Sorry for the delay. This week has been hectic with online learning starting. It feels like every couple of days they change the expectations a bit. It's kind of like playing a boardgame with my nephew…I have to check and see if he is wearing his "cheetah" pants…so he can cheat and win every time!
I'll tell you a secret though…reviews help me work faster! True story! Tell me what you think…what you like…what I goofed…or what you'd like to read next. I will say that Chapter 7 will include the date. I promise. I like a good build up, but I can't wait any longer.
I've also been watching reruns online…and SO many scenes come to mind when I rewatch those Garvez moments! The one I watched last night was from the episode "Rusty". How did I forget this one? Penelope gives them key information and mutters something like "You should worship at my throne Luke Alvez" and he replies "Oh but I do. I do. You know I do." Ack! How did I miss that one?
OK…hope you enjoy. I'm off to social distance the best way I know how…in my heated pool here in Florida. We all have to do our part you know. TTFN
Chapter 6
"Roxy? Sergio? Hey guys…I'm back!"
Garcia put her bag on the dining table, looking around for the two animals had finally made an appearance last night. This evening Garcia had her volunteering session with the Victim's Support Group. She heard the jingling of tags on collars and looked up to see Roxy stretching her legs as she walked into the hallway from the bedroom with Sergio following quickly behind.
"There you are! How are you my lovelies?" Garcia bent down to pet each animal. She led the way to her couch, stretching out and leaning back on the cushions. It had been a hard session tonight. Her friend Gina had shared with the group. Today was the anniversary of her husband's death. There hadn't been a dry eye in the room after she tearfully shared how she still suffered from sleepless nights and nightmares. Nights like tonight made it hard on Garcia. After seeing too many pictures of victims during BAU cases, she knew all too well how devious some humans could become. There weren't enough cute baby animal pictures on all the internet to help erase those images. Hearing other stories from survivors about their own low points or how they continued to struggle put Garcia in their shoes. Sometimes she would wake up in the dark, gasping to escape whatever nightmare her subconscious had created from memories and hearing others' stories.
The phone rang, startling her from her thoughts. It was after 9…later than she usually received calls. She looked…it was a video call from Luke.
"Hey! Sorry, I know it's late. I just got back to my hotel room after my last session. I thought I would call and check in before you called it a night."
"Luke," she breathed out heavily. "I thought someone was calling with bad news."
"Bad news? Why?"
"It was just me overreacting. I have a theory that no one calls with good news after 8:30."
"Hmm…Well, I can see your point. But, no…I don't have any bad news to share. How was your day?"
"It was good." She looked over at Roxy curled up with Sergio. "I came home a little early to have dinner and play with Roxy. I had my support group tonight, so I wanted to make sure to have plenty of time for Roxy to eat and to enjoy some time outside." She turned the camera view so he could see Roxy.
"There's my girl. She seems to have made herself at home…found a new friend too."
Penelope turned the camera back to face her. "Yeah. They are getting along great."
"I'm glad. Roxy hasn't been near too many cats, but she's always been friendly with other dogs I have had her around."
"She's a sweet girl."
"Yeah. You should have seen her as a puppy. She was always tumbling…running after balls and doing somersaults. I took her to Puppy School, just to give her some time socializing with other dogs. She was the troublemaker in the class."
"Roxy? No way! I've never seen her misbehave."
Luke grinned. "During free time she would convince some of the other dogs to play keep away with one of the toys…but then while they were busy fighting over it, she would sneak over to the toy she REALLY wanted and play with it all by herself. Pretty clever tactic, if you ask me," he said proudly. "I forgot that this week was your support group meeting. I'm sorry. How did it go tonight?"
"It was okay. Going is always good and bad."
"I can imagine. Well, if you need to talk to someone…You know I'm always here, right?"
Garcia looked to her side table. She picked up the squeaky squishy cat that was a gift from Luke after that case in Vermont. It was right after Reid had been imprisoned and she had been having trouble dealing with all the emotions surrounding that. She smiled, squeezing the toys softly.
"I know. Thank you." She replied softly.
"So," Luke tried to change the subject, "I'm really looking forward to our dinner. Have you been to Santorini's yet?"
"No. JJ and Will went a couple of months ago on one of their date nights. She said the food was uh-mazing. She said to be sure and try the Saganaki."
"Do you like Greek food?" Luke chuckled. "I guess I should have asked that before I made the reservations."
"I've had some Greek food…gyros, baklava. I don't think I've been to an actual Greek restaurant though. Saganaki sounds more Japanese to me."
"I think you'll love it…plus they have some great wines…I know you will love that," he teased.
"Well, yeah…I do love a great glass of red." She agreed. She yawned suddenly. Luke smiled.
"Well, it's getting late and you've had a long day." She nodded. "Go on…get out of those work clothes and get to bed. I'll call you tomorrow before my flight takes off, okay?"
"What time do you think you will arrive in DC?"
"Probably around midnight. Depends on how long the layover actually takes. We'll see tomorrow what the flights look like. But for tonight I want you to go to bed and relax, yeah?"
Penelope smiled. "Don't think just because I left the BAU that you can start ordering me around SSA Alvez."
Luke chuckled. "I would never presume so much Ms. Garcia."
"Just keep that in mind Newbie."
She ended the connection, still smiling.
Garcia sat at her desk looking at three monitors. She reached over and grabbed her water bottle.
"Ms. Garcia?"
"Yes, Estelle?" she answered without looking up from the front monitor.
"I have the old files you requested. They haven't been digitized yet, so" a large carboard file box was plopped loudly onto the desk. Garcia looked up. Two other employees followed Estelle into the room brining a total of three other boxes to add to the first.
"You have got to be kidding."
"No ma'am."
Garcia lifted the lid slowly. It was packed full of manila file folders, most full of loose papers.
"They aren't even bound? Just a…loosey goosey mess waiting to happen?"
"Well…you said you wanted to view the information prior to the original purchase of the subsidiary and the organizational chart of the original executive team and their employment contracts."
"You are correct. I did. How clever of me," Garcia murmured in agreement. She had not anticipated such a paper trail. "Thank you, Estelle. Really. On your way back downstairs can you ask Andrew to come in here when he gets a chance?"
"Of course." Estelle hurriedly turned and walked away, her small heels clicking on the marble tile. Garcia moved her chair closer to where the first box was positioned and started pulling out folders. She was looking through the first one when she heard three sharp knocks on the opened office door.
"Estelle said you needed to see me?" Andrew eyed the box of folders curiously.
"We have to go through all of these files and make some sense out of them."
"All of them?"
"Yep."
"I don't suppose…?" his question trailed off.
"Hard copies only my furry friend."
"Penelope, it's 2:35 on a Friday afternoon."
"I know."
"You need this for your meeting Monday at 11."
"I know."
Andrew sighed and picked up the first box. "I'm going to need a few more people on this."
Garcia nodded. "Call down to see if Sandra and Luis are available They have been working on the team with the Congressional Lobbying. They should be able to break away to help with this. We will probably need them through out next week." Andrew nodded and walked back out of the office with his box.
Garcia sighed. Even with added help this was going to be a bear.
Garcia stretched her arms over her head. She glanced at the clock on her computer. It was almost 6. "Oh, my stars. I'm so late." She closed the folder she was reading and put it back into the box that was half full still. She had sorted through the folders and organized them according to content. What she had left in the cardboard box was what still had to be compiled. She had spoken to Andrew and his new team around 4:30. They each had their own assignments for the weekend. They could work remotely from home, but everything had to be completed by Monday morning. Garcia had already sent a request for a temporary extension, but with the approaching weekend there was no guarantee they would receive a positive answer.
Garcia slid on her coat for the cool spring air and slid the strap of her bag over her shoulder. She picked up the cardboard box and made her way to the elevator lobby. It would probably take her at least 45 minutes to get home in Friday evening traffic. Garcia made a promise to spoil Roxy with an extra long walk tonight to make up for being late. The dog sitter had called Garcia yesterday and offered to stop by to walk and play with Roxy, but Garcia wasn't comfortable leaving her key to someone she did not know, even if Luke trusted the woman implicitly.
Garcia put the cardboard box on the ground and unlocked the door to her car. She pulled up the seat and slid the box into the back seat. She sighed as she sank into the driver's seat. "Positive side, Garcia? You almost never got home this early at the BAU." She turned the key in the ignition and checked her rearview mirror before backing out of her space.
Luke waited in line to grab a coffee across from the gate for his flight. His sessions had run long, and he had to rush to make it to the airport on time. Good thing he was used to traveling light. If he had to check in luggage, he would never had made it through security in time, even with his Government ID and badge.
He finally received his coffee and found a comfortable chair to rest in for a few minutes. He sipped as he watched the ebb and flow of passengers trying to get a caffeine or sugar fix.
His phone rang. He looked at the screen and smiled. "Lisa! How you doin'?"
"I'm good. Had a random evening off and wanted to see if you were interested in seeing a movie tonight."
"Thanks, but I'm actually waiting to catch a flight back to DC tonight from Vegas."
"What happened to the BAU jet? Are you slumming it now with the rest of humanity?"
Luke laughed. "No, we still have it. I had to facilitate a training session here for the local field office. So it's just me this time."
"Look at that…Luke Alvez moving up in the FBI world," Lisa teased. "So I'll wait…we can check out that movie tomorrow. I have to be at work at 9, but I could manage a late matinee and maybe an early dinner?"
"Ah, well…actually.."
Lisa laughed. "I'm surprised again. You have a date."
"Ahh, yeah. I have a date."
"Another blind date, or did you actually find this lady on your own?"
Luke ran his hand through his hair. He and Lisa had managed to stay friends despite their breakup, but he hadn't told her about his feelings towards Penelope.
"Well, I actually asked her out. I mean, It's not a blind date. You know her actually…"
"Penelope Garcia. You actually finally asked her out."
"Wait…how did you guess?"
"Guess? You aren't the only one who can profile Alvez."
Luke laughed. "No, really…that had to be a lucky guess…I mean you had a 50/50 chance of guessing a coworker…that's how you did it, right?"
"Tara would never date you. I mean, yeah you have the muscles and the gun…but she needs more of an intellectual to challenge her."
"I'm intellectual!" he protested.
"Yes, but not with the degrees and doctorates to back it up."
"So how then?"
Lisa chuckled. "How many times did you change the subject whenever Phil would mention Garcia's name? I mean, you were practically cock blocking him at every turn."
"What? You're crazy. I would never do something like that to Phil…he was my best friend."
"I know. You loved him. But you didn't think he was right for Garcia…or rather, you didn't want to risk finding out she could be happy with him."
Luke thought about that for a moment. "I wanted him to be happy."
"I know. What happened to Phil is not your fault." She paused, then changed directions. "So where are you taking the fabulous Ms. Garcia?"
"Uh…Santorini's."
"Nice. Make sure you order the –"
"Penfold's Shiraz? You know it."
"You always did have good taste. Here too. I think you and Garcia will be good for each other."
"Hey, I mean, it's just dinner. We aren't moving in together."
"I know. But it will be good for you to see someone again. Your job…you need someone to come home to…besides Roxy."