He sat up on the side of the bed stunned. He heard her words on the other side of the phone but his mind wouldn't accept what she was saying. His entire body suddenly went numb even has his mind willed him to move to get up and handle the pressing family business at hand.

Then Penelope's phone rang but she ignored it as she watched Derek. Something was wrong she could tell by his body language and the fact that he'd yet to speak another word.

"Derek?" She whispered fearfully.

"I'm on my way." He uttered.

He ended the call setting the phone on the nightstand and turning with tears and shock on his face. Her phone rang again alerting her again to a new text. In the back of her mind she expected a phone call this time but her focus remained on him.

"Baby, what's wrong?"

She sat up moving close to him placing a reluctant hand on his back. He didn't respond even to her touch.

"Derek, talk to me."

"My mother…."

"Please, baby…what happened?"

"She's dead."

Penelope instinctively grabbed him and pulled him to her body tightly holding him as he gave into her embrace; his body shaking as the flood overcame him. She had no words as her tears came too. She'd never seen him cry, never seen tears but now he melted under the weight of them. He wrapped his strong arms around her pulling her close and she without protest became his lifeline. The still quiet of the room echoed the deep guttural sounds of his pain, each moan and wail bouncing off the walls. As she held him she realized that no words existed and at this very moment words were not what he needed so she remained silent, closed her eyes and gave him the only thing he needed…her quiet non-judging strength.

Tara stood in baggage claims waiting for her luggage to appear on the large steel carousel. She felt invigorated her only regret was not being there to see the look on his face when he got the news of his mother's demise. She could only imagine the grief and then the anger to learn that someone had come to her home and rang the doorbell and shot her dead.

Tara grabbed her plaid Burberry knock off and headed to the rental car counter. It felt good to smile again, to be in control. It had been a while since she felt in control. Derek Morgan was going to pay for what he'd done…first his dear mother and she was just getting started.

"Hotch has been trying to reach you! We've got a case!" JJ started.

"JJ…"

"Have you talked to Morgan? He can't reach him either!"

"JJ…"

"He is one pissed off man!"

"JJ! Stop!"

"Garcia, what's wrong?"

"Somebody's killed Derek's mother."

"Oh my god, Garcia! What happened?"

"JJ, I don't know! I've got to go, I need to make arrangements for him to get home."

"Okay, okay, I'll let Hotch know!"

"Thanks, Jayje."

"And Garcia, please tell Derek that if there's anything we can do…"

"I'll tell him…thanks."

The next hour passed like vapor as Morgan moved around packing and then staring out of the living room window while Garcia searched for flights to Chicago. He was so quiet he'd barely uttered a word since telling her that his mother was dead.

"I'm going with you."

"No you're not."

"Yes! I'm not letting you go through this alone!"

Morgan turned from the window and joined her on the couch as her gaze was fixed on the computer screen unable to bear seeing the sadness in his face.

"Baby Girl, I love you and I know you want to go but I can't let you."

"Why not? She asked hurt in her voice.

"Because, the team has a new case and they need you."

"They'll just have to get another technical analyst."

"They need you."

"You need me!"

"Yes, I need you but I need you to stay and help the team. I'll be fine!"

"Derek, Baby, you are so far from being fine! I have vacation time, and I'll just call Hotch and tell…"

Derek kissed her on the lips stopping her rambling. He would give anything to have her on this trip with him but he knew it was important for her to stay. He saw the hurt in her eyes and he knew she'd see his decision as rejection, which was furthest from the truth.

"Penelope, listen to me. The team doesn't have anyone else to call; the other techs are already working with other teams. Besides, no one knows about us yet…we'll have a lot of questions to answer with the frat rules and …"

"I don't give a damn about the frat rules, Derek!"

"But I do! I know you want to be there for me and I love you for it. Besides, once I get there I'm going to find the person who killed my mother and I'll need you here working your magic for me, okay?"

Penelope knew not to fight him when his mind was made up. As much as she hated giving in and not getting her way, she had to admit he was right. Besides, she would be able to help him by doing what she did best. So, finding a flight for him she confirmed the arrangements and took a moment to wrap her arms around his neck resting her head on his shoulder searching her heart and mind for the words to tell him how sorry she was for him and still, there were no words to be found.

If there was one thing Tara had on her side, it was time. She'd grabbed her bag and then the keys to her rental and headed toward the next step of her plan. Twenty minutes later she pulled up across from the well kept craftsman home on the corner of the neat tree lined street and killed the engine. She noticed a black truck in the driveway and she smugly wondered if he'd gotten the news yet. It was cold and as she blew into her palms rubbing them together to get warm she saw him exit. Noticing the back suitcase in his hand answered her question. How sweet, she thought as she watched the blonde holding onto him for dear life then kissing him lightly on the lips as he opened the passenger door for her.

Derek pulled out of his driveway and away from his home too distraught to notice the woman in the small sedan parked across the street. Normally, he would have spotted her even before he stepped out of his door, but today his mind was elsewhere.

After the truck disappeared, Tara started her engine and headed toward her hotel. Suddenly she was famished and she had a craving for a nice juicy steak. Perhaps it was too early for a victory dinner but today had been a good day and she was confident that tomorrow would be even better once she introduced herself to the lovely and unsuspecting Penelope Garcia.