They were actually laughing and talking freely by the time that they had finished getting Erin started on a new wardrobe, and Penelope felt her heart lighten a little as she stuffed bag after bag into the trunk of James's car. "My rewards points thank you for your generous contribution," she quipped as she shut the trunk, smiling easily at Erin.
"I will pay you back, I promise. I can't believe that I went so overboard," she responded quietly, worrying the strap of her new purse between her fingers as she looked at the closed trunk.
"If that's what you want, okay. But if you don't, okay. You're my friend, and I think that you know by now I would give my left arm for my friends." Erin nodded as she tilted her head to one side. "What is it?"
"I wish that I had a phone or a tablet or something. I need to get reconnected to the world, and see if I can even access my Facebook and email anymore."
She nodded in sympathy before reaching out and touching her shoulder. "When Hotch drops by the work laptop, I'll start reactivating your online life. I know the workarounds for getting to those sites," she teased before holding out her other arm. Erin nodded before stepping forward and hugging Penelope quickly. "Though I wouldn't post anything on Facebook or send any emails until after we've told your children that you're still alive."
"That is good advice, yes," Erin replied as she stepped away from Penelope. "Do you want to drive back to the house?" Penelope nodded and took the keys from Erin's hand before heading to the driver's side and getting behind the wheel. As soon as Erin was buckled in, she turned to the radio and began hunting for something to listen to while they drove.
"At least you're not choosing rap. That was what we listened to a lot on our way to find you, and I didn't realise just how many songs Alex knew."
"That's her thing, she finds that it calms her. It was also one of the things that I could never quite reconcile about her, since she always has this kind of prissy look about her. And I say that in love, because she will tell you that I always give off a frigid vibe to people who don't know me like she does, and you do."
Penelope giggled as she nodded. "And I know that I probably give off an airheaded vibe to those who merely look at the exterior. But I am so glad that I have friends who know my heart." Erin nodded as she reached over and patted her arm gently. There was a small, silent, moment before the song changed, and in that liminal time, Penelope felt her heart lurch into a weird sort of happiness, one that was tinged by everything that Erin had gone through in the last few months, one that she knew would only change and mutate as Erin healed. "All right, let's head home."
The drive was quiet, and that suited her, since there wasn't really a need for words in that current moment. As Penelope pulled into the garage, both Alex and James appeared in the doorway, and she had to temper her smile, knowing that she had to keep the peace for Erin's sake in that current time. "Did you leave anything in the stores, Erin?" Alex teased as they met at the trunk.
"Well, Penelope inspires a lot of indulgence, let me tell you. When you have a sweet friend telling you that you look amazing in an outfit, and you have to get it, it's really hard to say no."
Alex giggled as she gave Penelope a quick, secretive, glance. She felt her cheeks heat in a flush and looked away from the woman so that she wouldn't screw up and give things away. "She is very good at encouraging one to indulge, yes. JJ has some stories to tell about spoiling Henry, let me tell you."
"Hey! He's my godson!" she protested as she picked up the last of the bags, following Alex and Erin upstairs. Alex's rich laugh sent a shiver down her spine, and she struggled to keep herself outwardly unaffected by the close proximity of her heart's desire. "So, was Hotch here?"
"Not yet, though I have James watching out for him. Though I think I'll go spell him, so that he can grab a quick nap before we eat. The closet space is all yours, Erin, until we find you a place of your own."
Erin nodded as they dropped all the bags on the bed. "And I assume that Penelope is in the room next to mine?"
Alex blushed as she shook her head, looking away from both of them as she drew in a long, deep, breath. "Um, James has decided that that will be his room for the present. He was less than pleased that I didn't call him before we showed up back home, or when we rescued you, and that has thrown another wrinkle into our marriage." The open look that had been on Alex's face quickly shuttered, and Penelope had to fight her natural inclination to draw the woman into a tight hug. Still, she reached out and brushed her hand against her arm until she reached her hand, holding on loosely as she tried to smile at her. "It, I, everything will be fine, once we've had a chance to talk. I hope?"
From the way that Alex looked up into her face, Penelope knew that the question was directed at her, and she nodded, feeling her heart skip a beat at the tiny flame of hope that flickered up in her eyes. "Everything will work out for good, Alexandra." They shared a quick smile before Erin cleared her throat, breaking the slight bubble that had formed around them so quickly. "What is it, Erin?"
"Your phone is ringing."
Penelope blushed deeply as he recognized the ringtone and pulled it out of her pocket. "Hey, Hotch!"
"Hi, Garcia. I've just pulled into Blake's driveway. Will there be someone downstairs to let me in?"
She looked at Alex and gave her another soft smile. "Yeah, either James or Alexandra will be right there." Alex nodded and left the room, leaving her with Erin. "We'll meet you in the living room."
"See you soon, then." He hung up without warning, and she slipped the phone back into her pocket before giving Erin a sheepish smile.
"You're playing with fire, Penelope Garcia."
"I know, but I don't know how to stop flirting with her."
"Then just try to keep it in check when you're around James. Otherwise he'll know something is up between the two of you, and I know that you don't want that." Penelope nodded, surprised when Erin took hold of her hand and started to lead her from the bedroom. "And I'm only telling you this once. I sleep closest to the door, and I have my alarm set for six, usually. It will take me a while to get back into that pattern, since I didn't dare waste my phone battery on an alarm. I hope that that won't bother you too much."
"That will be fine. I tend to get up around the same time myself, so that won't be too much of a change. Though I have to warn you that there are times when I accidentally snuggle with the person sharing my bed. Ask JJ all about that one." To her delight, Erin giggled as she nodded, leading Penelope downstairs to the living room, laughter on their lips as they went.