His plans for a quiet morning were quickly dashed as he watched his former girlfriend cleaning up the remnants of breakfast in his kitchen. Never in a million years did he ever imagine things ending up this way; her becoming a friend after their nasty break up. Even stranger was Sam, Penelope's ex becoming a friend as well and stranger still, he and Savannah were now a couple.

Looking up she caught him staring at her. She smiled at him as she folded the dishtowel draping it across the sink then drying her hands on the towel on the counter. Her morning had started off well and now it was time for her to head to the hospital. This was the second day of his vitamin regime and as much as she wanted to witness his painful downfall begin to set in she knew it wouldn't be good for her to be here when it happened.

"Okay my friend, you've had breakfast and you've had your vitamin. It looks like your wife has left plenty of food in the freezer and refrigerator so, I'm out of here."

He followed her to the front door. He felt a twinge of pain in his side but didn't mention it. It was probably nothing he thought; nothing a nap wouldn't cure.

"Thanks Savannah for stopping by, I appreciate everything you've done for me."

"Shh…nonsense you don't have to thank me. I know you'd do it for me, right?"

"Of course I would."

Quite unexpectedly, Savannah kissed Morgan on the cheek and smiled looking deeply into his eyes then making a hasty retreat down the steps waving without looking back she jumped into her car and backed away from his home. No none of this was anything he'd ever imagined touching the spot on his face where she'd only moments ago kissed him he closed the door locking it behind him.

The deadbolt slid into place and a sharp pain hit him knocking him with a thud against the heavy wooden door. Closing his eyes tightly his body tensed and slowly he allowed himself to slide to the floor. There was nothing he could do but sit for the next several minutes and ride out the pain.

The phone began to ring; it was Penelope's special ring tone. He watched the phone vibrating across the table fifty feet away out of reach. Instinctually, he tried to stand but his legs were too weak to cooperate with his brains command to move. He knew she would worry if he didn't answer but there was nothing he could do as another shock wave of pain hit him rendering him helpless and withering in pain on the floor. He craved an escape he'd never felt anything like this before…the darkness obliged him as it pulled him into a tight embrace and his eyes closed against his wishes with a silent promise of sweet relief.

Seattle, Washington – Police Department Central Division – Afternoon –

Penelope ended the call leaving her third message in less than an hour. It was probably nothing but she couldn't help worrying. Knowing her stubborn husband he was probably working in the basement or out with Clooney in the backyard. Still, he hadn't returned any of her calls and that wasn't like him. She didn't want to bother Savannah by sounding like a neurotic housewife. She didn't want to worry Fran but maybe just maybe she'd spoken with her son. One call to her mother-in-law wouldn't hurt…

"Garcia!"

She turned to see the stern scowl of her boss and she quickly dropped her phone into her bag.

"I'm sorry, Bossman…"

"Is everything okay?"

"Yes, yes…what can I do you for?"

"We need you to run background checks on all three of our victims, check to see if they knew each other and see if any of them used their credit cards or made phone calls before their disappearances."

"Yes, yes, on it…right away."

"Are sure everything is okay?"

"Fine, just fine, Sir."

He wasn't convinced watching her as she turned to face her computer typing fiercely and straining to watch as the information raced across her screen. He knew she didn't want to leave her husband and she no doubt was worried. They'd all been reassured that he was fine and his few days off were just precautionary. Still, he knew Garcia and what she did best was worry especially when it came to Morgan.

"Okay, get back to me as soon as you find something."

Home of Derek and Penelope Morgan –

Derek slowly opened his eyes he'd only been out for a few minutes but it felt longer. The pain was almost gone and for that he was thankful. Slowly pulling himself to a sitting position he leaned against the door for a moment before trying again to stand.

He was successful this time putting his weight against the door and gradually standing. The first thing he did was to grab his phone he'd missed several calls and several frantic messages from her. Pressing, "1" on speed dial he waited for her to pick up.

"Derek!"

"Hey Baby Girl…"

"Are you okay? I called you! Like three times…you didn't answer…I was so worried…are you okay…please tell me your okay…"

"Breathe Baby, breathe…I'm fine…I'm fine…I was in…the basement…I didn't realize I'd left my phone upstairs…I'm sorry…I didn't mean to make you worry."

He hated lying to her that was the number one rule…no lies! But hearing her exhale and relax made him feel justified in the lie. Besides, he felt better already.

"Okay, okay…I love you…"

"I love you too…forever."

She wiped a tear from her cheek she felt her hands shaking with relief so wanting to be home with him but she was so far away and she had to hope that he really was okay.

"Derek…"

"Stop it…I'm fine, okay?"

"O-okay…"

"Savannah stopped by…made sure I took those god-awful vitamins."

"Good!"

He could hear her smile across the phone.

"She even made breakfast. Damn, I never knew anyone who could screw up breakfast like Savannah."

The two lost themselves in laughter for a moment; both needed the release.

"…but I appreciate the effort."

"Yeah me too."

"How's the case going?"

"It's a bad one, Derek. Hotch just gave me a bunch of searches…"

"Well I better let you go then."

"Okay, Handsome. I love you."

"I love you too, Baby Girl."

He ended the call quickly just before another shock of excruciating pain sent him crashing to the floor.

Bethesda Memorial Hospital – Later –

Sam helped Savannah to a sitting position handing her the silk thong that he'd bought her several weeks ago. Her hair was a scattered mess while her clothes were a wrinkled heap bunched around her waist. She watched as he pulled himself together tucking his shirt back in and zipping his pants.

"Wow! Not that I'm complaining but what got into you?"

"What, I can't pay my girlfriend a surprise visit if I want to?"

"Girlfriend, huh? So, I'm your girlfriend now?"

She stood facing him waiting for an answer. He'd never given her a title and she'd never insisted on one. In fact, they'd never defined what they were to each other. Until now they were just two people with a common goal of destroying Derek and Penelope. The sex, albeit good, was just an extra caveat.

He pulled her tight against his chest crashing his lips roughly against hers kissing her until they both needed air.

"Yeah, you're my, girlfriend. Do you have a problem with that?"

"N-no not at all."

She awkwardly pulled out of his embrace fumbling with her clothes then running her fingers nervously through her hair. He'd never seen her so discombobulated before, always so in control. He liked seeing her this way; he liked it a lot.

"Besides, after your visit this morning with Derek, I felt it my duty to come right over and remind you who you belong to."

"Oh yeah?"

She smiled widely and slowly sauntered over to stand in front of him again.

"Yeah."

It was her who kissed him this time; hard and forceful on his lips. His eyes bucked wide open as he smiled against her mouth. The sound of his belt buckle broke the temporary silence in the room as she pushed his pants down his hips. Moaning his approval he backed her against her desk and in no time her skirt joined his trousers on the floor.

"Derek who?"