Penelope woke early the next morning confused by her surrounding. She expected to wake up on the couch as that's where she fell asleep but the steaming hot cup of coffee that sat on her bedside table next to her alarm clock explained it all. She smiled at the post it note stuck on her mug.

"Hey Sleeping Beauty. Checked in on you last night and you were out like a light. Seeing as you skipped dinner, I thought you might want some breakfast." She yawned and got out of bed and headed to the kitchen half expecting him to be standing there and was disappointed to see that he wasn't but a fruit salad and a croissant was on a plate. She picked up the rose and grabbed the phone to call him.

"You're spoiling me."

"Hey Princess. You're awake. I came in this morning after my jog and snuck in breakfast. I would have stayed but Rossi needs a ride in."

"That's okay. I have to admit I have expected you to be standing here with my breakfast and was bitterly disappointed that I have to wait till I see that face of yours again."

"Garcia, are you flirting with me?"

"I could be."

"You watch where you go with this. I may just hold you to it."

"I believe you would. I'm going to get ready. Thank you for breakfast. I'll see you at work."

"I'll see you Baby girl."

Despite the clarity reached the night before, Emily found it hard to sleep. She was half worried she had imagined it all to being excited. She wanted to call the girls, but seeing as Hotch left well past midnight, as much as the girls loved her, they would not have been impressed to get a call at that hour. She got ready to take a shower and called Penelope.

"Pen, can we carpool today?"

"Sure hon. Same time?"

"Yup, I'll be ready in a half hour. You want me to call Jayje?"

"Nah, you sound like you're only jumping in the shower now and I'm all done so I'll call."

"Thanks Hon." Emily answered with a yawn.

"Hey Jayje, Em and I are car pooling, want a ride?"

"Did she ask to carpool?"

"Ugh yeah why?"

"Was she all tired and yawny?" JJ pried.

"Yes, now tell me what's got you buzzing?"

"I went to Hotch's last night after dinner with my Aunt. I brought him the left overs. It's something I haven't really done since Hayley first left, dropped by for no apparent reason, but after I dropped Spence off, I felt somewhat led. So I did, and we had a bit of a chat."

"Say no more, I'm picking you up first."

Penelope left shortly after putting the phone down to pick up JJ. She filled her to go mug as well as another two to go mugs with coffee before heading to JJ's. When she arrived she honked her horn and a few minutes later she emerged. Penelope handed her her cup,

"I do love how you've personalised these for us." Commenting on the hearts and flowers all over the mug around where Pen had written her name.

"All in the name of prettiness. Now my love, start from the beginning and tell me, should I be driving slow or normal?"

JJ had finished her debrief just as they were pulling into Emily's driveway.

"Thanks coming to get me you guys. Pen you're the best" Emily declared as she handed her her to go cup.

"Who's up for a quick breakfast?" JJ suggested looking at the time.

"Count me in I'm starving. I missed dinner last night." Em said sinking back into her seat.

"How was your run Em?" Pen asked.

"Really good. I've decided to do it more often." She felt a little bad about not mentioning Gideon but she knew that he would make his appearance when he was ready.

"How was the book?"

"Fantastic. Jayje how was dinner? How did Spence hold up?"

"You took Reid?" Em exclaimed from the back. JJ had hoped that Pen would allow her the fraudean slip earlier, but she should have known better shaking her head at her friend as Pen winked at her. Like a bunch of school girls they chatted animatedly all the way to breakfast.

"Pen why aren't you eating?" Em asked worriedly

"I had breakfast," she said trying to sound casual but neither friend bought it.

"I fell asleep last night on the couch reading the book and I must have been tired because I didn't stir till this morning when I woke up in my bed with a steaming cup of coffee on my bedside table with a note that said he checked in last night and found me asleep and wanted to drop breakfast over because he knew I slept through dinner. So when I got my kitchen there a breakfast plate sat with a rose."

"Awww, that's so sweet."

"Please don't tease him about it." Pen begged.

"We'll be good. We promise." JJ said placing a reassuring hand over Garcia's.

"Hotch came over last night..." Emily began as both girls turned to her with eyes wide. She laughed and began to tell them about what had transpired. They were discussing movie options by the time the boys entered the café at the ground floor of the BAU building.

"Ladies..." Hotch greeted.

"Gentlemen," Penelope replied as she flashed them a smile. Morgan passed behind her giving her shoulder a quick squeeze before sitting in front of her beside JJ. Hotch sat on the other side of JJ, while Dave and Reid sat beside Emily and Pen.

"Hey Reid I've finished that book you let me borrow. It's really good. A little inaccurate, but entertaining"

"I know, that's what I found especially the..."

"Geeks!" Morgan coughed into his hand earning laughter from the rest of them, as Penelope threw a curled up napkin at him.

A new case had the team jumping on a plane an hour later while Garcia did what she did best from her bunker.

"Hey Pen," Em said checking in.

"You okay hon?" as always the girls and Derek checked in with her throughout the day and at night.

"Yeah I'm just tired. I will be glad when this is all over, everyone's so tense. I know we deal with monsters all the time but this guy is a whole new level of monster."

"I know I caught a glimpse of some of the photos. I don't know how you guys do what you do, my hats off to you. You guys are close from what Hotch said at the briefing."

"Yeah we are. Anything new your end?" Em asked.

"Nope, I may be here but we all live and breathe the case till you guys come back. Been staying at the bunker most nights."

"Well make sure you try and get some quality rest in between."

"I will. You taking care of yourself?"

"Yes Mom!" Em replied with a laugh.

"Good to hear. It won't be long hon. You'll catch the bad guy. You always do!"

"Thanks Pen. We miss you."

"I miss you guys too. Talk later hon. Goodnight."

"Night."

Just as Em hung up she heard a knock on the door. Thinking it was JJ forgetting her key she opened the door.

"Hey!"

"Hotch," she said surprised.

"Come down for a drink?"

"Ugh sure. Let me grab my jacket."

"You're going to need to compartmentalize Aaron. I'm still Prentiss your subordinate. You can't keep wanting to protect me. I know you care, but I am still capable of taking care of myself. That hasn't changed."

"I know, I'm sorry." he didn't know what happened, but all of a sudden he found himself wanting to throw himself in front of any possible danger that came their way trying to protect her.

"We need to function as we always have. I understand the instinct, I fight them too. But if we're going to do this for the long haul we're going to need to get passed those initial reactions if we want to keep working together." Aaron nodded as he dejectedly sat back on his chair drink on hand,

"But thank you, I do appreciate it." Aaron smiled for the first time in what seemed like days.

"Come on Baby girl!"

"No Derek, the girls and I have a code."

"What code?" he asked,

"Don't bother, she won't tell you." Emily said coming from behind him. Morgan looked at Emily with a look of confusion,

"Anything that may potentially violate the code none of us will touch with a ten foot pole" she explained

"She's right Sweet cheeks so stop trying to sponge confidential information. I need to run a few stats for Hotch so talk later hon. Garcia out." Garcia said hanging up leaving Derek to Emily's capable hands.

"What goss were you trying to squeeze out of her?"

"Yours?" he replied with a grin.

"Ha! Keep dreaming. If you can't get it from the source, or Garcia you sure aint getting it from me after that."

"Aww come on Prentiss, it's me Morgan your partner."

"Sorry dearie, no can do. Oh and I wouldn't even try JJ. Pen was your best bet unfortunately." she said laughing before leaving him to his on device.

The case took longer than what they would have hoped and they were relieved to be going home. When they arrived at the BAU Penelope had dinner waiting for them in the conference room.

"Have you been cooking all day?" Hotch asked. Pen shrugged.

"I had the day and I thought you guys could use a home cooked meal."

"Thanks Garcia." Reid said appreciatively as he took a plate from her.

Immediately the girls headed towards Garcia to greet her with a hug.

"We've missed you!" JJ admitted to her in mid hug.

"Me too." Derek waited patiently for his turn.

"Hey Baby Girl." he said with a smile gathering her into a tight hug.

"Hey handsome." she replied glad to have them all home. As she sat down to dinner with them Rossi leaned over to place a kiss on her cheek.

"Thanks Garcia. This is exactly what we needed."

"It's what families do." she answered.

"You girls need a ride?" Penelope asked as they packed up, seeing as she drove them in the day they left almost two weeks ago.

"I'll drive the girls home Pen, you've done so much already." Hotch answered

"I don't mind, girls?"

"I was going to give Jayje a ride home anyway." Reid piped in.

"Rossi you're with me." Morgan said placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Well you're all set so I'm going to head home."

"Rossi and I will load this stuff in my car and I'll drop it off at yours on the way home."

"Okay then," she said with a smile knowing there was no point in arguing and she wasn't against the idea of seeing him alone without the subtle smirks from their friends. The seven of them walked to the car park together and waved as they went their separate ways.

"Things seem to be going well between you and Penelope." Rossi observed.

"Yeah, we're still at the beginning, where everything's new and exciting, and I loved her before, but I find as I find out more and more about her, the more that grows. Which sounds incredibly smolztsy I know."

"It's great. She makes you happy and you make her happy. That's what it's all about right?"

"I guess, a part of me keeps waiting for the shoe to drop."

"Don't. Just enjoy it. Should you hit a rough patch, well that's part of the journey and it gives you that opportunity to strengthen what you have should you choose to."

"Thanks for the ride Spence." JJ said placing a kiss on his cheek as he walked her to her door. JJ caught his brief blush and smiled at him.

"Call and let me know you got home safe okay."

"I will do. Bye Jayje."

"We'll get better at this." Hotch said quietly as he parked in front of her house.

"We'll get there." Emily replied assuring him that she was still in. She leaned over and placed a kiss on his cheek before jumping out of the car. Hotch got out to help with her bag and walked her to her door.

"I'll call you when I get home" he said beating her to it.

"Till then, you drive safe."

"I will."

Pen had enough time to take a quick shower before Derek arrived. Knowing he had his own key and had no qualms about using it. She heard his car pull in and opened the door and held it open for him as he carried in all the stuff from dinner. He kissed her cheek as she passed and the moment his hands were free he pulled her into his arms hugging her close and tight.

"God I've missed you!" he murmured in her ear.

"I'm so glad you're back." She replied wrapping her arms around him. She felt him flinch and looked up.

"Are you hurt?" she asked not waiting for an answer lifting up his shirt and saw the bandage around his middle.

"I'm okay Baby Girl. I swear."

"You should have told me you were hurt."

"You would have only panicked. It's only a scratch. It looks worse than it is." He promised seeing how worried she was. He ran his finger from her temple to her chin leaning towards her to place a kiss on her lips.

"Don't think you're going to get away with it that easy," she muttered between kisses. Morgan just smirked.

Penelope took his hand and led him to the couch.

"I know you didn't want to worry me, but I would really rather know."

"Okay, I promise from now on, I will tell you. I get a paper cut, you're on my speed dial." He teased.

"Not funny Morgan." She said seriously.

"I'm sorry." He apologised sincerely wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. Penelope placed her head on his chest, careful not to hurt him. Derek made himself comfortable burying his face in her curls.

"Did you want to stay?" she asked.

"To sleep," she clarified.

"You mind?"

"No. Go and take a shower and get comfortable. I still have a few of your things here when you stayed. There's a towel in the bathroom for you." She said smiling up at him.

"Thanks Baby girl." He said placing a kiss on her head before heading for the shower.

Emily sent a text message to the girls while getting ready for bed.

"Lunch tomorrow?"

Penelope heard the shower turn on and dialled Em's number.

"I'm in."

"Jayje too. She just sent the message." Em answered.

"Do I bug you now or tomorrow?" Pen asked.

"I'm sorry, but he made us swear he'll tell you himself." Knowing exactly to what Pen was referring to.

"Hey, we swore to each other first." Pen pointed out, a little upset that she was kept out of the loop.

"He didn't want to worry you." Emily placated.

"Would you take that excuse from me if the shoe were on the other foot?"

"No. Point taken Pen."

"Thank you. So where are we going?"

"Le Pain? I'll come pick you up 10:30?"

"See you then."

"I'm really sorry Pen. We didn't want to worry you, and he wanted it to come from him."

"It's okay, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay hon, good night."

"Night Em."

Emily hung up the phone not totally convinced that Pen was okay, but decided to wait till the following morning to pry. Pen was already in bed when Derek emerged, her back to the bathroom. Knowing she wasn't asleep, Derek slipped in beside her and wrapped his arms around her drawing her close.

"It's hard enough knowing you guys are in constant danger, and I am so far away. I know you all look out for each other and that's great, but I'm not some helpless female Derek. If you're hurt, if any of you are hurt, have enough faith in me to know what level of panic I need to exercise." She spoke softly,

"You have my word." He whispered in her ear feeling the tension drain between them. Pen could feel his whole body against hers as he snuggled as close as humanly possible to her. He caressed her hair with his hand till he felt her breathing change and knew she had drifted off to sleep. He kissed the top of her head before closing his eyes and slipping into his own slumber.

Penelope was the first to wake, but the arms that held her tightly in place prevented her from moving. Not that she minded. It seemed almost natural to wake up in his arms. Finding out he was injured really upset her the night before, if something happened to him she didn't know if she could survive that. He has always been reckless with his life and she had hoped being together would lessen that. He was always the first one to jump into a vehicle loaded with a bomb and take it to safety. The one who stayed at the scene of danger to be there for the victims till the danger passed with no thought to his own life. She loved that about him, but it scared her now more than ever. She wanted to demand him to be more careful, that it wasn't just him anymore that there was a them, and he needed to know that if anything were to happen to him it would kill her, but she couldn't, and wouldn't because that would make him less than what he was. She loved him for all his qualities, even the heroic self righteous part.

"Hey, what goes on in that head of yours Baby Girl?" he asked softly interrupting her thoughts. He had felt her awaken and had lay still as he could feel her processing in her own head.

"Hmmm…not much." She murmured shaking off her thoughts.

"Good morning." She said placing her lips on the arms that enveloped her.

"I don't buy that for one minute Princess. Look at me," Penelope sighed and turned so that she was facing him, fully aware that he had only lessened his grip momentarily for her to be able to face him.

"You're ok. That's all that matters. I just got scared that's all. It's part of the job and I know you're in danger all the time. It's just this is the first time you got hurt since we've been together. It feels a little different. Does that make sense?"

"It does, because the moment I got hurt all I could think of was you. How all I wanted to be was with you."

"Your job is who you are and I would never ask you to do anything different. I just freaked for a bit."

"I love you." Morgan said looking straight into her eyes,

"I love you too." She replied snuggling closer to his chest, his arms tightening around her.

"What's your plans for today?" he asked.

"Brunch with the girls, how about you?"

"I was hoping to spend the day with you." He replied honestly.

"Sorry Hon, I can meet you right after?" she bargained.

"Sure, but tomorrow you're all mine. Dawn to dusk."