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 38

"Are you in pain, Kitten?" Rossi asked. Penelope had ordered Derek to go with the others to eat some real food and get some fresh air and Dave had volunteered to stay with her. She was annoyed that they thought she needed a babysitter but she was more afraid to be left alone and didn't protest.

She shook her head no and smiled weakly. Truth was, her leg was killing her.

"Penelope, you of all people should know better than to lie to a profiler," he gently scolded her. He sat in Derek's chair and took her hands in his.

"My leg hurts but it's bearable," she conceded. Rossi narrowed his eyes but didn't question her further.

"How are Joy and Kai doing?" she asked.

"They're great. I just Skyped with them the other night," he grinned.

"Oh, my gosh! You Skyped? By yourself?" she giggled.

"I did, " he said proudly. "Those tech lessons are really paying off. Joy sends her love and Kai loves his new tablet, by the way. He likes the apps you put on it for him. He kept going on and on about the reading and math ones."

"He, Henry, and Jack were the first to try out those games. They are replicas of the first computer programs I created, when I was still in high school. I just updated the graphics and made them touch-screen friendly," she explained.

"Well, Joy went on and on about how they've kept Kai entertained longer than anything, ever," Rossi beamed. "She loves that it's educational."

"I'm glad they liked it. You did tell her the tablet came with free tech support, right?"

"Yes, I did. She was happy about that, as well."

"Did you tell her... I... I can't do a whole lot right now?"

"Don't worry about that!" he scolded. "Focus on getting better. Get the BAU out of your head for awhile."

"I'm going to go crazy with nothing to do," she protested.

"I understand... believe me, I know," Rossi grimaced. "Why don't you work on those apps during your time off? Let them out for more children to use."

"I can't type or even swipe and they aren't sure when the burns will be healed well enough to be able to do so," she argued.

"True, you can't do it yet, but Derek can. Make him useful," he laughed. "I don't believe you'll be out of commission for very long."

"Maybe," she smiled wistfully.

You've gotten us spoiled, you know. Kevin's an OK tech but he's not as good as you." Rossi rolled his eyes.

"I know," she laughed.

"I was thinking about when we first started the unit. I have to wonder how we solved cases without you. Hotch told me they went through so many techs until he hired you."

"Sir..." she began.

"We know how difficult this job is. It gets to all of us and well, we know how rough it gets for you sometimes."

"Sir," she repeated. "The last thing I want is for you all to think I'm too weak to do my job. If the team thinks that, then the rest of the bureau does, too."

Rossi sat back, stunned. "We don't think that. I've never heard anyone say that and I personally do not believe that, not for one second. You are not weak, Penelope. Don't ever think that."

"Thank you, sir. I'll be back to work as soon as the doctors give me the go-ahead."

"Just concentrate on getting better and taking care of your baby. Don't rush anything. And Penelope, we're not in the office. 'Sir' and other formalities are hardly necessary." Rossi paused. "I think of you as a daughter, you know."

"Rossi..."

"You're going to make an amazing mother, Pen. Your kid is going to be the luckiest kid in the world," he ignored her protest.

"My baby doesn't have any grandfathers," she said slowly as she subconsciously rubbed her bump. "I was hoping you'd fill that role for him or her."

"I'd be honored." Tears filled his eyes. He was getting another grandkid!

"Are you ready to go home? Nurse Jen asked as she removed Penelope's IV. It was the next morning and Penelope was so happy to be finally leaving the hospital.

"Yes! I mean, you all have been so great and treated me well and everything, but..." Penelope started.

"... No one likes to stay in the hospital," Nurse Jen finished and laughed. "Don't worry, I don't take it personally."

"I just want to go home to Quantico. I miss it so much."

"When does your flight leave?" the nurse asked.

"I can't remember what Derek said," Penelope answered. "I was still half asleep when Hotch and Derek were talking about it earlier. I doubt the pilot will leave without us if we're a few minutes late."

"You know the pilot?"

"Yeah, we've had the same pilots for years, at least as long as I've been with the feebs, anyway. My FBI team has its own jet," she elaborated at the nurse's look of confusion.

"Wow," Jen grinned.

"Yeah, it's pretty nice," Penelope laughed. "It's sure beats flying commercial any day."

"I'll bet so." Jen looked at her watch. "I'll be back in a little while," she said. "When Agent Morgan gets back he'll need to sign your discharge papers."

"Thanks, I'll be sure to tell him." Penelope watched as the security guard held the door open and let the nurse out. He came back in and stood next to the door. She sighed and focused her attention on the TV. The guard hadn't said a word to her since Derek left and he didn't act like he wanted to talk now.

Penelope dozed off while she waited for Derek to come back. He said that he was going to get her a surprise and refused to say what it was, no matter how much she pouted and haggled. Before he left he helped her put one of her dresses and flats. Rather one flat, since the cast made it impossible to wear both shoes. She loved the way the dress showed off her small baby bump. She often found herself rubbing it lovingly. It helped calm her when memories would come hurling back.

A knock on the door jarred her awake and the guard answered it and allowed the janitor in. Penelope recognized him as he'd been coming in every now and then to clean. The janitor, like the guard, ignored her. He disappeared into the en suite. A minute later he stuck his head out. "Hey, man, can you give me a hand?" he asked the guard. The guard grunted and nodded and followed the janitor into the bathroom.

Penelope started to close her eyes again when a loud grunt and thud came from the loo. "Are you guys all right in there?" she called softly. She jumped when she saw the janitor emerge alone, looking disheveled. "What happened? Are you guys OK?"

Her eyes widened as he silently stalked over to the bed. Fear froze her heart as he knocked the call button off the bed and removed his hat and wig. She gasped as she recognized him instantly. She thought he looked familiar each time he had come into the room and now she knew from where. "Don't even think about making a sound," he whispered menacingly as he leaned over and pressed a knife to her throat.

"You recognize me, don't you, Penny?" he whispered in her ear. She nodded and felt the blade of the knife press into her skin. Tears fell from her eyes as he ripped the bandage off her throat and caressed the scar with the knife. "You won't get away from me this time," he whispered and kissed her neck. He pulled the knife away and traced the scar with his fingers as he put the knife in his pocket.

She gasped as he wrapped his hand around her throat while his other hand trailed down to her chest. He pressed her flesh and sighed. "You were just a kid when I first felt these," he murmured. "You remember the birthday party, right? You were what, eleven or twelve? That clown gig was the worst job ever but that... that was amazing. And that day at the beach? I didn't think you were much of a fighter. I underestimated you then but not today." He put both hands to her throat and squeezed. Her instincts kicked in and she tried to pry his hands away but the pain radiating from her burned hands was too much. She saw darkness at the edges of her vision. Derek, where are you! ? she thought as she stopped struggling, having run out of air in her lungs.

A/N: This week isn't going any better than last. I hope it's not going to be a trend for 2016. My bank, which is down the road, was robbed and my friend was the teller on duty. There was another bank robbery across town the same day. I don't know what's going on around here. I also have a head cold. Blah!

Bright spot: new episode tonight. And the nutter happens to have the same name as me. First and last.

Thanks, as always, for reading.

Pita(Cat)Cake