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Epilogue: The Heart

Six months later….

As Penelope walked out of the elevator she smiled at the agents who immediately waved at her. As she passed by she ignored the fact that all of them were watching her go with a protective look. It was almost a custom now and although it had annoyed her at first, she was now quiet used to everyone keeping an eye on her.

Once she had been transferred to a Virginia hospital she had begun to get visitors. Everyone from agents to techs had either visited or sent her get well presents. It had taken a lot of time and physical therapy, but she had eventually been released and allowed to go home, which of course meant Derek's house. Once she was able to walk around more she had been sent to a psychiatrist, which she had resented at first. Morgan would always drive her and then wait patiently in the lobby.

She was still going to therapy, but not as often and she was doing much better. She allowed people to touch her and didn't even flinch except if they surprised her, which her team tried to make sure didn't happen. Her physical wounds were also almost completely healed. The only visible indications of what had happend was the boot on her right leg, the cane she held for support, the brace she sometimes wore on her shoulder, and of course a few scars, but most of them were easily hidden beneath her clothes. But none of that mattered to her much anymore. After all, the cane and boot weren't permanent and though the scars did bother her sometimes, Derek and the rest of her team were always there.

Penelope had been cleared for work about a month ago and after awhile Derek had relaxed a bit and actually let her walk around without him or Reid following her. Not that they had to worry anyways, it seemed everyone in the building was watching over her.

She had just come from another therapy session down stairs and was heading for the bullpen so they could all go to lunch. As she approached the glass door she was about to reach out to open it, but as usual someone beat her to it. She just looked up and, resisting the urge to roll her eyes, smiled before stepping through. As she did she glanced down and smiled even wider. Whenever she was feeling bad she would look at her hand and whatever was bothering her would melt away. She almost couldn't believe that a simple engagement ring could have such an effect on her.

As she got closer to her fiancée's desk, he looked over and practically jumped out of his chair. He rushed over to her and placed a gentle kiss on her head before wrapping his arms protectively around her waist. Derek did this every time and it still made her laugh.

"You guys ready for lunch?" Penelope asked as Hotch and JJ came toward them.

"Yep." JJ answered with a smile

The other agents appeared to take little notice of them as they left except for a nod or smile once in awhile, but to an outsider the scene before them might have been a bit intimidating, if not odd. Hotch and Emily were just ahead, followed by a limping Garcia who was flanked by Morgan on her right and JJ on the left, and right over Garcia's shoulder was Reid. It was as if Penelope had five very protective body guards whose sole purpose was to insure her safety. That's how they left the bullpen and how they walked to the car. They were protecting her from the world while giving her support at the same time. Like a body protecting it's heart.

Thanks for reading! I hope you liked it.