Morgan and Garcia had spent the weekend together and it had changed their lives. They had danced around their feelings for the last nine and a half years; hiding behind sexually tinged flirting, hugs and chaste kisses, never speaking the real truth both hoping the other would get the hint.

It took a night of drinking after a particularly harrowing case to make one of them step out on the proverbial limb and spill his heart. Morgan had spent his entire adult life in and out of short-lived relationships and had created a reputation of being a player. While his reputation did well at feeding his manly ego it didn't satisfy his true wants and desires of wanting someone to love, and settle down with and have his own family.

Garcia had loved him from the moment he'd mistakenly called her, "Gomez." She turned to meet his gaze and immediately saw past all that he pretended to be. She saw a man that was brave, loyal, strong but she also saw the haunted man filled with pain and a troubled past. They hit it off instantly and became friends that would sacrifice anything even their lives for each other.

Now, with their feelings out in the open a new chapter was beginning for them. He'd been the first to speak the words, the first to make her stop and understand that his, 'I love you' wasn't as a friend. He made her listen without her mind being controlled and blocked by fear to hear what was coming from his heart. He had watched her in and out of relationships over the last several years and each time he saw her move further from him and closer to making a life-long commitment to someone else.

The night had begun like any other Friday nights that they'd spent together watching movies, eating pizza, and snacking on red vines and popcorn. He'd left the BAU before Garcia rushing to the store to stock up on supplies. He grabbed a few bottles of her favorite wine and his favorite beer. He was nervous and distracted all day because tonight was the night that he was going to settle things between them. When it was all said he would either be the man in her life or nothing because once he spoke the words out loud and confirmed that she understood what he was saying he would no longer be able to settle for a friendship role in her life any longer. To say everything was at stake would be an understatement.

She dreamt of hearing the words, his declaration of love for so long, years that felt like an eternity. Of course he said he loved her countless times, she even felt that there was more behind their flirting but she didn't allow herself to dwell on the possibilities. It wasn't that she felt she wasn't good enough, she was more than confident in the woman that she was, she knew she was unique in her look but unique didn't mean undesirable, or unattractive. Penelope was aware that she was beautiful even if others, men, like her best friend couldn't see past her curves, her bright over the top wardrobe, glasses and intellect. Penelope was not afraid of his rejection as much as she was afraid of what would happen if she allowed herself to go down that road with him. She'd watched the women come and go from his life like an assembly line all of them looked like carbon copies of each other; she was the complete opposite of them in every way. So, when he professed his love, under the influence of alcohol, lots of alcohol, it frightened her.

That was Friday, today was Sunday; she'd promised to spend the weekend and give him the time to convince her that his feelings were real and not birthed from a drunken rant. Sunday morning was now here and he'd already convinced her by Saturday afternoon that he loved her, sober, drunk, scared and any state in between. She turned to face him as he lay next to her asleep. He seemed so at peace and she felt as if she'd awaken smack dab in the middle of a fairytale. They'd made plans for the day but she was perfectly satisfied to stay in bed all day replaying last night over and over again. She wanted to reach over and touch his caramel colored back to trace the scratches that was evidence of their first time, but she didn't want to wake him. He was exhausted from the week and their job had made it hard for him to sleep. So, she simply watched him breathing she listened to his light snoring and smiled as she remembered how he made her feel only hours before.

Chicago –

She was tired of grieving; tired of believing that the man responsible for her father's death would never pay for his sins. Her entire family's lives had suffered and her father had spent over seven years in jail before he was killed because of the lies of another.

Tara idolized her father and he spoiled her rotten. He worked hard, volunteering at the youth center and working with the young boys who would have otherwise fallen into the hands of the many gangs that ruled the streets of Chicago. Then there was the one who he had given special attention; his favorite. She assumed he saw potential in the young boy who'd lost his father; shot before his young eyes. She remembered feeling jealous when her father would take that same boy to their cabin camping and fishing. She'd cry for hours in her room; because those weekend trips spent with a special boy from the youth center was one of the few things her father had ever refused her.

The call from the warden informing her of her father's death was her breaking point. Today was the anniversary of his death and as she packed her bags and rechecked her flight information, she was more determined than ever to make him pay. Her mother had often told her, "What goes around, comes around," she realized now what that meant. It was time that Derek Morgan paid for what he did.

Tara grabbed her luggage and coat and took one final look around her small apartment. She had a lot to do and she wasn't sure how long it would take her to handle her business. She missed her father and it broke her heart that his hard work and legacy was now tainted. As his only child she felt it her duty to make him pay for everything, the lies, her father's ruined reputation and his death.

As she headed toward the airport she took a small detour; there was one small matter to take care of before heading to Quantico. Fifteen minutes later she pulled into the driveway of the familiar two-story on the corner of Elm and cut the engine. Today would be the beginning of her plan to avenge her father's death. It was amazing how people never realized the effect of their actions until they experienced it for themselves.

Tara calmly got out of her car and closed the door. Glancing around she saw that the streets were quiet and traffic was light; not that it mattered she was here to do what she had to do. So, she climbed the three steps to the front door and rang the doorbell. Her heart sped up as she heard footsteps and then the door opened.

"Hello, can I help you?" The older woman asked.

Tara tightened her grip on the small gun in her pocket.

"Yes. Mrs. Morgan?"

"Yes, I'm Mrs. Morgan."

"We've never met but I know your son."

"Derek?"

"Yes."

It was then that the woman saw the gun in the younger woman's hand. Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped.

"My name is Tara Buford. This is for my father."

The loud blast broke the silence of the mid afternoon quiet. Tara watched the woman's body fall lifeless to the ground. She turned and calmly walked back to her car and got in. Somehow she thought she'd get more satisfaction from killing his mother but she needed more.

Taking a deep breath she started her car and headed toward the airport. Tara Buford was just getting started and before she was finished he'd wished that he'd never met Carl Buford.

Home of Derek Morgan –

He hadn't slept that good in months, even years. His demons from his past mixed with horrors of his job kept him awake at night and when he did sleep he found himself haunted by horrific nightmares. But last night he felt lighter, freer and unafraid to sleep. He opened his eyes to the most amazing view, her smile. She was looking at him with her beautiful brown eyes and he felt happier than he'd ever felt in his life. She was here with him and she knew how he felt that he loved her with every ounce of his being. Somewhere he'd found the courage to tell her and she didn't reject him, she didn't laugh she just told him that she loved him back.

"Good morning, Baby Girl."

"I'll show you a good morning, Hot Stuff."

"Well, last night was pretty damn good! I'll take a repeat of that."

She leaned in and he wrapped his arm around her pulling her closer. Just as she was about to kiss him his cell phone rang. He groaned and kissed her quickly before rolling over to grab his phone.

He noticed the familiar name and number on the display and made a mental note to strangle his oldest sister when he saw her again.

"Hey Sarah, remind me to talk to you about your timing."

There was a pause on the other end.

"Sarah? What's wrong?"

"Derek…it's mom…"