A/N: Just a bit of a drabble to do with the episode 'Hope.' If you haven't watched, spoiler ahead. And *caution.* Alpha-Derek ahead.

Also, though this is a conversation between JJ and Derek, I've tagged it as Derek/Penelope, because that's the bigger picture here.

Derek Morgan was simply seething. There was no other way to put it. He wasn't miffed; he wasn't a bit irritated…he was full blown irate. And the object of his fury was sitting in the damn seat next to him. So he loosened his grip on the steering wheel, counted to ten (he lost track of how many times,) and took deep breaths until they reached the BAU.

When they finally arrived, he climbed out of the sleek SUV and practically stalked into FBI Headquarters. He heard the whispers, but Derek had never been one to care what others had to say about him. And now, when Penelope's life had been at stake mere hours ago, he cared even less.

Once inside of his office, he slammed the door and looked for something to take his anger out on. That was when someone made the mistake of knocking on his door.

"Come in," he snapped.

"Hey," JJ said with a smile. "You—"

"What in the hell were you thinking?" Derek demanded hotly before she could even walk in.

JJ walked in and softly closed the door behind her. "Morgan, I—"

"Did you learn anything from the Hankle situation? How in the hell could you let Penelope walk into that house? What was goin' through your head, JJ?"

"Derek, she was going in with or without me," JJ defended herself.

"Yeah, well it was your job to stop her. Penelope thinks with her heart. That's why she shouldn't be in the field," he informed her.

The anger in JJ's own eyes began to blaze as she bristled. "Is this really about Penelope, Morgan, or are you still mad about me keeping the fact that Emily was alive a secret?"

Derek shrugged. "You weren't a part of the team anymore when that all went down. You had no loyalty to me," he remarked, his gaze challenging as she visibly flinched at his words. He thought that should probably bother him, but in this moment, he couldn't give a fuck.

JJ stood there for a moment. "I have always considered myself to be a part of this team, Morgan. And I have always made the best decision that I could under the circumstances. So you can be mad at me all you want, but maybe you should think about the issue that's really at hand here. Are you so upset because your friend, Penelope went into that building, or are you mad because there's something bigger simmering beneath the surface?"

With that, she turned on her heel and exited his office, slamming the door with the force he had earlier.

With a heavy sigh, Derek flopped down in his chair and leaning over, held his head in his hands. Eyes closed, he concentrated on reigning in his temper.

After all, there was still his Baby Girl to deal with.