Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds

The men listened to the laughter that came out of Penelope's office and knew that the girls were plotting another evening of girlie fun. That meant no contact, no work, no cell phones, but a whole load of gossiping, pampering and drunken in house antics.

'I think we need to go out, men's night out to beat their girl's night in.'

'Yeah I'm sure you'll pick up some chick eh Morgan?' Hotch asked making Reid laugh but caught the glint off Derek's expression. 'What's that look for?'

'It's not for anything... I'm just not in the mood to get another notch on my belt.' Derek told him back and breathed out. 'Sorry, I've got a lot on my mind but yeah I'm up for a night out with the boys, just drinks and chilling yeah?'

'I'm up for that.' Reid said. 'Should be good to get away from the whole drama of life for a couple of hours.'

'Straight after work at Lincoln's bar?'

'They do good food their too.' Derek commented. 'Make a real night of it.'

'Well we are trying to beat the girls.' Hotch replied sarcastically, making his agreement to the plan known that way.

'Try and beat us at what? JJ asked as her and Emily came through the bullpen door. 'What's there to beat us at?'

'Aw, are the men making tonight a competition?' Penelope teased as she followed in after them, her arms full with files. The men couldn't help but smile at her, the breath of fresh air she brought with her was astonishing each time. 'Its the girls vs boys.'

'Except, we'll never know what you girls get up to.'

'Ah, top secret.' The boys cringed at the idea; top secret meant it'd include them, like it always did. 'it's amazing how easy it to get you guys under our thumb.'

'Have not!' The three of them defended together, making the three women laugh at them.

'Right I'm going to give these out so I can get my load done before we head off to Lincoln's after work.' The three men gawped at the women.

'What?' All three women asked together.

'Seems we'll be changing location tonight guys.' Hotch said sarcastically.

'Aw, were the boys going there too?'

'We were.'

'Oh don't be so childish, we can at least have equal competition to begin with, friendly banter.' Penelope winked and handed the files out, leaving Derek's until last. 'Here you go handsome.'

'Thanks baby girl.'

'No problems.' She said and then bid farewell and headed back to her office, her workplace sanctuary with a smile on her face.

'So, after work, dinner?' Emily asked crossing her arms across her chest. 'Then we promise to leave you men be, to do whatever you want to do with your Friday night.' The two remaining ladies left and got on with their work like their plans were set already.

Come the evening, they were all packing up, eager to have fun before their boys vs. girls night began. Derek slipped out of the bullpen and swaggered the short walk to Penelope's office; he tapped on the door and went in.

'Hey sugar lips, what can I do for you?'

'Nothing, I just fancied a chat.'

'Well grab a seat while I finish off and we have to leave.' She said with a high voltage smile.

'I wanna know what's got my baby girl all smiles at last.'

'Clean slate, and a perfectly clean break from Kevin.'

'Oh... when was this?'

'We called it quits about a month ago... but he kept coming back and trying to 'rekindle' what we have.' She told him with emphasis on the one word. 'I'm happier without him; lonely suits me for now at least, something will come along.'

'You bet it will.' He said positively, and then stood up. 'Come on; finish up, your Friday night begins now.'

'Well how can I resist your dominance sweet cheeks?'

'All you nicknames today have been about my face...'

'It's because you're gorgeous.' She told him, kissed his cheek and then left the room, when he got out she was leaning against the wall, her arms crossed over her chest, applying emphasis to her ample breasts and she smirked, she just silently locked up and headed to the bullpen. 'Come on my sugar daddy.' He laughed and followed her into the bullpen where Hotch and Emily where tagged up, the one time he genuinely smiled was with her and JJ and Reid. 'Ready?'

'Yeah I'm starved!' Reid said and everyone looked at him. 'What?'

'You're always hungry Spence.' JJ said and stood up grabbing her stuff. The team laughed and left as a congregation. 'Is Rossi positive he can't come?'

'Let him have this vacation, it'll do him good to do what he likes.' Hotch said and they fell silent, conversation flowing in dribs and drabs until they were sat in the bad and dinner was ordered.

'It's felt like forever since we've done this.' Emily said as she relaxed against the chair that she hadn't realised Hotch had his arm on the back of. The others exchanged looks but then JJ and Emily, Reid and Hotch had done over Derek and Penelope's overly attentive, more sensual touches and banter. The same was for JJ and Reid and their zoning out from the group.

When the meal was over they all strung out dessert and disappointingly and begrudging paid the bill before the girls got up and left the boys to their own devices.

'Now be good boys, mamma doesn't want any disturbing stories come Monday.' Penelope told them as Derek hugged her in his arms a little longer than he should have. Admittedly Hotch did the same with Emily and Reid with JJ but everyone overlooked it, especially the girls, they liked it.

The men watched the three of them after being banned from leaving the table to see them off leave looking back with a quick wave and a smile.

Now the night began and it was no longer a competition, more for the men, a longing to be with the girls and mull over their personal affection for them, for the girls it was to dish all details on one another and make decisions.