Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds or the characters. Some "guest stars" are based on or named after people in my life while others are totally made up, as are some places and events

Chapter 4

"A soul mate usually only comes once in your life to shake things up, show you true love, and stand up to you in ways no one else ever has. They adore you yet challenge you to your fullest potential. A soul mate relationship isn't only peaches and cream, it is roses with thorns." - Unknown

2016

Derek swore as his phone went off the second the elevator doors closed. He looked at the text and groaned dramatically.

"Is the Bossman harassing you before you even get to the office, Sugar Shack?" Penelope grinned.

"Yeah. He wants to see me as soon as I get in."

"He didn't text me so we don't have any cases," Penelope frowned as she instinctively looked at her phone.

"My queen," Derek bowed as he opened one of the glass doors that led to the BAU.

"My hero," Penelope nodded as she swept through the door.

"I am nobody's hero," Derek said as they walked through the bullpen and climbed the stairs to the offices.

Derek's heart pounded every time she said that he was her hero. It still pained him that she didn't remember that night when they were children. Granted, she was younger than he and it wasn't uncommon for kids to block out painful memories. As much as he knew about her and her childhood, he wasn't surprised she didn't remember the traumatizing event. He was just happy that she was real and he could see and talk to her every day. He had wanted more but he always thought he wasn't good enough for her. She was too pure and sweet to be involved with someone as messed up and damaged as he. That didn't stop him from hating Kevin and Sam by proxy but was grateful they made her happy.

"Of course you are, my love! Who else can I call when Ester decides to misbehave, who then calls a tow truck to send the car to a trusted mechanic friend? Who else offered to pick me up for work and had my favorite coffee all ready and waiting? You are my hero, and no amount of protesting will ever change my mind!" Penelope linked her arm through his.

"All right, Hardhead," Derek grinned as they reached her office. "If we get a case I'll give you my keys so you can take my car home until Ester gets fixed." He leaned over and kissed the top of her head, taking a second to breathe in the strawberry scent her shampoo left. He wondered why she didn't call Sam to help her out with her car troubles.

"Sounds good. I'll see you later, Gorgeous," she giggled and winked as she opened the door.

"Hey, hey! You, behave!" Derek pretend-scolded.

"Never!" she called over her shoulder as the door closed behind her.

"Hey, Hotch, what's up?" Derek greeted his Unit Chief after first knocking on the open door.

"Morgan, close the door." Hotch looked up from his pile of paperwork and gazed sternly at his subordinate.

"What's going on?" Derek asked as he sat down on one of the chairs.

"I got a call last night from Stan Gordinski..." Hotch began.

"Aw, hell, Hotch. Don't tell me he called you personally wanting a favor or something!" Derek looked up to the ceiling as if praying for patience.

"He didn't know how to approach you so he called me first. I told him I'd tell you..."

"Tell me what, Hotch?"

"Anthony Montgomery escaped from prison."

"Are you serious?" Derek sat up straight in the chair.

"I'm afraid so," Hotch replied gravely.

"Dammit." Derek began to pace the office.

"Gordinski has dispatched protection for your mom and sisters."

"Good. Although he never threatened or even mentioned them, I'm glad they're protected. It was only me he threatened, since it was my testimony that ultimately got him put away for life."

"He also is believed to have killed his original defense attorney. The attorney was shot and stabbed and his home office was ransacked. He stole cash from a safe. Nothing else was stolen as far as his family could tell," Hotch explained.

"Wait. When did he escape?" Derek stopped pacing and stared at Hotch.

"Two weeks ago," Hotch replied.

"Two w...? That monster escaped two weeks ago and that bastard Gordinski didn't let us know until now?" Derek yelled.

"He didn't know. That's why he called me so late last night. As soon as he was informed he got the protection set up for your family and then called me. He's pretty upset that he wasn't told until after the lawyer was killed," Hotch explained.

Derek sat back down in the chair and put his head in his hands.

"They'll find him, Morgan," Hotch said.

Derek looked up and stated at Hotch. "Have you ever read the police reports or from my father's murder or the trial transcripts?"

"No, I haven't." Hotch shook his head.

"It wasn't just me that Anthony Montgomery threatened. There was a little girl in the store. She and I were the only witnesses to see his face. He blamed her for him getting caught and convicted since she made him lose his mask. Because of her doing that I was able to I.D. him." Morgan looked down at the floor as he said it.

"Did she testify?" Hotch asked.

"Not directly, no. With my testimony and her and her parents' witness accounts at the scene, and the testimonies from the other witnesses, they had more than enough evidence to put Montgomery away forever."

"Do you know the girl's name? I can have Garcia run it and try and find her." Hotch pulled his phone out of his pocket.

"No, Hotch, wait!" Derek stood up suddenly.

"What?" Hotch's eyes narrowed as he detected the desperation in Derek's voice.

"I know who the girl is, but she doesn't know me," Derek said slowly.

"I don't follow," Hotch replied.

"Before my father died, I was in the store. A little girl stood next to me in the candy aisle. I thought she was the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen. When Montgomery and his partner came in to rib the store, I tried to hide the girl, but Montgomery hit me and tried to take her. I fought him and he came after us with a knife. That's when my father came in and tackled him. Montgomery then shot him. I can remember every minute of it. That little girl held me and comforted me until the police came and her parents took her away. I never saw her again. To be honest I wasn't even sure she was real. She was there one minute and totally gone the next. I was only in court for my testimony so I didn't even know they used her statement. I would have dreams about her which made me think I had just thought her up to deal with losing my dad."

"But she was real," Hotch pointed out.

"Several years ago I met a woman on a case. I didn't think of anything until I saw her again a couple weeks later. It was like something clicked. The more I got to know her, the more I thought, 'could it be her?' I just knew, you know, but I had to be sure, so I read everything on record about my father's murder for the first time. I found her name and the other information her parents gave the police at the scene. And I was right. I found the little girl.. or rather, she found me."

"Have I ever met her?" Hotch asked, now intrigued.

"Yeah. You hired her," Derek smiled slightly as he watched as realization hit his boss.

"Morgan...?" Hotch frowned.

"The little girl that was with me when my father was killed was none other than Penelope Garcia."

"And...?" Hotch asked.

"And right now Anthony Montgomery probably knows where to find her." Derek spat out as he got up from the chair and started pacing again.

"He'll also know where to find you, too, Morgan." Hotch said slowly.

"Hotch, I can take care of myself. I'm more worried about Penelope."

"I'll have security stationed outside her house and make sure she doesn't go anywhere alone," Hotch suggested.

"It's not just that." Derek pinched the bridge of his nose.

"What is it?"

"She doesn't remember being with me that night. She has no idea she was a key witness and that she was the brunt of Montgomery's wrath. Derek sighed. "I never told her the truth. And now I have to figure out how to tell her everything."

A/N: Saw the quote on FB tonight. Thought it fit perfectly as my story transitions to the "present." If anyone knows who said/wrote it, let me know. Thanks for the reviews and faves and follows.

Xoxo,

Pita(PITA)Cake