DISCLAIMER: I own nothing
A/N: You're all awesome for the reviews, that are more than a little appreciated!
Hope you enjoy the new chapter!
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- To Love and Lose -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"Do you have to go out?" Derek asked as he threaded his arms around Penelope's waist, stopping her from putting her make up on. "I'm missing my alone nights with you. They getting more and more limited, Baby."
"You're missing your alone nights with me? What about last night? The night before? Every night since the last case?" Penelope asked with smirk, "You have me every night. I'm only going for drinks, you could join us."
"I'm dog tired, Baby, I just wanted something relaxing. Plus seeing Lynch's face again really doesn't sound like the makings of another amazing night."
Penelope turned to him, "I'll be home by midnight and if you're not dead to world, we'll do something real relaxing." Penelope saw immediately that Derek wasn't up for that idea. "Or not," she said and turned back to the mirror.
"It's just that you're seeing more of him now, than you ever did when you were together," Derek said, not keeping his tone from showing what little bit of jealousy he was feeling.
"He's trying to make up to me for what happened all that time ago," Penelope answered back. "I should be allowed to get some sort of closure on what happened back then. I deserve that much at least."
"I'm not saying you can't-"
"Then what are you saying Derek because right now I'm getting really confused over it," Penelope asked him back.
"I don't like the man, never had and I never will. He's bad news and he is up to something. I can see you're happy to have him back, but believe me when I say I am far from ecstatic over it."
"I don't understand why," Penelope replied, "I'm yours, Derek. I want to marry you and have a family with you. I want everything with you. Fair enough there is history there, but I do not love him, nor will I ever do in this lifetime or the next. That's why I can't understand your rationality over it all."
Derek stood with his posture completely stiffened at this conversation. He was jealous at the attention Kevin was getting and even logically he knew Penelope wouldn't cheat, his mind just kept running over the scenarios.
"It just seems he's back on the scene and I'm on the back burner. Like I was when you first started dating," Derek proclaimed harshly, "And I don't like it. I shouldn't have to be like it. You're mine and he doesn't seem to understand that."
Penelope watched him and she felt her own anger bubble over his insecurities. "When you grow up and trust me, you can ring me," Penelope said and picked up her bag. "I love you, Derek, but right now you aren't the man I fell in love with you. He isn't some jealous, egotistical ass. He trusts me and my judgement. He believes I wouldn't do anything to hurt him." She then headed out of the door, her eyes stinging with angry tears. "I'll see you later."
Derek put his hands to his head and then barged out of the room. Seeking comfort and some form of understanding in a workout.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- To Love and Lose -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"Time to let the woes of domesticated bliss go, Penny!" Kevin exclaimed to Penelope as he noticed that she was checking her phone and looking sadly at it.
Penelope couldn't deny she was feeling down. She hated arguing at the best of times, but with Derek it seemed to be so much worst. It seemed to actually make her heart ache to know she had left the house right on the tail end of an argument, something she hated to do. She hated have sour grapes with anyone and leaving it there, because she would hate for anything to happen and that be the last thing said. "It's fine," Penelope feigned as she took a sip of her drink. "So what's the plan for tonight?"
"We're gonna get drunk!" Kevin exclaimed as he then proceeded to order shots in.
It didn't take long for Penelope to feel the effects of Kevin's escapade into losing their sobriety.
Penelope hiccupped, the alcohol tasting good, but having effect. "I should've eaten properly before coming out," Penelope muttered as she felt the alcohol gripping her bloodstream already. She jumped as her phone went off in her bag. She looked at it and wondered if this call from Derek was to check up or apologise. Either way she needed to hear his voice to budge her mood. She hated this feeling sitting in her. She couldn't be mad with Derek, she loved him for Christ sake's and that overrode every bad thing that could happen.
"Is it safe to use pet names yet?" Penelope asked down the line as her hello.
"I'm sorry, Baby Girl," Derek said in response to her. "I never should've gone off the handle like. I do trust you and I respect you, I just don't like how firmly in the picture Kevin is. It gets my back up a little that's all. If you want him back in your life, then I'll stick by that."
Stepping to the side, Penelope smiled, "To tell you the truth, he's annoying me again. I thought he had grown up, but he really hasn't and I'm just gonna have a few more drinks and then cut this and give, whatever this is, a complete break. I think the fun part's run out of appeal." She told Derek honestly as she watched Kevin mess around and she felt her irritation grow.
"Does that mean I'll get you home earlier?"
"It depends on my getaway choice," Penelope said and looked out at the bar, "He's latched on so probably sooner than I predicted. Don't stay up, I want my man well rested for wedding planning tomorrow."
"You don't make it easy on me. I thought the men were pushed to the side with planning a wedding?"
"You're marrying me, not some other woman. It's our day, I want it to be our decisions," Penelope retorted down the phone. "So you either lump it or leave it."
"There is no way I am leaving it."
"Good," She replied, "It seems Kevin's bought another round, so you get that hot body of yours into bed and I'll be home before you know it."
"I look forward to it already, Baby Girl," Derek answered her, "I love you."
"I love you more," She told him and before he could argue back she continued, "Sweet Penelope dreams, Handsome."
"Oh I will, Baby Girl," Derek replied and then slowly closed his phone.
Penelope smiled dreamily as she thought to the man waiting for her at home. She felt giddy at knowing that she had a man that got jealous over her and another man, one that wasn't afraid to apologise first, who loved waiting up for her as much as she loved waiting up for him. She was just so happy to be in love with Derek.
Looking back up, she saw Kevin coming towards her, and she stepped forward, ready to start slowly wrapping the night up.
"I got you another drink in," Kevin said as he took her hand over to their table again. "You're favourite."
Penelope smiled sweetly, her favourite to him wasn't her new favourite. "What happened to the little Miss Thang you were talking to then?"
"Oh her," Kevin said and looked back at the bar, and straight at the woman in front of him. "She's not my type." Kevin responded and grabbed his beer, he pointed to her drink, "Bet you can't down that in one."
"Is that a challenge, Mr Lynch?" Penelope asked as she grabbed her glass, "Because if it then it is definitely one that I can follow through on and still stand after."
Kevin watched her down her drink and then went and got her another. He wanted her out with him just a little while longer. This was the first night they had had out where Derek Morgan wasn't the gargoyle on the side.
Kevin near enough bounced up a little while later. "Let's dance," Kevin said and put his hand out for Penelope.
Even though her head was swimming, and she was pretty sure she hadn't drunken that much to get her quite this drunk, she nodded. She tried to keep up a pretence that she was fine and so she took Kevin's hand and let him lead her to the dance floor.
One dance, and then she was heading home.
She was just happy to fall against her bed later that night and cuddle up with the warm body that had been waiting for her all night.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- To Love and Lose -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-