A/N: Sorry everyone for the slight delay, things have been super busy at work. The hotter it gets the crazier and stupider they get! Hehe! I have been exhausted and fell asleep a couple of times before I could post! I am thrilled that you are all enjoying my labor of love. So, without further ado, Onnnnnn with the showwwww!
Dave decided to speak out first, "Bella, you have to have faith, the doctor's right. My stepson is the strongest man I know. He is stubborn, and will not give up you'll see. We will not give up on him and he will pull through this, I know it."
Fran gazed into her husband's soulful deep brown eyes and softly ran her fingers down his cheek. "I love you, David Rossi! What would I do without you? You're right my Baby Boy is going to be fine. I just wish my girls were here, I couldn't get through to them ship to shore. They are somewhere in the Caribbean and don't even know about their brother being shot."
Dave cracked a small smile and pecked her cheek. "I love you too, Honey! I am here and not going anywhere. You left the girls a message and they will contact you when they can. Besides, they will be back in less than two weeks it will be okay. Look at the bright side, we have the rest of our family right here with us, right by our sides."
Fran gave him a quick kiss and hug and made the decision. "Alright my loves, let's take the doctor's advice and go get some fresh air and grab a bite to eat. When we get back we can visit my baby and will him back to us."
Hotch released Penelope and watched her as she took a seat. "Fran, that is a great idea. I know I could use the fresh air and some more hot coffee. Let's go guys, the quicker we go the quicker we can back here to see Derek."
Everybody began to gather their things to go. JJ noticed that Penelope was just sitting there staring off into space. "Come on Garcie, we are going across the street for a bite and some coffee."
Penelope just stared straight ahead with a sad expression all over her face. "Nahhh, you guys go ahead I just need to be alone."
Fran frowned and walked over to her. "Nonsense sweetie, we are all going together as a family!"
Penelope slouched down in her chair and felt deflated, confused and frightened. "I just can't go I need to think and be by myself."
Fran stood there for a minute while she contemplated. Quickly she made her way over to group and quietly said. "You guys head over and grab a table we will be there shortly."
Spencer whispered to everybody. "Do you think she is starting to get some of her old memories back?"
Dave replied quietly. "I think she is. I think without the Scopolamine and Ketamine Sam's hold is waning a bit."
Emily bit out. "God, I hope so!"
"Bella, we will see you there. Good luck and I love you!"
"I love you too, my love"
Dave gave her a loving and soft kiss and the group headed to the elevators leaving just Fran and Penelope.
Once they were gone Fran took a deep breath and walked over and sat down next to Penelope. "Sweetie, please look at me."
Penelope did not budge and remained with her head down.
"Please, honey I want to talk to you and need you to look at me. Pleeeassee!"
Penelope didn't know what to do her heart and head were all over the place. She wasn't sure if she could face Derek's mom after all that happened. She knew there were still so much more she needed to figure out, but at least she was starting to remember a little bit. Finally, she decided it was now or never. She picked her head up and looked at the very concerned face of Fran.
Fran gave her a small smile and took a deep breath. "Thank you, Penelope! First, I need you to know that I understand you are battling some demons of your own. I also know that you have a lot to think about and figure out. The rest of the family and I will help you sort this out. You may not remember right now, but I need you to know that I love you now and always. We all love you and don't you ever forget that Derek truly loves you, too!"
That was it, she couldn't hold it in anymore and the flood gates opened and Penelope began sobbing. Fran pulled Penelope into her loving arms to embrace and comfort her and let her cry it out.
Eventually, her sobs died down and all that was left were the hiccups and sniffling. She pulled back from Fran and took some deep breaths. "Thank you, Fran! I am so confused and scared right now. I don't know what to think, my mind is a jumbled mess. I need some more time before I talk to anybody. Is that alright?"
Fran smiled at her and brushed some of Penelope's tears away. "Baby, I understand, I won't push you and neither will anyone else. Now, why don't you go and rinse your face and pull yourself together. I will send a text to the others and let them know we will see them in a few minutes, alright? "
Penelope stood up and nodded her head in agreement and headed to the ladies' room. A few minutes later she exited the bathroom and they both headed to the elevators to make their way to the diner.
Once they made it over to the diner everybody ordered a bite to eat. The group sat around and ate, drank some coffee, and chit-chatted amongst themselves. All the while, Penelope was quiet and deep in thought. She still couldn't quite figure out the whole situation she found herself in.
When Penelope excused herself to use the ladies room, Fran used the opportunity to fill in the rest of family the little that she figured out from their conversation. She explained that Penelope was confused and was trying to sort through her feelings. She also told everyone to be patient and that when Penelope was ready, she promised to talk it out.
Upon Penelope's return to the table they decided that it was time to head back to the hospital in hopes of getting to visit with Derek soon. Dave took it upon himself to pay the bill. Once that was accomplished they all started back to the hospital.
When they reached the sixth floor, Fran went to the nurse's station to inform them that they were back. The nurses explained that the doctor would be with them shortly and to meet him in the waiting room. Fran headed to the waiting room and sat down next to Dave and told everyone that the doctor would be there shortly.
Approximately twenty minutes later, a tired looking Dr. Peters appeared in front of the anxious family. Everybody jumped up and waited for the update from him.
Fran was the first to nervously speak. "How is my son, doctor? Any changes?"
"Agent Morgan is still in critical condition. His vital signs have remained the same, but they are still weak. He is definitely a strong young man and has quite the will to live."
Spencer interjected. "Of course, he is strong! He is the strongest man I know! My brother has been through hell and back over the years and has always won. He won't give up on us now or ever. I can't lose anyone else! We can't lose him, we just can't."
Spencer began to tremble and slumped his shoulders. JJ hurried over to him and pulled him into her arms for a tight embrace. He held onto her for dear life.
JJ quietly comforted him. "Shhh, it's okay Spence, we aren't going to lose him. He loves us as much as we love him. He will fight with everything he has, to stay with us. He is stubborn and he is not going to leave us, I promise!"
Spencer replied. "I love him, JJ! You guys mean everything to me!"
Fran placed her hand on Spencer's shoulder. "He knows you love him, Spencer! He loves you, too! He always calls you his baby bro. My boy will come through this and will drive us all crazy again. We all love you Spencer and we are all here together!"
Fran then let go of Spencer's shoulder and grabbed a hold of Penelope's hand and squeezed it. Penelope looked at her as Fran trained her sights on the doctor. "When can we see my Baby Boy? We really need to see him and let him know we are here for him and love him."
Dr. Peters looked at all of them, took a deep breath and announced. "I can take you to him now. He is now in the SICU in Room 612. I just need to warn you all he is hooked up to, many machines including the ventilator and is very pale from the blood loss."
Fran replied while the group nodded in acknowledgment. "We understand doctor."
With all that said, the family followed the doctor down the hall to Derek's room. Everyone took a collective deep breath and walked through the door. The first thing the group noted was all the different sounds coming from the plethora of machines in the room. The next thing that grabbed their attention was Derek's pale unconscious form that was laying completely still in the bed. They were grateful for the sounds of machines because it meant that their son, their friend, and brother was still alive. It gave them comfort knowing that he was amongst them even though the ventilator was breathing for him right now.
Fran rushed to his side after releasing Penelope's hand. She lightly placed a soft loving kiss to his forehead. Dave picked up Derek's hand and squeezed it while he stood next to his wife. JJ and Emily each gave Derek a kiss on the cheek from the other side of the bed. Both Hotch and Spencer also took a turn to squeeze Derek's other hand. Only Penelope hadn't moved at all. She was glued to her spot at the end of his bed, she was quiet and just stared at him.
Dr. Peters made his way towards the door of the room. "You may all stay for as long as you need to. Just please don't interfere with the staff and their work. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask any of the nurses. I will be sending in some extra chairs. I will be back later to check on Agent Morgan. Goodnight!"
For the next while each of them grabbed at a chance to hug him, talk to him and beg him to come back to them and soon. The only one that still hadn't reacted was Penelope. She couldn't find the courage to say anything or move from her spot at the foot of his bed. She did however, have tears running down her cheeks and both of her hands covering her mouth.
As she stood there, she began to shake and sob. So, without warning she gasped out. "Ohhh my God, Hot Stuff!"
TBC
PLZZ READ AND REVIEWED
