Derek glanced for probably the fifth time at Garcia, wondering what had her so preoccupied. He'd noticed at soon as he'd stepped off the elevator with the rest of the team and found her talking to her long time boyfriend, Kevin Lynch.

"Baby girl, are you alright?" he asked.

"Yes, fine, why wouldn't I be?" she replied without glancing over.

"I have no idea, but you seem distant."

She turned to face him, "Have you ever wanted to quit? Give up this job for something simple, not have to worry whether you, or the people you care about are going to end up dead or not?"

He couldn't help but wonder where this was suddenly coming from, what had made his normally optimistic best friend, suddenly question everything.

"I think we all have at one point or another, but then we realize that we wouldn't be leaving a job, we'd be leaving our family."

"Kevin asked me to quit," she said suddenly.

Derek gaped, incredulous, "Wha-why?"

"He wants us to buy a place in the country, a farm, step away from all the drama."

"And you're considering it?" he asked, trying to sound somewhat indifferent.

She nodded, "Part of me is, part of me can't imagine leaving you guys."

"I can't imagine you not being here," he said quietly.

"I- After what happened to Emily, part of me just wonders if it's best to step away."

"What happened to Emily shook us all, but it also made me realize how much this team means to me. Baby girl, it's your decision in the end, but I hope you stay, the team needs you. I-" he stopped, realization dawning on him.

"You what?" she asked.

Derek was silent, mind a million miles away, wondering how long he'd been so completely blind and in denial.

"Derek, you with me?" she tried again.

"What? Oh, yeah, sorry, I kind of went off in space."

"Now I feel like I'm the one that should be worried," she mused.

"No, I'm fine…what would it take to get you not to leave?"

"I'm not even sure I am Derek, it's just something Kevin brought up, and something I'm considering."

"Don't. Don't consider it, at all. Stay here, with the team, they need you," he hesitated, "I need you."

Garcia's eyes widened, "What are you saying exactly, Derek?"

"I'm saying… I'm asking you to stay here… with me," he took a deep breath, "I love you, Penelope."

"Are…you asking me…to choose you over Kevin?" she asked quietly.

Derek closed his eyes, "Yes, that's exactly what I'm asking."

Garcia stepped forward and hesitantly placed a gentle kiss on his lips, "I'll stay."