Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds.

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The Next Day

'Oh what no wheelchair?' Penelope quipped sarcastically, she wouldn't have cared whether there was a wheel chair or not, she would have left happily either way.

'Not this time sweet cheeks.' Derek said putting his hand out for her to take. 'Doctor wants you as mobile as can be, which is why you have our help.' She took his hand and nodded.

'Well then Ms Garcia, soon to be Morgan we hope, let's get you out of here.'

'Sounds amazing.' She held onto Derek's hand tightly as they walked slowly to the elevator, then all 10 stood waiting for it, when it opened they saw immediately there wasn't enough room for them all.

'Right Penelope, Morgan, JJ and Emily take the elevator.'

'All the men going to beat us down stairs?'

'We'll try.'

They laughed as they separated the remaining men and Penelope's brothers heading for the stairs whilst the others took the elevator ride down. When they reached ground floor and the doors opened all the men were waiting.

Penelope laughed at them all as they waited. She saw Reid a little breathless. 'Did you run?'

'Run... us?'

'No.'

'Honestly no.'

'We sprinted.'

'Reid!'

'What you know Penelope as well as I do... she can tell when we lie.'

'Well from the state of you kiddo I could tell these guys were lying to me.'

'Thanks Penelope.' Reid said with a smile. 'I'm just not as well exercised as these guys are.'

'You need to start then...' She gave him his favourite smile before turning serious. 'Well are we going to stand around here?'

'No, let's get you out of here baby girl.' They walked out and couldn't help but smile, this was the first time Penelope had stepped foot out of the hospital in over a week.

'Feels good.' She said as they got closer to the SUV's.

'I bet it does.'

'Right so when will I see you three again?' She said looking at her three brothers.

'You lot are all coming to mine on your last night.' Drew said with a smile. 'We are bringing breakfast to you tomorrow.'

'Oh that will be nice.' Penelope said.

'But for now Garcia, let's get you back to resting.' Rossi said as he got in the front passenger seat.

'See you soon Penny.'

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The next morning

Derek lay on his side just staring at Penelope as she slept, looking so peaceful and pain free. He knew that as soon as she was awake the pains and discomforts would begin and she would be tired from the strain on her body and the multiple tablets she now needed to take, the temporary ones and the permanent ones. He slowly eased himself off the bed trying desperately trying not to wake her, smiling at managing it he made his way to get a shower before everyone turned up for breakfast.

'Handsome, do you have to go?'

'You should still be sleeping.'

'You didn't answer my question.' She said with sleepy eyes.

'I'm just getting a shower before everyone turns up with breakfast.' He watched her as she placed a hand on her side, knowing that the pains had now begun. 'Get some more sleep P.'

'I'm not tired.' She began to sit up making Derek sprint to her to help her. 'How long have we got?

'About 30 minutes.'

'Hmm just one cuddle and I'll take up the sofa ready while you have a shower.'

'Okay deal.' He said smiling; of course he would've got back in bed so he could have a cuddle with his goddess without making a deal with her. He helped her back down and wrapped his arms around her carefully as she lay her head on his chest. 'I've missed our cuddles.'

'How do you think I've felt?' She laughed slightly. 'This has got to be the worse week of my life mixed in with the best week.'

He played with her hair while he contemplated what she had just said and she was right, it had been a rollercoaster week. Everyone finding out the true essence of her past, her panic for their safety, them sticking around, notes and pictures piling up about her, going back to the house where it all happened, meeting her brothers, prospects of her past resurfacing, arguing with her brothers, Cannon stabbing her, almost dying, getting engaged to the man she loved.

'Well someone once told me that she was a strong person and I think this week just proved that.'

'You think so?'

'P, I admire you for what you've been through this week.'

She stopped drawing circles on his chest. 'I had someone's help you see.'

He laughed. 'Oh who was that then?'

'Well, he's tall, dark, extremely handsome, has a smile that kills me every time, the sexiest laugh, I think his name is Derek...'

'Oh really, is that so baby girl?'

'Is so handsome, you've been my rock once again. Thank you.'

'Any day P, you don't have to thank me for that. I'm all yours.'

She shifted to look at him. 'And vice versa.' He found him putting his lips to hers and inducing a passionate kiss, when they pulled away they smiled like school children.

'Now I think we should get the ball rolling before they turn up and we are still in bed.'

'Would it be so bad?'

'Not at all but it would be inappropriate.' She teased him.

'Okay let me come round and help you though.'

'Got it sweet cheeks.'

He laughed as he got of the bed trying to not jolt the bed. He made it round and helped her sit up before she twisted so her legs were off the bed. He led her to the couch and helped her sit down. Once she was down he ran back to the bed and picked up all the pillows and a blanket. He helped make her comfortable before planting a kiss on her forehead.

'Comfortable?'

'Very.' She said as she relaxed into the new bed, pressing a pillow to her side.

'You in pain baby girl?'

'Just a little handsome.'

'P, I know when you're lying.'

'I'll wait and take some pain meds after breakfast.'

'Sure?' She nodded with a smile. 'Right can I get you anything?'

'Can you pass me a bottle of water please?'

'Of course.'

'And the list of things I can and cannot do, with the list of possible problems?'

'Are you sure you want to read them?'

'Yup, I want to know as much as everyone else does what I'm limited to and at risk for.'

'Not risks, precautions. If you rest and don't pull independency they won't occur.' He gave her a smile as he got a bottle of water from the fridge. He passed her it with the booklet; he had been given as he signed her discharge papers. 'Right are you sure your okay?'

'Perfectly handsome... does the team have a key just in case you're in the shower?'

'Yeah Hotch does.' He kissed her again and headed for a shower. 'If you need anything call me and I'll be straight out.'

She nodded as she took a swig of the drink not realising how thirsty she was. He had leant from Penelope that quick showers were better and he found they were, unless relieving stress, or worries then that warranted a long hot or cold shower. Which Penelope completely agreed with. He hadn't heard the door get opened so knew their hotel room was empty apart from just him and Penelope. He dried off and got dressed; he stepped out to find the room completely silent. He understood completely when he approached the couch. Penelope had fallen asleep with the booklet pressed to her stomach, he smiled as he watched.

'Stop staring at me handsome.' She said with her eyes still closed.

He chuckled at her not at all surprised. 'Baby if you're tired you should be in bed sleeping.'

'I'm fine here handsome.'

'Okay you just sleep.' She nodded as let him take the booklet, he sat down and carried on reading it, he wanted to be on top everything just in case. Occasionally taking the chance to look up at her and smile at how beautiful she was.

No more than ten minutes later Hotch let himself into the room. Derek looked at him and placed a finger on his mouth and then pointed to Penelope. Hotch nodded in understanding and stepping in quietly.

'Is she okay?' He whispered.

Derek was about to answer when Penelope spoke up with yet again her eyes closed. 'I'm fine.'

'P you should be sleeping.'

'I can't.' She said opening her eyes. She was right she was tired but she couldn't sleep because of the pains.

'I'm pulling rank and we are going to get you back to bed. It's one room we can move chairs around the bed.'

'Nothing like getting the hospital vibe back.' She said with a smile that induced a laugh from both men.

'Come on baby girl.' He said moving the quilt down and helping her up slowly. Hotch already taken all the pillows and setting up the bed. They both helped her down and get comfortable and within minutes she was in proper sleep not a pretend one.

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When she woke up again, the pain was intensified but she was felt comfortable as it happened but the pains cascading the side of her body were severe it brought miniscule tears to her eyes. She heard everyone talking and knew the large group was now gathered, she just couldn't be bothered to attempt to get up so she lie trying to fix the pains on her own once again.

'Hey sleepy head.' Derek said as he approached the bed. 'P are you okay?' The worry heightening in his voice as he looked at the evident pain scrawled across her face. Everyone's attention now diverted to where Penelope was, Drew and Rossi standing. Hotch approaching the bed on the other side.

'It's just painful.'

'P you are taking some pain pills now okay? No arguments.'

She nodded; her pains were too much to disagree with him.

'Come on let me help you sit up Penelope.' Hotch said as Derek grabbed the pills, Reid grabbing a bottle of water and going towards the bed. Hotch placed a pillow behind her and sat on the edge of the bed. 'Is that okay?'

'That's fine thanks.' She replied pushing on her side. She looked at everyone and smile. 'You need to wipe the worried looks off your faces... I'm fine just pains.'

'Pen we're going to worry about you.'

'Yes but its expected for a little while.'

Derek walked back with a pills and helped her as she took them. 'Do you want something to eat?'

'Not yet.'

'Garcia you need to eat.'

'I know but not yet.'

'So what do you want to do?'

'Sleep.'

'Well then baby girl that's what you're going to do.'

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Several hours later they were all sitting around in the hotel room, Penelope who had long since woken up was feeling better and pain free, although she realised it was temporary she was going to lap it up.

'So when does Strauss want you guys in for work?'

'Thursday.'

'But that's 1 day away.'

'Yeah but this is Strauss we are talking about.'

'I tried to get her to understand about everything, she said one of us at a time to help unless a case comes up then its the whole team up and away.'

'When is she going to retire?'

'Penelope!'

'What? We all want to know but she's been nothing but trouble for us.'

'This is you lile area boss right?' Joel said confused.

'Yep the one and only...

'...Pain in the arse.'

Everyone laughed at the common reference to their boss. 'So what has she done?'

'Tried to get me resign.'

'Made me act like a mole to keep a job at the bureau.'

'Frat rules!'

Don't worry P, we're sending in Rossi for that one.' She raised her eyebrow. 'It appears Strauss has a very large soft spot for our David Rossi.'

'Oh is that so... what's your plan of attack then?'

'Nice yet forceful...' Rossi said with a smile that said he was not going to leave that office with a negative answer.