"Hey Derek, where's Penelope?" Emily asked returning from her friend's lair looking confused
"Bunker?"
"Been there, and she's not answering her phone."
"We were supposed to hang out last night but she bailed on me last minute saying that she wasn't feeling great. She may still be in bed." Derek ran up to Hotch's office,
"Hey Hotch, P check in with you?" Hotch looked at his phone and saw that there were no missed calls or messages.
"No, she not in?"
"Em said she's not in her office. She wasn't feeling well last night, do you mind if I run over there to make sure she's okay?"
"Of course, keep me updated."
"Will do" Derek replied heading out the door.

Derek drove like a mad man trying to get to Penelope's genuinely worried that something had happened to her, hoping that she had simply slept through the morning. He let himself in and went straight to her bedroom finding her buried beneath her doona. He noted by the box of tissue, water, cold and flu tablets by her bedside table that she was indeed sick. He brought his lips to her forehead,

"Baby, you're burning up." He stated worriedly placing his hand on her forehead. Penelope woke to his touch,
"What are you doing here? Oh my gosh! I slept in didn't I? I have to call Hotch." She said trying to sit up
"Lay you hard head back down. I'll call him. Why didn't you tell me you were this bad last night?"
"Derek, it's the flu. I'll live. Besides, I didn't want you to get it too." Derek rolled his eyes.
"Snuggle back in and I'll call Hotch. Do you need anything?"
"No, I'm good." Penelope murmured falling back asleep. Derek brought her doona up to her chin tucking her back in before giving her forehead another kiss. Pulling out his phone he called Hotch,

"Morgan, she okay?"
"Yeah Hotch, she's got a bad case of the flu."
"Why don't you just hang there to make sure she's okay?." Hotch suggested knowingly
"Thanks Man. I'll keep you posted."

Derek carefully sat on the other side of Penelope's bed, careful not to wake her. He pulled the files he shoved in his backpack out and started working on them. When Penelope stirred she found him sitting up against her head board, head thrown back, eyes closed. Bored from sleeping she reached for the remote control on her bedside table and saw that Derek had replenished her water supply, tissue box, and emptied her tissue pile. Derek woke to Penelope's minimal movements.

"Hey, bored with sleeping already?" he asked as she flicked from channel to channel.
"Hey Sleeping Beauty." She teased with a yawn. Derek patted his lap wordlessly, to which she complied by shuffling over to him and resting head on his lap. Derek draped his arm over her back and rubbed it soothingly as coughed and sniffled.
"You hungry?" he asked.
"Not really."
"P, you have to eat something if you're going to take more medication. I've got chicken soup."
"You made chicken soup?" she asked doubtfully,
"Thanks for the vote of confidence P." he said feigning hurt at her disbelief.
"But, no I called the Diner and Ricky made a delivery."
"Aww, you're the best Dirk. I might jump in the shower for a bit." Penelope said rolling out of bed. Derek jumped to his feet to help her up,
"Honey I'm fine." She insisted.
"Deal with it Garcia." He said holding her up and helping her towards the bathroom.
"Your services are not necessary in there my love."
"Oh shame!" he replied with a chuckle as he handed her fresh pyjamas and her towel.
"Call out if you need anything."
"I will."

As Penelope showered Derek stripped her bed, and changed the sheets. By the time she had emerged from the bathroom he had moved her DVD player into her room, along with a stack of her favourite movies. He had heated up the chicken soup, and warmed the rolls for her lunch,

"You truly are the best friend a girl could ever hope for." She stated sitting down on the recliner chair as he set up the tray in front of her.
"You would be doing exactly the same for me." He pointed out kissing the top of her head.
"Now pick a movie."
"Willy Wonka?" she answered with a grin, knowing he would groan, and as if on queue, he did
"Only because you're sick Baby Girl."

Penelope got through most of her soup, mainly as a result of Derek's stern looks and nagging. Shortly after Derek helped her back in bed as she curled up against him, resting her head on his chest. Derek could feel that she was still incredibly warm and uncomfortable. He ran his fingers through her hair till she was fast asleep. As her fever continued to rage through Derek kept a cold compress on her head till it broke that evening.

Emily and JJ smiled at the sight of their two friends fast asleep on Penelope's bed. They had brought dinner over, and the rest of the team were arriving shortly to join them. Emily walked over to Penelope and placed her hand on her forehead,

"Hey Pumpkin," Penelope greeted opening her eyes at her touch,
"Hey PG, you feeling better?"
"Yeah I am. I've had gallons of liquid shoved down my throat flushing out any infection lingering in my system." Penelope answered dryly. JJ helped Penelope up from her bed, as she got up Emily took the opportunity to jump on the bed, jolting Derek awake,
"What the!!!" he yelped in surprise as the girls giggled at his expense.
"Very funny Prentiss!" he said grabbing by the waist and tickling her. JJ and Penelope watched in amusement as Emily squealed in protest wriggling from his grasp.
"Shall we help?" Penelope asked looking at JJ who shrugged.
"Nah, let's leave them to sort it out."
"GUYS!!" Emily screamed after them as they walked out of Penelope's room.
"Ha! You're dead Prentiss." They heard Derek declare triumphantly.