Home of Derek Morgan – Morning

Derek breathed a sigh of relief as he watched her from the doorway of his bedroom. He was glad that she had finally fallen asleep. Instead of an hour and a half, it had taken nearly three hours before the hospital had discharged her and she had been dead on her feet when they'd finally made it home. Hotch had given the team the next three days off and for that he was grateful.

Quietly he backed away and headed down the stairs toward the kitchen. He'd make breakfast to keep his mind from convincing him to go over to Kevin's and finish what he'd started last night. He was still angry and his fist was throbbing and as he pulled the egg carton from the refrigerator he saw the bruises across his knuckles. He had to make sure Penelope didn't see those before he had a chance to tell her that he'd found Kevin in her apartment last night.

The smell of strong coffee pulled her from her slumber. Surprisingly she felt rested and as she stretched her arms and legs across the large bed she could smell his cologne on the sheets. He'd insisted on sleeping on the couch even though he had several guest rooms. She knew him like the back of her hand; he knew he'd be able to get to her faster from the couch and so he'd relinquished his bed to her. She'd heard him earlier leaving the house with Clooney no doubt going on his early morning run and trying desperately not to wake her.

She loved him and as she pulled her body from the bed she wanted to kick herself for not taking a chance on him…on them. Kevin never had a chance and she'd convinced herself that she could be happy with him even though she wasn't in love with him. Sometimes she suspected he knew the truth but foolishly thought that in time she would change and see him like she saw Morgan. She was certain that that was what prompted his proposal several months ago. Things had been strained between them ever since.

As she stepped into the shower the hot water felt good as it beat gently upon her skin. The bruises were a deep purple and black and stood out on her pale ivory skin. She refused to cry at the sight of them. She wouldn't let Kevin and what he had done make her weak and cause her to dissolve into a puddle of tears. Not this morning, not ever. She'd focus on Derek's words of last night telling her that it wasn't her fault and that she was not the cause of Kevin's behavior. Her mind knew he was right now if only she could convince her heart.

He'd cooked enough for a small army but he needed a distraction and he needed her to feel at home. So he pulled the bacon and sausage from the grill and set them on a platter. She rounded the corner and stepped into the large kitchen just as he'd cracked the last egg into a bowl. Her arms skirted around his waste and she laid her head on his back. He smiled as he continued to beat the eggs. Her arms around him felt so natural; she belonged here with him and he was going to do everything in his power to convince her of that very fact.

"Good Morning, Baby Girl."

"I'll show you a good morning, Hot Stuff."

He set the beater down on the counter and turned to face her without breaking her hold on him. She looked up and their eyes met in a knowing stare. He wrapped his strong arms around her and pulled her tight against his chest.

"You already have, Gorgeous."

"How?"

"You woke up in my bed."

"If would have been better if you'd been there too."

"Yeah, well I didn't want to…"

"Listen to me, Derek. I was a fool; a complete and utter fool to stay with Kevin…"

"Baby, you don't have to…"

"Know listen to me, okay?"

"I'm listening."

"I love you, Derek Morgan. I've always loved you."

"I love you too, Penelope Garcia. I just wish…"

He pulled away from her and moved to the window overlooking his backyard. She turned and watched him.

"What? What do you wish?"

"I wish I had had the courage to tell you I loved you long before you ever got involved with Kevin."

She closed the gap between them and stood behind him. She knew what was coming next and she wouldn't have it.

"If I had told you before then none of this would have happened."

"Derek."

She placed a firm hand on his shoulder and turned him to face her. He refused to look her in the eye.

"Listen to me, this is not your fault! If anyone is a coward, it's me. I've loved you since, Gomez."

This made him chuckle as he pulled her into a tight embrace.

"I love you, Silly Girl. I want you to be mine forever."

"I've always been yours, Handsome. Always will be."

He pulled away from her slightly without releasing her. He saw the truth in her eyes staring confidently back at him. He leaned down and captured her lips in a sweet passionate kiss. He'd always been better at showing rather than telling and the kiss spoke what his heart needed her to hear. She returned the kiss acknowledging that she heard and understood perfectly. Their bodies screamed for air and reluctantly they pulled apart swimming deeply into each other's gaze.

Breakfast would have to wait a while as he took her hand and led her back to his bedroom.

2 hours later…

Looking down on the sleeping blonde lying in his arms he couldn't believe she was there. He'd dreamed of this moment for years but never expected it to ever really happen. He wanted to wake her just to make sure she wasn't a dream but he resisted. Gently he brushed a few stray strands from her face and smiled to himself.

"Ready for round two, Baby Boy?" Her voice husky with sleep.

He could feel her smile on his chest. Without responding he ran his fingertips lightly down the side of her body relishing in her moan of approval.

"Always ready, Baby Girl."

Rolling her onto her back he took her lips ravishing them possessively as his hands continued to roam her body. Her hands moved slowly down his chest to his stomach and then…the doorbell rang. He groaned frustrated at the interruption as he pulled away her protest ringing in his ears.

"Who the hell is this?" He growled.

He found his boxers and sweatpants and quickly pulled them on.

"Don't move." He ordered.

She watched his glistening muscles in his back gracefully move through the door.

"I wouldn't think of it."

Derek hurried down the stairs and headed toward the front door. Looking through the peephole he was surprised to see several uniformed officers and a man dressed in a suit.

"What the hell?"

Puzzled he opened the door.

"Derek Morgan?"

"I'm Derek Morgan."

The suited man flashed a gold detective shield as the other officers took a step toward him.

"You need to get dressed."

"Why? What's going on?"

Penelope heard voices downstairs. She quickly got dressed and headed to the stairway.

"My name is Detective Brice. I need you to come with me. I need to ask you some questions.

"Questions; about what?" he responded defensively.

"I need to ask you some questions regarding our investigation into the murder of Kevin Lynch."

"What?"

Derek quickly turned toward the stairway when he heard her gasp.

"Oh my god, Derek, no!"