Shadpup wanted to see Fran's first impressions of Emily...but logistically it wasn't working in the style of this story, so I went with the next best thing: second impressions!
Happy reading =)
"There can be as much value in the blink of an eye as in the months of rational analysis." – Malcolm Gladwell, Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
"Mrs. Morgan? This is Penelope Garcia. I work with your son."
I frown in concern. There's only one reason one of Derek's colleagues would be calling me. "What happened?"
There's a brief pause, and then I hear her take a deep breath. "Well, they were on this case, and I can't really give you the details, because of that pesky confidentiality thing, but I can tell you that Derek managed to get himself in a spot of trouble as he and Emily were pursuing a suspect-"
I interrupt her when I realize she's forgotten the key piece of information I'm looking for. "Is he okay?"
"What? Oh, yeah, he's okay. Relatively speaking. I mean, he's got extra holes in his body now thanks to this total creepzilla, but he's okay. Cracking jokes and flashing that trademark grin of his. But I don't understand how he thinks it's completely okay to face down an unsub pointing a gun at him all menacing like-"
I close my eyes as I breathe a sigh of relief while Penelope continues to prattle on. My baby boy is okay. Every day I worry about whether that dreaded phone call telling me my fears had come true would come. I know he's good at his job, and that it's something that he needs to do, but it doesn't stop me from worrying every moment that he isn't going to make it home one day.
"-and I really think he needs some sense knocked into him. He won't listen to me, and has strictly forbidden me from entering his bachelor pad to take care of him. And I get that sometimes I hover a bit – I can't help it, it's how I cope – but that man is infuriating sometimes. The nerve of him to actually forbid me from helping him in his recovery-"
The day he told me he was going to become a cop, I nearly cried. Partly because I knew a big part of his decision was based on him wanting to honour his father's memory, and the impact he had on him, and partly because I knew my life would never be free of that worry I'd gotten so used to during Benny's beat cop days. I knew my baby boy's mind would never be changed, and that arguing with him would be useless, so I smiled and gave him a hug, telling him how proud I was.
"-and I mean, he's going to have a bit of time off of work while those bullet wounds heal, and he's not really supposed to be using his shoulder – or his leg, for that matter – while he's off of work, but I know him, and I know he'll definitely ignore the doctor's orders, so I was thinking that maybe you could fly out and keep him in line. Because I'm pretty sure his mama is the only one who he'll listen to."
"Okay," I agree readily. It had been a while since I'd seen my baby boy, and if half of what Penelope is saying is true, that boy needs a whack upside the head as much as someone to keep him off his leg and from using his arm.
"Great! I'll book you a flight, all you'll have to do is show up at the airport, and I'll charge it to Derek's card, since I mean, it's for his own good, anyway."
I blink at Penelope's rapid chatter and nod, before realizing she couldn't see the action. "Yeah, I'll just go pack a bag."
"You do that, I've got you on a flight in 4 hours, should arrive here in D.C. at 5:43pm. I'll arrange a ride for you. I'd love to come and meet the infamous Mama Morgan, but unfortunately I'm stuck here in my lair since the other team's got a case. But I'll figure out something for you, and I'll definitely try to swing by to visit before you leave! Just have Derek give me a ring when you need a flight home, and I'll get that sorted out for you in a jiffy. I have to go though, got a call coming in, no doubt with a request to start up another search for another baddie. Ciao!"
I hear the dial tone before I can get a word in, and I just shake my head before putting down the phone and setting about packing a bag.
After making my way through the crowd, I head toward the exit, looking for some indication of the ride that Penelope had arranged for me. I wasn't quite sure what to expect – a limo service? a taxi? a friend? I get the feeling that with the fast talking friend of Derek's…it could be anything.
"Mrs. Morgan?" I hear a voice call out, and I turn quickly toward it. "I'm Agent-" she stops and corrects herself, "Uh, I'm Emily Prentiss. I'm Derek's partner. Penelope asked me to give you a ride to his place."
"Oh, you came to the house with Dr. Reid, right?" I say in recognition, recalling when I'd first met the brunette. I remember how helpful she'd been in putting me and the girls at ease, despite the stressful situation. And I recall realizing exactly what Derek had been talking about when he'd described "the beautiful brunette" that had joined his team. He'd been laughing when he said that, but he'd been more serious when he later described their mutual love of Vonnegut. So this is the woman who'd caught his attention. She was beautiful, yes, but she had this….air of confidence around her that was refreshing.
"Yes," she says with a nod and a small smile. "Did you have any other bags?"
I shake my head. "No, I packed light."
"Okay, let's get going then. I'm guessing you're anxious to see Derek?"
"Just a little," I say good-naturedly. I'm not foolish enough to think that a woman who reads behaviour for a living hadn't noticed the waves of worry and anxiety rolling off of me.
"Well, the good news is that traffic shouldn't be too bad, so we'll get there in under an hour."
"Great," I answer, but my mind is a million miles away, worrying about the state that Derek's in.
"How is Derek doing?" I ask once we're settled in her car and navigating out of the airport parking structure.
"He's fine- Well, as good as can be considering he was shot," the brunette answers with a shrug. "The bullets did some damage, but it could've been worse. He came out okay, considering."
"Considering what?" I prompt. I've long known that Derek's sense of what constitutes a "bad" injury or a "bad" situation is a bit skewed. And Penelope had been fuzzy on details, and I was curious for more information on what led to my baby boy being stuck on medical leave.
She turns to look at me for a moment before she shrugs. "Just- It could have ended much worse. I can't give you details, and honestly I don't think you'd want them, but he's lucky, all things considered."
"Somehow that doesn't make me feel any better."
"He saved a five year old girl," she offers, chancing a quick glance toward me again before settling her gaze back toward the road as she pulls onto the highway.
"Well I suppose that makes it completely worth it in his eyes, doesn't it?" I reply. There's no hint of bitterness in my voice – it's an honest appraisal of how Derek thinks. He's a protector. Someone who feels a responsibility to help those who can't defend themselves. And something tells me Emily shares a lot of those characteristics.
"You know your son well," she says with a smile. There's a hint of something in her eyes, but I can't put my finger on exactly what. It seems almost wistful? Why, I'm not quite sure, but it's there, that much I'm sure of. "He's stubborn, hot-headed, impulsive, and has an ego the size of Texas, but I can't fault him for his protective instincts. And he's always there when you need him."
"He's always been that way. Even when he was a kid he'd look out for the younger kids and the ones getting bullied. I can't tell you the number of times I had to mend holes in his jeans because he'd gotten into a fight at school on behalf of somebody else who was getting picked on."
"Well that explains his friendship with Dr. Reid," she says with a light laugh. "I always wondered why Morgan put up with him. He's not enough of a nerd to appreciate the rambling and sci-fi knowledge."
"He speaks very highly of Dr. Reid," I explain. It's true. Derek always has something complementary to say about the young doctor, even though it's interspersed with stories of his social awkwardness or clumsiness. I get the sense that he'd taken the younger man under his wing to an extent.
"It's hard not to – he's an impressive individual, and a good person."
"He certainly sounds it. By all accounts the snippet I saw of him when you all were in Chicago doesn't hold a candle to what he's like."
"Trust me when I say that he can be overwhelming at times – it's hard to wrap your head around the fact that he knows so much. Though it's totally worth it when he can get a scowl out of your son by refuting a theory of his with some obscure facts."
I laugh lightly. "He does hate to lose," I agree. These people…I don't know how they deal with all the terrible things they see and hear. How can they fight such darkness and still have such capacity for warmth and joy?
"That's putting it lightly," she adds with a knowing grin. Ah, so she'd seen his competitive side.
"You said you're his partner, right?"
She nods. "Yeah. Hotch- Sorry, that's our boss-"
"I know, dear," I say with a small grin. "Derek's told me about him."
Her expression shifts and she shoots me a quick sheepish look. "Right, of course he would have."
"Go on," I prompt. I was curious to hear what she was going to say. Of the team members, she's the one I know the least about. Maybe it's because he calls less frequently now, or because she's the newest of the bunch, but for whatever reason, I know very little about my son's partner. Given that she's the one who he trusts – and I get the impression that he does trust her – with his life, the fact that I know so little worries me a little.
"Hotch paired us up because his former partner had left the unit not too long before my arrival, and then it just sort of stuck."
"Is he a good partner?"
"Yes," she answers quickly. For a moment I'm not sure whether it's because she's certain of the answer, or because she doesn't want to offend me. "He's always there for me, and always has my back. I don't have to worry about wondering if he's in position, or if he's made a certain call, because I know. I guess we've just spent so much time together that we've fallen into an easy rhythm."
"That's good. Derek's father always said a cop's relationship with his partner is second only to the one with his wife, and his dog."
"That sounds about right. I swear Derek spoils Clooney rotten. That dog doesn't know what the word discipline means."
"Doesn't surprise me one bit. He likes to spoil those he loves. He always overdoes presents at Christmas and birthdays – even if the presents are…" I trail off, trying to find a diplomatic word.
"Obviously chosen by a man?" she offers.
"Yes," I agree readily. "As wonderful as a remote starter is…sometimes a mother wants something a little more sentimental."
"A remote starter? Seriously?"
"Yep. I had no clue what it was until he explained it. It was thoughtful, and I do use it, and I never expect anything, but-"
"It wasn't quite what you had imagined," she finishes.
"Exactly. That boy needs a woman in his life to help him out with these things."
"I'll leave you to broach that subject with him," she says with a wry grin. "I'm told you can be particularly persistent."
"I will get grandbabies out of him one day," I say seriously, a fleeting image of babies with dark brown eyes framed by long lashes flashing in my mind, just as it had those years ago when she'd sat in my kitchen. I'd chalked it up then to an overactive imagination of a mother desiring grandbabies. But now…
"Of that I have no doubt," she says with a chuckle before turning her attention back to the road.
We fall into silence, leaving me to think over everything she'd told me. A part of my mind was still focused on Derek, but the majority was thinking about the woman into whose hands he put his life every day. The more I spoke with her, the more I got the distinct impression that loyalty was something this woman took very seriously. It was subtle things – the way she spoke about him, the way she described their partnership, her willingness to give me a drive – but they all told me that she was more than willing to do her part for him.
There's a small sense of relief that washes over me at that realization. I'd still worry about my baby boy, even though I know he can look after himself, yes, but knowing there was someone else looking out for him was comforting in a way. Particularly now that I'd gotten a chance to meet her, and see with my own eyes what kind of woman she was. And from what I can tell, she's more than worthy of being Derek's partner, and certainly up to the challenge of keeping him safe and in his place.
It's funny, but from the moment she'd introduced herself, I just somehow knew she and Derek would be good for each other. It was completely irrational, given how little I knew about her at the time, but mother's intuition isn't something to be trifled with. It seems in that moment of my first impression, I'd gleaned everything I needed to know about her. Today's conversation only served to confirm those thoughts, and reassure me that I can worry that tiny little bit less, knowing she's got his back.
So...how are we feeling about Fran's impressions? Enjoy the sprinklings of humour? Like the alluding to what is to come from the dynamic duo? Intrigued by the growing friendship between Fran and Emily? Do let me know if you have the chance. :)