Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds

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Derek, after finally managing to get Penelope back into the hospital, now found himself in Penelope's room alone while she had the new set of tests and x-rays done. Hotch walked in alone and saw Derek's expression as it was set for somewhere that wasn't in reality. He walked in and sat on the bed in front of Derek and leant forward.

'What's wrong?' He asked demanding, not taking a pass off as a response.

'I'm worried about Pen that's all.'

'We all are Derek.'

'I don't mean like that... I mean I know you are but I found her outside this morning, alone; she told me she can't do this anymore.'

'Well we aren't giving her that option.'

'The problem is I think she's already given up Hotch.' Derek continued, his voice sounded thick with tears. 'I can't imagine anything happening to her.'

'Well we aren't going to let it happen to her.' He saw Derek run his fingers over his mouth in thought. 'What else is it?'

'This.' He said pulling a small velvet box out of his pocket. 'I've had it a couple of weeks... she's my one Hotch... she always has been... she's always been there, right under my nose, prompted me when I've lost my way, comforted me... I hope I can do the same for her and get out of this frame of mind.'

'Can I look?' Derek just passed the box over and Hotch opened it and then smiled. 'You know her too well.'

'You think?'

'I know... so tonight I think you need to sit her down, have a deep talk with her, about everything and ask her Morgan...'

'Thanks Hotch.' Derek said feeling a new light in the darkness. Of course, Hotch was right, wasn't he always? He was the boss after all, Derek knew there and then he had to be truthful with Penelope in order to help her, and that he would do.

'No problems... just make her realise she can do this... Penelope Garcia doesn't usually give up so why should she start now?'

'You're right... but I also think she might need some instalment from the boss.'

'Well I think the boss can do that too.'

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'What you want to do baby girl?' She shrugged her shoulders, hardly nothing spoken since that morning outside. 'Right seeing as you are in silent mode, I'm going to do all the speaking.' She looked up and was about to speak. 'No baby girl... you can't come out of silent mode until I've finished. Got it?' She nodded in silence again. 'Right, I know that life has been tough for you baby, and I also know that the last couple of days, weeks, months, haven't graced you with good memories of the past but I refuse to allow you to give up. You want to know why?' She nodded. 'Because I love you... in fact, I'm in love with you and I refuse to give up on you like that... okay you had to face up to some demons and skeletons lately but I repudiate that you will give up because of it... because if you do Penelope you let them win, all the time you stay strong and move on, you show them who the bigger person. McClusky is going down for what he did both for the past and the present, he lost, you showed him that in that room when you stood strong and held you head high... so please just don't give up now.'

He noticed she was crying now, silent tears, silent sobs rocked her body. He cupped her face, using his thumbs to wipe the tears. 'I know it's hard and life seems unbearable and I realise that you're in pain physically and mentally because of it but P you can't give up... promise me you won't?'

'I promise.' She murmured. 'I'm sorry.' She said as she realised she was being selfish to want to give up when she had 6 people's love to live for. One in particular was sitting in front of her, willing her to want to carry on.

'Don't be! I just need to realise that I wouldn't be able to cope without you in my life... you baby girl are my world and to prove it... I want to do this.' He got down on one knee and pulled the velvet box from his pocket. 'Will you do me the honour baby girl and marry me?'

She gasped; the ring was perfect, unique but traditional all at the same time. She felt the reaction stumble in her head and then allowed her eyes to let more tears flee before she said it. 'Yes.'

Derek breathed out heavily and smiled, he felt a tear run down his face. 'I love you too much baby girl... you need to realise that... I love you too much to allow this to swallow you.'

'Thank you.' She said once the ring was on her finger and he had pulled her into his embrace.

'Any time baby girl... For a lifetime.' She nodded and felt the weight of the word dislodge from her shoulders.