonna get married here in DC next week," Rossi explains, and as he does Emily's phone goes off. "We hope to get together for coffee, but if that's a new case coming in…" Rossi starts to say.
"Yeah, there is, and we can handle it without you," Emily informs her father-in-law. "You keep that coffee date. that's an order," Emily instructs. "Just promise me one thing. No spur of the moment trips to Atlantic City,' Emily instructs.
"At least not without me," Penelope adds, and Rossi crosses his heart, before leaving.
"All right let's gather the troops," Emily says to Penelope.
"Yep," Penelope responds, and the two of them head to the roundtable room.
A few minutes later Penelope and Emily and the rest of the team with the exception of Rossi, are all in the roundtable room together.
"Muriel Gourse, forty-seven, of Chicago, Illinois, was found dead last night, stabbed once in the back," Penelope explains.
"The night before, twenty-four-year-old Amanda Corliss was discovered in her apartment. She had also been stabbed in the back. Same red rose in the mouth," Emily explains.
"No sign of robber or break-ins," Penelope explains. "Despite their being a lot of neighbours, nobody heard a peep," Penelope explains.
"You know, roses are traditionally a symbol of passion and love," Reid says. "The unsub could be connected to these victims romantically," Reid theorizes.
"Or maybe he wanted to be and this is what happened when things didn't work out," Luke suggests.
"Neither victim showed evidence of sexual assault, and there is a dramatic different in age between the two victims," Tara notes.
"Muriel Gourse's body was discovered by her husband. There was also a carton of cigarettes burning in their own oven," Emily explains.
"That's an unusual signature," Reid notes. "Anything like that with Amanda?" Reid asks.
"No," Penelope answers.
"It feels like a message, but what? And to whom?" Simmons asks.
"So, we've got no forcible entry, minimal resistance, and no cries for help. I'd say there's a good chance these women knew the killer," JJ theorises.
"And with two victims on consecutive nights, we can't wait till morning. Wheels up in thirty," Emily says, and everyone starts to head out of the roundtable room, Penelope and Emily heading straight to Emily's office.
"So, your Dad and Krystall, what do you think's gonna happen there?" Emily asks curious.
"I don't know, but I'm going to meet her this time," Penelope reveals.
"Pen…" Emily starts to say amused.
"For thirty-six hours she was my step-mother and I didn't get to meet her. it was the only wedding of Dad's that I wasn't at; though I don't remember his wedding to Carolyn, but that's not my point," Penelope admits. "My point is, I'm going to meet her," Penelope says, sounding determined.
"Just be careful, Babe," Emily tells her, kissing Penelope's cheek. "I'll be home as soon as I can," Emily promises, as the home study is in three days.
"I know," Penelope says. "I love you," Penelope says.
"I love you," Emily respond, and the two of them kiss.
The next morning, Rossi is with Krystall, the two of them having coffee and sitting together on a bench.
"Are you… no, really?" Rossi asks, with a laugh. "I could have sworn it was, 'here coms the bride," Rossi notes.
"That is your brain doing damage control. I am telling you, we marched down the aisle to hound dog," Krystall explains.
"Really?" Rossi asks, sounding disbelieving.
"Trust me, David, I remember," Krystall assures him. "The cassette deck was sitting right there on the alter between the Bible and the tequila," Krystall explains.
"Well, whatever our song was, it's great to see you again," Rossi says.
"I like the silver in your hair," Krystall notes as Rossi's hair has gone more silver lately. "Did I give you that or…." Krystall starts to ask.
"No, no, no, no, no," Rossi assures her. "My publishers have been begging me to look more distinguished, so I decided to go au natural," Rossi says, before laughing. "So, Portia's getting married. You must be very excited," Rossi comments.
"Yeah, that's another way of saying nervous wreck," Krystall explains.
"Oh, I know that feeling well, Penelope got married last year," Rossi explains. "So, who's the lucky future spouse?" Rossi asks curious.
"Wrick Rollins from Savannah, Georgia," Krystall says, putting on a fake southern accent. "He doesn't really talk like that. Sweetheart of a guy, and she's… Portia's over the moon," Krystall explains.
"I'm thrilled for her, for both of you," Rossi admits.
"Hey, what about you? I mean, out of the blue you have another daughter and grandson?" Krystall asks.
"Yep, Joy and Kai, it was a wonderful surprise," Rossi admits.
"How'd Penelope take being a big sister?" Krystall asks curious.
"Amazingly, she loves Joy," Rossi explains.
"And your ex?" Krystall asks curious.
"Well, we both realized we're better as grandparents than we are as a couple," Rossi admits. "But it's turned into a very nice friendship," Rossi admits.
"Right, enough catching up. I have a proposition for you," Krystall reveals.
"You know, last time we did something like that…" Rossi starts to say.
"Relax. Elvis has nothing to do with this," Krystall says as she hands Rossi an envelope.
"What's this?" Rossi asks curious.
"An invitation. I want you to come to the wedding as my plus one," Krystall explains.
"Portia's okay with that?" Rossi asks.
"This is a girl who has read all of your books twice," Krystall explains. "To her, the most impressive thing about me is that you and I were married for thirty-six hours. She'll be okay," Krystall explains.
"Well, if that's the case. I'm honoured to attend," Rossi says.
"Great. Now I gotta run," Krystall admits, as they both stand up.
"Hey, listen. Um, if you've got a time later, why don't you bring Portia and Wick to the BAU? I'll give the three of you a tour, and you can finally meet Penelope," Rossi explains.
"I'd like that, consider it a date," Krystall says, and the two of them hug.
A couple of hours later, as the team don't need anything, Penelope is in her office eating ice cream.
"You in the middle of anything?" Rossi asks his daughter, walking into the room with Krystall, Portia, and Wick.
"Black Cherry deliciousness. Why any mortal would eat any…." Penelope says, as she turns around and realises that her father isn't alone. "Oh! Visitors!" Penelope says, as she stands up.
"Penelope, I would like to introduce you to Portia Richards, Wick Rollins, and Krystall Richards; this is my daughter Penelope," Rossi introduces.
"Oh it's nice to finally meet you; I can't believe you were married to my dad and we never met. I always wanted to, I mean you got Dad to be completely spontaneous, which is a miracle, I was so annoyed, when I found out I wasn't going to meet you, not at you of course; everything I heard about you was great, even though your marriage was annulled Dad clearly enjoyed your time together and…. I'm just really glad to meet you," Penelope admits, speaking very very fast to the amusement of Krystall and Portia.
"It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Penelope," Krystall assures her as she's always known how much Rossi loves his daughter, so it is nice to finally meet her.
"And the ladies were wondering if you could escort them to the restroom," Rossi explains.
"I… I can do that," Penelope assures her father. "It's this way," Penelope starts to explain.
"I'll be in my office with Wick," Rossi says to his daughter, as Penelope, Krystall and Portia head out of the room.
"Is she always like that?" Wick asks curious.
"Luckily for us, yes," Rossi confirms. "My office is this way," Rossi explains.
A couple of minutes later Rossi is in his office with Wick, showing him the gun that Harrison gave him.
"Oh wow," Wick says, impressed.
"A fellow marine gave that to me shortly before he died," Rossi explains. "There's a portion of the Vietnam veterans memorial engraved on it," Rossi explains. "You shoot?" Rossi asks curious.
"I do," Wick confirms. "Tried out for the Olympic team, ten-meter air rifle," Wick explains.
"Wow. Well that's impressive," Rossi admits. "Would you be interested in a session at the FBI firing rage?" Rossi asks curious.
"Are you serious?" Wick asks shocked.
"I'll set it up for later today," Rossi explains, and as he does both he and Wick hear the sounds of Penelope, Portia, and Krystall laughing as they walk into the room.
"What's so funny?" Wick asks.
"This girl you're marrying is hilarious," Penelope says, very much enjoying getting to know Portia and Krystall.
"Well, let us in on the joke, honey," Wick says, and as he does both Penelope and Rossi find something off about his tone of voice.
"Oh, I was just… telling a story," Portia explains, sounding uncomfortable.
"What story would that be?" Wick asks, and neither Penelope nor Rossi like his tone of voice.
"Oh, it was one of those you had to be there kind of things," Penelope explains.
"This has been a great tour, but we've got some last-minute shopping to catch up on," Krystall explains. "We still on for dinner at your place tonight?" Krystall asks Rossi.
"Linquini a la Ross. Bring your appetites," Rossi says.
"Penelope, you'll be there right?" Krystall asks.
"Definitely, Dad's food's delicious," Penelope says, as she leads Krystall, Portia and Wick out of the BAU.
A little while after she showed Krystall, Portia, and Wick out of the BAU, Penelope is in her office, and making a call to her wife.
"Hey you," Emily answers.
"Hey, can you talk?" Penelope asks her wife, making it clear that she is not calling about something related to work.
"Yeah, I always have time for you," Emily assures her wife. "What's going on?" Emily asks curious.
"So, I got to meet Krystall and Portia, they're both incredible. I can so see what Dad fell for, I think if they had given it a chance they could have had something really good, maybe still could," Penelope admits, and as she does Emily realises something.
"Pen? What is it?" Emily asks, as she can tell that there is something off in her wife's voice.
"It's Wick," Penelope admits. "I can't explain it, there was something off about him.. I don't think he's a good guy," Penelope reveals.
"Pen, if you thought there was something off with him then chances are your Dad would have too, and he wouldn't drop it," Emily says, knowing that.
"I hope you're right. We're supposed to all have dinner tonight so I guess we'll see," Penelope explains.
"Pen…" Emily starts to say, worry clear in her voice.
"I'll be careful, promise," Penelope responds.
"I should get back to work," Emily realises. "But I'll call you later, I love you," Emily tells her wife.
"Love you too," Penelope responds, before hanging up.
A couple of hours after she spoke to her wife Penelope is walking near the elevators when she sees her father and so she walks up to him.
"Dad, aren't you supposed to be like, up to your elbows in Linquini?" Penelope asks her father.
"Not yet, Kiddo, you know exactly how long it takes to cook and dinner isn't until eight," Rossi reminds his daughter, as they start to walk together.
"What's gong on, Dad?" Penelope asks.
"I was wondering if you could quickly check something out for me?" Rossi asks his daughter.
"Sure. What?" Penelope asks.
"It's Wick," Rossi informs his daughter. "This afternoon at the shooting range, one of our young female agents was in the next booth. And when Wick noticed that she was a better shot than he was…" Rossi starts to explain.
"He didn't take it well?" Penelope asks, as that's what she assumes.
"No. not at all," Rossi confirms. "He tried to mask it, but his carotid was pounding, his aim got worse. And.. and earlier, in my office, when Portia had you all laughing, did you notice how he shut her down?" Rossi asks his daughter.
"Yes. He absolutely shut her down," Penelope confirms.
"The coercive control of a misogynist. It's textbook," Rossi says.
"Uh-huh. I can vet him. Let me vet him, Dad, I will vet him," Penelope says.
"Penelope…" Rossi starts to say.
"Dad, by the time I am done you will know about Mr Wick Rollins of Savannah, Georgia, you will know the colour his shoelaces are, you will know whether he's an innie or an outie… bellybutton," Penelope explains.
"Penelope Alessa, no," Rossi says. "I just want a simple background check," Rossi explains. "I don't want you digging into every nook and cranny," Rossi explains to his daughter.
"Bad Dad, that's where the bad stuff is you want to know about," Penelope explains to her father. "That's what makes a nook a nook and a cranny a cranny," Penelope explains, gesturing as she speaks, and in response she gets a look, that she knows very well, from her father. "Okay, I'll limit my search to a level one," Penelope says, with a sigh.
"Thank you, Kitten," Rossi says to his daughter, kissing her cheek. "Call me if you find anything," Rossi says, before walking away.
"Level two, max," Penelope mutters to herself. "Maybe two and a half," Penelope says, as she heads into her office.
A few hours later Penelope is missing dinner as the team needed her to do research. As she has conducted all her research Penelope is calling her wife to tell her what she has found.
"Hey, I'm really sorry that you're missing dinner," Emily says, answering her phone, feeling bad, as she knows how much Penelope wanted to be at the diner.
"It's okay. I'm going to head over to Dad's, maybe I can have some desert," Penelope explains. "So, I've got nothing from the phone records," Penelope explains.
"Ah okay, it was a long shot," Emily admits. "Thanks Pen," Emily says.
"No problem," Penelope responds. "I love you,"
"Love you too," Penelope says, before hanging up, and after hanging up with her wife, Penelope grabs the stuff she needs and heads out of her office.
A little while after Penelope spoke to her wife dinner at Rossi's has finished and Rossi, Krystall, Portia and Wick are all looking at Wick's target from the shooting range.
"It looks like you got a little distracted, there, Wick," Krystall notes. "Thinking about your honeymoon night instead?" Krystal teases.
"Mom!" Portia exclaims sounding shocked and embarrassed.
"What?" Krystall asks, innocently.
"The weapon wasn't calibrated right," Wick says, as he folds over the target, so no one can see it anymore.
"Thank you, Mr Rossi, that was an incredible dinner," Portia says.
"The pleasure was mine. But, please, Mr Rossi was my father," Rossi comments, and as he does the front door opens and Penelope hurries in.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry I'm late," Penelope says. "Dad, can I quickly talk to you?" Penelope asks, giving her father a look.
"Sure Kiddo," Rossi says, recognizing the look. "We'll be right back," Rossi says and both he and Penelope head to the study, where they close the door behind them. "Did you find something on Wick?"
"Yeah, and it's like super, ultra-bad," Penelope explains.
"What is it?" Rossi asks.
"He's been engaged to three women in the last three years, and they all fell through," Penelope explains.
"Why?" Rossi asks his daughter.
"I don't know," Penelope admits. "I do know that in each case the would-be-brides had super rich parents and Wick walked away with a hefty financial settlement. He's a con artist!" Penelope exclaims.
"Krystall said that Portia's father has money," Rossi realises. "Does Wick have a criminal record?" Rossi asks curious.
"Not officially," Penelope answers. "He does have to accounts of domestic assault," Penelope says, sounding disturbed. "Both times the charges were dropped. He does have multiple restraining orders. He's super bad news Dad, we cannot let Portia marry him, we've got to get her away from him before he hurts her!" Penelope exclaims, becoming upset.
"Penelope, breathe, Kiddo. We will, but we've got to handle this the right way," Rossi explains to his daughter. "Go back to the BAU, I'll handle this," Rossi says, as now that he knows the truth he doesn't want his daughter anywhere near Wick, and he will tell Portia the truth.
"Okay," Penelope says. "If there is anything I can do let me know," Penelope says to her father, and they both head out of the room. While Penelope leaves the house Rossi goes back to the family room and makes an excuse about why Penelope couldn't stay.
The next day Emily and Luke have gone to the house of a person who called into a radio station, and rather than finding the person who called in they found the Radio Presenter dead.
"No sign of Janice Fox," Luke says, walking up to Emily. "We got an APB out. what the hell happened here?" Luke asks. "Craig finally ran up against a victim that fought back?" Luke asks.
"Or Janice was the killer all along," Emily suggests. "We profiled rejected lover. A woman scorned would certainly fall into that category. She wanted Craig all to herself. She tried to eliminate the competition," Penelope say.
"JJ said that he was supposed to renew his wedding vows with his wife Cheryl today," Luke explains.
"That could have triggered Janice. But he was tortured badly. That's awfully vicious for a female," Emily says, though she knows it's not completely impossible.
"Don't kid yourself. When native-American warriors couldn't get information out of a captured prisoner, they'd hand them over to their women," Luke explains, and Emily loves the sound of that.
"They did?" Emily asks, as Luke's phone rings and so he walks away. "I should put that titbit on a plaque and hang it over my desk," Emily comments.
While the team are working the case Rossi is in his office with Portia and Krystall, having just finished explaining to them what Penelope found.
"I don't believe you," Portia says.
"I'm sorry, Portia, but it's true," Rossi says.
"He fooled me too," Krystall says to her daughter.
"But he's not like that!" Portia argues. "Wick would never have done any of those things. Everybody that meets him, they love him," Portia explains.
"Sociopaths are deceptive. They often have an appealing public face," Rossi explains, and as he does Portia looks at Krystall.
"Is that why you invited him to the wedding? So, he could investigate Wick?" Portia asks angrily.
"Of course not!" Krystall says.
"I think you did, because you don't trust me to make my own choices, Mom," Portia says, sounding hurt.
"Your mother had nothing to do with this, Portia," Rossi assures her. "It's me. Wick is a dangerous man. He's been violent towards women in his past," Rossi explains.
"You don't even know him!" Portia exclaims. "I don't have to listen to this," Portia says, standing up.
"Sweetheart…" Krystall starts to say.
"No, just leave me alone!" Portia exclaims before leaving.
"Great," Krystall says sarcastically.
"She's upset. It's natural to blame the messenger," Rossi explains.
"Sort of like how I'm feeling about you right now," Krystall comments, and Rossi realises that she is angry too, as Krystall stands up.
"I'm sorry. I had to share what I knew," Rossi explains.
"I'll talk to her," Krystall says, heading to the door, but she turns around. "It must be difficult being you, seeing the monsters out there the rest of us can't. Ever wish there was an off switch to your superpowers?" Krystall asks curious.
"All the time, except I don't always see the monster," Rossi admits. "I didn't when Penelope was dating the monster and I don't want you, or Portia to go through what she went through," Rossi explains.
"I'm sorry she went through that," Krystall admits. "Goodbye David," Krystall says, before leaving.
A little while after Krystall left his office Rossi heads down to Penelope's office where he finds his daughter working on her system.
"Penelope," Rossi says, walking into her office.
"Dad. Did you talk to Portia?" Penelope asks.
"Yeah, I told her everything," Rossi explains. "I'm not sure she believed me though," Rossi says.
"Damn it," Penelope says annoyed. "Hopefully it's just taking time to digest; I don't want Portia to be hurt," Penelope admits.
"Me either," Rossi confirms, and the two of them drift into silence.
Hours later, the case is over and, and so the team are on the jet back. As she texts with her wife about everything they have to get done by tomorrow Emily is sitting with Tara, Reid and Matt.
"I wonder why some men are like Craig Kaline," Emily admits.
"What, horn dogs, you mean?" Tara asks.
"Is that the medical term?" Emily asks amused, causing Tara to laugh.
"I believe it is," Tara confirms.
"Seriously, though, Cheryl… before she went off the deep end. Was a devoted and loving why," Emily says. "Why did Craig feel like he had to bed everything that moved?" Emily asks, as she has never, and suspects will never, considered cheating on Penelope and cannot imagine a situation where she would.
"You know, it might sound crazy, but having multiple sexual partners actually isn't hard to understand from an anthropological sense," Reid says. "Over ninety percent of mammals are promiscuous. It serves the function for self-preservation as well as a coping mechanism to help relieve stress," Reid explains.
"Cheating on your spouse relieves stress?" Tara asks shocked. "I think the animal kingdom got that one backwards," Tara comments.
"Oh yeah," Emily confirms.
"Well, I wonder how Rossi and Krystall are doing," Matt comments, because he was around when they first had their world-win romance he is curious about how things have turned out.
"According to Pen things got complicated," Emily says, though she isn't going to go into any more detail.
"And knowing Rossi they got over those complications and the two of them are painting the town fire engine Red," Tara comments.
"Sounds about right," Matt admits.
Hours later, Rossi who got Wrick to stay way from Portia, is playing solitaire by himself when he heard the doorbell ring. Wondering who it is, Rossi heads to the door and answer it. While it is a surprise to see Krystall on the other side, it was a very, very good one.
"I'll have some of what you're drinking," Krystall say, and she walks into the house.
"Neat right," Rossi asks, offering Krystal,, who is sitting where he was, a glass of scotch.
"Would you mind putting some happier music on?" Krystal requests. "I am trying to pretend things haven't fallen apart completely," Krystall says.
"Solitaire, David? Really?" Krystall asks.
"Sometimes you have to lean into the obvious," Rossi explains.
"You can play this on your smartphone, you know," Krystall tells him.
"I know, Penelope keeps telling me, but I like the feel of cards, the smell, the sound they make when you shuffle," Rossi explains, as he puts lively, big band music on.
"Perfect," Krystall says, as Rossi walks over and sits down next to her.
"So, anyhow, that's it. The wedding was… over. Then it was on again. Then it was over again," Krystall explains. "Wick hightailed it. Something changed his mind. I wonder what," Krystall says, though she has a suspicion.
"How's Portia holding up?" Rossi ask curiously.
"She's okay," Portia admits. "My daughter doesn't always show the best judgment, you know? Kind of like her mother in that way. But she's strong," Krystall explains.
"Also like her mom," Rossi comments.
"I'm heading back tomorrow," Krystall explains. "Feel like some poker?" Krystall asks curious.
"I always, feel like poker," Rossi explains.
"I'll deal," Krystall says, and she picks up the cards, and shuffles them. "There it is. That old sound… that trouble's around the corner," Krystall says.
"So, what's the ante?" Rossi asks curious.
"That's up to you, David. House rules," Krystall says.
"Well, how about a mint copy of Jonny Mathis' greatest hits on vinyl," Rossi suggests.
"You have that?" Krystall asks surprised.
"it's next up on the turntable," Rossi reveals.
"I'm sorry about what happened to Penelope," Krystall says.
"So am I," Rossi admits.
"You said she's married now?" Krystall asks curious.
"Yep, to the women who helped her the most after she was hurt by her Wick," Rossi explains.
"Good," Krystall responds, and the two of them proceed to play poker together.
At Penelope and Emily's house the two of them are tying to get everything ready for their home study, and they are both glad that they only have a couple of things left.
"So, your Dad got wick to walk away?" Emily asks as Penelope has been filling her in on what happened.
"Yep, which is good," Penelope comments.
"Yeah, it is," Emily confirms, as they hear the doorbell ring.
"I'll get it," Penelope says, heading downstairs.
Getting to the front door Penelope is a little surprised, to realise that it is Portia on the other side.
"Portia?" Penelope asks surprised, as while she gave Portia her address and phone number she wasn't expecting her.
"Hi, um, I'm sorry to just show up, but I didn't know where else to go; you're the only person I know who lives here," Portia admits.
"It's completely okay, come in," Penelope says, letting Portia into the house just as Emily walks down the stairs. "Em, this is Portia, Portia, this is my incredible wife, Emily," Penelope explains.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Emily says.
"You look like you could use a drink," Penelope says to Portia.
"Oh, I really could," Portia admits.
"Then come on, I make a pretty good drink if I do say so myself," Emily says, knowing that she and Penelope can finish what they need to do in less than an hour, and she leads the way to the living room, where Penelope and Emily get to know Portia a bit better and they help her feel better.
The next morning, a while after they woke up, because they wanted to get everything they didn't do the night before, done. Penelope and Emily are in their kitchen when Portia, who stayed in one of their guest rooms, walks in.
"Hey, how'd you sleep?" Penelope asks, seeing her.
"Pretty good, actually," Portia admits. "Thank you for letting me stay, I couldn't bare the thought of going back to that hotel alone," Portia admits.
"You don't have to thank us. We were happy to help," Emily tells her. "Do you feel like breakfast?" Emily asks.
"Thanks, but I should get back to the hotel, Mom would be wondering where I am," Portia explains, not realising that Krystall was with Rossi.
"Okay, do you want some coffee to go?" Penelope asks curious.
"That I will take," Portia admits, and Penelope hands her coffee in a spare go-cup they have. "Thanks," Portia says, and she heads out.
After Portia leaves Emily and Penelope eat breakfast and then get everything for their home study, which starts about an hour after Portia leaves, and goes pretty well; at least in Penelope and Emily's opinions.
Five days have passed since Penelope and Emily's home study was completed and as they were told it would take about fourteen days to get a response, they aren't worried. It's early in the morning and Emily is on the phone with the director walking on the catwalk above the bullpen.
"Yes Sir? Has HRT deployed? I'll brief my team immediately," Emily says, before hanging up, walking over to where Dave is sitting on Matt's desk. "Dave, Matt, we're gonna need all hands-on deck," Emily reveals. "I just got off the phone with the director. He wants the BAU to take charge of a hostage situation in progress downtown," Emily explains.
"Where downtown?" Rossi asks, standing up and feeling concerned.
"Cordon Plaza, fourth floor," Emily explains. "The offices of the American Legal Defense Council," Emily explains.
"ADLC?" Matt asks, sounding horrified.
"That's right. Hostage rescue team is on it's way so,…" Emily starts to explain.
"Kristy," Matt says, almost sounding like he lost his world.
"What about Kristy?" Rossi asks.
"She just started working for the ADLC a few weeks ago," Matt explains, as he turns and starts to hurry to the elevators, with Emily and Rossi right behind him.
"I need to get down there. I can handle HRT's response," Matt explains.
"Matt, please.." Emily says, trying to get him to stop.
"You know you can't go down there," Rossi says.
"Screw the damn protocol, Dave. We're talking about my wife here," Matt says. "What would you do if it was Penelope?" Matt asks, looking at Emily.
"Exactly what you want to do, but that doesn't mean I can let you do it," Emily admits.
"Kristy and I actually had a plan for the kids in something like this happened, only we through the roles would be reversed," Matt admits. "Please Emily, don't make me a bystander to all this," Matt begs.
"Okay, you can stay here with us, help build the profile," Emily offers.
"Thank you," Matt says gratefully, as the trio start to head to the roundtable room.
"Alves will take point with HRT and run the tactical op at the scene," Emily explains to Matt. "JJ and Tara will coordinate hostage negations," Emily explains.
A little while after Emily said that Matt can help come up with the profile Tara and Luke are at the ADLC offices and are on the phone with Reid, Matt, Rossi and Emily who are in the roundtable room.
"These guys are running their own playbook," Tara explains. "They've made no provocation action since seizing the hostages, and we've been trying to open a line of communication with them, but for the last twenty minutes they just pick up and the phone and then hang It up," Tara explains.
"They probably think we're gonna be thrown off by the uncertainty. It's a crude psychological warfare, which makes me think we're dealing with young men," Reid explains.
"How long does commander Nash think it'll take to disarms the IEDs?" Rossi asks, as Emily texts what they know so far to Penelope so that she can start working on trying to figure out who the suspects are.
"Not sure. The C-4 charges are not only hard-wired to all the doors, but there might also be a remote detonator," Luke explains.
"Have you guys been able to get thermal imaging of the offices yet?" Matt asks.
"Commander Nash says its on its way," Tara explains, trying hard to remain focused but finding it difficult because she spends a lot of time with Matt and Kristy away from work due to how close they are to Stephen.
"So, you can't see what's going on up there, can you?" Matt asks, his voice breaking.
"No, matt, we can't. not yet," Tara says, in a gentle tone of voice.
"I know you want to be here, but…" Emily starts to say to Matt.
"I need to be here, you of all people should get that, I'm okay," Matt says to Emily.
A couple of hours after the hostage situation begun, with near zero contact, Penelope got an extremely surprising call and so is running into the roundtable room where Matt and Emily are.
"Oh, my god! Oh, my Go! It's Kristy!" Penelope exclaims. "She called 911. They patched her through to me," Penelope explains, as she hands the phone to Matt.
"Krsity? You okay?" Matt asks worried.
"I'm okay," Kristy says, and everyone is relieved to hear that.
"How many men are holding you?" Matt asks.
"There are three, in their twenties," Kristy explains.
"Okay, you know what could really help us right now is if you could use your phone's camera to show us what's going on in there," Matt says.
"I know, I know," Kristy admits. "But they took all of our devices, so this isn't my phone. it's just the one I brought you. But even without the service being activated, it let me make an emergency call," Kristy explains.
"Can you activate the phone she's calling from?" Emily asks her wife.
"I sure can. Give me a sec," Penelope says, before hurrying out of the roundtable room.
"Kristy. I want you to know how much I love you," Matt tells his wife.
"I love you too," Kristy says. "Oh, no," Kristy says, and both Matt and Emily can hear the fear in her voice.
"Kristy? What's wrong?" Matt asks, and to the horror of both him and Emily they hear as the unsubs kill someone.
"Matt, Matt, are you still there?" Kristy's voice asks, to Matt's joy.
"I'm here," Matt promises.
"Okay. I'm ready to do this when you are," Kristy says.
"Pen, we need to activate this phone," Emily says, through a second phoneline, from where she is standing with her hands on Matt's shoulder.
"Yeah, yeah, I know," Penelope says. "Almost there, and we are… live," Penelope says. "Kristy should be able to switch to a video call now," Penelope says, and Matt does just that.
"It's really good to see you," Matt says, feeling beyond relieved to see his wife.
"You, too," Kristy responds. "Okay, let's do this," Kristy says, and she moves to put the phone in the perfect position to get a good view of what's going on. "So, even though I might not be able to keep talking to you, I might still be able to hear you 'cause I have this wireless earbud in," Kristy explains. "Okay, I hope that helps," Kristy says.
"That's perfect," Matt assures her.
"Pen, back to you, Babe. We need to uplink this to the command post," Emily says.
"Already making the connection," Penelope says.
After doing some quick research Penelope is back in the roundtable room with Rossi, Reid, Matt and Emily.
"Your looking at Dalton McCann, twenty-four, and Jasper Talbot twenty six," Penelope explains, showing pictures as she speaks. "Both of them are ex-army, dishonourably discharged, ex-cons," Penelope explains. "They are suspected for a series of bank robberies in Florida," Penelope explains.
"So, I've been following up on some friends of Hagland, and I found a lead on our third man," Rpssi explains, as Penelope put an image up. "Now, according to visitors logs, the young man sitting with Lenard Hagland is Roland Cole," Rossi explains.
"And when Dad asked me to do a little more digging, I couldn't find any real record of Roland Cole," Penelope explains.
"Now, take a look at how the two interact with another," Rossi says.
"The body language does suggest a particular bond of intimacy," Reid says.
"Yeah, and what I'm seeing is the interplay between a father and son," Rossi explains.
"Except there is no official record of Hagland having a son," Penelope explains. "He has three daughters from one wife," Penelope says.
"But you think he also has an illegitimate son," Emily realises.
"A son desperate to be legitimately acknowledged by an absent father," Rossi realises.
"Well, I'm still going through the ADLC files and I should be able to verify that information," Matt says.
"We should do that. We need details. I'm gonna get conformation right form the source," Rossi says, before getting up and heading out of the room.
A few hours later, just like Emily would if it was Penelope in the situation, Matt has gone to the ALDC offices, and broken in. Thanks to Tara helping her Kristy was able to stop Hagland's son from shooting her, and the entire situation was deescalated. Thankfully, both Matt and Kristy are physically okay, though they will be dealing with the effects for a little while.
Due to what happened day before, even though it's a school night, The Simmons kids are sleeping over at the Prentiss house so that Matt and Kristy can spend time dealing with what happened.
"I'm no expert, but that doesn't look like homework to me," Emily says as she walks up behind Jake, who is sitting at the kitchen bench doing his homework while Penelope is reading to Lily and Chloe, and David is doing his own reading while sitting in one of the armchairs with Sergio.
"Aunt Emily I…." Jake starts to say, as he tries to hide the game he was playing.
"How about we make a deal, I don't take away your game, and you go back to your homework," Emily says.
"Aunt Emily!" Jake says, in a complaining tone.
"You know the rules, Bud, no games to after homework," Emily tells him, trying to be stern.
"Fine," Jake says annoyed. "But can you help me with this?" Jake asks. "It's geography," Jake explains.
"That's happens to be one of my specialties," Emily says, as she sits down next to Jake. "What do you need to know?" Emily asks, and Jake starts to explain what he is doing. As Emily helps Jake Penelope can't help but watch with an amazed look, one of love on her face.
"Aunt Penny!" Lily complains. "Read please," Lily requests.
"Right, sorry Sweetheart," Penelope says, as she continues to read to the Simmons Twins.
For the rest of the night Penelope and Emily spend time with the four Simmons kids, distracting them, as they know that Matt and Kristy just went through something traumatic that they want to protect their children from.