Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds or the characters. Some "guest stars" are based on or named after people in my life while others are totally made up, as are some places and events.

Chapter 36

Derek pulled away from Penelope and groaned as someone knocked on the door. "Damn," he whispered hoarsely. "Are you ready?" he asked as he climbed out of the bed. Penelope nodded and grinned. She missed her family a lot.

Derek opened the door and Fran entered first followed by JJ, Emily, Kate, Reid, Rossi, Hotch, and Shane. Fran immediately bustled over and gave Penelope a hug and started fussing over her. She froze when she saw the ring and chain. She looked from Derek to Penelope and back to Derek. "Am I getting another daughter?" she asked.

"Yes," Derek grinned. "I proposed a few minutes ago."

"What?" Emily and Kate exclaimed. They pounced on Penelope and took turns admiring the ring. JJ and Hotch stood back, sharing a smile and Rossi and Reid were hugging and congratulating Derek before taking their turns hugging Penelope.

"Do you need anything, dear?" Fran asked.

Penelope bit her lip. She was uncomfortable asking for help on front of everyone. "I'm fine," she fibbed.

"Stop it, Penelope," Hotch ordered. "If you need something, just ask."

"I had apple juice with dinner and it was wonderful. I'd really like some more of that..." she trailed off when she saw Reid leave the room. He returned with three juice boxes. Derek punched the straw through one and she gratefully accepted the drink. She drank until the box was drained and the straw made a slurping noise.

Derek arched an eyebrow. "Do you want some more?" he asked. Penelope nodded and she polished off the second box as fast as had the first. She looked up as as Derek took the empty juice box away. She blushed as she saw everyone staring.

"What?" she asked, uncomfortable with the attention. "It tasted really good."

"Sorry, P," JJ apologized. "It's just good to see you getting better and better every day." The others nodded and agreed with her.

The group stayed for over an hour, talking and laughing and joking. It wasn't until Penelope started shifting in discomfort did they decide to take their leave so she could rest. They took turns hugging and kissing Penelope good night. They promised to come back the next day when Penelope announced that they were going to let her out of bed.

After they all filed out, Penelope asked Derek to bring Shane back. "Can I speak to him alone, please?" Penelope whispered as he helped her lay down.

"Of course, Princess. I'll get him. Derek kissed her and sent Shane a text. He waited until he heard a soft knock on the door.

"She wants to talk to you," Derek quietly informed Shane as he let the other man in. "I'll get the nurse to bring some medicine and I'll be right outside," he told them.

"Hey," Shane muttered as he walked closer to the bed. He stopped at the foot.

"Stop being so shy," Penelope scolded and patted a spot on the bed next to her

"Sorry," he apologized and sat down. He took her hands in his.

"Thanks... for everything," she whispered. "They told me how you rushed to Quantico once you found out. I... I... thank you. I know you don't like the FBI and how upset you were when I left. I never wanted to hurt you. I just... didn't like what I had become."

"Are you happy now?" he asked.

Penelope nodded. "I am. Derek was my best friend for so long and I love him so much. It's all happened so fast. I don't know what he sees in me, though."

"I do. You're beautiful and smart and any man would be lucky to be with you. I was too stupid and wrapped up in myself to see how unhappy you were with me. I'd do anything to change it, if only to tell you how much you really meant to me.

I'm sorry for all the things I said. I feel like it's my fault that those bastards hurt you. I said so many things and spread so much animosity before your team saved me. I saw then how much of an ass I was. It was then and there, when I was lying on that gurney watching you leave me again, that I really understood what I was missing. I vowed to never speak or type a negative word about you ever again. I hate to think that my bitterness may have spread that kind of hate. Just believe me, Penelope, when I swear that I never wanted you to be hurt, ever. Even before you came back home, I never wanted you to come to any harm." Shane's voice cracked.

"I believe you, Shane. You're a good guy."

"I love you, Penelope. I've never stopped loving you."

"I love you, too, Shane. And one day you're going to meet someone and she's going to knock your socks off and... wait." She stopped as she saw Shane's tiny smile. "You've met someone, haven't you?"

"Yeah," Shane grinned.

"What's her name? Where did you two meet?"

"Her name is Cassidy and I met her at the smoothie shop she owns. She is so smart- she has degrees in both culinary arts and business. She's actually studying for her MBA. We've been seeing each other for a year and a half. She's sweet and funny and well..."

"Do you love her?"

"Yes, I do. She's become the most important person in my life. I've stopped hacking illegally because I didn't want her to get in trouble for my actions."

"Does she know why you're here?"

"At first, no, I didn't tell her why I came here. I wasn't even sure what I was doing when I came to Quantico. I wanted to help find you and I wasn't sure if your team would let me but I was going to help, regardless of what they said. I told her everything the night they found you. She was upset at what they did to you and she encouraged me to come here to Indiana instead of going home like I was planning to do. She sends you her best and she asked for your email address."

"She sounds sweet. Tell her I'll respond once my hands are in better shape."

"She understands. When I get home, I'm going to give her my mom's ring."

"Oh, my gosh, Shane!" Penelope's eyes welled up. "I'm so happy for you." She leaned over and embraced her old flame. "What are you waiting for? Go! Tell her, pop the question, and let me know how it goes."

"Pen..." He looked at her with a wavering stare.

"I'm fine and and getting better. I have Derek and the team. Go. You're needed at home. I'm OK now."

"You and very special Agent Derek Morgan, huh?" he grinned.

"Yeah." She shrugged and grinned back.

"He better take care of you. He doesn't want me to come back to Virginia and kick his ass." They both laughed at the absurdity of it all.

"Do you think he'd dare to hurt me with his mama around? She's not afraid to knock him upside the head," Penelope chuckled.

"Mrs. Morgan is a great lady. Kinda reminds me of my mom. She speaks highly of you and she and your team are always talking about how you take care of everyone and make sure they are fine between and after cases. You mean so much to everyone. I just hope you let them take care of you."

"I feel so useless," she whispered. "I can't feed myself or even hold a stupid juice box without help."

"And that is not your fault. You'll get your independence back soon and before you know it, you'll be back to catching the bad guys again," Shane grinned.

They both looked up at the knock on the door. Shane rose and opened the door to let in Nurse Tiffany and Derek. "I guess that's my cue," Shane said as Tiffany checked the machines and gave Penelope her pain meds.

"Cone back and see me before you leave," Penelope requested.

"Of course," Shane kissed Penelope's cheek and waved as he left the room.

"He has a girlfriend and he's going to propose when he gets home," Penelope announced as Derek tucked get into the bed.

"That's great, Baby Girl," Derek said as he sat in his usual spot.

"Will you lie down with me?" Penelope asked when Nurse Tiffany left.

"I don't want to hurt you," Derek protested.

"I'm afraid to sleep," she confessed as she felt the drugs take effect. "I know the nightmares will come back."

"OK," Derek conceded. He stripped off his shoes and climbed into the bed and gathered Penelope in his arms. "My Baby Girl," he whispered in her ear as she closed her eyes and fell asleep. He held her like that for awhile until he, too, succumbed to sleep's healing balm.

A/N: We made it home safe and sound. I didn't miss the cold at all but I missed my furchildren. I didn't have the best vacation/Christmas but it is what it is. I'm attempting to write a oneshot to help deal with stuff.

As always, I send my best wishes to my beloved readers.

Xoxo,

Pita(frickin' freezing)Cake