A Matter Of Trust-Ch 27
Over the next several weeks a lot had happened in Virginia, first, Zach was sentenced to 50 years in prison for his part in the Derek, Penelope deception and secondly, Kevin got 150 years and as his sentence was read he stood with his head bowed and finally allowed the tears to stream down his face.
Derek on the other hand sat in the court room with a huge smile on his face, he knew that neither him or his baby girl would ever have to deal with Kevin or any of his antics ever again and that made him happy. After Kevin was led away in cuffs and the judge adjourned Derek and the rest of the team smiled as they walked out of the court room, once they got outside JJ said, "now that this crap with Kevin and Zach is over with now we can focus on finding Garcie".
Emily said, "I still can't believe she's not back yet, she's been gone almost three months, three months without hearing anything from her, with each day that passes that we don't hear anything I am getting more and more worried about her". Derek nodded his head in agreement and said, "me too Em but what can we do about it, we can't find her, we've tried everything we could think of and even Amy can't find her so we'll have to wait for her to come back on her own".
Dave put his hand on Derek's shoulder and said,"what if she doesn't come back son, what if she can't face you anymore, will you be able to handle that?", Derek raised his head and looked his step-father in the eyes and shook his head no. With tears streaming down his face he said, "I can't lose her, not now, she's my everything, she's the love of my life and when she comes back and mark my words she will come back, I'll make her see how sorry I am and how much I love her".
Dave pulled the younger man into his arms and hugged him and said, "it'll be alright son, she'll come back, she'll come back", the rest of the team and Fran surrounded Derek and enveloped him in a group hug. When the hug ended Derek said, "let's get back and see if Amy has had any luck in finding Penelope", JJ and Emily smiled and JJ said, "alright, let's get this show on the road, we've got an oracle to find", everybody laughed as they turned around to head to the nearest exit.
Meanwhile Penelope was on pins and needles, the answer they had been looking for was finally found, Penelope was able to finally tell her team that their had been movement, that the head of the organization was currently on site. Chad and the others quickly headed there and right now Penelope was waiting on verification that her team was alright and that they had managed to bring down the head of the cartel.
After several agonizing hours her cell finally rang, she hit talk and said, "Garcia", Mick laughed and said, "we got him Garcia, he's been taken into custody and we're heading back to ya", she sighed and said, "that's awesome Mick, you all were amazeballs". Mick said, "I take it that amazeballs is Penelope for good?", she laughed and said, "yeah, yeah it is", Mick said, "we'll be there soon, now you've worked hard so when we get there I expect to see you resting".
She said, "sir yes sir" and he said, "very funny but I'm serious, you're six months pregnant and you and the baby both need the rest", Penelope smiled and said, "I know, I know, I'm resting I promise" as she switched positions in her seat. After the call ended she got up and walked over and laid down on the couch, she rubbed her eyes and then slid one hand down to her baby bump, she rubbed her tummy and said, "mommy loves you so much".
As she laid there on the couch their were a million things on her mind, she knew that since the case was over she could head back to Virginia but after being away for three months did she really want to go back, did she want to go back to being treated like a whore by Derek, did she want to face him everyday knowing that he thinks she cheated on him with another man.
The next thing she knew she was waking up to the smiling faces of her team, she raised up and said, "sorry, I didn't realize I had fallen asleep", Rick held out his hand and helped her up off of the couch. She said, "welcome back guys", Chad said, "it's good to be back Penelope, good to be back", they were silent for about a minute before Ron said, "so now what?", Penelope looked at him and said, "well now that the case is over I guess it's time for me to go back home".
Chad said, 'are you sure that you want to go because if you want to stay here with us I can talk to Strauss", Penelope smiled and said, "as much as I've loved being with you guys for the past three months, it's time for me to head back home and face with music". Mick said, "are you really sure?", she bit down on her bottom lip and said, "I'm sure, I've got to get this over with, I need to go back to Virginia and face him, I need to face Derek and see where we stand".
Tim smiled at Penelope and said, "we're ready to head to Virginia when you are", Penelope said. "what, huh, you mean that you want to go to Virginia with me?", the men all said, "yes" in unison and that made the smile on her face get even bigger". Chad sighed and said, "we're your protectors, your bodyguards so to speak and until things are decided between you and Derek we will continue to be so, that is if that's okay with you?", she nodded her head yes and said, "of course it's okay with me".
Chad sighed and said, "alright then, I'll call Strauss and let her know that the case is over with and that we're bringing you home", Penelope then watched as Chad pulled his cell from his belt and walked across the room. She stood talking to the rest of the team until Chad walked over and said, "Strauss wanted me to convey her thanks to you for your help in this case and she said that she's glad that her best analyst is coming back to work".
She rubbed her stomach and said, "well then give me a few minutes to grab my things and then we'll head out", Chad said, "alright", as she started walking away Tim and Mick ran up to her and Tim said, "we'll help you carry your stuff". She said, "uh guys I don't have that much to carry, I wasn't able to bring anything with me", Mick said, "that doesn't matter, you're six months pregnant and you will not be carrying anything heavy little Missy, at least not on our watch", Penelope looked to her left and saw that Tim was nodding his head yes in agreement with Mick.
Meanwhile at the BAU Strauss walked into the bullpen and saw the team standing there talking, she said, "it's good that you're all here together", Dave said, "why, is something up Erin?", she smiled and said, "I have news about analyst Garcia". Derek stepped forward and said, "is she alright, has she been hurt?", Strauss shook her head and said, "goodness no, she's fine and she's on her way back, she should be here in a few hours".
Derek started smiling and said, "really, she's really coming back?", Strauss said, "yes, she's on her way back as we speak and once she gets here we'll all be meeting in the round table room", Hotch looked at Dave and then back at Strauss as he said, "why are we having a meeting?", Strauss said, "everything will be explained during the meeting, so if you will excuse me I'll head back to my office for a little while", they looked at each other and then at Strauss as she walked away.
Derek blew out a deep breath and said, "she's coming back, baby girl is finally coming back", JJ looked at Emily and then at Derek and said, "coming back is the easy part, getting her to forgive you is another". Derek nodded his head and said, "it is and I won't stop until I get her to forgive me, no matter what it takes I will make it happen, I have to because I can't lose her, not now, not ever", the team stood beside Derek hoping that when she got back that they could work things out because if anything was meant to be it was them, it was Derek and Penelope.