Everything was happening so fast; each room was searched with rapid speed yet no corner or crevice was left unturned. Morgan's glock with the flashlight attached led him through the small building as he navigated the darkness, heart pumping and a light bead of fresh perspiration on his forehead. He hated entering dark buildings and even with all of his training and fearless pursuit of his target he knew he was at a disadvantage.

A noise up ahead drew his attention and eyesight further down the hallway. It was like scratching, maybe a small child or a large critter that had gotten into the place. Either way his finger was on the trigger and he'd pull it without a moment's hesitation. His steps were cautious as he proceeded. There it was again, the noise only this time his eyes fell upon the culprit; a small child huddled in the corner of the room he'd just entered. Then the sniffling and whimpering, slowly he raised the gun not to shoot but to see what they had all come to see.

Mikey Jones, the eight-year old boy who'd been taken from a local park while playing with his mother was shivering and desperately trying to find a place to hide among the shadows of the empty room. Morgan raised his hand as if he were surrendering and continued toward the boy…

"I'm sorry, that's all I remember everything went black after that."

"No, it's okay, you're doing just fine. Just lay back and get some rest well talk again later."

Morgan gingerly laid back against the pillows mindful of the large sore area on the back of his head. He watched his boss leave the room and close the door. Seconds later his partner and good friend came through the door wearing a guilty smile. Hands in his pockets he approached the bed without saying a word.

"Hey, Pretty Boy."

He knew his young friend would be feeling bad for what happened even though it wasn't his fault. Morgan didn't blame him it was all a part of what they did all day, every day.

"Hey. How are you feeling?"

"Just a slight headache, I'll be fine."

"Look Morgan…"

"No Reid. Don't even go there, kid. This wasn't your fault, do you hear me?"

"But it is my fault, Morgan! I should have followed you down that hallway. I shouldn't have let you go alone!"

"Reid, you did your job! I'm a team leader and it was my call. If it's anybody's fault it's mine. So don't go blaming yourself for something you had no control over."

"Yeah but…"

"No, 'buts'."

The silence was heavy between them and Morgan knew he had been unsuccessful in convincing Spencer that he had done everything right. The real problem was on its way to the hospital; his problems were far bigger than the concussion he'd suffered an hour ago.

"The doctors want to keep you overnight for observation."

"I can't stay here man, you know what today is?"

"As a matter of fact, I do. It's your third wedding anniversary."

"And my wife has big plans for us tonight. She even cooked! When was the last time you heard about my wife cooking?"

"Um…I have and eidetic memory and I don't remember her ever cooking."

"Exactly!"

Penelope's heart stopped when she received the call from JJ. She heard something in her friend's voice, then the pause and she knew something had happened. The team had been racing the clock all day trying to find a young kidnapping victim. Everybody knew how Morgan got when children were involved. Once they'd confirmed the location of their unsub the team headed out; Morgan was on overdrive and the moment they'd arrived at the old condemned building he was eager maybe too eager to lead the others inside.

She was three months pregnant the stress from her job and the long hours had forced her doctor to put her on early maternity leave deeming her pregnancy high risk. He'd promised her that he'd be careful, promised her he wouldn't do anything impulsive to put himself at risk but he'd done quite the opposite and stunts like today had become more and more commonplace. She didn't want to be a single parent but this latest phone call made her wonder if that was something she would have to face soon. If that was the case maybe she needed to end things with him now and get herself adjusted to being alone. He'd promised her over and over that he would be careful and he'd stop taking risks with his life but he was always the first one through the door…always!

He could hear her heels clicking on the tile halfway down the hallway. She'd be there within seconds and he could tell by the speed of her heels hitting the tile that he was in big trouble. He deserved it and he had no excuse. He shot a fearful look at a nervous Spencer Reid and waited for the inevitable.

"Derek James Morgan!"

He saw the fire in her eyes even Reid flinched as she stepped through the doorway.

"I…think…I'll leave you two alone…"

Before either of them could object he was in the hallway.

"Coward!" Morgan yelled.

She wasn't amused and his megawatt smile and puppy dog eyes were not going to get him out of trouble with her.

"Derek, I swear if you weren't in that bed…"

"I'm sorry, Baby Girl…I didn't mean to…"

"What? Make me worry? You said that the last time and the time before that and the time before that! Derek, do you know why I'm not allowed to work away from home?"

"Baby…"

"It's because of you! You and your…your…death wish! My blood pressure shoots through the roof every time you're in the field! I can't take this, Derek! I don't want to raise this baby alone but…"

"And you won't Baby Girl, I promise!"

He reached for her hand but she pulled away from him as tears began streaming down her face. He'd really messed up this time and he wasn't sure if she'd forgive him. She was his world; she and their unborn child were his reasons for getting up every day and seeing her crying broke his heart. He was a jerk and he knew it.

"I've done a lot of thinking on the way over here. I think it would be a good idea if I went to California to stay with my family."

He felt as if he'd been sucker punched.

"What? No! Please Penelope don't do that…"

"Just until I have the baby. Derek, I can't be near you right now. I can't keep worrying about you wondering if you're going to do something stupid and get yourself killed…"

"Baby, please don't do this. I promise for real this time. I'll do better…"

"No Derek, you won't. It's in your nature to be the hero, to be the protector and the knight-in-shining-armor and I get it."

"Then why are you leaving?"

"Because there's just one catch. I can't stand the thought of losing you. I need to get use to being without you because it's only a matter of time before you get yourself killed."

"That's not true. We need to talk about this! Can we talk? You don't get to make a decision like this, Penelope without us talking about it!"

"It's my life, Derek…my life and our baby's life that I have to worry about!"

She turned and headed for the door. He was speechless, devastated as she turned back before stepping out into the hallway.

"Penelope, you're my wife, I love you! You and our child are everything to me! Don't leave, please!"

"Goodbye, Derek…"