"Garcia, you're my God-given solace."
Penelope nearly passed out in relief when his exhausted voice came into her earpiece. "Derek Morgan, you're a pain in my ass."
"At least it's a cute ass."
She couldn't stop the tears that were now freely trailing down her cheeks. She could still hear the crackling sound of flames in the background of the call and desperately hoped Derek wasn't anywhere near them. He was safe. Her team—her family—was safe.
"You better get your ass back here so I can kill you myself for scaring me like that!" She chastised, shaking her finger at her screen despite him being unable to see it.
"Anything for you, mamacita."
She would've given anything to jump up from her temporary desk and rush to his GPS location, but as always, she was the one holding down home base. She had to stay and wade through the chaos, organize it into something manageable. She hated it. She really did. But she did it anyways. She didn't stray from her screen because she knew she'd break down the moment she's wasn't fully distracted and—
And a hand landed on her shoulder. She tore her eyes away from her setup as if in slow motion and span around in her chair, tilting her chin up. Derek Morgan stood above her, cradling his shoulder. His mouth curved into a grin, teeth flashing white against his soot-covered skin.
"Hey there, baby girl. Miss me?"
"Derek Morgan, you are a sight for sore eyes," Penelope gasped, chest heaving as if she could finally breath air after minutes underwater. A cry fell from her lips as she surged out of her chair and pulled him into her arms. Her fingers dug into his singed shirt, her face buried against his neck as he swept her off her feet and spun her around.
"You scared me," she murmured, hoping her words would be lost in the rapid beat of their hearts.
"I'm sorry, Penelope," he whispered into her hair, pressing his lips against the crown of her head.
"Agent Morgan?" A timid voice spoke up from behind them. "Paramedics want to clear you before they head out."
Penelope let out a huff and pushed against his chest to back away from him. "Derek!"
"What?" He laughed. "I had to see you first."
"Go- and- get- checked- for- injuries!" She scolded, emphasizing each word with a slap against his arm.
"Alright, woman, alright! I'm going," he chuckled as he headed out of the room.
Penelope sighed wistfully and in frustration. She turned around to see her tech partner of the last few days smirking up at her.
"So… I suppose this means he's taken?" She joked.
"I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about," Penelope replied, crossing her arms and going back to her seat.
(She did have a faint idea. It just wasn't the same that everyone else seemed to have.)
Penelope had been sharing a room with JJ, but Will and her had splurged on a separate room now that they were staying an extra day. Now alone, she couldn't help staring at the door that led to Derek. The hotel rooms had connecting doors to the ones on either side, something that on lighter case aftermaths would lead to some rowdy drinking games between the team.
Tonight though… she'd tossed and turned, the scar on her chest twinging – or at least that's what she said, and ignored that it was her heart. She tossed and turned for hours, the light bulb burning at the bedside table.
Only when she heard footsteps on the other side of the wall did she finally get out of bed, pull the top blanket around herself, and get up and knock the door separating her and Derek.
He opened the door with a perfectly raised brow—really, straight out of a Disney movie—and stepped slightly to the side to let her in. She didn't do that though. Instead, she stepped forward into him, wrapping her arms around his waist and molding into him. He curled around her in turn.
"You alright?" His voice was soft as velvet.
"When you didn't answer right after the explosion," she started, "I thought… I was so worried…"
"Shh, it's alright, we're all fine," he hummed, stroking her hair. "Reid's gonna be out of the bathroom any minute. Can I come in?"
"Yeah… yeah, JJ left." Penelope stumbled back like she was in a dream, but Derek's arm around her shoulders anchored her. She let him guide her to the bed which dipped when they sat side by side on it.
"When's the last time you slept, Pen?" He asked as she tipped her head against his arm. "You got dark circles under your eyes."
"Complete Casanova you are," she snorted. "There were only two of us able to man the surveillance system, and she was still new to it all. I wasn't about to let you all go in blind."
"Honey…"
"But it's alright!" She sniffled but still did her best to sound upbeat. "Like you said, we're all fine."
"Mhmm, but now you gotta sleep, Pen." He lifted her and pulled her backwards towards the pillows, and she went willingly. "We're leaving in the morning."
"Can you stay till then?" She mumbled, finally giving in to the way her eyes droop. Her fingers curled up where they rested against his chest.
"Of course. Anything for you, Pen."
When Spencer Reid pokes his head through the still-open door at the break of dawn, he can't help but smile at the sight of his two friends asleep together in the cream-colored hotel bed.
He also can't help but take pictures of them together as well. One never knew when blackmail material would be needed.
"So…" Hotchner broke the silence once Derek directed the black SUV onto 95 South. "You and Penelope last night?
It took all of Derek's training not to react and accidentally swerve and hit one of the Jersey barriers. "Excuse me?"
He could see Hotch's smirk out of the corner of his eye. "Profiler."
"Fuck off, Hotch." Derek's grip tightened on the steering wheel.
"I'm not criticizing you, Derek." He swore he could hear a laugh in the bastard's tone. "In fact, I think you two would be good together."
"Is that what you think?" He said it more as a statement than question.
"She's the heart of this team—"
"Yeah," Derek agreed. "Yeah she is."
"—so if you hurt her, they won't ever be able to find your body." A pause. "You know how often they dredge the Potomac?"
Derek finally laughed. "Not very often, I'd imagine." Another pause, this time hesitant. "Thanks for looking out for her, Hotch."
"I look out for my family," Hotch agreed firmly.
They continued to the state line in silence before Hotch once again broke the silence.
"Reid said he saw you two asleep together in the same bed—"
"I'm gonna strangle that green bean when I get my hands on him," Derek growled and pressed his foot down harder on the gas pedal.
Hotch chuckled.