Everyone had finally left except Fran and Dave who'd both insisted on staying to help clean up. Dave and Morgan took care of putting away the extra chairs and tables while Fran and Penelope put away the food and washed the dishes. The evening had been everything that Derek and Penelope had hoped it would be with their friends and family overjoyed with their news.

"Just think next Christmas, my grand baby will be here I will have an excuse to spoil him or her rotten!"

"I don't think you need an excuse to spoil your grand child, Fran!"

The two women laughed as the thought of babies and Christmas ran through their heads.

"I've never seen my son so happy!"

"Yes, that's all he's been talking about since we found out yesterday."

"Thank you."

Fran put away the last platter and turned to face her daughter-in-law. Penelope noticed the sudden serious tone in her voice and the moisture in her eyes.

"Thank you? For what?"

"You saved my son's life! You did that, Penelope."

"Oh no, he saved mine."

"No, no, no…you saved him! He was drowning and he wouldn't allow anyone close enough to through him a lifeline. He wanted to be the one who rescued everyone, refusing to let any of us know that he was hurting, and that what Carl Buford had done to him was still tearing him apart."

"Fran…"

"Listen to me, young lady; you showed him what love looks like and what love feels like and now my son smiles! He really smiles…and he laughs and it's all because you were brave enough to love him! So, I thank you!"

Penelope hugged Fran and the two stood for several seconds holding each other and crying and then as if they realized what they were doing they began to smile…then giggle and then the flood gates of laughter filled their bellies and the room suddenly filled with noise.

"I wonder what those two are up to in there?" Dave chuckled to himself.

"I'm sure I don't want to know." Derek answered chuckling as well.

"So, how does it feel to know that in eight short months you're going to be a father?"

"Dave, when I married Penelope it was the happiest day of my life. I never imagined being any happier, but I tell you, when we got the news about the baby, I thought my heart was going to explode! I mean, me, a father! I don't know man…"

"What?"

"I'm almost afraid to be this happy."

Dave watched his stepson's face change slightly.

"You deserve to be happy, Derek."

"Sometimes I wonder what I did to deserve Penelope and now a baby. After what Carl did to me I…"

"You deserve to be happy! What Carl did, nobody and I mean nobody deserved that! Just enjoy it, take your happiness and run with it! Don't question it!"

Dave placed his arm around Derek's shoulder and pulled him close. Derek nodded his understanding as the two finished their duties before heading inside. As Derek followed behind Dave a wave of dizziness hit him. Quickly grabbing the wooden railing he paused for a brief moment to let the odd feeling pass. He looked ahead as Dave reached the sliding glass door; he was relieved that he hadn't noticed. It was probably something he ate he thought to himself and headed inside.

An hour later Penelope and Derek were waving goodbye to Fran and Dave. Morgan wrapped his arm around his wife's waste and kissed her on the cheek. He was unusually tired but he assumed it was because of the long hectic week of traveling and chasing unsubs. So setting the alarm and turning off the lights the two headed to bed none the wiser that their lives were about to change in a way that would test them almost beyond their limits.

Bethesda General – Morning –

"Don't forget, you owe me, George!"

"Yeah, yeah…I won't forget! You'll have it by noon today!"

"That's more like it!"

Savannah ended the call confident that her plans were now set in stone. She'd become the Devil and she was calling in favors to make sure nothing went wrong. Last night was just the beginning and Derek and Penelope had no idea what was about to hit them.

Lost in her thoughts of revenge she didn't hear him come into the doctor's lounge. His hands wrapped around her waist and his lips began raining wet kisses on her neck forcing her to smile as she leaned against his body.

"Well, what's got a smile on that beautiful face this morning?"

"You of course, my handsome Stud!"

He smiled turning her to face him. He knew it was a lie but he chuckled anyway. She was up to something and when Savannah was up to something her face lit up like a candle.

"I don't believe you but it's nice to hear anyway."

Wrapping her arms around his neck she examined his face. If only she'd met him first then things would have been so different. He was a great guy, committed and loyal but Derek Morgan had ruined her for other men and now here they were two broken-hearted people joined in a warped union of revenge.

"This is a pleasant surprise, what brings you by? I thought you were in meetings all morning."

"Yeah our meetings got pushed back until this afternoon, so I thought I'd come and take you to breakfast so you can bring me up to speed on your plans."

"I just got off the phone with my chemist friend from college…"

"George?"

"Yes! He's created a special little treat for me that will spell the end of our little problem, if you know what I mean."

"Can this guy be trusted, Savannah?"

"With what I have on him, he can be trusted, rest assured."

"I hope you're right. You know this could blow up in our faces and if it does we'll both spend the rest of our lives in prison."

"Sam, you worry too much! This can't fail! In fact, I've already started."

"What did you do?"

"Last night when Penelope and I left the room to make coffee and tea for everyone…"

"Yeah?"

"I made sure Derek's cup had a little extra something."

Voltaire Park – Morning –

Derek was struggling he and JJ had just started their third lap and he could hardly keep up with her. She'd been his running partner for years and both of them were great competitors pushing each other to stretch their limits. But today, he wasn't in to it. Each step, each breath was getting harder and harder. He wasn't a quitter but he couldn't go any further. Things seemed to be spinning faster and faster around him as he finally stopped to catch his breath.

His footsteps sounded further and further behind her now…and slower until she didn't hear him at all. This wasn't like him to fall this far behind her; his male ego wouldn't allow her to beat him even in a friendly morning run. Then she turned and saw him doubled over with his hands resting on his knees and struggling to catch his breath.

"Come on old man! Let's go!" She teased.

Something was wrong…he didn't answer...no witty Derek Morgan comeback…

"Derek! You're not going to let me beat you that easy are you? Derek? Derek!"

It was like slow motion he glanced up looking into her eyes and then as if he were drifting like a feather in the air he fell landing on the ground in a heap.

"DEREK!"