deep end, cm [ 1 ]

055. penelope

Spencer and Jessica had been watching a movie when JJ called and told them that Penelope got shot. The two raced to the hospital, Jessica having to hold herself back from running.

"Hey." Jessica calls, speed walking over to JJ who stands up and Hotch walks over to them.

"She's in surgery. There's no word." JJ informs.

"This is crazy." Spencer says.

"What do we know?" Rossi asks as he and Emily walk up.

"Police think it was a botched robbery." Hotch says.

"Where's Morgan?" Emily asks.

"He's not answering his cell." JJ says.

"I'll call him again." Spencer says, walking a bit away.

~ ~ ~

"They can't give me an update." JJ says, walking over.

"Morgan's phone just keeps going straight to voicemail." Spencer says, pocketing his phone.

"Where the hell is he?" Emily questions.

~ ~ ~

They're all still waiting on any news, silence filling the area. Jessica sighs, rubbing her hands over her face out of frustration and worry.

Spencer rests his hand on her arm, rubbing his thumb over her sleeve. Jessica leans into his side, resting her head on his shoulder.

~ ~ ~

Derek walks over and everybody stand up.

"She's been in surgery a couple hours." JJ tells him.

"I was at church, my phone was off." Derek says.

"There's nothing you could have been doing here." Spencer says.

"The police got any leads?" Derek asks.

"I spoke to the lead detective. He doesn't think we'll get anything from the scene." Hotch says.

"Penelope Garcia?" A nurse walks out.

"Yes." Hotch says.

"Yes." Emily echoes.

Jessica clutches onto Spencer's arm in anxiety.

"The bullet went in her chest and ricocheted into her abdomen. She lost a lot of blood. It was touch and go for a while, but we were able to repair the injuries." He explains.

"So what are you saying?" JJ asks.

"One centimeter over and it would have torn right through her heart. Instead, she could actually walk out of here in a couple of days, and I'd say that's a minor miracle."

Jessica lets out a deep breath of relief, her nails unhooking from Spencer's arm.

"She needs her rest. You can see her in the morning." He walks off.

"Thank you." JJ tells him.

"David and I will go to the scene. I think the rest of you should be here when she wakes up." Hotch says. "I don't care about protocol, I don't care whether we're working this officially or not. We don't touch any new cases until we find out who did this."

+++

A nurse leads the five into Penelope's room. JJ kisses her on the cheek, sadly smiling.

"Hi. No tears." Penelope says. "I'm afraid if I start crying I'll come unstapled."

"How are you feeling?" Derek asks, standing on Penelope's other side, Jessica next to him. Spencer and Emily stand at the end of the bed.

"Oh... confused... stupid, and... in pain." Penelope says.