It's been about a month which is lucky. I wasn't planning on updating this but I have, only thanks to: aspiegiraffe

For some reason, the simple words got me writing. Reviews really do inspire :)

No One Mentioned

DMSR

"My mother and father are too ashamed to face you," Rebecca informed Derek as she sat next to him on the bench. They were at the courthouse, both in formal clothes, both waiting to be talked to by the prosecutor and her partner.

Derek nodded and kept his head up, staring at the entrance and the high noon sun. Hotchner and JJ were seated in the courtroom still, Prentiss, Rossi and Reid were fetching lunch for the team. They were at recess and Derek was still processing what he would say when he'd be called to the stand next.

"I'm almost too ashamed, too," she said, gripping her hands into fists in her lap.

Derek shook his head but kept it straight. "It's not your fault you sister has done what she did. You had no way of knowing what type of woman she was."

Rebecca let out an unamused breath. "I think I had an inkling. We're alike in some ways, Agent. I just choose not to act on my urges."

Derek slowly turned towards her. Though it was said with a cold tone, her face was scrunched and tears were falling down her cheeks. He held his hand out to her and she jolted before taking it hesitantly.

"You're testifying against her today and that's all that matters." He knew that it wasn't, but it did count for something if she could hold herself in check.

"Agent Morgan, Ms. Rogers," the prosecutor was heading towards them, her dark brown hair flowing behind her. She had an eager look on her face and seemed determined. "It's almost time. You two come with me to the back rooms and we'll go over your testimonies one more time before letting you eat. Afterwards, you take the stand."

They both turned to look at each other and nodded before standing and following the prosecutor.

Spencer watched from the door with a bag of fast food in his hands. Emily was standing next to him, Rebecca's order in hers. She shook her head out of the trance, her mood affected by the brunette's. "You okay, Reid?" She questioned, though she knows no one on the team is okay at the moment, especially Derek.

"I'm fine," he replied monotonously, the action seeming mechanic. For the last two months, he and Derek had barely exchanged six words in front of the team. The strain was hard on all of them because Hotch insisted on spending time off at Penelope's house so Derek wasn't left alone too long. The genius had originally stayed away from the gatherings, immediately heading home and not being heard from until another case popped up.

Eventually Rossi managed to drag him out and after a nod from Derek he started to join the gatherings. Still, he'd sit in the kitchen while everyone was in her living room. Her floor plan was open -literally one room with multiple door ways so all could see each other- but he tended to stay away from everyone and only join in if he was asked. His mouth barely opened and his voice barely raised but they were able to hear him.

One particular night, he had dropped his book on the floor after falling asleep in the comfy egg chair Garcia had made him sit in. Everyone's head turned towards his sideways sleeping form. His legs were curled under him, the arm that was holding his book was dangling, his other arm tucked into his chest.

There were smiles until they saw the tears roll down his cheeks. Derek was the first to move, surprisingly. He stood carefully and made his way over to Spencer, every other eye in the room on him and he was well aware of that. His thumb came up to wipe the tears from the genius' face and he pulled a blanket from the huge pile Garcia had and laid it onto Spencer. "'Night, Pretty Boy," he said so only the pale ear beneath his lips could hear.

No one mentioned this or said anything to him, he obviously didn't want the doctor to know.

"They're coming," Emily stated, watching the haggard Derek and Rebecca come out with their excited but subdued attorney.

"Yes," he replied, his honey eyes blank. He handed Derek the lukewarm food and turned, heading into the courtroom to join Hotch and JJ. Rossi had hung back, watching the forlorn lanky man with a twitch of annoyance in his eye. Of course he knew what was going on, and he completely agreed with it. That, of course, didn't mean he had to like it.

"Morgan, head on over here. Lets talk," he said quietly.

Derek nodded, and followed the veteran profiler to a secluded corner of the waiting room outside of the courtroom. It was surprisingly quiet, probably because the FBI was keeping this case as private as possible. There was a long bench against the wall and both men sat down on it with some strained grunts, one for age and one for injury.

"Are you two taking some time apart?"

Derek nodded as he unrolled his burger from its wrapping.

"And is it working?" The older man leaned back, thinking that a scotch and cigar would have been better than rolling his fingers together.

"I don't know," Derek replied honestly, his burger staying put on the open paper. "I- I still-"

"Love him?" Rossi supplies.

Derek nods miserably. "It's not like… I wasn't expecting- I didn't want to fall out of love with him."

"Mmhm," Rossi encourages, crossing one leg over the other.

"I mean, I knew I was still going to love him, I just didn't know if I'd still… want to be with him."

David poked a lip out and nodded in understanding. "But you do, right?"

Derek closed his eyes before setting his burger aside and putting his face in his hands. "Why the fuck is this so hard, Rossi?"

The older man shook his head. "Do I really need to spell it out, Morgan? Because I can."

The younger man copied the action. "I'm not ready for it yet."

"I agree."

"But I want it so bad, Rossi."

"I can tell."

"He's hurting."

"He is. But so are you."

Derek opened his eyes and rubbed his index fingers over his ducts. "Sometimes I think he's suffering just as much as I am."

"We'll never know for sure."

It was silent for a minute. "He was crying that one night, what if he cries every night?"

Rossi shrugged. "He probably does. It's not anything we can control."

The darker man grunted. "I can, if I take a step forward."

"But you said yourself you're not ready. Did you ask him to wait?"

Derek nodded then shook his head, then looked up at the ceiling. "I can't remember. I do know he said he'd wait for me though."

Rossi sighed. "Then let him wait. He knows what was said and if he's willing to wait, he'll wait. You don't have to do anything now, just try to get better, truly better, as fast as you can. Then, there will be hardships, but they'll be melted butter compared to the molasses you're going through now."

Derek opened his mouth to speak but Emily came into view, her dark short bob waving with her every step. She gave a shy smile then nodded towards the courtroom entrance and Derek and Rossi gestured their understanding.

"You ready, kid?"

"I guess."

I'm not entirely sure where I'm going. And again, no promises on next month.