Tonight was one of those nights when he questioned what he did for a living; wondering if it all really mattered what he and the others did. The monsters just kept coming, growing bigger and badder with each case. Nothing they did stopped the madness that seemed to consume the innocent of the world. Was he fooling himself to think that what he did really mattered? This last case was over but Derek was finding it difficult to identify the winner. The UnSub had been killed by a bullet from his gun but it didn't change the fact that five women had been kidnapped, raped and brutally murdered in front of their husbands. It also didn't matter that the lives of the victims and their families were ruined. No, there was no winner in this closed case. Derek's body was sore and tired. He'd fought with an oversized killer and in the end killed him but all he had to show for it were bumps, bruises and a foul disposition.

The team wanted to head to the nearest bar and drink away the memory of the recently departed as if alcohol would or could actually erase what they had just witnessed. He needed a drink, no he need several drinks so he agreed to meet the others. They knew what the meeting and the alcohol really did; it was to remind them that they weren't alone in their feelings of hopelessness, fighting an unbeatable war that didn't pay nearly enough even though that's not the reason they had all agreed to do what they did.

The questions of why would always be in their minds as they headed off to yet another case time and time and again. They did it to save an innocent and to give back the normalcy and convince the weak that good still existed even though they'd witnessed evidence to the contrary. There wasn't enough alcohol, pills or sleep to wipe away the memories, the pain and the regret for being too late, too human to save them all. He felt raw at this moment the dark cold night seemed to put him in a particularly vulnerable mindset. He slowly walked toward his car and climbed into the driver's seat waving to his team mates as they each headed away from Lot B designated for FBI employees and imagining the feel of the thick alcohol burning as it slid down his throat.

Mar's Bistro –

Mar's Bistro was an upscale restaurant tucked away in a hidden corner of downtown D.C. It was originally an old abandoned warehouse slated for demolition until a local businesswoman purchased it for a dollar from the city and renovated it. Marsela Bennington, a beautiful olive-skinned woman in her early forties, owed the BAU team her life; she'd been rescued from a stalker seven years ago. She was one of the innocents that knew how it felt to be given a new lease on life because the team had arrived on time. As her thank you, she always took care of Hotch and his agents whenever they came in together or alone. Sometimes it meant sending out a SOS when one came in alone and drank way beyond his or her capacity. She was all too aware of what they did for a living and so she was honored to know that she was their safe harbor in time of need. It also gave her an opportunity to see the one and only, Special Agent David Rossi upon whom she had a huge crush. Of course he hadn't made a move and neither had she yet it didn't stop her heart from skipping an extra beat whenever he walked through the door. Mar had heard about his ongoing fling with his boss. She thought it funny that everyone walked around as if they didn't know that the two of them were sleeping together. It was for the best anyway; married three times and until Strauss he was as big a serial dater as Morgan. She watched him and the rest drag themselves into her place after work and the looks in their eyes scared her. Getting too close and being pulled into any of their lives would have been an invitation to hell.

Morgan wasn't sure if it was the curvaceous redhead or the fact that the drinks weren't coming to the table fast enough. So, he volunteered to go and place their order with Mike the Bartender. Alex, JJ and Garcia rolled their eyes and watched as he strolled to the bar. The woman who had been staring the agent down all evening turned and gave him her undivided attention smiling confidently as he got closer. Morgan had played this scene countless times before he knew all too well how it would end. These very scenes contributed to his reputation as a player. He liked what he saw she was his type, gorgeous, female and willing. As he stood waiting for Mike, he felt her enter his personal space with a slight brush against his arm with hers.

"Rough day?"

"Yeah. I guess you could say that."

"Looks like you could use some company."

He glanced back at his table and then at the woman. This was way too easy he thought to himself.

"I've got plenty of company." He said sounding uninterested.

The woman was surprised at his response as she shot a quick glance at his table. Had she missed something or someone? She thought.

"Maybe not the right company."

Mike came over with a familiar grin and took his order. He'd witnessed this scene a million times and had heard about Morgan's string of lovely conquests and seen it with his own eyes how the agent would come in and without much effort leave with the most gorgeous woman in the house. He couldn't help but think he should get some sort of finder's fee for the man's good fortune.

"I'll have the drinks brought over." Mike said as he shot a quick glance at the woman.

"Thanks, man. Oh and whatever the lovely lady is having put it on my tab." Morgan added.

"Thank you Handsome." She said confidently.

Without another word, Morgan headed back to the table to the smirks and grins of his friends.

Garcia watched the familiar exchange between Morgan and the woman at the bar. She was disappointed that he seemed so content in living a mediocre life when she knew he had more to offer. She was even more disappointed in herself for secretly holding out hope that he'd change. He'd never claimed to be more that who and what he was and never expressed a desire for more from a woman but what he got; casual sex with no strings and no commitment. His job left no room for anyone special and he refused to allow the distraction of a relationship to steal the edge he needed in the field. Still, she wanted more for him and from him but for now, tonight she watched him as he was being true to himself with no shame and no apology.

Morgan noticed Garcia's mood had changed when he returned to the table. He knew why and he also knew she was trying to play off her sudden anger that was aimed at him. He was too tired and too drunk to deal with it. She was his best friend and he was hers but he was not going to indulge her with conversation about his lifestyle. He needed something to distract him from the pain and he needed a place to hide from the nightmares even for just a night. As much as he needed relief he hated the empty useless feeling he felt in the pit of his stomach after he sobered up enough to go home from the latest stranger's bed. No matter, he wasn't sure if he had the strength tonight to make the right choice.

The team continued to talk and unwind laughing and staying away from talk of their most recent case. Mar sent over several orders of hot wings, club sandwiches, pasta and salad for them to munch on. They hadn't eaten a decent meal all week, she knew and she owed them. Devouring the food gratefully, the agents thanked Mar for always taking care of them. Rossi smiled and winked at the dark haired beauty when she personally brought over the feast. She lingered standing ever so close to the man that occupied her thoughts far too much, just close enough that her body grazed his arm. He turned knowingly catching a wicked smile on her face. The others couldn't help noticing the two lose themselves in each other's eyes as they began passing the food around.

"You are an angel Cara Mia." Rossi whispered.

"It's the least I can do for my personal heroes."

JJ smiled at the exchange shaking her head, as she was the first to dive into the food. Garcia quickly followed trying to hide her irritation at Morgan and now Rossi.

"You going to fix me a plate, Baby Girl?" Morgan crooned leaning toward her playfully.

Penelope's body stiffened and her face flushed bright red. She wanted to ignore him; better yet she wanted to slap the taste out of his mouth for being so predictable in the face of yet another strange woman.

"Have your new friend fix your plate." She responded dryly.

"Maybe I will, Sweetness." He teased.

She so wanted to dump her plate in his lap and laugh at the shocked look in his eyes as the hot food landed squarely in his crotch but she restrained herself and continued to ignore him, which seemed to give him pleasure.

After another hour or so, Morgan was stuffed. He was glad he'd eaten otherwise he wouldn't have been able to drive home with nothing but alcohol in his system. He noticed the redhead at the bar paying her tab. As she headed toward the door she shot a final glance and smile his way. He nodded and followed her ass as it wiggled out the door.

Feeling no pain, Morgan stepped out into the blackness and just as he thought she was still there. His need for company began to well up inside of him as he watched her unlock the door of her brand new S550. It would be so easy he thought to himself. She was willing and he was needy and he knew he'd be kicking himself for not taking her up on her unspoken offer. He slid behind the wheel and started his engine. Exhausted from a long week, from stretching his endurance beyond it's limits but most of all he was tired of being predictable.

She watched as he drove off into the night. It seemed as if the only thing hugging her tonight would be the expensive leather interior of her car. She'd underestimated the man whom she'd been told would be easy to lure back to her place. He had the look in his eyes that men always had when they needed a quick fix. She had what he needed, what he wanted yet here she sat alone and wondering why he'd chosen to go home alone. It wouldn't be the last time he'd see her, no, she had plans for him and tonight was just the beginning of what she had in store. As she watched his taillights vanish from sight she started her engine and a confident smile appeared on her face.

Garcia knew it wasn't a coincidence that Morgan had left shortly after the woman at the bar. She and JJ had been the next to leave Mar's and all she wanted to do was soak in a hot bath and go to bed. Fighting back tears she watched the woman follow him out of the parking lot. JJ noticed that she had gone quiet on her and she knew why. Her friend had foolishly fallen for a certain special agent and JJ knew that that would spell nothing but heartache for Garcia. Of course she'd never admit to the truth but it didn't change the fact that Morgan was going to break her heart whether he intended to or not.

"You okay, Pen?" JJ asked concerned.

"Sure. Peachy just peachy." Penelope answered faking cheerfulness.

The two walked toward their cars pulling their coats close around them to ward off the cold air.

"He's not worth it you know."

"What? Who?"

"You know who I'm talking about."

"JJ, please let's not have this conversation."

"Morgan is a lost cause, you know that right?"

"JJ, he's not a lost cause. Nobody's a lost cause."

"I'm just saying, you can't change him; you're going to get hurt."

"Morgan's my friend I just think he can do a lot better."

"I think he's more than just your friend, Garcia."

"You're wrong about that. "

"Then why are you so upset?"

"I hate profilers!"

JJ wrapped her arms around her friend's shoulder and the two proceeded toward their cars.