She needed a favor. Even though Penelope Garcia knew there was not much Derek Morgan would not do for her what she had in mind this time might be too much to ask. Still, she had thought about it and made up her mind. She was going to ask him and just deal with the consequences if he shot her down.

Her heart raced as she waited for him to get to work that morning so she could ask him.

To make sure they didn't have an audience when she made her proposition Penelope came into work extra early that day. She had been in the office since 7am, making sure she would be there first, before anyone else and therefore having a good chance of catching him before they had to start working. Penelope knew that Morgan usually arrived at the office rather early. He was known for getting in an early morning workout and run before starting time. He never seemed to need much sleep to function and rarely got more than five hours on most nights.

Penelope paced around her office as she waited for him to show up. Her fast racing heart belied her nervousness. She just couldn't predict how he might react after she asked for her favor.

After all it was a rather unusual request.

Yes, they were good friends, and really close, but asking him for that might be a bit too much to ask. After all he also was engaged to Tamara Barnes, Penelope's newest foe.

And she wasn't jealous, not really. It was just that ever since Tamara had entered Morgan's life he had changed- started secluded himself from her and the team. For him to join in on their usual after work drinks was a rarity nowadays. Their movies nights, which used to happen every Friday, were happening now maybe once every two months.

To make it that much stranger, his flirting with Penelope had died down completely. No more sexual innuendoes or suggestions. The only thing she actually still had that reminded her of the old days was him calling her Baby Girl, but she was expecting that to stop any day now as well.

Tamara had this weird spell on him, keeping him in line, but rather in a bad way. There was no doubt she had a strong influence over him. Penelope wondered if it was actually Tamara that had managed to get Morgan to nearly cut all contact to her.

It wasn't like he was hostile or a stranger though. He was still her friend and she knew she was his but she missed the old days when he flirted shamelessly with her- not caring who was around and could hear him. Not even blushing at all of the stuff she dished out and suggested they should do at some point.

She wasn't jealous of Tamara, although one might assume. She wouldn't deny being in love with Derek, or the fact that he had the leading role in most of her dreams at night. Those dreams usually left her waking up in sweat and panting heavily. Yes she loved him and wanted him in her bed but she wasn't foolish and definitely was not stupid. She had given up on the idea of him and her ending up with more than just being friends right from the start. Morgan was a guy that chased girls for a hobby, pushed all necessary buttons to see how far he could go. He was a natural charmer, who had you at his feet within seconds, making you feel special and cherished. And … Morgan had a type. One that was the furthest away from Penelope's look.

Finally exhausting her nervous energy she collapsed into the chair in her office, her eyes stuck on her door that was wide open, as she waited to see Derek in the bullpen. All this waiting, even if it had been only ten minutes, was making her jumpy- ready to get this over with as soon as possible.

Of course it wasn't too late to still back out. But then again it took her already half a bottle of wine to just talk herself into it, talk herself into asking him, no matter how strange it might sound. Usually she wouldn't be worried too much, after all he once said there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for her, but that was before Tamara showed up. Now Penelope wasn't too sure anymore just how far Derek was willing to go for his baby girl.

At 7.10am she saw him, walking through the door of the BAU, looking as good as usual in his black suit. For a second she couldn't stop staring. There just was something so amazing about this guy all she could do was sigh and dream for a second, before she jumped up, walking quickly towards him.

"Good morning, princess," he smiled at her, starting their usual morning routine. And okay, that was the second thing that reminded her about the good ol' days. But that was all that was left.

"I'll show you a good morning," she smiled back, feeling more confident with the task ahead.

"How's my Baby Girl this morning?" she heard him asking, smile still in place.

"Not too bad. Better if you could do me a favor actually…" she started, and so far it went smooth. Good. She saw him nodding, answering "Anything for you" with a smile and got ready to ask, when suddenly she saw her.

And what on earth was Tamara Barnes doing here, in the BAU, at freakin' 7am?