Thank you all again for the favs, follows and reviews and long over due chapter 12


Kevin didn't know why but he decided to call JJ to break the news about Penelope. Perhaps because he was afraid Derek would be pissed at him for not keeping a better eye on Penelope, or maybe it was because he always found her to be the team member with the most empathy and the ability to provide some comfort to people in very tough times and he could use more empathy than anger right now, as he was disappointed with himself for letting Michaels anywhere near Penelope.

"And Kevin, it's not your fault, and thank you for being there for her."

Yep, hanging up, he knew exactly why he had called JJ. He then quickly headed out to join Strauss at the hospital.


"This is all those idiots at cyber crimes' fault. They knew they had a hot head and they didn't care," Rossi said after JJ relayed what Kevin had told them. JJ, Hotch, Emily, and Rossi were at the police station waiting on Derek and Reid to return from the crime scene.

"He must be one hell of an agent for them to not care about what he had done to Garcia," Emily added.

"Well, I think it's safe to say his career is over now," Hotch told them. "Also, who wants to be the one to tell Derek and Reid?" Hotch asked as the two men in question entered the room.

"Tell us what?" Reid asked.

Everyone in the room remained silent, not sure where to begin or even exactly how to say it, the silence became telling to Derek quickly. "It's Penelope," he stated.

Hotch nodded.

"That bastard hurt her, didn't he?"

Hotch nodded again.

"How bad?"

"We're not sure yet. She was on her way to the hospital when Kevin called, apparently, Michaels pushed Penelope down the stairs. Kevin said she was unconscious, but he really didn't have any other information. He promised to keep us updated," JJ told them.

"Keep us updated? We need to get back there!" Derek said.

"Derek, we can't abandon this case. As soon as this case is finished, we will head back. Kevin and Strauss are with her," Hotch told him firmly.

"Hotch, man, this will be the second time she is in the hospital and I'm not there! I have to be there this time," Derek said frustrated.

"Derek, I understand and she will understand. Besides, you were at the hospital before she was even conscious last time and Penelope understands our job and how it keeps us away more than anyone else possibly could."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. I just feel very far away right now."

"We all do, Derek. But I know Penelope is in good hands with Erin and Kevin. They will take good care of her," Rossi said patting Derek on the back reassuringly.


Erin and Kevin paced the hospital waiting room nervously. There had been no update on Penelope since Erin rode in with her in the ambulance Erin had asked the nurse at the desk a few times but she was unable to garner any information. Frustrated, she continued to wait.

A good while later, a nurse in scrubs finally came out. Kevin and Erin rushed to the nurse.

"How is she?" Erin asked.

"She has a concussion, her right wrist is fractured, she is banged up pretty good, but our biggest concern is the fall caused her to go into premature labor," the nurse told them.

Erin covered her hand with her mouth stunned as the nurse listed Penelope's injuries.

"We're giving her medication to try and stop the labor, but it will be a little while before we will know if it is working."

"If it doesn't stop her labor? She'll be five weeks early."

"She's close to 36 weeks. The baby could possibly be perfectly healthy if born now."

"Let's hope so. Can we see her?"

"Certainly." The nurse led them to Penelope's room. "She's been in and out quite a bit, mostly out. We will be waking her up every few hours due to the concussion. Also, someone will be taking her to the cast room for her wrist soon. You are welcome to go with her when they do."

"Thank you." Erin thanked the woman as she left.

Kevin and Erin took seats on the opposite sides of Penelope's bed. Kevin pulled out his phone to give the team an update while Erin took Penelope's hand in hers, careful to not move the IV.

"Hey, you gave us quite the scare," Erin said.

"I'm sorry," Penelope answered very quietly.

"Somebody's awake," Erin told Kevin who stopped texting and moved in closer to see for himself.

"Hey, plum sauce. I'm so happy to see those big beautiful brown eyes of yours."

Penelope smiled at them both in turn. "Do you have my glasses? I'd really like to see you both more clearly."

"No, sorry Penelope, I don't know where they are, besides I look better a little blurry, and with a concussion, it's probably better to close your eyes and rest as much as possible. I can go back to your apartment later and get you whatever you need, including glasses."

"Thank you," Penelope answered falling back to sleep.

Kevin held out the glasses and showed them to Strauss, "I didn't have the heart to tell her they were broken in the fall. I'm going to try and fix them or have them fixed. These are her favorite pair."

"That's very sweet of you," Erin told Kevin.

"I think pink, no maybe purple." Penelope couldn't decide on a cast color. "What do you guys think?"

"Pink," Erin said.

"Purple," Kevin said at the same time.

"Well that wasn't helpful at all." Penelope laughed, which was followed by a moan as a strong contraction hit her.

"Contraction?" Erin asked recognizing the signs.

Penelope nodded through tears.

"I'm going to go get your doctor," the orthopedic tech told them before he quickly left the room.

"Please don't let this be happening, it's too early," Penelope pleaded.

"Hopefully it's nothing to worry about. Let's wait for the doctor before we jump to conclusions," Erin said trying to reassure Penelope.

The tech returned with the doctor. After a brief exam, the doctor confirmed what Erin had said that it was nothing to worry about. He was going to change some of her medication doses but didn't see any cause for alarm.

Penelope had finally settled on pink and was now back in her room fighting sleep and admiring her new bright pink cast.

"What do you think?" she asked Kevin and Erin.

"I like it. Now I think you should close your eyes and get some rest," Erin answered.

"Yes, Mom," Penelope said finally succumbing to the sleep she had been fighting.

Erin looked at Kevin who was caught off guard by the exchange he had just witnessed.

"I think the concussion has her confused," Erin told him, thinking that Penelope may not want the rest of the team to know how deep their friendship had become.

"I don't think she was confused, I think she knew exactly what she was saying. And I think you have become very special to Penelope."

Erin swiped at a tear, knowing Kevin was right.

"I also find Penelope to be an excellent judge of character." He added.

"Thank you, Kevin. I just hope she finally gets some of the happiness she deserves."

"Me too."