Disclaimer: I don´t own anything, everything belongs to CBS
Authors Note: This story takes place after "Penelope" and I have decided that nice little sentence from Derek meant more than just being good friends or siblings. It´s mostly a Derek/ Penelope fiction but it also includes a lot of Reid/ Emily. Can´t help myself :-)
Derek and Penelope aren´t a real couple at the beginning but they were on the way. Everything else you need to read.
I want to thank me beta deal4321 for her great work. I would be so helpless without her.
Now, have fun and don´t forget to review. I am open for nearly everything.
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Derek was laying groggily in his bed. Catching the bad guys was a tough job but having the flu was worse. The last time it was this bad was in college years ago and now he had a fever and a nose like Rudolph the reindeer. The only good thing was that Penelope had volunteered to play nurse and even though he would never say it he really liked it, especially because she came for him not because he was ill. And to him it seemed she enjoyed his helpless situation way too much.
His dog Cloony was laying in front of his bed like a guardian. The fact that Cloony suddenly stood up told Derek that there was somebody at the door. He climbed out of bed at the same time the doorbell was rung. Going down the hall he looked into a mirror and saw that there was no need to play the near death card for his personal nurse Penelope, he clearly looked and felt like he was dying. He was flabbergasted at who was standing in front of him as he opened the door.
"Hi Derek, going to ruin the next woman's life...or not with the way you look."
"Tracy? What the hell are you doing here?"
In the doorway was standing a young light skinned Afro-American woman starring daggers at him.
„I remember you being a lot nicer last time we saw each other. And if you really want to know why I am here: I am pregnant and you're the father you ass."
„You're kidding."
„I am not. When did we meet last time?"
Derek had to think back for a moment.
„About three months ago give or take a few days."
Tracy looked at him in triumphant.
„So what does it say to you that I'm 12 weeks pregnant?"
Without waiting for permission she walked into the house while Derek was busy realizing what was going on. Slowly he turned around and followed her into the living room where she was playing with Cloony.
„Ok, perhaps I am the father, which I doubt, what are you doing here?"
She smiled coldly still playing with the dog.
„I want you to take responsibility for us, me and the child."
Derek took a deep breath. Just at that moment the doorbell rang again. Knowing that Penelope was standing in front of the door and that everything was about to become more complicated, he opened the door.
„Hey hot stuff, what took you so long? Getting old?"
Penelope smiled waving with a bag of take-out food.
„I'll show you how old I am."
„Promise?"
Having a feeling of deja vu Derek saw Penelope walking straight into the living room. He entered the room just when Penelope met Tracy. With a hurt look the technician turned towards him.
„Why didn't you tell me you have a guest?"
„She isn't really a guest´, more like an intruder."
„The only intruder here is inside me.", Tracy piped up.
„Ok, what is going on here, Derek? And who is this woman?"
Derek didn't have a chance to explain anything to Penelope, because Tracy was too fast telling her story.
„Oh excuse me. I'm Tracy Jeffrys, one of his ex-affairs who unfortunately got pregnant from that idiot over there."
There was no need for Derek to see Penelope's face he knew that she was pretty upset and really pissed off.
„Is that true Derek?"
„Most of it, Baby girl. I just don't think I got her pregnant."
„And how can you be sure?", Penelope asked with a high-pitched voice.
„See asshole, a woman understands."
The only person having fun was Tracy. Everything was going better than she thought it would. She never thought she would be so lucky having his new little toy around when she came to see him. But the fun didn't last for long because Penelope turned to face her.
„Shut up! Where is the proof that you are really pregnant by Derek? You look like the kind of girl who has a new man every night."
„Are you calling me a whore?"
„No, you are worse than a whore."
Penelope stepped aside and grabbed her things. Derek tried to stop her by grabbing her arm. She freed herself still upset.
„Don't ever touch me again Derek Morgan. I am finished with you and now you can go back to you little midnight amusement."
Confused he watched Penelope leave like a diva. He came back from his thoughts as he heard Tracy start to laugh. Anger rose in his chest. Why does something always go wrong when he least expected it to happen? He was closer to Penelope even more so after she was shot and he honestly loved her and now this stupid girl who only wanted his money was messing everything up. In the meantime his unwanted guest laughed louder enjoying the scene Penelope had made. His anger rose higher and he knew he needed to be in control of this situation or he would cause a lot of problems later. So he literally threw Tracy out of his house.
„Penelope was right, you are worse then a whore."
More smashing than shutting the door closed.
While Derek was running back and forth like a caged tiger thinking about how to explain and apologize to Penelope, she was driving to see Emily. Penelope knew that the team had only been back a few hours from the last case but right now she needed someone who understood her.
Annoyed, upset, hurt and blaming herself for being so stupid to believe that she could be more than just colleagues and friends with Derek she knocked at Emily's door. She heard giggles and a little yell before Emily opened the door and which caused Penelope to become angry without any good reason.
„Oh, Pen, what are you doing here? Did something happen?"
At that moment Penelope wanted to say something but she realized the messy state of Emily's clothes and Reid shouting from behind.
„Who's there Emily?"
„It's Penelope", she shouted back turning again to her friend. „And now tell me what's going on. You look pretty angry."
„Oh yeah I am pretty angry."
Emily stepped aside and let her friend in. Reid joined them in the kitchen.
„How is Derek doing?" he asked innocently.
„He can go to hell."
Reid and Emily exchanged looks.
„What did he do?"
„The better question is what he did NOT do."
„I don't understand. What do you mean?"
Knowing that this was gonna start to be a woman's chat Reid searched for his satchel and shoes trying not to listen.
„I always knew he was a player and there were a lot of women but I never thought that he was that clueless. How can he be so stupid? Everybody knows the risks about having sex without condoms."
Little by little the knowledge sank in.
„Don't tell me there are little Derek's running around."
„I don't know, I don't care, but there will be one soon."
„Um, Penelope, Emily I am going."
The women didn't react being totally involved in their talk. Escaping Reid snuck out.
„Ok, can I have the full story now?"
„I went to Derek's to see how he was doing with his oh so bad flu. When I arrived there was a young woman sitting in his living room playing with his dog like she was use to doing this and explained that she was once with him and is pregnant now."
Penelope started to sob a little bit.
„And what did you do?"
„I freaked out a little bit."
Emily could imagine that scene. Poor Derek having to handle two crazy women but he brought this on himself.
„Hey, no problem. I would freak out too if something like that had happen to me. Shall I talk to Derek tomorrow?"
„No, I don't want to have anything to do with him anymore."
The brunette took a deep breath trying to stay calm.
„That will be difficult. You are working with him every day."
„No it will be easy as long as one of you call for the information."
„That won't work all the time. And what will you tell Hotch or Rossi when they ask you why everybody except Derek is allowed to call you?"
„I will tell them that I am furious with him and don't want to talk to him for the rest of my life. Basta!"
„I got it. So is there anything I can do for you?"
„Telling me why our precious genius was here would cheer me up."
„It was nothing."
„Emily I am not in the mood for beating around the bush. Spit it out."
Penelope smiled as Emily started to shift uncomfortable in her chair.
„It was really nothing. My car wouldn't start, so he drove me home, I invited him for coffee, he babbled about the history of coffee."
„That doesn't explain the messy state of your clothes when I came in."
„I tickled him for being a smart ass and he tickled back, I swear that's it."
„How frustrating. I thought there were more interesting facts for gossip."
Emily looked at Penelope in disbelief.
„You said only a few minutes ago you don't want to have anything to do anymore with Derek and now you are wanting to start rumors about Reid and me being together? I think you need to rest."
„Are you throwing me out?"
„No, I just said you need to rest or take a vacation or anything that doesn't have to do with our work."
„That's probably a good idea."
The next day Penelope started to search for a cheap holiday in a spa. Emily was right, what she really needed was time away from profilers, serial killers and to just be her joyful self again and meet normal people. She laughed sarcastically. Everybody knew what happen the last time she wanted to meet normal people.
Reid and Emily watched her surfing the Internet the whole day. It was almost time to go home when Emily approached Reid.
„We need to do something for Penelope."
The young man looked puzzled at this statement.
„What do you suggest?"
„Don't know, helping her to speak with Derek again?"
„That's not a good idea. I never saw her like that and I am afraid that this will last for the rest of their lives."
„And that's the reason why we need to end this."
„Penelope will kill us if she ever finds out."
„Than try to keep it a secret. Oh I forgot you are coming with me."
„Why? That's none of our business."
„They are our friends so it is our business. If you still refuse to come with me I'll take all of your sweets hidden in your satchel and lock it up with every sugary food in the bureau in my desk."
„That's unfair. I can't work when I haven't had enough sugar running through my system."
„Then I guess you are ready to leave now?"
„Yeah I am ready."
He nearly whined following Emily to the parking area. Both stayed silent until they arrived at Derek's house. For a few seconds they just sat there and tried to find a good excuse why they had came to visit him without telling him what Penelope told Emily the night before. Reid tried to play the stubborn child as Emily went over to the door. She looked back.
„Think of your sweets my dear."
He sighed heavily.
„I'm coming, I'm coming, no need for punishment."
„Good boy and now get your beautiful little ass over here."
„I can't remember you ever being so pushy."
She smiled evilly.
„You've never experienced me being pushy."
Enjoying the little hint of fear in Reid's face she rang the doorbell. Derek looking like someone had chewed his head off opened the door.
„What are you two doing here?"
„Visiting a friend, or isn't it allowed anymore?"
„Sorry I'm out of the loop at the moment. Come in."
Reid followed Emily carefully being aware that Cloony was running around. Derek smirked about the genius' attitude towards his dog. Cloony had never even barked or growled at Reid but he was still a bit afraid of that dog. The house owner vanished into the kitchen and came back with three cups of coffee.
„Are you ok?", Emily began the talk.
„Yeah, as I said a bit out of the loop but it's nothing that's won't be fixed soon."
„May I ask why you are out of the loop?"
Reid nearly choked on his coffee while Emily shot him a death glare.
„Ok, why are you really here?"
„You can't trick a profiler huh?"
Derek stared at Emily and Reid who looked like he was less and less happy to be there.
„Reid what is going on here? You haven't said anything."
„I don't know what you mean."
The young man looked as innocent as he was.
„Don't make me hurt you, I know that something is up."
„It was all Emily's idea. I told her that it was none of our business but she wouldn't listen to me.", Reid blurted out.
„Traitor.", Emily hissed only audible for the genius.
„Penelope told you, Emily?"Derek looked tired, sad and a bit upset. She only nodded in agreement.
„What did she tell you?"
„She told me that there was one of your ex's sitting here telling everybody who wants to know that she is pregnant by you."
„She must think I'm the biggest asshole in the whole world."
„Yeah that fits, but she needed more words."
„That bad?"
„Worse, I have never seen her like this.", Reid declared.
„She probably would kill you if she sees you in the next few days."
Derek let his head sink after Emily's warning. This was never supposed to have happen. Now Penelope would never believe that he really loved her no matter what he did to show her. He had lost his goddess because of his silly way of life and that was frustrating the hell out of him.
„What do you guys think I should do now?" he asked clueless.
„Start at the beginning and find out if you are the father of this child or not. And did you think that she might need help?" Emily wanted to know.
„No that thought didn't came to me yesterday. I was astonished and upset. She walked in like she belonged and I am not as stupid as you may think."
„But even with condoms and birth control pill accidents can happen. There is only a 0.01 chance of it but there is the possibility. On the other hand there is a 10-15 chance that you aren't the father."
Derek just glared at Reid, which made him shut up and look at the floor.
„Ok I guess what Reid wanted to say is that it would be really bad luck if this child is yours. At the moment you should find out where this woman is and take care of her." Emily returned to the subject.
„Because there is a small chance she didn't try to trick me about being the father in my own house?"
Raising her voice Emily stood up.
„Yeah, because there is a possibility this is your child and the mother may live be living under a bridge or worse. This is your chance to have a family. Other people would kill for one."
„People like you? The only person I want a family with is Penelope and that's never gonna change."
Derek began to shout back which made Reid feel like a small boy listening to a parental fight. The young man made a strategic withdrawal and left the house without being seen.
„After that it will never change, Derek Morgan. Do you know how much you hurt her? You were her Mr. Right. She waited for years of you making a move on her and I believed it was the same with you the way you both spoke to each other. But I guess I was wrong."
Emily turned around ready to leave.
„Dammit Emily, she is the love of my life. Don't punish me for not realizing this years ago. I know all of you know what happened to me and what made me this way. I also know that every one of us has are own personal demons we've had to live with every day. I honestly don't want to know what yours or JJ's are or even the ones Reid has."
She looked over her shoulder seeing a broken man.
„Then go and make the best of it. And maybe your relationship with Penelope will become a phoenix."
Exhausted Derek fell back into the armchair unable to remember when he had stood up during the argument with Emily.
Outside Emily started the engine of the SUV without saying anything. After a few seconds on the road she looked at Reid for a short moment.
„Why did you leave like a coward?"
„Shouting wouldn't help and I am not the best person to help in personal problems. Especially not in those like the ones Derek has."
„Probably, but I thought you wanted to help them?"
„I truly do but as I said I am the last one to ask."
„What shall we do now?"
„Hope Penelope and Derek calmed down in time. Whatever we did to help would just increase the problem instead of solving it."
She just nodded. Perhaps Reid was right, for the moment.