A/N I had a burst of inspiration for this scene today so I wrote this chapter instead of my original plan
Penelope:
Derek had never in his life wanted something more than he did sitting in that waiting room. He wanted the doctor to come out and tell them that Penelope was going to be okay. He still couldn't believe someone had shot her. Anyone who knew Penelope Garcia loved her, and for someone to hurt her like this, it was unfathomable to Derek. She was a sweet, kind, quirky, and trusting individual. He wished he could go back and fix things.
There was a part of Derek, a big part, that was angry at himself. He had hurt her feelings earlier. He had made her think he didn't believe a good looking guy could be attracted to her. That was the furthest thing from the truth, especially considering Derek Morgan himself was hopelessly in love with her. She just didn't know it.
He was angry that he had been at church instead of here with the rest of the team. He knew Reid was right, he couldn't have done anything here, but still. He was just thankful he was there when the doctor finally updated them. It was touch and go for a while, but his Baby Girl was strong. If that bullet had been just a centimeter over….well Derek couldn't let himself think about that.
Derek was beyond relieved when she finally woke up. He went into her room with JJ, Emily and Spencer. Seeing her, in the hospital bed, was hard for them. Their bubbly friend was clearly exhausted, and though she tried to make jokes, the pain on her face was evident.
JJ was the one to ask Penelope if she was up for some questions. She told them that she never saw it coming. She explained that the shooter had seemed normal to her, which meant he hadn't been just a random shooter/robber.
"You know him." Spencer concluded.
"You were right." Penelope sighed. She looked up at Derek. "I should have trusted it."
"What are you talking about?" Derek asked her in confusion.
"It's that guy I told you about." She told him. Derek's heart stopped. The guy she had gone on a date with to prove him wrong. "The one I met at the coffee shop. I wanted to believe he was interested in me."
"Forget that." Derek said. He was going to find this guy and tear him apart.
"I let my guard down." Penelope admitted to them.
"Do you have any idea why he would have done this?" Prentiss asked.
"Did he threaten you? Did he want something?" Reid added.
"I just thought he liked me." Penelope said, sadly.
They knew Penelope needed her rest, so after getting the name of the guy, they left her room. Penelope asked JJ to stay for a moment. Derek's anger was taking over him as he walked into the waiting area. He slammed his firsts against the wall, and even snapped at Spencer for trying to calm him down.
The guy who did this to Penelope was smart, but the BAU was smarter. Derek wasn't going to rest until the guy who hurt his baby girl was put away or dead. Either way, Derek wanted him to suffer.
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A little while later, Derek and Reid were standing in the hall just outside of Penelope's room. Derek was trying his best to control his emotions, but he couldn't wrap his head around everything. He needed to talk to someone about how he was feeling, and maybe even get some advice.
"I asked her to go out last night, but she was pissed at me." Derek admitted to the other agent. "She blew me off."
"So you ended up in church?" Reid questioned. He had a feeling there was more to it than that.
"Yeah." Derek told him. "What does it mean?"
"I'm not an expert at this sort of thing, but Derek, I think it means you're in love with her." Spencer gave his friend a small smile. It was about time someone pointed it out. Derek didn't answer directly.
"On one hand, if she'd gone out with me, she would have never got shot." Derek said, looking off. "On the other hand, what are the odds that the first time I pray in 20 years, she's on the table?"
Before Spencer could ramble off a statistic to him, the nurse came out. She told them Penelope was asking for them. Reid had a feeling that she was more asking for Derek. He knew that Penelope was also in love with Derek. He wondered if this was the push they needed to finally get together.
Derek walked up to Penelope's bed, and very gently, put his hand on top of hers. He asked how she was doing and she told them about her near death experience. She made both of them crack a smile when she explained that she thought for a moment that David Bowie was God.
Spencer told her that a sketch artist would be coming in to ask her for the man who shot her's description. She admitted that she was still a little hazy. Derek comforted her, letting her know that anything she could tell them would help.
Derek and Spencer were able to find out a little more information about the unsub. Penelope had remembered the car he had driven her in. While Derek and Spencer knew, it was most likely not his car, it could still help them find him. She told them that she remembered the unsub had smelled good.
Derek's heart hurt when she told them that she had just thought the guy was nervous about kissing her. His poor, sweet, baby girl. She continued on about how she had heard him walking over to her after he shot her. She had tried to pretend that she was dead so he would leave. They got enough information from Penelope to start a profile, and they were wasting no time.
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When Hotch came into Penelope's room later and asked her about her encrypted files, Spencer thought Derek was going to deck their boss. Hotch needed to know if Penelope was involved in anything he should know about, because he knew it could be tied to the shooter. Penelope didn't think there was a connection, but Hotch demanded the password anyway.
"Is this really necessary?" Derek demanded.
Hotch told them that it was necessary. He was given the password and explained that internal affairs had taken them off the case. He then informed Penelope that until everything was cleared up, she was suspended. There was concern that she was a security risk.
Once Hotch left, Penelope started to panic. She needed to handle this situation. She began attempting to undo the machines and IVs hooked to her. She was telling Derek and Spencer that she needed to get out of there. Derek quickly began to stop her.
"Baby, please." He pleaded. "Baby, listen to me, we're gonna get it straightened out. I'm gonna find out who did this to you. I don't give a damn what I.A. wants me to do or doesn't want me to do, but right now you need to rest."
Spencer watched as Derek and Penelope argued. It was clear to him that the two belonged to one another. He wasn't sure if he believed in soulmates, there wasn't really any scientific evidence to back it up, but if they did exist, Derek and Penelope were proof. They needed one another, and while they still insisted they were just friends, Spencer saw right through it. The amount of oxytocin released in the room when they were together was astronomical.
Penelope told Reid and Morgan how she got hired by the FBI. It was surprising to hear that it was because she had hacked something she wasn't supposed to. It was a little ironic. She told them that the encrypted file was information about the team to keep them safe. After that, Reid decided to go see if Penelope could get released to go home.
"I should call JJ, see if she can pick me up." Penelope said.
"Baby girl, why would you do that?" Derek asked. "I'm taking you home. And don't try and argue it. There's nothing else I'd rather be than here with you."
Penelope knew there was no use in arguing with him. When Derek Morgan made his mind up about something, there was no changing it.
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Derek looks around Penelope's apartment and smiles. It was exactly what he expected. It was Penelope: the little figurines, the purple walls, the fun lamps. He smiled, knowing this was where his baby girl lived. He was even more ecstatic when she showed him her old film player. She told him about how she had always wanted to be a crime fighter, and about her hippie parents.
As he explored her place, he learned more about her. She counselled victims' families despite seeing it 14 hours a day at work. He fell even more in love with her in that moment. Penelope Garcia was an amazing person. She was his everything, and he was so lucky to have her in his life.
"You need some rest." He told her. She nodded.
"You're right. Go." She hugged him. "Be free my love."
She was crazy for thinking he was going anywhere. He told her he was staying. She tried to tell him she was fine with the police being parked out front, but he wasn't hearing any of that nonsense. He told her that he would be happily staying on her couch until they caught her attacker.
She caved, knowing, again, that there was no use in arguing with him. Her beautiful chocolate thunder was stubborn. She couldn't help the smile on her face, though. She was actually glad he was staying. He would protect her. She started to walk to her bedroom.
"But if you're thinking of trying to take advantage of me," She teased him. "Let me call my doctor so he can revive me after."
They both laughed. It was good to have a reason to smile despite all of the horrible things happening. She smiled again at him. She turned to finish her journey to her bed, but Derek called out to her.
"Hey silly girl." He grew serious. "I love you, you know that right?"
"I love you too." She smiled.
Neither knew that the other was wishing the same thing. They both wanted the other one to know just how much they loved the other. They were hopelessly in love with one another, but neither could admit it.
Penelope and Derek were disturbed not long after by gunshots. Derek went into FBI Agent mode and pulled Penelope into a corner. He gave her gun and instructed her to fire at anyone who came through the door. He knew she didn't believe in guns, but he needed her to be prepared to protect herself.
Derek went into the hall and caught sight of the unsub. The two began to shoot at one another, and Penelope cried. She was terrified. Morgan told her to stay where she was and ran down the stairs to catch the man who shot his baby girl. The son of bitch took off. Derek lost him when the man ran down the street. He found the officer that the unsub had shot and called for an ambulance on his radio.
Frustrated, Derek headed back to Penelope's apartment. He knew she was scared, and he needed to get back to her and call the team. When he got into her apartment and didn't see her around the corner, he drew his gun. If that sick psycho was here with Penelope, he was going to shoot him. He turned a corner, and Penelope nearly shot him. He quickly revealed himself, and told her not to shoot.
"It's Morgan, baby." He said, he stepped closer as she put down the weapon. She was sobbing as he took her into his arms.
"Why is this happening to me?" She asked him.
He wished he had an answer for her. He just knew that no matter the reason, this guy was going down. He held Penelope close and kissed her head. In that moment he made a promise, when this was all over, he was going to be with her.
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When the team got there, Penelope was able to give them some more information that she remembered. Because of the little details, they concluded that the unsub was an agent. This changed the whole case.
Rossi began to yell at her, demanding she tell them everything. He told her most people got shot for a reason, and he wanted to know what she was hiding. It pissed Derek off, and he demanded Rossi let up on her, but the older agent refused.
Penelope finally told them about tagging cases to be priority. Hotch was angry at her. He reminded her that she was unauthorized to do that. Derek wanted to fight, knowing she was only doing it to help. Penelope was a good person, and she was good at her job. He didn't want them to question that.
JJ, Rossi and Hotch were going back to the BAU. Hotch told the others to stay and make sure that Penelope didn't have access to her system. Morgan read through it, and knew Hotch wanted them to hack in. Penelope was the only one who could do this, and they needed to catch this guy.
Penelope was getting into the system, and was battling Lynch. He may have been a good hacker, but he stood no chance against her. She was the best for a reason. She back hacked him, knowing it would throw him off. In all honesty, it was a little entertaining to be trying to outhack someone. She tricked him into a chase, knowing he'd follow her. He did, and she was finally able to beat him out. She imagined he was shocked and knew he would not be able to get out the hole she had led him into.
After printing off the cases, they were able to figure out that the unsub's real identity was Jason Clark Battle. They were able to connect the dots and find out why he had been after Penelope. Now they just had to catch him.
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It had been two weeks since the whole Battle incident. Penelope was mending well, and Derek spent nearly all of his time with her when he wasn't at work. He was waiting for her to be mentally and physically better before he asked her out. He felt that they were finally getting there, and he had it all planned out.
"So, baby girl, I'll come over tonight after work, we can put in a movie, order some food, cuddle up on the sofa?" He suggested as he slipped into her lair. "What do you say, pretty lady?"
"Oh, Derek, that's sweet, but you don't have to come over again. I know you're missing your nights on the prowl." She replied, typing something on her computer.
"I want to." Derek insisted. She was silent. "Do you not want me to?"
"It's just...well...you know Kevin Lynch? The other hacker?" She asked, turning her chair to face him. "He kind of asked me on a date tonight."
"You're going on a date with him!?" Derek was annoyed. She was going to go out with this weasel? Did she not understand? "Why?"
"Because he asked me, and we have a lot in common." Penelope said, her forehead wrinkling. "Derek, I love you and I respect you, but right now you are way out of bounds."
"Why, because I seem to remember knowing exactly how your last date would turn out." Derek knew the moment the words left his mouth that it was the wrong thing to say. "Baby I didn't-"
"You know what, Derek, save it." Penelope snapped. She got closer to him. "How about instead of acting like a jealous jerk everytime someone asks me out, you get up the courage to ask me first next time."
Derek stood there dumbfounded. She had hit that one on the head. He was jealous, and he was being a jerk, but he couldn't let her go out with Kevin. She didn't belong with him. She belonged with Derek, and he had to prove it to her.
"I'm sorry, baby girl, I really am." He said. He grabbed her face in her hands. "And you're right, I should have asked you first. I wanted to give you time after everything with Battle. I shouldn't have assumed you would wait for me because I didn't tell you where my head was at."
"Derek, I-"
"Let me finish, sweetness, okay?" He requested. She nodded. "I meant what I said that night in your apartment, I do love you. I love you so much, sometimes I can't breathe. You getting shot, it was the scariest thing to ever happen to me because if you had died, I wouldn't have been able to go on. You're my everything, Penelope Garcia. Don't go on a date with Kevin Lynch, go on one with me."
Penelope had tears rolling down her face now. She had been waiting for this moment for years, and she couldn't believe it was finally happening. Derek loved her like she loved him. He wanted to be with. She didn't know what to say.
"Okay." She managed. She smiled. "I'll go on a date with you."
Derek grinned, he leaned in and finally kissed her. It was a sweet and gentle kiss that showed just how much he loved her. She had never had a kiss that held so much emotion before. She knew she never wanted to kiss another man again.
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After their first date, Penelope and Derek were even more inseparable. They spent their nights off making love for hours, and their days at work sneaking kisses in the office. Reid was the only one who knew that they were together for the first few weeks. Derek had confessed to him when they were on a case. Thin walls in the hotel, and a night of phone sex, made for some awkward explaining. Reid was happy for them, and he covered for them when needed.
But, after five weeks of hiding it from the rest of their team, they finally came clean. They team had been happy for them. Hotch was not at all surprised, and had suspected it all along. He made them fill out some paperwork, and told them to do their best to be professional at work.
After six months, Derek proposed. Penelope, of course, said yes. They had planned their wedding for their one year anniversary. The entire team had been a part of their wedding party. The reception was exactly what they wanted. It was small with just their friends and families, but perfect for them.
"We did it." Derek smiled at his bride as they danced across the floor together. They had chosen The Search is Over by Survivor as their first song. "We're married."
"My handsome husband." Penelope smiled. She laid her head on his chest as they moved. "I can't believe we are finally here."
The day he proposed to her was a day she would remember perfectly for the rest of her life. She had been surprised, and had not at all suspected a thing. It was after a case that had kept him away for almost two weeks. Cases when the team was gone were always hard, but this one really got to him. He had realized he didn't want to spend any nights apart, even though that was nearly impossible. He just knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. So he got some help from Reid, and one night just as their shift was ending, they were able to get a message across her computer sceness that said: WILL YOU MARRY ME?
"Baby girl, I love you so much." Derek said, kissing his wife. "We are going to have the best life together."
"We sure are handsome." Penelope smiled. "I can't wait for our two weeks off in Aruba."
"Me either." Derek winked. "I am going to ravish you all night every night."
Penelope grinned at the thought of making love to her husband. She was so excited to have a whole 14 days with him. It was the best wedding present she could have ever asked for.
"I hope Spencer takes good care of Gus Gus." Penelope said. "I should remind him that Gussie likes his milk warm."
Derek chuckled. Four weeks ago, Derek had found an abandoned kitten under their porch. He had brought it inside, and was planning on calling the animal shelter, but Penelope had fallen in love with him. She told Derek there was no way the little black kitten could be put in a shelter, and she insisted they keep him. Unable to deny her, Derek agreed. And so, now, they had a cat. Derek had hated cats his whole life, but he had to admit, Gus Gus was special. He maybe even loved him.
"Your cat will be fine." Derek smiled.
"Our cat." Penelope corrected. "Don't think I don't see you snuggle him in the middle of the night, or slip him pieces of chicken."
Derek didn't dare argue, he just laughed. She was right, afterall. Penelope was always right.
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Derek and Penelope's honeymoon had been wonderful. They had hardly wanted to return home when the two weeks were over. Six weeks after, however, they found out they had brought home something that would always make them remember their trip.
Nine months after their wedding, the Morgans welcomed their first child. A little boy. He was an absolutely beautiful baby that they named Elliot David Morgan. He was their whole world. They didn't think they could love anything more, but when Elliot was 18 months old, they found out they were expecting again.
Their daughter was born on Christmas that year. They named her Holly Francine, after Derek's mother. The moment she was born, she had her parents wrapped around her little finger. She was much more outspoken than her big brother, and kept them on their toes.
Derek and Penelope were celebrating Holly's third birthday with the BAU. Everyone loved Elliot and Holly. The whole team were their aunts and uncles. Reid and his wife of one year had just found out they were expecting and loved to practice on the Morgan kids.
"This has been a great day." Derek commented, kissing his wife's head as they watched the kids play. They were getting ready to bring the cake into the living room and sing happy birthday.
"It has." Penelope agreed with a smile. "Although, there is a way to make it even greater."
"I like the way you think." Derek winked, leaning in and kissing her. "With a house full of people though?" Penelope playfully swatted at him.
"You get those dirty thoughts out of your mind, that's why we're in this situation." She laughed. He froze.
"Wait...do you mean?"
"Yes, hot stuff. Baby Morgan number three." She confirmed. "I found out yesterday morning."
Derek grinned and lifted her into his arms, kissing her happily. He had never imagined his life could turn out this amazing, but he was so glad it did. He had the perfect life with his baby girl and their children.
"Silly girl, you I love you right?"
"I love you too."
A/N 2: I hope you enjoyed this update! More will be coming soon :) Also their cat shares the same name as Kirsten Vangsness's cat! I've been watching her Instagram videos every day, and she is so wonderful.