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 13

All conversations stopped as the BAU entered the sheriff's department. "What's going on?" Kate whispered to JJ as the team walked to their designated area.

"No idea," JJ whispered back.

"Isn't Garcia coming?" Reid asked.

"Garcia is staying at the hotel," Hotch said.

"Is she all right?" JJ asked.

"She had a run-in with an inappropriate deputy last night," Hotch explained. He glanced at Morgan. "We took care of it already."

"By the looks we just got, I think the deputy shared his own version of what happened," Rossi said dryly.

"Garcia didn't want to make a big deal of it," Morgan said. "She wants us to focus on on the case."

"That's about as vague as you can get," Penelope groaned over the speakerphone as she typed in the parameters.

"I just sent you some coordinates," Reid said as he glanced up from his map.

"Got 'em. Narrowing... narrowing... Wow. Three names... sent to your phones... now."

"You are the best," Derek grinned.

"Duh. You always act surprised at my genius," Penelope grinned back and disconnected.

"Your computer tech seems awfully sure of herself," a deputy sneered from his chair.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Derek's hackles were instantly raised.

"Nothing, just how she got Boles kicked out of the investigation like nothing. He has a right to be here. She doesn't."

"She has every right to be here. She is a well-respected and talented FBI agent."

"She saved my life," Reid stood up. "She shot someone to save me."

"What?"

"It's true. I was shot a few years ago in a shootout. While I was in the hospital recovering someone tried to finish the job by putting something in my IV. She took my gun and shot the guy."

"I... I thought she was just a tech," the depury stuttered, his face turning bright red.

"She is not 'just' anything. She is the best computer expert in the FBI and you're damn lucky she's here helping your department. Like us, she is here for the victims and their families and to catch a murderer. I suggest you keep your opinions to yourself and help us catch the killer," Hotch said as he and Rossi entered the room. "Now, what can you tell us about these men?" He swiped his tablet a few times before stopping at a page partitioned into three pictures.

"Thank you for calling the Room of Requirement. Speak to me, Muggle!" was what Morgan heard when he called Penelope.

Morgan smiled at the reference. Thanks to her, he had read the Harry Potter series and watched every movie. "Hey, Professor Baby Girl, I'm on the way up. Want to get out of that room for awhile? Everyone is meeting at the pizza shop for dinner."

"Sounds good. Let yourself in while I freshen up," she chirped. She released the door's bar guard and went to touch up her makeup. She heard the door open as she was applying her mascara. A spritz of perfume later and she was ready.

"Damn," she muttered as she heard an alert signaling one of her searches was finished.

"Let me get this copied down and I'll be ready," she announced as she went to her mobile system. She penned a few notes and shut down the computers.

She turned around and saw Derek sitting on his bed, grinning at her. "What?" she asked.

"Nothing... just admiring the view," he got up and held out his hand.

"Like what you see?" she teased as she put her hand in his.

"You look divine, as always."

"I'd like the Herbivore's Delight in a sandwich, please." Penelope said to the server.

"And I'll have the Carnivore's Delight sandwich," Morgan said. He passed the menus over. "What did you guys get?" he asked when the server left.

"I got the "Philly Cheesesteak." JJ said.

"I got the "Grilled Cheese," Kate said.

"I got the "The Soprano," Rossi rolled his eyes when they chuckled at his choice. "C'mon, it sounds amazing."

"Well, I got "The Cartman." Reid cleared his throat. "I assume it's a reference like some of the other names." Penelope managed to keep a straight face when she explained who Cartman was while the others tried and failed to not laugh.

"What did you get, Boss Man?" Penelope asked.

"I, uh, got "The Tearjerker," Hotch said. "The sheriff said this place is the best. They can make any pizza on their menu into a sandwich."

"I personally love the names they chose. They're clever." Penelope breathed in dramatically. "And if they taste as good as they smell, I want a bite of everyone's!" she announced as everyone was served their sandwiches.

Penelope shared the newest search results, which aided the victimology. The others discussed what they learned and went over everything against the profile. They each had a bite of everyone else's sandwich and loved it all.

"Garcia, what happened yesterday?" Reid asked after they were finished with their food.

Penelope shot a dirty look to Derek and Hotch. "Nothing happened," she said.

"If someone hurt you, we need to know," Rossi said.

"Nobody hurt me, OK?" she snapped. "I'm fine."

"Garcia, what did you think of Deputy Boles, before and after last night?" JJ asked.

"JJ..." Derek warned.

"Hear me out, Morgan," JJ replied.

"I thought he was a creep. It felt like someone was ways staring but when I would look up his head was always down. Just... unpleasant. And after, I know he's a sexist, egotistical, narcissistic creep with a huge chip on his shoulder," she blurted out. "Wow... I just sounded like a profiler just now."

"Damn, Baby Girl... you act like that's a bad thing." Derek clutched his heart while grinning like an imp.

"Shut up, Morgan," Penelope laughed and threw her napkin at him.

"We've all dealt with locals who try to intimidate us," Kate said.

"Really?" Penelope replied.

"Yep," she said and the others agreed.

"Garcia, I want you to check him out first thing in the morning," Hotch ordered.

"Yes, sir. General fishing expedition?" she inquired as she pulled her notebook out of her purse.

"Yeah." Hotch nodded. "Look for anything... unusual. Use your profile and work with it."

"O...K..." Penelope chose to ignore the fact that she had successfully profiled someone.

Rossi insisted on paying look everyone's meals and Penelope had already written a positive review on Yelp by the time they were ready to leave.

Penelope was silent in the SUV on the way back to the hotel. Derek knew she was mad and didn't know why. She seemed to be in a good mood at the restaurant. She ignored his offer for help and stomped up the stairs and let herself in their room.

Derek followed her and put the bar guard in place while she rummaged around in her suitcase.

"Garcia, what's wrong?" he asked helplessly when she lobbed some pajamas onto her bed.

"I asked you not to say anything," Penelope shouted when she straightened up.

"Baby Girl, the team was wondering where you were this morning. Hotch told them that a deputy was inappropriate and that you didn't want anyone to make a fuss and that it was taken care of. That's all. And I was not going to sit around and let that creep take advantage of you. I know his type. He's probably been doing crap like that since the day they gave him a badge. Now that his boss knows hopefully he'll stop."

"Stop treating me like a victim," she yelled and sat on the edge of her bed.

"I'm trying not to, Sweetheart. I need to confess something." He dropped to his knees in front of her.

"I didn't tell Hotch just for you. You're a federal agent. He was harassing you. Imagine what he's like with civilians. Now that his boss is aware of his actions hopefully he'll stop him if he's stupid enough to do it again."

"You're right. Of course you're right. I just didn't want my issues with a local creep to distract you from the case but a predator like him needed to be stopped." Penelope took her shoes off and tossed them in her suitcase

"Why are you mad?" he asked.

"I'm not," she scoffed.

Derek raised an eyebrow. "Really? I just witnessed shoe abuse from Penelope Garcia and she tells me she's not mad."

"God, I frackin' hate profilers!" she mumbled as she got up and rested her forehead against the wall.

"You do not," Derek couldn't help but smile at the dis and turned her around to face him. "Spill."

"This was my first non-tech-related case and look what happened!" she cried.

"We're close to finding the UNSUB! We have our profile out and it's only a matter of time before we find him."

"I was a distraction!"

"How distracted do you think I'd be if you were home while..." Derek trailed off. "I'm happy you're here... with me." He closed the distance between them and framed her face with his hands.

"Derek..." she whispered as she gazed up at him.

"Yes, Baby Girl?" he murmured as he brought a hand up under her hair.

"I'm afraid," she confessed.

"Do you think I'd hurt you?" he asked.

"Not deliberately, no," Penelope said. "But it'll happen." She put her hands to his shoulders and gently pushed him away. She turned away and walked to towards the en suite.

"Penelope, why do you think I'd hurt you?" he asked.

She paused but refused to turn around. "You'll want to change me. I'm too opinionated, too stubborn, and too independent. I refuse to change my ways and have inevitably lost everyone I've ever loved. They leave me and I'm left alone trying to mend my broken heart. I don't think I could handle losing you."

"Baby Girl, you are perfect just the way you are. You're the smartest woman I've ever known. You're beautiful and sexy and sweet." He walked over and turned her to face him. "But it's in here," he put his hand on her chest above her breast, "you have the purest and kindest heart. Even today, you cared more about the victims than yourself.

I don't want you to change. I love your opinions and your independence. I even love your stubbornness. I won't try to change you and I won't let you change. I will never leave you."

"Derek..."

"I want you, Penelope. Even if you don't want me, I will always love and want you." Derek leaned down and gently brushed his lips against hers.

"Derek...?"

"Yeah...?"

"I want you, too."

Penelope sighed in contentment as Derek brought her closer until her cheek rested on his bare chest. "Whoa," she whispered.

"I agree, Baby Girl," Derek grinned. He had been dreaming of making Penelope his since the day he learned who she was and he was not disappointed. It was like they were made for each other.

"Go to sleep," he ordered as he pulled the blanket over them.

"K..." Penelope moaned, already half asleep.

"I love you, Baby Girl," he whispered into her hair as he kissed her head.

"Hmm..." she replied. He breathing regulated and Derek knew she had fallen asleep. He tried to settle his thoughts and relax his muscles. His last conscious thought was of curiosity. He wondered how she was able to blend the two very different smells of her shampoo and her perfume to create a perfect harmony of notes that invaded his senses.

A/N: Shameless plug: The pizza/sandwich shop is real and exists in my little dot on the map. The names are real and what I would think the characters would choose out of the many, many offerings. My personal favorite is Grilled Cheese and my husband's is Carnivore's Delight.

Herbivore's Delight: mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, green peppers, banana peppers, black olives, tomato sauce.

Carnivore's Delight: Sausage, pepperoni, bacon, ham, tomato sauce.

Philly Cheesesteak: steak, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, alfredo sauce.

Grilled Cheese: cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, alfredo sauce.

The Soprano: Italian sausage, salami, pepperoni, onion, banana peppers, tomato sauce.

The Tearjerker: Spicy sausage, salami, pepperoni, jalapeños, taco sauce.

The Cartman: 18 toppings. Pretty much everything above and them some with tomato sauce.

A/N2: Damn. Last minute editing and this is making me hungry. I ended up getting a molar and two wisdom teeth pulled on Monday. The accident bruised the hell out of my face and broke the molar. I had some really bad headaches and we decided to pull all three at once since the wisdoms were impacted. They had to put me under and apparently I was funny when coming out of anesthesia. I had a conversation about CM with my husband and the dental assistant that I don't remember. I still feel like crap and look like I'm storing for winter.

Thanks for the love,

Pita(the stoned chipmunk)Cake