The sound of his name from her lips worried Derek Morgan, to him he was the competition. As soon as she answered Penelope entered the connecting bathroom to talk to Kevin. He couldn't hear anything she was saying, worrying him even more.

He knew Penelope and Lynch's relationship had not been good for a few weeks now. But with Penelope it was always a worry, she hated upsetting peoples feelings. This was what made him believe she would not break up with him. Well not yet anyway.

From the moment he had met Penelope he knew she was the one. The one to tame him, the one he would marry and the would that would carry his children. As those thoughts entered his brain years ago, he knew there was something different about Penelope. Because before then Derek never wanted to get married or to have children. It confirmed his suspicions, Penelope was different.

The opening of the bathroom door shook him from his daydreams. He was just about to say something before Penelope stopped him.

"I have to go." she said before she grabbed her coat and left his room without giving him time to reply.

Over the next four days she ignored him unless she needed to speak to him. When they did talk, she did not mention about what was said between them and she did not use any pet names for him. Derek knew something was up, but she wouldn't let him question it.

When they finally completed the case, they headed home immediately. Hotch and JJ had spent too long away from their children so it was what was best. As they all boarded the jet, Penelope sat with JJ, leaving Derek with no other option but to sit at the other end of the plane. She was ignoring him, and he was determined to find out why.

Derek sat on his couch beer in hand, dog at his side. They had been given a week off after the long case. It was already two days in and her still had not heard from Penelope. She would not answer his calls or reply to his texts. He decided it best not to go to the apartment she shared with Lynch in case he was there. He was getting frustrated but for the sake of his babygirl he decided to wait it out.

As the hands of the clock reached seven, Derek came to a decision. He was going to go out, get drunk and try and clear Penelope from his head. As soon as he stepped out of the shower he heard the knock on his door. He wrapped a towel around his waist and went to the door.

Stood on the other side was Penelope. One cheek was reddened and tears soaked her face. She was soaking and shivering. Seeing the state she was, Derek immediately pulled her into the apartment and shut his door.

He sat her on his couch, shooing Clooney away, and sat beside her. Noticing she was still shivering he placed his arms around her and pulled her to him in an attempt to warm her.

She laid her head on his shoulder, allowing the tears to fall. They soaked his skin, falling and joining the remaining water droplets that lay there. It was only then did Derek notice he was still naked apart from the towel. It did matter, all that mattered was his babygirl.

"Penelope who did this to you? Who hit you?" he asked.

No response came. The tears just fell more. Because she would not reply made him more uneasy. She'd always talk to him when she was in a state such as this. He tried again.

"Come on Mamma, you can tell me."

Penelope lifted her head to look in his eyes, as if to question if she could trust him. It was only then Derek Morgan heard the one word he hated most in the world, "Kevin."