Chapter 11

AN: Thank you so much for reading along on this journey, and for the very kind reviews. I got a little behind in answering; sorry about that!....

I love you, not only for what you are, But for what I am when I am with you.- Poet Roy Croft

The next morning, they woke up slowly, holding each other and smiling. "You're still here," she said, teasing him. "That's good."

"It is my place, after all," he said, teasing her right back, earning him a pout. "Silly girl; I'm never leaving again. You know that."

"Mmm hmm," she said, snuggling next to him. She paused for a second, just holding him, before she spoke again. "Derek, we're going to be apart. I'm in Quantico, you're in NYC."

"I'll quit." There was no argument there, it was a flat statement, solid. "I'm not happy here without you; I'm not happy anywhere without you."

"Sugar," she said lightly. "They need you here more than Quantico does. You're the lead, you make this team. You could've lead for longer back home if you wanted; you chose to step back. But that's not you."

"Baby-"

"You're a protector and a leader, Derek. You were born to head the pack. Hotch knew it, Rossi knew it, we all knew it," she said, her voice full of love and pride. "You always said someday you'd be the boss; you got it here. Just listening to Candi proved it to me. You've earned their respect."

"Baby," he said. "One of us is going to have to move. I am not going to lose you again."

"No, angel fish! You never will," she said, kissing his cheek. "I am just saying it would make more sense for me to come here, than for you to leave."

His heart was in his eyes. "You would do that for me?"

"Absolutely. I love you, Derek, don't you understand?" She put her hand on his cheek. "When you love someone, you'll make any sacrifice. You would risk your life for me; I would gladly do the same for you. Besides," she said, meeting his eyes. "I'm finding my home isn't just a city or state; it's where my heart is: with you."

"Oh, God, Penelope," he said, pulling her closer and kissing her, tenderly and urgently. When he pulled away, he murmured, "Marry me."

"In a heartbeat," she said.

They were married the next month in a small ceremony back at Quantico. Everyone from the team was there, along with Derek's family and Penelope's friends. There was a lot of love shared, and a few jokes about their fertility.

"At this rate, there will be a thousand little Morgans running around," Rossi said, clapping Derek on the back.

"And what is wrong with that?" Derek's mother chimed in, causing Rossi, the Italian stallion, to blush.

It was a lot of fun, and a few tears. This was also Pen's final week helping out for the Quantico unit. Everyone said how they were going to miss her; she was the light of the team.

"First Morgan, now you," Hotch said. The normally stoic leader had a catch in his throat as he continued, "Good luck to you, Penelope. In every aspect of your life."

She reached her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "Thank you, sir. I appreciate it."

Pen was glad she didn't leave them high and dry. Candi Appleton was a full fledged tech now, and was more than happy to make the move to the Quantico team. She was a breath of sunshine. She was at the wedding, smiling coyly under her lashes at a rapidly blushing Spencer Reid.

"Umm.. Garcia?" he said, coming close to the bride. "Is, ah.. Miss Appleton seeing anyone?"

"Not that I know of," she said, glancing over at the rather obvious Candi. Good, she thought. Reid needed obvious hints! "Looks like she likes you."

"Really?" he squeaked, then cleared his throat. "Well, I-"

"I can go ask her for you, kid," Morgan said, handing him his beer. "Here, I'll be-"

"No!" Reid said, his panic evident. He handed Morgan back his beer, straightened his tie, and walked over to Candi.

"That was mean," she said, giggling a little as her husband pulled her into his arms to dance.

"Too bad," he said, kissing her lightly as he swayed her to the music. "He was with my woman; he needs to get his own."

She smirked at him. "Your woman?"

"Any objections?" He quirked an eyebrow, before pulling her even closer.

She had a full fledged grin. "No, hot stuff. No objections at all."