Disclaimer: I do not own Criminals Minds

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A week later

'Just get in the wheelchair Garcia.'

'I need to adjust to the crutches so it's a perfect opportunity.'

'Not with the bruises still on your chest. We know they're still causing you pain.'

'How else am I going to get around?'

'With our help that's how so just get in it.' Hotch said putting his hand out. 'Come on Morgan's waiting for us in car. It's just you; me and Rossi that need to get down there.'

'Penelope Garcia listen to the man and sit.' Rossi said trying to suppress a smile. 'We are holding up the entire gang.'

'Fine but trust me to get left with the drill sergeants.' She said hobbling to the chair with Hotch's help.

'Too right, it was the only way.'

Finally seated in the wheelchair Hotch looked at Garcia as he picked her bag and crutches up. 'Good girl you're learning.'

'Involuntarily.'

'Well its either you use that until we get you to the SUV or you stay here.'

'I thought you said the others were waiting on us?' Garcia shot back.

'Touché.'

They laughed and joked on the journey down, as soon as they were outside; Hotch helped Garcia to stand while Rossi took the wheelchair back. Reid ran over to help them out.

'You okay there Pen?'

'Yes my little genius.' She said ruffling his hair. 'This is going to take a while you realise?'

Hotch laughed. 'No it won't. Right put your arms over mine and Reid's shoulder and we will support you at your waist, then just hop yeah?'

'Go for it boss man.' No longer than 5 minutes were they finally at the open back door to the SUV, she looked in and smiled. 'Hey handsome.'

'Hey gorgeous you finally made it then.' Everyone had watched the slow journey from door to car. Derek more so than the others.

'Yeah, I would have been here sooner but some mean men wouldn't allow me to use crutches.'

'Well it seems like a good plan.' He laughed as she rolled her eyes. 'Hey we are all on the same wave length.'

'Right Garcia are you okay to slide in or do you need to sit in the front for more room?'

'Erm... well seeing as I can't bend my leg possibly the front seat.'

'Get in and put your leg on my lap baby girl.'

'Derek, your leg...'

'...will be fine.'

Garcia looked at Hotch. 'Well what do you want to do?'

'I don't know.'

'Let's get you in the back then.' He saw her smile. 'Morgan will tell you if you're hurting him.'

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Outside Penelope and Derek's house

'Why didn't you guys go in?' Ross said jumping out of the front seat of the SUV.

'A thing called a key.' JJ and Emily said in unison.

Penelope laughed as she was helped out of the car. 'Ah did we neglect to give you that one thing?' She looked at the awaiting gang. JJ, Emily, Reid, Fran, Desiree and Sarah all waiting to get inside.

Hotch stepped in. 'Well how does it feel to be home you two?'

'Amazingly good.'

'It's not the hospital...' Penelope laughed at Derek's little quip. 'It feels good.' He said smiling, aiming his comment at Penelope.

'Well then, let's get you in and resting.'

'I think boss man you are getting old. What have I done for the last week?'

'I haven't forgotten, rest and you'll be back to work sooner, don't rest and I'll keep you out for as long as I want.'

'That's just mean.' She said as she felt Reid's arm take hers again. 'Thanks sweetie.'

'JJ take the key and let's get Miss hard head inside, You okay on your own Morgan?'

'Yeah, I've got enough help thanks.' Derek answered taking his mom's hand.

A couple of minutes later they were heading for the bedroom when they felt Penelope pull back. 'You okay Garcia?'

'Perfectly, but come on couch not bed.' She looked at him and fluttered her eyes. 'Pretty please.'

This made the room sound out with multiple laughs.

'Don't ever give me that look again. Come on as long as you plan to put that foot up?'

'Just for you.' She smiled as she was eased down gently.

'Derek you too.' Fran ordered as Derek entered the room on his crutches.

'Hmm no arguing there.' He smiled when he took note of the empty seat next to Penelope. He sat and instantly put his arm around her dragging her towards him. 'Missed this.' He whispered as he kissed the side of her head. All the time wondering how she still managed to smell as gorgeous as she did after being in the hospital for a week.

'Emily and JJ helped me.' She replied as if she read his mind, she smiled as she stole a kiss from his lips.

'Okay you two stop it!'

'They're making up for lost time.' Everyone laughed at what Derek's little sister had just blurted out.

'Desiree!'

'Sorry mom it's the truth and we all know it.'

All attention turned to Derek and Penelope. Derek dead pan expression was a definite contrast from Penelope's giggling one. 'Oh handsome she has a point and you know it.'

He then released his smile and laughed. 'It shouldn't come from my baby sister though.'

'But it did...' Desiree pointed out.

'Anyway.... leave mine and Derek's relationship there.' Penelope said with a smile. 'Who's staying?'

'Everyone?'

'Everyone!'

'Well you have 3 bedrooms.' Hotch pointed out. 'You two in yours, your mom and sisters in another, JJ and Emily in the last one and us men out here.'

'Are you sure?'

Everyone nodded in agreement. 'Positively positive?'

'Penelope Garcia we are positive!'

'Just checking.'

'I think she gets it. Hey Pen?'

'I do.' She replied as she laid her head on Derek's shoulder and snuggled. 20 minutes later she was asleep.

'I think we should get her to bed.'

'Just leave her for the moment.' Derek said looking at his mom and Hotch, they could tell instantly that Derek was enjoying the closeness that he had missed for the last week or so. 'Was she given pain meds before we left?'

'Yeah but they said mild ones...'

'Which would have made it longer for them to kick in.' Reid said coming from the kitchen. 'That combined with getting to the SUV, in the SUV, out again and in here has probably worn her out.'

'I'll go in a minute promise.' Penelope said with her eyes still closed. She then simply breathed in and sat up.

'Penelope dear go to bed please.' Fran said sincerely.

'Come on I am not taking no for an answer young lady.' Hotch said putting his hand out yet again for her to take. 'Derek I think you should do the same.' He waited for Penelope to have a firm grasp on his hand before pulling her up; when she was up right he noticed her gritting her teeth. 'Everything okay Pen?'

'Yeah, I'm fine.'

'P really?'

'Really Derek I'm fine, just pains.'

'If you're sure.'

'Positive. Come on let's go.' She looked at Derek. 'See you a minute hot stuff.'

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Later

She woke up feeling refreshed and comfortable for once, she also felt eyes on her. Knowing who's she looked up to see Derek.

'Hey handsome.'

'Hey, how you feeling?'

'Okay, actually ten times better than I have.' She smiled as she stretched. 'Amazing what your own bed can do for you.' She looked at him again. 'Hmm and having the closeness of your fiancé too is a definite dose of something worth waiting for.'

'Reciprocal response.' Derek replied as he leant in and kissed her passionately. When he finally pulled away he couldn't help but smile. 'That is what I have missed.'

'Mm definitely, so we have to sneak away more do we handsome... closed doors and everything.'

He laughed. 'It might become a bit suspect.'

'Well they aren't going to leave us easily, not until one of us is back on our feet properly.'

'Okay then, until that time we snuggle on the couch as often as we can.'

'That won't be difficult, we are going to be made to do a lot of resting so more cuddles. Which will of course be absolute heaven may I say.'

'We have a week to make up for.'

She giggled as he ran a hand under her top but they quickly pulled apart when they heard a knock at the door. JJ's voice came through the door a little hard to hear.

'JJ just come in.'

She entered and smiled. 'Now that is sweet. But we wanted to know if you're hungry... it's just coming up 6 you've been asleep nearly 7 hours so we thought you might be hungry.'

'Yeah I'm starved.'

'Yeah me too, I'm fed up of hospital food for life I think.'

'Well we ordered Chinese....'

Penelope and Derek both smiled. 'That definitely beats hospital food.'

'Okay well let me go get Hotch, Derek here are your crutches.' She looked at Penelope. 'Hotch is now officially you helper to getting around until your chest stops hurting... no point lying he knows.' She smirked as she left.

'Pen wait for help please.' Derek said as he swung off his side of the bed and stood leaning against his crutches.

'Handsome I can get the ball rolling.'

'Penelope Garcia what the hell do you think you are doing.'

She laughed at the tone of voice that Hotch had just used. 'I was getting ready to take help from my dear friend and boss.'

'So sitting up on your own was a good idea?'

'Look I am not a complete cripple.'

'No but you have...'

'...Severe bruising to my chest.'

Hotch smiled, Penelope Garcia was back in full force. 'And a full cast on your leg.'

'Which is the part I'll need help with.' She looked at him innocently, Derek laughing at the little show going on. 'You know you love me.'

'Who doesn't?'

'I could name one person but let's not go there.'

'Yes let's leave him out of it yeah?'

'Okay so boss man are we going to sit here and have in depth conversations or go and eat?'

'Come on then.' Hotch said as he took her hand again. They hobbled out after Derek and smelt the food.

'Now I know this isn't hospital food for sure.'