Chapter Three

AN: Hello, again! Have a little break, so I am posting three. Will answer chapter 2 reviews shortly......

Penelope was sitting on a plane with Derek, about twenty minutes from landing in California. She had the window seat, but didn't bother to look out. She was too nervous and excited to really enjoy the flight.

She was still shell shocked on how it all happened. She still thought it was a bad idea, Derek coming with. Even after that kiss, she was going to tell him no. Actually, she did tell him no the next day. Citing what this would do to their friendship, she told him thanks, but no thanks.

"Everything is going to change, Morgan."

"It'll be fine," he said. "Trust me."

The rest of the month, he acted absolutely the same as he always did. He flirted like hell with her over the phone, came over for movies and pizza, proving that nothing at all was different…. For him.

She, on the other hand, found herself staring at his mouth a lot more than she used to. She always wondered what it would be like to kiss Derek. He was gorgeous, she had a lifelong crush on him, but she never thought she'd actually get to give him anything more than a friendly peck. She thought she was a realist; she was certain that women like her did not end up kissing men like him.

Obviously she was wrong.

Now that she had kissed him, she started wondering a lot more things. The plain old friendly chemistry between them presented itself as a lot more than just friendly, at least for her. She felt kind of bad for feeling that way; it wasn't Derek's fault he was so damn attractive. Not many women were able to resist him, she was no different than them.

She ended up agreeing with him, since he was the same ol' Derek after all. He didn't change; maybe this would work. She told him begrudgingly after a week she'd let him come with.

"Good! I'm glad. See? It'll work," he said, sounding thoroughly pleased with the situation. He paused for a moment, then he smirked, adding, "And I won't even charge you five hundred if you want intimate entertainment."

She blushed about six shades of red before she walked away.

The glint of the diamond on her hand caught her eye again. That was the oddest part of the whole thing. She had a cheesy cubic zirconia ring she bought on QVC that she was going to use as the engagement ring. It was pretty, just flashy enough to get some attention, but not lingering attention.

Derek absolutely refused. "I will be damned if any fiancée of mine wears a cubic zirconia ring."

"I'm not a real fiancée," she explained.

"To everyone there, you are," he said, shooting her down effectively. "Don't make me look cheap, woman."

The next day, he stopped into her office and knelt in front of her. He reached for her hand, pulled the fake ring off, and produced a fantastic diamond ring that took her breath away.

"This is the right way to do it," he said, smiling softly at her. "On my knee, with a damn good diamond."

Her heart pounded in her ears and her heart started to melt, before she mentally kicked herself. This was just a fake engagement; no reason to get all schmaltzy over it. Still, she blinked back tears; the ring was gorgeous, a very moving sight.

"Thank you," she said, her voice a little hoarse. "But you shouldn't have. That's a lot of money for a temporary engagement."

His smile dropped a little, and he stood up. "Don't worry about it; you're worth it."

"Yeah," she said, looking again at the gorgeous stone. "It'll convince them, that's for sure. Now if only I can-"

"Like I said, don't worry," he said, bending over to kiss the top of her head. "Believe me; they will have no doubt how much your fiancé loves you."

For second, looking at the sincerity in his eyes, even she believed her fiancé loved her. He was a very good friend to try that hard for her. "Thanks, honey," she said, standing to give him a hug. "I appreciate it."

"I know," he said, holding her for a minute.

"Hey," she said excitedly, thinking of something. "When we get back, maybe you can pawn this and get some of your money back?"

He pulled away and looked at her, his eyebrows knitting, for just a moment, before he smiled and laughed.

"Always practical." He touched the tip of her nose. "I've got to work. See you tonight?"

She nodded and he left.

"We are beginning our descent into San Francisco. Please fasten your seat belts, raise your tray tables, and make sure your seats are in the upright and locked position."

Derek smirked over at her. "How many times a day do you think she has to say that?"

Penelope shuddered. "Think about how many times she's said it in her lifetime."

He laughed, then reached over and held her hand. She looked down where her left hand joined his, and wished for just a second again that this was real. She looked up at him, his eyes were warm and soft.

He raised her hand a touch. "In case you get scared with landing," he said.

"I don't," she said.

He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed it. "Well, maybe I do."

She smiled; that was a bald face lie. He couldn't be a profiler and hate flying. She held his hand and squeezed. She didn't care what the reason was; she was going to keep holding on as long as she could.