New York Police Department – Manhattan Division – Evening –

"Garcia!"

She couldn't believe what she was seeing; after months of searching under every imaginable cyber rock and nearly giving up on the idea of ever finding him…there he was.

"I found him."

"What? Who?"

"Armando Villarreal; I found that son-of-a-bitch."

"You're kidding. Where is he?"

"Here!"

JJ stepped closer to confirm the information for herself even though she had no doubt in her friend's abilities to find anyone and anything.

"You can run but you cannot hide." JJ uttered to herself.

"Damn straight! He's been tracking us ever since Derek was discharged from the hospital."

"He's good."

"He's not good; he has the money to hire the best."

"We've got to tell Hotch…and Derek…"

"NO!"

"What are you talking about, Garcia? Are you saying we should keep this from them?"

"No, I just…wait I need a moment, JJ. This man nearly killed Derek. He stole his life and…"

"What the hell!"

The two women never heard Morgan enter the room. He was fixated on her computer screen now and even if they were able to respond, he wouldn't have heard them.

"Derek…"

"What is this, Garcia? You found him? You weren't going to tell me?"

"No, it's not…I just found him…not even five minutes ago…I just needed to…"

"To what, Garcia?"

"To-to…process it all and…"

"No, no you should have called me immediately!"

"Derek, Penelope is not the enemy here! Calm down! She just discovered this! She never stopped looking for Villarreal, never! Even when the bureau told her, told all of us to stop; she never did!"

Derek knew that JJ was right; he knew Penelope wasn't the enemy, far from it. He was overwhelmed in the moment flooded with memories of Savannah's betrayal and everything that Villarreal had been done to him. Armando Villarreal had nearly succeeded in killing him and taking everything that was important to him. Still, he couldn't focus, and he couldn't let either of the women know that he understood. The rage inside kept him from acting rationally. Later he would be sorry.

"I'm sorry Hot Stuff, JJ's right I…"

"Stop, just stop! I can't be here right now. I need some air; I've got to get out of here!"

"Derek! Derek! DEREK!"

Hotch heard the commotion and as he rushed toward the conference room Derek ran past him nearly knocking him down. JJ and Garcia met Hotch in the hallway frantic and wide-eyed.

"What's going on?"

"Garcia found Villarreal."

"What? That case is closed! We were ordered to stop looking!"

"I'm sorry Sir, I just couldn't; I had to find him! Derek would never be Derek again until we did!"

Hotch was furious, but he knew she was right. There would be serious repercussions, but he'd have to deal with that later. Now they had more serious matters to deal with. Dave and Reid rushed after Morgan in an attempt to stop him from leaving.

The two found Morgan standing outside. He was lost not knowing what to do next or what to think. Dave and Reid stopped one on each side of him and waited for him to acknowledge that they were there.

"I know, I know; I can't keep letting my feelings get the best of me."

"Nobody can blame you Morgan, nobody." Dave began.

"You almost died Morgan."

"Yeah I know Pretty Boy, I just can't get over what happened."

"Let's go back inside, we'll talk it out."

Dave gently placed his hand on Derek's arm. Derek pulled away and began running his hands over his head trying to make sense of it all.

"That son-of-a-bitch has been watching me all this time! I can't shake him, and I can't catch him!"

"Derek…"

"No Reid, this has to stop! It has to stop now or…"

Derek couldn't finish his sentence he was afraid to speak what had always been on his heart and mind from the moment his team had found him in Cuba.

"Or what? Or what, son?"

Morgan looked at both men with tears welling in his eyes.

"I need your help."

Belinda's Café –

Armando found the scene across the street quite interesting. Three men in a heated conversation piqued his curiosity. He'd always been a patient man but had not expected to see Derek Morgan this evening. It was getting late and by now the agents should have been long gone. Armando knew better than most that evil never punched a timeclock and so he continued to watch as the scene played out.

After several more minutes, Derek, Rossi and Reid re-entered the precinct. Garcia, and JJ watched as Morgan approached Hotch.

"I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologize, Morgan."

"No, I do and Garcia, JJ, I'm so sorry. Guys, I know I've been unbearable these last few months. The truth is, I owe you all my life a million times over."

Garcia approached him and he quickly pulled her into his arms and kissed her unapologetically on the lips. The two shared weary smiles as Dave slowly closed the conference room door.

"Derek has a plan and I think we all better sit down before we hear what it is."

One Hour Later…

Marriott Manhattan –

It had been a quiet ride to the hotel; everyone was exhausted; physically and emotionally. It had been an eventful day with their case taking some unexpected twists and turns but nothing could have been more unexpected then discovering that Armando Villarreal had been watching and following them for months. Derek's plan had caused more reaction and more emotion and now everyone was on edge unsure what the next few days would bring to their family.

Very seldom was Garcia silent and very seldom had she been without words on just about anything that had to do with Derek; but she'd said all she had to say and in the end nothing she had said mattered or had changed his mind. So, she tightened her grip on his hand and allowed him to lead her into the room that they would share for the night.

He knew she was upset; he was upset too but there was no other way to end his nightmare with Armando. He knew it would be only a matter of time that the evil man would come after him in the most hideous way. The man had learned all about him during his captivity. He knew the people who meant the most to him and Derek could not risk any of his family falling victim to his evil.

He watched Garcia walk into the bathroom. Moments later he heard the water running. Normally, she would have undressed in front of him as an invitation for him to join her; but not tonight. Tonight, she simply closed the door and left him alone in the room. He wanted her and needed her. He didn't want to think that this could very well be their last night together.

She heard the door open and as he stepped into the bathroom, she kept her back to him as she faced the black tiled wall. The cold air hit her back as he joined her in the shower. She wanted him, desperately but she was mad at him. The water hid her tears that now were running uncontrollably down her face. Without saying a word, he wrapped her in a warm bear hug pulling her tightly against his chest.

"I'm sorry." He whispered in her ear.

"Why Derek?"

He kissed her neck, again and again without answering her question. She knew why it had to be him.

"Why does it always have to be you?"

He turned her to face him and he saw past the water to her tears as he lightly ran his hand down her face pulling her chin up and planting a soft kiss on her lips.

"I love you Garcia."

She opened her eyes. He was serious and her fear increased. He rarely called her Garcia unless he was upset or emotional…or determined. She knew she would not try to change his mind again.

"I love you too, Derek."

Derek ran his hands lightly down her body as if for the very first time, stopping occasionally before moving on. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen; ever been with. He needed to show her just what she meant to him because no matter how hard he tried he didn't have the words to say it. He kissed her again; her lips, her neck and every inch that he could reach from a standing position.

"Derek…" She gasped.

Derek knew what she wanted and lifted her up and off of her feet. Penelope wrapped her legs tightly around his waist and placed her hand firmly against the shower wall. He did the same placing his hand next to hers. As he entered her, she glanced at their hands; Derek's a golden shade of caramel and hers, creamy white. She chuckled as he began a slow smooth rhythm, in and out, in and out. Her eyes were fixated on their hands against the black tile. In and out, in and out—faster this time. She was reminded of s'mores; it seemed funny at a time like this that she'd be thinking of s'mores. But the colors of black and caramel and creamy white reminded her of the softness and warm gooey-ness and the crunchy hard outside of s'mores. It also reminded her of sweetness and how the inside of the sugary treat had to change before it could be enjoyed; the chocolate and the marshmallows had to change they had to become warm and melted beneath the crusty cracker. That's how they were; warm and soft melted by life and fire and molded together into something brand new and held together in a hard, sweet love.

"Why are you smiling?" He asked. "Where'd you go?"

"I'm right here, Baby Boy. It's just that I've missed this; I've missed us."

He moaned as he increased his speed. Her moans began to match his as she suddenly found it hard to breathe. They were in sync, matching each other's movements and moans, breaths and heart beats until they'd given all that they had and erupted into a blissful explosion. He held her in place against the wall he'd wanted it to last much longer but he'd never felt such intensity between them so quickly. For a brief moment he wondered if what he was planning was a mistake.

She saw something in his eyes as he slowly pulled out of her and placed her back on the floor. She hadn't seen it since he'd paid her a late-night visit long ago. She'd refused to let him in, refused to listen to his pleas of desperation; it was the night she thought she'd lost him forever.

"Why does it have to be you? Why does it always have to be you?" She thought to herself.

She pulled him close holding on for dear life. He had made love to her in those brief moments as if the world were coming to an end…and for her, perhaps it was.