"So how long has he been seeing her?" JJ asked as she and Emily sat in her office waiting for Garcia to finish for the day so they can go out for drinks.

"Couple of weeks maybe?"

"And what, Pen doesn't know?"

"I don't think so. I mean I wouldn't have even known if I didn't catch him in the briefing room making plans."

"That doesn't sound like Morgan."

"Which is what scares me a little, this one could be serious. If she were just some random conquest he has no reservations parading around."

"Pen's going to devastated!" JJ said stating the obvious,

"What am I going to be devastated about my love?" Garcia asked cheerfully walking into JJ's office.

"Uh, errr, we think that Derek may be seeing someone"

"He's always seeing someone. That man is too delicious to be single for long."

"No Pen, we think this one's serious." Emily said gently. Though she had no right Penelope felt hurt and somewhat betrayed. As quickly as the emotion was felt, she forced a brave front and faced her friends.

"Well it was bound to happen sooner or later. It's not like he was waiting around for me or anything. It's okay, really guys it's okay." Penelope knew they weren't buying it but she loved them for pretending they did.

"What do you guys say, a couple of bottles of wine at mine instead of the Bar?" Emily suggested for more than one reason, all of which were transparent to Penelope.

"It's okay hon. Let's hit the bar, it's nothing I haven't seen before." JJ and Emily exchanged a concerned look. From Penelope's controlled demeanour it seemed she had no idea that there was someone in Derek's life. Judging on how close they were and held no hesitation in sharing it only made their concern grow. The protective girlfriend in them wanted to hit Derek over the head, even if it wasn't quite fair.

The girls headed over to the bar and sat by their usual table by the window. Emily ordered a round of drinks for them, just as they did JJ and Penelope counted how many seconds it took for her to have some random guy introducing themselves to her. They watched as Emily politely blow him off pointing to her girlfriends.

"You my friend, are an inspiration." Penelope teased as she approached them with the drinks.

"Ha ha!" Emily retorted with an eye roll. They were catching up, laughing animatedly when Penelope's expression changed suddenly. Curious and somewhat worried eyes followed her gaze which fell on one Derek Morgan dancing rather closely and seductively with an extremely attractive young lady. They have all seen him on the move, on a prowl as they often teased, but there was an intimacy that lingered and could not be ignored when it came to this particular lady he was dancing with.

"Who's up for Dirty Dancing?" Emily said rather lamely.

"I'm good to go. Pen?" JJ asked placing a comforting hand on her arm.

"Yeah, sure guys. Dirty Dancing sounds good."

Just as they finished off their drinks, Derek and his lady friend had finished dancing and were on their way back to their table. Derek's eyes fell to the girls and immediately a look of guilt swept across his face. He stood before the three girls, whom with the exception of his mother and sisters he thought the world of, better friends he could not ask for. He had been seeing Jan for almost a month now and he hasn't told any of them. Yes they were all private people, but every time he tried, especially when he spoke to Garcia, he just couldn't. He could see that they were avoiding his gaze, one of them in particular had a sudden fascination to the contents of her bag.

"Hey guys, leaving already?"

"Uh yeah, it's been a long day so we thought we'd head to mine for a quiet night in." Emily answered in their behalf.

"Hey guys, I'd like to introduce you to Jan, my girlfriend." Garcia took a brief moment to take a breath before looking up with a rather convincing genuine smile. Derek could have sworn that JJ had flinched a fraction while Emily's eyes darkened with worry.

"Jan, these are my friends from the BAU. Emily, JJ and Penelope." The three girls all noted that that was the first time Derek has ever addressed Penelope by her full name, though it was understandable that he wouldn't introduce his girlfriend to his 'baby girl'.

"Derek's told me so much about you guys. He talks about you three so much, how you guys are like his sisters here."

"Well it is nice to meet you Jan. Derek rarely introduces us to his girlfriends. You must be very special." Penelope said with such sincerity that even JJ and Emily almost bought it. Derek tried to read her and he couldn't For the first time since they had met, he couldn't read her. Like she had closed the window to the Garcia he had been privileged to know and in his gut he could feel the panic rise. Jan smiled appreciatively at Penelope's comment. The girls made their exit shortly after.

"I think I'll head home you guys. I'm not really in the mood to do much right now," Emily and JJ were about to protest but the look on Penelope's face begged for time alone to process and they respected that. JJ leaned over and gave her friend a hug.

"You call us if you need anything okay?" Penelope nodded reassuringly. Emily wrapped her arms tightly around Penelope.

"You need to talk, you call ok. You need ice cream, we'll be at your door step, ten minutes tops!"

"You girls rock. Love you both! Now go, I'll see you guys on Monday."