Home of Derek Morgan – Next Morning (Friday)

Derek cursed himself as the shrill piercing sound of the alarm clock crashed into his being awakening the consequences of last night's mindless indulgences. It hurt to open his eyes and lifting his head from the pillow was out of the question. But he had to go to work and he had to be sober and ready to conquer evil. At least he had found his way home and had spent the night alone in his own bed. Right now he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. Right and wrong seemed blurred at the moment as he struggled to see through the haze of a splitting headache. After a few moments his hand found the offending alarm and fumbled around until he found the off button. His hand fell limp next to his head on the bed. He could only pray that they did not get a case…today already sucked and it was only seven-thirty.

BAU HEADQUARTERS – QUANTICO, VA. – MORNING

Reid sat at his desk in the bullpen. He'd been in for at least an hour when a haggard Morgan stumbled off the elevator. With a smirk on his face he watched his friend approach.

"Late night? You look like shit!" Reid teased.

"Don't start…" Morgan mumbled.

"You got pretty hammered last night. I haven't seen you throw 'em back like that in a while."

"Yeah it was one of those kind of nights." Morgan squinted against the bright lights.

Morgan looked up towards Garcia's office as he leaned against Reid's desk.

"She's not in yet."

"Thanks."

Morgan headed toward the smell of coffee and Reid laughed under his breath and turned back to the open file on his desk.

Shortly after Morgan's arrival, Garcia and JJ arrived together chatting, no signs of last night's gathering at Mar's. Each one of them had held their own but the two looked flawless as usual.

"Good Morning Spence!" JJ said cheerfully, she was the only one who called him Spence.

"Good Morning."

"Good Morning Junior G-Man!" Garcia seemed to have a million nicknames for everyone; he liked Junior G-Man as well as any of the others he supposed.

"Hey Garcia. You two look remarkably well considering…"

"Considering what?"

"Considering you both put quite a bit of alcohol away last night."

"Maybe but not as much as our resident playboy!" JJ quipped back.

Just then Morgan approached the group coffee in hand. When the two ladies saw him, they both said in unison, "You look like shit!"

Morgan with a fake hurt look on his face looked the two up and down and walked away shaking his head and without responding to their insult. The three chuckled amongst themselves as they watched him gingerly take the steps and head toward his office.

Morgan eased his body slowly into his chair behind his desk. If he looked like shit he felt like hell. His head was splitting and his body still ached from the last case. The weekend couldn't come soon enough and he promised himself that he was staying far away from alcohol.

There was one thing he needed to do and that was to fix things with his best friend. Something had shifted between them over that last few weeks. The air between them was tense and uncomfortable. Penelope Garcia had been the one constant in his life for the last nine years and he needed her, when she wasn't happy then he wasn't happy. They were so connected to each other that he knew that he was the reason for her unhappiness. Lately he'd been selfish dealing with his own demons that he had neglected her and for that he needed to make amends.

Penelope settled herself in her lair surrounded by her babies. One by one she powered them up and reveled in the hum of her cyber world. She owned this space and place. Her confidence lay at her fingertips. Every inch of the small space spoke to who she was and she was truly the Goddess of All-Knowing. What she knew was that she had to get a grip on her feelings for her best friend. No good thing could possibly come from hanging onto a secret fantasy of her and Derek being more than what they were. She couldn't change him he was who he was. He was a fierce warrior against evil and he was a loyal loving friend and she'd do anything even sacrifice her heart to keep him in her life. Lately, she was having trouble keeping those feelings undercover. Something had changed in her and her heart was threatening to take her to a place that neither one of them were prepared to go. Her predictable relationship with Kevin had ended when he wanted more from her a lifetime commitment as his wife. Kevin was a great guy who loved the idea of her and had convinced himself that they could be happy together even though he knew he didn't own her heart…and never would. He had seen how she looked at Morgan and how the two of them were with each other; so easy, comfortable…he needed that and he needed her to choose him. He'd even asked Morgan for help which he'd refused.

Penelope's phone rang alerting her to a text message. It was Derek's ring and she quickly fished it from her large blue vinyl bag.

"Lunch at Harry's? My treat!"

Suddenly she froze, reading the message over and over not knowing how to respond. They hadn't spent much time together lately. This was what she wanted more time and more of him. They needed to talk and get back on track but he seemed distracted lately and the distance between them was unbearable.

"Love to!" She responded and began working, her mind far from the diagnostics that needed her attention.

Harry's Deli – Afternoon

Harry's Deli was a short two-block walk from the office. It was normally busy around lunchtime but somehow Harry and his wife Delia managed the crowd with ease. Their Roast Beef on Sourdough was amazing and Derek's regular request. Penelope always chose the Chicken Caesar Salad. The two walked in together, Derek had insisted on holding her hand and she was glad that at least that hadn't changed between them. Delia was behind the counter and waved at them as they grabbed the last available booth in the back.

"Thanks for having lunch with me, Baby Girl." He said smoothly searching her face.

"Thanks for inviting me." She responded trying not to look at him.

Delia came over with a small pad and a wide knowing smile. She was like everyone else who'd sworn that the two would make a perfect couple.

"Hello you two. I haven't seen you in here in a while."

"Work has been keeping us pretty busy." He responded.

"Well you tell Uncle Sam that you still need to eat!" She chuckled. "Your usuals?"

"Yes. Please." Penelope spoke up.

"Same for me too, Delia." Morgan winked at the woman as she walked away.

Derek gently placed his hands on Penelope's and squeezed them lightly. He waited until she looked at him before speaking.

"Hey, listen, I think we need to talk."

"Do we?" Her heart began pounding furiously.

"I think I owe you an apology."

"For what?"

"I've been neglecting my Baby Girl and that's not cool."

She smiled fighting back the tears. She relaxed a little and looked at him for the first time since they had taken their seats.

"Don't be silly. I know you have a lot going on with work and everything…"

"I'm never too busy for you. But I've been slacking on my friend duties lately and I want to make it up to you."

Never had the word, "Friend" felt so heavy…so final. She kept her gaze on him. Once again, her heart was demanding more and she couldn't stop the lone tear that escaped running free down her face.

"You don't owe me anything, really. We're good." She said unconvincingly.

He was worried and the tears didn't help settle his emotions.

"Then why the tears?"

"You know me, Derek…I just love you and love our friendship and I don't want to lose it."

"You could never lose me. I need you and I'm not going any where!"

He squeezed her hands again and the two sat in silence for the next few seconds. Delia brought over their food and placed it in front of them. The older woman noticed Penelope's mood.

"Hey Pen, I was wondering if you have time soon if you could come by and help me with a computer problem?"

"Oh…sure I'd be happy to. How about if I come by after work tonight?"

"Perfect! Thanks, Hun. You two enjoy your meal."

The next several minutes were spent talking and enjoying each other's company and making up for lost time. Delia watched the pair from behind the counter never had she seen two so right, so in love and so absolutely clueless.

Just as the two waved at Delia and left a curvaceous redhead approached the counter. She had taken great care not to be seen by the pair. Although the way that gorgeous man was staring and holding onto his companion, she doubted he'd even notice or remember her from just the night before. Delia greeted her with a smile and eagerness to serve.

"How can I help you, Ma'am?"

"Uh…was that Derek Morgan that just left?"

"Why yes it was." Delia could count the times she'd answered that question over the years.

"Damn he's gorgeous!"

"Get in line, Sweetie!" Delia looked at the woman she wasn't like the regular Derek Morgan Ogler. She seemed to have another agenda and it made Delia a little uncomfortable. The woman watched Derek and Penelope until they were out of sight then turning with a fake smile ordered the special to go