Chapter Text
“Where you off to in such a hurry, baby girl?” Penelope turned as she heard Derek.
“I’m off to Saffron Meadow. Since it’s a paperwork day Hotch is okay with me heading out.”
“Saffron… that’s the new school, right? For kids with disabilities? Is that the right word?”
“Yeah. Disabled isn’t a swear word, Derek. It’s only an insult if you use it as one. And 'new' is a relative term, it's been around for about five years now.”
“Woah, really? Doesn't feel like its been that long. Why are you going there? You know a student?”
“I know several. I volunteer there whenever I can. They always need more adults. I read with the kids, play games, take them for walks… whatever needs doing.”
“You are an angel, Penelope, you know that right?”
“Better believe it. You should come with me some time. Your hunky muscles would be very valuable. Anyway, I’m off!”
Derek laughed as she left, heading to his desk.
“Pen off?” Emily asked.
“Yeah. Saffron Meadows. Did you know she volunteered there?”
“Yeah,” Alex was the one who answered, “James told her about it. It’s run by the same people who ran the centre Ethan went to.”
“Cool.”
“Pen was at ours a while back and was saying she wanted to help somewhere that mattered, where she could just be her and help people, ideally somewhere without crime! James suggested Saffron. He goes there once a month to help with check-ups for the kids.”
“She suggested I join her some time. Maybe I will. Apparently my ‘hunky muscles’ would be helpful.”
“They definitely would. Honestly, they’d love you. And you’ve got the FBI badge so that’ll save half the paperwork.”
Derek opened a new tab on his computer: Saffron Meadows, Virginia.
***
“Hi Spencer, come in, buddy,” Ms Olivia smiled brightly, “how has he been?”
William looked tired as he answered, “he had a rough night last night, he may end up needing a nap today.”
“No worries, we’ll play today by ear. Are you collecting or Diana?”
“Should be me, but I’ll let you know if anything changes.”
Ms Olivia took the handles of Spencer’s wheelchair, taking him through to his classroom.
“I heard that Penny is coming today. Maybe she can read with you,” she said, “we know how much you love your stories.”
She flicked through the home-school communication log, mentally noting that there had been multiple aggressive incidents overnight: biting, kicking, hitting, which had resulted in Spencer’s exhaustion. Now he seemed relaxed, content to sit and watch what was happening around him. She was grateful - aggressive days were hard on everyone.
For the first hour of the day, Spencer had a magnetic car maze in front of him and sat humming to himself as he played.
***
“Good morning!” Penelope waltzed into the front office, beaming at the familiar staff members.
“Hi Penny, was it a paperwork day today?”
“Yep, so here I am!”
The receptionist, a young lady called Lizzie, grinned, “we have a request for you in room 3. One of the little lads had a rough night last night so they are hoping you’d be up for reading with him for a bit.”
“Of course! That’s Olivia’s room, right?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll head through now, nice seeing you, Lizzie”
Penelope made her way down the large corridors, pausing to greet a couple of kids and carers she passed on the way. Arriving at room three, she took a moment to rally herself, then bounced in with the enthusiasm of a children’s TV presenter.
“Hi Liv, Lizzie said you requested reading?”
“Yeah. Spencer had a rough night. If you can read with him, it may help him have a little nap, from his notes he didn’t get much, if any, sleep last night.”
“Bless him. I’m guessing I should take him through to the nap room then?”
Penelope pulled up an app on her phone which she used to document everything she did while at the school. She found Spencer and saw that she’d met him a month or so ago.
“If you don’t mind. Amy and Micah will be in and out, Micah will help you transfer Spencer to a bed.”
Micah, a tall, broad shouldered man who made Derek look small, came over.
“Are my ears burning?” He asked, “lovely to see you as always, Penelope.”
“And you, my flame haired friend.”
“I’m not ginger, I’m strawberry blond”
“Sure. And I’m not short, I’m fun sized”
Ms Olivia laughed at the pair’s banter as they headed over to Spencer.
“Hi Spencer! I don’t know if you remember me, but I’m Penelope. I played with paint with you a few weeks ago. If you are up for it, I’d like to read you some stories?”
Spencer shakily moved his hand over to the ‘yes’ card that was stuck onto the tray in front of him - the best form of communication they had at present.
“Awesome. We are gonna go through to the cosy room so if you decide to have a rest, you can. I’m gonna touch your wheelchair now.”
The ‘cosy room’ was a small room next to the main classroom which held a couple of beds, some beanbags, armchairs and sensory toys. Micah helped Penelope move Spencer to a bed, checking the sides were securely up before stepping back.
“I’ll pop in from time to time, give me a yell if you need anything.”
“Thanks Micah.”
Penelope turned to Spencer, “Okay buddy, which book should I read?”
She held two books out in front of Spencer and waited until he pointed to one.
“Good choice, I am a fan of the Gruffalo.”
***
Home-School Communication Log Saffron Meadows
School Communication
Day: Wednesday
Lead Worker: Ms Olivia Sands
My behaviour today: Very good behaviour
I Ate and Drank Spencer had his fruit puree and three cups of water. He tried a few goldfish crackers.
What I did today: Miss Penelope visited and read with Spencer today. Spencer had a nap. Miss Penelope read four stories with Spencer, who signed ‘thank you’ unprompted at the end. Good job Spencer!
Notes: Spencer was rather drowsy today and struggled with eating his food. He ate most of his fruit, but wasn’t feeling his bread today. He is making good progress with his signing, we are all delighted with his progress. Have a good evening, Spencer!
***
“How did it go at Saffron yesterday?” Alex asked as Penelope came into the bullpen the next morning.
“It was great. I read with a little boy until he fell asleep, then played with cars with a little girl, and I did some painting with another girl.”
“Sounds like a good day.”
“It was. All three yesterday were quite young, and one of them signed thank you after I read a book. He’s still learning to sign, so it was so sweet that he did it unprompted. I may have cried.”
Alex smiled broadly, “I’m so pleased. And good job to him for the sign!”
“Hopefully that means he’s beginning to get the idea of how signing works. Once he realises that it’s a means of communicating, hopefully he’ll do it more. He has a handful of picture cards stuck to the tray of his wheelchair which he can use, but doesn’t always.”
Alex gave a sympathetic nod, she remembered the struggle from Ethan.
“James will be there early next week – if we aren’t on another case by then, maybe you could go with him? I know last time you were a lifesaver.”
“Because I got rid of a spider for him.”
“That too,” Alex laughed, “although I meant because the kids all adore you.”
Penelope shrugged, “You’re too kind, Doctor Blake. Although I am pretty awesome… I’ll ask Hotch. I like going there, it makes me feel useful.”
“Says the person who solves most of our cases for us,” Emily had arrived by now, joining in the conversation.
“Only because you guys tell me what to look for,” Penelope argued.
“I’ll get James to text you. I’m pretty sure he has a couple of MMR jabs to give, so some Penelope Distractions may be needed!”