Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds

This story is a sequel to my story "REVENGE". It takes place about six months after that story. It would probably be helpful to read that one first if you have not already done so, there is a lot of background in that story about the unsub.

VENGEANCE

Chapter 1

"Revenge is an act of passion; Vengeance of justice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are avenged."

Samuel Johnson 1709-1784

Chapter 1

Penelope stood in front of the mirror running a finger over the scars on her chest. It had been almost six months since she had been kidnapped and tortured by Ben Averitt. The last six months had also, ironically, been the best and worst times of her life. After Derek and the BAU team had rescued her, Derek had confessed his feelings for her. Feelings she had been yearning to hear from him for a long time. Since the rescue, Penelope and Derek had been almost inseparable, their love and relationship growing every day. But at night, the nightmares would come and every morning, just like this morning, the memories of the kidnapping would surface as she saw the hourglass shaped carving that Averitt had left over her heart.

The doctors had offered to perform a skin graft and to cover the 'tattoo' but strangely enough Penelope had decided against it. In some ways, she derived a strength from it, seeing the hourglass as a symbol of the preciousness of life that she had left, one that she had fought so valiantly to keep, and as a symbol of the time that she and Derek would now have together. There were days that she cursed the scar but, for the most part, it was her reminder that life was meant to be lived to it's fullest and never taken for granted.

As she stood in front of the mirror, Derek walked up from behind and slid his arms around her waist. As it had been for most nights since the kidnapping, they had spent the previous night together, switching off between his apartment and hers. Placing a kiss on the top of her blonde head, he watched as her finger traced the wound. "Are you all right, Baby Girl?" he asked with concern as his eyes met hers in the mirror.

"I am now, My Love," she replied as she wrapped her arms over the top of his and leaned her head back into his chest. In silence, they stood locked in that position for several minutes, Penelope feeling protected and safe in Derek's arms and Derek experiencing a contentment he couldn't find anywhere else in the world.

The sudden ringing of Derek's cell phone jerked them back into the reality of the morning. "You get that Love Bug and I'll go get the coffee made," Penelope said as she turned and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

"Damn phones," Derek grumbled as he headed over to the night stand to get his cell. "Morgan", he answered succinctly.

"Derek, it's JJ. I need you and Penelope down here at the unit as soon as possible. We've got a case."

"Damn, we just finished a case JJ. We're supposed to be off for a few days, what gives?" Derek demanded to know.

"Derek, we think it's Averitt, we think he's surfaced in Ohio and, if we're right, he's responsible for a string of murders of women that's been happening there for the past four months," JJ explained knowing that the news would be devastating to both Derek and Penelope.

"Damn it!" Derek slammed his hand against the wall. "She's not ready for this JJ, she's still trying to come to terms with what happened six months ago."

"I know Derek, but we don't appear to have much choice in the matter," JJ sympathized. "And maybe, if we can get him this time, she can have some closure..she needs that."

"All right, JJ," Derek relented, "We'll be there in 30 minutes." Derek hung up the phone, wondering what he was going to tell Penelope. How was he going to explain to her that her nightmares were becoming reality and that the man she most feared in life was back?

"Derek?"

Derek jumped as he heard Penelope say his name. He turned to see her standing in the doorway of the bedroom looking at him with tears in her eyes.

"He's back, isn't he?"

Derek went over to her and took her in his arms. "Yes, Baby, he's back. They think he's in Ohio and that he has started killing. They want us to work the case."

Derek could feel as Penelope started trembling in his arms.

"Penelope, look at me," he said as he lifted her chin with his finger so he could look her in the eyes. "I'm right here and I promise, I will be here to keep you safe but we have to do this. We have to get the bastard once and for all and get him out of our lives for good so we can have our life together with no worries. You want that, don't you?"

"More than anything, Derek, but I won't lie to you, I'm scared. Not just for me, but for you, too." Penelope explained. "Don't forget he wants revenge against you, he just used me as the tool for that last time. This time he'll be looking to get you and I couldn't make it if anything happened to you. I can't survive my life without you in it."

Pulling her closer Derek proclaimed to her, "Nor I you Baby Girl. But I'll make you this promise right here and now, that's not going to happen. I love you so much, Penelope. I just want Averitt out of our lives so I can spend every day of the rest of my life proving that love to you." Pulling back from the embrace, Derek took his thumbs and wiped the tears from Penelope's cheeks. "Can you do this, Penelope? For me, for us?"

"As long as my Noir Hero is with me, I can do anything," Penelope said as she smiled up at her lover. "Let's go get this bastard out of our lives!"

TBC

I hope you liked the start of this story. As always, please read and review and let me know what you think!