Chapter 2

Morgan nervously adjusted his tie, waiting. He knocked again.

"Penelope?" he called.

"Just a minute!" she chirped. "Just have to finish up, I'll be right out. Why don't you come on in!"

"Alright! I'm…I'm coming in!" he answered, opening the door to her apartment gratefully. An aging woman from across the hall had been peeking at him from the locked door since he arrived, and he was glad to get out of her sight.

"Be right down!" she said. He could hear her footsteps, drawers slamming, and her humming some jazzy tune. Penelope's new apartment was just like her- cozy and bright, with tons of knickknacks and gadgets. There was an entire array of remotes were lined up biggest to smallest on the coffee table. He sat down and picked up one in the middle, and pressed a yellow button.

Immediately, some sort of techno music blasted out of the sound system at full volume- he dropped the remote in favor of saving his ears.

Garcia dashed down the stairs to see what was going on, her hands firmly pressed on her ears as well. When she saw him sitting there, looking as guilty as a dog caught chewing shoes, she had to laugh.

"Get the remote!" she mouthed. He nodded and picked it up, wincing as the noise rolled against his eardrums. He began pressing random buttons until he switched it off, leaving them to blissful silence.

"Good job!" Garcia teased, grinning.

"It's like the Pentagon in here." Morgan grumbled, but he had to smile back. She was too cute, in her neon pink dress and matching glasses. He'd never liked glasses until they were on Penelope.

She blushed. "What?"

"Nothing, just you. Ready to go?"

"Yes, all ready."

"Our chariot awaits." he joked. Her eyes sparkled. Another thing new with her- he had thought the glimmer in someone's eyes was a trick of the light until now.

-Restaurant-

"A sex on the beach, please." Garcia ordered. The bartender nodded, and turned to Morgan.

"And for you, sir?"

"Just whatever beer you have cold in a bottle." he said. He couldn't care less what he was drinking, because he was so on edge about what to talk about.

"Be right back, ladies room run!" she announced, batting her eyelashes. "Don't miss me too much, Hotstuff!"

"I'll be counting the seconds until you return." he said, winking. This was good. Just stick to the lighthearted banter they used at work. Have fun. Don't let the case with the women who were burned alive come up. Yep… Derek Morgan was the man with the plan.

"This seat taken?" a throaty voice asked. Before he could answer, a brunette slid into it. She was tall and slender, sleek and inviting in a way that gave him chills- and not good chills. Her eyes were violets, huge and full of feigned innocence. She was the sick opposite of his babygirl.

"Actually it is." he said politely. "My date is in the ladies room. She'll be back soon, sorry."

"Shame, a man like you taken." she said, her eyes sliding over him. She smiled and archer her back, pressing her breasts forward under the pretense of stretching.

"It's not, actually. I'm sorry, but I need you to leave. My girl is coming now." Sure enough, Garcia was striding over to him, looking at the brunette with narrowed eyes.

"Okay." she shrugged, and slipped off the seat, crossing to a table with a lonely-looking but attractive gentleman who seemed to be twice her age.

"Who was your friend?" Penelope asked, reclaiming her seat.

"Honestly, I have no clue. She just sat next to me until I explained I was here with you." The bartender delivered the drinks, and he took a swig of his beer.

"Lyla." Garcia said.

"Hmmm?"

"It's her name. Lyla" Garcia showed him a slip of paper with a name and number scribbled on it.

"Oh. Here." He took the paper and handed it to the bartender. "Can you throw this away for me?"

The bartender acquiesced, and Garcia relaxed. They talked, joked, laughed about everything until the tab arrived, but Morgan still felt that she was holding back.

"Are you having fun?" he asked to make sure.

"Buckets, dear." she said, putting a hand on his shoulder. I know we've got a busy workload for the next few days, but I was wondering if you wanted to come over on Wednesday and watch a movie? Pretty please?"

"Yes, I'd love to! What movie?"

"The Matrix." she said, grinning wickedly.

"You and your technology." he groaned. "It's a date."

"You won't regret it. Cold beer, some pizza, a 60 inch tv…"

"Damn! Where do you keep all of that!"

"It's a secret… but I'll tell you. I like you." Penelope leaned in so she could whisper in his ear. "The living room wall has a secret panel behind that one Japanese painting."

"The waterfall?" he asked, eyes widening.

"Yep."

"Definitely a date!"

"If you're lucky, I might even watch it with you."

"You better, Babygirl. I'm not watching it alone. I'll drag you downstairs if I have to."

"Now that sounds like fun!" she said, eyes flashing.

"Oh it will be." he promised. Wednesday couldn't come fast enough.

Hey guys! This is my second fanfic on here so I hope you like it! Please leave any questions, comments, criticisms, and concerns, and I promise to answer! Enjoy! ;D