They were quiet while driving over to his place, after Penelope had gotten the all clear from the officer to come back the next morning for her statement. She had grabbed some essentials, and with the help of Morgan packed up her precious super 8 projector and films, as well as some other valuable items she didn't want to leave behind. Tomorrow she would come back for clothes and anything else she would need for the stay at his apartment. She was still reluctant, but relieved he took it out of her hands. She didn't really want to think right now. She would deal with Kevin later.

When they arrived at his house, Morgan quickly got out of the car and walked around to the passenger's side to open the door for Penelope. Even though he knew she needed no help, he still grabbed her hand and didn't let go until he reached the front door, fumbling for his keys.

"Handsome," she put her hand on his arm, stopping him a second. "Thank you so much for being there for me." She smiled, a real genuine smile for the first time since he had arrived at her place.

"You know I would do anything for you, Penelope, anything. I really mean that," he answered, a pang of regret in his voice. It was stronger than himself. He had backed off for so long, thinking she was happy when she chose Lynch, that he had no right to interfere. His chance had passed, all those years ago when he didn't step up and follow through on his declaration.

"You are really the best friend anyone could ask for," she patted his arm, turning her attention back to the door, waiting on him to open it.

"You have no idea," he muttered under his breath, stepping inside.

"What?" she asked confused, but he was already in the kitchen, taking a bottle of water out of the fridge.

"Are you hungry?" he yelled while she took off her coat and made her way into the living room where she let herself unceremoniously fall on the couch.

"Nah I'm good handsome," she lied, because she was hungry after all the events of the night. She had skipped dinner to start baking, and she didn't taste her ingredients since Lynch had made the remark that if she didn't do that while baking or cooking, she might lose a few pounds.

"Sure?" He came into the living room, drying his hands with a towel.

"No handsome, I'm okay, please go back to bed, I have been keeping you up long enough already," she apologized, earning herself a scowl.

"Baby girl, when are you going to get it through your hard head that it's no big deal at all? That..." He shook his head, briefly rested it in his hands, then looked up again. "Doesn't matter. Did you eat dinner?"

"Errm, yes, I did," she quickly answered.

"You know I know it when you lie to me," he looked at her intently.

"I... had some brownies!" she tried to save her face.

"Come on, I have lasagna in the fridge, I'll warm it. And then we're going to bed." With that simple statement he returned to his kitchen, and soon she heard the ding of the microwave. Only then did she follow him into the kitchen, taking a spot at the table where he had laid the table for two, candles included.

"I've been waiting so long to have you over for a candlelight dinner," he answered her raised eyebrow with a 100 watt smile, "Well almost breakfast I guess," he added, looking at the clock.

"Oh my God, Morgan, I'm so sorry, it's past 4 AM, and here I am keeping you awake, and in a couple of hours you have to get up and we're sitting here with lasagna!" she apologized profusely, but he bent over and put a finger on her lips to shut her up.

"Eat, and then we are going to sleep. I already sent a message to Hotch we wouldn't be in today," he shot her a big grin. "Come on, it won't bite back!"

They barely spoke while eating dinner, but Morgan couldn't keep his eyes away from Penelope. He knew her like the back of his hand, and a nagging little voice inside his head kept telling him something was wrong with his best friend. It wasn't just the explosion in her apartment, it was the way she was devouring her food like she hadn't eaten in days, and her explanations about Lynch not being there, hell, about her baking in the middle of the night which worried him.

When she finally put her fork down, a satisfied smile on her lips, he gently took her hand and pulled her to her feet.

"Let's get some sleep, mama, we both need it."

He guided her up the stairs, to the guest bedroom she had used regularly until she started going out with Lynch. Then suddenly there was no room anymore for sleepovers, or for endless flirting like they had done before. It was still there, but more like a shadow of what they used to do, a lot more subdued. Truth was, he missed it more than anything. But he wasn't sure if she did too, so he didn't really bring it up.

"I missed this," she echoed his thoughts though, turning around in the door frame, and awakening the tiniest flame of hope in Morgan's heart.

"Goodnight princess," he answered throatily, kissing her cheek.

=~==Baby, If You Were Mine==~=

Later that morning Morgan was up and bustling around in the kitchen. He hadn't been able to sleep much, not that he usually could. But now he was worrying about Pen on top of everything, and that wasn't doing his insomniac nature any good. The last time he slept really well he had his arms around her, but that was right after she got shot and before she got with Lynch. He hadn't dared asking for a repeat, although he often wished he had. He usually tried to quell those thoughts by going out, getting drunk and fucking some random girl, but even that couldn't take the inevitable heartache away when he realised he'd never have the woman he wanted in his arms.

He was just about to pour himself another cup of coffee when she wandered into the kitchen, wearing ducky pajamas, her hair mussed, sleep still clouding her eyes. He couldn't help but smile, she was the most adorable thing he had ever seen in his entire life. It also dawned on him he could get used to this sight for the rest of his life, but he quelled that thought as soon as it popped up.

"Good morning, baby girl," he greeted her with enthusiasm. He was a morning person, she was not. But she still couldn't resist his charm, no matter how little she had slept.

"I'll show you a good morning, hot stuff," she answered, her tone a little less bright than usual, but a smile on her lips as soon as she felt his strong arms around her. Suddenly, she knew it was going to be alright and she no longer worried about her place being half-destroyed and being homeless for a while. Shaking off thoughts that she could get used to waking up like this, she accepted a cup of coffee and sat down at Derek's breakfast bar where he presented her with eggs and toast.

"Mmm, any girl is lucky to wake up with you, handsome, if you treat your women like this," she joked, a wistful undertone in her voice. Derek's brow furrowed, and he looked away.

"Oh, I'm sorry, that was out of line, it's really none of my business who..." she started, but he lifted his hand to stop her. "It's okay, really, it's okay."

"No, Derek, I,.." she tried to apologize but gulped when he turned back around, putting both his hands on either side of her on the breakfast bar, and looked her straight in the eyes. She could see he was peeved off, but she also thought she saw some hurt in his gaze, mixed with – could it be – lust?

"Don't," he closed his eyes briefly before looking at her again, "I... you're the only one, get that baby girl? I don't bring anyone here, hell,..." He ran his hand over his head, averting his eyes, not really wanting to continue his thought, at least not out loud.

They ate in silence, then Pen got up and putting things away, but Morgan stopped her.

"I got it," he stopped her with his hand on hers, giving it a slight squeeze to show he wasn't mad at her.

"I better get ready and call Kevin," she smiled at him, not noticing the now obvious flash of hurt in his eyes as she darted out the door.