"Two victims; one male and one female…multiple gunshot wounds…the female victim is critical, and the paramedics aren't sure if she'll make it to the hospital. The male victim is awake and combative, and we believe him to be the shooter; possible murder/suicide…"

The distant voice of a faceless officer echoed and bounced off the hotel walls, serving as the soundtrack of a real-time horror movie. A movie where the characters never see it coming and never live to tell what really happened.

Hotch, Dave, JJ and Reid ran through the lobby door straight to the manager and the lead local on the case, Det. Corey Masters, who were waiting for their arrival. The looks on the men's eyes told the team that things were bad; very bad.

"Detective, I'm Agent Hotchner; these are agents Rossi, Jarreau and Dr. Spencer Reid."

"This is Herman Jones, hotel manager."

"What the hell happened?" Hotch asked.

Just as the manager was about to explain several paramedics stepped out of the elevator pulling a gurney with them.

"It's Morgan!" Reid began. "I'll go to the hospital with them."

"Good, we'll stay and get the details and meet you there later."

Hotch, Rossi and JJ stepped onto the elevator along with the detective and the hotel manager and rode to the Penthouse; without a word the three stepped into the room that was still occupied by a team of crime scene investigators. The bloody scene stopped them in their tracks.

"Hotch, look at this place!"

"Focus, JJ. It's hard but we've got to stay focused or we won't be able to help either one of them."

"The police think Morgan shot Garcia then turned the gun on himself." She continued.

"Yeah, well we know that couldn't be right." Hotch added.

"Who would do this? They just got married for god's sake." Dave wondered. "How do I tell Fran…"

"The housekeeping staff found them this morning. The woman was unconscious on the bed and the man was lying on the floor unconscious with a gun in his hand."

Detective Corey Masters had followed the agents into the room giving them enough distance so as not to intrude. He couldn't imagine what they must be going through.

"Did agent Morgan say anything when he came to? Dave asked.

"He just kept saying that he was sorry."

"Sorry; sorry for what?"

"For shooting his wife, I guess. Remorse, second thoughts for trying to kill her?" The detective responded.

"Agent Morgan did not shoot his wife; he couldn't!" Hotch insisted.

"Look agent, I know this is hard, but it's pretty cut and dry. No signs of forced entry, no signs of a struggle and I'm sure once we get a report from our forensics team your man will have powder stains all over him."

Dave stepped between Hotch and the detective; he wasn't thinking clearly, none of them were. After all, Derek and Penelope had just gotten married, had finally admitted their love, and sealed it with an amazing celebration…he wouldn't do this…he wouldn't do this!

"Hotch, let's go to the hospital, please!" Dave began pulling Hotch out of the room. "Oh, and detective, I'm sure you'll keep us informed of your investigation, won't you?"

"Of course, of course agent."

Detective Masters watched as the three agents rushed from the room towards the elevators.

Potomac General –

Hotch, Dave, and JJ rushed through the Emergency Room doors and met Reid standing near the nurse's station. His eyes lit up as they approached; waiting had never been one of his strengths. The three saw the panic in the younger agent's face and any hope that they had been clinging to, suddenly disappeared.

"Reid?" Hotch began.

"Garcia is in surgery; it doesn't look good." Reid exhaled.

"What about Morgan?" Dave asked before Reid could continue.

"He's being examined now. The doctors had to sedate him so that they could treat him."

Hotch ran his hands across his face; he had no idea where to begin to make any of this make sense. Things looked bad and there were so many unanswered questions. They needed answers and they needed them now. Unfortunately, the two team members with the answers were unable to tell them what happened.

"Okay, let's split up. JJ, and Reid you stick with Garcia. As soon as she's out of surgery, let us know. Dave and I will stick with Morgan; Dave will need to touch bases with Fran."

"She's already left me three messages." Said Dave mournfully.

Morgan's room –

Dave and Hotch stood outside of Derek's room as the medical staff worked getting him settled. He was awake but staring quietly into space seemingly unaware of what was going on around him. The doctors had already informed them that his behavior had forced them to sedate him; most likely he would be asleep before the doctors and nurses were finished.

"Are you two here regarding Agent Morgan?"

A tall middle-aged man stepped into the hallway followed by two male nurses and one female who proceeded down the hall toward the nurses' station.

"Yes, we are." Hotch answered showing his badge; Dave did the same.

"I'm Dr. Emmanuel Perez, I'll be in charge of Agent Morgan's case while he's here."

"How is he?" Dave asked.

"Agent Morgan is very lucky. He suffered a gunshot wound to his right shoulder; we were able to remove it without any problem so he should make a full recovery. He also has a nasty bump on his head; I'm assuming he may have fallen and hit his head on something, a table maybe."

"Did he say anything that can tell us how this happened?" Hotch asked.

"He just kept mumbling and asking for a, Penelope."

"His wife, they were married yesterday." Dave added.

"He kept saying something else too."

"What was it?" Hotch asked.

"He kept saying, it's all my fault, it's all my fault, please forgive me."

Dave and Hotch exchanged troubled glances.

"Can we see him?" Dave asked.

"Sure, but he's pretty heavily sedated so he won't be awake for too much longer."

"Thanks, doctor." Said Hotch.

"If you need anything, please, don't hesitate to let me know."

Derek heard the two men enter the room. His eyes struggled to open but the medication he had been given was much stronger than he was. All he could do was lay there, trapped in his body and his mind. He was sorry for what had happened; sorry because he didn't see it coming...sorry for not being able to stop it.

"Please don't..."

The familiar face pushed his way into the room without much resistance from Morgan. He couldn't remember ever being this happy and deep in the back of his mind, he knew it would end. Raphael had found him he'd followed him from hell and here he was ready to take everything and everyone from him.

Raphael took great joy in the man's torment the fear drove him to make his pain linger a while before ending his life. He'd already nearly destroyed Derek Morgan and now the US government had given him another chance to finish his work.

Derek saw the gun and the wicked smile; he hated both. He wasn't going to obey...he wasn't going to obey, no matter what. He had to protect Penelope, she was innocent and didn't deserve to be pulled into his nightmare

...but then he looked down and the gun was now in his hand...and the blood...so much blood...his blood...and...hers.

"NO!" He screamed.

Dave and Hotch watched Derek's eyes slowly opening while he fought in vain against the medication. The two rushed to the bed, one on each side.

"Derek! Derek, it's me Dave and Hotch!"

"Pen...Pen..."

"She's in surgery..." Hotch began. "What happened? Who did this?"

"I'm sorry, sorry...Penelope...tell her I didn't want to..."

Then he was still, his eyes closed and his mind tormented while the horror and blackness wrapped him tightly in its arms. Hotch and Dave stood shocked not wanting to believe that Derek would hurt Penelope, not today...not ever...