A/N: This introductory chapter was written in the Google Docs App on my phone. My apologies in advance for any and all mistakes. My laptop had an unfortunate accident. This will most likely be a three shot.

Full Circle

Penelope Garcia sighed in melancholy as she placed her last unpacked possession into tissue paper then into the white cardboard box. The figurine had been a gift from Jack who had purchased it from a makeshift Santa's workshop at his elementary school, the winter before he and his father had entered the witness protection program. The figurine had sat on her desk in her lair at the Bureau for years before it made the move to her desk she had had for the last eighteen months.

She missed her team, her family; but, most of all Penelope missed what was. She had taken seasons of her life for granted. She had taken the people in her life for granted: her parents, her brothers, Derek, Aaron, Jack, Kevin, Luke, Elle, Gideon, and many more. The ones from the team she still kept in contact regularly were JJ and Reid.

Reid, because Penelope had promised Derek years ago that she would watch over him once Derek moved to Chicago.

JJ actually kept in contact with her instead of her contacting the busy Federal Agent, wife, and mother. JJ and Will wouldn't allow her to escape into her own little world as the rest of the team ultimately had. They all were busy, understandably so, as was she, but one was never too busy to contact a friend if one could. It would take a second to send a text. She was just as guilty for broken friendships. Sometimes, time damages things before one realizes the damage is there.

Emily had returned to Interpol a year ago, six months after Penelope had resigned. Last she had heard, nine months ago, Emily, had entered into a deep cover operation.

Tara had transferred to the West Coast to become a liaison between the Bureau and a military organization. Matt, although still a member of the team albeit part-time, had begun teaching at the Academy. Penelope hadn't spoken to either in over a year.

And, Luke...well, she diverted her thoughts to her old friend, Emily's replacement on the team.

Dave Rossi had transitioned into the role of Unit Chief until one could be found. A year later, he still lead the team. He had contacted Penelope five months ago to request her return. She had politely yet firmly declined. The BAU as she had known it was dying a slow painful death. She couldn't return. Could she?

Her assistant knocked gently on the open door bringing Penelope out of bittersweet memories, melancholy, and many what-ifs.

As the younger brunette woman stood within the threshold of the door, Corrie said, "Ms. P, the security escort that you requested is ready whenever you are. Take your time."

Penelope smiled shyly as she said, "Thank you, Corrie."

Corrie smiled and nodded her head as she turned to return to her desk outside of Penelope's office. An office that would be Corrie's when she returned to work on Monday. However, Penelope, on the other hand, had nowhere to be on Monday morning.

She had given her resignation one month ago with no contingency plan in place. She had no new job lined out nor did she have interviews scheduled. She had no exuberant plans to travel before she made a decision on which way to take in life.

She inhaled and exhaled slowly as she felt wave after wave of panic roll within her.

Is this what a midlife crisis felt like, looked like?

Thank you for reading.