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Several people has asked for an epilogue to Winter Blues so here it is. Thanks for caring enough to want more!

Epilogue

It had been almost a week and a half since Kevin Lynch had been arrested for attempting to murder Penelope, along with a host of other charges that were sure to lock him away for years to come.

Derek had been constantly at Penelope's side while she was in the hospital, only going home long enough to shower and eat when Hotch forced him to. Penelope was healing well and today was the day she was being released from the hospital.

"Are you ready to get back home, Baby Girl?" Derek asked as he helped her to pack some of her belongings.

"I guess so," Penelope said with what sounded like a sense of reluctance.

"Penelope? Are you not feeling well?" Derek asked with concern as he walked over to the bathroom where she was putting on her makeup. "If you need to stay, you just say the word and I'll get the doctor."

"It's not that Derek, it's just….oh, nevermind, it's silly." Penelope said dismissively.

"Uh-uh Woman. You don't make a statement like that and not explain yourself. Front and center!" Derek gently demanded as he motioned for her to come and stand in front of him so he could look her in the eyes. "Now, spit it out!"

"I guess I'm scared," Penelope said softly, avoiding eye contact with Derek.

Taking his finger and lifting her chin so that she had no choice but to look into his eyes, Derek tried to reassure her, "It's over Baby, Lynch is in jail and he's not getting out for a long time. He's not going to hurt you anymore, I promise," Derek said with a tender smile.

"I know that my hero, but it's not Lynch I'm scared of." Penelope replied.

"Then what, Penelope?"

Shifting nervously from one foot to another Penelope hesitated, not wanting to express her concerns out loud.

"Penelope?" Derek urged.

"It's us, Derek. I'm scared about us." Penelope finally admitted softly.

"Us?" Derek asked incredulously. "Why in the world would you be scared about us, Gorgeous?"

Suddenly, all of the worries and concerns that Penelope had been holding back came rushing forth, "Oh Derek, how is this going to last? What we've had since I've been in the hospital isn't the real world. You've been my hero, my protector and my care taker and I love you for that but what happens when everything gets back to normal and reality sets back in? What happens when we try to be together all of the time and you find out all of my little bad habits and my moods? What if all my little idiosyncracies that you think you love now are really just things that annoy you? What happens when other, more beautiful women come along and you realize I'm not really what you want?" The words have come out in a rush of emotion and Penelope was shaking by the time she was through. But she knew, for her own sanity, she had had to say these things. The break from Derek would be much easier now than months from now.

Derek just looked at Penelope for several seconds before breaking out in a throaty laughter.

"Derek! I don't think there's anything funny about all of this!" Penelope cried.

"Woman, you are the most wonderfully silly girl I've ever known," Derek smiled as he reached out and pulled her close. "Don't you see, just the fact that you are so worried about these things proves that we are going to be okay."

"I don't understand…" Penelope said from the comfort of his arms.

"It's how I know you care so much, my Goddess. If the love wasn't there, you wouldn't be worried and the fact that you are just proves to me how strong your love is for me. I promise you that everything is not only going to work out, but it's going to get stronger."

"How do you know that, Derek?"

Pushing her back just enough to look in her eyes, Derek explained, "Because, Goddess, I didn't fall in love with just any woman, I fell in love with my best friend. And that's a beautiful thing." Derek leaned down and after kissing the tears off of her cheeks, he pressed his lips against hers. What started as a tender kiss, soon became passionate as he pulled her close against his body and his tongue was granted access into her warm mouth as a soft moan escaped from her throat. It was a kiss that left them both breathless.

"Now about those doubts, Baby Girl?"

"Mmmmm, what doubts?" Penelope laughed as she answered.

THE END