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

When Penelope opened her eyes the first thing that sprung to mind was that she'd made it, she come through the other side of the operation and she was alive. She looked around, movement was limited and then realisation after realisation hit her. First she realised that the light outside told her it was nearing the middle of the day, the sun was bright and inviting, then she realised her chest was killing her, like a paralysing pain, then she picked up on all the new tubes and wires pouring out of her, all causing discomfort. Then the biggest, most terrifying realisation struck her head on, the tube in-between her teeth and lips and sheer panic took over, she was drowsy, in pain, her movements slowed and she didn't know what to do.

Then like a saving Grace a familiar looking nurse flew through the door, her hands fall. 'It's good to see you awake Penelope.' She said with a calm smile and she checked over everything. 'There's no need to be afraid, the tube's to help your heart and lungs recuperate a bit more from the surgery, it'll be removed when the doctors happy you can tolerate breathing.'

Penelope didn't know what to do, so she just let the sleep cascade in. 'Do you want some more pain meds?' Penelope nodded slightly, she didn't want them, she needed them, the only reason sleep was coming was because of whatever anaesthesia was left in her system. 'Visiting times about to start for the hour, Derek's been back and forth all morning.' She heard the nurse say but the urge for a painless oblivion was much more desirable than seeing Derek, even though she knew full well he'd make her feel better in a psychological sense.

She strained to keep her eyes open as a familiar sense filled the room; her eyes opened enough to see Derek's smiling face. 'Get some more sleep Princess.' She heard him tell her and she gave in and didn't struggle to open her eyes anymore. 'Is she okay?'

'She's fine, initially panicked when she woke up but she settled once she knew everything was normal.' The nurse told him casually. 'Everything's looking good, at this rate she could get out but the end of the week.'

'That optimistic?'

'I like to keep a positive vibe. She's doing okay Derek but she's going to be sleeping a lot for the next month or so. She needs that type of rest to recuperate.' She watched him nod. 'Doctor thinks the surgery was a success, that she shouldn't have any problems.' Derek smiled lightly. 'It's all good, Penelope's a lucky one, she's got a great support system around her, that's what people need for a successful recovery and she has it.'

'We plan to keep it that way too.'

'I guessed you would.' The nurse told him and his smile grew slightly. 'I'll give you an extra five minutes, it seems you need it.' She told him as she left and Derek was grateful, he just took Penelope's hand in his and spoke to her again.

When he left he found his mom and sister's waiting there, delays had meant that'd only just made it. They all looked at him expectantly. 'She's asleep.' Was all he could master.

'Come here.' Fran said to her son and took him in her arms; he took it willingly before feeling his sisters latch on. 'We're here now son.'

'Yeah bro, we're here to help. As long as you need us.'

'University Des?'

'I told them my sister was ill, they gave me extended leave and gave me all the notes and emails so they'd help me as much as possible.'

'You didn't need to.'

'I know I didn't but I wanted to, we all love Penelope.'

Derek smiled gratefully. 'And what about you Sarah, you have the kids.'

'I'm the back and forth one but works being understanding so you've got me for like 5 days then I need to go back, but I'll be back.'

'That's going to cost a fortune; you need to let me pay.'

'You needn't worry about it, it's not your worry, Penelope's your worry.'

'Derek, does she have insurance?'

'She's had insurance for this since she was diagnosed with it.' Derek breathed out; he was thankful it was sorted and that Penelope wouldn't have to worry about medical bills. 'Her inheritance went into it and she's just been adding onto it.'

'Well that's good. Have the doctor's said anything?' Fran asked, the retired nurse in her taking precedence.

'She made it through it strongly, she did good in there, but she's on a ventilator until she can breathe on her own.' Derek told them as positively as he possibly could. 'Erm, it was a success and every time I've seen him this morning he told me that her recovery's going to be slow like with all heart ops and that she's going to need a lot of hands on care seeing as she's going to be extremely limited.'

'Well it's good you've got me here until she's cleared to go back to work.' Fran said and saw a note of sadness to her son. 'What's up?'

'Pardon?'

'What's happened that you aren't telling?'

'She died in my arms, that's what led us here. We had an argument over her ex, he's been playing up and I seriously doubted, let's just say he kissed her when we were on a date and I need everything wrong. I ended it, thinking she'd want him back, that she'd only ever wanted him back and well it blew up in my face beautifully.'

'Well obviously not or you wouldn't be here. I've known Penelope long enough to know that if that argument had hurt you two enough she wouldn't want you here, am I right?'

'We're engaged.' Derek said and his mouth turned into a big grin. 'She accepted me, we talked it out, she said things, I said things, that argument did nothing but finally let us let go of whatever problems we had and take what we wanted.' He told them happily. 'But Sunday she collapsed on my porch and that's when I found out about her heart condition, she hadn't told anyone.'

'She told me.' Fran told him honestly and he didn't look in the slightest bit shocked. 'As a mother figure she told me, she was concerned because she was having trouble catching her breath and she was constantly tired. I told her to got to the doctor and she did and well he diagnosed stress.'

'Did he test her heart condition?'

'He did and found nothing wrong, she's been a ticking time bomb since she was diagnosed Derek, but she's young and up for the fight so if it was going to happen it's better now than later when her fight might not be so good.'

'You and Penelope are both voices of reasons you know that?'

'She's a wise woman that's all.' Fran joked and then turned serious on them all. 'Right so how's this going to work out then? I mean I know there's going to be restricted visiting for a bit, so how's it work?' Fran said undertaking the challenge with both hands and a feisty spirit.