New York – Afternoon –

Morgan walked ahead of the others as they headed toward two SUV's parked just outside the hanger where the jet would sit until they were ready to go home. He dialed her number and waited nervously for her to pick up. He wasn't sure how he was supposed to concentrate on a serial murder case in New York when Penelope was in Quantico alone and no doubt in a state of panic over their situation.

"Derek?"

"Hey Baby Girl. Are you okay?"

"What do you think, Derek?"

Her voice had the same bite as it had earlier that morning. He felt guilty for not being there even though he had no choice in the matter.

"Baby Girl…I'm so-"

"Derek I swear if you apologize I'll erase you from the planet!"

"I just…I don't know…I wish I was there with you…"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bite your head off."

"Yeah." Then watching as the others loaded their bags into the SUV's and climbed in and closed the doors he spoke again. "We've landed and we're headed to the police station."

"Got it. I'll talk to you later." Her voice seemed a little softer now.

"Garcia…"

She exhaled and rubbed her temples with her thumb. She had a dull headache and it was only going to get worse as the day went on. She wanted to scream and yell but it wouldn't help. So she waited hoping that another apology wasn't coming.

"Yeah."

"We'll figure this out, okay? I'm not going anywhere, you here me?"

"Morgan…this is not how I…"

"Baby Girl I know what you're thinking. Just hold on until I get back okay? We'll get through this."

"Okay, I'll try."

"Baby Girl…I love you."

Then the phone went dead. He didn't give her a chance to respond or to think or to ask what his declaration meant. He'd tell her when he returned and this time he'd make her understand that his love meant more than friendship. He would make her understand that he was in love with her and he would make things right for the both of them.

Quantico, VA-

Sam had pulled the black velvet box from his pocket a dozen times in the last hour. He'd made reservations at her favorite restaurant and now he nervously paced the floor of his home trying to find the words to convince her to marry him. She hated surprises but maybe tonight would be an exception. So, putting the small box back into his pocket he picked up his cell phone and dialed her number.

"I have your results back, Dr. Hayes. I asked the lab to rush them just like you asked."

Savannah sat nervously in her office clinching her phone as if her life depended on it. She'd rushed to the lab and called in a favor; she so wanted to be able to give Derek good news when he got home. So she released a breath and waited.

"What does it say? Am I pregnant?"

"Your test was negative for pregnancy, doctor." There was a pause before Savannah responded. "Doctor? I hope that's what you wanted to hear."

"Um…yes, of course. Thank you Stella. I owe you one."

"Not a problem, doctor."

Savannah ended the call. It wasn't what she wanted to hear. She wanted to hear that she was pregnant; pregnant with Derek's baby. Now she had nothing, no leverage. She couldn't help but feel as if he was slipping away even though time and time and again he'd reassure her that he was all in. Now all she could do was hope he meant it.

Penelope saw Sam's face flash across her screen. She dreaded speaking with him and she didn't realize until now how tired she was of pretending that they could last forever. How could they? She was caring another man's baby; a baby she had every intention on keeping and raising. How would he feel about her when she told him the truth that she had cheated with the very man she'd sworn was just a friend?

"Sam?"

"Hi Penelope!"

He sounded so chipper…and happy.

"Why are you calling me…at work…you never call me at work…is everything okay…are you okay?"

"Yes…yes, slow down. I'm fine, everything's fine. I know I don't normally call you at work but I just wanted to hear my beautiful, amazing girlfriend's voice."

"Oh, oh, okay…that's okay then. So, how are you?"

"Well, I'd be better if you'd agree to go to dinner with me tonight."

"Oh, I don't know Sam. The team just landed in New York and it's a bad one. I may have to work late. How about if I call you later?"

"You have to eat, right? How about I pick you up around seven and bring you back afterwards? That way if you have to work at least I can rest peacefully knowing the woman of my dreams has had a proper meal."

She wanted to say, no. She wanted to tell him she wasn't hungry because she just found out that she was pregnant with Derek's baby. She wanted to apologize, to ask the universe for a do-over; she wanted to…escape her life and bury herself under twenty feet of sand.

"Okay, Sam I'll see you at seven."

"It's a date."

She could practically hear his smile over the phone. She needed to come clean, she prayed she'd be able to hold down dinner and hold back her tears if just long enough to get through the night.

New York –

Morgan frowned as Savannah's name flashed across his phone. It was odd that she'd call him in the middle of the day. Her schedule was just as crazy as his.

"Hey Savannah."

"Hello Sweetheart. I bet you're surprised to hear from me."

"Yeah this is a surprise. Is everything okay?"

"Of course, silly! Are you trying to say I can't call my man when I want to?"

"No of course not, I'm just surprised…"

"I'm just kidding, Derek. My goodness that case has you wound too tight."

"Yeah, I guess it does. I'm sorry."

"No worries. I still love you…forever and ever."

He felt like a fraud. He knew what she wanted to hear; she'd only said it so he would say it back. It was one of her games she'd play when she needed him to confirm his love for her. But he couldn't say it not and mean it anyway. It would just be another lie. She was waiting…waiting to hear the words.

"Love you too." Then before she could continue the game. "Savannah, the team's waiting on me I've gotta go."

"Oh- Oh, okay. Don't let me keep you."

"Savann-"

He felt like a heel.

"No, it's okay really. Go."

"I'll call you tonight."

"Okay. Bye."

"Goodbye, Savannah."

Just as he was about to end the call she said the three words that drove the nail in his coffin.

"Derek?"

"Yeah?"

"Are we okay?"

Vicente's Ristorante – Evening –

She was the most beautiful woman in the world. Sam's eyes were fixed on Penelope as she followed the hostess to their table. He was lucky, damn lucky to have a woman like her. He was more certain than ever that he was making the right decision to propose to her tonight. How could he have ever doubted that he was ready for the next step? He smiled as she slid into the booth he could smell the honeysuckle rose perfume that he loved so much. He wondered if she'd worn it for him. He waited patiently for her to look at him and when she did he smiled appreciatively as the butterflies seemed to suddenly awaken in his stomach snatching his nerve and appetite away all at once.

She leaned in toward him slightly and he met her half way planting a sweet kiss on her cheek. She felt guilty, his kindness like a dagger against her guilty conscience. He smiled again but this time he was searching for something in her eyes and so she looked away suddenly caught up in the menu that sat before her.

"Thank you for coming out especially since I know you're busy with this new case and all."

"Well a girl's gotta eat, right?"

Her smile was strained he couldn't help but notice that she wasn't herself. He fumbled nervously with the box in his pocket.

"Wine?" He asked.

"No I better not. I'm still on duty."

…And I'm still pregnant. She thought to herself.

Her life was a mess and here she sat with the man who'd shown her nothing but love and devotion. He wore his heart on his sleeve and he'd been so patient waiting for her to give her heart to him completely. She wanted to love him more than anything, just like she'd wanted to love Kevin before. But like Kevin, Sam was too late and nothing would ever change that.

He seemed so nervous, fidgeting and constantly shoving his hand in his pocket. Their meal was eaten mostly in silence with occasional small talk thrown in for good measure. He wasn't himself at all and that made her nervous. What was going on with him? He was sweating now…smiling and sweating…

"Penelope?

"Yes Sam?"

Then without another word he placed the small velvet box on the table, took her hand in his and exhaled.