Disclaimer I hate you so much for making me keep saying this: I do not own Criminal Minds.

A/n: Short chapter before I head off out!! ENJOY!!

So Penelope found herself wrapped up in bed no more than an hour later, Derek in living room watching telly, doing as he'd been asked. He received multiple texts from the guys, Hotch's one mainly telling him to be guard dog like, he didn't want to see Penelope back until she was able to stand on her own two feet without swaying. And Derek knew full well he'd do just as he asked.

Penelope hadn't yet fallen asleep, she was just staring at an area on the wall and wondering how downhill her life seemed to be getting. A day ago she was literally living in heaven, she had a fantastic boyfriend, said boyfriend made her feel physically sick, she had the best, best friend ever and a family she wouldn't change for the world. Now she was single, her heartbroken, and she felt like she was to blame.

And then as her thoughts began to consume her, the bed dipped and Derek's arms wrapped around her and he pulled her close, plying her delicate skin with equally delicate kisses, smothering her tenderly with them.

'You should be sleeping.' He said stated gently. 'I could hear your thoughts over there on your couch.'

'Sorry.' She said apologetically.

'Nothing to be sorry for Baby Girl, I just want to know what's playing on your mind. I need you to get some sleep but you're obviously thinking too much into things.'

'I can't believe it's over.'

'Maybe it's for the best.' Derek told her softly, nuzzling into her hair to inhale her sweet scent of vanilla and strawberries. 'I mean, you're obviously too much woman.'

'Or not enough.' Penelope snorted tiredly, she could tweak the truth to her liking, Derek didn't need the whole truth, not until she was done processing it. 'He's been seeing someone else.'

'Oh P...'

'That's where he went, to her, away from me.' She said as the tears began their hurtful routine and built up to spill out. 'Right under my nose and I didn't see it, I feel like such a fool.'

'Hey, this just shows how much Lynch doesn't deserve you.' Derek told her and ran a hand over her arm in a bid for comfort. 'I mean, if he did, he'd be here loving you.'

'How do I trust my heart with another man?' She asked hoping he'd have an answer. 'I mean, I know what I want, what I've wanted but I don't know how I'm going to keep it together if it gets thrown back at me.'

'What do you Baby Girl?' He asked her, she bit her lip. 'C'mon, tell me Baby Girl.'

'I want you, no one else, not Kevin Lynch, not Jason Clark Battle, I'm past both of them, I need you.' She told him doubtful and Derek's smile grew larger and larger as the words set in.

'I love you Penelope Garcia, with the whole of my heart, my soul, my everything and I'm going to make sure that one day you're happy.'

'I'm happy right here with you.' She said and turned in his arms.

'I know you are but I want you to have that life you want, marriage, kids, house, big tree in the garden, happiness for life.'

'You can't promise me that.'

'I can and I certainly will sweet thing.' He told her and kissed her, their first real kiss, deep and passionate, longed for and absolutely perfect. 'That's what I want, my daily dose of sugar.'

Penelope giggled. 'I can keep that going everyday.'

'Good.' He said and kissed her lips gently. 'Now get some sleep beautiful.' He told her and soon sleep took her, for hours after Derek just lay there watching her sleep, he couldn't believe he had this woman at last. She was his, she was now his and he was going to make it official. As he watched her breath, twitch, mumble, live in her land of dreams he couldn't help but smile, a couple of times he heard his name and then things darkened and her face contorted in pain before realising, his name slipped between her lips and a smile plied her lips before she settled and slept soundly.