"Pen,"
"Yeah Em, what's up honey thought you guys are done for the day. Something come up?" She asked sitting back down on her chair. She had considered going home for the evening. It was a brief yet fleeting thought, though she hardly ever went home when they were out on a case anyway so it didn't really matter. That and it was past midnight and what would really be the point.
"Have you spoken to Morgan today?"
"Briefly, he called to say that you guys were headed back to the hotel about an hour ago. He couldn't talk properly because he was in the car with Hotch and Rossi why?" her concern peaked.
"Pen, I think this case has hit him hard." Emily said quietly. She had anticipated and feared it would. They all hated child related cases, it haunted them in different ways, but this would be the first case they would tackle involving sex crimes against children since his return from Chicago a few months back. If there was someone who's existence Penelope wanted to erase it was Carl Buford for what he did to her best friend. Penelope looked at the time and made the necessary calculations,
"Thanks for letting me know Em."
"I didn't want to worry you, but he would never let any of us help him and I don't want him to drown in this. Hotch is watching him like a hawk because he's worried, but I just, I want him to be of sound mind at all times, you know. I'm not making sense."
"You are hon, I know you're worried, and it means a lot to him that you watch his back like you do. You're an awesome friend Emily Prentiss."
"Spoken like a true best friend Pen, I love you too."
"Night hon, I'll talk to you later."

Derek tried to pull himself together but the specifics of the case were too close to home, too familiar. Every time he closed his eyes, memories plagued him. He was trying to keep it together knowing that they were all worried about him. The harder he tried to keep it together the more out of control he felt. It had been a long and tiring day but despite his exhaustion he knew he wasn't going to get any sleep that night. Lost in his thoughts he didn't hear the knock on the door till it became louder, not bothering to look through the hole to see who it was, he was surprised, relieved and grateful to see one Penelope Garcia standing before him. Without hesitation she walked in and closed the door behind her before standing in front of him wrapping her arms around his neck. It took all of two seconds for Derek to realise that she wasn't a figment of his imagination. Penelope felt his arms tighten around her pulling her to him as close as physically possible as he buried his face in her blonde curls breathing her in as he closed his eyes. It always amazed him what kind of healing powers her mere presence had on him.

When he had come home from Chicago, it was Penelope who greeted him at his apartment ready to nurture him back to the Derek she knew and loved instead of the broken Derek that had gotten off the plane. She didn't ask him any questions, she was just there. She sat with him in silence holding his hand, and when the nightmares came she held him in her arms. When he had finally spoken and told her about what happened, she had lovingly encouraged him to see someone about it. That by not seeking help, Buford continues to make him a victim and that he wasn't a victim. He was Derek Morgan, one of her favourite superheroes.

"Every time I close my eyes Pen, it's me all over again." Penelope held his face with both hands and locked his gaze,
"I know Baby, and that's only natural. It's only been a few months sugar, you can't expect not to feel anything, and you're Derek Morgan because you do feel and you do care. Carl Buford was an evil man for what he did, and I sincerely wish I could just wipe him out, but Buford didn't destroy you Morgan. What he did was unforgivable, but in you he birthed a mighty man of valour. Despite what he did to you, you chose to fight for good and not use your circumstances as an excuse to do equally evil things. You and I have both been in this job long enough to know, you could have gone either way, but that's not who you are, your Mom, Dad and sisters loved you so much that there was enough love in you to fight the evil that plagued you and made you determined to be the guy who put guys like Buford away. Don't you see, nightmares will come, but what you need to remember is that you're not fifteen anymore and the Carl Buford's cannot hurt you." Derek brought his forehead to hers and sighed.
"Besides, anyone tries to hurt you, they have to come through me first. I may be short but I have special super powers too." She added earning a genuine smile from Derek Morgan.
"That's the smile I know and love." She said caressing his cheek before hugging him again.
"Thanks P."
"Sure, what are friends for right? Do you want to try and see if you can catch a few hours of sleep. You need to be in form tomorrow Baby, you guys have a big day." Derek hesitated.

Penelope took her hand in his and led him to the bed. She lay down as he lay behind her gathering her in his arms. It wasn't long before he fell into a deep sleep. Being a light sleeper she could tell when his nightmares threatened him and she would whisper lovingly into his ear and within seconds he would settle as she chased his demons away. Before dawn broke Penelope untangled herself from his arms and placed her pillow in her place so that he could still smell her. She hoped he would sleep for another few hours. Quietly she slipped out of his room and got into her car to drive an hour back to Quantico ready for another day.

Penelope stopped home only to shower and change before heading back into the office, heavy duty caffeine on hand. She knew she had a couple of hours before the team would be calling so she took the opportunity to lock the door in her office to take a nap on her couch. Derek woke up at eight thirty. They were meeting in the lobby at nine, so he had plenty of time to get ready. He smiled as he noticed that he was hugging a pillow that suspiciously smelled like Penelope instead of Penelope herself. Thanks to Penelope he clocked in seven and a half hours sleep, which he hasn't had since they started the case a week before. While he was brushing his teeth he saw the note she left on the mirror,

"Hey Handsome, you know there are other ways to lure me to bed.

I figured that would bring a smile to your face.

Hope you got some decent sleep stored in you.

If you need me you know where I am.

Infinite hugs and kisses, from the one and only Goddess all knowing."

Emily noticed the difference in Morgan, in fact they all did. He seemed rested and ready for the day ahead. As they cued for breakfast his lips met her temple
"Thanks,"
"For what?" she asked innocently.
"You know what for." He answered as he walked away to grab their coffee.
"By golly that woman's super special powers never fails to astound me." Emily muttered to herself, making a mental note to call Garcia later to ask exactly what it was she did for Morgan. Though she doubted she'd tell her, it was always fun to try.

They broke the case that afternoon, and it was Hotch who called Garcia to tell her while the others wrapped things up at the precinct.
"That's great Boss Man, good to hear it."
"Penelope, thank you."
"It's all a part of my job sir,"
"No, I mean thank you."
"Oh," she said realising to what he was referring to.
"How did you, never mind. It's nothing any of you guys wouldn't have done for him."
"You may be the Goddess of all knowing Penelope, but you forget, I see everything."
"That's a little frightening," she teased.
"Seriously, no one could have brought him around as quickly as you did. He's lucky to have you."
"Thank you sir, and Hotch…"
"Yeah Garcia,"
"You know I would do it for any of you right?" he was silent for a moment, and she could feel a smile broke through their tough exteriored chief,
"I do, and thank you."

They were all a little surprised that Penelope wasn't in the bullpen when they arrived so they all went in search of her and found her in her bunker. Derek put his finger to his lips and pointed at a sleeping Garcia clutching tightly to her Beanie Hefty Smurf.
"Take her home Morgan." Hotch ordered before turning to head back to his office.
"Will do. Em, can you grab her bag?" Em nodded walking over to her desk to get it while Derek placed an arm on her back and another beneath her legs, Penelope stirred not waking up. She rubbed her face on Morgan's shirt and mumbled something incoherent. Derek just chuckled as he carefully placed her in the front seat of his SUV and strapped her in. Em placed her bag and jacket by her seat before bidding Derek farewell.

Penelope awoke the next morning feeling disoriented and confused as she was tucked snug into her bed when she didn't remember making her way home. When she felt an arm around her stomach she realised how she had gotten home. She slipped out of the bed carefully and took a shower. She was meeting the girls for brunch and in a couple of hours and there were a couple of things she still needed to do. When Derek awoke he found her on the couch dressed for the day reading a book.

"Good morning Princess,"
"I keep telling you Hot stuff, one of these days I will show you a good morning." She replied briefly looking up to grin at him.
"Your words are cheap Pen."
"I resent that." She said throwing a pillow in his direction.
"Thanks for taking me home last night."
"All in a day's work M'lady."
"Good to know. What are your plans for today?"
"Basketball with Hotch, Rossi, Reid and Gideon."
"Funny, no matter how long you guys have been doing that. I just can't wrap my head around Jason Gideon playing basketball, I mean it's hard enough to imagine Reid subjecting himself to the tortute almost on the weekly basis."
"You girls doing your girl thing?"
"By that you mean, hanging out at the mall shopping, getting facials, mani and pedi then yeah, we're doing our girl thing."
"You guys should come and watch us play, it's been awhile since you've had a good laugh right?"
"That is true. I'll run it past the girls, which reminds me, I should go. I'm picking them up."
"Ugh Pen, you're going to need to take my car. We left Esther at the BAU last night."
"But that leaves you without a car, I can always get Em to come and get me."
"Hotch was picking us up anyway so I don't need the car."
"You sure?"
"Yes, now go, I do not want to encounter the wrath of those two for making you late for your girly thing." Penelope smirked and dropped a kiss on his cheek as he held up his car keys.
"I love how you're all tough guy on the exterior but so afraid of JJ and Em."
"Hey, I have grounds." He protested,
"Need I remind you of the latest incident where I made you late and they were hungry?"
"Point taken, call you later and we can work out how to get your car back to you."
"Cool, if your girly thing doesn't stretch to the night, movie night here with the team?" he suggested.
"Only if you promise you boys will shower before then."
"I resent that P. But will do. Don't worry about getting the stuff ready, I'll do that. We can do burgers and hot dogs."
"Sounds good. Bye Dirk!" she called out with a wave as she headed out the door.