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 12

It was early and Derek needed to get going or he'd be late for the meeting with Hotch. He showed quickly and wrote a hasty note to Penelope and left it on his pillow, where he knew she'd see it. He kissed the top of her head gently before leaving.

The meeting took place in the sheriff's office conference room. Hotch and the sheriff were already there. The three exchanged details on the case when Deputy Boles walked in.

"I've received a complaint about you, Boles," the sheriff began.

Boles puffed himself up. "Did their," he glared and pointed at Hotch and Derek, "tech girl say I did something, because I didn't do anything!"

"Sit down and shut up, Boles!" the sheriff barked. The deputy continued to glare at the agents as he sat stiffly in a chair.

"Deputy Boles, I'm going to make this brief because there is someone out there killing women and every minute we waste in here with you is taking away from our efforts to find them," Hotch growled.

"I didn't do anything," Boles whined.

"Is it true that you accosted Agent Garcia night?" Hotch asked.

"I was just doing what was asked. I was keeping an eye on her," Boles argued.

"Are you denying that you demanded Garcia tell you why she was here in Michigan?" Derek asked.

Boles knew he was caught. Morgan had heard him say that. "I was just making conversation," he whined.

Derek stood up. "I know what I heard and what I saw. That was not a simple conversation. I... we study behavior for a living. You were harassing her."

"I... I..." Boles stuttered.

"I will not tolerate anyone harassing members of my team. If I hear of you messing with Agent Garcia again, I will file harassment charges against you. Garcia does not answer to you nor does she owe you any explanations as to why she is here. She is here because she is a member of the BAU," Hotch said, his eyes never leaving Boles as he stood. "Sheriff, Deputy," he nodded and left, with Derek following close behind.

"I need to talk with Garcia," Hotch told Derek as they climbed into the SUV.

"It's still early," Derek replied, looking at his watch. "She may not be awake yet."

"I need some coffee," Hotch announced as he pulled into the parking lot of a coffee shop.

"Me, too," Derek agreed. "And I better get one for Garcia, too. She's not going to be pleased when she finds out I told you about last night."

"Text me when she's ready," Hotch said as he dropped Derek off at the hotel after the coffee run.

Derek let himself in the room and was surprised to see the bathroom light on and both beds already made. He knocked on the bathroom door and told her he was back. He texted Hotch and told him to come up in fifteen minutes.

Penelope emerged from the bathroom fully dressed. "Early meeting?" she asked, picking up the note and raising an eyebrow.

"Yep," he grinned and reached behind him and pulled out her coffee.

"Oh, gimme!" she cried and reached for the cup.

"You were sleeping so soundly I didn't want to wake you," he explained as she took a sip of her coffee.

"At least you brought back some caffeine." She looked at her phone. "Can we sneak off and grab some sustenance?"

"Hotch needs to talk to you. He'll be up here in a few minutes," he said casually as she dug in her suitcase for a pair of silver heels.

Penelope dropped the shoes and whipped around. "You told him, didn't you?" she whispered.

"Baby Girl, no one has the right to speak to you like that," he said as he picked up the shoes and made her sit on her bed. He knelt down in front of her pulled off her house shoes and slipped the heels on her feet.

"Yes, but..." Penelope was interrupted by a knock on the door. Derek kissed her cheek and answered the door. Hotch came in, carrying a paper bag.

"Morgan told me you're going to stay in here. They were serving these in the lobby," he said and handed her the bag.

Curiosity got the better of her and she peeked into the bag. "Croissants?" she raised an eyebrow and looked up at her boss.

"The lady at the front desk said they're really good. They're blueberry and cream cheese," Hotch smiled a bit as he turned a chair around and sat in front of her.

"Hotch, sir..." she began. "I'm..."

"Garcia, that had better not be the beginning of an apology," he interrupted. She pressed her lips together and shot Derek a dirty look.

"Penelope, I want you to feel like you can come to me for anything," the Unit Chief told her. "If someone is acting inappropriate, I don't care who they are, you need to tell someone."

"OK."

"I need to hear from you what happened last night."

"Sir, I've been with you all on cases. I've never had anyone be inappropriate... until yesterday." She looked at her hands as she spoke. "It wasn't just last night, sir. I was doing my thing, like I do when I'm in my lair, and I felt someone was staring. I looked up and it was Deputy Boles. He... I don't know how to explain it. He introduced himself but it was creepy. I was polite and introduced myself and the way he shook my hand... I don't know. It wasn't professional, to say the least. He said I didn't look like I was in the FBI and assured him that I was, and that I was a technical analyst. He noticed I don't carry a gun and pointed it out. I told him that because I am almost never in the field, I don't need to carry a weapon. That was when you guys came back and he left. All day, it felt like someone was staring at me but when I would look up there wouldn't be anyone there.

Then, in the evening, I got frustrated at another dead end so I decided to take a break. I went to their break room and started a new pot of coffee. While it brewed I went to the ladies' room. When I came out he... Boles... was right outside the door. He startled me, standing so close to the door and he demanded to know what I was doing in there. I was so surprised by the question I said, 'what do you think people do in restrooms?' He noticed that I had touched up my makeup and pointed it out. He then asked what I was doing here and I said I was just using the facilities and he clarified and asked what I was doing here in Michigan, given that I'm not a field agent and don't carry a gun. He was seriously invading my personal space and I was backed up against the wall. He asked again, all condescendingly, and that was when Morgan came and got me."

"Why didn't you tell me what happened last night when I asked?" Derek demanded.

"I told you, I don't want to cause drama with the locals and take away from the victims. I want to find this UNSUB quickly and I don't want to take time away from finding them because of some sexist deputy creep."

"I'm sorry about that, Garcia. If someone is bothering you, you need to tell us. We've already warned Boles to leave you alone," Hotch told her.

"Thanks. Do you mind if I stay in here? I don't feel comfortable going back to the station," she asked.

"Yes, whatever you want. We need to get going and meet with everyone." Hotch and Derek stood and Penelope walked then to the door. As soon as they left she fired up her babies and took a bite out of one of the croissants. It was delicious, the blueberries and cream cheese blending perfectly. She sat back and enjoyed the pastry while waiting for her superheroes to call for their information.

A/N: Thanks for reading. I love reviews.

Xoxo,

PitaCake