Penelope considered waiting in the office, but after Hotch had announced that paperwork could wait till Monday, she knew that he would shoo them home as soon as they hit the tarmac. It had been a hard case, and thankfully it had broken the afternoon before which meant they flew overnight and were back in Virginia early the next day. Penelope who had been living in her bunker in their absence was looking forward to sleeping on a bed.

Derek bid them all a quick farewell and headed home. He knew from her text message that Hotch had sent Penelope home too. He smiled upon seeing her car in his driveway. Quickening his steps he made his way into his apartment to find her standing in his kitchen in her sweats, which more accurately were once his sweats getting breakfast ready. She walked over to him wordlessly wrapping her arms around his neck. Derek pulled her close to him and breathed her in.

"P, you didn't have to. I know you're just as tired as the rest of us,"
"Shut up. I haven't missed a dark day in six years. I'm not about to miss this one just because I'm sleep deprived."

Derek buried his face into her shoulder. His dark day, as they labelled it was the death anniversary of his father. It was one of the days in the year where he was quieter than usual, more reserved than what they had come to know as normal. With the exception of Hotch she was the only one who knew the date's significance and Hotch only knew because it was the one day in the year that Derek requested to have off if they weren't already on a case.

"I made breakfast. Why don't you eat something? My guess is your last meal was a power bar before you took the unsub down."
"You know me way too well Baby Girl."
"It's what best friends are for Handsome. Come eat." She said taking his hand to lead him to the kitchen table.
"Impressive Baby Girl." He said as his eyes took in waffles, bacon, eggs and fresh fruit.
"Eat." She replied handing him his plate. Breakfast was spent debriefing about the case and just catching up. The case had taken almost two weeks to break and they were all glad that it was over.
"Why don't you grab a shower while I clean up."
"P, you cooked. Let me wash up."
"Derek Michael Morgan…"
"I'm going. Thank you." He said dropping a kiss on her temple as he handed her his plate.
"You're welcome."

By the time Derek had emerged from a long hot shower Penelope was on the couch reading a book. Without looking up she patted the pillow on her lap. He lay down on the couch laying his head on the pillow and closed his eyes as Penelope gently ran her fingers over his head soothingly. Minutes later he was fast asleep. Pulling the blanket that hung over the couch, she tucked him in. Derek stirred hugging her arm to his chest without waking up. Penelope chuckled knowing that there would be no moving for the length of time he would be sleeping and resumed reading with one hand.

Penelope awoke to Derek jerking around in his sleep. She had fallen asleep with her head thrown back on the couch.

"Baby wake up. It's okay. It's just a bad dream. Derek, sweetheart wake up." She soothed rubbing his chest to bring him out of his sleep. Derek's eyes opened and sought hers.
"Baby I'm here. Hey, right here." Penelope said cupping his cheek. Derek's eyes filled with unshed tears. His nightmares came and went, depending on the case, and circumstance, its level varied. She knew that around his dark day, he was plagued with dreams of his father. Derek's heart beat slowed eventually against her hand.

They both knew that sleeping would be out of the question for the rest of the afternoon so Penelope had pulled him up to his feet.

"Let's go for a walk and get some fresh air." She suggested,
"Sounds good. You want the bathroom first?"
"Yes please. I'll be quick." She replied with a wink.

The two of them walked in a companionable silence hand in hand, just enjoying each other's presence.

"I want to light a candle for your Dad. Did you want to come in with me?" she asked as they stood in front of the church. Knowing that Derek still had issues with his faith she never pushed him, and always allowed him to make his own decision.
"Yeah P, I'll come with." She gave his hand a quick squeeze as they entered the church. Derek sat on the pew as Penelope got on her knees and prayed. Moments later she rose to her feet. He appreciated that she lit a candle for his Dad on the anniversary of his death, as well as his birthdays. It's what made her Penelope, he knew it came straight from her heart, and that with or without him she would be doing it. Admittedly if it wasn't for Penelope he would never set foot in church. Usually the battle was getting himself there, but once he was in there, a sense of peace always filled him.

"Hey Ma, sorry I called late in the day. We flew back in this morning and I crashed as soon as I got home."
"That's alright sweetheart. You okay?" she asked knowing that it was a rough day for all of them,
"Yeah Ma. You forget I have Penelope." Fran chuckled,
"That's true. Tell her thank you for the flowers."
"Hang on Ma, I'll put her on." He said nudging Penelope with his shoulder as she tore her attention away from her book
"Hey Mom,"
"Thank you for the flowers Kiddo."
"You're welcome. I just wanted to let you know that I was thinking of you. Of all of you,"
"Thank you for looking after my baby."
"Sure, he's a handful but I can handle him." She answered teasingly as Derek dropped his hand on her thigh knowing that she was extremely ticklish.
"I'll put you back on. Bye Mom. Love you!"
"Love you too sweetheart."

Derek chatted to his Mom for a bit longer and called his sisters to check in while Penelope continued to read beside him. Once he finished with his calls he draped an arm around her shoulder and gave her a brief squeeze.

"Thank me again and I will elbow you where it hurts." She said without looking up from her book earning a chuckle from Derek.