It had been two weeks since her attack. Penelope was healing slower than her physicians preferred, but knew the body would heal in its own time. When Penelope had kept news of her doctor's appointment from Derek, he was angry with her. She understood that they were rebuilding their trust, but she didn't want to be an unnecessary burden to him.

For the most part, Derek and Penelope had fallen into a comfortable routine with one another. He would come around every day, but wouldn't spend every night with her. Though he protested that idea initially, Penelope argued that he needed time away from her and to get a good night's rest in his own bed.

The team would sleep at her place in shifts. When Hotch would stay with her, he would bring Jack. During their sleep overs, Penelope would spoil the little boy rotten. When JJ would come by, they would pamper one another with nail polishes and girl talk. It was in one of those sleep overs that JJ revealed that she and Aaron had arranged her transfer back to the BAU. That fact sent Penelope over the moon.

When Spencer would come over, it was all about Star Trek. It was one of the only times Penelope was able to truly get her geek on. Filled with theorizing the concepts of physics and space with occasional laughter toward William Shatner, the friends were comfortable with their movie night rituals. Similar to nights with Spencer, it was all about films and conversation when Dave would stay with her. Absorbing her with italian chocolates and the opera while he drank his impressive pinot noir, Penelope learned more of the world of Italy and their profound effect on the arts.

While all those nights gave Penelope an outlet for healing, Derek always remained present. If he wasn't with her, he was texting her. She was relieved the Bureau hadn't yet approved their investment in the latest iPhones which included the Facetime function. Penelope chuckled sadly at the thought, hoping that Derek wasn't being invested in her healing out of guilt, regardless of his claims.

Penelope was moving slowly around her apartment when her eyes caught a glimpse of herself and her raven haired beauty. They had been at their local bar celebrating the super bowl. Penelope had decorated her outfit in blues and whites to support her love for the Colts, while Emily was clad in a Drew Brees' jersey. Penelope was giving her a fat kiss upon her cheek, spreading blue upon her, while Emily threw her head back in surprise and laughter. Penelope wiped away her lonely tears, praying that her Emily was at peace in the world on the other side.

It had been quiet the past few days in her apartment. The team had been called away on a case in Portland. Derek had been furious. The last thing he wanted to do was leave on a case. However, Penelope encouraged him to leave. The world of crime and darkness wasn't going to story simply because she was injured. When Penelope had suggested he return to his apartment to gather his go bag and feed Clooney, she was surprisingly relieved that he had already prepared his things so he could travel.

They had enjoyed a quieter evening, watching Bourne Identity and keeping her rested. Penelope had fallen asleep in the middle of the movie. The medicines her physicians kept her on had her suffer irregular sleep patterns. However, waking to the warm chest of Special Agent Derek Morgan certainly had its perks. She loved listening to the beating of his heart and feeling his lungs fill and release air. Nuzzling her nose into the pains of his chest, she became more alert when he chuckled softly and pressed a quiet kiss upon her head. "Good nap, Goddess?" he asked.

With no other option than to sit up slowly, Penelope began separating herself from his hold and she looked at the look of peace and comfort upon his face. Noticing the time, she blushed and turned her face from him. Apologizing, she ran a hand through her hair and bit upon her lower lip. "I didn't mean to fall asleep," she whispered.

"That's okay," he responded, sitting up a little straighter. "This wasn't our first viewing of these movies."

She nodded and gained the strength she needed to stand. It was interesting for her to feel so broken. Her body was trying to heal slower than what her heart and spirit wanted. As she stood, she felt a wave of dizziness surround her and took him Derek's strength as he immediately stood to help her.

"Shhh," he whispered, wanting her to relax into his hold.

"I hate this," she said sadly.

"Let's get you to bed," he whispered moving her toward the purple haven.

Once she was comfortable, he covered her softly and moved her hair from her face. "You need rest," he said softly.

"I know," she replied.

"I can stay if you need me," he said.

"They need you more," she said with a tired smile.

"Pen..."

"Don't make this harder for yourself, Derek. Im a big girl. I'll be fine." She tentatively removed her hand from under the warmth of her comforter and held his softly. "Thank you for caring, Derek. I know it hasn't been easy."

"Easy as breathing, Goddess," he said with a satisfied smile.

Rolling her eyes, she closed them tightly and muttered, "Jokester," under her breath.

Penelope chuckled at the memory as she reviewed her text messages from her team. Each had given her daily updates of their safety and well being. She had never felt so helpless. Penelope found comfort in her persona of being their guardian angel. Now that she was practically on house arrest, the case and the team being away was killing her.

She jumped when her phone rang and gave a bright smile when she recognized the name that crossed her phone. "Hello leader of my team of outlaws! Get tired of your temporary analyst already?"

"Garcia?" Sam said seriously.

"That would be me, my unique leader."

"Are you sitting down?"

Penelope could hear his seriousness laced with compassion. "Certainly."

"I have some news about Kevin, and I wanted you to hear it from me first." Cooper hated having to deliver this call. When Hotch had told him what happened, his whole team was emotionally motivated. They closed off any other cases from Strauss so they could find justice for their favorite analyst.

"What is it, Sam?" she asked worriedly.

"We found him."

"Where?" she asked, a little more fear found in her voice.

"A small town in Maine. From what we could tell, he was attempting to flee the country before you could track him, if you decided to. But there is more."

"Yes?"

"He's dead, Penelope."

Penelope gasped, feeling a stabbing pain force itself through her body. "How?" she asked.

"Prophet had spotted him in a cafe. He began to run. Rawson and myself were following him in our suburban. But Lynch decided to run his car off a cliff. We were able to stop our vehicle but his car nose dived. From the degree and speed in which he fell, there was no way he survived."

Wiping away her tears, she nodded to herself and said, "At least it's over," she whispered.

"Is there anything you need?" Sam asked.

"Can you notify Hotch? I think I need to lay down." Penelope felt more fatigue than ever. Now her heart was clouded with sadness and depression.

"Okay, Garcia. Get some rest."

"Thank you, Outlaws," she whispered. She closed her phone and brought it to her chest. As she got to her bed, she rested upon the bed and allowed her tears to come in strong waves. The man that hurt her was dead, but she had never felt so abandoned and alone.

The team had finished the case. Each were suffering in their own way. Reid couldn't move past the schizophrenic similarities of the case. Rossi and Hotch were trying to lead the team without reflecting on their painful memories and longing for Emily. Derek, however, was acting out with fierce anger. His heart was waiting for him in Quantico while his duty was in Portland. He grew frustrated with the case as it questioned his faith and ability to maintain objectivity.

Yet, they were able to solve the case. The man was taken into a mental health facility where his schizophrenia would be treated. Things should have been looking up for the team.

However, none of them found a reason to smile.

As the team gathered their bags from the hotel, he called Garcia and was nervous when it went immediately to voicemail. When the message beeped, Derek began saying, "Hey Baby Girl, your heroes are coming home. I hope you are doing okay. Call when you get this. I... We miss you."

Stepping out of his hotel room, he was surprised to see Hotch waiting for him, a firm look upon his face. "Hotch?"

"Cooper just called," Hotch said.

Derek stiffened and dropped his bag. "And?"

"Lynch is dead. He drove his vehicle off a cliff when Cooper and Rawson went after him."

Derek felt anger radiate through his body instead of comfort. "Shit," he growled. "Bastard took the easy way out."

Hotch said nothing, but kept a look on his face that was one of agreement.

"Does she know?" he asked his team leader.

"He called her first. Cooper said she sounds shaky and exhausted."

Derek nodded and pinched the bridge of his nose. "It's good we are going home now, isn't it?"

Hotch nodded and stepped backward to let him gather his things. "We all need time to cope with our damages and losses."

Derek could only stand there. His feelings of anger and hatred consume him. It took everything in him not to call Cooper and hear the case in his own words. His mind feared looking back to his Penelope. Derek felt he failed the person that mattered most to him. He didn't know how to step forward toward the jet and back to Quantico.