DISCLAIMER: I own nothing
A/N: So, it wasn't heavy for the first chapter, but once we're just a couple of more chapters in, then we will be getting somewhere... Thanks for all of the reviews, alerts and favourites, they're so appreciated!
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- To Love and Lose -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"So he wants to meet up?"
"Yup, please tell me you're gonna come along?" Penelope near enough begged Derek, "I know he said he just wants to make amends, but I honestly can't go along with it unless I have you there with me."
"I'd be more than happy to join you," He said as he dotted a kiss on her cheek. "This way I can show him who won."
"Oh alpha male coming out here," Penelope teased as she leant against the kitchen counter and watched Derek. "I am never gonna get with him or give him a window to think he has a chance, Derek. He can beg, plead, try whatever, but there is no way I am losing this to go for heartbreak. I have too much to lose in this life now."
Derek couldn't help but smugly smile at that. He felt gratitude at the same time, in just knowing that he had loved Penelope right. He had loved her enough for her to acknowledge that he would never ever hurt her. After all, he had only ever loved her and she was safe in the knowing of his love.
Relenting, he put his hands to her hips. "Fine," Derek started, "On one condition?"
"Whatever you what, Sugar," Penelope replied to him sweetly, preparing herself for what was to come.
"I don't get banned from making him jealous."
Penelope could tell by the look in his eye that Derek was more than a little prepared to make Kevin pay and she couldn't help but allow him.
After all, Derek only had her best interests at heart.
"Like I'd be able to even stop you from doing that," Penelope answered him knowingly. "Just no bar fights okay? That's my one condition back."
"That I can just about promise," Derek said as he pulled Penelope close to him, "When do we meet up with him?"
"Tomorrow," She replied instantly, a little wary at telling him at such short notice.
"Great," Derek groaned a little. He thought he'd have a little more mental preparation time, "Cannot wait."
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- To Love and Lose -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Sitting opposite the man that had destroyed Penelope's smile so many months ago, Derek was literally trying find ways to hide the emotions he was feeling towards him. He was trying to be on his best behaviour to make this amicable and friendly and he would go through anything to make that possible for Penelope to build some sort of bridge with Kevin and finally get a large piece of closure that Kevin had denied her.
He had noticed a change in Kevin, noting that a year away had definitely done a lot for this man. Derek acknowledged that Kevin had definitely matured – in attitude and personal appearance. Kevin no longer held a petulant child look about him, and he seemed to understand some form of fashion that had been lacking from his life.
If there was two important things Derek hadn't missed, it was the way in which Kevin looked at Penelope, and the way Kevin looked at him. He was more than a little in love with Penelope, and he looked at her with a regretful gaze and he would sit and eye her up, letting his eyes wander. Yet when Derek spoke, Kevin casted the same disgusted look that he had always had. One that told him full well that whatever happened, Kevin was never, ever going to like Derek.
"So you two are engaged?" Kevin said as he put his hands around his glass. "Been together long?" He persisted to ask away.
Penelope smiled, as she looked at this man she knew full well she had wasted time on that relationship, but she didn't look back with regret. She had a man that loved her wholeheartedly, and he was one that wouldn't break up with her and then leave her entirely days later.
"We've been together just over a year," Penelope replied proudly. She saw Kevin's reaction, he hadn't been gone all of fourteen months and Penelope had found true love and gotten engaged. Penelope would never feel bad for finally get true love.
"You're more than welcome to be put on the guest list, Kevin," Derek said with a sweet smile. He had waited a long time to have this opportunity. He would pay anything to make Kevin Lynch watch what he had lost.
"Gladly," Kevin answered, his voice somewhat strained a little at answering. He could deny that he wanted to see Penelope at her happiest, but he had always wanted to be the one that would elicit that emotion in her. Not Derek Morgan.
"Goody!" Penelope exclaimed excited, and both men smiled at her admiringly, "Next rounds on me fellas!" She said as she jumped up and grabbed her purse, "Same again?"
"Course, Baby Girl," Derek agreed and Kevin gave a curt nod in reply. "So why are you really back?" Derek quickly asked, he'd be a fool to not realise that Kevin wasn't back because of a job.
"I thought she'd be single," Kevin admitted honesty, his voice almost toneless.
Derek couldn't withhold the laughter that built in his chest. "Even you knew we were in love with one another. That's why you put her through your stupid jealous arguments. Why you argued over me all the time."
"Morgan, you're right, I knew and coming back to face this fact just makes me realise that I would rather have Penelope in my life as a friend than not," Kevin replied sweetly, "I'll admit it, I didn't like you and I still don't, but you make her happy and that's all I want to see."
"That's all you're gonna see," Derek finished and looked to see Penelope coming back over with their drinks. "You were quick, Baby."
"Well, when you have boobs like mine they get you places," She teased as she put the tray of drinks down, "Men go for a girl with a rack."
"Too right," Both men agreed and even though the pair didn't like one another, they both laughed at that admiration.
Penelope settled down into her seat and picked her glass of wine up, she was extremely happy at that moment. Both her ex-boyfriend and her fiancé finally seemed to be getting on. Something that she had always dreamt of happening.
Conversation seemed to filter in between them all, and they all got along comfortably. Banter was exchanged, future plans were spoken and Kevin seemed to really show an interesting in wanting to be a part of Penelope's life, even if she was still resistant to his way.
Derek could pick up on his fiancée's resilience and he knew once Penelope lost trust in someone it took a while to build it back. That didn't mean she closed off entirely, she just wasn't ready to take such a plunge into potentially dangerous water.
Kevin took the last sip of his drink and then put his drink down on the table top. He slapped his hands to his lap as he watched Derek twirl a piece of Penelope's hair in his fingers and then smiled. "I'm gonna have this then head off," Kevin said as he took a swig of his drink, immediately realising it wasn't strong enough. "Early start tomorrow for me," He finished and saw Penelope understand. He stood up and immediately Penelope followed, and so did Derek.
"Good to see you, Man," Derek said as he realised that Kevin wasn't entirely all bad. He put his hand out to shake Kevin's and couldn't deny that seeing Penelope's smile at that was worth withholding his negative feelings towards this man.
"And you," He said and turned to Penelope who engulfed him in a hug. "See you around right?" He commented as he hugged her and then pulled away.
"You sure will," Penelope replied and sat when Kevin left them to it. She looked at him and then when he was by the door she turned to Derek, "I really think Derek Morgan earned himself a reward for his good behaviour."
"Oh yeah," He said as he placed a hand on her thigh, his other arm around the back of her chair and leant in, kissing her gently. "What you got in mind?"
"If I tell you that then it wouldn't be much of a reward now would it?" Penelope asked him with a seductive smirk on her lips. She licked her lips and continued to give him her sexual glare. "You just gotta wait to get home."
"That is a mission I think I might just last through," He told her back and cupped her chin to draw her in for a proper kiss. The moment his lips met hers, he felt electrified once more – much like he had the first time they kissed.
"God I love those," Penelope mumbled as they separated.
Cocking an eyebrow, he replied with a smirk, "What my lips?"
"Mm those, and your kisses," She said as she went back for another.
Kevin watched Derek as he literally fell over Penelope. The rumble of jealousy not going completely unnoticed in the deepest pit of his stomach. He stood by the door and watched as Penelope literally doused Derek in unadulterated love.
Something she had never fully given him.
Slamming his fist to the door, he looked at the surprised punters who stared at him and he left the bar.
His anger not kept hidden from anyone.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- To Love and Lose -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
