Penelope was watching Derek for a while now. He'd fallen asleep after the third story, she'd told him about Sofie. Softly chuckling to himself, Derek had closed his eyes and fallen asleep immediately. He looked so utterly relaxed and happy, and Penelope really was grateful for that. That he was going to get some rest now was good as well. Fran and Sofie would come any minute, and Derek needed his strength to see them.

She placed a tender kiss on his forehead, smiling at his sleeping form.

"I love you so much, Derek Morgan."

That was the moment Derek's doctor showed up, filling Penelope in on the results of the tests they'd run.

"He won't survive the withdrawal if we don't put him into a medically induced coma. That's his only chance to make it, Miss Garcia."

Penelope nodded thoughtfully, waiting for Derek's doc to continue.

"He'll need more medical treatment than his body could bear right now. We have to break his leg anew. The fracture hasn't healed properly. I'm sure there hasn't been a treatment after the leg was broken. Also, we have to check on his inner organs and brain regularly for any bleeding or swelling signs. For now, it doesn't seem like he has inner bleedings, but his last fight isn't too long ago, and we need to make sure that there's no more damage left. It's the safest for him if he's in a coma during the whole treatment. His chances are still not very high, though. You wanted the truth, if I remember it right, so here it is. We'll do anything in our power. That's a promise I can give. But I can't guarantee for Mr. Morgan to survive all of this. It's a wonder that he's still alive. His blood levels are beyond everything I've ever seen. His chances are not very good, and I recommend you to spend these few hours as good as possible. I heard the rest of Mr. Morgan's family are on their way?"

That was hard.

It was.

Deep inside, Penelope had known that there couldn't be good news.

Well, at least he had a chance; it seemed like that. Even if it was little. There was something they could do, and Penelope was very grateful for anything that could be done to help Derek. But she couldn't allow herself to hope too much. Derek's doctor had made it more than clear, and she would make sure to not forget it.

Penelope didn't know how long she'd stayed silent before she finally found her voice again.

"Yes...yes...they should be here at any moment. But doc. I have two more questions...for now."

Her voice was raspy. She was on the verge of crying...again. But somehow, Penelope kept it together.

"When will you put him into that coma? And...when you say that you can't promise anything...he won't suffer more than he already did, right? It's just...don't let him suffer, okay?"

"As soon as possible, Miss Garcia. His condition won't get any better, even if we provide his body with everything necessary for now. His body is exhausted and needs to rest. With the detoxication coming, it would be unbearable for him. He wouldn't make it, that I can assure you. But if Mr. Morgan's family will be here soon, we can wait for another hour or two. If his condition stays stable like that. That's all. And no. As soon as he's in that medically-induced coma, Mr. Morgan won't feel any pain. But we can handle his injuries and the withdrawal. That's the way he has a chance, Miss Garcia."

Penelope nodded slowly, taking in the news.

"So...how high are his chances in like...percent? I just...I need to know, doc. I have to face the truth."

Penelope couldn't...just couldn't hope too much. If she would, her breakdown would be unstoppable. Penelope didn't want to lose the love of her life again. But she had to force herself to be realistic.

God, she didn't want to. She wanted to hope, to tell herself that everything would turn out to be okay. That Derek would be able to come home. That they had a future together, with Sofie.

But Penelope couldn't do that. She had to protect herself for her's and Sofie's sake. Her daughter needed her even more if Derek wouldn't make it. Penelope had to stay strong.

"They're not very high, Miss Garcia," the doctor answered, empathetically smiling at her. "I'm honest. We've never had anything like that before, that's why I can't say it in percent. But Mr. Morgan is willing to fight. That's good. Under these circumstances, I'd guess that it's about 70/30. I know that isn't much, and I can only assume, Miss Garcia. We have to wait and see. As hard as it is. And I'm sorry that I can't give you much more information for now. But I promise that we'll do our best to save Mr. Morgan's life. And that's all I can do for now."

Before Penelope was able to open her mouth for an answer, a nurse opened the door.

"Miss Garcia? Mr. Morgan's relatives are here."

Penelope nodded quietly. She felt relieved knowing that Fran and Sofie had come just in time. Derek could meet his daughter and see his beloved momma after suffering so much for such a long time.

Whatever would happen, at least Penelope could give him that. A few happy moments before whatever was about to come.

And that was something Penelope could hold onto. It would give her strength to make her Hot Stuff happy. To see him smile despite everything that had happened to him.

"Okay. Give me a second."

The nurse nodded, leaving the room again.

"I'll leave you with your family. If Mr. Morgan is stable, we can give you two hours. I'll see you then."

Penelope nodded, watching the doctor leaving the room as well before she turned around and gently cupped Derek's cheek with her hand.

"Hot Stuff? Derek...wake up, my love," she whispered silently with as much tenderness in her voice as possible.

Derek needed a moment to open his eyes. He was struggling, but somehow, he managed.

"Baby Girl..., he whispered in a raspy voice.

Penelope smiled at the love of her life, gently stroking Derek's cheekbone with her thumb to give him a moment to fully wake up.

"Your momma and Sofie arrived," she whispered as soon as Derek appeared to be as awake as possible. "Wanna see your mom? I'm sure she can't wait to hug her son."

Penelope had to talk to Sofie first, explain a few things to make it as easy as possible for her daughter. She was only ten and had to deal with so many things. Penelope would do anything imaginable to help her get through this in the best way possible.

Derek nodded weakly, tears welling up in his eyes.

"Yes, please," he murmured, his voice raspy and full of emotions.

"Okay...I'll leave you for a moment, and as soon as you and Fran have talked, I'll be back with Sofie, alright? I'll be right outside that door, don't you worry," she added after Derek didn't answer. "I just have to talk to Sofie for a minute, that's all."

"Baby Girl...you make me feel save, always have," Derek only answered weakly, leaning into Penelope's touch. Penelope smiled tearfully at the love of her life. Derek needed her so much at his side, she realized then. It wasn't just the medication that kept him calm. It was her presence as well. "Don't go too far away. Please."

Derek had never asked her for much. Hearing him begging now broke Penelope's heart anew into a million little pieces. But yet, she smiled soothingly at the love of her life.

"I won't Handsome. I promise. I'll be right behind that door, just ask for me, and I'll be back at your side in a second," she answered. Penelope leaned in then, bringing hers and Derek's lips together for a tender kiss. "I love you, Derek. I'm not leaving you all alone."

"I love you, too, Baby Girl."

Penelope smiled at Derek. Giving him another kiss, Penelope rose to her feet right after and left the room.

"I'll be right back, Handsome."

As soon as she closed the door behind her, Penelope felt two little arms wrapped around her torso.

"Momma!"

Hugging her beautiful daughter back, who was so much like her father and about to meet him for the first time ever, Penelope tried her best to fight back her tears.

Stay strong. Stay strong. Stay strong, was all, Penelope thought as she embraced her girl. Sofie shouldn't see her crying. Her daughter needed her now in the best shape possible.

"Hey, Baby Girl," she whispered tearfully. Placing a tender kiss on her daughter's forehead, Penelope looked up to see Fran watching her. She, just like Penelope, did her best to hold back her tears.

"Derek can't wait to see you," Penelope told her, earning a sad smile from Fran. "I'll tell you more...just go in there. For now, hug your Baby Boy, okay?"

"Oh, Penelope," Fran only answered, understanding everything Penelope told her without any words. Failing to hold her tears back anymore, Penelope nodded at Fran. She couldn't hold back anything in front of Derek's mom; it was impossible. The older woman stepped closer and hugged Penelope as well. And for a little moment, Penelope let go and silently shared her tears with Fran, holding onto her daughter for dear life.

"Go...Derek's waiting," Penelope whispered tearfully after another moment.

"You're right. See you in a few moments."

Fran silently stepped into the room her son was lying in. She didn't waste time, wiping away the tears that were still streaming down her face. Fran couldn't stop crying anyway. All she wanted was to hold her son and hear his voice. Maybe it was for the last time, and Fran would make sure to make Derek's last hours as pleasant as possible.

She hadn't had the chance to say goodbye to her husband. With Derek, if he wouldn't make it, things were different. And Fran was very grateful for that.

Jennifer Jareau had filled her into everything necessary on Derek's physical condition. Fran really thought she was prepared for it. And yet, the sight of her son was devastating to her.

God, her son was so thin. His cheeks were hollow, his eyes bloodshot. His breathing shallow. If Fran didn't know for sure that this was her son, she wouldn't have recognized him. Her once so beautiful son was only a shadow of himself. If he would make it, Derek had a long and hard fight in front of him. But Fran couldn't waste any thought on that. Not now. All that mattered was her son and that he was awake.

"Oh, Baby Boy," Fran whispered as she carefully stepped closer, observing Derek for any signs of fear. He was watching her. A weak smile lit up his exhausted expression.

"Momma," he whispered raspily, trying to reach out to her.

And that was all Fran needed. Carefully sitting down on the edge of Derek's bed, Fran gingerly hugged her son as well as possible. She felt him trying to wrap his arms around her as well.

"Save your strength, Baby Boy," Fran murmured lovingly. "You have your daughter to meet in a few moments, and I'm more than happy to hold you like that," she murmured, feeling Derek nodding weakly against her.

"I can't tell you how much I've missed you," she added, feeling more and more tears streaming down her face.

"I missed you, too," Derek whispered weakly. "So much."

"Mommy? I can see my dad, too, right?"

These words, spoken by her daughter, brought Penelope out of her stupor. Squeezing Sofie one last time, Penelope crouched down in front of her daughter and smiled tearfully at her.

"Of course. I just wanted to talk to you first, sweetheart. Your dad is very much hurt. He's very weak, too, and I don't want you to get scared."

"I heard what JJ told Grandma, mom. I know what happened. And I know that he might die. I don't care about how he looks. I just want to see him."

Her sweet daughter was so brave, looking at Penelope just like Derek always used to.

"And I want you to see him as well, Baby Girl. But it's not good for your dad to have too many people around. Even if we love him...no, because we love him, we have to give your dad that. I know you want to meet him so badly, just wait a few more minutes, okay? That's all I'm asking for."

Hesitantly, Sofie nodded in agreement.

"You're not lying, are you?"

"I'm not. And I'm so sorry that I kept everything about your dad away from you for all these years. I was too occupied with my grieve and my search for your father that I couldn't give this little thing to you. I'm so sorry, Sofie."

Bringing her daughter in her arms once more, Penelope sat down on a chair with her daughter.

"Grandma explained it to me. Dad was...is the love of your life. You were too hurt. I understand that now, mommy. And I'm not mad at you. I kept something from you as well."

Knowing that her daughter wasn't mad at her, lifted a heavy weight from Penelope's shoulders. She'd felt so guilty for all these years for not being able to talk to her daughter about Derek. Every time she'd tried to, grieve had overcome her with such a fierce, Penelope hadn't been able to breathe.

"What did you hide from me?"

Of course, Penelope was curious, seeing Sofie looking at her with guilt in her eyes.

"I made Grandma tell me everything about daddy. Years ago. I have a picture of him and one of him and you together in the drawer of my nightstand. Grandma Fran gave them to me and told me many stories about dad. She only didn't say something about your relationship because she found that it was up to you to talk about it. I was frustrated because I wanted to know everything about dad. And when I asked you about him...these were moments I thought you might haven't loved him, or that you left him. Grandma told me that he was kidnapped and that you kept looking for him. And when you went to the bathroom or when I heard you crying in the evening, I knew that you loved my dad so much."

Sofie looked at her, tears were welling up in her eyes.

"I'm sorry that I asked Grandma, and I'm sorry that I was so rude towards you. I just wanted to get to know my dad. I'm really sorry, momma."

"Please don't, Baby Girl," Penelope managed to answer. "Don't be sorry for what you felt. It was good that you asked your Grandma. I wasn't able to talk about him, and if it hadn't been for Fran, you wouldn't know anything. I'm grateful that you asked her and that she told you about him. It's okay, sweetheart. I am the one who has to be sorry. I couldn't deal with the loss of Derek. And you suffered because of that. I will make it up to you. I will tell you everything about me and your dad."

"I'm not mad, mommy. You started yesterday, remember? And I can't wait to hear much more about you. I also can't wait to meet my daddy, finally."

Penelope hugged her daughter once more, holding her close.

"Your daddy can't wait as well," Penelope whispered. "And the same applies to me as well. I can't wait for you two to meet each other," she admitted.

"You told dad about me?"

"Of course I did, Baby Girl. You and your daddy are the most important people to me. You, sweetheart, are our lovechild. And there's nothing, I repeat, nothing, I'm prouder of, okay? You are perfect, and knowing about you, made your daddy so happy, Sofie. Just...he's not in a very good condition, and he might die. You have to know that. The doctors will do everything in their power to save his life. After you met each other, they will put your dad in a medically induced coma, and all we can do is wait and hope."

Sofie snuggled as close as possible, finally giving in to her fears. That was what Penelope was hoping for. Sofie was great at hiding her feelings. But now wasn't the right time.

"I don't want him to die, momma. Not now that you finally found him," she whispered, apparently on the verge of crying.

"I don't want him to die, too, Sofie. I would do anything to prevent us from that. To give you time with your daddy. But for now, and I know that this is the hardest thing we have to do, let's try and smile for your daddy, okay? I'm asking for a lot. I know that. You're only ten years old; you're a child. But I know that you are stronger than anyone in your age. If you still want to see your daddy, I'll join you, and you can finally meet your daddy."

Feeling Sofie nodding against her chest, Penelope didn't need much more.

"Let's go then."