A.N.- Hello! I got it done earlier than I thought thanks to your awesome reviews and follows! Thanks so much! On that note, I did reply to every single review I got, but I got messed up ?maybe? on the way to answer reviews. If you guys could let me know if you never got an answer back or a thanks let me know please. I think just to be safe I'll PM everyone the next time they post a review. So again, thanks a lot! It really helps me get the writing juices flowing! 8)

I hope you like this chapter! I couldn't get it to sound right in my head, so I revised it a gajillian (yes, that is my effin number I'm going with) times, so hopefully it works for you guys. Let me know what you think! I am excited to know! If I don't post before the holidays, Happy Holidays! Hope you have a great time!

Disclaimer: I don't own Hotch, or Garcia. I only own this story. So in other words, I really own nothing... 8)


Chapter Four

"You cannot find peace by avoiding life"- Virginia Woolfe

Looking out of her window, she felt a sense of relief for the first time in months. Ahead of her was Quantico, and behind her was where it all started. Albany, California. After her parent's murder, she moved to San Francisco to get away from everything. Leaving it again, she felt safer than she had in a long time. She took Hotch up on the offer of taking an extra day than originally planned, to visit her parent's graves there. It was painful, but much needed. Also, she visited her brother, James. Still living in Albany, married with a baby on the way.

All of Garcia's other brothers moved away as soon as they could. They live all over; one of them is even living in Germany. Seeing her parent's graves for the first time in ten years was excruciating. Not realizing it until she walked the first few steps into the graveyard her nausea came on full force. God, how she missed her old, simple life sometimes.

She went back to Quantico, and felt better than she had in a long time. Since it was earlier than she expected, she supposed she could call and try to make it into work today instead of tomorrow.

Calling up Hotchner, it went to voicemail. Hearing the voicemail she groaned and turned beet red. Calling once more to hear it, along with his deep, panty dropping voice, she smiled against the phone. Although she was a tad bit insulted, she couldn't believe he'd actually do something like this. She was pretty impressed. "This is Agent Hotchner. Leave a message. Penelope Garcia, don't even think about it." Garcia giggled, and put the phone down. I can't believe he put that on there. Wait, can he get in trouble for that? Why am I finding it hotter than it should be?

Sighing, she decided to try and get some sleep. Hopefully her jetlag will wear off soon. She put on her flannel pajamas, closed the curtains since the sun was beaming through, and grabbed a glass of water. Listening, she could just hear her clock ticking steadily through the apartment. Garcia walked to her front door, checking the three locks on her door, just to make sure.

Tapping her long, neon green nails on the kitchen table, she thought of what to do. She didn't know if she would be able to sleep yet. Maybe she could stay up for a little bit longer?

She checked out her spacious and lonely apartment, and weighed her options. TV sounded okay. Even though she loved her some David Boreanaz from Bones, she wasn't in the mood. The longer she worked at the BAU, the more she couldn't stomach those types of shows.

A red light blinking at her, she instantly got up to go on her computer. She thought about all of the games she could play, or the fan fiction she could read, but she couldn't bring herself to be on there. Thirsty, she went to the kitchen, thinking about what she could do.

Opening her tea can from Tea of the Month Club; she took out her favorite sleepy tea and put the kettle on the stove. When she set the kettle on the burner, she thought of possibly baking. She smiled, thinking of the last time she made something for the team. Garcia made a cake for Reid, who turned 29 a couple of years ago. Everyone finished off the entire cake. It was her grandmother's secret recipe, and they still haven't managed to figure it out yet, no matter how hard they have tried.

Looking at the ingredients in her cupboards, she decided to make chocolate chip cookies, with another one of her grandmother's secret recipe. The cookies were more of an apology and to have some fun on her first day back. After a couple of hours, and a few burnt batches, she was done.

Flopping onto her fluffy blankets, she felt her exhaustion hit her full force. Seeing her old town and visiting her parent's graves really did give her peace. She snuggled under the covers with her stuffed monkey from her childhood, Georgette, and went to sleep.


Making her way to work was much better the next morning. Finally getting a full night's sleep and not thinking about work much really made her feel lighter.

She made her way to work in her used navy blue 2003 Porsche Boxster. It was a beauty. Sad that she couldn't have the color she wanted, which was neon orange. It was too bright and very conspicuous. Not the best car for a somewhat low profile, but once she saw this car, she knew it would be hers.

Garcia checked her messages once she got to her desk. Since it was the same as always, she went out to see the team and let them know she's back. Carrying the huge tray of cookies to the meeting, she put them in the center of the table. The team, when they came in, looked exhausted. They waved and mumbled their hellos, and someone yelled cookies, which everyone instantly brightened and ran straight toward them, leaving the meeting room door open.

Instantly, their mood shifted, and grabbing handfuls of the yummy cookies they all were so happy. They looked like a pack of wild dogs on a carcass.

With her hands on her hips, she coughed loudly, gaining their attention. "I missed you too! Now, save some for everyone. I worked damn hard on those and everyone is going to have an orgasm in their mouth!" She playfully scowled at them, and then grabbed one for herself.

Everyone was staring at her, and then Prentiss broke the stunned silence. "Everyone is getting an orgasm today! Woot woot!" She broke into a little dance, making everyone join in and laugh. The whole outside area was staring at them, confusion written all over their faces.

Hotchner walked up and grabbed a cookie. "Good morning everyone. Welcome back Penelope." Garcia blushed lightly and waved back. She hated hearing her name come from his lips. It made her girly parts swoon.

Hotchner took a big bite, already grabbing a few more. When he shoved the whole rest of the large cookie in his mouth he moaned loudly. Garcia's mouth opened in awe at the delicious noises coming out of him. Oh my God! If I would've known how good that moan was, I would have made them years ago! Maybe I should make more tomorrow? Tonight? Wow… you're such a pervert, Penelope

"Thanks Garcia. Good God, these are amazing! Prentiss... totally accurate... but I don't think I need to remind you again on appropriate workplace screaming, right?" Hotchner asked Prentiss.

Grabbing another cookie, she laughed. "Of course not. I will definitely try to rein it in…but I thought you never had much of an issue with my screaming?" Emily asked with a giggle. Aaron smiled and shook his head. He grabbed a cookie and shoved it in her mouth before she could say more. Everyone started laughing harder, except Penelope who forced an awkward laugh.

She had a feeling they were together, but were they now? Oh well… He needs to be happy, and they both deserve it if they are together, she reasoned. I just wish I was the one who could do that.

Her heart tore a little upon thinking like this. Still, she plastered a fake smile on her face, laughing at Emily's failing attempt to clean the chocolate smudges on her face. Once she was cleaned up, they each grabbed a few more cookies and sat around chatting for an hour.

A little bit later, Aaron looked around, seeing JJ already set up the board room. He grabbed everyone's attention, telling everyone to meet there immediately. The gang went into their seats, and waited for JJ to start.

"In Colby Kansas, there have been over twenty women who were raped for the past year. Just yesterday it went to rape and murder. We've been following this case for some time, but they wouldn't let us get involved until now." They all looked at the previous scenes on their tablets, comparing it to the newest victim.

"He's escalating..." Reid murmured to himself. All of the women were Caucasian, and had curly auburn hair in their mid-twenties.

"Are we even sure it is him? Yes, the victimology seems the same, but to jump to murder all of a sudden? Why?" Morgan questioned.

"The Unsub says the same thing to each of the victims, which the local police haven't been able to confirm, until now." JJ turned to the next image on the screen. "As everyone can see with the victims, everything was the same, all the way down to the setup. They all brought up that the Unsub whispered something in their ear once he was done with them. They all said just a few words but it was all the same story. When asked, it consisted of 'fear' or 'destroy'. They were trying to figure it out until last night. When he murdered his latest victim, he wrote a passage next to her on the floor." A beeping sound pierced through the silence of the team, looking to JJ. Opening her phone quickly, JJ got a text and viewed it, but didn't respond.

After seeing her checking the text, Aaron filled them in. "Fear not what is real, never was and never will be. What is real always was and cannot be destroyed." Spencer sat up, ready to say something. "It's a Hindu scripture. It's basically a conversation between Prince Arjuna and his guide Krishna about giving counsel and wisdom to the Prince. Krishna gives encouragement and belief that the Prince can win the battle they were currently in. You see, the Prince-", Spencer was cut off by Aaron.

"Got it, Spencer. Thank you. Okay everyone, head home and pack your bags. You'll be leaving in an hour. JJ, once you get there, please make sure to head straight to the press for damage control. They are already dubbing him 'The Destroyer'." The team grabbed their belongings from the table, along with a few more cookies.

Aaron noticed JJ and Morgan walking out first. "Morgan. You are in charge down there." Morgan cocked his head, and asked, "Aren't you coming?"

"Not this time. I'll be working from this end. It's almost Halloween and I promised Jack. I will touch base often," he said lightly. Hearing this, Garcia gulped. The whole team was going to leave for Kansas, leaving her alone with Aaron Hotchner. Maybe she should have taken up his offer on a few more days off...


A.N.- How do you like the little voicemail message? That was my favorite part. What did you like? Did you love it? Hate it? Let me know! 8D