Apologies for the delay of my updates. My roster has been all over the place and I haven't had a chance to do much else but try and catch some sleep. I will venture to update as soon as possible…hope you're all well.

Derek was a lot more shaken than he outwardly projected. They had come so close. They had lost an agent, and that could have easily been any of them. Hearing Penelope's tear strained voice on the line brought it all the way home for him. He knew she would have been beside herself till she had gotten through to him. As they got back into the office, none of them were surprised to see JJ and Penelope in the bull pen waiting for them. Wordlessly Derek made a bee line straight for Penelope. Penelope slid from his desk where he sat, in time for Derek to engulf her in his arms. The rest of them exchanged an appreciative smile.

"You guys must be hungry. Pen and I picked up dinner and it's up in the conference room."
"Hotch, we also called Hayley and she's going to drop off Jack for you to have him the weekend." Penelope added,
"You guys are the best." He stated amazed at their organisation.
"Its how we roll Boss man." Penelope replied with a grin as she ushered them all up the stairs to the conference room. Derek lingered at the end and pulled her into another hug as the rest of them entered the conference room.

"You scared the living crap out of me Morgan!" Penelope admonished as she clung tightly to him.
"I scared the living crap out of me too P."
"I'm just so glad that Gideon got you out of there in time."
"You and me both Baby Girl." He murmured into her shoulder as he held her close.
"We should join the others. Your place or mine?" she asked knowing that they weren't spending the night apart, and possibly the weekend.
"Yours,"
"Done." She said giving him another quick squeeze before taking his hand leading him up the stairs.

Derek watched as Penelope headed straight for Emily as they entered the room. Derek knew that Emily had earned a soft spot in Penelope's heart almost immediately and was sensitive to everyone's apprehension of her.

"Hey Honey, how are you holding up after your first case?" Emily looked up at Penelope and smiled. Though everyone was polite, it was Penelope alone who made her feel like she belonged.
"It was okay I guess."
"Hang in there, they'll warm up. It takes awhile, and after everything that's happened, they're still licking their wounds." Penelope said softly as she sat beside Emily
"I know. Thanks for you know," Emily met Penelope's gaze for a moment before dropping it to her lap
"I got your back hon." Penelope promised with a brief squeeze of her arm. Emily grinned appreciatively.

Emily and Penelope were exchanging anecdotes when Derek appeared at Penelope's side with a plate full of food.

"Eat, and don't even try it. I know for a fact that you haven't eaten yet." He stated pointing at JJ who looked sheepish on the other side of the room.
"Thank you." She replied taking the plate he held out to her, pulling at his arm so that she could reach his face and kiss his cheek.
"Aww P, you make me blush." He teased earning a playful shove on his shoulder.