Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds

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Derek looked worryingly as he helped Penelope sit down gingerly 4 hours later, she was shaking slightly. 'Pen... let me get some tablets.' She nodded as she pushed on her side. He rushed around as the door opened and Hotch and his mom entered.

'Everything okay?' Hotch asked as he saw the sonic speed that Derek was in.

'Not really... did you apologise for us?' Derek asked as he grabbed a drink and the tablets, remembering that everyone has shoved them out when Penelope started to look ill, vowing to apologise to Lance and Owen for them. Hotch and Fran both confirmed it for him that they all had. 'She's over done it.' He said as he looked up and saw their worried questioning looks. 'I think it's best to give her the tables and get her settled.' Derek replied as he walked into the room and saw Penelope bent forward. 'Baby girl?'

'Yeah...' She said sitting up, a hand clutching her side, Derek silently handed over the pills and she then the drink and she took sips and swallowed. 'These better kick in soon.'

'How bad is the pain?'

'Let's say I feel like I've been kicked for ten in the side.' She said as he knelt in front of her, he saw her near tears and knew there were many things playing their part on this weakness of his wife. 'I'll be fine in a bit.'

'Let's get you in bed, but if you're no better we're taking you to the hospital.'

'No, please no hospitals.' She near enough begged as the tears spilt. 'I don't want to go to the hospital.' Derek wiped the tears off her face and saw her plea.

'Fine but you gonna let me changed the bandage at least?' She nodded and he kissed her forehead before grabbing the things he need and returning to the room, he worked quickly and saw that she had evidently pulled on her side, the blood was seeping onto the white gauze. 'No wonder you're in pain baby, I think we've over worked you today.'

'Hmm it was worth it.' She said tiredly as the drugs played their part at last.

He got her lying down and tucked in, it wasn't even dark out and he knew she would sleep right through now, which he knew would be the right thing. 'I love you.' He said as he kissed her and brushed some hair back.

'I love you too.' She whispered back as he pulled away. 'I really am sorry.' Was the last thing he heard as he fully stood and realised she was well and truly asleep so he didn't see a point replying and questioning but he knew what she was apologising for, and he knew that as much as she put on a happy face, the mask was bound to slip every now and again.

He left the room and saw Hotch leaning on the back of the sofa, his mom sitting at the table, both looking on at him to speak. 'Everything's catching up on her now.'

'Is she okay baby?' Fran asked worried, they had all see the fall of Penelope as she tried to keep going for Lance and Owen.

'It's bringing her down; she's been ignoring the tablets to keep going for everyone but herself.'

'Sounds like Penelope to me.' Hotch said crossing his arms again. 'We've got until Sunday before we head back so we can get her well rested.'

'Well she's planning on staying in bed tomorrow and I plan to make her stay there.' He said and threw the bag of waste dressings away. 'I think she's pulled too much on her side as well.'

'I don't think that jumping she did when we pulled up at the reception helped much.' Hotch commented and Derek quickly agreed, they had both seen her wince as she had done it. 'She needs to let her side settle down again.' Hotch said and then pushed himself to stand. 'George wants you round his Friday.'

'Oh?'

'Yeah, doing a big family BBQ so we've all got an invite but that's if Penelope is up for it.'

'Oh, she'll make sure she's up for.'

'I guess if she's sitting and not doing anything strenuous then she should be fine.' Fran said knowingly. 'She'll just have to enjoy herself from a seat.'

'We can all do that.' Derek said and looked at his watch. 'I think I'm going to head for a shower.'

'Then go to bed son.' Fran said and kissed her son. 'You've done good by her today.' She told him again, the pride in her tone of voice.

'I'm trying.'

'And you're succeeding.' Hotch said with a slight curl of the corner of his lips.

'You think so?'

'Night Morgan.' Was all he said as he opened the door. 'We'll be back with breakfast and everyone tomorrow.' He said as he disappeared and Fran closed the door behind them not before flashing Derek with a smile that she knew cheered him up.

Derek headed for a shower, felt his worry flush down the drain with the running water, this wasn't going to beat him, or her, or them. He got dried, put on fresh boxers and climbed into the emptier side of the bed, he naturally pulled Penelope close, feeling her stir enough to get comfortable and relax into his box shape. He smiled and plotted a kiss on her messy bangs before going to sleep.

When he opened his eyes, he smiled as he was still in the same position with Penelope still by his side, he lay there comfortably drifting when he realised someone was in the room next door. He gently lifted himself out of the bed and quickly dressed before leaving the room. He walked out to be greeted by all 4 brother's, Jimmy, the team but Reid and Fran, but no Desiree. Derek raised an eyebrow but knew by the looks on everyone's faces he was soon to be told.

'I hope you know you're sisters finally found someone.' Fran said satisfied before taking a sip of her drink and smiling.

'And we hope you know boy genius has finally found someone.' JJ gave the afterthought to what Fran had just said.

He laughed. 'You're kidding right?' Everyone shook their heads vigorously. 'Hmm well I like the idea.'

'Good, that was Desi's biggest worry.' Fran mused happily. 'Never one to upset her big brother.'

'Hell no.' He replied and looked at them. 'What time is it?'

'12:36.'

'It's afternoon already?!'

'Yeah... seems you needed the sleep... the pair of you.' Rossi said and then looked serious. 'How is she today?'

'She's still pretty out of it but I'm thinking it might be wise to get her to eat and then back to bed.' Everyone agreed, gave him food and drink and hurried him into the bedroom, 15 minutes later he resurfaced with an empty plate and an empty glass.

'That go down well?'

'It did indeed.' Derek commented as he tidied up the small mess. 'She's feeling better today, less pains, less tearful.'

'Well over 12 hours can have that effect.'

'Yeah and it put a smile on her face to know Reid's finally getting out there.'

'Loves in the air it seems.' Emily commented before getting glared at by multiple people. 'Cor... why the need to hold back?'

'Because not everyone's here.' Derek said.

'Penelope's washing off on you Morgan.' Hotch said with a deadpan serious expression on his face. 'But hey we knew it was going to happen sooner or later. You being married and all.' He continued making them all laugh.

'Yeah okay.'

'Morgan go back in there, you still look like you could do with some more sleep in you.' Rossi said as they all saw the tiredness scrawl on his features.

'It might keep that wife of yours in bed all day.' Derek said nothing, he just left the room, he knew they were right so didn't bother to argue.