AN: I don't think I'll ever stop shipping Morgan and Garcia... oops. WARNING: Slight spoilers ahead for the episode Lockdown (10x16). I watched this episode the other day and it got me thinking about what may happen after Derek gets back to Virginia. Hope you enjoy! :)

"You ready to get the hell out of here?" Derek asked as he came to stand beside Kate.

"Am I ever?" She said more than she asked.

The team had had a pretty rough day, their interrogations at the prison had taken a turn when the unsub, the officer who was head of security, realized someone was ratting him out. Derek and Kate had been held hostage by a group of inmates. They both had tried to fight off the violent group but were not successful. The guard they were interviewing had been stabbed and the two agents were a bit worse for wear.

The flight home was pretty quiet, as it was in most cases. However the severity of the day made it a little more loaded than it usually was. After all these years the team was a family. The fact that they were so close to losing two of their own really weighted heavily on all of them. Hotch, Jennifer, and Kate couldn't get home to their families soon enough. Reid couldn't wait to call his mom, even if she may not know who was calling. Rossi was looking forward to a glass of scotch and thought he may even call his daughter. Derek wanted to, well he wanted to shower and then go to sleep for a very long time. Maybe he would call his mom quickly just to check in but he didn't want her to worry.

Hotch had called Penelope just before they boarded the plane. He gave her the spark note version of events knowing that she would worry about them if she knew everything that had occurred or the severity of the situation. Nonetheless he heard the panic in her voice.

"Is everyone okay?" she asked him not even really trying to sound calm. She knew there was always more to the story. They tried to protect her from the worst things but she always knew.

"Thankfully yes. Swat got there just in time and the guard is expected to make a full recovery." He told her hoping that would put her at ease a bit.

"Good, that's good. What about Kate and Derek?" she asked feeling apprehensive.

"They'll be fine, the medic cleared them. We're boarding now, we'll see you in a bit."

"Safe travels sir."

Normally the team arrived back at Quantico after their cases to file case reports but occasionally, after a really tough case or being taken hostage, they went straight home. They all did head back to the office but only to get their cars. The only people who went up to their offices were Aaron and Derek. He wasn't going to but he knew he needed to let Penelope he was alright. The prison didn't have reception which had driven her a little crazy with anxiety. He went to his office and set his things down and then called his mom.

"Hey Ma, how's it going?" he asked when his mother answered. He did his best to sound normal.

"Hi baby, I'm good how are you?" she asked happily.

"I'm good, just wanted to call and say hi." He told her truthfully.

They chatted for a few minutes, or more he listened to her go on about the new happenings at her job. He was thankful that he didn't have to say much and could just listen. Just hearing her voice and how happy she was comforted him a bit.

"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked him, obviously picking up his mood.

"I'm okay. I have to go but I love you, mom."

He heard her softly sigh. "I love you too, take care of yourself baby."

He told her he would and hung up. He had left his door open; mostly everybody had already gone home. He saw Penelope walk past in a hurry; he got up to go after her but seconds later she practically ran into the room.

"Chocolate Thunder! I've been so worried!" She exclaimed as she put her bags down and rounded his desk to stand right next to him. "Next time there's a case in a prison I'm coming with because this whole not being able to call you guys is pants. Are you okay? Of course you're not okay! Look at you! Oh, your head. I can't believe they didn't-"

"Baby, slow your roll I'm fine." He said putting his hands up. "Just some minor bumps and bruises." As he held up his hands she noticed his wrists where the inmates had cuffed him. They were already starting to bruise. She took both his hands in hers and looked at his wrists for a moment then back at him, her eyes wide. "I'm fine." He assured her.

"You're lying." She said simply.

"What?" he asked confused.

"No one fights with a group of escaped inmates then gets held hostage and 'is fine'. Not even Derek Morgan." She said as her hand came to her hip, her expression daring him to say otherwise.

He didn't know exactly why but that made him smile. Maybe it's because she wasn't afraid to call him on his bull. "You're right, but I will be fine. I just need a hot shower and some sleep."

She studied him for a minute, trying to decipher if he was putting up a front or not. Then she nodded. "Okay, and make sure you eat something too." She told him knowing that he probably hadn't eaten all day.

"Yes ma'am!" he said with a nod and a mock serious expression before his dazzling smile returned.

She retrieved her bags, Derek offered to carry them but she wouldn't let him, and they walked to the garage arm in arm.

"Seriously Derek… eat, shower, sleep." She reminded him as she got in her car.

He shut the door for her and leaned down into the window. "I promise. Now stop fussing over me, I'm okay."

"It's not fuss, it's worry. They're completely different." She started up her car. "Goodnight Handsome."

He shook his head with a smile. "Goodnight Baby Girl." He said back as he stood and stepped away as she started to back out.

She suddenly stopped and looked over at him. "Let me know if you need anything okay?"

He nodded, still smiling. "I will."

Penelope went home and had planned to eat something quickly then go to bed early…ish. Instead she changed into her pajamas, reheated some leftovers and accidentally watched too many episodes of Doctor Who. She wasn't very tired anyway. She did her best not to worry too much about Derek but it was hard. She worried about Kate too but knew that she had a solid support system at home. Derek was alone, he liked it that way, but sometimes you needed support. So she would do her best to support him but not push. He had texted her about an hour after she got home.

That shower helped… now no more worrying ;p heading to bed see you tomorrow

Sweet dreams love 3

During her fourth episode she started dozing off a bit. She didn't realize she had until she was startled awake by a knock on her door. She paused the TV and shuffled to the door, confused at who would be there this late. It was just past midnight. She opened the door and was surprised to see Derek.

"I hope I didn't wake you up." He said with a guilty expression.

"No, I was just…" she yawned "watching tv. Come in!" she said as she opened the door more and stepped aside. He stepped past her and into her apartment. He had on sweats and a t-shirt, his hands in his pockets. His normal tough guy swagger more reserved. "Couldn't sleep?" she asked hoping to break the ice a bit, she could tell he was feeling reticent.

He sighed and then turned to look at her. "Not at all. I thought maybe I could drive around and clear my head for a bit. Then I ended up here." He told her honestly. He hadn't intended to go to her house but the more he drove the more he felt like he wanted to see her.

"Did you eat?" she asked and gave him a look to let him know she already knew the answer.

"A little." He said with a shrug and a sheepish grin.

She playfully rolled her eyes at him. "Well good thing you came then because I have too many leftovers I'm not going to finish." She nodded to the couch. "Sit down I'll heat up something." She turned to go into the kitchen but he took her hand in his. She turned back and looked at their hands and then up at him. He smiled softly and squeezed her hand. She could tell by his eyes that his walls were down. He was hurting and him coming here was his way of reaching out. She squeezed his hand back, grinned and winked at him. He gently dropped her hand and went to the couch, she went to the kitchen.

Less than two minutes later she came back with a steaming mug of tea. "Here, drink this."

He took it carefully, it was pretty full. "What is it?" He asked as he brought it to his lips to blow on it and the scent of it rose into his nostrils. "It's very… floral."

"It's tea, lavender and chamomile." He pulled a face. "Just try it. The lavender is to help you relax and the chamomile will help you sleep." She told him.

"Whatever you say doc." He said as he took a sip. She went back to heating up food and returned shortly with a plate of veggie lasagna and bread that she had made earlier in the week. She handed it to him and then sat down next to him.

She hadn't turned the TV back on yet so it was quiet as he ate. "This is really good P!" He said after a few bites. He hadn't realized how hungry he had been until he started eating.

"Thanks." Again it got quiet. "Do you wanna talk about it?" she asked him gently.

She shook his head. "No."

"Okay, wanna watch TV?" she asked. He just nodded his answer because his mouth was full. She decided to put on something else. She could sit and watch Doctor Who all day with Spencer but it wasn't Derek's favorite. She turned on Community. She knew he secretly liked it.

He quickly finished his food and set the plate down on the coffee table. He leaned back but she could tell he was still thinking about what happened earlier. He was fidgeting and was too quiet. When they watched movies or shows it was rare that they didn't make at least some comments here or there. His leg was bouncing and had been for the last few minutes. He also had a zoned out look in his eyes. She reached over and put her hand on his knee.

He quickly snapped from wherever he was. "Sorry, I didn't even realize." He said quietly. She looked over at him and saw that he looked so tired and worn out.

"Come here" she said as she opened her arms to him. He leaned over a bit and let her arms envelop him. He took the deepest breath he had all day, finally feeling comfortable enough to do so. He rested his head on her shoulder and held her tightly. One of her hands was tenderly rubbing his back, doing her best to comfort him without words. Normally he would put up a wall, say that he didn't need to be comforted but tonight he didn't have the energy to pretend. He appreciated that he could come to her and she would understand.

"I could have died today." He said quietly and suddenly. He obviously knew that earlier but it full hit him in that moment.

He heard her inhale sharply and then slowly exhale. "I know." She whispered, giving him a gentle squeeze. He leaned back to look at her, she looked tired and like she was doing her best to hold back the tears that had appeared in her eyes. "But you didn't. You're right here and you're okay." She did her best to smile.

He nodded. "I'm okay. I love you baby girl."

She actually smiled this time. "I love you too hot stuff."

She sat back and as she did he moved one of her throw pillows to her lap and laid his head down. Her hand instinctually went to his chest, he put his hand on top of hers. They sat like that watching the rest of the episode on television. Derek finally felt sleepy and content, he still had some processing to do but just being here in this moment knowing he was safe and loved was all he needed. Penelope was glad he had showed up when he needed to, and she was glad she could be there to help any way she could. The weight of the day was lifted just slightly for the both of them and soon they were fast asleep.