Author's note: Ok so here's part two it's kind of ruff. I'm not too sure it makes much sense but hey that's my muse for you. Please let me know what you think.
Disclaimer: As always I own nothing. Too bad cause… well never mind lol…
Derek slowly made his way towards the bullpen not really paying much attention as to where he was going; only when he caught sight of Kevin Lynch with a box in his arms did he really pay attention. A frown graced his handsome features as he watched the tech slowly walk down the hall as if he was trying to take everything in.
Without thinking about it Derek called out, "Is something wrong Lynch you look lost?"
Kevin's head snapped up to stare right out Derek at first not understand why he was still there, then the question caught him a little off guard. Why would Derek Morgan, of all people want to know about his well fair?
"Nothing's wrong Morgan just taking one last look around."
Another frown, "Last look around?" he asked puzzled by the answer, "Are you going somewhere?"
Kevin just looked at him, not sure on what to say, so he settled for the truth, "As a matter of fact I am, got a job offer in California to head up the Tech department for the FBI."
"Congratulations man I wish you luck," Derek offered then a though occurred to him and he asked the question before he could stop himself, "so then is Penelope going with you?"
Derek wasn't sure if he wanted to know the answer it would kill any hope he had left for them. Granted they hadn't spoken much over the last year, their once tight friendship had dwindled to just talk about work at work. Something that Derek cursed himself for. Even though he wouldn't admit it to anyone he missed they flirty banter, the nights they'd spend together after a terrible case just the two of them. But he knew he had to back off for Penelope's sake so she could have a chance at happiness and now it seemed that she would be leaving him without even so much as a goodbye.
Kevin's voice broke him out of his thoughts, "Uh no she's staying here. We, I thought it best if we didn't continue the relationship after I left. Long distance relationships never work out and I didn't want to put Pen through that."
Derek just nodded relief flooding his body, "Well I need to you know finish some paperwork have a nice life Kevin."
Kevin watched him walk away discussed by the lack luster reaction from Derek. He had thought the profiler would have at least gone to Penelope to see how she was, to offer some kind of support. They had been and for all tens and purposes were still best friend's. Kevin had figured out not to long ago that Derek held stronger feelings for Penelope than he was willing to admit to anyone even himself.
Kevin had always known that Penelope was in love with Derek, yet she held that little piece of information very close to her heart if Kevin hadn't been as close to her as he was he'd never have seen it. At first the thought made him a little jealous, but in the end he knew that he would never be able to change Penelope's heart. That was why he had took the job in California and broke it off with her in the hopes that one of them would finally man up and admit their true feelings.
And now as he watched Derek walk towards the BAU bullpen he realized that that may never happen if someone didn't help him pull his head out of his ass long enough to see what was around him. Gathering his courage, Kevin purposely walked towards the glass door hell bent on giving one Derek Morgan a piece of his mind.
She drove around for awhile not sure where she would head. She knew home was out of the question right now she didn't want to be alone in that apartment. Before she knew it Penelope pulled into a parking spot at the hospital, got out and made her way up stairs.
Her first stop was Reid just to check up on her boy genius to see for herself how he was fairing.
Knocked softly she waited until she heard the low "Come in" before pushing the door open, plastering a smile and her face and greeting Spencer. She took in his pale face; IV's hooked up with antibiotics, leg wrapped with gauze where the bullet went through flesh, and propped up on a pillow to alleviate pressure. To her he looked worst than it was.
"How are you feeling sugar?" Penelope asked taking the only available seat next to the bed.
"Like shit," came the blunt response, his voice scratchy from the pain.
Penelope let out a laugh, "Glad your sense of humor wasn't affected Reid." She took his hand in hers needing to remind herself that he was alive and not a body down in the cold dark morgue. "Seriously though how are you really?"
"Not too bad, hurts like hell though," Spencer replied giving Garcia's hand a slight squeeze, "You know we're both fine Garcia a little was for the wear but still in once piece."
Penelope nodded unsure of what to say. They remained silent for a bit before Penelope finally spoke, "Just don't make a habit out of getting shot I don't think I could handle it."
"I'll try not to Penelope," Spencer smiled, "so have you gone to see Hotch, yet?"
"No" she shook her head, "You were the first stop."
Spencer could see that something else was bothering her, but he didn't want to push, of course no one could ever say that Spencer Reid lead with tacked. That being said he plowed ahead and asked, "Garcia is something wrong?"
"You know…" Penelope began a ghost of a smile on her face.
"You really hate profiler's." Reid finished for her, his own smile lighting his features. "Yes I know, but seriously Penelope has something happened?"
Shaking her head, blonde curls bounce around her, obscuring her face from his eyes, "No and yes Spencer. Just… you don't worry about it ok. Just get better, I'll see you later. I'm going to see Hotch before I leave."
Spencer kept her hand in his, eyes searching, "I know I'm not good at this, but if you need to talk I'll be here, it's not like I'm going anywhere, but if you need me…" he trailed off letting the invitation hang in the air.
"Thanks Spence," Penelope returned giving his hand a squeeze before letting go and walking away.
A few minutes later and two floors up Penelope came to a stop at Hotch's door. As with Spencer she took in the fact that he looked pale. His face showed only slight signs that their fearless leader was in pain and conscious. Unlike with Spencer, she couldn't see the bandages that held Hotch together, only the IV tubes, blood pressure cuff and various wires monitoring his health could be seen.
"Are you just going to stand there Garcia or are you coming in," came Hotch's gravelly voice.
Slowly she walked forward up sure of what to say or where to look. "How are you feeling sir?"
"Like shit," came his response.
"Reid said the same thing. You two connected somehow," Penelope said glancing towards Hotch.
A slight shake of the head was all she got. Penelope took the seat next to his bed and folded her hands in her lap unsure of what to say again. With Reid it was easier but Hotch well she was at a lost.
"Penelope," Hotch began waiting for her to look at him, "I know from Emily that for a while you were trapped between searching for me and helping the rest of the team. That you were the only one who knew what was going on, on both sides. I… thank you for finding me."
Tears threatened to fall as she pushed them back and answered, "No thanks necessary sir I would have done it for any member of the team, were family."
"Then don't you think you should at least call me Hotch while I'm in this God forsaken place," he said gaining a smile from Penelope.
But she saw the sadness that underlined everything, the worry that he would never again get to see his son grow up. Without a second thought she took his hand in hers, "Will find Foyet and bring his sick ass to justice Hotch. You will get to see your son grow up. We will never stop fighting until that happens."
Hotch nodded. He knew she was right but right now he couldn't bring himself to believe that it would happen. The what if's ate away at him something that was new to him. He could feel himself start to drift off as he watched Penelope stand.
She noticed that Hotch was starting to fall sleep so she rose, "You get some rest Hotch I'll come back by tomorrow. Try to take it easy and don't give these lovely nurse's too much trouble."
He nodded and watched as she turned to go only to turn around and give him one last smile, saying "Family helps one another no matter the cost," and she was gone.