Chapter 1
My first Criminal Minds fan fic. I don't hate Savannah (much) but I want Morcia so she has to go. I actually started writing a different story but this one popped in my head and wouldn't shut up so it will now be the first. No copyright infringement intended. I just brought them out to play with. All mistakes are mine. And I may take some creative license with characters so if they are OOC, sorry.
Sometimes you have to move on without certain people. If they are meant to be in your life they will catch up. - Unknown
Penelope Garcia sat in front of her babies scanning information almost before it could hit the screen. She wanted the unsub in jail and her family home ASAP. So far they had not been able to connect the victims. She gasps suddenly. Typing even faster, she finally found the connection. Stabbing the number 1 on her office phone she waited through half a ring before she heard an answer. "Whatcha got for us baby girl?" Derek Morgan asked quickly.
"All 5 victims visited open houses through Greene Realty over the last year. I just sent the home and business address and the background check on the owner. He had sealed records that are very interesting."
"you are a goddess baby girl" he said and she could hear his grin through the line.
"You have no idea hot stuff." She said with a flirty tone. "Go get him, get home safe and maybe I'll show you what you've been missing all these years. Garcia out." She hit the button to hang up with a smile and turned back to her computer to watch her team get the bad guys.
Late Friday night, she was waiting at the elevator with a smile and hugs when the team came trudging tiredly back into the BAU…..everyone except her baby boy. "Where is Morgan?" She asked the group. She saw JJ grimace but before she could respond Reid, who had no tact in his super smart brain, popped in with an explanation as he distractedly dug through his bag.. " He went straight home. Something about needing a heavy dose of loving and not a lot of sleep."
"Oh" she said quietly. "Well I am heading home myself. I'll see you all in the morning." She tried to smile as she turned back toward her office.
"Garcie…" JJ began but Penelope didn't slow down. She waved her hand in the air and kept walking quickly until she was inside her lair with the door closed and locked. She grabbed her things, threw them in her bag and walked quietly back out, taking the stairway by her office down one level so she wouldn't have to see anyone near the central elevator, then down to the garage, rushing to her trusty convertible Esther and driving home before the tears started to fall. Everything in Penelope's life now came down to BS, before Savannah, no pun intended really, and AS, after Savannah, BS, she and her noir hero had movie night once a week, random lunches, flirted outrageously, and he ALWAYS came back to the BAU after a case ended even if it was just long enough to say hi, make sure she was doing ok, and give her a hug. He still calls her baby girl during the workweek when Savannah isn't around but everything else has stopped. Penelope feels like she lost her best friend and Derek? He doesn't seem to notice her at all anymore.
Penelope Garcia struggles to find the energy to get ready for a night out with the team, she loves them all but after yesterday she is wishing this was one Saturday night everyone was busy so she could sit on the couch alone eating junk food and watching sad movies. It suits her mood much better than going to a bar and pretending to be happy, especially if Derek and Savannah show up. She sighs as a knock sounds on her door, knowing JJ won't let her beg off tonight. Putting a fake smile on her face she opens the door. " Hey my lovely. You ready to go party?" Who knows? Maybe she can fake happy for half an hour then sneak into an uber. She can always say she went home with a hottie and only JJ will call her on it.
The drive to the club is a little too quiet but she cant think of a thing to say that wont have her in tears before they even walk in so she keeps her mouth firmly shut. As JJ pulls into a parking place she reaches over and grabs Penelope by the hand. "Pen? Are you going to be ok?" She asks in almost a whisper. She looks at JJ, knowing that its not just worry but the love of a friend that has her asking. Penelope squeezes her hand. " I will be." After one more squeeze she opens her door and gets out of the car, waiting at the front for JJ. They walk in together and find Hotch, Rossi and Reid sitting at a large table in the back. After ordering wine from the waitress Rossi calls over they begin chatting about nothing in particular. Looking around Penelope notices Derek and Savannah on the dance floor and tenses as they walk toward the table. "That floor is hot tonight" Derek grins as he pours a beer from the pitcher. Savannah looks around and sees the waitress walking by with a tray of drinks. " I"d like to order here" she yells over the noise. The waitress responds that she will be back soon and Savannah rolls her eyes and says crossly,. "How difficult is it to take an order? Derek baby, can you go get me a bottle of water?" "You"re wish is my command sweet thang." He smirks then leans over to give her a steamy kiss before making his way to the bar. Savannah ignores the rest of the table until Derek returns then pretends to be interested in talking to them. After watching Derek practically maul her, Penelope decides this is the perfect time to head to the bathroom. Maybe she can hide for a few minutes. Thankfully, it's quiet when she walks in and there are plenty of open stalls. She takes her time and is startled when she steps out to wash her hands and sees Savannah applying lipstick. After a second she walks to a sink a few away from Savannah and washes her hands but she can feel Savannah's eyes on her. She dries her hands and turns to face her, one eyebrow going up in question. "You know Penelope, I have overlooked your behavior up to now and God knows Derek would never dream of saying anything but it's really getting old."
"Excuse me?" Penelope asked puzzled as to what she could possibly be talking about.
"Mooning over Derek like a lovesick child. Even he is embarrassed by it. We are getting married. We are having a baby. He doesn't have time to coddle you or pretend any longer. He has real responsibilities now and he doesn't have time for movie nights or long lunches or whatever it is you keep pushing for just because he feels sorry for you and your little crush on him." Savannah pauses a moment, blots her lipstick and continues, "You need to grow up and move on." She turns and walks out leaving Penelope with tears in her eyes and her mouth open in shock.