A/N: So, in light of recent events (me FINALLY purchasing Season Six) I'm watching the season again. I didn't quite like the way everything with Derek and Penelope went in 'The Longest Night,' so I just added a bit to make me feel better.

Although he'd called and apologized for his harsh words, the way he'd treated Penelope over the last twenty-four hours still wasn't sitting right with him. He'd needed to talk to her…needed to hear her voice. He'd needed confirmation that everything was OK with his best friend.

"I'll be waiting here when you get back," she promised him.

"Penelope," he cajoled softly. "Go home and get some sleep. We've all been up for almost forty eight hours. Including you."

"Derek," she said firmly. "I'll be here when you get back."

With a tired smile, Derek Morgan closed his phone and made his way toward the plane, and ultimately, home to his baby girl.

XXXX

"Penelope?" Derek said softly as he walked into her office. The sight of her head laying cheek down on her desk with her eyes closed tugged at his heart strings.

"Mmm," she groaned, as she slowly lifted her head and opened her eyes. "Derek?" she asked as she stood.

"Hey, Baby Girl," he said softly from her doorway.

The uncertainty in his voice nearly made her cringe. Did he truly not understand the depth of their friendship?

"In case my apology didn't sound sincere before, I'm sor—"

Penelope tilted her head to the side and let out the deep breath she'd been holding. "You silly, silly man," she said as she started towards him, the cheek that had just been lying on the desk coming to rest against his chest as she wrapped her arms around his waist. "Do you really think I stuck around for an apology? Derek, I was scared to death for you! Are you OK?" she asked, pulling back just enough to look at his face.

He cleared his throat, suddenly uncomfortable. If there was anyone who understood him, anyone who could use his eyes as a highway to his soul, it was this woman. "No," he answered honestly. "But I will be."

Penelope nodded. "Let's go get a beer."

"I'm tired," he told her.

She unknowingly batted her eyes at him and put a pout on her face; it was something she did often, but he didn't want her to tell her in case she stopped. "Just one? Come on, Hot Stuff. I'll even throw in a hot blonde," she said with a wink.

Derek grinned tiredly. "You just had to pull out the hot blonde card, didn't you? Well, I'm falling for it. Who is she?" he teased.

As she grabbed her coat off the hook with one hand and swatted his chest playfully with the other, Penelope laughed heartily.

And as they made their way to the elevator, it was the sound of that laughter that convinced him everything really was going to be all right.