Three weeks after Tony's kidnapping:

Penelope Garcia walked into the diner where she and Derek had gone for brunch many times over the years. She had a purple sweater on over some pants with small polka dots on them. Her skirts were getting too tight with the pregnancy that she was about to reveal to her best friend and also the unit chief where she worked.

She saw Derek seated at their usual table and smiled as she went to sit down with him.

"We haven't done a brunch day in a while. Tony could have joined us too." Derek said

"He had some paperwork to catch up on and NCIS is quieter on Saturday morning."

Then Penelope inhaled slowly. "I wanted to tell you something before it hits the rumor mill at the bureau. I'm pregnant and after the baby is born I'm not coming back to work. I'm due around Valentine's Day they think. And I'm just about out of my first trimester when we know the little bean sprout is okay for sure. I thought you should know first." "When Tony was kidnapped I knew about it and realized that I couldn't put my family at risk by getting stressed out like that anymore.

Derek smiled. "You'll be a great mom Penelope." "Family comes first and I know you've wanted this for a long time."

She squeezed his hand. "We'll still see each other and I expect you to be Uncle Derek to this kid. I have a feeling it might be a girl but we won't find out for a while yet. "

Derek kissed her cheek. "I know if it is she will be beautiful. I will keep it off the radar until you tell the team and act like I'm just hearing it."

"Thank you angelfish. There is a tech in white collar who wants a change named Rosanna Walsh who wants a change. I'll start training her as soon as possible so that she will be up to speed when the baby comes." Her hand touched her slightly swollen stomach gently.

"Then we'll be in good hands but there is no replacing Penelope Garcia."

"I know but I need my family more than the job. I have a few new apps coming out and some games so I'll have some money coming in."

Derek smiled. "I would have expected nothing less."

Then their server came and took their orders.

Penelope said "I want the banana pancakes please with a few blueberries mixed in and hash browns on the side."

"Western omelet with some jalapenos and hash browns." Derek ordered.

They got juice to drink along with herbal tea and coffee for Morgan as usual.

Penelope said "You're good with this right?"

He nodded. "I want you to be happy. Everyone in our jobs eventually comes to the wall where their breaking point happens. You need a life outside your lair and now you have one. There will always be a place for you on the team remember that."