Criminal Minds

Not mine it all belongs to CBS.

“Thanks for the ride home Derek. I think you should go now.”

“Penelope, you just got out of the hospital. I think that I should stay.”

“No please go. Battle is dead. No one is going to come here and try to kill me. I’ll be fine.”

“Baby girl what if something happens?”

“Then I’ll go to the hospital. Look I hurt a lot of people tonight. I have a lot of thinking to do. JJ killed someone, the whole team was on high alert, because I didn’t follow procedure. I almost got killed more importantly I hurt you very much, saying what I said. I had no right to say those thing to you and I will be forever sorry for hurting you like that.”

“You didn’t hurt me baby girl.”

“Please don’t lie to me Derek. Words hurt more that anything I know.”

“Penelope, you ...”

“Am going to prove my point to you and when you understand I want you to leave and go home I will be fine. If I need help I will call you all right?”

Nodding his head yes Penelope moves to the couch and sits down slowly.

“Come sit here with me please.”

Walking over to the couch and sitting near her.

Without warning Penelope reaches over and slaps Derek in the face hard.

Rubbing his face and yelling at her he asks. “What did you do that for?”

“You’ll see, I promise.”

“If you say so, you slap hard.”

“Close your eyes and remember. I want you to think back to when you were a child. Walking with your family to church or the park it doesn’t matter where. Got it?”

“Yes I got it. It’s a nice memory.”

“Now some smart ass said something along the way about your parent being a mixed couple. Something nasty and it hurt you and your sisters, your Dad and Mom just held their head up high and kept walking. Remember the pain that you felt the anger from the words that were said to you. Open your eyes and look at me.”

Opening his eyes and looking at Penelope, she can see the hurt and anger in his face and eyes.

“Derek which hurts more? The words that were said so many years ago or the slap on your face that I gave you?”

“Point taken the words hurt more. Even after all these years. Penelope how did you know? That they would hurt more?”

“When you look like I do and you don’t fit in anywhere and you’re the smart kid that ever one hates because you throw the bell curve off. You know how painful words can be and how painful they still are. Can you go now please? I will be fine.”

“Baby girl please let me stay you might need me.”

He can see the tears start to pool in her eyes as she answers him. “No, you said that you would leave now please go. If I need help I promise I’ll call you.”

Getting up from the couch and walking to the door he kisses her head before giving her one more pleading look.

“I’ll be fine, go.” Closing the door behind him Penelope. Goes to her room and lays down and cries herself to sleep.

--

The Next morning at the BAU

Reid shouts as Morgan walks into the bullpen “Hey Morgan. I’m surprised that you are here.”

Going to his desk he replies. “I was taught something new last night then I was tricked into leaving Garcia alone.”

“She tricked you, Derek Morgan?” Emily asked him.

“Yes she taught me the power that words have, I think that I understand her more now than I did before.”

“Is that a good or a bad thing Derek?” Emily asked quietly.

“It is a very good thing.” Smiling as he walks away and hits speed dial on his phone.