Thank you for checking out this story... I hope you like this chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds of Dark Knight anything... i'm just a day dream who wonders what if Garcia and Wayne were a thing...

Chapter 2

Penelope woke up on the plane while the rest of the team was still sleeping. Her anxiety was at a record high – she debated if she should call Lucius. She didn't know why – but something just didn't feel right. The plane ride was smooth but she was filled with turbulence and gitters.

She pulled Lucius up on her phone – I should let him know I'm here and maybe he could give her some insight. Calm down she told herself, as she continued to fiddle with the pendent.

Maybe she should call Alfred?

The idea of calling Alfred put her stomach in knots. She spoke to him once a year around Bruce's birthday, February 19th. It took her 362 days to put a happy lilt in her voice that he would believe to be true… See, Alfred was always good a reading Penelope and she hadn't seen him in since Bruce's burial. It's like they had an agreement … He'd talk about the manor and the orphanage and she would talk about the BAU… but they never talked about Bruce or Holly. Once he asked her about kids – y'know having babies… I think that was last year and a half ago... she immediately went into a deep conversation about Jack's soccer game and her godson Henry's art classes—she'd just broke up with Kevin because he proposed—she wasn't on a baby the baby track. Alfred used to really push her to get past their deaths by saying He would want this or He would want you to do that...and all the feelings that were gone would rise to the surface like cooked pasta – and I would be putty in his hand. He would want you to have a family and bushel of children, take fun vacations, be happy … have a great life… but My great life was with Bruce and Holly, she thought. I miss them everyday. But last year he stopped asking about her personal life all together… and she was glad he finally got the message. She wished Lucius would quit… he was more gregarious about wanting to see a Garcia baby and a Garcia-hubby. She almost asked Reid to pretend to be her someone special – the genius angle would satiate Lucius brain for a few months.

She was so deep in thought; she didn't hear Hotch approach.

"Are you ok Garcia?"

"Yes, sir," she said slightly robotically.

He observed all of the Garcia's tells were present except for the worried fast-paced chatter.

"Sorry about Strauss," he said turning around to see if she was in earshot.

"The request for this team came directly from the White House. Which is a first for us. So we want to represent the bureau accordingly."

She smiled, "I understand. This is a high profile case - that was the rum protesting—not Technical Analyst Garcia."

"How's Beth? I'm sad we won't be able to see her—I was looking forward to brunch at JJ & Will's," she said trying to change the subject.

"She's good— she'll be back in a week or so."

"That's great, maybe we could all brunch then."

"Maybe," he said studying her again—she was covering up her anxiety, deflecting, and fidgety, why he wondered. Then, he realized for the first time that he never knew the full story behind San Francisco. She became a team member oddly - Strauss informed him to go to SFPD and leave with Penelope Garcia. He remembers he didn't want an un-vetted must hire on his team – and he wasn't in a position to ask Strauss for details. So he and Derek good cop/ bad cop her and she scribbled her resume on a bright pink paper. They watched her squirm for 10 minutes and then told her she had the job. Little did they know that pretense wasn't necessary - She was a good guy underneath the black eyeliner.

Hotch studied her and wondered was she a must hire? Why could she not go to San Franscisco, and why was she so tense. Now wasn't the time he made a mental note to ask her about it when they were in Quantico.

His face returned to his normal stern and stoic look, "You know if you ever need to talk – you can come to me. My door is always open."

Her hand went back to her pendant because she knew he wouldn't let it go, "I know, Hotch," she said looking down at her red toes, "but I'm fine, honest."

"Scouts honor," she said smiling too eagerly.

"Ok, I guess we should get some more shut eye." He said as they returned to their seats.

She borrowed Reid sweater from the overhead compartment and sat in the solo seat by the window. She pretended to sleep till she heard Aaron's breathing his a rhythmic cadence. She knew she couldn't sleep... so why try.

Gotham…

She went to San Francisco every year with Derek. Two weeks before the trip she would begin to prepare. Preparation for the trip involves opening Holly's trunk in the living room and looking through the mementos. In her trunk was a small shoebox labeled Jack—she never touched it but she couldn't throw it away—he was apart of her too. The trunk was filled with Holly's favorite accessories, loud hair clips, earrings, shoes, and goofy pictures. They found almost every photo booth in Paris and took crazy pictures. Her Brown University t-shirt. How did his Princeton Lacrosse t-shirt get in here? She wondered. Further into the trunk she found pictures with her and her brothers, family photos – her mother putting her hair into pigtails. She made her way through the trunk every year with few bottles of wine and several tequila gimlets. Her family and Holly were always close to her heart – but the trip to San Francisco was the time she truly allowed herself to feel the pain their loss left her with. It was always a somber time for her.

When she was done with the trunks she would call Lucius and confirm their hot dog shop date - the Saturday after thanksgiving when everyone was shopping. Last year she thought of introducing Derek to him – but she wasn't ready for the past to meet the present. Derek always accompanied her to their graves. Derek never pushed or pried—He never asked about Holly or Bruce… or the Waynes for that matter. He just let her grieve and offered her a strong shoulder when she needed—He said he knew she'd share when she wanted to. Alfred was never home when she visited—he was probably in Florence on his yearly vacation—which was good because those memories haunted her everyday. He haunted her she thought….

She bought several types of flowers when she visited their graves. Bruce's parents always received white roses, right next to them are her parents with gardenias—her mother's favorites, Holly always received a funky bright flower and Bruce a single snap dragon stem. She'd often come back in the middle of the night before her flight back to DC and talk to him. She'd return with an arm full of snapdragons and sit close to his headstone—often leaning so close she could run her hands across his name engraved in stone. Before she left she would whisper the words that killed him—I love you.

"Wake up sleepy head," Derek said as the plane started descending into San Francisco.

"I was just resting my eyes—I couldn't sleep."

"What's going on baby girl?"

"I'm just nervous about being here - on a case. This is where my hacker days ended—which is why I never really come her and I certainly don't work cases here because," she looked up knowing her rambling didn't make any sense, "it's a long story – but it is in the past."

"But it has you tense and taking Strauss head off," he teased

"Oh, that doesn't take much," she whispered.

"We come here every year—and you don't freak out like this."

"I know Derek, but—it's different visiting your parents grave and seeing an old friend - but working a case where someone in the White House requested you by name," she rested her head on his shoulder, "I just want to be home."

"Who?" Derek asked expressing concern for his friend.

"Someone above the Director who works in the White House – I mean, I'm good but part of being good is being unknown."

She saw the worry grow in his eyes, "I'm fine—I just wished I could've changed. I look very un-technical analyst, right now."

"Where's your go bag."

"At home—I never changed it after that Miami case," she shivered just thinking about the case, "but I figured I could buy something after the debrief.

There has to be a Gap by the Hotel or something."

She let out a baby gasp, "Imagine if we hit the ground running and I have to look like a pasty blond JLO the entire time because this case is a nightmare."

He laughed, "I can't decide what's funnier you as a pasty JLO or looking like a gap ad."

"I can go preppy," she said earnestly.

"Sure," he teased

"I can!" she affirmed

"Now this is odd Strauss," said to the team.

"The director sent us Form B for the case and it's a simple kidnapping involving an international company – you should have it in your emails."

The team opened it up on their I-pads.

"This tells us bubcus," Rossi said on first scan of the document.

"They invited Homeland, CIA, FBI, BAU, and the Locals for a kidnapping," Hotch reiterated for clarity.

"Wait, all of those agencies are involved," Emily, asked surprised, "we didn't even have that many departments –"

"In NY, I know, and it was a terrorist attack," Rossi finished.

"They called in the CIA, BAU, Homeland, and top brass on San Fran to converge on this case… this hasn't happened since the Zodiac Killer," JJ said.

"Actual Homeland Security and the BAU didn't exist until 2002 so there wasn't such an incident," Reid said correcting her.

"Even the bridge bombing attempt?" Derek asked.

"That only involved the local PD because the assailant was captured within a couple of days. I think a relative turned him in. The vigilante, the Batman – died saving 120 people attending the first CES conference in Silicon Valley."

"I never understood the motivation of the bombing?" Derek said, "I mean the bomber didn't want to destroy the bridge because he could have used the same bomb he used at the Arkham bombing or Gotham Savings and Loan robbery—the CES bombing was about bravado and theatrics- like he wanted to be caught – or"

"for the sheer spectacle of it,"Reid added "could be a narcissistic tendency."

But she was gone, playing with her pendant again—this was the first time Reid and Derek notice that the necklace held a pendant and a ring. A simple ring and a pendant that looked like an old coin.

"I was in San Francisco at the time—I think the bridge bombing was more about the disparity of wealth… dotcommers verse the people of San Fran. 67 people died that day—it was a horrible day," she whispered the last part of the sentence as she tapped the pendant to her chest.

"Do we know what corporation it is?" Penelope asked to no one in particular.

"Not yet- … I have a feeling this is going to be a long day," Straus said looking at Rossi.

"Here we are," JJ said.

The team disembarked from the plane and was greeted by 4 town cars on the tarmac.

"The company provided transportation to the debrief," Strauss explained.

"Does the President owe someone a favor?" Rossi whispered to Strauss.

"Now this is different," Emily said, "now, I'm rethinking that private sector offer in London."

The team zipped through the city at lightening speed; they entered a private tunnel system off of the highway that lead them to an enclosed parking lot.

As the team walked down the tunnel leading to the elevator to take them to debrief, Penelope wined as she pulled down her dress to meet her knees, "I'm going to an interdepartmental meeting looking like a Kardashian from the movie 300, life doesn't get any better than that."

"I think you look better—your curves are real," Derek teased.

"Forever the charmer," she said

The elevator had no buttons, they entered and the elevator just took them to a floor.

"What building are we in," JJ asked

"I have no idea, I didn't know they had such a tunnel system here in San Francisco. It is not on any map that I've ever seen," Reid paused, "and I've seen them all."

As the elevator opened they were greeted the by Head of the FBI, Director Clancy, CIA –Richard Tracy, and Homeland Security – Megan Lampert. Hotch, Strauss, and Rossi talked with them as the rest of the team made their way towards the food and coffee.

On her way to the coffee she saw Tom. Tom Cullen was the agent who brought her into acronym city.

"Tom Cullen," Garcia called as she made her way towards him

He almost spit out his coffee when he took in who she was and her dress. This was going to be the first of many times that she felt inappropriately dressed today, she reminded herself.

Penelope he said hugging her.

"Hey," he said smiling while surveying her fitted dress, his eyes lingered on her chest and said, "It's been ages."

"I know—" she said directly trying to get him to look at her face, "How have you been—still at the CIA right."

"Yes, do you know Tracy still is angry that I couldn't get you to choose us," he said with a warm smile.

She laughs, "he still thinks about me—"

Tom stepped closer to her, "You are hands down the best we've ever caught —I mean worked with" he blushed profusely, "agh, discovered."

She shook her head, "I know what you mean." She said smiling at the older gentleman, "But I couldn't have been that good since I got caught."

"Well you didn't get caught," he said teasing her, "you allowed us to catch you—totally different."

He took in her dress one more time as she added milk to her coffee, "Are you still in DC?"

"Yes, well Quantico," she said placing the sugar wrapper in the trash.

"We should get dinner or something," he said smiling as if she should understand that this conversation was building up to this moment. When the perplexed look registered with him he added, "You look amazing."

She was shocked that a man as old as Rossi was asking her out, she coughed and smiled. He was sophisticated – tall, salt and pepper hair, broad shoulders, weathered skin - he was like Alan Arkin with hair.

"I'm sorry you must be married or," he said when the surprised look remained on her face.

"No I –" she said searching for a polite exit.

"I'm just surprised to see you and you look amazing," he cleared his throat and tried to be more professional, "Actually I'm surprised you're working this case given your history."

She gave him another confused look, "I'm sorry," she began.

"I just mean that I thought this case would've hit too close to home and we – well you don't work on San Francisco cases. We've tried to borrow you last year and your supervisor, Erin Strauss, reminded us. Well, refused us," he looked around the room and leans in "she can be," he paused looking for a politically correct term, "assertive when she needs to be."

"Too close to home," Penelope repeated.

"Yes," he said nodding, "they don't know who took him but it all points to…" he was interrupted when the Director clanked his juice glass and called for everyone to enter the conference room.

She joined her team as they made their way to the conference room.

"Who was that," Emily asked.

She held her pendant again and said, "the agent who brought me in."

Rossi and Derek shared a look of concern, "he works for the CIA," she said "and I think he asked me out twice."

Emily chuckled, "that dress is destined to get you into trouble."

"When does the GAP open," Derek groaned.

As she entered the room her heart fell, her worst fear had come true. She saw Lucius, Lucius Fox her old boss. She gave him a small wave as she took her seat. He waved back and gave her a sad smile. Rossi noticed the wave and leaned in—"a friend of yours?"

She nodded as they took their seats.

Richard Tracy, Head of the CIA, began to speak, "Thank you for traveling here at this ungodly hour – but this case involves national security. Before we disclose the details of the case, we wanted to introduce you to Lucius Fox, the CEO of Wayne Enterprises who runs all divisions and sub-divisions of the company. Since this case is not a simple kidnapping we thought it would be a good idea to introduce each department and for you all to present your capabilities so we all know how to work with each other on this. The BAU will take the lead since their expertise involves profiling and knowledge of the criminal mind. Each Department will get 5 minutes to introduce the team and capabilities. Once we're done We, Megan Lampert, Homeland Security, Tom Clancey, FBI, Lucius Fox, Commissioner Gordon, and I, Richard Tracy, Head of CIA- will present the case. After that we will share all pertinent information and suss out approaches to come up with an action plan. It's imperative that this case results in the return of the victim alive, safe, and sound."

"So let's go into our designated breakaway rooms and work on the presentations. You have 10 minutes."

As team CIA stepped down, the BAU team gathered in the front of the room. As the team took their place in the front of the room, Hotch began as a door in the rear opened and someone joined the government honchos and Lucius in the back of the conference room, his face was covered by the shadows.

"We are the Behavioral Analysis Unit. Simply, we examine the unsub, unknown subject's, behavior to decipher what he or she will do next based on what he has done. This isn't an exact science but we study the unsub's victimology"

Reid continued, "For those of you aren't familiar with that term, Victimology is the study of victimization, including the relationships between victims and offenders. The connections between victims and their social groups and institutions, such as the media, businesses, and social activity inform us about the unsub."

"Once we learn about the unsub", Morgan continues, "we create a profile. This profile tells us who we are looking for – based on victim we can sometimes determine race, socio-economic status, and sex."

"And sock color," Penelope added which got a chuckle in the room.

"With a detailed profile, we can then search using the parameters and create a list of suspects," JJ added.

"We can take a suspect pool of hundreds and dwindle them down to 7," Emily said, "with the help of technology."

"The excellence of this team," Erin says, "is due to the talent of the agents – Agent Hotchner leads the team, Agent Rossi furthered the study of BAU in the 70's and 80's by raising awareness of the behavioral criminal science through his case work for the bureau and hostage negotiations. Agent Morgan specializes in explosives and obsessional crimes. Agent Jarreau and Agent Prentiss have both worked in various government agencies including a few present today and have excelled in the science of decoding criminals—between them they specialize in psychology, media outreach, child advocacy, and terrorist. Technical Analyst Garcia translates the profile to the digital world which narrows the suspect list -often to one. Last but not least is Dr. Reid who is our resident genius with PHD's in engineering, chemistry, mathematic, and psychology. We have the highest percentage of solved cases in the bureau because of the way this team of experts and geniuses come together."

"Thank you Erin," Lambert says as the make their way to the front of the room.

"Now, Lucius Fox will walk us through the events—please hold all questions till the end.

"Alfred Pennyworth is manager of the Wayne Estate. Bruce was declared dead 3 and a half to 4 years ago and Alfred took over all of Bruce's responsibilities. This involved overseeing the business, philanthropic, and developmental work of Wayne as a whole. Only a few people were privy to this information which allowed Alfred to go about his life as a regular person, Mr. Pennyworth returned from his annual trip to Florence on Monday—actually" Lucius corrected, "he was in DC for a week and then returned home on Monday."

"He was on a commercial flight - Delta 1530, which landed it 9:17 am on Monday. He ordered a car to take him back to the penthouse – but he never arrived. Alfred and I communicate several times a week via email or phone and when he didn't show up for dinner. I assumed he extended his trip—which he often does. Then, I received these email the following day—"

The projector displayed the email Lucius was referring to. The first email was a dancing monkey game. The monkey pulled a sign that said find the penny become a billionaire.

"I assumed it was spam and trashed the email. This email was sent several times on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and I ignored them. Then I received this video Thursday night, last night, and contacted Commissioner Gordon immediately."

Alfred appeared on the screen with a newspaper in front of him.

"Lucius," he began.

And his face was slapped.

"Mr. Fox,"

"Hmmms ,That's mooorrreeee like it," a computerized voice said with a giggle

"Sometimes who we are in this life isn't about our titles or our stature but more about who we are to strangers – the unseen. Some may see me as a man, or as a mere butler, or your boss. It all depends on your perspective."

"But what if I'm more—and you can't see that or never have."

"I'm here to invert the view – turn everything on it's head - ground you in a new reality of the people – that you've been oblivious to for so long."

"You will receive 3 challenge questions—you must solve them correctly or I will go the way of the Golden 67."

"Your first task – is to find my roots—you can't know who I am if you don't know where I'm from."

"Very Good AL," he squealed, "Now say something to your friends..."

"Say it from you heart," he growled slowly "this may be your swan song" he chuckled as he pulled Alfred's face to closer to the screen. The unsub wore white gloves… his face and was out of camera frame.

"Lucius, I hope you can forgive me for the secret I've kept – love often blinds you and we share the same soft spot." He said as his lip quivered, "I've lived a full life, I've had a family and often felt like I had a son," a few tears trickled down his eyes and navigated through his wrinkled face to his shirt, "and regardless of the outcome I hope you have these things too – a man deserves that much in his life and you have been that blessing. You let your life end – sacrificing one happiness for another without understanding that you deserved both—worthy of both. Remember Burma, sometimes we cannot buy, negotiate, or fight our way out—I'm too old for such theatrics. But I beg you " He cleared his throat, "don't add me to the weight you carry. Leslie, I love you. Forgive him Lulu - fear creates our worst selves... always."

Tears sprung to her eyes as soon as Alfred's name was mentioned. She blotted the tear away quickly but not quick enough for Rossi to miss it. She was like the team's mother hen making sure everyone was fine—being a mood booster on hard cases. Obviously this case hit home, She knew Lucius Fox and obviously Alfred—but how? Did this case involve more than delivering a profile, he wondered. He made a note to ask Strauss about her past—why was the BAU really invited down to lead this case? Something didn't add up.

Thank you for the follows and the reviews... One more chapter and the story moves to crossover territory - so please follow - if you like it and please review :)

how are annoying are all those typos? I need a beta... please help... love moi!