I sighed as I got home to my empty apartment, disappointed that my plans to spend my Friday night watching a movie, drinking wine and possibly having some fantastic sex with my boyfriend had been derailed once again by some sadistic murderer. I wasn't selfish enough to expect Spencer to stay and let some psycho kill more people, but sometimes it would be nice if serial killers could be just a tad more respectful of when I had plans.

Not wanting the entire evening to be a waste, I decided to call Penelope. She wouldn't be able to partake in the wine portion of the evening, but we hadn't had a girly night in a while so I figured tonight would be perfect as long as the case wasn't weighing her down too much.

"Hi," She grumbled as she answered the phone. "What do you want, Mickey?"

"Well hello to you too, Miss. Grumpy Pants," I said sarcastically, my plans to invite her over sidetracked by her uncharacteristically unpleasant tone. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," She sighed, pausing before she continued. "Other than everything."

I frowned into the phone, not used to hearing Penelope who was usually such a force of positivity sounding so down.

"What's wrong?" I asked again. "Tough case? Everyone's okay, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, everyone's fine. Well except maybe Derek considering I just chewed his ear off," She groaned as I giggled at the image she'd created in my brain. They had a good friendship, but I knew what it was like being on Penelope's bad side and it wasn't much fun.

"Penny, what's wrong?" I asked for the third time, feeling my suspense increase the more reluctant she was to talk to me.

"I met a guy," She blurted out. "This morning, at the coffee shop. He was smoking hot, Mick, like next level beautiful and I helped him fixed his laptop so he offered to take me out for lunch as a thank you."

"How is this bad news?! That's great, Pen!" I practically squealed at her revelation. "Ooh, was Derek jealous that someone else is interested in his babygirl? Is that why you're upset?"

"No, I've told you before, it's not like that with us," She insisted. "But he caught me when I got to work and could tell something was off so I explained the situation and my concerns about it."

"Concerns?"

"Yes, concerns," She repeated. "As I said to Morgan, I'm not the kind of girl that guys see across a smokey room and write songs about. Random people don't stop me in a coffee shop to ask me out, it just doesn't happen. It's like how every time we go out, guys are practically fighting each other to stand within two feet of you whereas I go relatively unnoticed. It's fine because I get enough attention, but this isn't normal for me."

"Penelope Garcia, that is not true! You do just fine when we go out and all the men fighting each other for me are usually fucked up on cocaine anyway so you don't want that drama," I assured her. "Besides, it sounds to me like he's not just some random stranger who came up to you to ask you out. You, being the wonderful person you are, did him a massive favour and he wants to repay you for that. I don't see why it's strange at all and I'm struggling to see why Derek has an issue with it?"

"He didn't at first. He said that it happens all the time, but when I told him I was unsure he said something about how if I think he's too 'smoking hot' for me then I should go with my gut and give it a miss," She explained. "I don't remember exactly how he phrased it, but it sounded a lot like he was already assuming that this guy was out of my league and that if he really was as hot as I said that he probably wouldn't just be genuinely interested in me."

"Or maybe he understood that if you have reservations about this guy you just met, it could be for a good reason? Sounds like you doubted the situation first, he was just trying to support you whatever decision you made."

"I guess that's true," She groaned. "But anyway, the guy called me just a few minutes ago asking me out. I wasn't sure so I said no, but then Morgan called and when I told him he said how something was definitely wrong with him and I lost it. I really laid into him, but how could he possibly know? He's just assuming that because the guy was hot and interested in me that something was wrong with him! Just because I'm not up to his standard of beautiful stick thin model doesn't mean that no hot man could ever be interested, it's rude!"

"Penny," I smiled to myself, shaking my head at her antics. "It sounds to me like you're nervous and unsure about this guy and you're taking that out on Derek. He wasn't there, he didn't see the guy, he doesn't even know how 'smoking hot' he is. He's just going by what you're saying so any comments supporting your doubts are because he trusts your instincts, not because he doesn't think you could have any guy you wanted."

Penelope stayed quiet on the line for a few moments before she spoke.

"You've been spending too much time with Reid," She mumbled. "Your profiling skills are getting too good."

"Oh please," I laughed. "I've always been able to read you like a book."

"Well you're the one who's all loved up these days. What should I do? Do you think I should go?"

"Absolutely! I think you're just nervous and your insecurities are making you think it's a weird situation when it's not. You're beautiful, Penny and you have a heart of gold which this stunner obviously saw when you helped him out so of course he'd be interested in you!"

"You think so?"

"Definitely!" I insisted. "You deserve to be swept off your feet or at the very least have some cute guy buy you dinner. Call him right now and say you changed your mind."

"Alright, okay, I'll do it!" Penelope relented, sounding much happier than she had when she answered the phone. "But I'm assuming you didn't call just to hear me rant about my love life, so what did you call for?"

"Oh, nothing important. I was going to see if you wanted to come over for a girly night, but why don't we do it tomorrow instead? I'll bring some wine over to your place and help you get ready!"

"Okay, great, that sounds perfect," Penelope agreed. "But I should go call Colby back before he makes other plans."

I said goodbye, once again telling her she had nothing to worry about before I hung up and let her go make her arrangements.


I flicked through Penelope's closet the next day, glass of wine in hand, trying to decide what she should wear while she showered. I couldn't help, but smile at the bold choices she had available, subtle was never Penny's strong suit especially when it came to clothing, but it was authentic. She never tried to hide who she was.

I picked a few options and laid them on her bed, checking the time just as she walked out of the bathroom in a towel and her underwear. I sighed at the sight of her. She looked absolutely terrified and the way she was holding herself made her look so small.

"Drink this," I demanded, handing her the glass of wine I'd poured for her. "You look like you're about to be marched off a cliff, not swept off your feet. You need to channel that Penelope confidence!"

"I'm so scared," She practically whimpered, taking a gulp from the glass. "What if it goes badly? What if he realizes how absolutely out of my league he is?"

"No one is out of your league," I insisted. "And if it goes badly then you'll have a good story to tell. I've been on many, many horrendous dates in my life and it might feel awkward at the time, but you just make an excuse to leave and be done with it."

Penelope nodded as she looked over the clothes I'd picked for her.

"I guess there's always the good old 'sneak out the bathroom window' trick."

I laughed and nodded.

"Or text me and I'll call you in full on hysterics about something and you'll have an excuse to leave."

She finally cracked a smile.

"Alright," She agreed. "Now what should I wear?"

I grinned and went over all the options I'd laid out for her. We had very different styles, but I knew what she liked so we eventually managed to pick out an outfit. Moving on to the accessories, we settled on a simple chain with a big, eye catching star (even though Penelope said she wasn't really hoping to draw his eyes down to her chest that much) and a gold headband. I did her makeup, keeping it simple, but a bit fancier than she would normally do it for work and by the time we were done she looked gorgeous.

"You look amazing, Pen!" I squealed as she twirled in front of the mirror.

"I do look good, don't I?"

Her voice was much stronger and confident than it had been at the start of the evening and I was happy for her. She deserved to meet a good guy.

Our phones both buzzed at the same time and we went quiet as we checked them.

"He's outside," She informed me, looking terrified once again.

"Then go meet him!" I grinned. "I'll clean up these dishes then let myself out. I have your spare key so I can lock up. That was Spencer anyway, they just landed so I'm meeting him at his apartment in about an hour."

"Okay," She nodded, smoothing out her dress as she looked at herself one more time.

I smiled and scurried over to give her a big hug before sending her on her way.


I got to Spencer's apartment shortly after he did, opening the door to see his go bag tossed aside and him leaning against his kitchen counter. He looked tired from the case and all the travelling, but a smile slid onto his face as he saw me.

"I missed you," I told him, rushing over to wrap my arms around his waist.

"I missed you too," He breathed into my hair. "Sorry I had to bail on our plans last night."

"It's okay," I assured him. "We can do it now."

"Sounds perfect." He smiled. "What do you want to watch?"

I pulled away slightly, looking up at his beautiful brown eyes.

"What do you have?"

"Hmm..." Spencer pondered for a minute before his eyes lit up. "What about Star Wars?"

"Sure," I shrugged. "I've never seen them so that would be interesting."

His jaw dropped and a look of horror crossed his face.

"Well it's a good job I have no work and no plans for tomorrow," He said deadly serious. "You'll need to cancel your Sunday class because no girlfriend of mine can not have seen Star Wars."

I giggled as he laced his fingers with mine and practically dragged me to his living room, dropping me on the couch before he scrambled over to his DVD player.

"Spencer," I smiled. "I can't cancel my class tomorrow."

"That should be fine," He relented. "If we start now and only sleep for, at most, four hours then we should still be able to have you all caught up by tomorrow night even if you go to your class."

I laughed and shook my head at his excitement.

"Okay, we better get started then," I agreed, patting the spot next to me on the couch. "And you have to be patient when I ask a thousand questions."

Spencer frowned at that stipulation, but reluctantly agreed before settling down next to me. I leaned against his chest and he wrapped his arm around me, squeezing me close.
We'd made it through almost half the first movie and Spencer was already ready to tape my mouth shut to stop all my questions when his phone rang. He grabbed it off the table as I paused the movie, praying he wouldn't be called off on another case. I quickly regretted that wish though as Spencer hung up the phone, his face pale and his eyes swimming with tears.

"Penelope's been shot."

His words were so quiet that I almost couldn't hear them, but at the same time they left my ears ringing. My heart stopped, my blood ran cold and I felt dizzy. Penelope. My Penelope. My best friend. It had to be a joke. It couldn't be true.

Without even waiting for Spencer to tell me anymore details, I leapt off the couch, grabbed my shoes and ran to the door with him trailing close behind.


We burst into the hospital waiting room and instantly spotted JJ and Hotch on some couches in a corner. Knowing exactly what we would want to know, JJ stood up to greet us.

"She's still in surgery," She said quietly, her eyes red rimmed from tears I'm sure she'd shed.

"This is crazy," Spencer mumbled as I gripped his hand with all my strength, still not able to find any words.

I sat on the arm of one of the couches, tears silently rolling down my cheeks as a man I hadn't met, but could assume was Dave Rossi, and Emily walked in.

"What do we know?" The man asked.

"Police think it was a botched robbery," Hotch informed them as I sniffled.

It made sense, Penelope would have been getting home around that time and if someone attacked her she wasn't the type to just give them her money and let them get away. She would have fought and maybe her attacker panicked.

"Where's Morgan?" Emily asked, looking around and realizing he wasn't there.

JJ shrugged.

"He's not answering his cell."

Spencer gave my hand a reassuring squeeze before letting it go to pull his phone out of his pocket.

"I'll call him again."

He wandered away to a quieter spot as I watched the rest of the group. The new man turned to Hotch, with a suspicious look on his face.

"What aren't you saying?" He asked and my heart sank as Hotch sighed.

"I spoke to one of the paramedics that brought her in," He said quietly. I knew it was a private conversation and the fact that I had to strain to hear what was being said probably meant that I shouldn't be listening, but I couldn't resist. "It doesn't look good."

His words made my heart shatter into a million pieces and I slowly moved from the arm of the couch to one of it's cushions. I pulled my knees up to my chest, wrapping my arms around them as I rested my forehead on top and cried.

I could hear them discussing something as Spencer came back and announced that he still couldn't reach Morgan, but I just stayed in my little ball of comfort until I felt the cushion beside me move. Peering up, I saw Spencer next to me, worry written all over his face.

"Hey," He said softly, reaching out a hand to rub my back gently. "She'll be okay."

"You don't know that," I whimpered causing his frown to deepen.

"Garcia's a fighter," He reminded me. "She'll get through this."

A sob fell from my lips as I unwrapped my arms from around my legs and threw myself into Spencer's lap, wrapping them around him instead. I could feel the eyes of the entire team on us, but I didn't care. I stayed in Spencer's embrace as he held me close to him and whispered sweet assurances in my ear.


I'd calmed down by the time Derek came storming in, explaining that he was in church and his phone was off. I was obviously still very upset and emotionally unstable, but my tears had subsided for the time being. Just as Hotch was catching Derek up on what he missed, a doctor came over with a file.

"Penelope Garcia?"

There was a chorus of 'yes' as I sprung up from the couch to join the group.

"The bullet went in her chest and ricocheted into her abdomen. She lost a lot of blood, it was touch and go for a while, but we were able to repair the injuries."

I let out a sigh of relief, reaching for Spencer's hand again as JJ questioned the doctor.

"So what are you saying?"

"One centimetre over and it would've torn right through her heart," He told us, making my own heart clench. "Instead, she could actually walk out of here in a couple of days."

Everyone almost cried with relief at the news as the doctor told us her room number and that she needed her rest for now, but we could see her in the morning.

Hotch got the team organized, saying something about disregarding protocol and the crime scene, but I couldn't focus. I kept repeating the room number in my head to make sure I wouldn't forget it.

Derek, JJ and Emily all moved back to the couches, but I resisted when Spencer tugged on my hand to join them.

"I'm, uh, just gonna find a bathroom," I told him. "I just need to freshen up a bit."

Spencer looked uncertain, probably able to see through my lie, but he let go of my hand and watched me walk off down the hall.