Disclaimer: I promise I don't own Criminal Minds.

Okay, I know it's been forever since I updated this story and I'm sooo sorry! Between life getting in the way and my muse deciding to go on vacation it took awhile. Anyways, I hope you like this chapter!

A couple of hours later Morgan was woken suddenly. He looked down and saw Penelope asleep with her head on his chest and her arm draped over his abs. He smiled slightly, but the smile soon faded when he realized she was having a nightmare. She whimpered softly and was clutching his shirt tightly. Not wanting to wake her up from her much needed sleep he carefully turned on his side and gathered her in his arms as he put his lips to her forehead. He whispered trying to calm her while he rubbed her back and periodically kissed her forehead lightly.

"Shhh, I'm here maybe girl. I'm here." He whispered with emotion feeling his voice. After a couple of minutes had passed she was once again sleeping peacefully against his chest.

Morgan remained awake a little longer rubbing her back and holding her tightly. His worry grew ever second as he thought back over the past few weeks. He remembered the pain that had filled her voice when he found her on the couch just a few hours ago, the constant dark circles under her eyes and her pale face. And then there were the multiple prescription bottles he found in the drawer that told him just how bad things had gotten.

He shut his eyes and silently cursed himself for not seeing the signs. JJ and Emily's story had proved that this had been going on for months at least. But just how long? He tried to remember and it hit him that this must have been going on for months, maybe even a year, and had been getting progressively worse. She had obviously been hiding it well considering a team of profilers hadn't even noticed.

As he once again began to fall asleep he became conscience of the fact that the signs had always been there, they just didn't notice until it was too late.

A couple of hours later Garcia slowly began to wake up and smiled when she smelt a familiar scent, but her still groggy mind couldn't quite place it. She was just so comfortable she kept her eyes closed and snuggled deeper into the warmth of her pillow. Her eyes then popped open as she realized her 'pillow' was breathing and she could distinctly feel a heart beat. When she opened her eyes she found her face buried into someone's chest. She looked up and blushed slightly when she saw Morgan's head just above hers as if it had been resting on top of her own head. She then realized her arm was draped across him just as his was around her. As she laid there a minute trying to calm her racing heart she noticed how perfectly they seemed to fit together and just how comfortable it really was.

After a few minutes had passed she reluctantly decided it was time to get up before he woke up. She breathed in his scent one more time and relished his warm embrace before slowly starting to pull away. As she did though he mumbled objectively under his breath and tightened his grip around her and before she could slip out he pulled her back to him and hugged her tightly to his body. Her entire body was flush against his and her breath quickened at the close contact. She closed her eyes to try and calm her pounding heart and rapid breathing, but it didn't do much good when she heard him mumble more in his sleep.

"My baby girl…love you..." He mumbled and held her tightly as he continued to talk in his sleep.

'Was it true?' She thought to herself as her heart continued to race and hope bubbled inside her. 'Could Rossi have been right? Was Derek Morgan really in love with her?' These questions ran through her head and a shiver ran down her spine as she felt him breathing down her neck.

She thought back to over a month ago when he had come over to comfort her after a nightmare. Not only had he stayed the whole night, he had made her breakfast and then willing went shopping with her. She remembered the stares and looks he had given her all day and how he had ignored the woman at the bar. Rossi's words rang in her ears about how he had only looked at her. How he didn't so much as dance with another woman. As Penelope thought back she realized the look in his eyes had been that of love and hope and…want. She swallowed a lump in her throat as tears began to form in her eyes.

As she looked back over the last few weeks and even months she realized that day hadn't been a single occurrence. He had been giving her looks, stealing random touches, and, even though she pushed the thought to the back of her mind, showing his love and devotion to her. All the while slowly edging closer. What surprised her more is how natural it seemed to be for him.

Penelope closed her eyes to stop the tears from falling and silently berated herself for not noticing earlier. Morgan shifted slightly and squeezed her tightly to him as he buried his face in her hair and neck.

"Baby girl…" He mumbled in a soft tone that made her heart skip a beat. She smiled and, since it didn't seem he was going to be letting her go anytime soon, she was about to try and sleep some more. Then it dawned on her. She had slept last night. She hadn't been awakened from a nightmare; instead she had slept peacefully in the arms of the man she loved.

Then, just as she began to doze off with a contented smile on her face, Morgan's hand began to slide down her back and stopped to rest on the bare skin where her shirt had ridden up. She gasped suddenly at the contact and her eyes popped open. Just as she opened her eyes Morgan began to stir and she watched as his eyes slowly began to open.

As soon as Morgan opened his eyes and met hers he smiled happily, but suddenly his eyes got a steamy look when he noticed where his hand was. Penelope's eyes widened and her breath caught in her throat. The look on his face sent a shiver ricocheting through her body and she knew for certain at that moment that Rossi had indeed been right. Derek Morgan was in love with her. The thought made her smile nervously and she couldn't remember ever being so happy. She watched as he stared at her with a look of love and adoration. Penelope's heart raced when she saw the dark look of desire that was also lacing his eyes and noticed how he was breathing hard.

Silence filled the room for what seemed like hours and before Penelope knew what was happening Morgan smiled and moved forward the couple of inches so their lips met in a soft, tender kiss.

Electricity shot through both their bodies as they each expressed the emotions they had kept inside for so long. Penelope moaned softly and parted her lips letting Morgan continue his exploration. As their kiss deepened they became completely lost in each other. Morgan's hand slid up her shirt and roamed over her bare back while his other hand found its way to her neck and slipped under her hair.

There wasn't an inch of space between any part of their body, but yet they both felt the need to be closer. Penelope moved her hand up his well muscled arm and then back down before slipping it under the hem of his shirt. She lightly traced his abs making Morgan groan as he nibbled her lower lip.

They were so entranced and focused on the other that neither heard the knocking on the door. As they continued their exploration and released their pent up emotions the knocking grew louder. Suddenly they were forced to jump apart in surprise when they heard loud banging and someone shouting Penelope's name.

Morgan growled and leaned his forehead against hers as they each tried to control their ridged breathing. "I'm going to kill whoever's at the door." He grumbled making Penelope laugh slightly. When she did Morgan opened his eyes and looked at her adoringly and smiled.

Penelope knew the love she saw in his eyes was mirrored in her own and she couldn't help the grin that spread across her face. She leaned forward a bit nervously and kissed him lightly on the lips making him grin broadly. Her smile grew even wider when she saw him pout as she started to get up. She could feel his gaze on her as she started toward the door and she grinned uncontrollably at the knowledge that he was staring at her.

Still smiling, she raised her eyebrow as she opened the door and saw who was there.

"Hey Pen, we were starting to get worried when you didn't answer the door." JJ said with concern in her voice.

"Sorry sweetie pies, I was…in bed." Penelope replied happily causing JJ and Emily to raise their eyebrows.

"Are you okay Pen?" Emily asked.

"Never better honey bunch."

"O…kay." Emily stated a bit confused.

"How did you sleep last night?" JJ asked.

"Amazingly well." Penelope answered still smiling as JJ and Emily glanced at each other a bit surprised.

"Really? Because we happen to know you haven't been sleeping well for months now." JJ stated suspiciously and crossed her arms.

"You looked like you were about to fall over when we left." Emily added. "And from what we know we're pretty sure why."

"You've been having nightmares and…" JJ began, but Penelope interrupted.

"Guys, you know the things we do would give anyone nightmares. You two have had nightmares before." Penelope stated nonchalantly leaning against the door frame.

"Yes, but yours are keeping you from sleeping on a regular basis and are starting to effect you physically." Emily added before looking around and raising her eyebrow. "Why are we still standing in the hall?" She asked.

Penelope shrugged and smiled at them. "Did you guys want something?" She asked still smiling innocently.

"You're changing the subject." JJ said suspiciously. "But to answer you're question we wanted to check on you and thought maybe you'd want to go out."

"You girls are a little late." Came Morgan's voice from inside Penelope's apartment. Penelope turned her head and smiled as Derek came up and stood behind her, his hand holding the door open. He smirked slightly at the surprised, yet knowing looks on Emily and JJ's faces.

"Me and my baby girl here already have plans." He stated. Penelope looked up at him with a raised her eyebrow, but didn't say anything.

"Right…." Emily said with a knowing look. "Well I guess we'll have a girls' day later." She said with a grin.

"Soon though." JJ added smiling as well. They all knew that the next time the girls got together they'd been having a long talk about her and Morgan.

"We'll see you later Pen." JJ said hugging her friend.

"Have fun you two." Emily said winking at Morgan and giving Penelope a hug. The two quickly left, smiling and chatting as they made their way down the hall.

Penelope shook her head and turned to see Morgan staring down at her. He grinned before backing up so she could close the door. Once she closed and locked the door Penelope turned back around to find Morgan standing a few feet away watching her intently. Without a word Morgan walked up to her wrapping his arms around her waist as she slipped her arms around his neck. Morgan kissed her lightly before leaning his forehead against hers.

"Penelope Garcia…" He said as they both closed their eyes and just enjoyed the contact.

"Yes…" She replied softly.

"I am completely and utterly in love with you." He told her with love filling his voice.

Penelope's eyes opened and she smiled as tears once again began to form in her eyes. She never thought she'd hear those words from him and now that she had she wanted to hear them over and over.

When she didn't answer right away Morgan opened his eyes and Penelope could see the nervousness and hope he was feeling. "Derek Morgan…" She began and Morgan suddenly felt anxious. His heart, his life, and his future were now in her hands.

"I am beyond a shadow of a doubt in love with you too." She whispered softly her voice laced with emotion.

Morgan let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding and tightened his grip around her as he kissed her forehead. He then trailed his lips down to her mouth and kissed her passionately.

When they pulled away to catch their breath Penelope looked up at him and grinned. "So what kind of plans do we apparently have?" She asked with a hit of mischief.

"We're going to have a nice, long, overdue talk princess." He answered seriously with a slightly stern look. Garcia saw the worry hidden behind his eyes as he gave her a look that clearly said 'why the hell didn't you tell me?'

She knew what was coming and she suddenly felt a bit nervous. She sighed softly as Morgan grabbed her hand and began to lead her to the couch.

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"He'll take care of her." JJ said as she and Emily walked outside the apartment building and towards their cars. "And we can always check on her later." She added to reassure both herself and Emily.

"Isn't it amazing how much better she looks after just a short time with Morgan?" Emily stated more than asked. "Even her behavior was more Garcia like then it's been lately."

"Those two were meant for each other." JJ replied. "It's just a good thing they finally realized it. Rossi was planning on handcuffing them together and locking them in a bathroom." She said and both laughed knowing he would do it in a heartbeat without so much as a second thought.

"I think Hotch was scheming too. I heard him mumble something about the storage closet and turning the heat on." Emily added evoking more laughs.

Just before they split to go to their respective cars JJ stopped. "I wonder what they're doing up there?" She stated.

"I'm pretty sure I don't want to know." Emily replied. The two looked up at Garcia's window and then glanced at each other with grins on their faces before walking off to their cars.

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