"What do you mean, I'm going to Alaska with you?" Penelope asked as Aaron came into her office with her. "I don't go out in the field. Ever. Hello, I don't believe in guns, and therefore don't carry one? I thought every field agent had to carry a gun?"
"Usually that is the case, yes. But since this is a very remote town, and since the time difference is so great, I will need you with us. I'm sorry, I know that this isn't an ideal situation, especially since it takes us both away from Jack, but there is no way around this. I've already requisitioned us satellite phones for the case, since it is highly unlikely that we'll have service where we're going."
"I'm also going to need a portable satellite dish for my laptop, otherwise I won't be able to access my databases back here."
"Already thought of that, and it's with the sat phones."
She pouted a little as she nodded, knowing that there were no more excuses she could give. "All right, so I get to see Alaska. But I don't have a go bag!"
"I told Jessica where I keep your apartment key, and she's making one up for you. She promised to have it here by the end of our briefing. I hope that you don't mind that I did that."
Penelope shook her head. "That's fine, it needed to be done. So, let's get this briefing together so that we can get up there. The faster we get there, the faster we can return home." He chuckled a little and nodded, reaching out for her hand. Penelope clasped it tightly, allowing him to pull her to her feet before he spread his hand out in the small of her back, leading her into the conference room, where he called everything to order, and gave a brief outline of what was going on in Franklin. Just as they were about to step into the elevator, Erin came out of her office and gave her a small smile, which she returned before hearing her name called.
"Oh, good, you made it!" she said as she looked at Jessica, taking the small duffle bag from her hands. "Thank you so much for putting that together for me. And tell Jack that I'll try to bring him something back from Alaska, even if it is something small."
"Will do, Penelope. Keep him in line, okay?"
She nodded and hugged Jessica quickly before stepping into the elevator, looking around for Erin. For some reason, it felt important that she connect with the woman once more, but she didn't see her as the doors slid closed, and she pulled out her cellphone and quickly sent her a text. Never thought I'd get to Alaska, and yet, here I am, about to board the jet and head out on my first case. Any pointers for me? Besides not asking one of the locals to talk dirty to me?
After she sent her text, Penelope turned her attention to JJ and Emily. "What? Do I have lipstick on my teeth?"
"No, you're just awfully close to Jessica. That certainly seems like a new thing." She felt her cheeks bloom into a deep blush as Emily teased her, and she shook her head. "Oh, so that means this is something old?"
"Prentiss," Aaron said, a note of warning in his voice. Both JJ and Emily giggled lowly, and she wished that a hole would open up in the floor and swallow her whole in that moment. "All you need to know is that whatever is between Penelope and myself, it has the approval of Director Shepherd."
"But what about Strauss?" Emily muttered, and Penelope frowned a little, wanting to defend her friend.
"Strauss was the one who brought it to the Director for approval, actually. It was her good deed for me. She does have a heart, believe it or not."
"I'll choose not for the moment," JJ whispered, and Penelope sighed, knowing that it would be a long road to getting her best friends to accept Erin's place in her life now. All of that was pushed to the backburner, though, as she made herself comfortable on the jet and programmed the satellite phones with all their numbers, putting herself in as the first contact, since she knew that she would be giving them the information they needed. After explaining that to the team, she settled back with her knitting project and tried to relax.
It wasn't until they landed in Anchorage that she checked her phone once more, smiling a little to see the message she received from Erin. Stay safe out there, the wildlife can be hairy – and I don't just mean the bears. Moose can chase you, too, and they're huge. But if you need anything while you're there, call me using the satellite phone, and I'll see what I can do. And I am serious about staying safe, Penelope.
Letting out a tender sigh, she took a quick selfie before sending it to Erin and then briskly walked over to the group in order to catch up to them. "Did you send that to Erin?" Aaron whispered in her ear as she took her bag from his hand.
"How did you know?"
"Anderson told me that she was looking out for you on cases, bringing you food, little things like that. While I can't pretend to understand what you see in the woman, I won't stand in the way of any friendship that you might form. Besides, it's meant that she's been a little less harsh on our team."
She nodded happily as she dared enough to take hold of his hand, knowing that they could safely do that here, away from the office and not yet in the field. He squeezed her hand gently before tugging her closer to his side, their steps easily falling into a smooth pattern as they made their way to the smallest planes she had ever seen. "You honestly expect me to get in there?"
"Will it help if I ride with you?"
She let out frustrated sigh and nodded, knowing that it was a small concession to her. "And as long as I get to hold your hand the entire way. Oh, and Morgan is in our plane, too, because I'm going to break a few bones in his hand as well."
Aaron laughed deeply as he nodded. "Did you hear that Derek? You're flying with us and the equipment up to Franklin."
"Sounds good, Hotch," he replied and clapped his hand onto her shoulder, squeezing it lovingly. "After all, we wouldn't want to have Baby Girl pass out on her first float plane flight. I'll make certain to point out any interesting features that we see along the way," he teased before helping Rossi and Aaron load the back of the plane with all their bags and equipment. "See you in Franklin, kid!" he called out to Reid as the others boarded their plane and it started to taxi down the runway. Penelope felt her eyes grow large, even as she took a picture of what was happening with her phone, wanting to document what she was experiencing.
Finally, everything was stowed away, and then she was following Aaron onto the plane, sitting in the back with him. It was only then that she noticed Derek would be sitting up front with their pilot, and she felt her lower lip pout out, even as Aaron slipped his arm around her shoulders and drew her close to his chest. "It will be okay, Penelope. These planes are very safe."
"Don't you think I know that? But try telling that to my racing heart!"
He let out a soft chuckle as he pushed her head down onto his chest. "Then listen to my steadily beating heart and allow that to calm you a little. And soon, we'll be in Alaska and you'll be focused on the case, and won't have time to worry."
"I am going to hold you to that, Aaron. And I know that you'll protect me, if I should mess up and put myself in danger." He nodded before surreptitiously kissing the top of her head. A pleased sigh slipped from her lips as the plane took off. Though Aaron has said that this was a very safe plane, Penelope swore she could feel every wind gust that buffeted the plane, and she knew that Aaron was not pleased with how tightly she was holding onto his jacket.
"Hey, Baby Girl, look out the window!" Derek said as he patted her knee. She frowned at him as she sat up, slowly untangling her fingers from Aaron's jacket as she turned and glanced out the window. She had only wanted to look for a brief second, but the gorgeous view held her attention. Gasping a little, she wished that she had a decent camera to take pictures of what she was seeing, and settled for taking some with her phone, knowing that she could look back and remember somewhat. "See? It's not quite so bad when you have something so pretty to focus on."
"I suppose," she muttered, not wanting to acknowledge that he was basically saying I told you so. Aaron chuckled lowly as he closed his hand around her shoulder, squeezing softly as the plane ride continued on. All she seemed able to think of, though, was how much she wished Erin was there with them, seeing this beauty for herself, even though she was certain that it would be very hard to separate the beauty of the place from the horrors that had been committed there.
