A/N: I tried! I swear to God I tried but between work, a terrible flu and having to wait for my beta this was the faster I could finish this. I'm really sorry. I hope you guys like it. I'll try not to take so long for the next one.

Disclaimer: I do not own CM.

Chapter 9

"How are you feeling?" Penelope asked him later that night when they were curled up on his mother's couch. He had spent almost two hours talking to his mom while she and his sister had taken care of the dinner and gotten to know each other. It was strange for her to be there since she had never met his family before that and meeting them in these circumstances wasn't what she wanted.

The team had gone back to the hotel and they would be going back to Quantico in the morning but Hotch had said she could stay with Morgan until he returned on Monday. So, now she was installed in his bedroom while he took the couch, after some serious argument, when she said she should better go stay in the hotel where the team was to not bother anyone. They had had dinner together and his mother and sisters were already upstairs in their respective rooms.

He stayed quiet for a while before sighing heavily and looking up to her. "Honestly? I feel… relieved. Free. I don't know, I think the weight of hiding this during all these years is finally gone and I feel good about it". He confessed her. "I feel bad for my mom because I know she's feeling guilty for not noticing anything but I hope I've eased her mind a little with our talk. It's not her fault. She had too much going on, having to work hard to raise three children in Chicago and I wouldn't let her see what I was going through. I blocked everything so no one would ever find out…"

Penelope caressed his head that was resting on her chest, soothing him quietly while they lay on the couch. "I still can't believe it…" She whispered.

He looked up to her again and brushed his fingertips on her cheek. "Hey, sweetness. Don't let this eat you… it's over, he's where he belongs and he won't hurt anyone else ever again and that's what's important".

She chuckled humorlessly and shook her head. "I came all over here to comfort you and you're the one comforting me…"

He smiled slight at her and leaned his forehead on hers. "You being here is already all the comfort I need, baby girl… I still can't believe you're actually here…"

"Of course I am, honey… do you think I could stay at home knowing what happened and knowing how you'd be feeling?" She said smiling at him, leaning her head on his touch.

He just looked at her for a few seconds before leaning in and giving a light kiss on the corner of her mouth. "I'm the luckiest bastard in this world…" He sighed against her cheek before burying his head on the crock of her neck.

She fought against the butterflies in her tummy from the kiss and just enjoyed his closeness. It wasn't the first time they slept cuddling like this. Usually, when they had their movie nights or when they went out for drinks they ended up on his or her apartment and would sleep together like it was the most natural thing in the world. Those were the best nights for her. And in the morning, waking up to his handsome face just made everything better.

They stayed in this position for a few moments, just relishing each other's company in silence. "I think we should get some sleep…" She whispered after some time. "You have to show me Chicago tomorrow…"

He hummed against her skin and snuggled closer. "It will be my pleasure, sweetheart…" He answered but made no mention to move from her arms.

"This couch is pretty comfy…" She commented quietly.

"Yes, it is…"

More silence for a few moments until she spoke. "We don't have to move from here, do we?" She asked whispering. It was his mother's home after all.

He just kissed her collarbone and shook his head, tightening his arms on her waist and nuzzling her neck. "Nope. We're pretty good right here…"

Smiling, she closed her eyes and sighed happily. "Good. Very good".

\*\*\*\

"I never thought I would see Derek so cozy…" Desiree whispered to her sister.

They came downstairs to start breakfast and found their brother sleeping on the couch with his friend, his arms hugging her by the waist and their legs intertwined, his head buried on her hair and hers on his neck. Her hand was sneaked inside the hem of his shirt, resting on the small of his back while his was on her hip.

"I really doubt this is the first time they slept like this… they're too… comfortable…" Sarah said and Desi nodded.

"Leave your brother alone, you two". Fran chastised her daughters going to the kitchen.

They followed her quietly to not disturb them. "But it's true! They're too cozy! If I didn't know better I would say they're together…" Sarah said.

Fran smiled looking to the living room as his son stirred and snuggled unconsciously closer to Penelope. "Well… if you ignore the technicalities you could say so… she's his comfort. He's her support. They're just not…"

"Having sex?" Desi completed.

"Yeah. And honestly? That's even better… a relationship shouldn't be measured but the amount of time you pass in bed. It should be about these little things… like coming here just to see how he was without even thinking about it…" Fran said quietly.

"That's true. Did you see her face when she got here? She looked like a scared kitten". Sarah laughed.

"I'm glad he took it okay. I was afraid he would be mad for her coming without warning…" Desi commented.

Just then there was some movement from the living room so they focused on the breakfast. "Morning…" Morgan's husky voice greeted them while he was rubbing his sleepy eyes.

"Morning baby…" Fran smiled at him. "Where is Penelope?"

"She went to the bathroom. Something about not wanting you guys to see her morning face…" He shrugged.

"Oh, that's nonsense! She's beautiful!" Fran shook her head smiling.

"I know that, she's the one who's blind to not see how gorgeous she is all natural…" Morgan said grabbing some coffee from the pot for them.

"That's very sweet, hot-stuff, but there's no such thing like no need for make-up". Penelope said coming into the kitchen. "Hmm… I smell good coffee and hot chocolate…" She sniffed stepping closer to him.

"Well, the coffee is here for you, my Queen, but the chocolate you're just imagining…" He said handing her a mug.

"Of course not, baby! I'm just looking at my favorite brand of chocolate and let me tell you honey, is really hot!" She batted her eyelashes to him and smirked when he laughed.

"Oh, it's all for you, darling… do you want some?" He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"Always, my chocolate thunder". She said and they both grinned at each other.

"Oh my god, are you two always like this?" Desi asked laughing.

"No…" Penelope shook her head.

"We're worse!" Morgan completed and they laughed.

"Thank God Hotch loves us or we'd be in a sexual harassment seminar every week!" She chuckled.

"Loves us? Oh please, it's all you, sweetheart. You and that big beautiful heart of yours melted the ice-man. I think if you asked him for a unicorn he would get one for you…" He said shaking his head with a chuckle.

"Oh, don't mock my captain! He's the best…" She poked him.

"So, let's say, if you two got together you'd have to hide from work?" Sarah asked.

Penelope flushed slightly and looked down but Morgan just shook his head. "No… Penelope is not an agent, she's the analyst. She works for different teams and even though Hotch does her evaluations she's not exactly an active member of the team. So we wouldn't be breaking the rules because we don't work directly and exclusive together…" He answered promptly.

"You seem to have thought a lot about this, bro…" Sarah said smiling at his blush.

"It's just the true, Sarah". He waved her off. "Let's eat, mama. We have a city to visit…" He said gesturing a chair to Penelope.

\*\*\*\

Haley entered the small Cafe that morning and searched for her friend. Aaron had called saying that everything had ended okay and the team was on their way home but he would run by the BAU to sort some of his paperwork before going home for lunch. Her friend Sally had called asking her for brunch to share some news. She spotted her at the corner of the place, talking with a blonde man she didn't recognized.

"Hey Sally…" She greeted her smiling.

"Haley! I'm so glad you could come…" Sally said smiling, rising up to hug her. "I wanted to call you last night for dinner but I remembered that you said Aaron was taking a couple of days off so I didn't want to disturb you two".

"You should have called. I was alone at home with Jack. Aaron had emergency and had to fly to Chicago. He's coming back right now but will go to the office until noon". She explained.

"God, I really don't understand this job… and even more how you manage to put up with that…" Sally said shaking her head while the waitress arrived.

"It happens. And this time it was really an emergency, involving one of his agents". She said after she ordered. "And I'm used to it… it's not easy, of course, it's lonely as hell but… I'm used to it…" She shrugged.

"Well, you shouldn't. Especially when you don't even love the man". Sally said.

"I do love him". Haley protested. "Desperately in love? No. But I love him. He's my partner, the father of my son…"

"Well, you should be desperately in love with your husband, okay…" Sally said. The man who was quiet awkwardly on the table just listening to their talk cleared his throat uncomfortably to remind of his presence there. "Oh God, I'm so sorry! Haley this is my brother-in-law, James. He just moved here and I promised to take him to buy some stuff for his apartment but he'd have to come for brunch first". She explained. "James, like I told you before, this is Haley, my best friend".

"Nice to meet you, James". Haley smiled at him shaking his hand.

"Likewise, Haley". He smiled back. He had a slight south-accent that made his voice huskier and she found herself liking it very much. His eyes had a light shade of green and his hair was neat with a little messy-touch. His smile was very bright a large and his dimples just made him even more handsome.

They made some small talk for a while until the waitress came back with her order. After she left Haley turned back to her friend. "So, what was that you wanted to tell me?"

Sally beamed at her brightly and clasped her hands. "I'm pregnant!" She announced happily.

"Oh my God, really? Congratulations!" Haley exclaimed leaning to give her friend a one-armed hug. She had seen how much she had tried to get pregnant all the seven years she was married with her husband but they never made it. "I'm so happy for you guys! How excited is Pete?" She asked smiling.

"Oh, he's floating!" She chuckled. "He was already saying how much work he and James will have making the crib and all the other stuff for the nursery…"

They talked more about the baby plans and the woman exchanged some thoughts and before they knew it was almost eleven. "I have to go…" Haley said looking at her watch.

"Really? You could come with us to shopping. We could use another decorator to make that crappy apartment of his more livable…"

"Hey!" James protested and the women laughed.

"And you could help me to find some things for your godson or goddaughter?" Sally batted her eyelashes.

"I can't… Aaron is coming for lunch and I have to…" She started to explain but was cut-off by her cellphone. "Just a sec". She looked at the ID and saw Aaron's name. "Hey…"

"Hi sweetheart…" His voice sounded apologetically and she already knew what he was going to say.

"Let me guess… you won't make it for lunch". She said sighing.

"I'm so sorry, honey. Strauss came down here ballistic about some reports of our last case and I have to take care of it…" He explained.

"It's okay…" She said.

"I'm really sorry honey. I know that with Jack out to his camp we would have the house to ourselves and I was really looking forward for it…"

"It's okay Aaron… I'm actually at brunch with Sally and she just asked me to do some shopping so I won't be alone at home…" She said looking at her friend.

"That's good, babe. So, you go with her and buy something new and pretty to wear tonight because I'm taking you out for dinner and some dancing…" He said to her and she smiled a bit.

"Okay honey. See you at night…"

"I'll try to get out of here by four, tops. I'll make the reservations for seven, okay?"

"Okay. Love you…"

"I love you too, sweetheart". He said hanging up.

Haley put the phone back on her purse and looked up to her friend. "Well, I guess I'm free… IKEA?" She suggested.

"Awesome, let's go!" Sally grinned and James smiled at her with a nod.

A/N: Like I said, I'll try to post the next one this weekend. I'd love some reviews :)