The bar was sedate for a Friday night. There were a few people having drinks and quiet discussions but it wasn't being entirely overrun by the rowdy college crowd which the trio could appreciate. Emily and Reid volunteered to go get drinks for the table and Derek led Penelope away to find a booth to relax in. He knew she was feeling sore and thought it was best for her to sit as soon as possible or else she would probably tumble over in her heels.

Penelope slid in next to Derek and he scooted closer to her, bumping her bruised hip in the process. She winced again.

"What is it?"

She chirped quickly, "It's nothing! No worries!"

"Baby, you are the worst liar. Come on, show me."

She looked at him skeptically.

"I can handle it." He threw up his hands in surrender, "See? No bandages at the ready. I'll show you mine if you show me yours."

She relented. She couldn't deny him anything he wanted when he threw that gorgeous smile in her direction. She pulled the top of her jeans down cautiously, just enough to show him the dark mark marring her skin. Leada Riot had really put some enthusiasm in to that hit. Penelope had fallen hard.

"It looks way worse than it feels, though. I promise."

Derek took a deep breath. All of his instincts were telling him to kiss it and make it better but he knew Penelope did not want to be coddled and he wanted her to know that he really was proud of her and would support her no matter how uncomfortable her pain was making him feel at the moment.

"If you say it's nothing to worry about then I trust you. I make it my number one priority to take care of you. You know that."

"I do. And I appreciate it." She tossed an arm across his shoulders and smiled up at him. "You're my best man. Thank you for understanding. I'm sorry that I've been denying you a chance to see me whip around in a short skirt and fishnets. I just…sometimes, I need to vent. This is my outlet. You kick down walls, I kick butt in quad skates."

She placed a kiss on the corner of his mouth and he smiled down at her. She looked beautiful. He knew she was strong and courageous, it was what he loved most about her, but seeing her glide around the track glowing with confidence had him feeling very turned on. There was absolutely no one like his Baby Girl. That would probably explain his never-ending crush on her. He kept it under control, mostly. Their highly flirtatious nature gave him the means to say what he needed to say without it being too obvious that he would in fact take her, anywhere and anytime, if she would ever give him the opportunity. More importantly, she was his friend and his safe haven. He knew that no matter what, he could always count on her and that meant more to him than anything. He was not going to screw that up and complicate it with feelings. But, man! Did he want to.

"And you're sure I can't talk you into doing something safe, like, theatre? Maybe some interpretative dance troupe needs a new member! You'd look damn sexy in a tight little leotard."

Penelope shook her head at him as Emily and Spencer returned with 2 pitchers of beer and shots for each of them.

Reid cleared his throat, "Actually, Morgan, the probability of Garcia getting hurt or seriously injured during the course of a theatrical production is greater, especially when you factor in the number of accidents per year that are caused by the power tools and electrical equipment that are used to build sets and props. With dance, the probability of her getting hurt or seriously injured is even higher if you factor in the bone and muscle injuries that dancers suffer from regularly."

Derek sighed and lifted the shot glass to his lips, quickly swallowing the pungent liquid.

"So, Holly Go'Fight'ly- God, I just love that name! How long has this been going on? What else are you keeping from us?" Emily threw back a shot, slammed her glass on the table in front of her and then slid one to Spencer who followed suit.

"It's been almost a year, my voluptuous vixen! Work keeps me from playing as often as I would like but, I try to keep up with core and strength training. It's good for balance and speed and this skate kitten likes it fast." Penelope threw back her own shot as Derek poured beers for everyone.

"Baby girl, There are so many different sides to you. I can't even count them all. You keep me guessing, girl." Derek wrapped his arm tenderly around Penelope's shoulder and leaned in to kiss her temple.

Emily raised her glass. "Here's to our sexy hacker, tech kitten roller girl!"

Penelope was starting to feel more comfortable as Emily and Spencer asked questions almost faster than she could answer. They were both leaning over the table, as close at it would allow. Spencer's hands were folded underneath his chin, making him look even more boyishly handsome.

Derek, however, was caught up in his own thoughts. His Baby Girl was a roller girl! He always thought it would be fun to see her wearing the short skirts and tight shorts and even the fishnets she loved to wear so often but, he didn't think it would ever be something she would enjoy doing. He did not like watching her get hurt but her love of the game outshone it all. The shock of seeing her being so competitive and cutthroat tonight was still wearing off. She never had an interest in sports before. She always faked attentiveness when she watched games with him or she left him to sit alone on the couch while she opted instead to play with Clooney on the floor.

He leaned down to kiss her cheek before finishing off his beer. She wasn't his to worry about like that, no matter how much he wanted to protect her.

"Why this? I really didn't expect this of you at all!" Emily asked.

"Yeah, same here." Derek and Spencer both said together, turning to face her as she carefully considered her answer.

"I wanted to do it because it didn't seem like something I would do. I liked the challenge! I watched a few games online and it was something I could really follow. I'm not much of a sports girl."

Derek snorted.

She playfully punched his arm as she continued, "You could feel the excitement, not just from the fans but from the teams as well. It just brings people together. It's more than fishnets and really fun, dirty names. It's about unity and femininity. And everyone is so different and yet, so much alike! So, I found out when they were having tryouts for new players, bought some skates and started training myself. Tryouts were so much fun! Everyone was so welcoming and I really enjoyed being there. A few days later, Kandy- she was the one you were flirting with Spencer," he kept silent, only giving her a shy smile as she continued, "called me up and told me that I was going to be the newest blocker for the Jailyard Dolls Starlettes."

"That sounds so cool, PG." Emily finished off the last of her beer, then reached for Spencer's and swallowed the rest down. "I never do anything cool," she pouted.

"When do we get to see you play again?"

She wasn't expecting that question. It made her feel a little insecure and shy. "There's a bout next weekend against the Wicked Riot Bombers. They usually put on a good show. Do you guys really want to come? That is, if you aren't sent off to East Jesus Nowhere to catch scum."

A chorus of "Hell yeah" 's and one "Of course" went up and she couldn't help grinning. It felt so good to know that they would be there to support her and cheer for her. If she was being honest with herself, it would be nice to have their beautiful faces greeting her after the game. It would be fun to have Emily and Spencer there with all of their enthusiasm and have Derek wrap his arm around her, smiling at her like he was right now. She may not have needed his permission but she did need his approval and his support.

If only she could allow herself to want more than that. 'No more bad thoughts, Garcie! Drink your beer, enjoy the comfort of the delicious arm that's wrapped around you and find out what is going on between the good doctor and Kandy!'

A/N: This should be all posted by Sunday. Nanny-ing is hard work! If you are reading this nonsense, my many thanks. I'll be sending you money for your therapy bills. Special thanks to Green Day songs, blue eyed boys, huge purses, tattooed people, Tom Vek for being smoking hot, feather hair clips, Kirsten Vangsness for tweeting and making me fall in love with every post (lol) and my superhero best boy. -Betty T. G. xo p.s. Reid is right, I've hurt myself more during theatre rehearsals/show runs than skating.