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Penelope really wanted Derek right now; he made her feel safe when Battle was on the loose, but the team wasn't back yet. She considered calling Kevin as she really enjoyed their lunch, but he had mentioned having a date tonight. She even considered checking into a hotel, but she really didn't want to be alone. So as a last resort, she called Strauss. She apologized profusely for intruding, and for the calling at such a late hour. Erin wouldn't hear any of it as she knew Penelope would only call her if it was important. Erin had sent an agent to pick Penelope up and Penelope was glad for it; she felt much safer then she would have driving on her own. Also, her wrist ached terribly and her hands hadn't stopped shaking since the events of earlier in the evening.

"Are you going to tell me what happened?" Erin asked as she was putting sheets on the bed in the guest room.

"He was in my apartment when I came home tonight."

Erin paused for a moment, "Did he hurt you?"

When Penelope didn't answer Erin looked up from the bed. Penelope had her head bowed and when she felt Erin's gaze she lifted her head and met the other woman's gaze. The look on Penelope's face answered Erin's question. Erin stopped what she was doing and went over to Penelope embracing her tightly. Neither woman said anything. Penelope allowed herself to really cry, and Erin just held onto her rubbing soothing circles onto her back. After Penelope had started to settle down, Erin pulled back just enough to see Penelope's face. "Can you tell me what happened?"

Penelope told Erin everything including the break room altercation.

"I wish you told me immediately about Agent Michaels accosting you in the break room."

"I'm sorry, I didn't think he could be this violent."

"Don't apologize, but next time tell someone, anyone. OK?"

"OK."

Erin studied Penelope's wrist, "I think an X-ray might be in order."

"I don't think that's necessary, it's just very sore, right now."

"We'll let the doctor decide."

"It's fine, really."

Erin ignored Penelope and looked at her watch. "I know it's late, but I think we should get you checked out tonight."

"I'm sure it's nothing."

"Even if it's nothing, we still need a medical doctor's report. Agent Michaels put his hands on you and we need everything documented. We have to follow proper protocol. This is you and your baby's safety. We have to make sure we do everything correct, so we can have him dismissed from his job, and we can keep you and your baby safe. Do you understand?"

"Yes," Penelope said quietly. "Can we take care of it tonight then please?" Penelope didn't think she was going to get much sleep anyway, and peace of mind about the baby's safety would make her feel somewhat better.

Erin smiled at her. "Yes, we can. Let me just make a few phone calls, and we will head over to the hospital."

At the hospital they were met by another high ranking FBI official, an older woman that Penelope vaguely recognized. The woman explained everything; that Penelope's injuries would be photographed, the doctor would make a report, and then they would take her statement back at Quantico if the doctor cleared her. If not, they would bring more officials to the hospital.

Penelope didn't want to give a statement at all, but she was beginning to understand that this was bigger than anything she could handle on her own, and she was glad that Erin was here. At least she had a friend, sort of.

Penelope was relieved when she got to hear the reassuring sound of her baby's heart beating good and strong. Now she was just waiting on someone from radiology to look at her wrist x-ray. Erin had stayed with her the whole time and she was grateful to have her there. After what felt like a lifetime, a doctor finally arrived with the news that it was just a sprain and her discharge papers.

Penelope soon found herself in a conference room on a floor at Quantico she never knew existed. There were several men in suits, Agent Michael's direct supervisor, Strauss, and the woman who had met them at the hospital. Penelope was glad to have other woman in the room with her as she found some of the men rather intimidating. She squirmed a bit in her chair feeling all of their eyes on her. Erin introduced all of them to her, but she was having trouble focusing on anything other than her pounding heart. Erin placed a supportive hand on Penelope's shoulder giving a gentle squeeze before taking a seat near the back of the room. Penelope turned and looked at Erin giving her a deer in headlights look. Erin gave her a reassuring nod, and directed Penelope to direct her attention to the people at the table with hand motions.

Penelope took a deep breath and turned in her chair to face the way Erin indicated. One of the older men smiled at her trying to ease her nerves. Penelope was slightly relieved when he seemed to be the one who would lead the proceedings. He instructed her to tell them everything from the beginning. Penelope started at the beginning with Agent Michaels approaching her for a date, telling them how she first said no, but he asked again and seemed very nice so she decided to go out with him. How they had a few dates and nothing about his behavior set off any alarms.

But then she got to the part she didn't really want to talk about; she hesitated and thought about how much did she really want to reveal. Agent Michaels hurt her in way she had never told anyone about and she wasn't really sure she wanted to here and now. She looked back to Erin for strength and decided to lay it all out there. She went on about how Agent Michaels and she slept together and how the next day he began to treat her like she didn't exist. Penelope flashed back to the next morning.

~~Flashback~~

Penelope saw Agent Michaels the next morning getting on the elevator and she ran to catch the same elevator. "Hey," she said barely making it in before the door closed. Penelope was confused by the fact that James had made no effort to hold the elevator for her. "Everything alright?"

"I'm late for a meeting and I have don't have time for this right now," he answered looking at her with visible disdain.

"Oh, OK," was all she could manage, before they arrived at his floor and he rushed off not looking back. Penelope was dumbfounded. She couldn't fathom what could possibly have happened between last night and this morning. She decided to let it go; hopefully it had more to do with the meeting he was late for and nothing to do with her. She decided she would talk to him later.

Around lunchtime she made her way to James' office. She found him and his partner Nick studying something on the computer in front of them. She knocked gently to announce her presence. Both men looked up, and Penelope didn't miss James' expression quickly change to one of annoyance. "Hey, do you have time to talk?" she asked; she had no doubt now it was her and not the meeting.

"I'll leave you two alone." Nick started to pack up his stuff.

"No Nick, you are fine. Penelope and I have nothing to talk about."

"We don't?" Penelope asked, stunned by the turn of events. James was so nice to her up until this morning, and she really had no idea why.

"Not anymore. I got what I needed from you. I won the contest and I don't need to be seen with you anymore."

"Contest? Seen with me?" Penelope asked her voice quivering. When he didn't answer and wouldn't look at her, Penelope looked at Nick, who looked very uncomfortable. "Do you know what he is talking about?" she asked walking closer to him.

"Yes," he answered.

"Please tell me," he asked as tears began forming in the corner of her eyes. She was beginning to realize that some sort of horrible joke had been played on her.

"It was a dogfight," James answered for him.

"Dogfight?" she asked uncertain what he meant by that.

"Yeah, didn't you see the movie?"

"Movie?"

"Yes, the movie where the marines have a contest to see who can get the ugliest date. We had a similar contest and you were my dog, and last night made me the contest winner. Thanks for playing." James then turned his attention back to his computer. Penelope didn't move or speak. She just tried to process what he had just told her. After a few moments, she just quietly left. She was trying to hold the tears back until she could find somewhere to be alone. She was headed into the nearest ladies room, when a hand on her shoulder stopped her. She turned to see Nick standing there.

"Hey, I just wanted to let you know that James is an ass."

"I know that now," she answered sadly.

"Were you part of this dogfight contest?"

"Nah, my wife wouldn't have approved."

Penelope gave him a halfhearted smile.

"Also, please know that you definitely didn't belong in their disgusting contest."

"I appreciate that. Thank you. And believe it or not, I have had dates end worse."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Take care of yourself, ok?"

"Ok."

After he left Penelope spent a good amount of time crying in the ladies room. After a while she composed herself and headed back to the BAU.

~~End flashback~~

Penelope's mind returned back to the present. She looked around the room, gathering her courage to keep going. She turned to look at Erin who was visibly agitated. Penelope knew it was the contest details that had Erin upset. Erin nodded for Penelope to keep going. Penelope turned back to the people at the table catching them up to everything that happened right up to the hospital visit right before the meeting.

When it was over the older gentlemen thanked her for her time, and apologized for Agent Michaels' behavior. He told her he hoped she felt better and then dismissed her from the next part of the meeting.

As she was leaving the room, Erin took her hands in her own. "You did great. I know that couldn't have been easy. Agent Turner is going to take you back to my house now and stay with you. Get some rest and you have the day off tomorrow."

Penelope was too tired physically and emotionally to argue. She thanked Erin and headed home with Agent Turner. She was nodding off before they were even out of the parking lot.