"What should I wear today, Erin?" she asked, standing in front of their closet in her skivvies.
"Your Alice blue dress would look nice. And don't wear any makeup today."
"What? I'll look washed out."
"I know, but they're going to do their damnedest to make you cry and I want to save you from raccoon eyes before they happen."
"I'm still wearing lipstick, though. That won't run."
Erin smiled at her. "That's true. Go with your brightest red, hopefully that will focus everyone on your mouth and the words of truth that will come out."
Once she was dressed, Erin drove them to the coffee shop. "What's wrong?" Kelly asked as she handed them their mugs.
"We testify today. Hotch does not think it will go well," Penelope replied.
"Has everything before this gone well?"
"I believe so. Aaron forced David into a corner yesterday and made him look bad in front of the jury. His lawyer will be out for blood today because of that."
"I'll keep both of you in my prayers today, then."
"Thanks, Kelly. We'll see you later." They turned and continued on to the courthouse. Aaron was huddled with Reid, Morgan, and Emily outside the doors, along with a very familiar head of graying hair. "Gideon!" Penelope cried out, jogging over to them. "What's brought you back here after all this time?" she asked as he embraced her.
"Reid said the team was in trouble. I couldn't stay away this time. Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm not back in an official capacity; I'm just here to be another shoulder to lean on. What have you gotten yourself mixed up in, Garcia?"
"The simple answer?" He nodded. "Love."
"Ah, that will get you every time. Hullo Erin."
"Jason. You're looking good."
"I am. I was sorry to hear about Christopher."
"I wasn't. He got what he deserved. I'm just thankful Agent Hotchner is such a good shot, otherwise I would not be here today." Penelope could feel tension flowing off Erin in waves and decided to change the subject.
"I have to testify today, Gideon."
"Aaron told me that. Don't focus on that shark of a lawyer Rossi has. She doesn't matter in the long run. We," he looked over at Erin, who nodded, "are the people who care about you. Just tell the truth, Penelope, and everything will fall into place."
"Thanks." She took a deep breath and they all filed into the courtroom. Reid turned into the first row of benches and Penelope found herself sitting between Gideon and Erin. Strangely, she found her heart more at ease with him there, as if his very presence made everything okay, as if her family was whole once more. She'd felt the same way when Reid had been kidnapped and he had comforted her. Surreptitiously, she reached out her hands to both her lover and her former boss and smiled when each one clasped her hand.
Rossi's lawyer stalked in and Penelope could feel her heart jump a little at the contemptuous look Ms. Mohr gave her. Erin squeezed her hand and she nodded, trying to calm down as Rossi was led into the courtroom.
"All rise. The Honorable Judge Thomas Piskun presiding." The judge entered, his face set in a serious expression.
"You may be seated. Ms. Mohr, call your first witness."
"Your Honor, the defense calls Penelope Garcia."
Penelope stood and made her way to the witness stand where the bailiff swore her in. Looking at Erin, she drew once more on the strength her lover displayed on a daily basis, drawing her back up straight and lifting her chin to coolly stare down Ms. Mohr.
"Ms. Garcia, would you care to tell the court your relationship with my client."
"He was a part of one of my profiling teams at the FBI. I'm a technical analyst."
"Would you say that the two of you were close?"
Penelope thought for a moment. "Not really. We had a cordial working relationship, but we were never close."
"I see. And how would you describe your relationship with Section Chief Erin Strauss?"
"Cordial as well. I've only interacted with her a handful of times during the years I've worked at the FBI. There's always been a bit of bad blood between my main team and her over the years."
"And yet, that has changed in these last six months, hasn't it?" Mohr narrowed her eyes, glaring at Penelope in open hostility. "Answer the question, Ms. Garcia."
"Yes it has." Penelope inwardly cringed at the slight quaver in her voice, trying to keep her composure about her.
"And was it at that time that the two of you began planning to destroy the life and reputation of my client?"
"Objection, Your Honor. Relevance?"
"Sustained."
Ms. Mohr sighed, visibly frustrated at her question being blocked. "Ms. Garcia, how long have you been having sexual relations with Erin Strauss?" she asked loudly, looking not at her, but at Rossi. Penelope looked over at him as well and saw the smile of triumph on his face. She would not give in to him.
Slowly, she heard the rustling in the courtroom become a dull roar as it seemed like everyone was talking to their neighbor about the scandalous question. Judge Piskun banged his gavel heavily three times as he cried out for order. It took five minutes for the noise to die down, and she dared to look at Director Shepperd. He looked livid, and that was all it took to break her defenses down.
"Approach the bench, Council." Penelope tried to tune out his words, peeking over at the jury. They were eyeing her sympathetically, which was a mixed blessing. She could feel tears prick her eyelids and she reached up to wipe them away while the lawyers were occupied. The bailiff smiled encouragingly at her and handed her a box of tissues. She took one and wiped her tears away with it, then twisted the tissue in her fingers.
The lawyers finally nodded and Hotch went back to his seat. "No further questions," Mohr said shortly, stomping back to her seat.
"The witness is yours, Mr. Hotchner."
He strode up to Penelope, smiling kindly. "Ms. Garcia, I'd like you to go back to the night of your birthday. What were you planning on doing that evening?"
"Section Chief Strauss and I were going to the National Opera to see Fidelio. We share a mutual love for classical music and we were going to enjoy an evening of beauty."
"And what happened after?"
"As we were walking in the parking garage, someone cut the strap of my clutch, causing it to fall and spill the contents. When I looked up, Section Chief Strauss was gone. I heard her scream and looked for her."
"And then?" Aaron prodded gently.
"I was almost run down by a van registered to the Section Chief's late spouse. Once back at the BAU, I tracked down where it was registered to, and we, well the team and I, went looking for her."
"Did you enter the building right away?"
"No. As my director supervisor, you would not allow me into the building."
"And when did you decide to go in the building?"
"When I heard the gunshots. I ran in, Agent Reid following after me. I discovered Section Chief Strauss lying on the floor, unresponsive. As I knelt to try to wake her, David Rossi came up and held the barrel of his gun to my right temple. If Agent Reid had not shot him in the shoulder, I would not be here today."
"Objection, conjecture!"
"Overruled, Ms. Mohr."
"Did David Rossi say anything to you at any point?"
"Yes. If I remember correctly, he told me that it was either him or me and he wasn't about to let it be him."
"I see; thank you, Ms. Garcia, no further questions, Your Honor."
"Very well, you may step down, Ms. Garcia. Call your next witness, Ms. Mohr."
"The defense calls Erin Strauss at this time." Penelope nodded slightly to her as they passed, and she sat back down next to Gideon. As soon as Erin had been sworn in, the attack against her began. "Ms. Strauss, how long have you known David Rossi?"
"I've known his since before my marriage to Christopher. They were best friends and so they spent a lot of time together."
"I see, and did the two of you get along?"
"In the beginning, yes. Bumps came up along the way as he took my husband's side in our relationship problems."
"How did that make you feel?"
"Isolated, ostracized. Many of our friends took his side as well."
"Would you say that you began to hate him?"
"No."
"And when Ms. Garcia came into your life, is that when you began to plan how to get rid of your husband and Mr. Rossi at the same time?"
"What? No."
"So you didn't encourage your husband's ire in an attempt to get him murdered?"
Penelope watched Erin's face crumple as she teared up. The bailiff handed the tissues to her and she took one, bringing it to her eyes. "Objection, Your Honor!" Aaron shouted, jumping to his feet.
"Sustained. You will end this scurrilous line of questioning, Ms. Mohr, or face contempt of court. Do I make myself clear?"
She nodded sharply and shot Aaron a hard look. "Ms. Strauss, how did you come to live with Ms. Garcia?"
"After my husband broke my ribs by beating me, she took me in. She has always been a most kind hearted friend."
"And when did things turn physical between you?"
"Objection. Relevance?"
"Sustained. Do you have any relevant questions, Ms. Mohr?"
"Not at this time, Your Honor."
"Then the witness is yours, Mr. Hotchner."
"Thank you, Your Honor. At this time, I would like to ask for a ten minute recess so that the witness has time to compose herself."
"So granted. Court is in recess at this time and will resume at 10:45." Judge Piskun brought his gavel down and then disappeared into his chambers. Penelope watched Hotch pour Erin a glass of water. She desperately wanted to go up and hug Erin close, though she knew she couldn't. She clenched her fist, digging her thumbnail into her finger in an attempt not to speak out. Gideon patted her knee gently and smiled at her.
Aaron came over to them and leaned in close to Penelope. "Director Shepperd just left and he looked very upset. I would expect a call from him tonight and it will not go well."
She nodded. "And yet it will end up better than if we had never bumped into each other that night. There are always consequences to our actions, and if I lose my job because I fell in love, then so be it. Now, go back up to her, she shouldn't be alone right now."
He turned and went back to the witness stand. From what she could see, Erin was still crying, though not as hard as before. Soon, the judge came back out and the trial resumed. "Ms. Strauss, I'd like you to go back to the night that Ms. Garcia was raped. How did that evening begin?"
"Ms. Garcia said that she was going to run out for a few minutes, that she had some errands to run."
"When did you next hear from her?"
"When she texted me our code number. We were both worried about what Mr. Rossi or my husband might do, and decided that if either of us was in danger we'd text that number to the other. Then I received a call from her that was odd to say the least. I called Dr. Reid, and he agreed to wait with me until Ms. Garcia came home."
"And how long was that?"
"About four hours. Someone buzzed her apartment, and when there was no response on the intercom, Dr. Reid and I went down to see what was going on. He helped me get her up to the apartment."
"Did Ms. Garcia say anything to you that night about what happened?"
Erin met her eyes out in the audience. "Just that Mr. Lynch and Mr. Rossi had done that to her."
"Did she say why she never went to the police?"
"Mr. Rossi told her that if she did, then he would have Mr. Lynch plant evidence on her computer that would make it look like rough sex was her scene. I believe Mr. Lynch even mentioned it in a few of the emails that he sent Ms. Garcia."
"Moving forward now to Ms. Garcia's birthday, do you remember who kidnapped you that night?"
"Yes. It was David Rossi and Kevin Lynch."
"Did either one say anything to you on the drive to the warehouse?"
"Yes. Mr. Rossi said that it would be a pleasure to destroy us the way we had destroyed Christopher."
"And what did you think that meant?"
"Honestly, I was dreading anything from a beating to rape to worse. I knew what he was capable of from the moment he and Mr. Lynch dumped Ms. Garcia off on the stoop of our apartment building."
"Can you remember what happened once you were at the warehouse?"
"A little. The concussion made some things about that night a bit hazy. I remember being dragged from the van and into the building. I remember Christopher coming out of the shadows and pulling out a knife, pointing it at me. Then Mr. Rossi said something that upset Christopher and got the three of them arguing."
"Do you remember what he said?"
Penelope watched Erin turn bright red and duck her head down, unwilling to look at anyone. "Yes," she whispered, slightly nodding her head.
"What did he say, Erin?"
"I wonder if her p-pussy is as tight as Kitten's."
"Who does Kitten refer to?"
"Penelope Garcia."
"What did you do while they were arguing?"
"I tried to run away. They had dragged me to a room in the back of the warehouse, so I bolted, looking to escape. The last things I remember is being hit on the head with something heavy and then the world went black."
"I see. Thank you, Ms. Strauss, no further questions."
"You may step down Ms. Strauss. Ms. Mohr, call your next witness."
"No further witnesses at this time, Your Honor."
"Very well then, Mr. Hotchner, call your first witness."
"The prosecution calls Dr. Spencer Reid." Penelope zoned out during the questioning of Reid, suddenly unable to focus. Once Hotch was finished with his questions, the judge dismissed them for lunch. As a group, they all went to a nearby diner and ate. They drew a few looks from patrons who recognized them from television and newspaper reports, though no one approached them.
"So, it's going well for you, Hotch," Gideon said once their food had arrived.
"You think so?"
"Yes. The jury looked very sympathetic towards both Penelope and Erin, the men especially. Unless something goes terribly awry, I don't think Rossi will see the light of day again as a free man."
"Good. He deserves to be put away from society for this," Penelope said vehemently.
"Penelope."
"What, Emily? He raped me, numerous times, he left me with this scar on my cheek, and he terrorized the love of my life. I think I can carry a little enmity in my heart for him. It's not as if I want him dead, I just want him to receive some measure of the suffering he had put us through."
Erin placed a gentle hand on her wrist. "This isn't the time, my peacock."
Her shoulders slumped a little as she nodded. "I know, I'm sorry, Em."
"No, I agree with you. But don't let him make you bitter. I'll do anything to keep you you."
"Prentiss?" She looked at Gideon and nodded. "We all change, it's part of who we are as a species. You cannot ask someone to remain as they are, it's not fair. Maybe because you've been with each other for so long, you don't see the changes that happened in each other, but when I look at Penelope, I see someone who, while becoming louder in clothing choices, has become quieter, more settled. It suits you my dear, it really does."
Penelope felt herself blush, her heart warmed by his kind words. "How long are you staying, Gideon?"
"Until the trial is over, maybe a little longer."
"Then stay at our apartment, don't waste money on a hotel. We've been shuttling back and forth between there and the manse anyway," Penelope said, smiling at him.
"All right, I will. Thank you for the offer." They finished their meals quickly and filed back to the courthouse. Ms. Mohr took over the questioning of Reid, trying to trip him up over small details in the testimony he'd given Hotch. Penelope wished she could have seen the lawyer's face when Reid told her about his eidetic memory.
"That's how I know and remember everything that happened on those two days in question, ma'am," he said simply, smiling at her. Mohr's shoulders slumped in defeat and she dismissed him from the witness stand.
"The prosecution calls Emily Prentiss." Once more, Penelope tuned out the questions being asked, trusting Hotch to bring to light everything that needed to be said. She just couldn't focus on him as she worried about what Director Shepperd would say to them. Gideon reached out and clasped her hand and she found herself calming down, his steady strength centering her once more.
When Ms. Mohr was finished cross-examining Emily, the judge dismissed them for the day. The team stood and Rossi caught her eye. Penelope watched his eyes narrow as he saw Gideon was still there with them. Penelope tried not to smile in triumph as she saw how unnerved he was by the familiarity they showed their former boss.