Once Upon A Crime Scene

Away From The Screens: Penelope Garcia

I glance at the time on the bottom right corner of my computer screen: 01:00. The rest of the team should be back from Vermont any minute now. Even though I could've gone home a few hours ago, I decided to wait here at Quantico until my friends arrive safely.

There's not really much for me to do now, so I practice my hacking skills a little bit before finally pulling up cute kitten videos.

Should I get a cat? I think I should get a cat. Tomorrow is my day off unless we get a case, so I could swing by the shelter, just to have a quick look.

I jump a little when I hear a sharp ping coming from my phone. The screen lights up with Emily Prentiss' picture, and I smile.

"Hello, my lovely, you have reached your favorite high-tech hottie! How can I be of assistance?" I ask, standing up and stretching for the first time in a couple hours. How can I be this stiff already? Am I getting old?

I blink away my thoughts as Emily's smooth voice comes through the phone. "Hey, Garcia! We just landed. Are you still here?"

"Of course I am! When have you ever known me to leave before I know all my babies are here safely?"

"Fair point. I brought you the maple syrup you wanted me to get for you. Meet me in the bullpen?" I can hear the smile in my friend's voice, and it makes my heart happy.

"Yes, absolutely! See you in a minute!" I hang up and grab my purse from the floor. I toss my phone inside and walk out of my little home-away-from-home, closing the door behind me.

I only have to wait a couple minutes before my friends walk through the glass doors. Emily grins as soon as she sees me, reaching into her bag and pulling out a brown paper sack.

I hug her quickly and take the package from her hands. I'm definitely making pancakes tomorrow. Maybe I could see if JJ and Emily want to do a girls' day! That would be fun. We could even go out tomorrow night and get a little wasted...

"Babygirl, I don't even get a hello?" Derek Morgan's cocky smile snaps me back to reality, and I roll my eyes before hugging him tightly.

"Hello, Chocolate Thunder. Fancy seeing you here," I wink at him and hear Rossi chuckle behind me.

The room is full of quiet conversations and laughter for the next few minutes as we all gather our stuff and head to the elevator. I glance around at each member of our little family and smile to myself. I've never felt more at home anywhere than I do with them.

"JJ! Emily!" I get my friends' attention as we step into the parking deck.

"What's up, Penelope?" JJ smiles at me, but I can see the exhaustion in her eyes. I don't think any of us get very much sleep during cases.

"I was wondering if you wanted to have a girls' day tomorrow! I can cook breakfast for you guys, and we can watch romcoms and drink wine and maybe even go to the bar for a little bit of dancing tomorrow night!" My words come out in a rush, as they always do when I'm excited.

"That sounds great to me! I am in desperate need of some relaxation, or as I like to call it, booze," Emily winks at me, and I laugh.

"Yeah, I'm in too! Spending the day with my favorite ladies sounds like much more fun than eating cheetos and binging Netflix all day. Even though I may have to bring my cheetos with me..." JJ grins at us both before continuing her walk to her car. "But for now, I am exhausted. I'll see you both at, what time, Pen?"

"Is ten okay?" I ask, glancing at both of them briefly.

"Works for me!" Emily says, and JJ nods. I smile at them one more time before I make my way to my own vehicle. Time for some sweet dreams.