Savior

Chapter 41

-xx-

Cate let out a sigh as she took one last look in the mirror in her sister's stylist station. She finisher her application of lip balm before putting the cover back on and tossing it inside her purse.

"Jackie," she called as she started to walk towards the front of the salon. Her sister stepped out of the office and met Cate at the front desk. "I'm headed to the airport."

The younger brunette gave her sister a nervous smile as she slipped her purse onto her forearm. "You'll be fine, Cate."

Cate nodded. "I'm just hoping Derek makes it to Chicago before me." She tapped her nails across the countertop anxiously. "It was quicker for him to drive there than it was to fly home with the team. I doubt he would have made our flight."

Jackie nodded as she straightened up some paperwork at the front desk. "You're going to be fine. They're going to love you." Jackie smiled in her sister's direction. "Make a good impression on your future in-laws."

Cate rolled her eyes and sighed at her sister. "At least you make me look good," Cate complimented as she retrieved her truck keys from her purse. "I'll let you know when I land in Chicago."

The older brunette nodded and walked around the side of the desk area. She wrapped her sister in a hug. "Have a few drinks before your flight," she said with a wink as Cate started towards the door.

"That may be the best advice you've ever given me," Cate replied with a grin as she stepped through the front door.

-xx-

I'll call a taxi. Tell Sarah not to worry.

Cate shuffled together everything she had taken out of her carry-on bag as they waited to depart the plane. Derek had texted her to let her know he was about an hour away from the city, and said his sister would be on her way to pick her up at the airport.

Inwardly, she was anxious about meeting his family without Derek by her side. Her nerves were getting the best of her as she zipped up her bag, keeping her phone out on the drop down table.

She's about five minutes away. By the time you get off of the plane, she'll be parked. I'll meet you at Mom's in about 45 minutes.

She rolled her eyes as she stood from her seat to stretch her legs. It wasn't the longest flight, but Cate would be the first to admit she was bored on the plane by herself. She brought her laptop so she could get some work done, but in the back of her mind, her anxiety about meeting his family got the best of her.

Love you xo

Cate typed the quick reply as she threw her duffle bag over her shoulder and started to follow the others off of the plane.

She busied herself with shooting a text to her sister and then one to her mom to let them both know that she arrived safely in Chicago. Cate took her time walking through the terminal, reading every sign on her way through the big airport.

Love you more. Sarah said she's waiting by the baggage claim.

Her palms suddenly started to sweat as she descended down the escalator in search of the baggage claim. Luckily, she was able to follow every one who just got off of the same plane as she did.

She made it to the claim area for her flight and watched as the luggage made its way around. She alternated watching for her suitcase and trying to find Sarah Morgan in the crowd of people.

As she pulled her suitcase off of the belt, and then grabbed Derek's – he asked her to grab the one he had packed before he left for the most recent case – she sighed as she tried to juggle both of them.

She cursed him under her breath as she tried her best to scoot around those still waiting with the two suitcases following behind her. Her eyes darted around the busy claim area to find Sarah.

With a shrug, Cate started towards the exit, knowing that she could text Derek to let him tell Sarah that she would be outside and not in the chaos that ensued inside.

When she stopped to readjust her carry-on bag on her shoulder, she found herself face to face with Derek Morgan. He had his arms crossed over his chest, and a smile across his face as he leant against a pole.

"I don't know if I should kiss you, or hit you," she stated as she stopped in front of him. She let go of both suitcases as they stood up behind her.

Derek grinned and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Did you really think I was going to let you fend for yourself with the women in my family?"

She rolled her eyes at his smile, but gave in when he pulled her in for a kiss. "I missed you," she muttered against his chest when they pulled apart. She was letting her heart rate settle from stressing out about getting everything out of the airport and then finding his sister.

He kissed the top of her head and pulled her close to him. "I missed you too, pretty girl."

As she backed away from him to grab their suitcases, she smacked him on the arm with a smile. "I was freaking out," she said with a sigh. "It's bad enough flying out here by myself but then not knowing that you're actually here stressed me out even more."

Derek chuckled. "I did hit quite some traffic coming in. I made the mistake of hitting Mom's first instead of coming straight here. Sarah's only about ten minutes away so she was on stand by."

Cate grinned as Derek easily grabbed both suitcases from her, leaving her with just her duffle bag. She readjusted it on her shoulder as she slid her sunglasses over her eyes. As she followed him out of the airport and towards the parking lot, she caught herself watching him walk; something about the jeans he only wore to work was so sexy. His work belt was different than any other belt he had as it was set to holster his gun – the same gun he had left with Hotch as the team travelled back to DC. He always wore darker jeans to work with either a Henley or a plain t-shirt.

Cate definitely was not complaining about the charcoal gray v-neck shirt he wore today. It was snugger than those he wore out of the office; they fit better under a bullet proof vest, she reminded herself.

Derek unlocked the rental car and slid both of their suitcases in the back seat. Cate tossed her duffle bag in on top of her suitcase. "Want to go to the long way back to Ma's?"

She caught his smile and grinned. "Are you going to show me all the places Little Derek Morgan caused trouble when he was younger?"

He beamed. "Yeah, something like that." She nodded as he revved up the engine. It wasn't often he got behind the wheel of a car as opposed to his SUV or those they used through the Bureau. "Maybe I'll take you be by the bleachers where I had my first kiss." He winked in her direction as he pulled out of the parking lot.

-xx-

Not sure how I messed up posting the last chapter twice! It's been a crazy few weeks!

40 – How in the world have we gotten to 40?! Ugh. I just love writing Cate and Derek's love story! As always – hit me with your ideas!