There was no reason for Morgan to stay any longer his mother's belongings had all been packed up and he'd left the matter of selling his mother's home up to his two sisters. Life went on and her killer was still free ready no doubt to strike again. He wouldn't rest until he brought him to justice but he could do that from Quantico.

Even though he wasn't going to be in Chicago didn't mean that he wasn't going to stay on Gordinski's ass. So he boarded the BAU jet and found a seat in the back and lost himself in thought. He was grateful that his team had flown out and he had told them that several times since their arrival earlier that day. They respected his need for solitude and so he felt comfortable in knowing that he did not have to justify his somber mood.

Garcia followed a short distance behind allowing him to dictate what he needed. She knew that the next several days and weeks would drag slowly by with her witnessing his pain and his struggle to hide that pain from her and everyone else and because she loved him she would allow him what he needed even if what he needed was solitude. She took the seat next to him he immediately reached for her hand and held it tightly in his she exhaled for the first time that day as she rested her head on his shoulder.

Quantico, VA – Friday Evening –

Tara had made it back several hours ago and she could still feel the adrenalin pumping wildly through her veins. She'd been close enough to Derek and his family to touch them and she'd sat next to Gordinski and none of them had a clue who she was and what she had done. She saw his tears and she felt justified in the joy she felt as he so courageously spoke words of love and gratitude for the woman who'd birthed and raised him to be the man he'd become. She remembered how her anger had sizzled just below the surface as one by one people passed him offering condolences and hugs.

She had never been in the home where he had lived as a boy; only days before she'd stood on the porch holding the gun in her hand watching the surprise and fright appear on his mother's face. The sound of the gun igniting the quiet of the day still rang sharply in her ears. It was easier than she'd thought it would be to pull the trigger and take the life of a woman whom until that day she had never seen.

Now all she had to do was wait. Like the others who'd passed through the door, she left an envelope with a card inside expressing her sorrow for his loss and a handwritten message that no dime store card could express…she wondered if he'd read it yet…

Morgan turned the key unlocking the door to his home stepping aside to allow Garcia to enter first as he followed closely with their bags in his hands. It was cool and he didn't realize how much he missed being here. He inhaled until he felt a slight pang of sorrow that felt like a stabbing prick to his heart. His mother loved this house and loved visiting him here. She was so proud of him when he'd purchased it, his first of many homes. Dropping the bags he crossed the room and plopped down on the couch and began rubbing his temples in a useless attempt to chase away the headache that was pounding ferociously within.

"Can I get you something?"

"No, Baby Girl, I'll be fine. Just tired."

She looked around the room for no particular reason then she remembered she'd brought the large stash of envelopes from his mother's place that had grown throughout the day with her. His sisters, still feeling guilty had insisted that he have them. She dug them from her travel bag and sat next to him.

"Do you want to open these now?"

He looked at the large bundle and then closed his eyes.

"No. Not now."

She placed them on the table. As she watched him she couldn't help but think how unfair it all seemed; he'd lost so much in his life and suffered unspeakable crimes against him yet, he had survived. He was the strongest person she knew and she loved how he fought so hard for everyone else making sure they were safe…she wondered who would be there for him, who would keep him safe?

Saturday Morning –

Penelope quietly eased out of bed and headed to the kitchen. She didn't want to wake him the night before was fitful and he'd only a few hours ago finally fallen into a deep sleep. She'd promised herself that she wouldn't smother him or insist that he talk and share his feelings. She knew he was hurting beyond and no conversation would change that.

As she began searching the cabinets and refrigerator for breakfast fixings she heard the shower running. So she started the coffee and began cracking eggs and frying bacon. Just as she began her search for bread her cell phone rang.

"Good Morning!"

She hadn't bothered to look at the display screen assuming it was someone from the team. It wasn't.

"Hey Penelope, it's Tara."

"Hey you how are you?"

"Well, I should be asking you that. I see you made it back in one piece."

"Yes we did."

"So, how is he? I know it had to have been pretty rough."

"Of course it was. He was very close to his mother."

Tara couldn't help but smile as she heard the truth in her "friend's" voice.

"It might be too soon but you mentioned that you wanted me to come over to meet your boyfriend when you got back."

"Yes, yes of course…"

"If it's too soon I perfectly understand…"

"No of course not. I think we both could use the distraction."

"Are you sure?"

Just then Penelope felt his strong arms around her waist as he pulled her close to his body planting a soft kiss on the side of her neck.

"I tell you what he's right here let me ask."

Penelope held the phone close to her heart and turned to face him. He looked a little better than he did twelve hours ago and she was hopeful.

"Who's on the phone, Sweetness?"

"It's Tara. Is it okay to invite her for dinner tonight?"

He smiled slightly planting a kiss on her forehead.

"Sure I'd love to meet her."

Tara smiled as she sat across the street watching the house that within hours would be the scene of another loss for him and even as she talked to Penelope on the phone the two lovers had no clue how close she was. The lights in the kitchen were on and she could see the two silhouettes through the thin curtains at the window. He loved her and it was obvious she was so much a part of who he was. The thought of taking her life made so much sense to her. After all, he'd taken the most important person in her life she had to do the same.

She started her engine and headed into traffic and away from the house. There was still work to do before tonight; Seven o'clock would come sooner rather than later and she didn't want to be late.

Home of Derek Morgan – 7p.m.

Penelope has just taken the lasagna out when the doorbell rang. It had been a quiet day with Morgan spending most of his time in front of the television watching Sports Center. Hotch and Rossi had come by earlier with deli sandwiches and beer, which allowed her a break to run to the grocery store. JJ and Reid had called to check in and managed to convince her to meet them for lunch tomorrow.

Derek wasn't really in the mood for more company especially a complete stranger but he knew that it would be good for Penelope to have a break from the sadness that hung over their home. He knew that his pain weighed heavily on her heart as she tried to be there for him not really knowing what to say or do. The truth was, he wouldn't be able to handle any of this without her so it was the least he could do to have a few moments of normalcy.

He heard voices as he stepped out of the shower. The unfamiliar voice seemed a bit younger than he assumed Tara would be and it made sense now why Penelope had been led to take her under her wing. But that's how she was and it was one of the millions of reason he loved her. Her compassionate heart often made her a target but most times it made her a safe haven for those who needed a kind word or smile.

Then he heard the bang the loud sound so intrusive and deadly familiar. In that brief second everything slowed then stopped. His body jerked back to reality as somehow he felt himself move toward the door then down the steps.

He saw her laying still on the wooden floor a bright pool of blood growing slowly beneath her and he rushed to her. She was still and he wasn't really sure if her chest was moving or if it was wishful thinking as he screamed out her name.

"PENELOPE!"

Why was this…how did it happen? His eyes darted around the room his FBI skills kicking and screaming to assess the situation and find the person who'd intruded into the safety of their home and done the unthinkable. He felt for a pulse on her neck and felt relief creep into his own stilled heart.

"Baby Girl, hang on! Don't leave me!"

Frantically he pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed 9-1-1 hoping this was all nothing more than a dream as he quickly pulled his shirt over his head and placed it on the hole above her heart to stop the bleeding.

"Please! Stay with me! Stay with me Penelope!"

She watched from the nearby hallway he'd rushed past her without even noticing that she was there. How touching, she thought to herself as she slowly stepped from her hiding place.

"Help is coming…hold on…"

He saw the shadow looming and resting above her body. They weren't alone in the house but it was too late to do anything to change what had happened. He jerked around too late and he felt the sharp pain crash down on his head sending him plunging into the dark abyss as his body landed hard on the floor next to her.