Reid had volunteered to give Morgan a ride home. After last night's scene with Garcia he wasn't sure what to expect when he walked through the door. The fact that she hadn't been the one to bring him home was a sign that his day was going to get progressively worse.

"Her car is gone."

Derek turned toward the empty space in the driveway.

"I gave her a ride home last night, remember?"

"Right, right."

Reid followed close behind as Morgan climbed the steps to the door and fished the key from his pocket. Garcia had threatened to leave after this latest incident. He only hoped she didn't go through with it, his friend was going to need her more than ever now.

Morgan opened the door and stepped inside. It was quiet; too quiet. Setting his bag down on the floor next to the door he feared the worse.

"Penelope!"

He headed toward the bedroom finding it quiet. The bed was made but he could tell almost immediately that she was gone. Her perfumes and brushes were missing from the dresser and the bathroom. Her drawers and closets were empty of all the things she'd need. Reid watched from the doorway as Morgan plopped down on the bed staring unbelievingly into space.

"She's gone."

He looked into the face of his friend then allowing his eyes to roam around the room as if looking for evidence to the contrary. He wasn't ready to accept the fact that she had actually left him.

"She's gone, Reid." He repeated.

"She just needs some time…"

"No, I've lost her for good this time."

"I'll call her okay?"

"No."

"Just to check and make sure she's okay."

"Reid…"

As if on cue, Reid's phone rang and he quickly pulled it from his pocket relieved to see Garcia's name flash on the screen.

"How is he?"

"Not good."

Hearing the call, Morgan looks up hopefully.

"Take care of him, okay Reid; take care of him."

Reid turned his back slightly as a vain attempt at privacy. Morgan continued to listen to the one-sided conversation.

"He needs you." He whispered. "You need to come home. Now Garcia."

"Is that her?" Morgan asked.

Standing he took a step forward.

"Morgan…"

"I don't want to talk to him, just please watch out for him."

"Let me talk to her!"

Morgan reached for the phone as Reid tried to dodge his hand and move away.

"Morgan, she doesn't want to talk to…" He struggles.

Morgan grabbed the phone from his much weaker friend not sure what he could possibly say to make her change her mind.

"Baby Girl! Talk to me! Please just come home we can work this out! Please don't do this!"

Her heart broke as she heard the panic-filled voice of her husband on the other end. How could she do this? He would never leave her he'd never give up on them no matter what. She wanted to tell him something; anything but she stood silent gripping the phone to her ear as he begged her to come back.

He knew she was on the other end. He could hear flights being announced in the background. She was at the airport too far way for him to get to her in time. How could she leave? If she loved him, truly loved him she'd be by his side right now. That was it. She didn't love him and now she was walking away with their unborn child growing inside of her without so much as a conversation or a glance back. Then the line went dead and all he was left with was silence.

Reid watched devastation turn Derek's face to stone. He had no words of encouragement or of hope. Nothing. He knew that she would be gone when they arrived. Penelope had taken the easy way out. He wasn't sure what this would do to the man who'd been a big brother to him for so many years. Now he simply sat quietly on the bed in shocked disbelief while his world plunged out of control.

"Morgan…you've got to hang in there; give her the time she needs…"

"You can go now. Thanks for the ride home, I just want to be alone." His voice was cold.

"I don't think you should be alone right now, Morgan."

"I'm fine, really. Besides, I'm sure Hotch is expecting you back."

"No I can stay. I'll fix us lunch and maybe we can watch football or…"

"Reid the football season ended three weeks ago. I appreciate it, really, just please leave me alone."

"Morgan, listen to me. We're going to figure this out and before you know it, Garcia will be home and you guys can concentrate on the baby."

"I hope you're right, Pretty Boy. Now get out of here before Hotch has both of our heads. I'm in enough trouble already."

Reid shrugged he knew he'd lost this round. Morgan was stubborn and there was no way to get through to him when his mind was set. So, without another word, he nodded and headed toward the front door.

He was alone now in the silence and it was deafening. His mind fell on Mikey. He wanted to remember what had happened but everything ended with darkness after he tried consoling the little boy. He didn't kill him, no way. He had to prove his innocence and he had to convince his wife to come back. How could he expect anyone to believe him or believe in him? It had been so easy for her to pack her things and walk out without giving him a chance to convince her otherwise. Suddenly the walls began closing in on him. He had to get out of there. He'd been ordered not to drive for the next two weeks and he was in no shape to run or workout. So despite orders from his doctor he grabbed his keys and headed to his truck.

FBI Headquarters, Internal Affairs – Afternoon –

Todd Michaels had made a name for himself by weeding out crooked agents and uncovering corruption within the bureau. Still it had not garnered him the respect and recognition he'd felt entitled to; bringing down the BAU would surely do that for him. Erin Strauss had tried as well as several other high-ranking government officials and politicians…all had failed. Now it was his turn and he was going to prove once and for all that he was better and brighter than all who'd come before him. This wasn't the first time he'd come across this group of pampered agents. He and his colleagues had nearly succeeded in bringing them down when Emily Prentiss, now head of Interpol, had come back after being presumed dead. Agent Derek Morgan had been instrumental in uncovering Ian Doyle's whereabouts and had single-handedly captured him and brought down his network. So, it was fitting that he be the one who fell first. He was the strongest of them all, the most determined and the most fearless. He was dirty and he knew it and Michaels wasn't going to rest until he proved it beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Michaels took a seat behind his desk and began reviewing Morgan's personnel file for the umpteenth time. He knew there had to be something there to help him destroy the BAU's Superman. His case was strong but he couldn't afford to rest on the evidence alone. He had to break him. No one had succeeded in doing that in the past but before he was finished, Agent Derek Morgan would be nothing but a wasted useless human being. Then he pulled a framed picture from his top drawer and looked down on it longingly lightly running his fingers down the picture of the two figures smiling back at him. It was hard to contain his anger and his tears as he slid the picture back into the drawer.

"I'll make him pay just like I promised…I'll make him pay, Kevin."