Chapter 2

It was four days after Penelope and Derek's late night video-call and they had finally wrapped up the case they were on. Penelope was happy that the team was coming home and was especially excited to see her best friend. She still was a bit confused about Derek thinking about her and his subsequent, impulsive call but decided to put it aside for the time being. They had planned a movie night for when he got back and she was grateful for the sense of normality it would bring. While she was with Kevin, she had stopped their movie nights all together after a fight she had with him about her and Morgan's relationship. She was glad that the Kevin chapter of her life was over and was a bit hopeful for the future. She rushed home from work to straighten up a little before Derek came over with the movies and snacks.

She showered and adorned a casual dress. It was a deep green color and tied at the neck. There was a peephole that settled directly over her cleavage and it was cinched at the waist, flawlessly. The material moved with fluidity from the waist down and the hem of the garment hit a little above her knees. She lined her eyes but skipped the mascara. She didn't want to look over done. She gathered her red hair into a messy bun at the top of her head but let some of the stray curls fall at the nape of her neck.

She was in the kitchen, taking out the big bowl they usually used for popcorn, when she heard a knock at the door.

She gasped softly as she opened the door and took in the delectable sight in front of her.

"Hey there, Doll Face!" Derek said as he embraced her "You're a sight for sore eyes" she couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm. He was as excited to see her as she was to see him.

He held her at arm's length to look her over. There was this warmth in his eyes and the unmistakable expression of longing on his face as he scanned her frame. "Wow mama, you look beautiful" She blushed at the sincerity of his words.

"You don't look so bad yourself, Hot Stuff" he was dressed in an ivory, long sleeved Henley shirt and light, slightly distressed jeans that hung deliciously perfect on his hips.

"So what movies did you bring?" Penelope was in an Old Hollywood type of mood and hoped Derek brought something even remotely along those lines. Her hopes weren't that high, however, due to the fact that she knew Derek was a bit obsessed with horror flicks.

"I thought we'd have a Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers night" he says as he hands her the movies and puts the bag of snacks on the kitchen counter. He smiled when he saw her eyes light up. He knew she loved the classics and he had a soft spot for them too.

"Top Hat and Shall We Dance? I love these!" She couldn't believe his choices for tonight. She adored how they always seemed to be on the same wavelength but even this kind of coincidence was a bit of a stretch.

"Happy you like them, Baby Girl. You get to choose which one we watch first and I'll make the popcorn"

"You got a deal, Gum Drop" Penelope could feel that tonight was going to be a fun night.

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They were half way into the second movie and Penelope was nestled against Derek's side, his arm lightly wrapped around her. This was a major reason why she loved their movie nights. She loved being this close to him. She took this time to savor the feeling of being in his arms. She loved his touch, his scent; the remnants of Aramis cologne mixed in with the spiciness of his natural musk. She snuggled in a little closer, casually draping her arm over his abdomen and laying her head against his chest. He gently caressed her hip before tightening his grip around her. Penelope could feel the area of her hip instantly heat up under his touch and reveled in the feeling of his arm tightening around her.

Derek was having some trouble focusing on the movie. All he could think about was how soft Penelope's skin was under his touch. She smelled of pears and vanilla and the seemingly intoxicating combination was driving him insane. He absentmindedly pressed a kiss into her hairline and she turned her face up to his and smiled. "What was that-" her question was interrupted by the silky warmth of his lips against hers. The touch was electrifying. She suddenly couldn't seem to think and shuddered at the tingling sensation spreading throughout her body. She slightly turned her head and allowed the kiss to deepen. She had never been kissed like this. She had always wondered why people talked about fireworks when experiencing the perfect kiss. She didn't have to wonder anymore. She knew exactly what they meant. She decided right then that she would never get enough of this feeling. His varying pressure sent warmth to her very core and left a needy ache between her thighs. She moaned as he gently slid his tongue across her bottom lip, asking to gain entry. Their tongues fought for dominance as the kiss became more passionate. There was a great hunger behind it and she felt as though they weren't close enough. She linked her arms around his neck pulling him in closer as his hand tugged at her bun until her hair tumbled down over her shoulders. He thrust his fingers in her hair and gently pulled her head back giving him access to her neck and throat. He trailed soft, wet open mouthed kisses down the path of her neck and across her collarbone. He kissed back up the side of her throat ending just below her ear. He teasingly tugged at her earlobe with his teeth and felt himself grow harder as a low moan escaped Penelope's lips. It was the sexiest sound he had ever heard and made him want her even more. His kissed across her jaw line until he landed back at her soft lips.

Penelope was in a whirlwind of emotions. She didn't want to stop but she needed to know what this meant and how he felt. She couldn't be another woman in his long line of one night stands. She loved him. She wouldn't be able to bear the hurt of waking up to an empty bed in the morning. She didn't want to be just another conquest to him. She needed him to know that this meant more than that to her.

Their fervent kiss had turned into sweet, lingering ones and she took this time to break free. She put her hands against his chest and gently pushed creating a gap between them. She fought to bring her breathing back to normal.

Derek opened his eyes and looked at her inquisitively. He thought that she wanted this as much as he did but maybe he was wrong. He had overstepped that thin line between lovers and friends that they had been dancing on for years. Maybe it had been too much for her. He felt like an ass. Why had he kissed her? He felt selfish for thinking that somewhere in her heart she felt the same way he did. He wanted to believe that maybe she loved him too. He realized that he had precariously jumped to conclusions and may have damaged their friendship in the process. He suddenly felt a need to apologize.

"Pen, I'm sorry. I...I don't know what came over me" he suddenly felt painfully aware of the repercussions of his actions and was uncharacteristically embarrassed that he let his feelings get out of control.

"It's okay, D..." she noticed the slight flush of his face and how he averted looking her in her eyes. He was embarrassed. Why? He had nothing to feel ashamed about. She dreamt of kissing him plenty of times and now knew that even her most vivid fantasy paled in comparison to the real thing. Had he meant to kiss her? Maybe he felt now that it was a mistake. She didn't like the way that thought made her stomach feel. It didn't feel like a mistake to her. She thought it was the most right feeling in the world.

Penelope was pulled from her thoughts as Derek abruptly stood up.

"No, it's not okay. I crossed a boundary that I shouldn't have. I think that maybe it would be best if I leave, I'm sorry, Baby Girl" he didn't want to make her any more uncomfortable than he believed he already had.

He was almost to the door when he felt her hand around his wrist.

"Don't go, Derek. You can't..." there was an undertone of pleading in her voice.

"Why Not?" He didn't know what she wanted from him. Did she want him to tell her why he kissed her? He couldn't just tell her that he was completely and utterly in love with her. That she was the first thing he thought of when he woke up and the last thing he allowed his mind to think of before drifting off to sleep. He couldn't begin to tell her the joy and light she brings into his life everyday. How could he make her understand that she was all he needed in his life to be happy? He felt his heart swell with all the emotions he had bottled up and it was becoming harder to keep them from showing on his face. He had to get out of there.

"...Because I love you" her words knocked the air from his lungs.