Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds or the characters. Some "guest stars" are based on or named after people in my life while others are totally made up, as are some places and events.

Chapter 2

2004

"She did all of this?" Morgan asked as he glanced up from the thick file to look through the one-way glass at the brunette handcuffed to the table in the interrogation room. "She's the Black Queen, one of the best hackers in the world?"

"Yes. Her name is Penelope Garcia. I just got permission from the director to offer her a position as our Technical Analyst," Aaron Hotchner answered.

"Are you serious?" Morgan looked at the Unit Chief like he had sprouted horns. He looked through Ms. Garcia's purse and removed the laptop and phone. She had some paper and pens, a pair of glasses in a case, saline solution and contact lens case, some makeup, a toothbrush, hairbrush, and several Super-8 film reels. The film reels took him by surprise. Underground hackers were known for their ability to move around quickly and silently. The fact that Ms. Garcia thought these films were important enough to carry around with her everywhere intrigued him. Since she had no means of projecting or using the reels, he decided to leave them in the bag. If anything, he'd have to take them out later, if she decided to not accept Hotch's offer.

"She's a good person. She's never hacked to hurt anyone and her record is clean. She doesn't deserve prison," Hotch said as he left to go speak to the prisoner.

Derek smiled as Ms. Garcia's expression changed from nervous to defiant to shock as Hotch threw out his proposal. Derek brought in her bag after she asked for the stationary. He watched as her eyes softened as she saw the films still in the purse before pulling out the pink paper and a pen. The look was of relief but also sadness.

He sighed inwardly when Ms. Garcia accepted Hotch's offer. He gave her a month before she would request a transfer. Most technical analysts couldn't handle the gory nature of working with the BAU, not to mention the incredibly long hours and heavy caseloads. The profilers often ended up doing a lot of the computer work themselves since they always seemed to be in between techs.

Derek was used to women hitting on him but Ms. Garcia's words as he uncuffed her made him nervous. He stared down the sickest monsters and could get into their heads but he could not read her. Her demeanor was a paradox. He had no idea who Penelope Garcia really was.

That night as he slept he dreamed about Penny. He hadn't dreamt of her in years. There were many nights as he was growing up that he prayed she'd visit him in his dreams. It was she who scolded him to stop being a delinquent. It was she who he thought of when Buford was hurting him. She never judged him or pitied him. All he wanted was to be the hero she said he was. She visited his dreams in the good times and bad. The last time was when he got into the BAU. She told him she was proud of him and that he really was a hero.

It had been two weeks since the BAU arrested Sam Russell in San Jose. Derek had forgotten about Ms. Garcia. He had gone home to Chicago for a week and when he came back Hotch and Gideon had hired a new guy for the unit. He saw the young man sitting at the desk that was diagonal to his, reading a book.

"Hi, I'm Derek Morgan," Derek said as he set his bag down.

The new guy looked up and rose. "Oh, hello. I'm Spencer Reid." Reid looked nervous as he stared at Derek.

"Welcome to the team, Reid." Derek said as walked up the stairs to Hotch's office. He knocked and entered at Hotch's invitation.

"I just met the new guy," Derek said as he sat down.

"And?" Hotch said.

"He's really young."

"Yes, he is. But he is brilliant and with Gideon gone we need help. Between him and the new tech I think we'll be fine." Hotch rattled off Reid's qualifications.

"We have a case. Have everyone meet in the conference room in ten," Hotch dismissed Derek.

The case was in Roanoke and after several days of dead ends the team was frustrated. Derek, Reid, and Hotch were brainstorming in the bullpen when Derek saw their new tech with a armful of files. He turned to Reid. "Hey, what's that new tech girl's name?" he asked.

"Uhh... Gomez, I think," Reid replied.

"Excuse me, Gomez!" Derek called out. He realized that wasn't her name when she didn't acknowledge him. "Hey, Baby Girl!" he called as she was getting ready to leave the bullpen. He cursed at the momentary loss off his filter as the tech turned around and gave him an odd look before acknowledging him. "'Baby Girl?'" she repeated.

"Uh," Derek tripped over his words a bit, "Forgive me, I just didn't know the real..."

"Don't worry, I've been called worse," she smiled as she walked towards him. For a moment Derek didn't recognize Penelope. Her hair was shorter, blonde, and in an updo. She wore black still but it was a simple office suit with lime green accessories and glasses. She looked nothing like the woman he met in San Jose, and not just in her physical appearance, either. She looked... happy. And free. "What can I do for you?" she asked as she walked closer.

"Can you take the list of forestry employees and run it against the list of witnesses interviewed by Roanoke police?" Derek asked.

"Of course I can," Penelope replied brightly. She stuck out her hand. "I don't think we've been introduced. I'm Penelope Garcia."

Derek took her hand in his. Her handshake was firm, professional, and respectful. "I'm Derek Morgan," Derek smiled. He felt a pang of loss when she released her hand from his.

"I'll get right on that list," Penelope said as she scurried away.

Morgan barely listened to Hotch and Reid. He found himself thinking about the new tech, Garcia. What she said struck a cord within him. His entire life he was taught to treat women with the upmost respect. All women. He didn't like the possibility that someone had insulted or harassed her. He felt an overwhelming desire to protect her and he had no idea why.

He was jarred from his daydream by his phone ringing. He frowned at the unknown number. "Morgan," Derek answered briskly.

"Agent Morgan, it's Garcia. I have the information you requested," the female voice said.

Derek looked at his watch. "Gom... I mean, Garcia, I asked for the information five minutes ago."

"I know, I know, and I'm sorry," she said apologetically. "I had to drop half those files off at Chief Strauss's office and then the other half at Agent Jareau's before I could get the information for you and I'm still getting used to this system..."

"No, no, no... Garcia, you misunderstood. I saw the pile of files you had. I meant was that I couldn't believe how fast that was. To be honest I wasn't expecting to hear back for a half hour or so. You must be good." Derek grinned.

Penelope giggled. The sound was like tinkling bells and it was like a punch in the gut. "Oh, Hot Stuff. You have no idea how good I am."

Morgan's jaw dropped. Out of all the things he expected her to say, he most definitely wasn't expecting that. He laughed and recovered his wits. "All right, Baby Girl. I'm going to put you on speakerphone so Hotch and Reid can hear."

"Garcia, you have some names for us?" Hotch asked.

"Oh, no, sir," Garcia sounded nervous. "Based on the perimeters you gave me, only one name matched." She paused. "His name is Brian Matloff."

"Great job, Garcia," Hotch said.

"Wait, sir!" Garcia said. "Don't you want his address?"

"His address?" Hotch repeated, confused.

"Yeah. I have his employment record from the forestry service right here in front of me."

"I have a pen. What's his address?" Derek said.

"Hang on..."

Hotch, Derek, and Reid's phones went off almost simultaneously. Hotch and Reid looked at their phones.

"I just sent the file to your phones, complete with home address, recent photo, and work schedule."

"Garcia," Hotch said.

"I'm sorry, sir. Did I do something wrong?" Penelope sounded close to tears.

"No, no. Excellent work, thank you," Hotch reassured her.

"Oh," she laughed breathlessly. "No problem. I'm here if you need me. Bye," she rushed out and hung up the phone.

"Wow, she's efficient," Reid said as he looked at the file on his phone.

"Let's go talk to the Brian Matloff," Hotch ordered.

A/N: Thanks for reading, favorite-ing, and following. Please review.

Xoxo,

PitaCake