Derek felt Armando's warm blood splatter against his face. The older man's look of horror just before he began his journey into death's dark alley was one that Derek would never forget. The man had delayed killing Derek to gloat and torment him one last time and that had been his undoing. Armando Villarreal was dead, and Derek, covered in blood was still alive and breathing. He whispered a prayer of thanks as he shot a quick glance toward the ceiling.

"DEREK!"

JJ's voice rang out from behind him; he wasn't able to speak just yet. Footsteps and the smell of gunpowder and death impregnated the air of the dingy warehouse. Derek fought to free his hands all he could imagine in that moment was freedom and Penelope. He needed her to know now that he was okay.

"Derek!"

"I'm okay, I'm okay." He uttered breathlessly.

Reid frantically freed his hands then his feet and helped him to stand. Derek wanted to hug his little brother, he wanted to hug them all. He was shocked that the plan had actually work although he'd never share that doubt with any of them.

"Penelope…"

"She's fine, she's at the police station." Reid assured him.

"Penelope, somebody needs to tell her it's over, please…"

"We'll call her, okay Morgan? We'll call her."

Derek nodded his head and struggled against his wobbly knees; he needed to be strong, to walk out of there under his own power. He wasn't sure why that was important because he had won, he'd beaten the monster that had terrorized and conspired against him. Derek allowed himself to be led toward the others taking one last look back just to make sure that Armando was really dead.

"He can't hurt you anymore." Reid assured. "He can't hurt anyone anymore."

Home of Derek Morgan – Two weeks later –

"How's Garcia?"

"She hasn't let me out of her sight since we've been back."

"Can you blame her?"

"No, no I guess not. Hotch I'm worried about her. It's like she doesn't believe it's over."

"She needs you to tell her it's over, Morgan."

"I have, a thousand times but she's stuck. I was so consumed with what Savannah and that man did to me; I never considered that I wasn't the only person that got hurt. She was hurt too!"

"So, what are you going to do about it?"

"I've got something in mind. In fact, that's why I've invited everyone over today."

Hotch smiled knowingly and thought that it was about damn time, about damn time indeed.

Derek had invited both of his families over to spend the day with him and Penelope. It had been a while since they had all gathered together for happy reasons. His mother and Dave had offered to host the gathering at the mansion, but Derek had something up his sleeve and he wanted it done on his own turf. JJ and Hotch had brought their sons and even though it wasn't a mansion there was plenty of room for everyone. Derek manned the grill with lots of input from the other men, while the women assisted Penelope in the kitchen. Fran eventually took over and a great feast was in the making. Derek had rented a large jumpy castle for the boys which seemed to have lured nearly a dozen neighborhood kids into the gathering as well.

The weather was perfect and so the group had made themselves comfortable around the picnic tables that Derek had arranged family style; one table was covered with food while two other tables nearby were set for guests to eat and talk. The neighborhood kids stayed, and it was just fine with Derek and Penelope. In fact, their parents who had become friends also joined in on the festivities bringing food and drinks with them. All in all, what started out as a small family gathering blossomed to nearly fifty people.

As the day morphed into evening the party shifted into high gear threatening to last into the morning. The backyard was now illuminated with strings and strings of well-placed lights and music from Derek and Pen's favorite playlist filled the air. Derek pulled Penelope onto the makeshift dance floor that he had installed earlier in the week and the other couples followed suit. It was a magical night with the stars and the moon shining overhead.

As the last song ended the dance floor slowly emptied. Derek held Penelope in place; she looked him in the eyes puzzled not sure what was going on. Then the sweetest melody broke the silence. The tune was familiar, one she hadn't heard in years. Slowly Derek pulled her close and began rocking them from side to side.

"Each day through my window I watch her as she passes by. I say to myself you're such a lucky guy, to have a girl like her is truly a dream come true. Out of all the fellows in the world she belongs to me…"

"Wow handsome, I didn't know you could sing! After all of these years, there are still things I don't know about you." She whispered in his ear.

Derek placed his finger lightly on her lips silencing her.

"But it was just my imagination, once again runnin' away with me. It was just my imagination runnin' away with me.

"Oh sugah, it's not your imagination, I'm all yours!"

"Shush woman, I got something to say." He joked.

"Excuuuse me!"

"Soon we'll be married and raise a family—oh yeah! A cozy little house out in the country, with two children, maybe three. I tell you I can visualize it all. This couldn't be a dream for too real it all seems."

Penelope was overcome, she tried so hard to hold back the tears but at last she could not. Derek pulled away slightly and gently wiped the tears from her face. Their guests watched intently at the couple as faint oohs and ahhs were heard from the onlookers. Derek pulled her close against him and continued his serenade.

"But it was just my imagination once again runnin' away with me. Tell you it was just my imagination runnin' away with me."

Derek suddenly stopped singing and pulled away from her taking her hands in his. Penelope's heart rate was through the roof; she still couldn't believe that he had such an amazing voice. Then Derek spoke from his heart.

"Penelope, every night on my knees I pray, dear Lord hear my plea; don't ever let another take her love from me or I would surely die."

"My god, Derek…"

"Penelope, for so many years I've loved you. Baby Girl, for so long I've been your man, your husband, the father of your children. We lived in this house that I built with my own two hands and nothing and no one could hurt us or our babies, but there was just one thing wrong."

"What Handsome?"

"It was just my imagination. I was too afraid to make it real so I let so much time go by, spent myself on meaningless relationships that I knew couldn't make me happy."

Then Derek slowly dropped to his knee while pulling a black velvet box from his pocket. Penelope gasped in shock.

"Penelope Marie Garcia, I don't want you to be just a part of my imagination anymore and I don't want to die knowing that I'd lost you to someone else. So, if you'll have me, will you, Baby Girl be my wife?"

"Yes, Yes, Yes, I'll be your wife!"

Penelope pulled the teary-eyed man to his feet and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. Everyone who had been holding their collective breaths suddenly erupted in joyous cheers and screams. Derek was so happy, he felt lighter and with reckless abandon he kissed his soon-to-be bride. The couple became engulfed in a sea of friends and family who had waited for this moment for far too many years. Both Penelope and Derek were delirious with happiness. They had endured so much; any number of things should have ended them but here they were standing against all odds ready and willing to begin their lives together as man and wife.

Home of Dave and Fran Rossi – 6 Months later…The Wedding!

Fran and Dave had convinced the bride and groom to allow them to host the wedding. The mansion was beautiful; filled with fragrant floral arrangements in pink, violet and white. The back garden was decorated to the hilt with a white gazebo as the anchor for the entire celebration. Fran wisely hired the top catering company in the Washington D.C. area so that she could manage the event and make sure everything went off without a hitch. The guest list included all of their close friends and family with no detail left undone.

Penelope examined herself in the full-length mirror. The long lace off-white vintage dress fit her perfectly and played off her creamy complexion flawlessly. She'd chosen to use a bright ruby red lip as the only color on her face; she had to admit that she felt and looked absolutely amazing.

"Oh Garcia, you look beautiful!"

Garcia heard what sounded like a chorus. She smiled to see her friends and soon to be family entering the room.

JJ, Emily, Desiree and Sarah burst through the door and formed a semi-circle around her.

"Our brother is going to be speechless when he sees you!" said Sarah.

"Thank you! Thank you all!"

"So." Emily began. "Are you ready to become Mrs. Derek Morgan?"

"I've been ready for a long time but now it seems like only yesterday that we met."

Fran stepped into the room and was brought to tears at the sight of her future daughter-in-law. She'd always thought of her as one of her own but today it would become official and she was overjoyed. Everyone paused and turned to face the older woman as she approached. Penelope noticed the gray velvet box in her hands.

"Penelope, Sweetheart you look simply breathtaking! My son is a lucky man!"

"I'm the lucky one Fran."

"Well, I'm just glad you too finally decided to come to your senses."

The group of women laughed as Fran handed Penelope the box.

"This is a little something I've been saving, and I was hoping that if you haven't already gotten your something old, then…"

Penelope opened the box and saw a beautiful gold necklace. It was obviously an antique with a deep burgundy ruby pendant. The bride was stunned as her future mother-in-law stood waiting for her answer.

"Fran, this is simply beautiful! I don't know what to say; are you sure about this?"

"I'm sure. You are the person God sent to save my son's life! You love him for who he is, and you have challenged him to be a better person. Am I sure? Yes dear, I'm sure."

"Thank you, thank you so much. I would be honored to wear this necklace."

Fran carefully lifted the necklace from the box and put it around Penelope's neck. It was perfect, falling just below her collarbone.

"My grandmother gave me this on my wedding day. I can't think of anyone else I'd love to have it then you."

"Tissue, tissue…I'm about to ruin my makeup!"

The ladies again burst into laughter as JJ quickly began to dab her friend's face.

Derek paced the floor checking his watch for the umpteenth time. Beads of sweat burst onto his forehead. Dave, Hotch and Reid watched in amusement at their friend; they'd never seen him this way before.

"Calm down Derek, you're going to drive us all crazy!" Dave chided.

"You? What about me? Am I crazy? How in the world…better yet, why in the world would a woman like Penelope marry me? I mean she's beautiful, she's smart…she can have anybody she wants…"

"Let's face it Morgan, it's a mystery to us too, but look let's not question it…"

"Thanks, Hotch…"

Derek ignored the smirks and sarcasm from his friends and continued to pace back and forth and back and forth.

"Son, all kidding aside; Penelope knows exactly what she wants and it's you. Relax and enjoy this day. You two deserve each other; this kind of love only comes around once in a lifetime…this is your time."

Dave held his stepson in place with two firm hands one on each shoulder; Derek looked him in the eye and nodded. The other two flanked the groom on each side and smiled nodding in agreement.

"I just want to be the best husband for Penelope, she deserves that and more."

"You will be Morgan; you don't know how to be anything else."

"Thanks, Pretty Boy."

"Now, lets get you two married!" Hotch ordered.

Raphael entered the garden from the side gate blending in with several other guests and remaining unnoticed. He'd been summoned to Virginia by his new employer, the U.S. government and against his wishes he was ordered to attend the nuptials of Derek Morgan and Penelope Garcia. He loved weddings; it had been several years since he'd had the privilege of attending one, but this wedding had risks that he felt uncomfortable taking; nevertheless, he came. Now he stood and watched as the chairs filled up with friends and relatives. Raphael took great care to position himself so as not to be seen until he was ready to be seen.

Derek along with Reid, his best man and Hotch entered the garden and took their places in front of the gazebo. The Pastor nodded and smiled at the nervous groom. One by one the bridesmaids entered taking their time down the aisle and found their places across from the men. Each one, Emily, JJ and Derek's sisters looked amazing in shades of lavender and pink.

Suddenly, the music changed, and Derek's eyes found his bride at the top of the aisle on the arm of David Rossi. He was speechless, just like Sarah said he would be. He didn't even try to hold back his tears as she neared him. He stepped forward and met her at the end of the white runner and gently took her hand.

"Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"

"I do along with her family and friends." Dave answered.

Raphael smiled as he listened to the Pastor's words of instruction admonishing the happy couple to take seriously the act and the vows of marriage. He watched the bride and groom place the rings in the older man's hands. Raphael listened to the prayer for eternal union, patience, love and loyalty and a promise to a bond that could only be broken by death. It brought back so many memories of his own wedding and he watched as the couple was officially pronounced husband and wife.

Derek kissed his bride and she kissed him back. Penelope never believed she could be this happy. Derek was the man she had always dreamed of and he loved her with all of his being. He'd fought against everything including death just to be able to stand here today with her and declare his undying and unwavering love to her. She was grateful and she'd spend the rest of her life proving to him and God just how grateful she was.

Derek and Penelope walked hand in hand down the aisle smiling and nodding at their family and friends. The music and smiles of the others confirmed that today was a great day. Derek had never been this happy and for most of his life he'd believed that he could never deserve such happiness but somehow God had smiled on him and overlooked his failings to bless him with Penelope. He believed now that there really was a God.

The happy couple made it down the aisle to the opposite end of the runner and headed toward the reception space totally unaware of their uninvited guest. Raphael joined the others in smiles and moans of oohs and ahhs as he fingered the small electronic device in his pocket, finally giving it a slight push.

"Derek?"

A strange sensation hit Derek and he felt off kilter for a brief moment; then just as quickly it passed.

"Derek are you okay?"

"I'm good Baby Girl! I think I need to eat, that's all."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm more than sure. I'm fine, nothing is going to ruin this day, not even a queasy stomach."

"Good, because I have plans for you, Mr. Morgan." She smiled kissing him lightly on the lips.

Derek returned the kiss adding a little fire as if warning her of things to come.

"Ohhh, Handsome, keep that up and this reception will end early!"

"Promise?"

"I Promise!"

###

Note: Just My Imagination is a song performed and made famous by the Temptations. The song was written by, Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield.