Chapter 143
AN: Thank you so much for the support. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLESE, let me know what you think of this chapter.
A week has passed since Penelope and Emily returned to work. While it has been difficult for them, they have been getting into a routine. It's early morning and both Penelope and Emily are in their bedroom getting ready.
"I really hate that I can't come with you," Emily admits, as she picks up Casey.
"It's okay, the kids can't leave the state and I'd rather you be with them than me," Penelope admits.
"Pen…" Emily starts to say.
"I'm be okay, Amore," Penelope assures her. "Gideon is coming with me, and we're staying with Joy. I'll be okay," Penelope tells her wife, hoping that Emily believes her as she does not want her to worry.
"I may not be with you, but I'm just a call away if you need anything," Emily assures her wife.
"I know," Penelope says, before kissing her, as she always knows that.
A little while later the four older kids are awake, and the entire family are in the kitchen together.
"Are you taking us to school today, Emily?" Kenzie asks as she notices that Emily has already finished her breakfast and seems to be ready to go.
"Not today," Emily says, and she and Penelope exchange looks.
"Is everything okay?" Maddie asks confused.
"Everything's fine," Penelope assures her. "I'm going to take you to school today, but later today I am flying to San Francisco with Stephen," Penelope explains, knowing that the plan is for Stephen to pick her up from the house after she drops off the kids.
"Why?" Noah asks confused, and Penelope and Emily exchange looks, and Emily gives her wife a look which says that Penelope can explain what she would like.
"When I was eighteen my Mother and Stepfather were killed in an accident," Penelope explains. "The person who caused the accident is up for parole, that means he could get out of jail, I am going to talk at the hearing," Penelope explains, wanting to explain in the simplest way possible.
"That sounds like it's going to be really hard," Kenzie admits, not being able to imagine doing something like that.
"Yeah, it probably is going to be," Penelope admits.
"How long will you be gone for?" Maddie asks.
"Only a few days," Penelope explains. "But I'll call, and video call a lot, I promise," Penelope promises.
"And I will be here every day," Emily says, as even if they get an out of town case she is going to stay behind. "But I do have to get to work now," Emily admits. "I love you," Emily says, before kissing her wife. "You're not alone," Emily says to her wife in a quiet voice, as they hug, and once they break apart Emily walks over to the kids. "Love you, love you, love you, love you, love you," Emily says, kissing the head of each of her kids as she gives them a brief hug. "I'll see you all tonight," Emily says.
"Bye Emily," Kenzie says, as Emily heads out to the garage.
"Eat up, we've got to get going soon too," Penelope tell the kids.
A little while later Penelope has walked Kenzie and Maddie to the area near their class while carrying Casey and having Noah and Connor walk near her.
"I'll see you both in a few days," Penelope says, looking between Kenzie and Maddie. "I love you," Penelope says, hugging Kenzie and kissing her head. "I love you," Penelope says as she hugs Maddie and kisses her head too.
"Love you too," Maddie responds, as she and Penelope break apart.
"I'll see you when I get home," Penelope says, looking between Maddie and Kenzie, and to her surprise Kenzie walks the two steps that separate them and hugs her.
"I'll help Emily, and look after everyone," Kenzie promises, as she hugs Penelope.
"Oh, I know you will, Sweetheart, but you don't have to," Penelope assures her.
"Will you be okay?" Kenzie asks worried.
"Yeah, I'll see you when I get home," Penelope says as she and Kenzie break apart.
"Bye Penelope," Maddie says as she and Kenzie head to their classrooms. After watching her older girls go, and making sure they both walk into their respective classrooms Penelope takes Noah, Connor and Casey over to their building.
A little while later, at the BAU, Matt, JJ and Rossi are in the kitchen together.
"I think something died in here. When's the last time this thing was cleaned?" Matt asks, looking in the fridge, and feeling pretty disgusted.
"Well let's just say I wouldn't be surprised if you found a lunch bag with Hoover's initials on it," Rossi admits, and as he does he, JJ and Matt see Penelope walk across the catwalk towards her wife's office.
"Is Penelope still going to California?" Matt asks Rossi, knowing about it as he was with Penelope when Stephen convinced her to go.
"Yeah, apparently her mind is made up," Rossi reveals, feeling concerned.
"About what? What's gong on?" JJ asks confused as she didn't know about Penelope going to California.
"Penelope's going to San Quinten, to speak at the Parole Hearing of the man who killed her mother and Step-Father," Rossi explains.
"She's never gone to a hearing before," JJ says, knowing that. "What's changed?" JJ asks, assuming one of them know.
"Stephen," Matt answers. "He convinced Penelope that this was something she needed to do," Matt explains.
"I'm not so sure about that," Rossi admits, feeling concerned about his daughter and how this is going to go.
Upstairs in Emily's office she is quite surprised, but glad, when her wife walks in.
"Hey, I thought you were going straight to the airport once you dropped the kids off, is everything okay?" Emily asks concerned, standing up.
"Everything's okay," Penelope assures her wife. "Stephen's downstairs, but I wanted to get everything all set up for you," Penelope explains. "The tablets and files are all in the roundtable room, and you just need to press play on the bip-bee," Penelope explains.
"The Bip-bee?" Emily asks amused.
"It's what I call the remote," Penelope explains.
"Ah right," Emily says, realizing that makes a lot of sense.
"Em, I'm sorry, I know the timing is awful, and this is a really icky case…" Penelope starts to say, knowing that it's especially bad timing with Reid being on sabbatical.
"Pen, no, it's okay, don't worry about us," Emily says, reaching out and taking Penelope's hands. "I know how important this is to you, and I really wish I could be with you," Emily admits, knowing that if they could, if she had her way, she and the kids would come with Penelope, but they can't.
"I know," Penelope says. "I still don't know what I'm gonna say," Penelope admits.
"You'll figure it out," Emily assures her wife. "Pen, you know you don't have to work this case, I can get a temp," Emily tells her wife, even though she knows Penelope isn't likely to agree.
"No, I want to help," Penelope tells her wife, just like Emily was expecting. "Come on, Em, you know I'm the queen of multi-tasking in the kingdom of taking care of business," Penelope says.
"True," Emily admits, with a fond look on her face. "I love you," Emily says, before kissing her wife.
"I love you too," Penelope says, once they break apart.
"Have a safe flight, Babe," Emily says.
"I'll see you when I get home," Penelope says, before heading out of her wife's office, and as she goes Emily watches her go in concern.
A little while later the team have done the briefing in the roundtable room and before he leaves with JJ Rossi and Emily are walking along the catwalk.
"Penelope leave alright?" Rossi asks curious.
"Yeah," Emily admits. "You know I'm glad that Stephen is going with her, and that Joy will be there too, but I still don't know how Pen's going go handle this," Emily admits, it being more than clear that she is worried about her wife.
"I don't either," Rossi admits, as he knows that the death of Debra and Santiago is something that Penelope still barely talks about. "Something else is bothering you," Rossi realizes. "Do you want to talk about it?" Rossi asks concerned.
"Since we took in the kids Pen and I have always looked after them together, this is the first time I'll be alone for more than a few hours. I'm a little nervous," Emily admits, as she doesn't want to do anything wrong. After everything that has happened in her life there is a small voice in the back of her mind that says she is going to be an awful mother, and that Penelope being away will prove that.
"You have nothing to worry about," Rossi assures her. "You'll do great," Rossi says, knowing that without a doubt.
"Thanks Dave," Emily says, though she still feels little nervous.
"But if you need anything, I'm just a call away," Rossi assures her.
"Thanks Dave," Emily repeats. "You and JJ should get going, I'll see you when you get back," Emily says.
"Yep," Rossi says, before walking away.
A few hours after Penelope and Stephen left Virginia, they are walking through the San Francisco Airport. As they walk Penelope spots Joy, Kai and Shawn standing together and so they walk over to them.
"Aunt Penny!" Kai says excited.
"Hey Kai," Penelope says, picking him up. "It's good to see you, I've missed you," Penelope says to her nephew.
"Missed you too," Kai says as Penelope puts him back on the ground and then she hugs Hoy and then Shawn.
"Have you got bags?" Joy asks Stephen.
"Yeah," Stephen confirms.
"Then let's go get them," Shawn says, and they go to do just that before leaving.
A little while after Penelope and Stephen were greeted at the airport by Kai, Shawn and Joy the five of them are arrive back at Joy and Shawn's house.
"That sounds adorable," Joy says, with a laugh, as the group of five walk into the house.
"It really was," Penelope confirms. "I have pictures," Penelope says, pride in her voice.
"Of course, you do," Stephen says, amusement in his voice, as that doesn't surprise him.
"I'll take both your bags upstairs," Shawn says.
"I'll help!" Kai says proudly.
"I'm sure you will Buddy," Penelope tells her nephew as he and Shawn head upstairs. Just as Shawn and Kai head upstairs Penelope's phone rings. "It's work, I'm sorry," Penelope says.
"It's okay," Joy tells her.
"I'd be surprised if it wasn't," Stephen admits, as Penelope goes into the other room.
"You've known Penelope longer," Joy says, having gotten over her jealously about that. "Do you think she's okay? Do you think she's going to be okay doing this?" Joy asks, it being more than clear that she is concerned about her sister.
"Yeah, I think so," Stephen says, although he is a little concerned.
Once she is in the other room, as she doesn't want Joy and Stephen to overhear, Penelope answers her phone.
"Penelope Prentiss ready, willing, and able," Penelope answers.
"Hey, It's JJ and Luke," JJ reveals. "How was your flight?" JJ asks concerned.
"It was great. It was smooth. They gave us cookies," Penelope explains. "It's how I wish the world was," Penelope explains.
"Garcia, did you get my text about rodenticide sales?" Luke asks curious.
"Yes," Penelope confirms. "I did some digital digging from 38,000 feet. It is amazing what a hot-ticket item rat poison is," Penelope explains. "But without any more parameters nothing else is standing out," Penelope explains.
"Okay, thanks," Luke says, and once he does JJ takes the phone off speaker. "Oh, huh, hey, hold on a sec," JJ says as she walks away from Luke. "Hey, any big plans tonight?"
"Just dinner with Joy, Kai, Shawn and Gideon," Penelope explains.
"That's sounds like it's going to be fun," JJ says. "Look, we're all thinking of you, okay? If you need anything…" JJ says, wanting her friend to know she is there for her.
"Yeah, I know, thank you," Penelope says, it meaning a lot to her to have a family who cares so much.
"Okay. Oh, and, of course, we will call you if we need more digging," JJ tells her friend.
"All right. My shovels your shovel," Penelope says, and she hangs up. Seconds after Penelope hangs up with JJ her phone starts to ring again. "Seriously? You guys are proving my theory that you cannot live without me," Penelope says amused, but as soon as she hears the person on the other end the smile disappears from her face. "Who is this?" Penelope asks, and she becomes both angry and upset. "No, we have nothing to talk about," Penelope says firmly. "Do not call this number ever again!" Penelope says, raising her voice, before hanging up, and due to the fact that she raised her voice both Stephen and Joy heard and hurry into her room.
"What's wrong?" Joy asks worried.
"What happened?" Stephen asks, sounding just as worried.
"Nothing, I'm fine," Penelope says, and neither Stephen nor Joy completely believe that.
"Rossi…" Stephen starts to say.
"I'm going to go find my nephew, I want cuddles," Penelope says before heading upstairs, clearly wanting to avoid talking about whatever it is that just happened.
Hours later it is early evening in DC, and afternoon in San Francisco. As they are working the cause from Quantico Rossi and Tara are walking through the halls discussing the case, and what they suspect the information they have means.
"Killing with poison requires premeditation," Rossi comments. "It usually involves some type of ruse," Rossi comments.
"Well, the unsub must have stalked Serena and Clayton to learn their routines," Tara realizes. "But how did he pick them in the first place, and why?" Tara asks.
"He must have had a kill list that makes sense to him," Rossi realizes.
"But since we know the victims were somehow fed rat poison, we need to track everything that ate or drank in their last days," Tara realizes. "Where they ate it, who served them," Tara says.
"It's gonan take some time. Let's get on it," Rossi says, as they get to the doors into the bullpen, and basically walk into Emily who is clearly on her way out. "You're leaving early," Rossi notes.
"Yeah, I've got to get home to the kids," Emily explains, as part of the foster parent requirements they have to meet is that either she and Penelope have to be home by a certain time as the kids cannot be in care, or with the nanny past a certain time. "I know it's bad timing with the case…." Emily starts to explain.
"it's fine, we get it," Tara assures her, as she's worked with foster agencies enough to realize why Emily would have to get home.
"We've got the case handled, I'll let you know anything you need to know," Rossi assures Emily.
"Thank you," Emily says, before heading to the elevator.
A little while later Emily has picked up the kids and is attempting to make a decent dinner in the kitchen while the kids are in the kitchen.
"Emily," Maddie says.
"Yeah Sweetie?" Emily asks, looking back at her, as she continues to get things ready for dinner.
"Can we call Penelope?" Maddie asks, sounding a little nervous about actually asking for something.
"Sure," Emily says. "Just give me a second and I'll grab my tablet so we can video call her," Emily says, pausing what she is doing with dinner, and making sure the stove isn't on, as she text's Penelope to warn her, before going and collecting her tablet out of her handbag. "How about we sit on the couch," Emily suggests, and all the kids walk over to the couch, and sit together.
Once all the kids are on the couch, with Kenzie in the middle, Noah and Maddie either side, Casey sitting on Kenzie's lap, and Connor on Maddie's, Emily places the facetime call and hands the tablet to Kenzie as she is in the middle. After a couple of rings Penelope picks up.
"Hi, hi," Penelope says, sounding excited. "Oh, I miss you," Penelope says to the kids, feeling amazed to see them.
"We miss you too," Maddie admits, and both Emily and Penelope know it's a big deal for her.
"How's San Francisco?" Kenzie asks as Casey reaches towards the tablet, trying to touch Penelope, and Emily's phone rings. Checking her phone Emily sees that Rossi is on the caller ID and so she knows she has to take it.
"I'll be back in a minute," Emily says, heading to the front room to talk to Rossi, knowing that the kids will be okay for a few minutes as they are on call with Penelope.
A little while later Emily has talked to Rossi, gotten his theory on the case, the kids have talked to Penelope and everyone at the Prentiss house has had dinner. While the Casey, Connor and Noah have already gone to bed Emily knows it's time to make sure Maddie and Kenzie are in bed and so she is knocking on the door to Maddie's room.
"Come in," Maddie's voice responds and so Emily walks in. As she walks in Emily finds Maddie in her bed and sketching and so Emily walks over and sits down on the edge of the bed.
"Time for bed, Mads," Emily tells her.
"I know, I just want to finish this section," Maddie explains.
"How long will that take?" Emily asks.
"Only a couple of minutes," Maddie responds.
"Do you want to talk about what you're drawing?" Emily asks curious.
"Sergio," Maddie says, handing Emily her sketch pad and Emily realizes that Sergio is sleeping at the foot of Maddie's bed and that is exactly what Maddie is drawing.
"Incredible likeness," Emily tells her, sounding proud. "But now it's time for bed," Emily says, as she puts the sketchpad on Maddie's bedside table. "Do you need anything?" Emily asks.
"No, I'm good," Maddie responds.
"Okay, you know where to find me if you need anything," Emily says, making sure Maddie is tucked in, and then kissing her head. "Goodnight Sweetie, I love you," Emily says.
"Love you too," Maddie responds, and once she does Emily heads out of Maddie's room, looking around as she goes to make sure nothing is out of place.
After leaving Maddie's room Emily looks around to make sure there is no sign of things not being secure, and checks to make sure the boys are okay, before heading upstairs. Once she gets to the top of the stairs Emily knocks on the door.
"Come in, Emily," Kenzie's voice responds and Emily walks in, finding Kenzie in her bed reading.
"Time for bed, Kenz," Emily says, walking over to her.
"Any chance I could finish this chapter?" Kenzie asks, actually asking for something, which is big for her. "It's really interesting," Kenzie explains.
"How long do you think you'll need?" Emily asks curious.
"Half an hour," Kenzie responds.
"Okay, I'll be back in half an hour, but then it will definitely be lights out," Emily tells her, trying to be stern, but at the same time she doesn't want to punish Kenzie for asking for something.
"Okay," Kenzie says with a nod. "Thanks Emily," Kenzie says, and Emily heads back out of Kenzie's room.
In San Francisco, having finished dinner with Joy, Shawn, Stephen, and Kai Penelope is sitting out on the back porch. As she knows, due to the time difference, that the kids should be in bed, Penelope calls her wife as she really wants to speak to Emily.
"Hey you," Emily, who has just checked on Casey, answers.
"Hey you," Penelope responds. "How are the kids?" Penelope asks interested.
"Good," Emily answers, as she sits down in their bed. "Mads, Noah, Connor, and Casey are in bed, all asleep. Kenz asked for some extra time to read so she's got another fifteen minutes before lights out," Emily explains. "Pen, she actually asked for time to read," Emily says, sounding both proud and glad.
"That's something," Penelope says, sounding glad as she knows, like Emily, that it's a good step.
"How are you really doing, Babe?" Emily asks concerned.
"I don't know," Penelope admits. "Em… I'm scared, and I don't know how I'm going to do this or what I'm going to say," Penelope admits.
"Oh Pen," Emily says, very much wishing she could hug her wife, give her comfort, and be there for her. "Pen, you don't have to do this, you don't have to speak," Emily assures her.
"I know," Penelope says, but she doesn't sound that convinced.
"Pen, I serious," Emily assures her. "I know Stephen convinced you to do this, but it's not his choice. If you don't want to speak, or if you think it will just cause you harm, then don't. You don't owe anyone your words," Emily explains to her wife.
"How do you make me feel better with just a couple of sentences?" Penelope asks her wife.
"It's my super power," Emily responds, and Penelope laughs. "I love you Pen," Emily says.
"I love you too," Penelope responds.
"I should go, check on Kenz, make sure she's actually going to head to bed," Emily explains.
"Give her a hug for me," Penelope requests.
"Of course," Emily says. "If you need anything, I'm just a call or message away," Emily tells Penelope, stressing the anything.
"I know," Penelope responds. "I love you, Bye,"
"Love you too, Bye," Emily says, before hanging up and once she hangs up, she goes and triple checks to make sure the house is secure before heading up to Kenzie's room.
After hanging up with her wife Penelope has been sitting out on the porch for a little while until she hears the back door open and Joy walks out, holding two glasses of wine.
"I thought you could use this," Joy says, handing Penelope a glass as she sits down.
"Thanks," Penelope says to her sister, as she takes the wine.
"Do you want to talk?" Joy asks curious.
"I grew up a neighborhood over from here," Penelope reveals. "The home I had with Mom and Santiago was a lot like this one," Penelope admits.
"Is it hard for you to be here?" Joy asks as he never really thought about how her sister lived when she was in San Francisco.
"A little," Penelope admits. "There's a reason I don't come back here much, this city reminds me of them, and Carolyn," Penelope explains, knowing that Joy knows who Carolyn is.
"When my Step-Dad died it was hard, but I had Mom, I can't imagine how you got through it alone," Joy admits, knowing that Penelope wasn't talking to their dad at the time.
"I had Carolyn, and Gideon, and Matt," Penelope explains. "I don't think I would have handled the situation without them," Penelope admits. "But I still miss them, every day. I wish they could have met Emily, and our kids, and our team; and you," Penelope admits, looking at her sister, who smiles softly.
"I wish I could have met them too," Joy admits. "You know, after we met, I went to their graves," Joy explains.
"You did?" Penelope asks surprised and feeling touched.
"Yeah, I felt connected to them," Joy admits. "I know you can't get down here often so I've been visiting on the anniversary of their deaths," Joy explains, as she felt like it was a good thing to do. "I always see your flowers," Joy says, to Penelope's confusion.
"Joy, I've never sent flowers," Penelope reveals.
"You haven't?" Joy asks confused.
"No. What kind of flowers where they?" Penelope asks.
"Tulips," Joy answers. "Do you think it was Dad who sent them?" Joy asks curious.
"I'm not sure," Penelope admits, wondering if the flowers are connected to the phone call she got, as the two sisters drift into silence.