Disclaimer: As always, I will announce that I have NEVER claimed, nor will I EVER claim, to have owned Criminal Minds or the lovely characters that are in it. That is the work of the writers (please come off of strike) and the brillaint actors and actresses.

There are only a few more chapters left and I'll end up ending it today. I -will- write more stories, though. I promise.

Derek sighed, "Where is the sheriff's office that they used in the early 1900's, Hotch?" he asked.

"About a half hour out of town," said Hotch. "Emily, go with Derek there. We'll see if there are any others that he could be talking about."

Derek and Emily walked with each other out of the BAU and to Derek's car. "I told you we'd find her," said Emily confidently.

"If she's alive," said Derek with a sigh and started up his car.

The drive took longer than expected, but when they finally reached the middle of nowhere, one small shack was seen, reading "Sheriff's Office".

Derek got out of the car with Emily and walked to the door, knocking it down.

Penelope lay unconcious on the prison bed.

"No..." whispered Derek, tears springing to his eyes. "Pen, baby girl." He ran to the prison cell and jiggled the lock, a shock going through his body. "Damnit..." he said as he backed away.

"Stand back..." said Emily as she shot her gun at the lock, firing the bullet, and the lock popping off.

Derek quickly walked into the cell and knelt next to his goddess. "Oh, baby girl," he whispered, taking her pulse. Smiling slightly, he stroked her hair. "Come on, sweetness, wake up."

Emily looked over, "She's alive?"

Derek nodded, not looking up at Emily, but lifting Penelope into his arms. She was rather limp, and Derek didn't know why. He had no possible way of knowing that his baby girl had a serious head wound. He carried her to the car, and lay her gently down in the back seat.

"Sir?" asked Emily, as she held the cell phone to her ear.

"Did you find her?" asked the voice on the other end.

"Yes, we're taking her to the hospital. She was unconcious when we found her, but she's alive."

"Good work, we'll be there as soon as possible."

Nearly an hour later, a doctor came out and looked around the waiting room. "Penelope Garcia?"

Derek stood up, "Yes, how is she?"

"We won't know until she wakes up. She suffered two head wounds, one minor while the other wasn't. Its possible she has a concussion, and after she was found unconcious, its possible there could be some brain damage."

Derek ran his hand over his face, "Can I see her?"

The other four agents sighed. They couldn't do anything without their Penelope. She was the brains that held the whole team together. Things wouldn't be the same without her. And if she couldn't do her job anymore, life would be a whole lot more miserable.

The doctor nodded, "She isn't awake, but...sure." The doctor led Derek and the others to Penelope's room.

Derek walked in, watching the sleeping goddess for a moment before sitting at the chair beside her bed and taking his hand in hers. "Baby girl, I know you probably can't hear me, but I need you to wake up."

No answer.

"Sweetness, we can't do anything without you. You are the light in our times of darkness. And darkness is part of our work. We can't do it. I need you to wake up. Not only for the team, but for our daughter and me. We were supposed to get married today, and we didn't because of that jerk. I got blown up, but I'm still alive. Baby girl, I know you think I'm dead, but I'm not. I'm right here. And I promise I won't leave your side. And Jennifer is alive. And the rest of our friends and family. We didn't die in that explosion. And if you can hear me, baby girl, this isn't a dream." He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it.

Her hand twitched slightly, and she moaned, her eyes fluttering open. "Derek?" she asked in a whisper.

Okay. I'm planning one or two more chapters. Reviews on this one? I loved this chapter. -