Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds

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'I got to say... I have missed this place.' Penelope said as she peered out of the window.

'Well maybe you have but are you going to rest now... you've been on the go now since this morning.' Hotch asked with his arms crossed over his chest, giving Penelope the boss man face as she turned.

'I really don't want to.'

'Penelope.'

'Fine.' She said as she made her way back to the bed. At the moment it was only her and Hotch at the hospital, as Fran and Derek had rushed to her place to get her some proper clothes that she could sleep in rather than the rough hospital gown she was confined to. Sarah and Desiree had stayed in Chicago, to sort some loose ends out but Sarah had done her bit and sorted Penelope's tresses into something that didn't make Penelope imagine the past every time she looked in the mirror at herself. Emily, JJ, Rossi and Reid were all sent to work to update Strauss on what had happened and to sort some more working hours out as none of them were prepared to leave Penelope out of their sights for too long. As for he brothers, seeing as only one of them had family ties they were more than happy to get to Quantico and help out as much as possible.

Hotch helped Penelope into bed, still wearing Derek's sweats and refusing to remove them as of yet. 'You seriously love wearing those things?' He laughed when she looked down and blush.

'They're a perfect fit, and they're basically like comfort food, they make me feel good...'

'Plus their Morgan's!'

'Hey when did you grow a sense of humour boss man?'

'Since I learnt to take lessons of my tech.'

'You know how to make a head feel big you know that right?'

He laughed heartily as he took a seat. 'So Penelope what do you want to do?'

'Absolutely nothing.'

'Do you want anything to make you comfortable?'

'I'm fine at the moment boss man.'

'This had better not be that infamous poker face.'

'It's not... honestly... I just don't want to be so doped up I'm in and out, I spent most of the first 2 weeks in hospital like that and the pains aren't that bad.'

'But it did help right?'

'Well I think I would've wanted to give up had I not... so I guess it did yeah.'

'And the pains now?'

'Are aggravated from standing and walking but I love the feeling like I can do it... okay I need maximum help and that's a downer but I knew I had to expect the worse when I started to walk to Fran's.'

'You do realise how sorry I am for not finding you right?'

'Boss man you literally have nothing to be sorry for... I know you didn't stop looking and you weren't to know my brother had me seeing as I kept that part of my life well and truly hidden... just don't beat yourself up over it... I'm here aren't I?'

'Well yes but...'

'I don't want to hear it sir... I know I'm hurt, I know I was critical... I know I was a lot of things but just from having you guys back I didn't see the need to curl up and give up.'

'And I want to thank you for that.'

'Families hey?' Penelope said with a smile that told Hotch the whole truth to her words and that was everything. He smiled and nodded.

'Just promise to never do that again.' He joked.

'I promise.' She said knowing full well what he was getting at.

'Well hello there Penelope.' A familiar friendly voice chimed from the door.

'Louisa... what the hell?' Penelope asked rather shocked to see the nurse who has first called her by her first name in Chicago, she had also become a good friend to Penelope and the team in the previous weeks.

'Nice hello Pen.'

'Well... of course... hello!' She smiled. 'But you work in Chicago?'

'But have temporarily be assigned to look after you seeing as I have since day one... before you ask, the doctor thought it would be wise what with the trauma you have been through so you have me.'

'And she also will be helping out at home.' Hotch said.

Penelope whipped her head round and looked at Hotch. 'You knew?'

'You're boss helped.'

'Seriously, you'd do that for me? What about your family?'

'I don't come from Chicago, plus I want some more experience and this is giving me it whilst also allowing me to experience a new hospital.'

'I'm glad I can help.' Penelope joked.

'Well I've kept you couple of days but how about some chocolate?' She said pulling a chocolate bar from the front of her uniform dress. 'You can't say no.'

'Fine!'

'You want some Hotch?'

'That's a stupid questions.' Both women laughed as the chocolate was shared. 'Well Penelope... how does that go down?'

'Well it doesn't go down as well as those bananas or oranges but it certainly goes down nicely.'

'I have some really good news as well.'

'What would that be apart from helping me plot escape?'

'Oh so you admit you're up for it?'

'I am indeed.' Penelope mocked.

'You actually get out of here in 2 days... they just want to spend time tomorrow running some tests, getting some more scans... just to see that everything is okay and then you are home free.'

'Well that's definitely a good thing.' Penelope smiled, feeling her life resetting again and becoming much more stable for her.

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2 days later

'Come on then baby girl.'

'Wheelchair... really?'

'Really baby really... come on, in you get and then we can get you out and then home.'

'Ahh home... your home... it's a good thing I like your place isn't it handsome?'

'Hey!' He said playfully and bent down, knowing they were still alone. 'I hope it becomes ours before we get a family home.' He smiled as he literally felt the shock fill her up.

'Is that a proposal?'

'It just might well be... but think about it okay goddess?'

'I already have.'

'Oh... and?'

'I love the idea.'

Derek literally beamed as she replied. 'I will do it properly but I'm in for the long haul baby girl... not just a brief thing and gone.'

'I know hot stuff and I trust you not to do that to me.'

'Well it's good to hear... so... how about getting you out of here?'

'I think that was a long wasted question to ask.'

'I think I agree.' He replied as he pushed the wheel chair out of the room and got greeted by the rest of the team, the three Garcia brothers, Fran and Louisa. 'Let's not stop this journey!'

'Homeward bout it is then.' Hotch said with strong agreement from absolutely everyone.