Don't Own

Please R&R

Enjoy!

Penelope was glad to be home. In the last couple of days at the hospital she had really started to become agitated. Especially after Hotch had told her she was suspended for encrypting a file. She had been going stir crazy knowing that she had gotten herself into big trouble but there was nothing she could do about it.

The only thing that kept her from going completely insane was Derek, who never left her side.

Their relationship was much the same as it always had been, though they more physical around each other, if that was even possible.

When the rest of the team had found out about their relationship they had all been totally accepting. The only thing Hotch had warned them about was to keep the 'physical aspects' of their relationship to a minimum while they were at work. Then he had patted Derek's shoulder and left the hospital room.

Now Derek was helping her out of his SUV after they had pulled up to Penelope's apartment.

They met the cop that was positioned outside her apartment and then made their way to the door. Penelope got to the steps and then blanched when she saw the stained blood there. Images swirled through her head and she stopped walking.

Derek stopped too. He looked at her fearful expression and his heart ached. He leaned close to her "Come on. It washes off, I promise."

Penelope shook herself from her trance at his words and followed him up the steps. Yes the blood would wash off she told herself, she just wished the memory would be as easy to forget.

She opened the door and led him into her home. She sighed after she had locked the door behind her. God it felt good to be home. She hadn't been sure that she would feel comfortable once she got here but felt relieved when she was finally inside. Having Derek there helped too, she felt safe with him by her.

Derek was looking around her place taking in everything from the fun little knick knacks on her shelves to the colourful colour scheme. Derek chuckled and smiled at Penelope "I would expect nothing less."

Penelope returned his smile "You should be flattered, not many people are invited in off the grid."

Derek smirked at that then his eyes caught on the old film projector sitting on her coffee table "Super eight?" he asked, remembering the name from his media studies class in College.

"Yeah" Penelope said going over to it and turning it on. A video of her with her father when she was around eleven began playing. "I always imagined myself fighting crime" she told him "my parents were hippies, I think it horrified them."

Derek gave Penelope a sad smile "How old were you when you lost them?"

"Eighteen" Penelope answered "Drunk driver."

Derek felt for her, he knew what it was like to lose a parent; at least he still had his mom.

He continued with his exploration of her apartment. Making his way over to her a shelf on the far side of the room he saw some papers scattered there. He looked them over, they were schedules. He read the heading 'Volunteering for Families of Victims.'

"I volunteer once a week" Penelope explained "Consoling family members of murder victims."

"Baby you don't get enough of this at work?" he asked surprised.

"I look at those crime scene photos all day long, I can't know those families are out there and do nothing to help." Penelope told him.

That warmed Derek, he always knew his baby girl was a compassionate person, always putting others before herself but he never knew how far she went to try and make the world a better place. With all the shit he saw at work he knew he wouldn't be able to counsel any victims. For heaven's sake he still got horrible nightmares of his own.

The thought of Penelope putting others before herself reminded him of the fact that the only reason she had encrypted that file was to protect the team. Sometimes she could be too caring, even to a fault.

"You know it was stupid to encrypt that file right?" Derek said walking over to her.

"Yes I know" she said quickly nodding her head "Old habits…I guess."

Derek took in her sincere expression and leaned down to gently kiss her lips. "You need some rest" he said as he pulled back and motioned towards her bedroom.

"You're right" she said leaning into him to give him a hug "Go, be free, my love" she stated running her fingers over the back of his smooth head.

As she pulled away he looked at her his brows furrowing "Hey…I'm not going anywhere."

"Wha…I'll be fine, I've got my goon squad parked outside…" she began but he cut her off.

"Goon squad or no goon squad that couch is gonna be my best friend until we catch this guy…now leave it alone" Derek said with a playful flare.

"Don't be silly" Penelope said and Derek's look darkened. He was not going to leave her here on her own no matter what she said. He didn't care if he had to lie down and refuse to move, his baby girl's attacker was still out there and he would never let that bastard hurt her again. However Derek relaxed at her next words. "That couch is so uncomfortable to sleep on, come on" she said leading him towards her bedroom.

He stopped her for a minute before he was over the threshold "Are you sure about this baby girl?" he asked seriously "I don't mind sleeping on a lumpy couch if you're not one hundred percent comfortable with this."

"I'm positive" she said leaning up to give him a reassuring peck on the lips "I feel protected when you're near me and the couch is just too far."

He sighed with content; there was no place he would rather be then cuddled up with his Baby Girl.

Once Penelope had brushed her teeth and was ready for bed she crawled in beside Derek. She lay on her side facing him. He was looking at her with such love in his eyes it warmed her heart. He gently raised his hand and caressed her cheek. He leaned over and kissed her, this kiss was passionate unlike the others they had shared so far and it took her breath away. He only pulled away when it became necessary to breath.

"Baby Girl…" he began.

"Yes?" Penelope asked when he didn't continue.

"I love you, you know that right? " he said.

Penelope couldn't believe her ears.

He looked nervous after he had said it like he was afraid she was going to reject him. 'Yeah right' she thought to herself. "I love you too Derek."

At that his smile was so bright it could have lit up the room. He captured her lips again in a gentle kiss, when he pulled away he said "Get some sleep."

Penelope was so tired she was almost immediately asleep, however before she let herself drift off she reached out her hand and took his in her own. Her hand fit in his so perfectly. His thumb caressed the back of her hand and she fell asleep with a smile on her face.