Chap. 6 Denial
Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds
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More than 3 months later, Penelope was still in Chicago. Despite Hotch insistence she had refused to talk to Derek. This situation was putting her in a huge stress. Convinced that she was not pregnant, Penelope thought that her lack of period was still due to the stress.
However her body had begun to change, she had a baby bump…. She was in pure denial.
Certain, that she couldn't carry HIS child.
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"It's been 4 months now Hotch. I need to find her."
" I know Derek, but she's too smart to let us find her."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to yell at you."
"That's ok. I understand."
"Well can I have some time off?"
"I was going to suggest it to you. You need to refocus in the work."
"Thanks Hotch…."
"One week Morgan."
"Ok."
He left quickly. He knew where he could find some peace and think about what to do about Penelope.
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Penelope was doing some shopping, as her clothes were too small for her. She was in a bad mood; gaining some weight was not in what she had planned for her new life.
She was going out of a small shop when someone called her. She turned around to be face to face with the persons she really didn't want to meet here.
Derek was replaying their fight again and again in his mind. How things could have been so wrong all of sudden?
Flashback
"Baby Girl, I have an old friend who is in the city for some days, she would like to meet me. Will you join me?"
"Of course sweetheart, if you want me to be with you."
"Always baby, always." He said smiling while she was blushing.
"So who is this old friend?"
"It's Nicky. An old friend from high school."
"Ok…when do we have to meet her."
"Tomorrow night."
"Good."
The next day
Derek and Penelope were waiting for his friend in their favourite restaurant. Penelope immediately noticed the tall, thin and beautiful afro-american woman coming towards their table.
Derek stood up and put her in his embrace.
"Nick how are you?"
"Really good. It's nice to meet you again after all this time."
"I'm glad too. Nicky his Penelope my girlfriend."
"Nice to meet you Nicky."
"Me too Penelope." Nicky said smiling but Penelope noted that her smile didn't reach her eyes.
The dinner went quiet well. Derek and Nicky remembering old times. It was when Nicky said something that clearly indicated that Derek and she were more then friends at the time.
Penelope was surprised and Derek uncomfortable.
"I didn't know you were seeing each other." Penelope said casually.
"Oh it was an High School romance. I was so lucky to catch the famous Derek Morgan."
"Yeah I guess so." Penelope whispered.
Derek reached for her hand under the table and squeezed it lightly. She met his eyes and smiled.
Returning to his place, she had asked him why he didn't mention this detail to her. He assured her that it was not important and Penelope let it passed.
Derek had said her that Nicky was supposed to stay a couple of days, then she would return to Chicago. But 2 weeks after she was still here, imposing into their lives.
Seeing such an ex-girlfriend had woken up Penelope insecurities and Derek didn't seem to see that Nicky clearly wanted to have something with him.
The glance she threw at Penelope were full of pity, sometimes disgust. Penelope had tried to tell him that Nicky's behaviour was not one of a bride-to-be.
Then they had begun to fight more and more each day, until the huge fight.
The truth to be said when Nicky had said to him that she had witnessed Penelope flirting with a geeky guy in front of the building; he had felt a deep jealousy. Then he thought that Penelope was not that kind of woman. But Nicky's words about how maybe Penelope didn't think he wasn't the right guy for her, that maybe, she'd prefer being with a guy interested by computer things etc.
He had been to blind to see that maybe Nicky was trying to spoil their relationship because deep inside of him he thought that maybe she was right: Penelope wished she was with someone more like her.
End of flashback
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"Penelope?"
Penelope turned around and saw the two women walking towards her.
"Sarah, Des… how are you?"
"We're fine. What are you doing here? Derek didn't say a word about it."
"Well, Derek doesn't know I'm here."
"Oh are you two ok?" Desiree asked.
"Hem, Derek and I broke up more than 4 months ago."
When Penelope put her arms down, the two sisters took a glance at her body.
"Penelope you're pregnant!" Sarah shrieked.
"What I'm…."
"This why you broke up, Derek didn't want children? I'll kill him," Desiree said.
"No I'm not pregnant. I've just gained some weight."
Sarah and Desiree exchanged a worried look; Penelope seemed sincere saying that she was not pregnant.
"Penelope believe me, you are pregnant!"
"What am I going to do?" Penelope said miserably while realisation hit her.
"Let's go to meet our mom, Penelope, we'll discuss it together." Sarah finally said.
"NO!" she cried.