Chapter Two

Hey, so I just wanted to thank the people that reviewed (I think I replied to all but my mobile device started acting up so I'm not sure if I was successful on that front) and alerted and favorited. It warms my heart.

"He drove you home, Garcia. Don't you think he's trying to tell you something?" JJ prodded. Penelope shrugged and sipped her half-caf-extra-shot-venti-two-pump-nonfat-hold-the-whip-caramel-macchiato.

"Yeah, JJ. He's trying to tell me that he's there for me."

"And…"

"And that he's a good friend."

"And….."

"And…?" Penelope knew exactly where this conversation was going, but she feigned ignorance.

"Oh my lord, Penelope, you know what I mean!" JJ cried out, a hint of exasperation in her voice. "Don't play dumb!"

"Jaytch, it's not really like that between us, you know that." JJ shook her head and took a massive swig of her chai latte.

"Do I know that?" she asked, a touch of playfulness in her tone.

"Yes!" Penelope hissed quietly. "Derek and I have the most platonic relationship on the planet, and I don't see that changing any time soon."

"Just because you don't think it will change doesn't mean you don't want it to," JJ countered quietly.

"I guess it doesn't." Faced with a truth she couldn't rebuke, Penelope could do nothing but agree with her friend.

"I know Derek doesn't want to be the 'rebound' for you, but that doesn't mean that he isn't already making a move on you."

"Keep dreaming, JJ. Have you taken a good look at him lately?"

"Probably not as many times as you have," JJ teased, earning herself a playful punch on the shoulder.

"Well, not that I have to remind you, but Derek Morgan is a chocolate god of thunder…he's like a human ship of gorgeousness. I'm nowhere near his league. Besides, he doesn't do relationships. One-night stands are about as serious of a relationship that he wants."

"People can change, Garcia. You know that. And in the time I've known Derek, I can assure you that he has definitely become softer around the edges, especially with you. Plus, in case you haven't noticed, we haven't seen a woman draped over him in quite a while. Now, why do you think that might be?" The question seemed to be rhetorical, so the two women sat in silence for a few minutes, Penelope allowing JJ's words to run around her head.

"So if he makes a move on me…."

"It's not really a question of 'if', but of 'when'…..and he may have already started. Penelope, I can't tell you what to do, but you and I both know that you've dreamed of this day for so long. So just….let whatever happens happen. Don't lose your chance of getting what you truly want."

"You're right, I guess. How is it that you always know what to say…..even though I'm supposedly older and wiser than you?"

"Maybe it's because I'm a mom now…maybe it's made me more sensitive or something." Suddenly, JJ's eyes widened as they fixed on a figure entering the coffee shop. "Hey, don't look now…but he's coming towards us."

"Hey, ladies," Derek greeted as he slid into their booth, sitting right next to Penelope. "Mind if I join you?"

"No, not at all," JJ said. "Hey, guys, sorry to run out on you, but I just realized I forgot to pick up something at the store for Henry."

"It's okay, JJ. I can keep Penelope company for you," Derek responded with a small wink in Garcia's direction. JJ nodded at her friends, giving Penelope the you should thank me for this look as she exited the coffee shop.

"What brings you here this morning, handsome?" Penelope asked abruptly.

"Can't a man just order a coffee without an inquisition?" he replied, a smile playing on his lips. "No, really, I came in here because I wanted to ask you something."

"Well, ask away," Garcia said, trying to keep her voice even and her heart steady. Don't get ahead of yourself, Penelope. No need to get your hopes up for something special.

"It's just…..I was wondering…..since you seem to be a little down since you broke up with Kevin…..if you'd like to go somewhere with me?"

"Go somewhere?" Penelope asked, immediately reprimanding her brain for going to the possible dirtier meanings of what he had said.

"Uh, more specifically, on a trip. With me. In a boat. Like a getaway." His words came out nervous and stuttered, uncharacteristic for the usually-confident Derek Morgan.

"A boat? You telling me that, in addition to the four properties you own, you also have a boat?"

"It's nothing much, baby girl, just something I won at an auction a couple years ago. I had to fix it up a lot for it to even be functional. I was thinking that we could just take a mini-vacation one day and go sailing. Believe it or not, but I am pretty decent at navigating the waters."

"So….it would just be you, me, and a boat for one day?" Penelope asked.

"Yeah…..is that a problem? You afraid my intentions aren't pure?" he winked.

"Hardly," she tossed back. "All right. I'm game. But, tell me, would we be sailing to anywhere?"

"Maybe. Maybe not. See, the thing I love most about sailing is the unpredictability of where we'll end up. Don't worry, I won't get us hopelessly lost in the water or anything. I've got gear that can guide us back to shore and all that. But I don't like setting out with any particular destination in mind. It's too limiting."

"Wow. Derek, that is surprisingly profound of you to say. Never would have pegged you as being that free-spirited."

"Guess I'm just full of surprises, baby girl," Derek replied, eyes twinkling. For a moment, the two stared deep in each other's eyes…leaving so much unsaid….simply allowing the sparks to fly…..

"Are you going to order coffee or not?" a testy waitress snapped, bringing the pair back to earth and to the realization that she'd been standing there for the past three minutes, completely neglected.

Because they'd only had eyes for each other…..