Entre las lineas

"Between the Lines"

Chapter 4: Entiendo

"I understand"

A/N: This chapter title translates to I understand. It takes place during the episode "Dancing with the Fishes". Thanks for all of the reviews and alerts, and thanks to my beta, Axellia. Sorry I couldn't load this earlier today but there was something wrong with the document manager on fan fiction. Anyways, enjoy!

Penelope walked down the hall and into the elevator, going down to autopsy. It was about two weeks after her first day, and she was fitting in pretty well. Her and the other new girl, Lindsay. They got along pretty well and enjoyed being part of such a strong team.

Penelope wasn't going down to autopsy for fun, unless you count collecting blood and urine samples for fun. Mac said he would have gotten it himself but he was pretty busy on his case, leaving Penny to fend for herself. And he wanted them ASAP, so she didn't have time to ask another tech or CSI. If she ever wanted to be a CSI, she would probably have to go to the autopsy eventually, right?

She got off at autopsy and wandered through the suite, not seeing anyone. Well, anyone alive at least. "Hello?" she called.

She heard some rustling and someone emerged from the back. He was 6 feet with gray and white hair and glasses with no frame. He had on the typical baby blue scrubs and rubber gloves and plain white sneakers. "Yes? Do you need help?" he asked.

Penelope didn't recognize him. He must be new, she thought. "I'm Penelope Diaz. I work up in the tox lab. I need a blood and urine sample from Kia Rowe."

"Dr. Sid Hammerback." He gave her a friendly wave and she waved back. "I just got started, but I'll try to hurry on the sample. I'll page Mac when I get it and have him call you."

"Okay. Thanks!" Penelope said. Suddenly, she started to feel nauseous. She covered her mouth with her right elbow and coughed. "What's that awful smell?"

"Decomposition. You get used to it down here." Sid noticed that Penelope was turning green and frowned. "Is this your first time in the morgue?" he asked.

"Yes." Penelope nodded and coughed again.

"Are you going to be sick?" Sid asked.

"I don't think so, it's just the smell…." Penelope coughed for a third time and waved again to Sid. "I'll see you later." Sid watched her worriedly as she ran out of the autopsy suite and into the elevator. Penelope was glad to get back upstairs and into her non-smelly, clean lab.

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Later in the day, Penelope was walking to the break room for some water when she overheard Danny and Sheldon talking. She couldn't make out much of what they were saying, but Danny sounded upset. Danny came into the break room shortly after her and sat at the small table, while Sheldon took off down the hall.

"Hey guys, what's up?" Penelope asked. She wasn't trying to snoop, she was just curious.

"Nothing." Danny replied rather quickly, rubbing the back of his neck with his left hand.

"You sure?" Penelope asked.

"Yeah, it's just a case." Danny said. He saw Penelope standing still and knew she wouldn't move until he talked. "Okay. This rich guy killed another guy because the rich guy's kid didn't get into a school that the poor guy's kid did."

"A big fancy private school." Penelope filled in.

"Yeah. The rich guy claimed he did it to protect his son. From what? Non rich people? He said the poor guy's son 'didn't belong'." Danny went on.

"I know how the poor kid feels." Penelope said quietly.

"Oh yeah?" Danny questioned and raised an eyebrow. "How's that?"

"I know how it feels to not belong." Penelope continued. "I grew up in Washington Heights, Danny, it's not exactly the richest place in New York." She took a deep breath and pressed on. "For my freshman year of high school, I got into this big fancy private school on scholarship. I was so excited to go. It was an opportunity I didn't think I'd ever have. I ended up leaving after that one year because of the other kids. They taunted me, told me I didn't belong because I wasn't rich. It didn't matter how smart I was, no one respected me because I wasn't rich." Penelope stared at her water and blushed. "It's so stupid."

"No it's not." Danny reached out and touched her right arm. "I get it too. I'm from Staten Island and I'm from a family of cops, we're not exactly billionaires." They chuckled as Danny moved his arm and scratched his head. "It just bugs me how people prejudice money, but you can't let it prevent you from living your life. You know?"

"I know." Penelope nodded. She felt a little better after talking to Danny. "Thanks Danny."

"No problem. So what's up with you and Flack?" Danny grinned from ear to ear, hoping for some dirt.

Penelope smiled, got up and threw her water away. "That's a story for another day. Sorry, Danny!" She shrugged her shoulders and left, heading back to her lab feeling better than before.

A/N: Sorry there wasn't any Spanish in this chapter, but it just didn't fit with what was going on. I promise there will be some next chapter, but please review!