𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞, 𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘀

𝟎𝟐𝟏

𝐈 𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝, 𝐈 𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐡
ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ
𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘂

𝐃𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐤 sits with Noah in the kitchenette while Penelope makes some hot tea. It's going to be a long night—longer than any of them are expecting. With Ian in custody, there's only so much time that they have until someone comes to take him to prison, which could delay their investigation to find out what happened to Declan.

"This is good," Derek says.

"I know," Noah mumbles as she stares at the table.

"What's going on?" he asks.

Noah shrugs, not sure how to put it into words. "I don't know. I guess...yeah, I'm happy you found him and I don't have to worry as much about him coming after me, but at the same time, he's my father and he's going to prison."

"Damn right he's going to prison," Derek mutters.

Penelope hits his arm as she gently places the warm mug in front of Noah and sits beside her.

"What?" Derek asks. "I don't have any sympathy for the bastard. He's a killer, and he's not your father."

"Unfortunately, he is," Noah snaps.

"But he's not your dad," Derek reminds her. "He's not the man who raised you or the one you look up to. He's not the someone who taught you how to get back up when you fall down or how to fix a flat tire or a burnt-out lightbulb. Maybe he is related to you, but he's not a father. He doesn't deserve that title."

Noah's gaze falls upon the hot tea and the steam that swirls into the air. She takes a deep breath and realizes that Derek is right. She wishes it could be different, but wishes aren't real, and her father will never change.

"You taught me how to fix a flat tire," she mutters and slowly shifts her gaze to Derek.

A grin makes its way to his lips and suddenly he's quietly laughing to himself. Noah can't help but laugh as well, the infectious sound inviting Penelope's giggle to join them as well. Their laughter fades after a few moments, a moment of silence for the revenge they've all sought for months finally coming true.

"And you taught me how to get back up," Noah adds with a smile. "Both of you."

"I don't know how I feel about the title 'Dad,' but I'll take it," Penelope teases as she bumps the teen's shoulder with her own.

"Morgan, Garcia, we need you," Aaron says as he walks by. "Noah, you're going to go with JJ."

The teen peers up at JJ, who is standing behind her. "Where are we going?"

"We're going to bring Doyle to a different room," JJ lies with ease, having had months of practice. "We don't want you to have to see him, so you can come sit in my office."

Noah doesn't question it and heads to the office with the blonde. She sits in one of the armchairs in front of JJ's desk and slouches back a bit.

JJ sits behind her desk with a hopeful gaze landing on the teen. "Noah?"

"Yeah?"

"I hope you get everything you've ever wanted," JJ admits softly.

"What?" Noah asks, her eyebrows knit together in confusion.

"It's all I've ever wanted for you," JJ continues to explain. "From the moment I first saw you, and that look in your eye, all I've wanted for you was the world to give you another chance. And for it to be kind to you because it wasn't before then, and it hasn't been these last few months."