St. Peters Hospital – Morning

It had been a rough night, but the doctors managed to save Derek's life again. Doctors Alvarez and Parker had stayed close throughout the night just in case something else happened. The fact that their patient had made it through the night gave them hope.

Penelope slowly opened her eyes officially ending a restless night filled with worry for Derek. If her test results were good, she hoped to be able to see him today. She had insisted the doctors not sugar-coat his condition and she knew that things were still uncertain. She couldn't imagine her life without the love of her life; if he couldn't fight then she would fight for him.

Derek could hear the machines and monitors beeping in the distance; he wanted to open his eyes, but he couldn't, not yet. He needed to tell Penelope that he was okay, that he wasn't leaving without a fight and that he was sorry for making her worry.

"Don't get comfortable, Derek."

"Pops?"

"Don't get comfortable, there's still a long way back."

"I'm trying, Pops, I'm trying."

"Try harder, son! Penelope and your son need you."

"Son, do you know something I don't know?"

"I always did." The older man chuckled.

"Yeah, you sure did."

He was so tired, but he wasn't ready to give up, he just hoped he had the strength to make it back home.

"How is he, doctor?"

Penelope looked anxiously at Dr. Alvarez as he entered her room. Fran had spent the night with Penelope, and she was now awake.

"Doctor?" Fran began.

Dr. Alvarez smiled at the two women and closed the door behind him.

"Well, he made it through the night and that's a good sign. It was rough early on but he's stable."

Both Fran and Penelope exhaled sighs of relief.

"Thank you!" They both said in unison.

"I have to warn you that we're not out of the woods yet. We need him to wake up and that's our next hurdle. He's on life support and if his vitals remain stable for the next twelve hours, then we'll try weening him off the ventilator."

Fran and Penelope struggled a bit to hold onto their optimism. Dr. Alvarez saw them wavering.

"Please, don't give up on him or us. This is one of the best hospitals for trauma injuries; we know what we're doing."

"Thank you doctor..." Penelope began.

"...For everything." Fran added.

"Well, you're welcome. My staff and I will keep you updated on his condition throughout the day."

"Can we see him?" Asked Penelope.

"Mrs. Morgan, I believe your OB doctor will be in shortly and I'm sure she will okay you to be discharged. Afterwards, you all can see him, okay?"

"Thank you!"

Dr. Alvarez nodded and headed out of the room. Fran hugged her daughter-in-law and the two shared a quiet moment of gratitude together. Two hours later, Penelope was officially discharged with orders to take it easy for the next few weeks so that her injuries could heal. She was also warned to stay as stress-free as possible to protect her baby, which would be easier said than done given the fact that Derek was still in critical condition.

JJ had arrived with fresh clothes and to hopefully convince Fran to go back to the cabin to rest. The older woman agreed reluctantly but warned them all that she would be back in a few hours with a proper meal for them all. With at least one person still to be apprehended, Dave had arranged for his wife as well as Penelope and Derek to be protected at all times.

"Are you ready to get out of here Garcie?" JJ asked.

"I am more than ready, Blondie. The doctor said that Derek had a rough night and I really need to see him."

"Well, let's go. He's still in SICU but it's already been cleared for you stay with him for as long as you want."

"Good because I'm not leaving his side until he walks out of this hospital!"

"You know what the doctor said..."

"I know, and I'm not going to risk my pregnancy, but Derek needs me and I'm not going to let him down."

"Garcia, Derek would want you to take care of yourself and the baby first, you know this."

JJ pulled her friend into a warm embrace and held her for a moment. JJ knew that Penelope was barely holding it together and she would need as much support as possible; she prayed that they wouldn't get a case out of town.

They could hear the monitors and the respirator from outside the room. Penelope renewed her grip on JJ's arm and inhaled before stepping inside. Derek was her hero; he'd saved her life in so many ways and too many times to count. He was the fearless knight riding into danger and busting down doors and saving the day. Her brain couldn't reconcile what she was seeing. The man lying in the bed hooked up to machines that were helping him to breathe was unrecognizable. As she approached the bed her faith in his survival wavered for a moment.

JJ saw her friend crumbling before her eyes as she looked down at the love of her life. She hid her own tears knowing that she had to be strong now for the strongest woman she had ever known.

"He's a fighter, Penelope."

Penelope wiped her tears away before gently touching his hand.

"Don't give up, okay Garcie; don't give up."

"Why did this happen to him, JJ? He doesn't deserve this!"

"No one deserves this, but you know Derek and he's not going to stop fighting until he can open his eyes and see you sitting next to his bed."

"I don't know JJ, look at him! He's so weak and he looks so small."

"I'm going to be here too and so will the others. You're not alone, do you hear me?"

Penelope was overcome with sadness and so all she could do was nod as her tears increased.

"I'm here Baby Girl! I'm coming, I'm trying. I didn't mean to make you worry. Just hold on okay...I'm coming."

JJ pulled a seat next to the bed for Penelope to sit down. After settling into the chair Penelope took his hand in hers.

"I need you Handsome. I need you to wake up and come back to us. I love you..." Then placing her free hand on her stomach. "We need you. We're here okay, Derek, we're here."