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 10

"Kitten..." Rossi wavered as he, Hotch, and Reid stood up from their seats.

"Sorry I'm late," Penelope said as she glanced at Derek, who made to walk to her, but she gestured for him to stay put.

"You don't have to be here for this, Penelope," Hotch said as she sat down in an empty seat.

"Yes, sir, I do. I read the reports. The sooner we catch these monsters the better and I'm not going to be a clueless sitting duck twiddling my thumbs when I can be helpful." Penelope turned on her tablet as the team sent warm and admiring looks her way.

Derek continued his presentation while the others swiped through their tablets, or in Reid's case, papers.

"So, you two actually met as children?" JJ asked Derek.

"And you couldn't remember anything about it?" Reid asked Penelope.

"Reid!" Morgan said sharply. He sent him a scalding look and Spencer looked at Penelope apologetically.

"It's all right, Reid. The reason I didn't want to be here for this at first was because I wasn't sure what was real and what was not. I actually remember a lot. In fact, I remember everything. See, my parents were very anti-violence. Even before this, they were horrified that I liked watching law and crime shows on television. After this happened I had nightmares. They began after we came back home to San Francisco. My parents told me that... it never happened, it wasn't real, and that was what happens when one watches too much TV. Whenever I would have a nightmare or talked about that night, they would tell me that I heard about a shooting on the news and every time a show like Murder, She Wrote was on TV, they would turn the channel and say, 'you don't want nightmares again, do you?' or something like that. They kept that up until I eventually believed them. I'll never know their reasoning behind it but I guess they were trying to spare me. Looking back, I think they were more scared than I was. If it wasn't for Derek and his dad, who knows what could've happened, right?"

"They were trying to protect you," Kate explained.

"Are you all right?" JJ asked.

"I read some of the transcripts and what other prisoners said. The things he said..." she shuddered.

"Montgomery and Ford haven't been seen since escaping. Ford knows where I work," Derek said.

"And we have to assume they know about Garcia, too," Hotch added. "I got approval to bring her with us on cases until Ford and Montgomery are apprehended."

"Good idea, Hotch," Rossi nodded. He reached over the table and patted Penelope's hand. "We'll protect you, kiddo."

The rest of the week was uneventful. Derek caught up on all his paperwork and was able to keep up with every consultation that was sent to him while Penelope updated and upgraded her system. She also created a mobile system consisting of four laptops that she was confident would keep up with her when she traveled with the team.

Derek and Penelope alternated between staying at his house and her apartment. There was still tension between them and Penelope refused to speak about Chicago. She changed the subject whenever Derek mentioned anything about it. Derek was frustrated but he knew to give her space. He was grateful that she allowed him to stay with her and didn't press her to talk.

The following Monday Hotch met with Penelope about a case. It was near Traverse City, Michigan. She put together a presentation after they decided they needed to go there to help. She told Hotch about her mobile system and he was pleased with her resourcefulness.

"All right, Superheros. You, well, we are off to the Great Lakes State. Authorities in Traverse City have requested our presence. In the past nine weeks three women have been found dead on the beach off the bay." Penelope pulled up the victims' pictures on the monitor.

"The victimology and MO don't add up," Derek protested. "Two of the victims were residents and one was a tourist."

"They were different ages," JJ added.

"Two were shot, one had her throat slit," Kate said.

"Yeah, well... each victim had their second toes removed," Penelope ignored the screen as she showed a close up of the victims' feet.

"The toes were amputated post-mortem. And they were crudely cut off," Reid said.

"Torture wasn't the motive," Rossi said. "They had no other injuries or signs of abuse."

"And he's not taking his time. Between the time when the victims were last seen and when their bodies have been found has been less than twenty-four hours," Hotch said. "Wheels up in thirty."

On the jet, Penelope set up one of the laptops and her tablet to begin searching while listening to the others while they continued to profile the UNSUB. She was by herself at the small table when Derek sat down across from her. She looked over the laptop and saw everyone was absorbed in their own things.

"Baby Girl?" Derek looked at her almost shyly as she turned her attention to him.

"What's up, mon ami?"

"I was wondering, ummm... do you want to share a room with me? A hotel room?" he stuttered. He looked uncomfortable when she didn't answer him. "I just thought... I'd feel better if you stayed with me. But if you don't want to, that's cool. I'll just make sure our rooms are next to each other..."

"What?" Penelope looked scandalized. Then she tried and failed to hide a grin. She leaned close and whispered: "I expected we'd be sharing a room, my vision. That is what we do already, right?"

"Good," he grinned back.

"I feel better when I have nightmares and you're there," she admitted.

"Nightmares... about Chicago?" he treaded carefully.

She sighed. "Sometimes. A lot more here lately. Sometimes they're about Battle. Or my parents' deaths."

"Why don't you wake me up?"

"Derek, I've had bad dreams my entire life. And you know bad dreams come with the job."

"I'm sorry, Baby Girl." He hated that her sleep was invaded by bad memories but was pleased his presence helped chase them away. It was another reason he was glad she was coming with them.

"Don't be. Like I said, you being close helps," she reassured him.

When the team arrived at the local police station, Hotch introduced everyone to the sheriff. Penelope set up her computers and continued the searches she started on the jet while the rest of the team checked out the dump sites, the medical examiner's office, and interviewed the victims' families.

Penelope had just hung up the phone with JJ and Reid when she felt like someone was watching her. She looked up to see a tall and very thin deputy staring at her from the doorway. "I was told to make sure you're not alone in here," the deputy announced as he walked over to where she was sitting. He looked her up and down and Penelope felt instantly creeped out, but for the sake of being polite, she offered her hand.

"Hi, I'm Penelope Garcia," she smiled.

"Deputy Boles," he replied and took her hand. His handshake was more like a caress and Penelope pulled her hand away quickly and went back to the computers.

"You don't look FBI," he said.

"Well, I am," she replied, never taking her eyes from the screens. "A technical analyst. If it's in cyberspace, I'll find it."

"You don't carry a weapon."

"No, I don't. I almost never go out in the field so I have no reason to have one."

"You'll let me know if you need anything, yeah?" he fake-smiled as Hotch and Derek walked in.

"Ugh!" Penelope groaned. It was evening and she had run into another dead end and was frustrated and tired. She took off her glasses and rubbed her dry and gritty eyes. She decided to stretch her legs and get a caffeine boost.

The police station was quiet and she saw a couple deputies at their desks as she walked to the break room. She eyed the coffee maker and looked at the half-empty pot with distrust. Gingerly she felt the glass. It was cold. She dumped the contents in the sink and started to brew a fresh pot.

Knowing a watched pot never boils, she left and went to the ladies room. She washed her hands and touched up her makeup. She took her time, hoping the coffee would be finished when she got done.

Penelope opened the door and jumped back when she ran into Deputy Boles, who was waiting outside the door. "Whoa, you scared me!" She put a hand to her chest and laughed a little. Penelope tried to step around him, but the deputy stopped her.

"Awful jumpy aren't you?" he sneered.

"I'm not exactly used to men standing just outside bathroom doors," she snapped back.

"I'm supposed to be watching you," he rolled his eyes crossed his arms over his chest. "What were you doing?"

"What do you think people do in restrooms?" she replied sarcastically.

"You have new makeup on," he stated.

"So...?"

"So... what exactly are you doing here?" He stepped closer and Penelope instinctively stepped back until her back hit the wall.

"I was using the facilities," she answered and flinched when he stepped even closer.

"What are you doing here, in Michigan?" he leered. "You're not a field agent. Hell, you don't even carry a gun."

"I...I..." she stuttered.

"Why. Are. You. Here?" he repeated slowly. "The FBI almost never brings technical analysts for cases."

"She's here because she is a member of the BAU, whom your boss invited here." Derek's voice boomed and echoed through the empty hallway.

"Hey, Morgan," Penelope breathed in relief.

"Is there a problem here?" Derek asked, not once taking his eyes off of Boles.

"No problem here." Boles smiled at Penelope. "Just keeping an eye on Ms. Garcia here like you all wanted."

Derek held out his hand. "Come on, Garcia. Hotch told me to get you. We're going to to the hotel and getting some sleep."

"Really?" She looked at the clock on her phone. "I'm good for awhile..."

"Nu-uh. You work too hard. Let's go." Derek grabbed her hand and draped his arm over her shoulders. He didn't acknowledge Boles as he pulled her away from the deputy.

Back in her office area, Penelope packed up her equipment in record time. Derek grabbed two bags and she grabbed the other two. She didn't say a word as they got something to eat and brought it back to their hotel room.

"Are you going to tell me what happened back there?" Derek finally asked as they finished their meal.

"Nothing happened," Penelope lied.

"Baby Girl..."

"Just... drop it, Derek, please? I don't want to cause unnecessary drama and take away from the victims." Penelope grabbed her go-bagcand disappeared into the restroom.

Derek waited until he heard the sink running before picking up his phone. "Hotch, something's going on..."

A/N: It has not been a good week all around, it seems. Ran into a cousin while at the hand specialist. Her daughter was seeing a plastic surgeon because she got bitten by a dog and had to have 25 stitches on her face. She's 9. A former co-worker's son started chemo to treat a very rare cancer, and he's only 11. My old high school made national news and not for a good thing, and last night someone broke into my neighbor's house and robbed them at gunpoint. We could all use some positive vibes.

Thanks for reading,

Xoxo,

PitaCake