Summary: A night of accidental love making, a missing team member, a deplorable unsub, and a good old fashioned soul search; Derek Morgan's life is about to get a little bit harder.

This is a really short first chapter, but hopefully it will leave you wanting more. I'm aiming for weekly updates. Please let me know what you think!

The Art of Happiness

The case had been a hard one, six dead children before their wheels went up. It had taken four pressure-charged, exacting days to narrow down their unsub, but in the end they had closed the case. Two terrified children were returned safely to their families, and the team packed their gear and their demons back onto the jet for a quiet and sombre ride home. As always Penelope Garcia was there to greet them when the doors of the elevator dinged to a stop on the floor that housed the Behavioral Analysis Unit of the FBI. She smiled brightly at her work family, as if the images that had filled her screens over the last few days wouldn't haunt her for a long time coming, but ever thankful that each member of her team had made it home safely.

"Welcome home superheroes!"

They smiled in return, a deep breath becoming easier by just seeing the undimmable spirit of the woman before them. Rossi stepped out of the elevator first, pressing a fatherly kiss to Penelope's temple before heading to his office. Hotch gave her his usual tight smile as he passed, followed closely by Reid, JJ , and Emily who each gratefully accepted a manilla folder from her with blank case documents all ready to be filled out by the tired profilers. "Thanks sweetie." JJ said as she took her paperwork and tiredly followed the others to the bullpen leaving Derek Morgan alone with one of his favorite people in the world. He cast his eyes over her quickly before meeting her gaze. He could tell just from a glance at her bright green pumps, her pink swirl dress, and her lime slice earrings that she was struggling to hold on to her joy. He had long since noticed a pattern in the way his best friend dressed, and he could tell almost from the colors alone how she was feeling. Today she was trying to use pink and lime, her happy colors, to boost her sense of "alls right with the world", and after that last case he couldn't blame her.

He shifted his duffle bag to his left hand and wrapped an arm around Penelope's waist. "How do you do it Baby Girl?"

"How do I do what Hot Stuff?" She asked as they slowly made their way to Derek's office.

"How do you manage to do all your own work, help us out with our work, and still look fabulous all at the same time?" She beamed at him as he knew she would and he felt a swell in his chest. He loved that he could make a smile stretch across her face with just a few well chosen words.

"I am pretty fabulous aren't I?"

He grinned back and released his hold on her waist to let them both into his office. He began the process of unpacking his files as she placed the last folder she had prepped into his in box and hoped up to perch on the side of his desk, her heels threatening to slip off her tight covered toes and fall to the floor.

"Do you have to finish your paperwork tonight or can we go out?" She asked, taking note of the heaviness that clung to his shoulders. "I don't know about you, but I could use a drink."

Even with his back turned she could hear his smile as he rummaged through the last of his go bag, "You read my mind. Hotch gave us the night off."

"Wonderful, then grab your coat and come help me down like a gentleman."

"Yes ma'am."

They were both beyond tipsy when the cab pulled up to Penelope's apartment. Morgan handed over a few bills before they tumbled out of the car laughing, stumbled through the front door and up the two flights of stairs to her door. Once inside Penelope peeled off her heels, dropping them next to the couch, before making her way into the kitchen and downing a cool glass of water. Derek sat on the arm of the couch struggling to untie his shoes before his intended stay on the couch.

"Derek Morgan," Penelope said steadying herself on the counter, "I don't think we should never play truth, dare, or shot together ever again…ever."

Derek laughed, his voice slightly higher than normal, "But Baby Girl I learned so many new things about you tonight."

"Mhmm, yeah that's what I'm talking about."

He laughed again giving up on his laces and just muscled his shoes off, settling them haphazardly next to the bright green pumps. He stood stretching, the details of the last few days blissful pushed to the back of his mind. "Come here."

She pushed off the counter and fell into his warm outstretched arms. They swayed together as if still surrounded by the thrum of the club, her head tucked comfortably under his chin, his hands settled firmly on her waist keeping them stuck tight to each other. They stayed that way for a few minutes enjoying the comfortable closeness until he couldn't ignore the exhaustion pulling at his bones. He shifted back so he could see her face. Her cheeks were flushed with a good night of drinking and her eyes were closed. He grinned tiredly down at her. "Get some sleep woman. We have to do that work thing again in the morning."

"You're right," she said not bothering to open her eyes. "Goodnight my prince."

"Goodnight Penelope." He kissed her gently on the forehead, and then on the cheek, he meant to stop there, but his lips kept finding the next spot and the next; below her jaw, on her neck, on the base of her shoulder. It was warm and languid, and comforting. She sighed, pleasure sinking into her skin at each touch. She tipped her head to the side to make it easier as his lips slowly made their way back up until they met hers, plump and cool against his branding heat. He pulled back, both of their eyes resting shut now. Again he meant to stop, to release the gentle hold he had on her waist, but he found himself descending for another kiss, and another, until he found her lips and tongue entrenched with his own.

Her hands slowly wormed their way under his shirt and it found its way to the carpet beneath them. Slowly, ever so slowly he backed her into the bedroom, her bead curtain rattling as they pushed heedlessly through. His kisses were still unhurried, her hands exploring without rush. It was nothing like either had ever imagined when they had dared imagine, it was calm and gentle, there was tenderness and affection in every move he made and she welcomed every bit of him.

He fell asleep surrounded by the scent of her honey lavender shampoo as he whispered kisses on the soft skin behind her ear.