Penelope watched Sam as he headed down the hallway, down the steps and out of sight. She couldn't marry him and she'd told him as much while he sat nervously across from her at dinner. She'd even offered to split the tab with him. He turned her down. The two of them had never seriously discussed marriage; he knew full well what had happened when Kevin had proposed; it had spelled the end of their relationship. Sam had told her several times that his mission was not to repeat the clueless geek's mistakes. Still, Sam looked surprised with her answer as he slid the small velvet box back into his pocket.

Now as he gathered the few things he'd left at her apartment, she felt relieved. Sam had insisted on following her back to her place immediately not wanting to prolong the inevitable. He was the second man who had ended a relationship with her simply because she wasn't ready to get married. She hated ultimatums and both Kevin and Sam had been foolish to think that she'd cave under the possibility of losing them. She closed the door to her apartment and slid the deadbolt in place. Leaning against the door she exhaled and even though she'd rid herself of Sam she still had unfinished business with him. The news about the baby was still the unspoken truth and even though she had not been so forthcoming, the simple truth was that she had cheated on the man she'd confessed to love. The events of the evening had not absolved her of her transgressions…not in the least. A feeling of dread overcame her and she felt as though she would be punished for what she and Derek had done.

New York Hotel –

Derek felt bad about how he'd left things with Savannah. He couldn't hide behind idle conversation and an insane work schedule any longer. The fact of the matter was that they had been in trouble long before he and Penelope had…what had they done? Two best friends, spending way too much time together, feeling much too much for each other and too afraid to admit that they were cowards. He didn't want to be a coward any more. But before he could be brave he'd have to break Savannah's heart and destroy her and watch the look in her eyes as she saw that the man she loved was a liar and a cheat. He'd given another woman the one thing she'd been begging him for, a child. How would he explain it? He owed her a phone call and so leaning his head against the steering wheel he dialed her number.

Even though she was expecting his call, Savannah still jumped when the phone rang and buzzed on the nightstand. She'd already showered and dressed for bed, sliding under the blankets and waiting until he finally decided to call.

"It's late."

"I'm sorry we just got to the hotel."

They both could feel the heaviness over the phone. She felt desperate…She hated feeling desperate. Morgan felt guilty he knew that what he needed to say he would never say over the phone.

"So…how was your day?"

"This case is a bad one." He exhaled before going on. "This unsub…he's a real piece of…"

"Derek, you know I don't like to hear about your cases."

"Yeah, I know…I just needed to…"

"It's just that all that blood, gore and messiness…scares me."

"Yeah, no doubt. I didn't mean to scare you, Savannah."

"You're forgiven." Her attempt at levity failed miserably. "So, when do you expect to be back home?"

"I don't know it's hard to say." Then he took a cleansing breath before continuing. "Savannah we need to…"

"Talk?" She interrupted.

"Yeah."

"Yes I suppose we do. Look Derek I know we've hit a rough patch but if we work at it I know we can get through this, whatever, this, is."

"Savannah, you're a wonderful woman, more than I deserve but…"

"But nothing, Derek. I told you before I'm not going to make it easy for you to just give up on us. I love you, Derek Morgan and I'm telling you what you told me, I'll do whatever it takes to be with you."

His heart crumbled not for himself but for her. His words had lulled her into thinking that he meant what he said; that he'd actually honor them like a real man was supposed to do. He was insane to think that the mess he'd created would be easy to get rid of just by saying a few words. Savannah did not deserve what he'd dished out…no more than he deserved to be happy.

"Derek? Derek! Did you hear what I said? I love you!"

"Savannah, I-I heard you…I'm sorry…I'm here."

"Derek, what's going on? I need to know."

"I'm just tired…this case…it's really…look, I promise when we get back, we'll talk about everything, okay? I know you have the early shift tomorrow so get some rest and I'll call you when I get a break tomorrow."

Home of Derek Morgan –

He didn't say it. He didn't say the words that always ended their conversations together. She'd told him that she loved him and he didn't say it back. Savannah slowly slid beneath the covers; her body shook as she cried out loud for her loss. Things had changed. It wasn't the case; he'd had difficult cases before. It wasn't that he was tired. Fatigue had never stopped him from saying he loved her…ever. She had so much hope that when he called he would be able to calm her and make her feel that whatever was going on between them, he still loved her. But he didn't say the words…she needed more than anything to hear him say that he loved her.

Sam –

With the small box tucked under his arm, Sam turned the key and let himself into his small apartment across town. Carelessly tossing the box on the dining room table he headed for the kitchen. He needed a drink…maybe two. As he poured himself a glass, he chuckled. Things hadn't gone quite as he had planned. His relationship with Penelope had been easy, predictable and the two had enjoyed each other's company. Still, Sam had mixed emotions about the whole marriage thing. He'd seen it as simply the next logical step in any relationship. He loved Penelope there was no question about that but he needed something from her that she hadn't been willing or able to give him and he thought proposing would be the key to getting what he needed from her. While she was kind, loving, and always made him laugh, Penelope was holding something back. Most times he could pretend not to notice but then there were other times that that missing, something, seemed to be glaringly obvious. He didn't doubt that she loved him the best she could but…

Sam stepped into the dining area and sat in front of the box holding his things from Penelope's apartment. It was crazy in a sad sort of way that after two years, the only things he had at her apartment was a pair of swimming trunks, a few CD's and an old toothbrush, which he'd forgotten about. Draining his glass, Sam realized that Penelope wouldn't be making any trips to his place to retrieve her belongings…she'd never left anything at his place and he could count the times she'd actually spent the night there. It had been so easy for her to turn him down, so easy to say, no when he'd asked her to marry him. He knew why. It was the same reason she was holding something back…the same reason he could never feel as if they were alone in a room, and why her heart was always just out of reach.

Savannah –

She tossed and turned until it was almost daylight. His words had haunted her through the night and the peace she'd hoped his call would bring her had done nothing to settle her nerves. She meant what she said and she was willing to do whatever it took to keep him and save their relationship. They both had placed their jobs as their priorities for so long. Now it was time to make each other a priority. She loved him more than any other man before and she wasn't going to let him go no matter what she had to do. Savannah had to figure out what had gone so wrong with the two of them. She had such high hopes for them and she couldn't help but believe that having a child would be what they both needed to realize how much they needed and loved each other. But her hopes had been dashed with the confirmation that she wasn't pregnant and the way he sounded on the phone she'd have to hope and pray for another answer to repair her relationship with Derek.

Penelope –

It was late but she wanted to hear his voice. They had so much to discuss but at this ungodly hour of the morning surely he would already be asleep. She so wanted to be happy about the baby…their baby but her mind was riddled with guilt and questions and fear. Her hand absentmindedly landed on her stomach she was going to keep this baby even if it meant raising it alone. She couldn't help but think what this pregnancy meant, the lives that would be affected by her and Derek's one moment of drunken weakness. She loved him. She'd always loved him but she wasn't foolish enough to think he'd ever feel the same. After all, it took him getting drunk out of his mind to even consider sleeping with her. It didn't matter. In that moment she heard his words spoken from a place of honesty and need and she let herself believe that he actually meant them. But with the morning came her same fears and insecurities. They'd greeted her with the dawn nudging her awake and out of his arms forcing her to literally run for cover. Never in her wildest dreams did she expect to have a reminder quite like this of the most amazing night of her life.

Derek –

He was utterly mad to think that his best friend would believe him. She'd only see it as his guilt and his determination to be her hero. He'd told her countless times before that he loved her but she'd managed to brush it off as nothing more than the love two friends share. She was far more than a friend; she was his life and his solace. He'd been a coward and a fool to have wasted so much time. He prided himself in facing things head on, bombs, bullets…anything and everything except his feelings for Penelope. He feared losing her more than losing his life. So, he settled for what was safe…now here he was standing on the precipice of an utter wipe out. He'd crossed the line. He'd cheated on his girlfriend and put everything in jeopardy. Now what? Everything seemed beyond his control but even in the midst of the chaos, he was certain of one thing. It was crystal clear that he loved Penelope Garcia and the baby that was growing inside of her…his baby. He had to admit that he had his work cut out for him but he wasn't going to let her go and he was going to do whatever it took to convince her that he loved her and wanted a life with her and their child.

His life was a mess; an utter glorious mess…and he had no idea how to fix it…any of it.