A.N.- Hello! Hope I got it out sooner than I said! Back from vacation, so I should be able to post every other week for sure. Thanks so much for the reviews! I would love to hear more about what you think on this chapter as well! 8) I love you guys and hope it'll get even better once the story picks up more. Right now I need to set a few things up before it can take off. Hope you all had a great holiday! Let me know! 8D
Disclaimer: I own nothing! I just like to make them my bitch...
Chapter Three
"We are afraid to care too much, for fear that the other person does not care at all."- Eleanor Roosevelt
"Okay, I need to tell you guys something! Swear to keep it a secret?" Garcia and Prentiss nodded enthusiastically. Garcia was half tempted to cross her fingers behind her back. JJ scooted closer, and waited for some people to walk by them in the restaurant before divulging.
It's been a few weeks since Hotchner talked to her in her office. Working on the case in Minneapolis kept her completely busy, so it helped a lot to keep her mind occupied. The anniversary was over, and yet she couldn't shake her unease. They were there up until a few days ago; the case was easy to figure out. Locating the Unsub was the tricky part. All in all, it ended with very few casualties and a bad mother in prison. She couldn't complain.
For the most part, Garcia was back to her old, sassy self. While she was still able to laugh and usually be care-free, she still couldn't shake this fear that was fluttering inside of her bones.
She hasn't really talked to Hotch since then, which made her feel better, and yet made her feel like shit as well. Mulling over what was said that day, she knew she should've called in sick if she was that upset. Why of all people did she fight with him that day? There were so many people who were a lot worse to her, but she takes it out on him?
The worst part is, when they have been phoning in for information, everyone called her, aside from Hotchner. Even when it was her on speaker phone, she didn't hear him at all, making her more mortified. She didn't know if she should just let things play out, or apologize or something. Having enough sleep issues, this wasn't helping. She has been tossing and turning the more she thinks about him.
She missed him, yet the farther away he is the better. She only hoped that soon enough everything will go back to the way it was. Which it should… Right?
"I wanted to tell you guys before it got everywhere. In Minneapolis, Derek and I... we had sex in my hotel room." Cringing, JJ peeked through one eye to see what their reactions were. Garcia was excited, while Emily looked... impressed?
"Alright, give us the scoop. Now! How was it? Was it everything we thought it'd be? Or never again?" Garcia was so giddy; she couldn't stop bouncing her leg. She was wondering how long it would take them to realize they were perfect for eachother. JJ deeply blushed, and looked at her plate of noodles.
"It was... fucking perfect. He didn't bring candles, or music or anything. But you know that isn't us... He was very... persuasive about us being together. I had never felt so right, you know? I hope it won't be a problem with us being together," JJ had tears in her eyes, and Garcia grabbed her hand and gave it a loving squeeze. When Will left her a year ago, he wasn't able to handle her job. He eventually stopped coming by altogether, not seeing Henry at all.
A couple of months ago he told her he was relinquishing his rights, and that she will never see him again. The pain that JJ went through, Garcia could only imagine how much she hurt every day, and the one who was there for her was Morgan.
Prentiss waved her hand, dismissively. "Don't worry JJ. Hotch wouldn't begrudge you both the opportunity for happiness. He of all people knows how short life is. As long as you are honest with him, he shouldn't have an issue." Garcia agreed, knowing how kind Aaron Hotchner was. He may be a bull in the office, but seeing him with his son, she knew he was a big softie.
"I know. I hope that will be the case, but that isn't all that I'm worried about. I am more worried about Morgan and... Henry." Prentiss nodded, understanding, but Garcia didn't. How could that be an issue? It isn't like he's never met the kid before. Morgan has also been mentoring kids back in Chicago.
Seeing Garcia's confusion, JJ added, "I know he is an amazing guy. I've seen him babysit as well. Hell, he even watched my son for me before. I guess I'm worried if I am ready for this. If Morgan, is even ready for this. You know, letting Morgan in and bringing him around Henry. If this got more serious, do you think Morgan can handle fatherhood anytime soon?"
Prentiss smiled, and put down her fork. "JJ, trust me. Take it from me, and my experience. Morgan will surprise you. I think Morgan and I are too similar. I never thought I would ever be ready for parenting or kids. Before you know it, it sneaks up on you. Once I realized Doyle's son was right next to me, who I was already loving to pieces, I knew I was ready. Scared to death, yes; but ready. That's why I knew to turn Doyle in. Truly, Doyle was an amazing father as well. He may have been a criminal, and a huge threat, but I knew he loved us. I wanted all of it; Doyle, Declan, love. But knowing what kind of life that boy would be in... I couldn't do it. I loved him more than I ever thought I was capable." JJ wiped her eyes and nodded. Garcia saw the relief wash over JJ, and the pain envelop Prentiss. They sat there in silence, knowing how emotional Emily gets after talking about them.
After paying the bill, the girls stood up, ready to go to work. "JJ, I just wanted to say that I am so happy for you both! I love you and if you ever need me to kick Morgan's butt in gear, just say the words and I will whoop his ass until it blee-" JJ went in for a light hug, effectively cutting her off. She had no doubt that Garcia would hold true to that.
"Thanks, ladies. Okay, let's get to work." With that, they headed to the BAU.
A few days later, Penelope still didn't have a chance to talk to Hotch yet. He was with his son, Jack. They were going to go camping before it got too cold soon. Anytime now, Hotch should be coming in, ready for the next case.
Hotch walked in, with a small smile on his face. Greeting everyone around him, he went straight into his office. Garcia, who was watching him make his way to the office, sighed. She loved that he was such a great father. After his wife, Haley, died, he has really stepped up to the plate for Jack. She wishes she could have someone so amazing like him. But alas, the only date she has is a computer filled with scuzzy inmates and credit card information.
Hotch sent a message to the team telling them to meet him in the board room. They need to start working on the next case.
When they got there, it was short and simple. They were working on a more localized case an hour from where they were. It was a case involving a rising number of arsons. The body of another turned up an hour ago, so they were headed there now. Garcia was to stay behind, since she had more of a workload.
A few days later, the team was still busy on the case, but the profile was now complete. JJ was in the process of releasing the profile to the police, when Garcia had a knock on her door with another case being handed off to her.
Garcia groaned. Looking out of the window, she wanted to cry. She had ten different cases since it was flu season. Her sleep is still nonexistent, but she is at least back to her old self, for the most part. Currently, she is far behind for Hotch's case, and they are getting crazy.
The team is working on an arson case, where the Unsub is burning people that are staged before burning them. They are rendered unconcious so he can mold them, then sets the place ablaze. Garcia is currently looking for some kind of link between the three houses. The nine other cases needed to be done three hours ago, and all she wanted to do was tell everyone to fuck off and shut the doors.
Garcia spent an hour on the case, when suddenly, she had luck. Calling the team, Morgan answered. "What do ya got for me baby girl?"
"I have a connection to the dark side and it brought me to this lovely connection. Just had to sell my soul. No big deal or anything. It seems that the victims each had their cars worked on six months prior. One a fender bender, Jacobs had a bashed in taillight, and... Lee had their car keyed."
"Garcia, those are criminal from the sounds of it. Why didn't we see the report about this earlier?" Gulping, Garcia pulled up the police reports. It has been accessible since they started. This was so unlike her. That is usually one of the first things she pulls up. She thought back, trying to remember if there was anything else she forgot.
"Garcia! Penelope Garcia. Hello?" Terrified, she tried to explain. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't- I mean... I-I am so sorry. It won't happen again." Knowing there is nothing to excuse it, she had nothing else to do but apologize. He hung up after getting the case file sent to their tablets.
She immediately started checking her other cases to see if she forgot them as well. After seeing nothing big pop out that she missed, she double checked, then triple checked.
When she was finished Derek knocked on her door. She yelled for him to enter. He charged in, and seeing her lackluster appearance, he sat down across from her.
"Garcia, I want to know what is going on! This isn't like you! Look at you! Your hair is in a simple ponytail for Christ's sakes! You have bags under your eyes, and today with the case... you need to talk to me! Do you realize if we hadn't been close to zeroing in on him another life would've been taken?" Morgan always gave it to her straight, no matter how much she hated it. She could see the disappointment written all over his face, making her heart seize. The one person who always was there for her now couldn't stand to look at her. Knowing she deserved it, no matter how much it pained her to admit it, she didn't even bother refuting. It would have been all her fault if another person died.
What was she going to do though? Was she about to expose her fears and failures to the perfect Derek Morgan? He had enough going on in his life to worry about her now. If it was before he started this very delicate relationship with one of her best friends, she would have confided in him. Well, as much as she was capable of.
Hands tied, she stood up. "I am so sorry about this morning. You had every right to do that. Everything will be better. I am sorry to worry you. I am fine. Truly I am. I just need to get more ambien in my tea at night. You know how these cases are. Sometimes my brain can't switch off for sleep so it's been difficult." Hating to lie, she held back her tears. She would not cry in front of him. She could wait until she went home. Maybe when he left, but certainly not in this moment.
"I need to let Hotch know about this. My hands are tied. Just make sure you get some sleep tonight, alright? I'll see you tomorrow, Garcia," Morgan said sullenly. He got up and without looking back, he left. He walked straight to Hotch's office, and rapped the door a few times, letting himself in. Hotch was on the phone, and held a finger, letting him know he was almost done.
"Yeah? Oh really? That's great! Did he go down yet or is he still up? He's down, huh? That's fine. Yeah, I'll ask him at breakfast. I'll be there in about an hour. Okay, thank you Molly. Yep. Bye." Hotch hung up the phone and saw a sullen Morgan, rubbing his face tiredly.
"So, Morgan. What is it?" Sighing, he shook his head. "It's Garcia. I just got done talking to her about the case." Morgan then went into detail about what happened this morning and the conversation that followed. Hotchner listened intently, and noticed when Derek finished, he looked upset. Hotchner scratched his growing beard. It was getting itchier the longer it got.
"I'll talk to her. Honestly Morgan, I know you guys are friends but that is exactly why you shouldn't have talked to her. You may have really hurt her by what you said." Morgan hung his head, and groaned. "I know, I know. I just wanted her to open up, and I thought if she knew she put people's lives in danger, she'd let it out. Now that I'm looking back at it, I shoud have done something different. Damnit!" He shook his head, disgusted with his actions. Aaron stood up when Derek got to his feet. "I just care about her, man. She is my best friend. I hate seeing her like this, I feel so helpless. What am I even supposed to do? She lied to my face!" Hotch walked to the door, opening it.
"Don't worry, Morgan. We all care about her. I'll head in there now. I'll see you in the morning." Derek went to his desk, finishing up his paperwork. Hotch looked at the time, and saw if he talked to her quickly, he may still have time to finish his report on time so he can relieve his sister-in-law of her babysitting.
Knocking on Garcia's door, he heard a timid, "Come in" and opened the door to see a crying Garcia. Her hair was down from her earlier ponytail, covering her face, yet he could see tears shimmering from the lit up screens in front of her. More than anything, he wanted to wipe her tears away. The girl he knew was too bright and happy to be this sad. Wow, I feel like a pussy, he thought to himself. He cleared his throat and sat down across from her.
She tried to disguise her tears, but trying to fool an analyst was almost laughable. Especially someone who wears their emotions on their sleeves like Penelope. "Listen. You know that Morgan had to bring up today with me. I just wanted to say that he should have come to me and let me know instead of talking to you. Of course, I am not an idiot, so I know it would've happened anyways. I think you need a day off. I know this week has been stressful since you had to take on extra cases since everyone was sick. When someone comes back from illness, you are to take a day off. Is that clear?"
Garcia stared at him with her big, innocent eyes. Relieved, she smiled and nodded her head. He couldn't stop staring at her, and felt as if she had locked him in a trance. He needed to leave or else...
Standing up, he smiled self-consciously. She stood up as well, taking a step closer, she tucked a blonde lock behind her ear. "I will, sir. If you want me back you just need to call me. I will be here faster than you can-," Hotchner cut her off, not even letting her finish. Usually, she comes in even if she is so sick she can barely stand up. She definitely needed a day off.
"Garcia. Please, just take a day for yourself. If you end up wanting a few more just let me know. You are the best, so we won't want you gone for more than that though, okay? I'll see you." She was so close, he could smell her fruity perfume invading his senses. Hating how she is making her way into his every thought constantly, he took a step back, hoping to clear his head. Aaron opened the door, grateful to be in the open air. Well, as open as an FBI building could be.
He walked quickly to his desk and finished his report quicker than he expected. At 11:35 p.m. He could finally get home.
A.N.- Next chapter teaser... Garcia gets a surprising message from Hotchner... ;) Liked it? Hated it? Let me know!
