So this is my VERY first fanfiction…like ever. I love Criminal Minds and the Morgan/Garcia pairing. Please review!

A Forever Kind of Love-Chapter 1

The ceremony itself had been beautiful. Penelope's long white dress had fit her like a glove, accenting her curves and allowing her hair to glow. Her ruby red lips were tilted into a smile as Rossi walked her down the aisle towards her waiting groom. When the question was asked of whether or not anyone objected to the union of Penelope Garcia and Kevin Lynch, every fiber of Derek Morgan's being wanted to jump up and shout that he did indeed object. He wanted to look into Penelope's brown eyes and beg her not to marry Lynch.

Instead, he remained seated, his only movement at that moment a furrowing of his brow. No matter how much he pleased with her the night before, there was no way Penelope would leave Lynch. No matter how much he told her he loved her, she would only say, "I love you too, but…"

As Kevin was told he could kiss his bride, Derek felt his chest constrict and finally, his hear shatter. Next to him, Reid looked at him with concern and studied his face. Spencer Reid could read Derek like a book. He was in pain and it didn't look like he would recover from his broken heart.

As soon as he was able to Derek shot up and disappeared. Both Reid and Hotch looked at each other. "Do you think he'll get through this okay?" Reid asked in concern. "I've never seen him this way."

Hotch shook his head. "I don't know," he said quietly. "Something happened last night. I think he came clean with her. Before Rossi led her down the aisle and I was back there with them, there was something…off with her. She asked if either of us had seen Derek and she teared up when we told her no."

They both stood up to head for the reception. Hotch saw Penelope and Kevin greeting their guests, but Derek was nowhere to be found. It was highly possible he'd left altogether, but he had a feeling Derek was still around, somewhere. Without bothering to talk to either the bride or the groom, Hotch made his way out the doors of the church to find his missing friend.

Penelope looked around the reception hall for Derek's tall form, but it was nowhere she could see. She felt tears burning in the back of her eyes as she looked around people to find him. All throughout the ceremony she forced herself to look at Kevin, to focus on the man she was marrying, but the back of her mind kept drifting to Derek. She knew if she looked at him her appearance would waiver and she wouldn't be able to continue with her wedding.

The night Derek had come to her, telling her that he was madly in love with her, she'd laughed. At first she thought he might be drunk, but the moment he kissed her she was positive there was no alcohol on his breath. He was well and truly sober.

"Baby Girl, please, don't marry him," he said. "Please."

"Derek, what are you expecting?" she cried. "You want me to just leave Kevin? The man who asked me to marry him?" Tears were rolling down her cheeks. It was the night before her wedding, and the man who was best friend, the man who she loved more than any other was telling her he loved her. She was in shock and almost positive that Derek was lying. He'd always hated Kevin, insisting he wasn't good enough for her. He was probably trying to "save" her from an unhappy marriage. And in reality it would probably not be a happy marriage. Penelope didn't love Kevin; she loved Derek. But Derek didn't love her. Not the way she loved him. Not the way he was claiming to love her.

He brought his hands up to cup her face. "Penelope, I love you. And I know you love me. Please, let me show you."

Derek sat underneath a tree, a half empty bottle of Jack Daniels next to him. The evening was pleasant with only a slight chill in the air to cool his heated cheeks. Already the alcohol was blurring his vision and sending tingles down his spine. Two fat tears rolled down his cheeks and he clumsily swiped them away from his face. The night was going to fade away any moment and he had every intention of drowning in whiskey until he passed out.

He knew Penelope loved him. He knew she didn't love Lynch. Why then did he feel so empty? Closing his eyes for a moment, he didn't even notice Hotch's stride coming up to join him underneath the tree.

"You going to finish that all or are you going to share with your boss?" he chuckled. He smiled sadly at him.

Derek's eyes snapped open and he grinned widely. Clearly, he was intoxicated. "Bossman!" he slurred. "How you be?" He lout out a loud belch and laughed as if he didn't have a care in the world. He looked at Hotch and went on. "Do you think she really loves him? Huh? 'Cuz I can tell you, I know my Baby Girl! I know she would…" His voice trailed off and he put his head in his hands, choking on his words.

Hotch took the bottle from Derek's grasp. All he had to do was yank it. Derek was inconsolable.

"You want to know what I think?"

He got a grunt in response. "Whazat?"

"I think you should tell her how you feel," Hotch stated bluntly, even though he knew Derek had already poured his feelings out.

"Already done," he stated bluntly.

"If you love Penelope-"

"Of course I do!" he bellowed. "She's my whole world!" When his eyes met Hotch's it was frightening how blood shot they were. "I would do anything to ensure her happiness." Slamming his fist down, he added, "Which is why I'm going to New York."

Surprised, Hotch stared at him blankly.

"They still want me there, so I'm going," he said decisively. "I can't stay here, knowing she's with Lynch. My flight leaves at midnight."

Hotch hoped if he tried to convince Derek to stay, he might listen, but there was no mistaking what was going on. Penelope had left Derek broken and without purpose. It would only destroy him entirely if he stayed.

So instead of urging Derek to stay, Hotch clapped him on the back and offered, "Let me drive you. It's my last order for you."