"I know we haven't really talked a lot about…you know…but…"

"Sam…"

"I mean after all, you turned down Kevin's proposal and I wasn't sure if you'd even consider…

"I don't think…"

"It's just…damn it, Penelope! I love you! I didn't think I was ready for this but…but…I am…more than ready and I…"

"Sam, please, this really isn't the best place…"

"Just let me talk, okay…for once let me get this out, before I lose my nerve." He chuckled nervously.

Penelope stopped trying to stop him from doing the unthinkable. She knew their end was coming but she couldn't imagine it happening this way…again. He was insisting on repeating history so she closed her mouth and allowed him to speak uninterrupted.

Sam was nervous, too nervous and he saw something in her eyes; fear, horror, he wasn't quite sure. Deep inside he felt as if he had suddenly boarded a runaway train, he couldn't stop it now. His ego and pride had joined together in an unholy alliance hell bent on his humiliation…he wished he'd never opened his mouth. But it was now or never.

"Penelope, I love you with all my heart. I trust you and my heart feels safe with you. I've never known anyone like you before and I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you. Penelope Marie Garcia, will you make my life complete by being my wife?"

Then with a shaky hand he opened the black box and revealed the small glittering diamond ring.

Home of Derek Morgan –

Savannah nervously paced the floor of their home. There was something in his voice and she couldn't dismiss it as his preoccupation with a new case. It had been there for weeks now. Even as they lay in bed together he felt a million miles away. Their lovemaking had felt routine and obligated and less frequent. She wanted to ask if he had lost interest in her but she was afraid. Never a woman of insecurities, he had brought her to the point of desperation and she didn't like whom and what she'd become recently…but she had never loved a man like she loved Derek before.

She was so hoping that her test had been positive. She had already begun fantasizing about what it would be like to have a baby with him. It would renew his commitment to her knowing that now they would be a family. She loved how noble and honorable he was, determined to do the right thing, always. That would sustain them that would hold him in place until he learned to love her again.

Savannah turned out the lights and set the alarm. It was late and he promised to call. She wanted to hear his voice yet she dreaded hearing the familiar sound of…she wasn't really sure how to describe it…disinterest? How could things have changed so suddenly between them…how could things have gone from his promise to do anything to be with her to this? She was exhausted and maybe she was overreacting…maybe whatever was going had nothing to do with her…with them. She climbed the steps toward their bedroom her stomach was wound tightly into knots as she anticipated his call. She prayed he would have something to say that would help her sleep in peace.

New York –

It was almost ten, and Hotch had finally sent them all to the hotel to rest. This case was a nasty one and so far they had very few leads. Derek, Reid and JJ headed toward the hotel together. Derek knew that his friends wanted to ask what had him so quiet but he was thankful that neither of them said a word. Penelope was on his mind…and their baby. Their baby…none of his fantasies had ever turned out like this. He planned in his head over and over how he would confess his feelings and admit that he'd loved her from the first day he'd laid eyes on her. He knew her, and he knew if he told her now she'd swear he was just saying it out of obligation. She was one of the most stubborn people he knew.

Then there was Savannah. He'd made that promise two years ago to do whatever it took to be with her. She didn't deserve his lies. He was desperate to feel as if he could actually make them work. Savannah was different and he wanted to settle down with one woman; Savannah had put up the most fight unwilling to let him go because they'd reached that magical tipping point when he normally walked away. She saw something in him worth fighting for so she refused make it easy on him. So he stayed convinced that this was where he was supposed to be.

"You staying in the car tonight?"

JJ stood outside looking into the driver's side window. Derek was jerked from his thoughts as he gripped the wheel with all his might. So deep in thought, he didn't remember how they'd gotten there or that he'd parked. The engine was still running and Reid and JJ had decided to get out and begin unloading. He looked over and now Reid had joined her waiting for him to respond.

"Uh, no…I'm coming…I just need to make a phone call first."

"Okay, were going to check in…you're bunking with Reid."

"Yeah…I know…"

He pulled his phone from his pocket and pressed, one. He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the headrest.

"Hello?"

Her voice always soothed him. No matter what was going on she was like magic to his soul.

"Baby Girl…"

"It's late."

"Yeah…but…"

"Derek."

"We really need to talk."

"Yeah, I know we do but now isn't a good time."

"Penelope you can't keep putting this off."

"I know we'll talk, I promise it's just that now…"

"I love you Penelope and I'm not going to let you go through this alone."

"Derek, I know you feel responsible…and obligated…but you don't have to…"

"I am responsible and I am obligated…but not in the way you think. This is my baby, our baby…and…"

"And what?"

"I can't think of anyone else I'd want to have a baby with."

She was speechless. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Who's on the phone?"

A voice from the doorway pulled her back to reality interrupting her conversation.

"I-I've gotta go…" She whispered.

"Penelope?"

Derek heard a man's voice in the background. It was much too late for company he thought, unless…

"Who is that? Is that Sam?"

"I've got to go, please…we'll talk later."

Derek heard the dead buzz in his ear as he slammed his hand against the wheel. She was with Sam even after everything that had happened. What was Sam doing there at this time of night? He had no right to question her actions, after all, he should have been calling home to Savannah, the woman whom he claimed to love and…and what? Never cheat on? Never leave? He had no right, no right at all.

Home of Penelope Garcia –

Sam closed the gap between them and pulled her into his arms. He felt her trembling against him as tears slowly fell leaving tracks down her face. Her life had come to this. Everything was a mess and she had no idea how she was going to make things right again. So she remained for a while longer in his arms. Her mind drifted to the first time he'd held her like this; she thought she'd finally found someone who could make her happy. Now so much had happened, things she could never take back, things that had life changing consequences. She felt his hand brushing lightly through her hair then planting a soft kiss on her forehead. The tears continued to flow down her facing she knew she must look a mess. It didn't matter she saw the look of love in his eyes as she stared up at him.

"You're a good man, Sam."

"Yeah, I know…and I can make you so happy." He smiled.

Then she closed her eyes as he planted a soft kiss on her lips.