Savior

Chapter 5

-xx-

Reaching over to the empty space in her bed caused Cate to sigh. She glanced at the clock and noticed it read 8:23am.

She threw her head back onto the pillow, knowing full well that Derek had left already for work.

How had he eased himself so easily into her life in just forty-eight hours? For a woman who had walls built up around herself, she let him in pretty quickly.

The history between them was daunting. He saw her at her most vulnerable, and apparently that did not change his mind in the slightest.

She just could not figure out why he would be so interested in her after everything in the past.

He saved her life. That was one thing she would never be able to thank him for. Because of Derek Morgan, she had another chance with her family and friends. She was able to further her career.

Because of Derek Morgan, she was alive today.

Was it fair to either one of them to have those weeks lingering in the back of their minds?

She had nightmares all the time. The scars on her back and stomach were evidence that she could never go back to the life she once lived.

However, over two nights with Derek in her bed, she never once had a nightmare. She never woke up in a cold sweat, panicking. She didn't cry until she vomited. His mere presence next to her was all she needed.

He was the calm in the midst of her storm.

Watching Derek hang out with her niece was the highlight of the weekend. Madison had a great sense of character, so when she warmed right up to Derek, Cate was amazed.

The sound of her cell phone ring broke her out of her reverie. Jackie.

"What?!" she answered, earning a laugh from the other end.

"Well good morning to you, too," Jackie quipped. "Long night?"

Cate scoffed. "Give me some credit, Jack."

Jackie laughed again at her younger sister. "Sorry! I expected some juicy details this morning! The man spent two nights at your place!"

The brunette rolled her eyes as she unplugged her cell phone and placed the call on speaker phone. She stretched as she stood from her bed. "I think I found one of the only gentlemen in the world."

She could sense her sister's smile on the other end. "Well good. I don't like just anyone being around my kid."

"Do you really think I'd do that to Maddy?" Cate sauntered out of the bedroom and down the hall towards the kitchen. If she was being honest, she was a bit sad to not see Derek sitting at the kitchen island. "Is this all too quick?" she asked her sister.

Knowing Jackie, she was shrugging. "Who am I to say anything? Steve and I have been together since high school," she replied. "I live vicariously through you."

Cate laughed. "It's time to raise your standards, sis. I'm not the party girl I was in college. You don't want to live my life."

Her sister's sigh made her roll her eyes. As she walked into the kitchen, she noticed a hand written note propped up on the vase of roses Derek gave her. The smile taking over her face was proof that he could still get to her even when he wasn't in the room.

You looked so peaceful sleeping that I didn't want to wake you.

Call me when you wake.

xo Derek

"Are you hearing anything I say?"

Cate stifled a laugh, "Um, no?"

Jackie scoffed. "Never mind. What did Mr. Perfect do that has you all flustered?"

The brunette rolled her eyes. Her sister knew her so well. "Why is it so damn attractive that he stopped to leave me a note on his way out this morning?"

The laughter through the phone startled Cate. "Ah, young love," her sister cooed.

"Shut up," Cate replied. "I'm allowed to feel good every once in a while, you know."

"Well, if he makes you happy, I'm happy." It sounded so sappy coming from her sister. "Is it weird though?"

Cate knew exactly what her sister was referring to. She took a deep breath before attempting a reply. "Some times," she replied honestly. "We went out to dinner and I got hit with the worst flashback."

Jackie's voice softened. "I'm sorry, sis."

The brunette pursed her lips. "It was so out of the blue," she continued. "He holds my hand and I feel so," she paused, "safe. And then I randomly thought back to that apartment." Her words became staggered, "he held my wound, Jack," the growing lump in her throat caught her off guard. "He kept me alive."

There were tears threatening to fall, but she blinked them back. Jackie knew enough to not interrupt.

"But I haven't had a nightmare in two nights." She sniffled, "I think just his mere presence is enough to keep those at bay." Cate set up the coffee pot and pulled a mug from the cabinet. "Is that bad? I feel like I'm using him to protect me."

"He's not a bad protector, C," her sister replied. "You definitely could have done worse."

Jackie knew the joke would bring a smile to her younger sister's face. "Definitely a win in the looks column," she agreed. "Why would someone who looks like that," she emphasized, "be interested in me?"

"Because he didn't meet your older sister first?" It was working – jokes usually helped keep Cate's mind away from her attack. Jackie was one of the only ones who could pull her back from the edge. When Cate laughed, she continued, "The good thing for him is we look so alike."

Cate giggled, "whatever you say, J."

"You good?" her sister asked. When she got a 'yeah' reply she continued, "Good. Because my Boss was expecting these reports twenty minutes ago. I'll talk to you later."

"Sounds good. Love you."

Cate hung up the phone and found herself staring at the note.

Not wanting to interrupt him at work, she typed a quick text to him.

Good morning. Missed you for coffee this AM. Xo

When she pressed send, she busied herself preparing her coffee and checking her email.

Within an hour, she was so busy doing prep work and sending paperwork into the office, Cate jolted when her phone rang.

The goofy face staring back at her brought a smile to her face.

-xx-

"I will let you know when I am on my way from the office and we can grab some dinner."

Jennifer Jareau started towards Derek's desk when she saw him talking on his cell phone. As he hung up the phone, he turned in her direction, a bright smile crossing his face. "I wouldn't be planning dinner just yet."

Derek's face dropped as they looked toward Aaron Hotcher's office. Hotch stood inside in deep conversation with Rossi and Emily Prentiss. "That does not look good," he muttered.

"Who was that on the phone?" The blonde asked, leaning against Derek's phone. When an eyebrow rose in her direction, she put her hands up. "It's not everyday someone makes Thee Derek Morgan smile like that," she offered. "This woman must be special."

You have no idea, he thought. "She is," he replied. Derek fought with himself but knew JJ would always steer him in the right direction. "Do you remember the case a few years ago? Dennis Stone killed three real estate agents in the metro area?"

JJ took a moment to remember back. "Ah, yeah, I think so." She pursed her lips, "we caught him just as he was about to attack again."

"He did attack again, JJ," he blurted out. Derek put his hand up and shook his head. "I'm sorry." He pushed back from his desk. "Catherine Johnson." He pointed to his phone, "I ran into her on Friday night at Sully's."

JJ nodded. "I remember her. You were smitten then," she began. She noted the look on Derek's face and paused. "How is she?"

"Jayje," he started, knowing he could trust one of his best friends. "I spent the weekend with her."

The blonde's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Wow. That's big for you!" she exclaimed.

Derek rolled his eyes. "It's crazy, JJ. I knew there was something about her then, but I let her walk away because she was a victim."

JJ placed her hands on her hips. "And she came back into your life. You don't think that's a coincidence?"

He shrugged. "I'm not complaining. That's for sure." Derek smiled. "There's something about her, Jayje. I just can't stay away."

She smiled, but was interrupted by Hotch's office door opening. "Let's hope you don't have to break off your dinner plans."

Derek nodded and stood from his desk. He followed JJ to the War Room, not feeling very optimistic.

-xx-

"Yeah, I get it," Cate answered into the phone. She feigned a smile to not sound disappointed. "I'll take a rain check."

She could picture the smirk on his face, "any where you want, doll." She could hear him mumble something on the other end of the phone. "I've got to go. We're about to hop in the jet."

Cate nodded, knowing he couldn't see her. "Be safe, okay?" It sounded like she was begging, and it broke Derek's heart.

"I'll be home to you soon."

"I'm going to hold you to that."

-xx-

I try to not post a chapter until the next is ready to go. My house has been hit by that awful flu bug all week, so writing was put on the back burner. Here's hoping it's a one illness winter!