Disclaimer I hate you so much for making me keep saying this: I do not own Criminal Minds.

Derek looked at Penelope as she stared out at the crashing waves. It'd been well over a year now and it was the second birthday that Penelope was having to celebrate without her parents. It was times like birthdays, Christmases and anniversaries that drew out the sadness but with each day the darkness that clouded subsided. He knew how it felt having to move on after his dad and he knew how to comfort her with that knowledge.

Having got her home he'd watched her pick the pieces of her life up, with a little help from everyone around her she realised that life kept on revolving whatever happened. She picked herself up off the floor every time she felt like that was her rightful place and she began to live her life again. Bit by bit it was coming together.

He put his arm around her and brought his lips to her temple. Penelope smiled and allowed his kisses to travel. 'I love you so much.' He whispered to her. 'So much so I want a future with you baby girl.' Penelope froze then, readying herself mentally for what to come. 'I want you to be with me every day and I want you to know that you're the only woman I can imagine this with.' Penelope looked up teary eyed, her lips apart slightly as the answer built. Derek moved, got on one knee and pulled a red velvet box out, opening it he smiled. 'Penelope Garcia, will you marry me?'

'Oh God yes.' She said and without even looking at the ring she threw her arms around him and they fell to the ground, Penelope literally plying a heavy contented kiss, Derek offering up the yearn for more. When they finally settled and gained composure Penelope looked at him and smiled. 'Penelope Morgan has a good ring to it.'

'How about this ring? Gonna put it on?' Derek asked her and she nodded and allowed him to sit up and get the ring. 'I know you're parents aren't gonna see this with us but I hope that somewhere somehow they're seeing it.'

Penelope smiled and watched as the ring was pushed up her finger, she caught a glance at it and looked up. 'Derek... you can't afford this.'

'I can, I've been saving for a year now.'

'A year?'

'I've known from day one that I was gonna win you over and you were gonna be mine.'

'You are so sure of yourself Chicago.'

'Sure of my love princess.' He said and kissed her. 'Thank you for making me the happiest man alive baby girl.'

Penelope shook her head at him. 'Thank you for sticking by me through everything that's happened in the last 2 years sugar, I really don't know how I'd have coped without you.'

'Hey woman, you've save me from drowning several times. You stuck by me even after you found out about Buford, that didn't faze you and with Rodney, you didn't let him chase you away.'

'Loves a strong thing handsome and when you got it right you don't give up on it.' Penelope told him truthfully and admiringly. 'I don't give up because I have no need to and now I know that my parents would be proud of me and that makes me happy.' She told him and looked at the ring. 'Thank you for being my solace hot stuff.' She said and snuggled into him again.

'Thanks for being my God given solace P.' Derek responded and kissed her head, he knew just watched the sunset with her.

It might have been a chance meeting that they met but they'd only gained in the long run. Gained a new perspective, new friends, new family and new love. It didn't matter because for life they'd be each other's solace.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-THE END! -=-=-=-=-=-=-

A/N: So I lost this story, I should learn that's the way with AU stories like this! BUT I hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading it!! =)