Disclaimer: As ever I do not own Criminal Minds!

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'Drinks anyone?' Rossi asked the team as they sat around finishing up the last of their paper work load, everyone agreed without a second. 'Who wants to get Garcia?'

'Agent Rossi, Garcia isn't in work.' Everyone stood and walked towards the Agent that had just spoken, intrigued to find out what he knew.

'Why not where is she?' Hotch asked confused, he should have been notified about changes to work patterns.

'I don't know but she changed her shift hours, she leaves everyday at 3:45.'

'How long has this arrangement been going on?' Hotch quizzed further, he needed to know and he wanted to know, as like the rest of the team, something was wrong and they needed to get to the bottom of it.

'Erm well about 2 days into the case you just finished.'

'3 weeks ago?' Derek asked confused, she hadn't mentioned anything on the phone and they spoke about a lot in the 3 weeks.

'Yes.'

'Is it a temporary arrangement?'

'Sir maybe Garcia is the one you should be asking.'

'Just tell us Agent.'

'I do believe she put it in as permanent.'

'Okay... thank you.' Hotch said dismissing the younger agent from the group, he turned and looked at the team. 'I think we should pop by Penelope's place, see if dinner is in order.' The team agreed and grabbed the stuff they needed before heading off to their cars.

When they got there, they noticed from the windows that the lights were off so that meant no one was in, it was only 6 in the evening, not quite dark, not quite light. They proceeded upstairs anyway and knocked, when no reply was heard they decided to head off and go home, the matter would be broached with Penelope in the morning.

Derek went to bed questioning everything, she looked healthy, maybe slightly tired, but healthy and he always knew when there were health troubles with her. He decided to get a full nights sleep, to help his head and tomorrow he would question it, he needed to question it.

The next morning they all wandered into work, all passing looks of who would go first, it was only when Hotch marched past and out they knew they would have to fall into an order, it was bound to be Derek next, then one of the girls, if not together, then Reid and then Rossi.

Penelope had just gotten in, traffic was horrendous but she didn't mind. She summoned in the person behind the knock and wasn't shocked to see her boss, what shocked her was his expression. 'How can I help you sir?' She swallowed as Hotch closed the door and stepped into the room more.

'Why have you changed you work times?'

'I like the afternoon to myself.'

'Is everything okay? The team and myself can help you Penelope.' He said using her first name; they meant business when he used her first name outside work. 'Why wouldn't you tell us?'

'I wanted to get used it first.'

'What's happening?'

'Nothing.' She lied to him, her face remained void but she could tell that he knew she was lying, it was when her cell phone rang that he saw the concern. 'Hello? Yes this is her.... is she okay?... Yes I'm on my way.' She closed the phone. 'Sir, I need to go to this.'

'Is your friend okay?' He assumed.

'She will be, I just have to go pick her up... you might need to get a tech in for today sir.'

'Sure thing Penelope, go, if she's no better tomorrow then stay off and help her out. If you need anything...'

'I know your number.... thank you.'

'It's nothing.' He then watched Penelope literally flee the room in haste. He sorted the tech out and headed back into the bull pen, he noticed 3 sets of beady eyes on him. 'Penelope had to rush off; she just wanted to change her work pattern.' He said blatantly confused and mulling over something. He saw Derek frown, this secrecy from Penelope had to be killing him, they were after all venturing into an intimate relationship, after sharing their most withheld secret with one another. It might have taken her to get shot and him to almost get blown up, a reckless boyfriend, a break up and nearly a year and half but they finally admitted their fears and love and the explosion and fallout of it all settled into something they both wanted but Penelope holding back might end things completely between them.

As soon as time for the work day ended, Derek didn't stay around he walked straight out, he needed to see one woman, one woman to answer his questions, he drove to Penelope's and walked up to her apartment door, he knocked and heard muffled talking.

The door opened and Penelope stared wide eyed. 'Gonna let me in baby girl?'

'Derek... what are you doing here?' She said and looked behind her. 'Hang on a minute.' She shut the door and several minutes later the door opened and Penelope stood out into the corridor, pulling the door too behind her.

'What the hells going on P? I thought we were an US, that we shared things and now you change your work schedule, leave without telling us in the afternoons, you aren't telling me something.' He saw the terrified look in her eyes, like she had just been caught out. 'If you don't want this then don't string me along because I want a serious relationship Pen, for the two of us, I love you, I told you I want to marry you because I'm in love with you so what's happening?

Just then the door opened, Derek looked for head height but saw nothing. 'Mommy, the buzzers gone off, I think cakes are ready.' Derek looked down and saw a smiley little girl, mixed skin tone much like his own, around the age of 8 maybe 9, definitely Penelope's daughter.

He stood shocked. 'Mommy?' He repeated and looked at Penelope, who stood with a range of emotions on her face, this was her secret.