And Now the next chapter. There is just one chapter left so let me know if you like it or not.

Music of the Night

After that morning Penelope was glad the team decided she should sleep at Derek's till they found the admirer. Even if she hadn't told them about the last two presents and cards they were still concerned. She knew she had to tell them but something stopped her every time she tried.

And again she was glad as she came home to grab some clothes and found nothing unusual. The thought the stalker had keys to her place scared her more than anything other connected to him.

The next days and weeks went by with no sign of a new present or card. Finally she felt safe enough to go home with one of them as her protector. The first night at home after a long time for Penelope was shared with Emily.

The women had fun and didn't waste a thought how their little pyjama party had come up. While Emily settled herself on the couch Penelope went to grab some drinks. It took a second look till the technician realized there was a book lying on her kitchen counter that didn't belong to her book collection. A card flew out of it as she lifted the book.

Close you eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams
Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar
And you'll live as you've never lived before

Knowing what this meant she read the book title. It was the original French novel the musical "Phantom of the Opera" based on. Slowly Penelope started to wonder who this guy was. He seemed to be very intelligent and worked with her or near her. There was just one problem. That description fitted nearly every man in the BAU.

While she was standing there Emily came to the kitchen checking if everything was ok with the tech goddess. Surprised she looked at the novel in Penelope's hands.

"I didn't know you read foreign-language novels."

"What? Oh.. it's a present."

The brunet noticed the card upon the novel and gave Penelope a bad look.

"Why didn't you tell us you still get presents from him?"

"I don't know. I don't think he has something bad in mind." she said hesitant.

Emily sighed and put her arms on the kitchen counter her head resting in her hands and looked questioningly at Penelope.

"You like this in a weird way, don't you? I can't blame you, I don't know what I would do but you know as good as me that this can only end badly. Especially the fact that he chose "Phantom of the Opera" concerns me."

"I know and I think I need to change the locks. He seems to have keys."

"WHAT? Penelope! How long have you known this?"

Emily bolted upright from leaning on the counter.

"The morning before you decided to move me into Derek's." she answered in a whisper.

"That was weeks ago. I can't believe it. You better be glad Derek isn't here."

"I know he would be more upset than you."

"Ok, let us forget it and tomorrow the first thing you do is change the locks."

"OK, and Em?"

"Yeah?"

"Please don't tell anybody about it."

Emily sighed in disbelief.

"I'll do it but you have to do me one favor."

"What kind of favor?"

"You tell me at least if you get a new present. Maybe we can catch him if he feels safe enough to send you more bouquets or presents."

Penelope had feared Emily would ask something else, so she nodded and smiled a bit.

"I guess that's fair."

The brunette grabbed the technician by her shoulders and led her to her couch.

"And now you will tell me everything about you and Derek."

"There is nothing to tell that you don't already know."

"Penelope, you know, I know, you and Derek have gone on at least two dates. Now I want more details."

"I already told you everything. They were nice funny dates."

"But? I hear a but."

Penelope fell onto the couch with a sigh.

"I don't know. Derek did everything he should do and it's nice to get so much attention from him but it feels odd."

"Odd? Like going out with your brother? Or like everything seems to be a dream?"

"Both, but mostly the brother thing."

All of a sudden the technician started to laugh like she had gone crazy. Emily didn't know what was so funny about this and only could look puzzled at her friend.

"Sorry Em it's just... Oh my god... I have dreamt about those dates for years and now ... I think the magic is lost."

"Maybe the Dalai Lama was right when he once said it's a big fortune when you don't always get what you want."

"That's pathetic. I guess it's more my overactive fantasy doesn't fit with reality. And you must admit there is a higher chance for me to win the lottery twice in a row without manipulating the system than me and Derek becoming a couple."

Emily was rolling her eyes.

"Don't tell me you believe in this "Popular ones never socialize with the geeky/nerdy ones"? This isn't high school."

"You know this is true even in adult life. In high school it is more obvious. In fact there is some connection between your social status and your chances to get the partner you are dreaming about."

Penelope stood up to grab a new bottle of water.

"You are sounding like Reid."

The blond stuck out her tongue at Emily but all of a sudden she was serious again.

"Emily, did you put that book on the tv?"

She turned to look at the tv and the book.

"What? No, I thought it was one of yours."

"No, I never put a book on my tv."

Emily went to grab the book. With a puzzled look she gave the book to Penelope. It was a book about dream symbols and their meanings. She flipped through it and found the expected card.

Floating, falling, sweet intoxication
Touch me, trust me, savour each sensation
Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in
The power of the music of the night

Interested Emily's gaze went from the book to the card to Penelope and back to the book. In the meantime Penelope was shocked.

"Pen, everything ok?"

"Except the fact it is the second present in the same day, yes. But I think I have a weird idea who my admirer is."

"How? Why? Who?"

"These presents were too intimate, too personal. It must be someone who really knows me well. And why: Something you said before. I think we need to see this with a different point of view. We all see the part of the Phantom who got violent but on the other side the phantom was a kind of guardian angel too."

Emily quirked an eyebrow.

"You think he doesn't have a love affair with you in his mind, he thinks of himself as your guardian angel. Huh, in a weird way it fits. And who do you think is this guardian angel."

Penelope smiled absent-mindedly.

"I want to prove it first. I'll tell you as soon as I know I am right."