A/N: This chapter should set up some things, I hope to update again tonight. Also, due to some requests I will be posting a short (probably one or two shot) on Rossi and Emily in the coming week for their time in Paris, so stay tuned.

I don't own Criminal Minds, OC's are mine.

Her hands were shaking. She wasn't sure what was worse, the fact that she was reassigned to a new team, the fact that Strauss is making her change offices so she isn't so accessible by her former team or that some of the wannabe junior analysts had their grubby little hands all over her special set up because she had to let them help her move. She had less than thirty minutes to do everything. Strauss is such a bitch.

She almost broke into tears when she got to the new office, of course Strauss would stick her in Kevin's former lair. Just a reminder of what her proper place was supposed to be, she guessed. "I'm gonna punch something." She muttered aloud, unhappy that she even showed up today. She wouldn't have, she would have just quit if it weren't for the fact that she can't. She was beholden to the FBI per her deal for not going to prison after that hacking incident that landed her here.

"Well if you do, I suggest the sofa. You don't want to hurt your hand." The voice was amused and undeniably soft but hell it startled her. She hadn't expected anyone was around. When she turned she saw a fairly short woman in her mid-thirties with dark hair and bright green eyes. She was someone her Chocolate Adonis would flop over for with her slim but curvy figure, amused and crooked smile and her ability to make showing that much cleavage somehow the standard of office sexy professionalism. "I'm Tabby, I'm here to interview you about the investigation involving Dr. Reid. Is this an ok time?"

Garcia sighed by shrugged as she slowly collapsed back into her chair. "Come in. I'm sorry my office isn't neat at all, or set up. I was moved this morning."

Tabby nodded and took a seat on the generic sofa across from her. She had figured as much, there was something sterile of this environment that didn't match this woman's outward personality or appearance. Cold and clean lines of grey and black doesn't exactly jive with a bubbly blonde with a green floral dress, large peacock feathers in her hair and matching peacock feathers on her heels. She was very much as reported in her personnel profile and as she heard from others. "It's no problem really. I can come back another time if you like but the sooner we do this the sooner we can clear Dr. Reid."

That was an interesting way to put it, Penelope thought. Usually investigators in these matters are trying to interrogate you down the throat, but not this woman. "This is fine, I don't have any cases or anything today. Just set up and getting to know," her voice broke in a small whimper, "my new team." God, she hoped the other woman didn't catch the tears starting to poke at the corner of her eyes.

She did. Reaching into her purse she pulled out a small pack of tissues and handed one to Penelope. "I don't want to pry but why did you have to move? I had gone to your old office first and had to ask—" She stopped when Penelope broke into hysterical fit of crying. She got up, closed and locked the door and sat back down on the sofa, pulling Penelope on her rolling chair closer so that their knees met. "Shh. Tell me all about it." She slightly rubbed the outside of Penelope's shoulders. This was horrible to see, it was as if she lost everything and she was sure that everything was her team. She already came down here unhappy about all that business.

Penelope tried to calm down enough to get words through but every sentence was broken. "She, Strauss. She ma-made me leeaaave." She had to blow her nose. "Beck-because I'm engaged."

"I know, to SSA Hotchner." Suddenly a sour taste grew in her mouth. "I'm sorry, I know a lot more about that whole situation than I should and I just don't understand why you had to change offices." It seemed a little drastic to her.

Penelope finished blowing her nose and wiping her tears. This woman was far more understanding that she expected to find anyone. "I don't know. I don't. I guess she wants me entirely away from there." She relaxed some, sitting back in her chair and getting a good deep breath. "Sorry Tabby, I didn't mean to cry you out."

Tabby shook her head. "No, not at all. There's a reason as to why I came to you first. You're more open about your emotions than the rest of the team, right?"

Penelope nodded. "Are you going to talk to everyone today?"

Tabby smiled a little sadly. "No actually, just you and Agent Jareau. As victims in the investigation your testimony will come under considerably less scrutiny than the others which is good since it is vaguely inappropriate for me to conduct these interviews." Penelope made to ask why that is but Tabby simply changed topics too easily. "Now, I have read your account of how you were taken and what you experienced. What I would like to know if when you were rescued, what was going through your head."

Penelope was a little confused. "Uh, ok. Are you a psychologist or something?"

Tabby nodded with hesitation. "I am, but not that kind. I'm an organizational psychologist. But I am asking because I want to assess your emotional state at the time Dr. Reid had to fire his weapon. I need to understand what biases you might have in your memory on how the events occurred."

She shrugged, there was something a little… interesting about this woman. "Um, well. I had closed my eyes at that point. A big part of me kept hope that any second I would be rescued by Aaron because he saw the man take me. I knew he wouldn't give up because obviously I trust him and everyone else on the team with my life. Literally. Um, I didn't even make much sense of it at first. I had no idea what the unsub was about to do to me because I knew it was going different from how it happened to JJ and I knew the profile said he would alter his MO because I wasn't lactating. Then suddenly there was pain, weight and then Reid's beautiful voice in my ear, covering up my exposed chest."

Tabby had a thoughtful look on her face. "How did you feel when it was Reid's voice and not Aaron's?"

She never really gave that thought. "Well, I wanted Aaron there right then but to just hold me. I heard his voice but I was glad it wasn't him to see me that way. JJ had blinked to me in Morse code before that she felt horrible for Reid seeing her as he found her and I didn't want Aaron to see that. But if he had, well I know I wouldn't have felt shame or anything. He wouldn't think I was dirty even if the unsub had been successful. Just like Reid—"

Tabby wasn't sure why there was hesitation in Penelope's voice. "Go on. Just like Reid..."

"Well, I know it might not help things any to say this. But no matter who found me I know they would have had some personal care in this. I don't see how it could be healthy to not feel for a team member that way." She shrugged, that was simply the truth to her. It didn't make sense how anyone could be so detached as she has seen with others. Her team just didn't function that way. She wasn't sure if the thoughtful expression on Tabby's face was a good or bad thing. "Um, can I ask you something?"

Tabby took a second to answer, still thinking everything over in her head before she responded. "Sure."

"Well, why are you here? I was told that Agent Marston from IA was handling my interview." She had gotten that email earlier this morning but thought maybe this woman was a replacement or something. But her manners and the fact that she is only talking to her and JJ…

Tabby stood abruptly. "I should get going. If you want to talk or just have a space to cry my office is on the third floor. You'll recognize it by the giant plate of cookies always on my assistant's desk." With that she left, leaving behind a very confused Penelope staring at her open door for several minutes until a familiar figure came into vision.

"Baby girl!" Derek swung into the room and pulled her to standing with his hug. "I don't know what Strauss is thinking. This won't keep anyone from you."

She smiled and sat back down again, urging him to the sofa. How she missed her purple velvet of the old office. Aaron had let her bring it in over a weekend when she found it at a yard sale. Actually, he even came in to help her. She had been so touched she almost kissed him back then. "Well, I do think Aaron won't have time to come down and visit. He hardly made it to my lair before."

Derek's smile grew. "Yes, but he did make it down here when Kevin was around. There were a few times you aren't supposed to know about, nor should I. But he gave more than a few warnings to him to not hurt you."

She could feel her own smile spread across her bashful face. She wished she knew. "Hey um, do you happen to know someone named Tabby?"

Morgan suddenly had to school his face straight and hoped Baby Girl didn't notice, though she probably caught a little of his alarm. "We've met."

'Bullshit.' But, she wasn't going to press as he was obviously uncomfortable. "I only ask because she was just in here asking me a couple questions. She was so much nicer than I expected anyone to be. She let me cry and told me not to worry and offered for me to come visit her on the third floor. Should I be worried or something?"

His face held nothing but relief and a little happy smile. "No sugar, you just do whatever you feel comfortable with. She's a good person, if you're on her good side which you are I guess." Once again a visitor was abruptly standing to leave her office. "I gotta get back to the team. JJ is at work again, she says that despite how awful she feels with Em and with the whole Haley's parents thing she's moving on and feeling empowered again."

Penelope stood to hug him. "I'm so glad. Aaron and I are going to visit the hospital later with Jack, make sure Rossi gets a good meal. You gonna be there?"

"Sorry baby girl, but I think I have a date I need to make." And with that, he left the office was a smile Penelope never saw before.

-Criminal Minds—

She hated her new team. Well, that wasn't entirely fair. She had known them before, sort of. She had handled a little of their work flow and knew their names and faces but not their personalities… they didn't have any. Bland, bland, bland. She was going to dislike this assignment very much.

So, when it came time for lunch she locked herself in her office. Apparently that was normal for the other team members as well. No one shared unless it was a working lunch and she knew that her old team, her real team was in a long meeting about an old case about to go to trial.

She settled in on her sofa, ready to watch some Star Trek on her personal laptop when a knock came at the door. She grumbled, unhappy to be disturbed until she heard a familiar low voice. "Quick Pen, I don't want anyone to see me here."

She flew the door open and pulled him in, hurriedly locking it behind her. The second she turned around his lips were on hers and she was being pressed against the door. Aaron was so hot like this, when he went after exactly what he wanted. He didn't hesitate in the least. He ran his hands all over her body

"God I need this." she moaned the second he let her get air and moved to nipping lightly at her neck.

"mmm" he moaned in agreement. "I thought we could christen the new office." He licked a tender spot, delighted he was rewarded with her hand rubbing up the inside of his thigh.

She threw her head back in pleasure as one of his hands found its way under her dress and over her ass. "I need this to cheer me up." She reached to his buckle, suddenly feeling like she was reliving one of her fantasies when she felt that his pants and underwear where already around his ankles.

He dropped quickly to his knees, sliding off her panties and kissing up her thigh until he heard that whimper of want he was looking for. Right that second he stood fully, lifted her legs around his back and slipped into her with no more preamble. "God yes."

"Oh Aaron. More!" she was begging, needing everything he could give her because after a day of so much wrong this was just so right.

He gave her everything he had, thrusting up and into her with determination to make her come. He hit every angle he could, he kissed those special spot on her neck and it sent shivers all through his body as her nails gently grazed down his spine. He was so turned on, almost there so he knew this was going to be a true quickie. He reached between them to rub her clit while his other hand kneaded the flesh of her voluptuous cheeks.

She was hanging right on that edge, so ready, feeling fulfilled by him inside her and his fingers at work. But a simple command did her in.

"Come for me Pen."

She was spilling over into oblivion at just the words. He was so in control, so about her pleasure and feeling his spurt inside of her quickly set off a secondary orgasm that rocked her to her core. She hadn't expected that.

Once she caught her breath she began to giggle lightly and it picked up in both volume and intensity as they stood their deflating. "Hi."

He chuckled too, lowering her feet to the floor and straightening her skirt. He knew she would need a few minutes to be able to walk so he supported her on the way to the sofa. "Hi. Ya know, I like the purple sofa more."

She sighed and fell back against it. "I miss my office and everyone and I just want to go home."

He hated seeing her upset, he hated Strauss for being such an anal-retentive bitch. He stroked some of the hair out of her eyes and in what he hoped was a reassuring voice tried to talk her out of this low. "You know though, you haven't lost anyone. They are still our family, we will still have nights like last night."

She shrugged. "Yeah, but soon you guys will be off in the field again and I won't have your backs. Work isn't everything in our relationships, obviously. But it's a big part of our lives and I want to share in that."

He understood that, it's part of why he hated this too. "Penelope. We will fix this. I will find a way. And we will all go back to working together. I'll spend my days with tech goddess and oracle of all things knowable and unknowable. And I'll spend my nights with the beautiful woman I simply call my wife."

She turned to him, a smile tugging on her face. "You know just how to get me, you know that?"

He nodded. "I am a world class profiler. But I just want you happy. You make me so unbelievably happy Penelope, even when I am as sad as I am with the challenges we have right now" he pulled her close and kissed her forehead until her breathing calmed perceptively. " Now, can I have half that sandwich? I'm starving and I really want to see this episode again." He pointed to her laptop queued to Data's Day.

She nodded and let him pull her in for a good long hug and cuddle session. It was a great way to spend her lunch break and while it made her miss her team more in some ways, it also made her simply crave to be home with Aaron, home with Jack. Home watching Emily try to rise from a coma. Just, home. But in her office, in his arms in post coital bliss was close enough.

-Criminal Minds—

"Hey Pumpkin." Rossi was so glad to see them come into the room, especially smelling the Chinese they brought. "Please tell me you're going to share."

She held him in a hug for a good few seconds, aware that Jack was doing just the same to Rossi's legs. "Of course. After last night I owe you a month's worth of Chinese dinners."

He motioned for her to sit, aware that Aaron was likely parking the car and would be up shortly. "You don't have to pay me back Pumpkin. That's what friends are for." Really, all he did was come over and help her cook. "And it did me good to get out and do something productive. It can make you feel helpless here, just waiting and watching." He began to help Jack climb onto Emily's bed and watched with near awe as Jack cuddled up next to her careful not to pull on any cords.

She nodded emphatically as she and took out containers and laid them out on the small table the nursing staff had rolled in. The room was pretty large, meant for pediatrics but thankfully this wing was always only half occupied. "That's how I felt about JJ and my situation. So long as I was helping her I wasn't thinking about Carver or my fight with Aaron at the time." She noticed Rossi watching Jack with Emily and sidled up next to him. "She's even good with kids when she's in a coma."

He chuckled. "No, Jack is just a really caring kid. He's a lot like you. Emily thinks it's amazing he isn't yours biologically."

She felt like she was suddenly on top of a cloud, she pulled him into a long hug. "You're a great man Dave. She knows that and I am pretty sure whatever fears she has they aren't about you."

"Ah, so Aaron told you then." He didn't really expect much else. Couples always share secrets.

She nodded and pulled back to look him in the face. "She'll answer some day. She's never been a romantic but she does take marriage seriously. Why do you think she had prolonged things so much with Doyle that he was starting to get suspicious?"

His attention peaked. "She talked to you about that?"

She sat and encouraged him to start eating. "It didn't make much sense to be honest until Aaron told me last night. It came out of nowhere on one of our girls nights a couple months ago. She said she thinks that probably blew her cover but she couldn't even marry as a ruse. It's a big thing to her and when she means for life, well she means it. Dave, she would never leave if she said yes."

"Besides," Aaron came in and pulled up his seat next to Penelope. "She's been carrying that ring around in her pocket exactly like she said. I checked her pants she came to the hospital in when I did laundry this afternoon, Pen had brought them home for us. It was right there in her right pocket and you know what that means." Both he and Rossi nodded.

Penelope held up a finger in the air to get attention. "Ah, I don't know what that means."

Jack scooted off the bed and towards his food, grabbing a crab Rangoon and began to explain in an excruciatingly nonchalant tone, almost Reid-ish. "Aunt Emily is right handed so keeping the ring on that side means it has importance to her. She would probably play with it in her pocket."

Rossi let his smirk rise on one side. "Jack, you are certainly fit to become a profiler."

Jack nodded with a mouth full and tried to swallow in one big gulp. "I will be. With Henry and your baby. We'll be a team just like you and daddy and everyone else is."

Aaron was so proud his son wanted to be like him, though he was considerably scared out of his mind at the danger that means his son will be placed in. "Well, you might still change your mind."

Jack shook his head no adamantly. "Nope. I want to catch the crazy bad guys. And I want to learn how to shoot a gun and be strong like all of you. And do cool computer stuff too, but Amelia might be better at that." He trailed off, shyly.

JJ and Spencer knocked on the open door with Henry hanging on Reid's legs. "Hey, can we drop in on this party?"

Penelope waved them over, pulling out more plates. "I bought extra just in case. I'm glad to see you guys. I feel like its been years." She was rapidly becoming depressed and she knew it.

JJ grabbed the seat right next to her, content that Jack and Henry were sharing their chair and Jack being older was helping her son pick his food out. "Oh PG. We'll figure out how to get around this. I promise. I reached out to all the social workers I know about the whole kid's thing and Derek said he is working on something for the team. We'll work it out."

Penelope nodded and tried to just enjoy her time. She had a good portion of her family here, she had her son. She had a good view of Emily all at rest in her coma. She really hoped that tonight or tomorrow morning she would wake up because at noon would be the deadline before Rossi would have to make his final consent for the procedure that held significant risk to Em and even more to his unborn baby.

Henry and Jack went for a little walk with Reid to see the babies and Hotch decided he had to take Rossi out for some coffee. Staying in the hospital isn't good for anyone and he only agreed because Penelope and JJ promised they would both stay.

"Aaron, I can't go in there." Rossi protested once he saw what café they pulled up to.

Hotch furrowed his brow. "Why not? You love this place."

"Yes, but it's one of my places with Emily." He hated the despair of his own voice.

Aaron wanted to press but sighed, deciding that he needed to just move on to the next coffee shop. He would have taken him for a drink but at this point it would end up with both of them entirely drunk. He was pretty down himself over the news of the day.

As if on cue Rossi asked. "What happened today? I know something upset you."

Hotch sighed and pulled in front of the closest Starbucks. He dropped his head back to the headrest and closed his eyes. "Let's just focus on you ok?"

Rossi let out a derisive laugh. "You aren't as good as you used to be at hiding everything Aaron. And we both know what is wrong with me. Get it out in the open, make it even."

Hotch scratched his eyebrow and grunted annoyed, but it wasn't really at Rossi. "Haley's father called. He informed me that he would actively be pursuing this and he is writing Jessica out of his will for her taking my side. I can't tell Penelope."

Rossi shifted in his seat towards his friend. "You have to."

"How and I going to do that? You know she will blame this all on herself. She still feels responsible for my suspension. She's like that and she's going to just beat herself up about it at minimum. At worst…" He trailed off, not wanting to say anymore. To say it aloud would be to admit that he's been thinking of it.

Rossi didn't have to hear the words though. He gave Aaron a little, light slap to knock him out of this. "She's not leaving you or Jack. Even if she takes the blame herself, she isn't walking away from you. And she had a right to know what is happening in her family, with her son."

Aaron nodded solemnly. "I just don't know how to say something that is going to break her heart. I mean, can you say you would know how to tell Emily something like this?"

Rossi shook his head. "No one would know how. But you have to. Call, I'll be right here."

Aaron nodded as he pulled out his phone and dialed his future wife. "Honey, its me." He looked to Rossi, he was already feeling uneasy about this. "I-" He was losing his nerve and if he didn't just say it, he had to rush it out. "Haley's father called and he's going to pursue this." Both he and Rossi bit their lips wondering the response this would get. But it was simply a sigh.

"I figured when you started acting even more sad today. We will fight this and get through. I am not going to give up hope on our future because of the immature attitudes of someone else. And I contacted a lawyer about the adoption and what not. JJ said one of the social workers she talked to thought it would be a good idea to have it something officially look like I am trying to become his mother. She said you not being around but me being a stable parent might counteract anything they might try."

In fact, she had spent a better part of her afternoon making those calls after JJ told her what the first social worker said. She called three different offices and admittedly was impatient. Right when she was about to contact the fourth she got a call back from Mr. Steve Hoffman. Hoffman was one of the best family law attorneys in Virginia and he was familiar with Aaron from law school. When he had confirmed that it was in fact that same Hotchner he immediately called her back and they got a lot of details discussed over the phone.

"Wait, you got Steve to do it?" He was actually excited, he hadn't seen Steve in years and the man had an incredible record when it came to these things.

She let a smile slip into her voice, both because of how JJ was teaching the boys how to braid hair on Emily and the excitement in her fiancée's voice. "Yeah. So, he says it's great that we have known each other for years, have everyone's support and that we are buying the house. And good news on that front. Right before you called I got a message that our inspection is done. The house passed and we are officially in escrow as of tomorrow!" She was going to look on the good side of things, Goddamit. Her life was full of ups and downs but she wasn't going to dwell on the bad.

Aaron smiled and shared the news with Rossi who was of course happy but then he saw something out of the corner of his eye. "Is that Morgan?" he pointed to a tall dark man with a short white woman wrapped in one arm.

Aaron cracked another, more mischievous grin. "Hey Pen, I gotta go. I'm doing some recon with Rossi."

"Are you going to stalk my stud muffin?" She loved that he was getting sneaky like her. Maybe she will get away with trying to find more on the royal family.

Aaron's voice held nothing but amusement as he put the SUV into gear, moving into traffic two cars behind Morgan's. "We need to talk about your pet names with him. I don't get called anything nearly that sexy."

Rossi was just glad to hear his friend no longer so depressed and conflicted. He actually thought Hotch was opening up considerably since he and Pumpkin got together. It was good, for both of them.

Penelope chuckled. "What should I call you then? My well-endowed love machine?" She wasn't sure if she got more enjoyment from the raised eyebrows of Reid and JJ overhearing that or from Rossi's laugh in the background.

Aaron smirked proudly. "So long as you recognize that I am in fact well endowed. I gotta go, it's hard to tail someone while resisting letting this conversation turn dirty." With that he hung up the phone on his fiancé's laughs.

Rossi held up his hands in amused defeat. "Please, don't resist that kind of conversation on my account." He teased. "I am pretty sure at my age I have heard everything."

Aaron was keenly aware of his own embarrassment so decided to change topics. "Morgan's been up to something and I want to know what it is. Any ideas?"

"No, but I think he might be onto us following him. Take this exit and pop the lights so we can try to keep up and get back on at the next ramp."

It was a good idea so Hotch did just that. When they got back on the route they spotted Derek's car and Rossi pulled out the binoculars from the glove compartment. "She's beautiful. Definitely Morgan's type."

"Is it him though?" It wasn't Morgan's car but he could just be driving hers. "Do I need to have my girl run the plates?"

Rossi shook his head amused. "No, let's do this spying on our friend thing the old fashioned, non-police way."

They followed them for another mile but the other car lost them in all the traffic of the city. Aaron asked Rossi if he wanted that coffee but both decided it was time to go back to the hospital.

"Thanks for taking me out Aaron." Rossi finally spoke after several minutes of silence. They were just pulling into the hospital.

"You don't have to thank me. You would do the same if I was going through this with Penelope. It's amazing though, I think for once you are married to a potential wife more than you were to the job."

Rossi nodded in agreement, getting out once the car was parked and helping carry some of the donuts they had swung into a drive through for. One half dozen was for friends, the rest for the nurses.

"Well aren't you sweet Agent Rossi." One of the nurses commented as she selected her donut. She was the one he was most familiar with, Kathy. She was the night nurse assigned to Emily. "I was just about to make my way to see Emily. She needs another push of Glucophage."

She walked in with Rossi and Aaron, chuckling at the sight of Emily's hair in a beautiful French braid. Henry was asking his parents a lot of questions about why people can sleep so long in a coma and Penelope was watching Jack who was cuddled up with Emily yet again. "Kathy, do you want him to move?"

Kathy swooshed her hand in the air. "No, no. He's not in the way." She made quick work of hanging a new bag of saline, injecting a new dose of Emily's meds into the central line. She looked to Rossi, taking the seat closest to Emily but not holding her hand. He always made sure to keep a careful eye and ask questions on what she was being given. "I hope she comes to tonight. This is her last dose before you have to talk to neuro again." She sighed. "Let's just pray."

Pray? That's all he did was pray. He nodded and thanked her and watched as she walked out of the room. He could feel the warmth of Penelope as she pulled her seat close to him on one side and JJ with Henry did the same on the other. Their boyfriends each stood behind them, everyone watching the rise and fall of Emily's chest for several long minutes.

Only Jack broke the silence, talking to Emily. "I wish you were awake Aunt Emily. You would know what to do about the bullies at school that make Amelia sad." He sighed and pulled himself closer to her, unaware he had a captivated audience.

It was breaking everyone's heart watching Jack talk to her. He was indeed incredibly caring for a child, sensitive and yet strong. He just wanted her to be ok. That's it.

He rubbed her belly. "He or she needs a mommy Aunty Em." He hadn't yet found out about Rossi's admission earlier. "And I need to know who the daddy is for sure. All you said was 'Well, It's—'"

"Uncle Dave." She mumbled.