Thank you for all of the great reviews. It's been awhile since I posted anything on here, but I was inspired by the finale. I'd love to hear what you think about this next chapter.

Chapter 2

"Yes, those two monitors need to be mounted on that wall. No! Wait! You can't run that software on this system!" Penelope sighed and sank down into her desk chair. This was her fourth day at her new job, and she was still struggling to get her office set up and functional. She watched while the technicians finished setting up her main workstation and the monitors were secured. Once they finished, she would start checking all the hardware and software programs. Luckily the foundation was already running on a paperless system.

Her intercom buzzed quietly. "Ms. Garcia? There's a Derek Morgan on hold for you. Line 2."

She pressed a button on the phone. "Thank you, Sandy." She put on her headset. "Penelope Garcia."

"Baby girl. What have they done to you sweetness?" The deep rich tone of his voice washed over her in a blanket of comfort.

"Nothing. Why?"

"You have never answered any call from me with a simple 'Penelope Garcia'. What happened to the Office of Supreme Genius? The Oracle of Quantico?"

"Oh, she's still here…but being in charge means I had to up my professional game in some respects." She smiled as she smoothed down her polka dot dress with ruffles. Thank goodness that FBI dress code no longer applied.

"Well don't let them try to change you too much. I'd hate to have to come over there and have to hurt a few stiff shirts."

"Liar. You've probably already have an infiltration planned out in that tactical mind of yours."

Morgan laughed. "Touché Baby Girl…touché."

"Awww…you know I love it when you speak French to me."

"Ha! I knew you couldn't go long without a few teases."

"How did you find me? I didn't even call you yet."

"Rossi."

She shook her head. "That man is seriously more of a gossip than…than…ME!"

"Aww now…let's not go too far. You know you're still the Queen." He waited a beat then, in a more serious tone, "So, why didn't you let me know you were leaving?"

Penelope sighed again. "I…I was going to…I just wanted to get a little settled here first. Besides, you were already gone. I wouldn't really be telling you goodbye."

"True. But if I'd known you were looking, I could have put in a good word for you here. Maybe find a teaching position here for new tech analysts."

"Yeah, I thought about that…but…I'd still have some of the same problems. The pictures…. the darkness."

Morgan was quiet. Finally, he asked quietly, "How bad are they?"

"How bad are who?"

"The dreams Penelope. Stop playing. I want to know how bad they've gotten."

Penelope turned to look out her window. It faced the park outside… cherry trees just starting to bloom and people enjoying the warm spring air.

"I'm ok. They are getting better…but…" she drew in a shaky breath. "I've been having trouble…nightmares…insomnia… I couldn't stay much longer. I need to focus on the goodness of people…. give back more."

"Baby girl, you already give more than anyone I know."

"Yeah, I know…but…. I was never really meant to be a part of that world…not in that way. I mean, I'm proud of the team…of my part in helping to put so many of those psychos and sickos in prison…and if we were lucky, we even saved some of the lucky victims…. "Her voice trailed off as she got lost in her thoughts.

"Baby girl, you were a huge part of all of those successes. We wouldn't have been able to be as successful without you there, helping to piece together all of the puzzle."

They were quiet for a full minute. Then Derek changed the subject. "So…now you are the Bossy Lady. Corner office? Secretary?"

"Secretary yes, but no corner office. I do have a nice window with a view."

"Good for you. And you researched the company?"

"Yes sir…You know it."

"I bet you did. Did you use your homemade pink paper for your resume too?"

"No, I switched it up to purple with glitter," she replied.

Morgan laughed again. "Of course. You know, Hotch said that was one of the main reasons he promoted you to the team."

"Yeah, he told me once."

"The other reason was because he saw your record. He figured anyone who could give the FBI, CIA and NSA the run-around was someone he needed on his side."

"Well, you know I can't confirm or deny any of that…. but I do know that I have him to thank for bringing you into my life."

"Me too Baby Girl."

"How's my godson?" she changed the subject.

"He's perfect. Driving his momma crazy but he has all of the girls at preschool under his charm."

"Just like his daddy."

"Ha…Maybe just a little. He does have better hair, though."

"I miss him. I haven't seen you all since Christmas Eve."

"Well... you know where we live…and have a key. You have an open invitation. Dinner's at 6."

"I will take you up on that…as soon as I get settled here. I'll take him out for a playdate with Aunt Penelope."

"He would love that. And you know Savannah and I would love to see you."

Penelope's eyes were already tearing up. She wiped at her cheeks. "Stop it. We aren't saying goodbye, remember?"

"Ok Garcia. OK. I'm going to let you go…get back to work."

"Hey, "she replied. "I love you, you know."

"I know Baby Girl. I love you too. Take care of yourself…and don't wait too long for that playdate."

She took off the headset and stared out the window, thinking about how lucky she was to have friends who became family.

Later that evening Penelope struggled carrying in two bags of groceries and unlocking the door to her apartment. Her cell phone starting ringing. "Wait, wait wait," she muttered. She finally pushed the door open and walked in towards the kitchen. She pulled her phone from her pocket and smiled.

"Well hello Mr. Alvez."

Luke chuckled. "I know, I should have called earlier…but I thought you would be busy the first couple of days at your new job."

"I am…but I'm glad you called. Is the team back home?"

"Just got back. Safe and sound Garcia."

Penelope sighed. "Good."

"In fact, I'm headed over towards your side of town now to pick up Roxy…want me to swing by and you can join me?"

Penelope didn't even have to think twice…. she loved his German Shepherd. "Of course!"

"Great. I should be there in about 20 minutes."

"See you then."

That would give her just enough tie to put away the groceries. She started pulling items out of the canvas bags.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Penelope quickly checked the peep hole and unlocked the large wooden mission-style door.

"Hey!" She quickly opened her arms and gave Luke a hug.

"Well, hello to you too Garcia," Luke chuckles as he wrapped his arms around her, squeezing tightly.

Penelope breathed in deeply, saying a quick silent prayer that he returned safely. She knew there was always a risk of one of their cases being dangerous, and sometimes, more often than she cared to think about, life threatening.

She stepped back from their embrace, suddenly a little self-conscious. "Ok, let me just get my bag."

Luke held open the door for Penelope as she walked out, then turned to close and lock the door securely behind her. He placed his hand gently on her back as he led her through the courtyard and towards his SUV parked in front of the apartment building.

He opened the passenger door and waited until Penelope was seated in the car and closed her door. Once he walked around the SUV and got into the driver's seat, he started the engine and music immediately filled the cab.

Penelope grinned. "Getting your boy band fix?"

Luke laughed and shrugged. "Hey…give me a break…it's a satellite channel. I just was in the mood for some music…unwind a little."

He glanced over at her. "Feel free to change the channel if you want."

"Are you kidding? I love me some boy bands!" Penelope started tapping her hand on her leg, then softly humming along to the familiar tune. "I still think they should get back together…I mean, I know three of them have singles out, but still…"

Luke smiled.

"So how was the case?"

Luke shrugged. "You know…same old, same old. We caught him though."

Garcia looked over at Luke. "Right."

Luke glanced at her. "What?"

"Your cases are never 'same old, same old' Luke Alvez, and we both know it."

Luke sighed. "Ok, I agree. But I figured you didn't really want to know the details…just that we all are back safe, and the bad guy is in custody."

Garcia thought about that then nodded. "True," she said quietly.

Luke reached for her hand. "Hey. It's ok Garcia."

Penelope looked down at their hands, then back up at him. "Ok."

"So," Luke said a little more loudly, changing the subject," Roxy is going to be so excited to see you. She's always ramped up when I come pick her up to take her home."

"Do you still take her to the same kennel?"

"Yeah. My friend picks her up and brings her to his kennel…she loves it there. They have a huge pool they use in the summer and a big agility course the dogs can use. Danny was a K9 trainer in the Army…he still loves training dogs."

They chatted amicably the rest of the drive. Finally, Luke pulled into a long gravel driveway and stopped between the house and another large building. As they got out of the SUV a dark german shepherd barked once from the porch, then sat up, watching. Luke whistled and called out "Hey Maisy. How you doin' girl?" The dog's ears twitched, and she ran over to Luke, tail aging as she circled him, enjoying his pets and claps of his hands on her flanks.

"Good girl. Where's Danny girl? Hm?"

"Hey, quit flirting with my security," a voice yelled from the porch. A man in camo pants and a grey t-shirt walked down the few steps and over to where they were. "Good to see you Alvez."

Luke smiled. He shook the man's hand then turned to Penelope. "Penelope Garcia, this is Sergeant Daniel Burke."

Danny reached out to shake Penelope's hand. "Nice to meet you. Call me Danny. Luke here's told me a lot about you."

"Really?" Penelope replied, surprised.

Danny grinned. "Says you are a computer genius."

Penelope smiled brightly. "I have my moments."

Luke laughed. "Yeah, like twenty-four-seven."

The trio walked towards the other building, the sounds of dogs barking getting louder as they got closer. Maisy followed alongside of them, but sat down next to Danny when he paused at the door. "Wait here Maisy." He opened the door and gestured for Penelope and Luke to enter.

The door opened to a large room with various dog toys and benches. In one corner was a ball pit with various sizes of colorful balls.

"Oh wow! What a great place."

Danny smiled. "Thanks. We like to try and keep everyone entertained. You should see it when you get three or four of the dogs in the pit…They think they have died and gone to heaven."

Penelope looked around the room as she followed Danny towards a locked door. Once through, there were pens on either side of the long corridor. About half of the pens were occupied, with dogs of different sizes and breeds. She spied Roxy right away, her sleek black ears pricked back as she sat and watched the humans near her pen. Her tail wagged against the concrete floor, but she waited patiently.

Danny handed a set of keys to Luke and he stepped towards the pen to unlock the door. "Heya girl. Did you miss me?" As soon as Luke opened the door, Roxy ran out and started running circles around Luke's legs. He laughed as he petted and greeted her. Then Roxy looked up and saw Penelope and ran over to greet her too.

"Aw, How you doin' Rox? Long time no see girl." Penelope kneeled down and hugged the german shepherd.

She looked up and caught Luke smiling at her, his brown eyes warm with affection. She grinned back at him.