A.N.- Hello! Thanks so much for the reviews! Keep 'em comin'! I wanted to post this yesterday, but I am currently on Vacation so I couldn't find the time. I will let you know that while I am completely exhausted, I stayed up very late to get this one touched up. For the future, I am going to post after this no more than every 2 weeks I hope, and if it's more I'll let ya'll know. Please leave me some love.

Chapter Two

"Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those to rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity."- Henry Van Dyke

Another night's sleep had eluded her. She did manage to get a few hours in, because before her nightmare started, she had quite a pleasant dream that Hotch came knocking on her door, holding a new expansion pack for WoW. Wearing only what God brought him into the world with. Then it moved to the bedroom. Then in her kitchen…and on his car… and in the woods...

Walking to the mirror, all of the wonderful sexy dreams did nothing to help her sickly state from the lack of sleep. Her eyes were bloodshot, and she looked even whiter than her original ivory colored skin. The bags under her eyes felt as though they were slowly taking over her whole face. Wow, if this keeps up, I am really going to have to tan, she whispered to herself. Touching her alabaster neck, and noting how dark the shadows were under her eyes made her cringe.

Groaning, Garcia started putting her makeup on, and even though they were concealed, she could still feel them. Sighing, she gave up and toned down her attire today. She just needed to get through this week and everything will go back to normal.

When she got to her desk, she saw five new cases. By lunchtime, she wanted to sleep. She grabbed a file and brought it out to Reid who requested it. Reid, who was going through plausible scenarios with Rossi, smiled when he saw Garcia. "Hey, Garcia. Thanks for the file. I'm going to need you to look up if there are any similar crimes in the whole Midwest. We don't think this is the only place the Unsub has killed." Garcia nodded, trying to keep her fake smile plastered on her face.

Reid and Rossi started finally notice her, looking her up and down. They were scrutinizing her, as if she had worn a horse costume to work. Huffing, Garcia asked tiredly, "Anything else, boys?"

Confused, the men quietly uttered, "No that should be it. Thanks." Garcia nodded and walked away, leaving the men slightly worried.

"That was unusual, wasn't it?" David Rossi asked the gangly man next to him. Reid nodded. "Definitely. Something is different..." With that, they shrugged and continued on with the case.

Later in the afternoon, Hotch just got back with talking with one of the victim's family, and needed Garcia to see if the victims crossed paths. She told him she would get it done as soon as possible. Garcia immediately started, hoping to be done soon.

Hotch was sitting at his desk. He was tapping his pencil, while checking the clock every few seconds. He gave his task to Garcia over three hours ago. She has never taken more than forty-five minutes to an hour on a job like this. He decides after waiting another minute that he may as well check on her.

He went to the team, noticing that Garcia wasn't with them. He wanted to see if there were any new developments. He walked up to them, and when they briefed him on any updates, he noticed her. Garcia came fumbling out of her office, carrying ten or fifteen thick files. They were almost falling out of the covers, making Garcia more frazzled. Bobbing up and down, she gave the team half of the stack she was carrying.

Her hair which was usually funky and perfect was completely in disarray, her glasses were crooked and she was missing a shoe. Her clothes were almost falling off of her. He had noticed her weight declining, not sure what to make of it. He liked the way she looked before, with her curvy body and a figure that can knock you on your ass, but he supposed she looked amazing either way. He just wished she was happy. It didn't take a profiler to know that she was having a hard time lately.

Walking right passed everyone without a word, Garcia tried hurrying to her next stop, but failed to see Reid's foot extended out. Garcia tripped over his foot, and the papers flew out of her hands and high into the air, scattering all around them.

No one moved for a few moments, just staring at the mess in front of them. Suddenly, JJ started scooping up the papers while Reid helped, apologizing. Aaron didn't move, and just watched. He didn't think he could move. His control was being tested every hour of every day, and he didn't know how much he could take.

Once everyone had picked them up, Garcia tried composing herself. "Thanks. Let's hope I make it to the next floor in one piece." With that, she stumbled off.

Aaron looked around at the faces of his team. They all looked worried, and Hotch felt the same way. "Does anyone know what is going on with Garcia?" Everyone was quiet and shook their heads, except Reid.

"I think I may know the issue. It seems that every year around this time, Garcia acts differently because this is around the time that her parents died. But the thing is, this year it has been a lot longer than the previous years..." Everyone looked at Reid like he was insane, until they thought about it more. Reid may have been on to something...

Garcia got off the elevator, typing into her tablet. When she looked up, she saw a splash of black hair and a five o' clock shadow. She jumped, realizing Hotch was waiting for her. "Hotch! I mean, sir. Is there anything you need my expertise on?"

Hotch smiled, as much as Hotch smiled at work (which wasn't much) and said in an authoritative voice, "I was wondering if I could have a word. In your office?" He extended his arm, letting her lead the way to her office. She nodded, uncertainly, and made her way there.

When they got inside, she put her things down on her desk and turned to Hotch. Standing right behind her, she nearly ran into him. She tried to take a step back, but her legs hit her desk, almost making her almost fall on her ass again. Aaron grabbed her arms, trying to keep her up, and almost fell with her.

Gasping at the contact, she righted herself. Fixing her crooked glasses, she stuttered unintelligibly, "So, sir. What did you want to talk about?" Aaron took a step back, and crossed his arms.

"I think you know. What's going on, Garcia? You haven't been yourself lately. Please, tell me. We're all concerned, but if you can't talk to me, since I'm your boss, please talk to someone?" With the lack of sleep, and stress she has been under lately, all she actually heard was, If you can't do your job, we'll find someone else. Everyone knows you are fucked up so you better pull your shit together, fast.

Wanting to crawl in a hole and die of embarrassment, she grabbed a squeaky toy from her desk, and tried to keep the tears at bay. She wanted to scream out. She probably would have too if it wasn't her superior telling her this. She sucked it up and plastered a smile on her face. "You don't need to fuss over me, sir. I'll be right as rain as soon as I beat this one guy on WoW. He is a level-" she was cut off by Hotch slamming his fist on the desk.

"Damnit, Garcia. You know that isn't the real reason you've been this way. I have never seen you this off your game before. Can't you see that your friends care about you? Instead of focusing on the case, they keep looking to your office, obviously worried about you!" Bristling, Garcia wanted to tell him to go fuck himself. So that is what this is about... he didn't want his team to lose focus, and having a freak acting even more weird than normal...

"Everything is under control, sir. Besides, I don't even know what you are talking about..." Garcia was seeing red. To be cornered by her boss of all people and to be told she is a nuisance to the others was just insulting. She loved her job, more than she ever thought she would. To keep the job she loves so much, she knew she just needed to get him out of there as soon as possible.

"Penelope, I know it is the anniversary of your parents' death... you don't have to go through this alone..." Hotch trailed off when he noticed her fists clenched. She stared at him, with watery eyes and her anger was radiating off, making her seem almost as frightening as he could be. He knew he hit his limit with her.

"Yes. It is the anniversary. There are things... There are things that should stay buried." Hotch scrutinized her behavior, seeing the fear and anguish in her hazel eyes. He knew she was hiding something, but he didn't want to risk it. She could quit, leave, or even worse, hate him.

"I understand. If you are fine, then I will need you to come with us to Minneapolis. Wheels up in an hour." With that, Aaron Hotchner left her office, making Garcia slump in her chair, letting out the breath she didn't realize she was holding.


A.N.- Good or bad? Interesting? Boring? Let me know!