The Confrontation –

Meanwhile at the Morgan home, Fran sat at her kitchen table lost in her own thoughts. She kept replaying her conversation with her son the night before. She could not believe that he had finally found the one person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with and she had not believed him. How could a friend, best friend, do that? She was still pondering this question when she heard Derek approach. She looked up and smiled a sad smile.

"Good Morning Son."

"Morning Mom. Before you say anything. I am sorry for showing up here so late last night and then laying all the events of my life on you. I know you don't think I should be apologizing but I feel I need to. Thank you for listening and as much as you wanted to, not commenting. I know that being the wonderful mom that you are, you are worried about me but don't be. I knew a long time ago that I would never get married and have those grand babies you want so badly. I lost sight of that momentarily when I thought I was in love with my then best friend. I have accepted my fate and I am moving on. Please promise me that you will do the same. I love you and I don't want you to worry about me. I will be fine. Do we have a deal?"

Fran sat there speechless. There was so much she wanted to say but she knew her son too well. Nothing she could say at this moment would change his mind. He had that look of shear determination in his eyes. To her utter disappointment, her baby boy had closed his mind and heart off to loving anyone other than her and his sisters. Hesitantly she agreed to his request.

"Deal."

"Great now can I get some of your world famous French toast? It has been ages since I had them."

"Sure. I can do that." She reached over and squeezed his hand before getting up to start making the French toast.

"Mom I am going to call Des and Sarah to see what they are up to today. I figured I would spend some quality time with them. You are more than welcome to come along."

"Thanks but no thanks son. I will give you the opportunity to explain what is going on in your life to them if you so choose. Maybe we can all get together her for dinner tonight around six."

"That sounds like a plan mom. I am going to head up stairs to call Sarah and Des while you make your famous French toast. Thanks again mom." With that said, he kissed his mom on the cheek and ran upstairs.

With Derek gone, Fran took a moment to gather her thoughts. Derek was her son and she loved him dearly. It was breaking her heart that he had not only been hurt by his best friend but that he had decided he would never fall in love and marry. She felt totally helpless. She knew that Derek would not like it but she had to hear from Penelope herself just how she could do this to Derek.

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The team arrived at the airport around noon. The flight to Chicago was uneventful. Garcia sat at the rear of the plane lost in her own thoughts. Hotch had called Morgan's mom to let her know that he would be coming by that afternoon. He had asked her not to tell Morgan that he was coming. Fran had reluctantly agreed. She did not like to keep secrets from her son but given his condition when he arrived that morning, she felt it best. The team was met at the airport by a couple of local agents. Rossi signed for the two black SUVs and they were off to Fran Morgan's home.

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When they arrived at the Morgan home, Hotch sensed Penelope's nervousness.

"Garcia, you are not in this alone. We are here if you need us. We don't want to lose either of you but we have to get this sorted out."

"Hotch, what do I say? I don't know if I can do this."

"Be honest with him Garcia. That is all you can do. The rest is up to him."

Garcia gave Hotch a weak smile and they headed for the house.

Fran Morgan answered the door surprised to find not only Hotch but also the entire team.

"This is a surprise Agent Hotchner. I thought only you were coming."

"Mrs. Morgan I apologize for not telling you that we all were coming. I felt it best in the event that you indeed told Morgan. Morgan's leaving has affected the entire team and they felt they had a need to hear from him why it is he left. I hope you can understand."

"I suppose. Under normal circumstances, I would not be so direct but as Derek is due to be back shortly. I do not wish to be harsh but Penelope will you please tell me why you hurt my son?"

Shocked by the directness of Mrs. Morgan's remark, Garcia was at a lost for words. She didn't know what to say. She couldn't even look her in the eyes.

Rossi spoke up and said "Mrs. Morgan, it is not that simple."

"Fran, please and I beg to differ."

Rossi was about to say something else when Garcia finally spoke.

"Mrs. Morgan – Fran I suppose you have every right to be angry with me right now."

"I am not angry Penelope I am just trying to understand what happened. Derek has given me his version of the events of the last couple weeks. I suppose what I really meant to say is will you please tell me your version of events. If you would like Penelope, we could step in the other room"

"There is no need Fran, we are a team, a family. They have already heard most if not all of what I am going to say."

Garcia was hesitant at first but she figured she might as well practice on Fran because talking to Derek was only going to be harder. Garcia proceeded to give Fran her version of events including her realization this morning that she did love and was in love with Morgan. The more she talked, the more Fran understood.

"Thank you for sharing with me Garcia. I understand your side but I am afraid my son may not. You were all he ever talked about. I suspected that it was more than friendship from the way he spoke of you but he never admitted it until today. I pray that it is not too late to save what the two of you have."

Garcia listened and tried to keep the tears that threatened to fall at bay. She knew that the talk with Morgan was not going to be easy. Just then they heard the front door open and Des call out to her mom asking whose SUV's were in the drive. Des and Sarah came in followed by a tense Morgan. As he rounded the corner, his suspicions were confirmed. Hotch and the entire team had come to Chicago in search of him.

"What are you all doing here?"

Hotch was the first to speak. "Hello to you to Morgan. Giving the way you left, you should have. . . ."

"The way I left was best for all concerned, Hotch."

"We don't think so. We are a team. We deserved more that the note you left."

Sarah and Des decided to introduce themselves in an attempt to ease the mounting tension in the room.

"Hello I am Sarah and this is my sister Desiree. I am assuming that you all are my brothers team members."

Rossi spoke "You are correct." Rossi proceeded to introduce everyone in the room. When he got to Garcia it was then that Morgan realized she was there.

Morgan immediately tensed and made a move for the door. Emily quickly slid past him and locked the front door. Rossi moved to cover the rear entrance and Reid locked the patio doors.

"Prentiss what are you doing? Move I need to leave."

"I can't do that Morgan. I know you don't want us hear but we love you two too much to let this end this way."

JJ – "Yeah Morgan. We are pissed at you for leaving the way you did. In a way I suppose we understand but never the less you two cannot leave this unfinished between you. You need to talk."

Morgan – "There is nothing to talk about so if you will excuse me."

Prentiss – "I am not moving."

"Emily, I don't want to hurt you so please move."

Hotch – "Morgan you are not leaving here until you two talk."

Derek was furious. He could not believe it. Not only had they followed him uninvited they were trying to make him talk to her when she had already made it clear that there wasn't anything to talk about. Morgan stormed to the center of the room. He noted how they had all of the exits covered. He took in the look on his mom and sisters faces. He did not want to scare them or for this to turn violent. What was he going to do? He did not want to talk to her.

As if reading his mind Hotch spoke. "Morgan, you know your team. We are not leaving until we get some sort of resolution to this either way."

Garcia had been quiet the whole time watching the exchange. She finally spoke. "Derek, I – I know I don't have a right to be here but I think I owe it to everyone here especially you to explain. . ."

Morgan stared coldly at Garcia and said, "You don't owe me anything."

Garcia swallowed the tears and continued. "I guess I deserved that. Listen Derek. I know you don't want to talk to me but will you at least listen? Listen and I leave. Deal?"

Derek couldn't believe this. After all she had said and done now she wanted him to listen. He spat "Too little – Too late Agent Garcia."

Fran spoke up – "Derek, baby please. If you truly want to get past this, let her have her say and then be done with it."

Morgan – "Fine – Talk"

Hotch "In private Morgan."

Morgan "No Hotch. We are suppose to be a team right? She shouldn't have a problem talking in front of our team. I am sure you have each profiled me and guessed why I left the way I did. The way I felt about her is not a surprise to each of you. My mom and sisters know how I felt and what happened. So?"

Garcia was terrified but she knew this was the only chance she was going to get. She summoned all of her courage and strength and stood to her feet. She started to walk towards a visibly pissed off Derek Morgan.

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As always, thank you for reading. Please review. This will end soon. I hope I do not disappoint. Thanks again.