A/N: Well, we've come to the end now. Thanks to every one of you who responded so wonderfully to this story. Your comments have meant so much to me. I never anticipated such an overwhelming response to my first story.

Contains SPOILERS for Exit Wounds

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Criminal Minds. I'm just playing a little :)

Penelope's face broke into that smile again – his personal smile – and in the sweetest, most tender voice he had ever heard her use, quietly spoke a single word, "Yes."

At the look of stunned surprise on Derek's face, Penelope burst into giggles.

"Come on Hot Stuff. You didn't know? Truly?" Now it was her turn to look surprised, "Angel, I always knew if we went there, it would be magical."

"Magical." He repeated quietly. Yes, that was it.

Derek drew her into a tight embrace again. Penelope leaned her head on her favorite spot on his chest and inhaled the heady, male scent of him.

All too soon, he pulled back, keeping hold of only her hands. She didn't miss the troubled look that now covered his face.

"Derek? What's the matter, handsome?"

"I need to ask you something." It was hesitant, very unlike Morgan.

"Anything," She stated immediately, her expression furrowed slightly with concern. "But do it quickly, because you're really tense, sweet cheeks, and you're worrying me."

He could only get the single word out, "Lynch?"

She understood immediately and her features smoothed out as she answered, "That's all but over, Derek."

He was a little confused. She didn't seem upset, just resigned. Was it because of what just happened?

"Because of …" he hesitated, but then forged on, "… us?"

Penelope cocked her head to one side and gave him a cheeky grin. "Think a lot of yourself, don't ya, handsome?"

He breathed a sigh of relief, even as he laughed.

She shook her head, more serious now and said, "No handsome. Not that. Honestly, it's been iffy for a while. I've been trying, but I can't do it anymore."

"What happened, sweetheart?" Once again, he was ready and willing to be there for her. He released her hands and slung one arm around her shoulders, drawing her against him. He just needed to have her close to him.

"This time? Simple." She stated flatly. "He was jealous when he found out we were sharing a room."

"Did you tell him that nothing happened? I mean, we were hardly even in the room at the same time – awake, anyway."

"I did, but I shouldn't have had to, Derek. He should have been able to trust me."

"There's something more, isn't there?" He probed gently. It was just something in her expression.

Penelope smiled. He'd always been able to tell when she wasn't telling him everything. She glanced away, taking in a little of the beautiful landscape again as she answered, "More of the same, really. When I went upstairs after … after it happened, I called him. He was more concerned about what 'comfort' I would be getting from you, than how I felt about what happened. He barely even stopped talking when I got upset and told him I didn't want to be with him anymore. He wasn't even really listening to me, I think. Just caught up in his own feelings." She concluded sadly.

When she looked back at him, there was an odd expression on his face. It was disgust, warring with something else.

"It's okay, handsome, I'm fine." She reassured him, smiling up at him.

"It's not that." The expression on his face deepened, but she still couldn't read it.

"Morgan, what is with you? What on earth is going through your head to make you look like that?"

Penelope was dumbfounded at his response.

"I'm thinking I'm something of a heel. I'm behaving just like Lynch."

"Huh?" Her face reflected the confusion she felt.

Derek ran one hand over his head as he confessed, "All while you were telling me about what Lynch did, I wasn't totally thinking about it. All I could think was that you're free of him and I could kiss you again." He had the grace to look ashamed.

And she laughed at him. His Penelope just laughed at him. She turned more fully to face him and slid her arms around his neck. "It's not the same thing at all, Hot Stuff. I'm only thinking about kissing you too."

She reached up as his arms closed around her, one hand tangling in her hair, while the other rested at the small of her back to pull her closer to him. She met him halfway, and then there was only that pure, amazing magic again.

"Where are Morgan and Garcia?" Hotch asked Reid, who by then had walked around to the tavern's small front parking lot. "Sheriff Rhodes says the plane's waiting."

"Morgan just handed me his bag and went after Garcia. I think she's still having a hard time." Reid answered quietly, gesturing in the direction Morgan had taken. Hotch looked, but couldn't see them. The edge of the building was in the way.

As he turned to go in search of them, the girls arrived with their last bags, and Emily asked, "What's up?"

"Garcia." Reid's one word answer made the girls spin around and hurry after Hotch. After a moment, Reid ambled over to join them. When they cleared the jutting edge of the inn, the sight that met their eyes made them all breathe a sigh of relief.

Their friends were standing close, wrapped in each other's arms, exchanging tender, loving kisses, totally lost to the rest of the world.

JJ and Emily smiled. Reid looked quite embarrassed at the intimate nature of the moment before him. Hotch merely raised one eyebrow slightly and turned to leave, saying, "I'll have the pilot told that we're running a little late.

FIN

A/N 2: Hope you enjoyed it. There is a sequel in the works for this, but I have barely started drafting it, so it will be a while before it's ready to publish.