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 9

Derek woke up to the sound of the garbage truck squealing to a stop, followed by the clank and thud of it collecting the can. He felt unusually warm and was momentarily confused as he felt movement next to him. He looked over to see Penelope turn from her back to face him, smiling slightly in her sleep. Derek's heart swelled. He felt like the luckiest man in the world to wake up next to her. She really is an angel, he thought. The perfect woman. She had allowed her hair to air dry overnight and it lay in thick waves all over the pillows. Her scent had permeated him and his bed. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen and his body's involuntary reactions proved how much he wanted her.

Getting up out of bed without waking her, he slipped on his house shoes and started the shower. He let the cold water hit him for a few minutes while forcing himself to not think about the goddess in his bed. When he was finally able to control his body some, he switched to warmer water and finished his shower. He wrapped a towel around his hips after drying off some.

Derek walked back into the bedroom and couldn't help but stare at Penelope, who was still sleeping soundly. He hated to wake her but knew she needed to wake up so they could get to work on time. He knelt down next to the bed and brushed the hair away from her face. "Baby Girl," he murmured.

"Hmm..." she mumbled, still asleep.

"It's time to wake up," he sing-songed.

"Wha...?" she opened her eyes, squinting as she tried to focus on him.

"Here," he handed her her glasses. He grinned as he watched her eyes focus as she put the glasses on. "Good morning, Princess."

"I'll show you a good morning, Hot Stuff," she blurted out, not thinking. She blushed and buried her face in the pillow and cursed her lack of filter.

You already have, he thought. "The water's all yours," he said as he disappeared into the walk-in closet. When he came out, completely dry and dressed in his pants and socks, she was gone. He was surprised to see the bed neatly made and the beer bottles and popcorn bowl gone as well.

Derek finished dressing and went downstairs to wait for Penelope to finish getting ready. As he passed her bathroom he heard the shower turn off. He washed the popcorn bowl and put it away and checked the scores on ESPN. He heard Penelope coming down the stairs. He looked at his watch and did a double-take. It had taken her ten minutes to get dressed, apply her makeup, and do her hair. He stood and saw her efficiently juggling her shoes, laptop bag, and purse. He watched as she set the bags down so she could slip on the shoes, which were dove gray with purple bows. Her dress was also gray, a little darker than her shoes, and over it she wore a purple cardigan. Her hair was tamer than before, and she wore it loose with a lot of the wave still in it, holding it back with a purple headband. She wore purple cat-framed glasses.

Her outfit reminded him of their childhood, of her in her purple coat and rainbow hat. He knew then that she was beautiful and he knew it now. "We have time to get some breakfast, if you want," he explained as he gathered his wallet, badge, and keys while she checked her purse. He helped her put on her coat before grabbing his own jacket.

"Sounds good," she smiled shyly as she picked up her bags. He shook his head and took the laptop bag from her. He opened the door and did a quick scan outside before setting the alarm and leading her out. He opened the car door for her and kissed her hand before putting her bag in the backseat.

"She stayed the night with him," Malcolm Ford spoke into a cell phone.

"She hasn't done that before. I thought they were just co-workers but it looks like they are more than that... a lot more than that," Anthony Montgomery replied. "Are they leaving?"

"Yeah. I'm following them. They just pulled into a diner," Ford answered. "You should see them. He treats her like a princess. Makes me sick."

"Keep following her. His schedule is too erratic to get a pattern. Maybe hers is more solid."

"And what are you doing?"

"Getting us a bigger and better place to crash."

"Good. That motel is too busy and we need privacy."

"Hotch wants to tell the team today," Derek explained as they studied their menus.

Penelope froze and peaked over her menu at her best friend. He was staring at her and she knew he was watching her every reaction. "Stop treating me like a victim," she snapped. "And stop profiling me!"

Derek frowned and set his menu down. Before he could say anything the waitress sauntered up. "So, you know what you'd like to order?" she asked, looking at Derek and ignoring Penelope as she filled up their coffee cups.

"Baby?" Derek asked, his eyes never leaving Penelope.

"Yeah, I'll have a Mexican egg-white omelet with extra peppers and cheese, please," Penelope said.

"And for you, hon?" the waitress asked Derek.

"I'd like two eggs over-easy, with a side of bacon and toast with strawberry jam,' he requested.

"I'll get that right out to you," she smiled widely at Derek. Penelope rolled her eyes as she walked away, taking the menus with her. Normally she found it amusing when women would flirt with him but today she was irritated. She felt weirdly territorial and it was an unfamiliar feeling. What she wanted was to stand on her chair and scream to the waitress (and anyone else who looked twice at Derek,) 'He is mine!'"

Derek grabbed Penelope's hands. "Baby Girl, I'm sorry if you think I'm treating you like a victim. I don't mean to."

"I'm still mad at you."

"I know. That won't ever stop me from loving and protecting you."

Penelope sighed. "What is Hotch going to tell the team?"

"Do you want to speak to him privately before telling everyone else?" Derek was unconsciously rubbing her cold hands with his much warmer ones.

"I don't know what to say," Penelope shrugged.

"He'll discuss safety measures and get your input as to what you want to do."

"I feel safest with you," she replied shyly, remembering how he stood in front of her all those years before.

Derek smiled as he bent his head and kissed her hand. "And I feel better when you're with me. We'll figure this out."

"I don't want everyone fussing and making a big deal about this and treating me different," she whispered.

"I'm sorry, Sweetheart, but this is a big deal. You are very special to a lot of people and everyone at the BAU is going to be worried about your safety."

"Derek, I... " Penelope was cut off when the waitress returned with their food.

"Enjoy," she said.

Derek and Penelope ate in silence for several minutes. "They're going to want to know everything but I don't know what to tell them. I don't know that what all I remember is accurate. I don't want to say anything that isn't true."

"Baby, you don't have to tell them anything. Everything is in the reports and files. Hotch will understand."

"I'm scared."

"Don't be. All we're going to talk about is how we're going to keep you safe." He took out his phone as it chirped a text alert. "Hotch wants to know if you want to meet in his office, mine, or yours."

"Mine," Penelope requested. "No windows and more privacy."

"All right." Derek texted Hotch back.

Derek texted Hotch again as soon as he and Penelope were in her office. Penelope set about turning on her babies while Derek watched. He was mesmerized by her every move. Less than a minute later there was a knock on the door. Derek answered it and allowed Hotch in.

"Sir," Penelope rose from her chair and gestured to her couch. She pulled her chair over and sat while Hotch and Derek took the couch.

"Garcia, I can speak for the whole unit when I say we will do everything we can to protect you," Hotch began.

"Thanks, Bossman. That means a lot," Penelope replied.

"We have several things we could do, but I think the best thing for you -and the rest of the unit- is for you to come with us when we travel for cases."

"But... but... I'm not a field agent," Penelope stuttered.

"You wouldn't be in the field. You'd be at the local police station, field office, or hotel. Someone will be with you at all times."

"I'd like that... I like that a lot," Penelope smiled. "But I can't. I've got Team B to take care of..."

"I've already arranged for Cooper's team to work with a different tech," Hotch replied. "I didn't say anything, but I think we should explain it to him. He and his team adore you and will understand."

"All right."

"When we're home, I don't want you alone. I have no problem having you stay with me, and I'm sure the others will be happy to help out..."

"Wait, sir! I appreciate the gesture, I really do, but I will not put Jack's life in danger. Or Henry and Michael's, or Meg and Michelle's, for that matter," Penelope said.

"You can stay with me," Derek said.

"We'll figure it out later, after we tell the team what's going on," Hotch decided.

"Do I have to be there? When you tell everyone, I mean." Penelope asked.

"I don't want you to do anything you're not comfortable with," Hotch said as he and Derek stood up. "We don't have any active cases right now. I'll tell the team to give you space."

"Thanks again, Sir," Penelope said as Hotch left her office.

"You're going to get tired of me if I'm going to be traveling with you and staying with you," she half-joked as she wheeled back over to the screens. When she didn't receive an answer she turned around. Her eyes widened as she caught him staring... again. "Like what you see, Hot Chocolate?" she teased.

"Most definitely, Gorgeous. And no, I will never get tired to you," he smiled. "I'll be back after the meeting," he said and kissed the top of her head.

Penelope sighed. "Why does he keep looking at me like he's never seen me before?" she mused out loud. She turned back to her babies and started to type furiously. A few minutes later she gasped and walked out of her office.

Hotch walked to his office and saw that Kate, Reid, and JJ were at their desks and Rossi was walking up the stairs to his office. "Conference room in ten," he announced. He walked into his office and called Cruz and explained their plan. Cruz agreed to let Garcia travel with the team and explained that he was working with the US Marshals to find Montgomery and Ford.

"Where's Garcia?" JJ asked as Derek walked into the war room and closed the door behind him. "Do we have a case?"

"She's busy," Hotch said as he exchanged a look with Derek. "Morgan," he nodded as he sat down in a chair.

Derek stood up and paced the room. "Thirty years ago my father was killed during a foiled robbery. Yesterday I found out that the bastard who killed him escaped from prison, along with Malcolm Ford. Ford abducted my cousin and held her for eight years before we found her," he explained to Kate. He looked away at the shocked looks on the faces of JJ and Reid. Only Rossi and Hotch kept their expressions in check.

"Do you think they're coming after you?" Reid asked slowly.

"Yeah, I do. Ford knows I'm FBI and that I work in Quantico. My mom and sisters, aunt, and cousin are safe and protected. I'm not worried about them. He hates me and Montgomery blames me and the other witness for him getting caught."

"There was another witness to your father's death?" Kate asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Yes, there was. She was... and still is, the is the brunt of Montgomery's rage," Derek replied.

"Who is this witness?" Rossi asked.

"I am."

A/N: Happy New Year! I celebrated by drinking waaaay too much apple pie and champagne and eating too many wings. Here's to a happy and prosperous 2016.

Xoxo,

Pita(not a lush, honest!)Cake