St. Peters Hospital – 1 Week later – Morning –

The doctors were concerned and so was Penelope and the others. Derek was still unconscious, and he was showing no signs of waking up. Fran, Sarah, and Desiree had been with Penelope at his bedside around the clock. All of them were wondering if they were losing him but none of them dared speak it out loud.

Dr. Alvarez entered the room. He had little hope, but he'd seen miracles before that defied his medical training; he prayed for one now.

"Good morning." He began.

The four women turned and looked briefly at the doctor, then back at Derek.

"How'd he do last night?"

"No change, doctor." Penelope answered.

"I'm glad I've caught you all here this morning because we need to talk."

BAU Headquarters –

"We have a case." Hotch began.

"But, what about Derek? We can't leave while he's in the hospital!" Reid protested.

"The bureau wants us back on the job. They've given us a week and they are not willing to give us any more time off."

"What about the other teams?" JJ asked.

"There are no other teams available. We must go."

Hotch began passing files around the table while pictures of victims and crime scenes illuminated the board. It was back to business as if nothing had happened, but none of them wanted to go. They knew that having a week off had been unusual, but it still didn't make any of them feel better in leaving now.

Dave was unusually quiet. Leaving Fran and the girls now felt like abandonment. He knew they would take it hard and so he secretly vowed to do whatever was necessary to solve this case and solve it fast.

"The bodies of two middle-aged men have been found in alleys just outside of Benbow's Diner in Dallas, Texas..." Hotch began.

St. Peter's Hospital –

"No, you can't take him off life support!" Penelope yelled.

"I'm just suggesting taking him off the ventilator to see if he can breathe on his own. His vitals are stable and I'm hoping he'll wake up on his own. Otherwise..."

"Otherwise, what?" Fran asked.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Rossi but there's not much we can do but make him comfortable."

"You're giving up?" Sarah asked. "You mean to tell us that you're giving up on my brother?"

"No of course not, it's just that we've exhausted all our means to help him; it's up to him now."

"No, I can't accept this, I can't." Penelope cried.

Fran had been a nurse for almost thirty years, and she knew this was the news that no doctor ever wanted to deliver to a family. She never wanted to be on this side of the conversation, not with one of her children or anyone else she cared for. Then, mustering all her strength, Fran stood, looking at her son then back at the doctor.

"My son is a fighter. Do what you need to do, doctor. We're not giving up and my son isn't giving up either!"

Penelope and the others were ushered out of the room. Shortly afterwards, Fran received a call from Dave; she had a bad feeling that she already knew what he wanted to tell her.

"You have a case don't you." Fran began.

"Yes Bella, we have a case. Hotch tried to get out of it, but the director denied his request."

"Dave."

"I know, I know..."

"The doctors are taking Derek off the ventilator. He says there's nothing more they can do for him."

"So, what does that mean?"

"Hopefully, Derek will wake up on his own, otherwise..."

Fran didn't want to think about the, otherwise. So, she just held her phone to her ear and inhaled.

"Don't give up, you know how strong your son is. We're going to Dallas, but I promise, we'll be back as soon as we can."

"Just be safe, okay."

"Always."

Fran slid her phone back into her purse and rejoined the others. Penelope and her daughters saw the tears in her eyes.

"What's wrong, Ma?" Sarah asked.

"Dave and the team are headed to Dallas on a case."

"Well, it was only a matter of time." Penelope whispered.

"We're here for Derek and for each other and for now that will have to do." Desiree added.

Two days passed with the team still in Dallas and no change in Derek's condition. Penelope had convinced Fran and the girls to go home to rest and shower and she would do the same when they returned. Realistically, she knew that the longer her husband remained in a coma, the less likely he'd wake up. The doctors had continued to caution her, and she listened but still, she wasn't ready to give up on him just yet. It was early dawn, and she hadn't slept much, so she stood up to stretch and walk around. She expected Fran and the girls to return in a few hours and secretly she knew that she needed a break from the small room.

"Penelope."

Surprised, Penelope turned toward the raspy sounding voice. She couldn't believe it.

"Derek!"

She rushed to the bed. His eyes struggled to stay open as he watched her approach taking the seat that had become her new home.

"Oh my god, you're awake! Thank God!"

"Baby..."

"Don't talk, I'm going to call for the nurse."

Derek nodded as he looked around the unfamiliar room. He felt as if he'd fought a war; he wasn't sure if he'd won or lost. It was hard to move or to make sense of anything.

Penelope pressed the call button and then rushed out of the room toward the nurses' station. Shortly, both a nurse and Penelope returned.

"Welcome back, Mr. Morgan. The doctor will be here shortly. How are you feeling?"

Penelope gently took his hand in hers and waited.

"What happened?"

Then he remembered everything, the accident, the kidnapping, and beatings. He'd survived another ghost from his past. He wondered when they would stop coming.

"You've been through quite an ordeal." Came a voice from behind them.

Dr. Alvarez stepped into the room with a smile of relief on his face.

"You had us worried. I was wondering if you were going to ruin my winning streak." The doctor joked.

"Cody, Cody Madden..." Derek uttered

"The team found him dead next to you." Penelope answered.

Derek shook his head, yes and then closed his eyes for a moment.

"I want you to rest; as little talking as possible. Everything will make sense as time goes by."

Derek shook his head again.

"How about I ask your wife to step out for a few minutes while we examine you."

Penelope leaned down and kissed him lightly on the lips and released his hand.

"I'll be right outside, okay Handsome?"

"Okay."

Penelope watched as the doctor examined Derek. She quickly called Fran and the girls letting them know that Derek was awake. Fran in turn, called Dave and gave him the good news.