Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds

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The pair slept restlessly that night, Penelope was awake for the majority, mostly just crying, the break had cracked her walls, had made them crumble, had ultimately destroyed them. Derek who had no sleep at all, understood and didn't care in the slightest if he had had no sleep or loads of sleep. He was mentally preparing him for the rollercoaster rush of emotions he knew were bound to come sooner rather than later.

'So much for resting eh?' She laughed slightly but was cut off as she choked on the tears, he sighed as the door was knocked on. 'I'll be right back okay?'

'Okay.'

He ran to the door, not caring that he was in his boxers and nothing else. 'Oh hey guys.' He looked at his watch. '10! Already?'

'Yeah... you and Pen not up?'

'Let's say we never really went to bed.' He opened the door. 'Bare with me.' The 4 brothers and Lance flooded in while Derek ran into the bedroom, he left the door open as he just grabbed clothes from behind the door and changed, they saw Penelope as she lay curled up on her side, evidently with tears streaming her face. They then saw the now dressed Derek get on the bed and wipe the tears and talk to her, they saw her agree to whatever it was before he got up and walked out of the room.

'Everything okay?'

'Yeah... we've hardly slept so Pen's going to try now.'

'Sure you don't need more?'

'No I'll be fine.' Derek said as he phone rang. 'Morgan.'

'Derek... you held up there with Pen?'

'Erm... not entirely... why what's up?'

'We need you on this case for a bit.' Hotch said a little strained. 'We're missing something and I can't quite put my finger on it.'

'New tech not working for you?'

'Not at all... won't dig.'

'That's where you need Pen.'

'We really do but I can't ask her and I refuse to.'

'I think you would be doing her justice by entrusting her with the option.'

'Derek...'

'Hotch... I know that her doing that wouldn't be her running, it would give her something to occupy herself.'

Hotch exhaled, Derek was right. 'Fine, Derek... I'm sending Reid with the files now... you do not leave her.'

'Got it.' Derek snapped the phone shut. 'Work calls.'

'For Pen as well?'

'Well... its not the best choice to give her but she's our best bet to crack this.' They looked at him and nodded. 'She's not enjoying the laying around malarkey, she never did, she couldn't wait to get back to work after she was shot.'

'She likes normalcy.'

'She does.' He then looked at the bedroom door. 'Right Reid's bringing over the files so I'm going to see if Pen's still awake, which I'm pretty certain she is and then see what she wants to do.'

'Are we allowed to stick around for this?'

'I'm going to say yes.' Derek said as he entered the room and saw Penelope watching him. 'I knew you wouldn't be asleep.'

'Mm is that so handsome?' She saw him smile, she had just used a nickname that was a sure sign that things were up.

'Well... this case, we're struggling baby girl... and Hotch wouldn't ask.'

'I'm sitting... it's my fingers that do the work nothing strenuous so let's do this.' She said shifting to sitting up. 'As long as I get to keep my pyjamas on with your t shirt.'

'Knew that would be your request.' Derek said smiling which evoked a laugh. 'You're not the only all knowing.'

'Oh... well I need to step up my game.'

'We can share it.' He got the shirt and helped in her out of her pyjama top and into the baggy t shirt. 'Better?'

'So much.' He then helped her stand.

'Hungry?'

'Starved.'

'Well let's fix that.' He said walking out into the living room. 'I'll get your laptop... you aren't allowed to lift heavy things and that thing must kill you sometime.'

'Not really.'

'Poker face.'

'Occasionally.'

'I know now goddess so be forewarned, I will catch you out.'

'Oh well is that so Agent Morgan?' She joked as she surfaced into the room and saw her brothers and Lance with wide grins on their face. 'What?'

'Do you two always speak like that?'

'Daily.' Penelope said and sat down in a chair at the table. 'So... food?'

'I'm going to guess when the door goes... Reid will be laden with food from Hotch's orders.' Derek said all knowing and rallied around to get her laptop. 'You sure you're up for this?' She shot him a lot. 'Okay you're up for this.' The 5 men laughed and looked at the door as the hesitant knocking came. Andy answered and in came Reid, bags in hands, drinks, and his satchel swinging haphazardly on his hip. 'Come here kid, let me help you.'

'Muffins, pastries, you name it Hotch got it.' They all laugh. 'And coffee and tea because Pen's not allowed coffee just yet.'

'You know your boss well.'

'Happens with working with the man for over 9 years.'

Reid looked warily at Penelope, whose attention was concentrated on the screen. 'I'm fine sweetie.' She said and began typing.

'How the...'

'Don't confuse yourself kid... this is Pen, you get away with nada.'

'Not even stuff the internet doesn't hold?'

'Hey... I'm all knowing remember.' She flashed him and smile and saw his tension disperse. 'See I'm fine, a little sore, little tired but fine... and you won't be if you don't give us the files and head back.'

'I think it's more than likely I'm on the run from the police department to the hotel.'

'You're fitness will be as good as Derek's then.'

'You're funny Garcia.' He said using her last name for emphasis.

'I try to be.' They then pushed Reid out to get back to the rest of the team as Derek sat next to Penelope with files.

'Right you ready?'

'Hang on... just getting onto my system at work... shoot.'

'Charlie Pollitt... DOB 29/08/1957.'

Penelope clicked the information in. 'Married to Sarah Pollitt, DOB 03/04/1960?'

'That's the one...'

'Erm... no child listed.'

'What?'

'Well there is no child... hang on.' Andy, Lance, and George took seats on the couch, while Joel and Carl took the arm chairs, this was proving interesting. 'They haven't adopted either, that child isn't theirs.'

'Niece maybe?'

'Maybe... anything on either of their families?'

'Charlie... only child, Sarah has one sister.' Before Derek could ask Penelope was on his train of thought.

'Bingo handsome! Sarah's sister had a daughter, severely disabled... same as the others...mother died when the girl was 3...her will states that her daughter be put in the custody of her sister.'

'Okay so he isn't deviating... he's just spreading out more and more.'

'Seems to be that way.' Derek stood up and paced while reading and Penelope's cell went off on the table. 'Talk to me oh wise one.'

'Now that's what I love to hear.'

'Yeah, yeah, yeah, what can I do boss man?'

'Reid and JJ remembered a case like this about 6 years ago in Idaho... any chance of a cross match it?'

'On it.'

'I shouldn't have asked... I should've just known.'

'That you should've... hang on a minute Hotch.' She looked up her brothers. 'Did Nick leave at all?'

'Erm yeah about a year after you... came back about 5 years ago.' Carl said and saw Penelope whiten, Derek stop still. 'Pen what is it?'

'Hotch... Nick was the lead detective on that case in Idaho and now he is on this one as well.'

'Could be a coincidence.' One of the brothers said.

'What else you got Penelope?'

'Always first responder, knew the most, knew all families from working at a facility for disabled children.... he knew everything about them.' Penelope said in a complete and utter state of shock.

'Okay, I'm going to get Jimmy to call Nick in... good work Penelope.' The call ended and Penelope snapped the phone shut.

'Hey kiddo, everything okay?'

'You've known him for years... I was going to marry him.'

'But you didn't, you refused and married Derek Pen... not Nick.' She nodded and Derek pulled a chair near her.

'Hey princess... this, I know this is shocking enough for you but he isn't a part of your life anymore.' He looked at the brothers and Lance for encouragement. 'The men behind me are a part of our life, as are Owen and Kat, and the team, and Jimmy, Nick doesn't get a place in this family.' She nodded and the shock fizzled out of her and she looked at him.

'You're right hot stuff... I married you after all.'

'There you go baby girl... took us long enough to get to this point but we are here.' He kissed her forehead as he mom and sister turned up, now the waiting game for news on Nick began.