A/N: I am so glad that everyone is enjoying this story. Thank you all for your wonderful feedback. Keep it coming it is a tremendous help. God bless all of you! Much love to all of you!

"What, what is it? Penelope tell me what's wrong!"

Penelope gasped and started quaking with fear. "Derek, Ohhh my goddd, Derek!"

Now, Dave was extremely worried and upset. "Whatttttt? Tell me?"

"He's, he's, he's in danger! I can't believe it. Sam told me that if I have anything to do with Derek he will, will kill him! Please keep my Hot Stuff safe! I would die if something happened to him because of me. Please, please, please…"

Penelope developed a flood of tears and began hyperventilating. Dave immediately threw his arms around her and began to comfort and rock her trying to calm her down.

"Easy Kitten, easy! We won't let anything happen to him, you got my word on that! Sam won't get anywhere near him. We have the best bodyguards we could ever ask for. Between you, me, Fran, and the team he will be completely protected and loved, he will pull through this, you'll see! Sam will never hurt either of you again! Don't you worry about Sam, there will be a warrant out for his arrest, PRONTO!"

Penelope took some deep slow breaths and started to calm herself down and squeaked out a little smile. "What would we do without you? I have faith in you and the rest of our fine furry family. The most important thing right now is to keep my Chocolate God safe and perfectly sound. Don't worry about me, hopefully Derek will forgive me for being a full-on idiot."

Dave squeezed his "daughter" tighter and rocked her gently. "To answer your question, you will always have me I'm not going anywhere! You are stuck with this old salty Italian Stallion and the rest of this crazy bunch of misfits for a very long time. I promise you, we will keep your Chocolate God safe, no matter what! Please don't blame yourself and stop putting yourself down. You just believed in the wrong person and that's all on that animal. He will get his, but good! Trust me on that sweetie!"

Penelope held on for dear life as more tears fell down her beautiful face. "Thank you, thank you for everything! You all mean the world to me. I love you always, Papa Bear!"

Dave smiled and pulled slightly away from her and winked. "I love you too, kiddo! We just need Derek to wake up and come back to us. Now, why don't we head back upstairs so you can spend some greatly needed alone time with your boy."

They released each other and slowly stood up as Penelope nodded in acknowledgment. He took her hand and made their way toward the hospital entrance. They hadn't made it more than ten strides when her phone went off. She immediately knew who it was by the ringtone.

Penelope frowned and groaned as she stopped in her tracks. She rolled her eyes and looked over to Dave. "It's Sam, what should I do?"

"Answer it, tell him you are busy with the case and can't talk. We don't want him to get spooked and disappear."

She nodded and quickly answered the phone. "Hi Sam… I'm good, just tired… I don't know when I will be home… Listen, I gotta run I am uber busy over here... Okay, bye."

Dave grabbed her hand again and smirked at her. "You did great, Kitten! We have to keep him placated and not arouse any of his suspicions until we get him into custody."

They squeezed hands as they started walking to the hospital again. "Thanks, my Italian Stallion."

After speaking with Penelope on the phone, something didn't sit right with Sam. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, it was something in her voice and the fact that she didn't say "I love you back to him". He became extremely suspicious, maybe he'd been found out. He couldn't fathom how or why he would be, though. He made sure that he'd been extremely careful and methodical.

Sam decided to do some quiet snooping and perused his phone for a number he'd only used once before. He decided it couldn't hurt to call and check things out. He dialed that number and waited for him to pick up. When that person's phone rang, it startled him out of a dead sleep.

He answered his phone groggy with sleep, even though, he didn't recognize the number. "Hello."

Sam spoke up. "Hello Kevin. This is Sam, you know Penelope's fiancé."

Kevin frowned and wondered what Sam could want at this hour. "Ohhh hey, what can I do for you?"

"I know it's extremely late, but I thought you could do me a small favor."

Kevin still perplexed and half a sleep agreed to help him. "I guess. What can I do for you?"

Sam smirked knowing he would get the information he needed from the unsuspecting idiot and it made him giddy. "I just need to know if everything is alright with Penelope's team. I know they are all out in San Diego on a case and Pen hasn't picked up her phone. I guess she must be busy."

Kevin rubbed his eyes as he tried to remain alert. "Ohhh wow, I guess you don't know then. That's probably why she hasn't gotten back in touch with you. While on that case, Agent Morgan was critically injured after being shot in the chest. He is in a coma and they aren't sure he will make it."

Sam was jumping for joy inwardly, he couldn't be happier. That would solve all his problems with "The Derek Morgan" dead. "Geez, how terrible! Penelope must be beside herself. I am sure he will pull through he is very strong. Well Kevin, again I am sorry to wake you and thanks for all your help. Goodnight!"

Kevin responded back. "Yeah, no problem! Bye."

As Sam hung up, be began laughing hysterically and maniacally. He was practically floating on cloud nine as he prayed and hoped that her "Hot Stuff" best friend would die. Sam couldn't believe his luck, how perfect?

He got hit with a brilliant idea as he ran around his apartment and began to pack a bag for an unexpectant trip. He hoped he would get to watch his nemesis die while he was there to watch and possibly console his fiancée. He stopped what he was doing long enough to pull up another seldom used number. He hit send and continued to pack while he waited for someone to pick up the other end.

He developed an evil and devilish plan that he wanted to share. Finally, the person he called picked up the phone.

"Good morning, this is Dr. Hayes! How may I help you?"

"Good morning Savannah, this is Penelope's fiancé Sam. Do you remember me?"

Savannah smiled, but was confused as to why Sam would be calling her. "Of course, I remember you. How have you been? So, you and Penelope are getting married?" That shocked her, she knew that Derek was in love with her and thought that Penelope and Derek would be getting married.

Sam smiled and couldn't wait to give her the news. He hoped he could convince her to help him to keep Penelope away from Derek. "I have been well, thanks for asking. Yes, Pen and I will be married in a month."

Savannah still felt confused, but suddenly found herself full of hope and excitement. "Congratulations, Sam! I am thrilled for the both of you. Now, what's up?"

Sam smirked. "Do have a have a minute? I am sorry for the late-night call."

"It's fine, I was just getting myself some coffee, I happen to be working tonight."

"Ohh I see, glad I didn't wake you. I have some news for you about Derek. I also need your help with something that I am sure will benefit not only me, but you as well. We each should hopefully be able to get what we want and live happily ever after. Have I peaked, your interest at all?"

Savannah had a devilish grin on her face as she waited with baited breath to hear what Sam was going to say. "Ohh, you most definitely have! Do tell!"

Sam went on to give her the news that Derek was shot and might not survive. He encouraged her to not give up, that he was strong and would pull through. She did not take the news well at all and vowed to stand by her man no matter what. Sam decided to fill in his co-conspirator on his whole plan from beginning to end, which included what he'd already accomplished. By the end of the conversation, she was in total agreement and fully on board with his plan. After they hung up, he finished packing, made airline, hotel, and car rental reservations, and ran out the door to catch his plane. He couldn't wait to see Penelope and finish off his plan once-and-for-all. He was excited and completely giddy, he would win where others had failed. He was sure nothing could or would go wrong. Little did he know!

Meanwhile in San Diego, Penelope and Dave just re-entered Derek's room and everyone rushed over and surrounded them. JJ didn't waste any time and immediately went to Penelope and brought her in for a big and loving hug. Everyone else looked at Dave and he nodded his head and smiled.

Penelope pulled back from JJ with

a small sad smile on her face. She gazed around at her family and then turned to face Dave. He smiled at her and nodded to her as if to silently say it was alright to tell them.

She gathered up her courage as she took a couple of deep breaths. "Hey guys, I have somethings to tell you and would like it if you let me get it out all at once, okay? Any changes with Derek?"

She listened as she heard from the group "Yes" and "No problem" and she was grateful.

Fran chimed in as she took hold of Penelope's hand and guided her to the couch as everyone else took a seat. "No changes honey. Now, let's all sit down and talk."

After talking a seat, Penelope smiled and took in a huge intake of air. "Thanks guys! First off, I love you all very much, most especially my Hot Stuff!"

The group looked at one another, smiled and all exhaled in relief. Penelope gazed over to the man laying all too still, looking oh so vulnerable as she wished and prayed with all her heart that the love of her life would be able to forgive her.

Penelope put her focus back on her family and continued. "Secondly, I am sorry for running off, but I couldn't catch my breath and I needed some time to think. I need to be honest with you, I have been feeling funny the last couple of days. I've been suffering from dizziness, nausea, weakness and having migraine headaches. They all come and go at different times. I also have been experiencing flashbacks of different memories from the last few months. Dave helped me to finally put all the pieces together."

She looked at both JJ and Emily and smiled gratefully. "Thanks girlies for taking those pills away from me, it was just what I needed!"

They both smiled back at her and nodded. "Anytime!"

TBC

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