"Two days?"

"At least," Derek sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He hated disappointing you, "Please, don't be upset."

"I can't be upset with you, Der, you're just doing your job," you reassured, "The house is just seems so empty and lonely when you're away."

"I know, babygirl, I hate leaving you there by yourself," Derek said, cursing his job for taking him away all the time.

"You know what might make it a little easier?" You asked, your tone sugar-sweet.

Derek knee what was coming, "You know we aren't ready for a new addition just yet."

"But they're so cute and cuddly. I promise I can take good care of one!" You whined.

"Y/N, for the last time, we don't need a puppy!" Derek chuckled.

"Give me one good reason," you pouted.

"You can't even keep a plant alive!" He laughed, "How many plants have we had shrivel up on our window sill because you forgot to water them?"

"But plants are boring and not as rewarding as owning a dog!" You argued, "Dogs are companions with feelings. Plants are not. Plus, I work from home now, so I'll be able to give it extra attention!"

"You know what? I'll think about it, okay?" He conceded. You had him wrapped around your pinky finger.

"Good enough for me," you chirped, hearing the ringtone of your phone intercept your call, "Shoot, I forgot I have a conference call with the my editor and publisher today. I gotta go, love you, come home in one piece for me!"

Derek grinned on the other end of the phone, "I will babygirl, love you too. Go crush your conference call."

"Byeeee," you giggled, hanging up and accepting the incoming call.

Derek ended up being three and a half days later than he had anticipated. In that time, he thought about what you had said. Maybe it would be better for you to have something to keep you company while he was away. Also, if he got the right breed, it could serve as a guard dog. Anything that gave you extra protection, especially considering his job, was a win in his mind.

So that's how he found himself at the breeder where many of the Bureau's search dogs and K-9's came from immediately after touching down in D.C. They had two different litters at the time, one of which was German Shepherd. There was one left, and Derek immediately knew you would love him. He had floppy ears and giant paws, and the breeder told Derek he would make a great guard dog but also had the sweetest demeanor of the litter.

Derek got the puppy, making a trip to the pet store on the way to your house to get a collar, leash, bed, food, bowls and toys. He might have gone a little crazy on the puppy supplies, but he knew your surprise and excitement was worth it.

Hey, babygirl, I'm in the driveway, come on out :)

The text confused you, why wasn't he just coming in? A flutter of nerves erupted in your stomach as you grew suspicious. Not moving from the couch quite yet, you responded.

What kind of flowers did you get me?

What seemed like a random response was actually a code question, something Derek made you set up with him. Knowing his job and wanting to take every possible caution, he told you that if you ever received a text or call that was from his phone that sounded sketchy, to ask that question. If the response was wrong, you'd know something was up and to contact Garcia or Hotch.

Sunflowers <3

You smiled, reassured that it was him, but still very confused. What did he need you to come outside for?

You exited the house, still kind of cautious, until you saw his beaming face as he leaned up against the side of his jet black, sporty car.

He opened his arms wide, "Back in one piece."

You raced over to him, allowing him to envelope you in a warm embrace before pressing a quick kiss to his lips, "I missed you, handsome."

"I missed you too," his smile grew impossibly wider, before flashing with concern for a moment, "Sorry I scared you, I know you wouldn't have used the code question if you weren't."

"Oh, it's okay, it just sounded kinda sketchy," you giggled, leaning into him further, "why did you want me to come out here anyways?"

"Well, I thought about what you said the other day," he grinned, "and I happened to pick up a little surprise on the way home."

You realized the back seat window was all the way rolled down, and you glanced over.

"Look inside," he said, patting your butt as you left his embrace to see what was in the backseat.

The puppy, as if on cue, woke up from its curled-up sleeping  state and eagerly popped its head up in the open window space to meet you.

You squealed, "Derek! You didn't!"

You picked up the pup and lifted him through, cradling him in your arms. Immediately you started crying out of pure joy.

"Aww, baby, do you like it?" He chuckled, leaning in to wipe your tears.

"I love it, it's so cute! Is it a boy or a girl?" You asked with a watery smile, giving the pup an affectionate, gently squeeze.

"Boy," Derek said, adding a joking "I'm scared he's gonna take my place as favorite man in your life."

"He just might," you teased, before turning your attention to the fluffy thing in your arms and cooing, "won't you? You're gonna be my best friend when your dad's away, huh?"

Derek melted, seeing how truly joyful the small thing brought you, "the breeder said he has a sweet temperament but will make a great guard dog. That's one of the main reasons I decided to get one for you."

"Always looking out for me, aren't ya?" You smiled sweetly, wondering how you managed to land such a caring man as your husband.

"Always," Derek agreed, pulling you to him so he could kiss your head.

The puppy took the opportunity to lick a big stripe right up Derek's cheek, causing both of you to erupt in a fit of laughter.

"Now I'm gonna need some help getting all his luggage in, I may have gone a little overboard," Derek admitted sheepishly.

You rolled your eyes with a wide smile, smitten with your hunky goofball.

Once all the puppy's stuff was inside and arranged properly, you sat on the couch on Derek's lap, watching the fluffy little thing run around the living room excitedly.

"What should we name him?" You asked softly as you laid your head on his chest.

"Hmmm," you felt his chest vibrate as he hummed in thought, "anything you want, babygirl."

You thought for a moment, tapping your chin, "what about Gubler?"

"Gubler?" He scrunched up his face, "you want to name your fierce guard dog Gubler?"

"Yes," you said decisively, "Gube for short."

Derek laughed, giving your side and your thigh a loving squeeze, "I love you, crazy girl."

"And I you," you pecked his cheek, "thank you for my fierce guard dog."

You gestured your head towards the pup, who was rolling around on the ground goofily, his tongue hanging out.

You both burst out laughing. Derek watched your face as you laughed and vowed that as long as he lived he would try his best to make you laugh like that every day.