"She's going to be alright. You know that, right? The doctors said she's going to be alright…and the baby too."

Derek didn't respond. He knew Rossi meant well. The older agent always seemed to show up just in the knick of time. It was moments like these that Derek missed his father. He wondered what it would have been like to have him in his life. Thoughts of life without Penelope and their child sent chills down his spine and he welcomed Rossi's distraction.

"Derek, did you hear me?"

He nodded yes and continued to stare at the floor as he sat stiffly in the plastic waiting room chair.

"It was too close, Rossi…"

Rossi took the seat next to the younger man. Normally he'd feel compelled to continue talking but he remained silent waiting giving Derek time to continue.

"I can't believe she came to the house, man! My wife who's almost three months pregnant came packing heat! I don't know whether to strangle her or recommend her for a spot in the bureau."

The two chuckled before Morgan hung his head again. He checked his watch and started patting his foot nervously against the floor. Rossi noticed.

"Hey, hey, calm down. She's already expecting you to be pissed. Just go easy you know she doesn't think straight when it comes to her, Chocolate Thunder."

"Penelope Morgan?"

The two men turned to face a small-framed woman in her mid-thirties. Both profilers silently watched her approach trying to read her body language and facial features in order to prepare themselves for what she had to say.

"Is she okay?"

Morgan stepped ahead of his older friend.

"Yes, Agent, she's still doing well. I just wanted to let you know that you can go in and see your wife now."

Rossi patted the anxious man on his back and the two followed the woman out of the room and down the hall. Once they arrived at Penelope's room, Rossi held back. Derek turned to face his friend puzzled.

"What's wrong?"

"I think I'm going to let you two have a few minutes alone. I'm going to call Hotch and the rest of the team and give them an update."

"Thanks Dave."

Morgan proceeded into the room. Every nerve in his body was on edge. He knew the doctors had reassured him that she was fine and that she would make a full recovery but he wasn't going to be sure until he saw her for himself.

She watched him slowly enter the room and approach her bed. She knew he would be upset with her and for a second she wished her injuries were more serious than the bullet wound on her arm. The closer he got to her she saw the fear in his eyes. She breathed a sigh of relief as he carefully took her hand in his.

"Baby Girl…"

"Hot Stuff, I'm sorry…don't be mad…"

"Shhh…"

Gently he leaned down and planted a kiss on her lips and wiped the tears that were streaming down her face. He watched her struggling to stay awake fighting a losing battle with the medication the nurse had given her for pain.

"I'm not mad, Baby Girl." He brushed strands of hair from her face. "I don't know what I would do if I lost you. You scared me what were you thinking?"

"I was thinking that I was sick and tired of Savannah terrorizing us and getting away with it. I wanted it to stop…I wanted us to be able to be happy and…"

"Shh… okay, okay… I'm sorry, Baby I understand but promise me one thing."

"Anything."

"Leave the Rambo stuff to your husband, okay? That's my job."

She smiled at him and shook her head yes. He kissed her again and again until finally she closed her eyes and fell asleep. It had been years since he prayed. Not since she'd been shot eight years ago had he uttered the Lord's name. This was a good time to pray and as he watched her sleeping peacefully, he unashamedly thanked God for sparing her life.

Minutes later the door opened and the rest of the team spilled into the room along with his mother. Derek had drifted off to sleep and it took him a few seconds to begin waking up. He was happy to see them all with smiles and looks of relief on their faces. Quietly they all filled every available space in the small room while Garcia peacefully slept.

"How's she doing?" JJ whispered.

"I'm fine."

Penelope drowsily smiled as her eyes opened slowly.

"We didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't wake me Blondie."

"Baby Girl you're supposed to be sleeping."

"I know Hot Stuff, but I can't. I just want to go home."

" I know you do but the doctors are keeping you here for another day just to make sure you and the baby are okay."

"But…"

"But, nothing! Now hush hard head."

The familiar banter between the couple caused the others to shake their heads and laugh. Their visit extended well past visiting hours and the medical staff conveniently pretended not to notice the unruly group.

Christmas Day – Morning –

It had been three days since Penelope had been home from the hospital and three days since she'd killed Savannah in self-defense. It seemed as if the wicked woman had gotten off easy not having to pay for her misdeeds like every other criminal. Sam was left to explain and take the blame for everything that had happened. The only thing that would prevent him from a life sentence was the bargain he'd made to sell out Savannah. Finally it was over and Penelope wanted to believe that she could now exhale and begin planning for her baby's arrival in six months.

Derek had been unusually quiet since her discharge and overly protective and attentive. She loved him for it but he was also distracted and she could see the guilt and blame swimming in his brown eyes. Like always he'd kept her safe willing to risk his own life for hers but she knew him and she knew he'd swear that he hadn't done enough. She found him in the garage tinkering. He always tinkered when he was preoccupied. Like knocking down walls in one of his fixers, it helped him to think without interruption.

He heard the door open. Ignoring it he continued working on whatever needed his undivided attention. He knew who it was and he knew what she wanted. He didn't want to talk, not today, maybe not ever.

"Handsome…"

"Not now, Penelope."

"Yes. Now."

He exhaled setting his screwdriver on the workbench and hung his head his back still to her.

"Derek, look at me."

He didn't move.

"Look at me, Derek."

Slowly he turned to face her. He knew she wasn't going to allow him to sulk another moment without a conversation.

"I just wanted to give you an amazing Christmas."

"Any Christmas that we're together is an amazing Christmas, Baby Boy."

"Thank you, Baby but…"

"No, buts. Listen to me; I'm not about to let what could have been ruin this day for us. Savannah is dead and Sam is in jail. It's not your fault I was shot and it's not my fault that she poisoned you."

She was right and he knew it. She was always right and he knew that too. He pulled her against his body and wrapped her in his arms. He had so many plans for the day, revealing their new home and christening the master bedroom tonight in grand style. It wasn't meant to be the house was still taped off as a crime scene and it would be another week before they would be allowed inside.

"Baby Girl, the house…it was your Christmas surprise. All those evenings and days off away from you…you thinking I was cheating…now nothing but wasted time."

"Oh my luscious, gorgeous husband I knew all about your, Christmas Surprise. I've known for quite a while." She smirked against his chest.

He pulled away enough to look at her. He couldn't help but notice the smug look on her face.

"What? Since when?"

"Um…since the close of escrow."

"What? How?"

"Oh my sweet hunk of chocolate deliciousness…I'm the Oracle of All-Knowing. You of all people should know that by now."

She planted a kiss on his pouting lips. He tried hard to stay committed to the pout and she could appreciate his dedication but he was no match for her. So she kissed him again, and again.

He melted right there in his garage…his space…the wife-free zone where men could be men. He knew he didn't stand a chance against this woman… he never did, still it didn't keep him from trying. He had a choice to make. He could either be stubborn and spend the rest of the day in the dark damp garage acting like a spoiled little boy or…

She pulled him down so that she could whisper in his ear. She was gifted in the art of getting her point across. So, in very precise and colorful detail she described the benefits of following her back into the house. She had a Christmas present of her own with his name on it. He was definitely curious…he couldn't hide that fact…his body was already betraying him as he held onto the last bit of his moodiness. It was no use though as she kept whispering and her hands began to roam beneath his t-shirt running her nails across his chest. He relented and followed her back into the house. He allowed her to pull him through the back door into the kitchen where the smell of her homemade sweet potato pies filled the air. Then up the stairs they went hand in hand until reaching the master bedroom where she seductively turned to face him.

Derek watched as her slender fingers worked on the knot around her waist. His eyes widened three times their normal size when her robe hit the floor. There in bright Christmas colors of red and green where three strategically placed bows. He was speechless though a million thoughts were running through his mind at that moment. She never ceased to amaze him…a master at keeping the spice in their relationship making him her priority at all times. He reached for the first bow on the left and he thought that maybe Christmas wasn't going to be so bad after all.

"B-Baby…Girl…you do know what I like, don't you?"

"I told you I am the Oracle of All-Knowing…Baby Boy."

She smiled wickedly as she gently grabbed his hand before he could remove the first bow.

"Don't tease me, Baby Girl. I'm a man on the edge."

"There are some conditions to this gift, Handsome."

"Conditions?"

"Yes. Conditions."

"And just what are these, conditions?" He asked.

"First, no more moping around this house like old man Scrooge."

"I think I can do that."

He reached for the bow on the right with his other hand but she caught it in mid-air.

"Second, no more blaming yourself, second-guessing yourself…and…"

"And what? Come on you're killing me, woman."

"AND the names of Savannah and Sam will never be uttered in this house again!"

"Deal! Now can I open my gift?"

"Yes you can."

She pulled him into a scorching passionate kiss and he pulled her close against him. He wasted no time and instantly the three bows floated toward the floor finding their place next to her fluffy terry cloth robe. He loved her body; he loved looking at her body and touching her body. He loved the changes her pregnancy had already made in her breast and her natural curves. His eyes roamed her approvingly and he was more certain than ever that she'd be the death of him…but he couldn't think of a better way to die.

"Merry Christmas, Handsome." She purred.

It was a good thing she had taken her pies out of the oven to cool, Penelope thought as she lay in her husband's arms. The two had spent the last hour making love and doing their best to erase the memories of the past several weeks. Their sweaty, satisfied bodies co-mingled and conspired to show each other where their love had brought them. Invincible, and stronger than at any time in their lives, Derek had no doubt that with Penelope next to him he could believe in love and life again. He was back; no more brooding and pouting and wondering about what could have happened had Savannah and Sam's twisted plans worked. It didn't matter, they'd lost and he and his family had won.

Derek looked down at his wife sleeping soundly on his chest and smiled. Planting a soft kiss on her head he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was in heaven.

"Merry Christmas, Baby Girl."