A Matter Of Trust-Ch 24
As the team stood there watching as Kevin was led away Derek smiled and said, "now all we need to do is catch this Zach and then we can focus on finding baby girl", Hotch nodded his head yes as his cell started ringing. He stepped away from the team and said, "Hotchner", Emily looked at her husband and said, "he's getting good news", JJ said, "how can you tell?", Emily said, "he's smiling, he's actually smiling so it's good news".
After the call ended Hotch walked over to rejoin the rest of the team and he said, "that was the police station, they've got Zach in custody and are booking him as we speak", Derek said, "what are we waiting for let's get to the police station and see what we can get out of him", as he started walking away Hotch said, "he's with his attorney right now so we can't go today but don't worry we'll be there first thing in the morning".
Derek sat down in his seat and said, "now if we could only find Penelope, then we could talk and get everything straightened out", Dave put his hand on his step-sons shoulder and said, "don't worry son we'll find her, we'll find her". JJ looked at Emily worriedly and said, "I hope that she's alright, this isn't like her not to call you and me, she alwaysssssss calls us", Emily said, "I know what you mean, I'm smelling something fishy here and it's name is Strauss".
Reid said, "what do you mean Em?", Emily said, "this isn't like PG to leave and cut us all off, I mean if she's mad at Derek and hurt because of him I can see her not contacting him", Derek looked at his friend and hurtfully said, "heyyyyyy". Emily said, "I'm just using you as an example to say that even though she's mad at you she's never cut us all off, especially not me and Jayje", Derek said, "ya know I was thinking that was pretty funny too".
Hotch said, "I agree so maybe I'll go talk to Strauss and see what I can find out", as he stood up and started walking away Dave said, "I'll go too, who knows maybe between the two of us we'll be able to get something out of her". The others watched as Dave and Hotch walked out of the room and down the stairs, they continued watching until they had disappeared out of sight before Derek said, "I hope that baby girl is alright", JJ said, "don't worry, I'm sure she's fine".
Meanwhile, Penelope sighed as she laid down to rest for a little while, she'd had a long day and was exhausted and Chad and the others had insisted that she go lay down and rest because both her and the baby needed the rest. While she was in her room resting the men gathered around Chad and Mick said, "I think we should call Morgan and give him a piece of our minds after what he's done to Penelope", Chad said, "calm down Mick, right now our focus should be on the case".
Nick said, "I agree with Mick, that Morgan needs to be taught a lesson", Rick and the others nodded their heads yes in agreement with Mick and Nick" letting Chad know that they were truly upset with Derek. Chad put his hands on his hips and said, "how about I make a deal with you", the men stood listening and he continued by saying, "let's finish this case and then when Penelope goes back to Virginia we'll go back with her, that way we can straighten Derek out and give him a piece of our minds".
The men all grinned and Ron said, "I like that idea but for the time being we need to keep the stress level down for Penelope", Chad said, "I agree because stress isn't good for the baby or for Penelope". In her room Penelope sighed as she stroked her stomach, she smiled and said, "your daddy is a good man it's just that somebody has tricked him in to believing that I'd cheat on him but believe me little one mommy didn't cheat on daddy".
She smiled and said, "when this is over me and your daddy are going to have a longggggg talk about what's happened", she bit down on her bottom lip and said, "buttt something tells me that when we go back home to Virginia, we're not going alone, something tells me that your uncles are gonna go with us", she yawned and then said, "let's get some sleep peanut" as she closed her eyes and soon fell into a deep and restful sleep, one that she needed desperately after the past few days.
At the BAU Hotch and Dave walked into Strauss's office and sat down, she looked at them and said, "so to what do I owe the honor of this visit gentlemen?", Dave said, "cut the crap Erin, we know that you've done something to Penelope and we're not leaving until you tell us what it was", Erin grinned and said, "I don't know what you're talking about Dave, she's gone on a personal leave and when she's done with whatever she's doing, she'll be back".
Dave and Hotch looked at each other and then back at her as she said, "and until then you'll just have to wait", she then turned her attention back to her paperwork and after a few minutes of silence Hotch and Dave stood up and walked across the room and out into the hallway, making sure to close the door behind them.
Strauss blew out a deep breath and said, "that was close, I don't know how much longer I can keep them at bay", she relaxed in her seat and said, "hurry back Penelope because the natives are getting restless", she then laughed for a second before her attention then turned back to her paperwork.