18

"That's it JJ. Keep going. You got it! I'm so proud! Like a mother hen."

JJ couldn't help but smile over at the blonde who had such an infectious personality. She was a happy and cheerful person. Nothing ever seemed to be able to change that. Even with the nature of their jobs. Though admittedly the team like to protect her from the ills of the world as much as they possibly could.

Derek laughed at Garcia from where he was. He was currently relaxing in the pool, but still he was being kept on his toes by JJ. The woman had been adamant that she was going to complete at 6 lengths of the pool that day without any help, otherwise it didn't count.

They had been out there for 35 minutes and she had completed 4. But she was hell bent on completing her fifth one before allowing them to go in. She had had a few breaks, reheated and then was back to it as quickly as she could possibly handle. Though she was being more mindful of her limitations and what her body was telling her these days.

She was also in a pretty good mood. But who wouldn't be when Penelope Garcia was your own personal groupie?

Derek was enjoying the relaxing time in the pool. And Emily was keeping him company on the side as she dangled her feet into the water. Under different circumstances Derek probably would have taken great joy in pulling her in there with him. But that just wasn't going to happen at this stage. Hopefully in the future though. Especially now he knew that she owned a house with a pool!

JJ was trying very hard to ignore the glances as she sat catching her breath on the steps that allowed entry to the pool. They were doing it because they cared, not for any other reason.

She took another deep breath and then pushed off wanting to finish and then head on inside.

She made it all the way across and was on her way back when she started to tire and her speed began to lag. Morgan was about to head over when Emily kindly, but firmly held him back. Simultaneously she gave him 'the' look. The one that told him JJ was a strong, independent young woman that was able to speak for herself. And though her body didn't necessarily understand all of her limitations, her mind ought to by now.

Everyone watched for JJ's reaction. Instead of getting frustrated like they were half expecting her to do, she didn't. She turned over and started floating on her back. She didn't want help, but she wasn't pushing herself to exhaustion either. After the tiredness passed, she turned back over and finished. Sitting once again on the step.

Her breathing wasn't easy, but she looked content. Emily and Morgan moved over to her and she slouched into him when he sat next to her.

"That was great Jayje. Like, really great."

Penelope squeaked as she took JJ a water bottle. "I am so proud of you!"

JJ shied away from the attention, instead stretching her legs and moving them freely in the water. There was no heaviness. It didn't feel as if she was being weighed down. It was freeing.
Morgan wrapped his arm around her and smiled. "You ready to go in now Jayje?"

She nodded. Completing her goal had put her in a good mood and had made her very agreeable.

Morgan stood up at the edge of the pool and got a steady footing before he leaned forward and held his hands out to JJ. Together they were getting her up and about more regularly, although for short bursts at a time.

She stood up and was in front of him, continuing to smile. Garcia wrapped a towel around her and Morgan checked – as he always did – that she was okay with him lifting her up and carrying her into the house.

He left her in her room and went to keep Emily company in the lounge, with Garcia closing the door after he left.

"So hun, that was really good work today. What do you feel like doing now?"

JJ had been thinking about the steps she had taken recently in her recovery. She was doing well in private. She only had her friends close to her that were seeing her struggle. But she couldn't hide like this forever.

Penelope kept her distance, letting JJ get ready in her own time.

"I think… I think that I want to go out… somewhere."

JJ saw Penelope's face and the look of confusion clouded by the dumbfounded expression meant JJ couldn't help but laugh.

"It's not a big deal."

"But… no, it is JJ!"

The blonde bit her lip and thought carefully about what she was going to say next.

"Garcia…, Penelope… I don't want it to be a big deal. I just… I can't keep hiding. It isn't healthy. I need a little bit of normality in my life."

Garcia had to restrain herself, keeping her distance and allowing JJ to manage on her own. Though at the same time she was on the lookout in case she really did need help but wouldn't say anything.

"Okay. Not a big deal then. What were you thinking?"

JJ contemplated for a moment before saying anything. "I think something smaller to start off with. Maybe we could go to like a little café or something. Just… somewhere where there aren't too many people."

"Okay. When do you want to go?"

"Now?"

"Now!?"

"Yeah…I don't want to lose my nerve. Can you please grab me my shoes?"

"Of course! Ooh. This is like a little outing. Who do you want to come? Are we all going to go? Ooh, I want to come!"

JJ couldn't help the smile that naturally appeared on her face. Penelope was just a beautiful ray of unhinge that oozed happiness. It was hard not mile at her genuine happiness.

…

Penelope was having a ball whizzing JJ up and down the aisle. They had been picking out junk food in masses so that they could enjoy their upcoming movie night. Emily and Derek headed for the fruits and vegetables and left them to it.

"Ooh what about Cheetos? You love Cheetos. Let's get two bags!"

Penelope grabbed a couple of large bags and added them to the mound that was already covering JJ.

"I think that's all we need Pen. I don't think we'll even manage to eat all of this between the four of us."

"That's okay. Better to have too much than not enough."

JJ laughed again and they headed to meet up with the other two.

They were laughing as the headed down the aisle but reality hit. Hard.

"What's wrong with her?"

Penelope looked ahead and saw a little boy pointing at JJ and yanking on his mothers' arm.

"What's wrong with her? Why does she have that? She looks funny."

Garcia looked up to see a horrified mother as she tried to fix the situation somehow. Her cheeks had gone red and she had quickly become very flustered.

"Honey, no. Sh. It's rude to say that."

"To say what?"

"Shh. We'll talk later."

"But-"

The woman looked at the pair of blondes, apologised profusely and walked off as quickly as she could, embarrassment written all over her face."

"But Mum! She has a chair with wheels. That's so cool!"

Garcia moved around to face JJ.

"You okay?"

JJ was flustered and looked highly uncomfortable.

"Can we go now?"

"Yeah sure. But you know that you have nothing to be ashamed of right?"

"It's not about that Pen. I finally felt normal. Like we were just buying junk food for a girls night in. And it's not his fault. I just… I guess my bubble has been burst. That's all."

"Oh hun. Well we are going to unburst it. Just think in a few more weeks it really will be the two of us, and Em, walking around getting food for movie night."

…

"Are you sure that you're okay in here JJ?"

She looked around.

"Yeah I'm fine. I wanted to go to a café so we are going to stay here and actually eat."

"As long as you're comfortable."

"I said I'm fine." JJ snipped and effectively put Morgan in his place.

"Any who…" Emily broke the silence. "This is a nice place. Quiet and homey. And the menu looks great as well. What are you guys going to get?"

…

Sitting contently inside the car, the continuous flow of coffee was the only thing that was keeping a brain alert and a pair of eyes open. That, and a will to make things right.

They didn't know that they were being watched. Staying under the radar was key. Maintaining the ability to act when it was least expected was the most important thing.

So for right now, watching and waiting was okay.

I know that it has been ages since I last updated. Studies are back in full swing and so I don't have much time to myself. In saying that, I have been wanting to get something up for the last two weeks. I will try to update at least every two weeks from now. This is more a filler / introduction of another aspect of the story. I have plans for the next six or so chapters and then I will be trying to wrap it up after that. I know this is a shorter chapter but the next one will be more of a length like my other chapters.

Thank you all so much for the reviews, follows, favs. I appreciate it as always. And of course, a HUGE, GIGANTIC thank you to those who nominated this for the Profiler's Choice Awards. It was crazy cool to get the email. And for it to be nominated in a couple of categories as well. That's wicked awesome. You guys rock.

Thanks again. I am amazed by you guys. Seriously. It made my day.