Though Penelope was a little worried, it became clear that there was nothing to worry about the moment they were sitting on her couch the night before their drive to New York. It wasn't hard to admit that she missed him, that she was glad that he was back in his life, and that she meant enough to him to not let her walk away from him which was what she was willing to do despite how much it hurt to think he would allow her.
"Come on Baby Girl, not again." He protested as she hit the button to repeat the song,
"What? I love this song!" she answered with a grin,
"I know you do Angel, you've been loving it since we left Virginia an hour ago." Derek stated dryly. Penelope only grinned wider and started singing along with Galinda the good witch. Derek rolled his eyes and just shook his head knowing that it was a lost argument.
Penelope tried her hardest to stay awake to keep him company, but their late night and early morning rise had her fading at hour two, and by two and a half she was out like a light leaving Derek DJ-ing his own tunes, giving him some time to think.
He was glad that he was spending the holidays with her, and if he were completely honest, it was what he had hoped would happen. Fran did offer to swap her shifts, but he wanted the opportunity to prove to Penelope just how much their friendship meant to him, and how he would never again take it for granted. They were both making conscious efforts with each other, and slowly, it was beginning to feel like second nature again, for which he was grateful. He couldn't imagine what it would have been like not having her in his life, how closely he had gotten to losing her.
"Sheesh Handsome, your thoughts are so loud so they woke me." Penelope commented startling him. Derek turned to smile at her,
"My apologies, I'll try to think quieter."
"How long was I out?" she asked sheepishly,
"Not long, half an hour if that. We've got a little bit to go if you want to catch a few more zzz's."
"And what, miss what goes on in that mind of yours. Never! So fess up, what has you so deep in thought?" Derek hesitated for a moment,
"I was just thinking that I'm glad we're spending the holidays together. I've really missed hanging out with you P."
"Me too Morgs."
When they arrived at the hotel to check in it was still quite early. They had planned to meet Mac and Stella at CSI headquarters at noon for lunch.
"Here are your keys Ms Garcia. Shall I have the bellboy help you with your bags?" the receptionist asked. Penelope glanced at Derek who shook his head as he effortlessly carried his bags along with her own.
"She's brought her own muscle." He replied giving Penelope a wink as the receptionist smiled at them both in appreciation of their camaraderie.
"Let's go Muscle Man." She said pushing him towards the direction of the elevator giving the receptionist a quick wave goodbye.
"Give me my laptop bag at least."
"Nah uh Baby Girl," he answered not relinquishing his hold on her bags.
"Mule!" Penelope muttered relenting.
Derek placed their bags on the luggage bay beside the closet before collapsing on the bed nearest to the doorway. Penelope chuckled knowing that he didn't pick that bed because it was the nearest to him, but because it was nearest to the door, so that if anyone every broke into their hotel room, he would be the first to hear it. Ever cautious and protective.
"Why don't you take a nap, and we can grab breakfast around nineish?"
"Sounds like a plan." He agreed with a yawn before reaching for the pillow that Penelope was leaning against as she booted up her laptop.
"Derek, I've been leaning on it for like ten minutes, how much of my smell do you really think has transferred on to it?"
"Enough to slide me from third base to home." Derek answered impatiently. Sighing Penelope gave him her pillow and watched as he snuggled deeply into the pillow contently. Moments later she could hear the light snore that escaped his lips.
Penelope rose to her feet and started unpacking. They were staying for over ten days and heading back to Virginia the day after New Years. There were two sets of drawers, one for her and one for Derek. After unpacking her bags, she began to tackle his, and hanging his clothes beside hers. Afterwards she headed to the bathroom to freshen up and change. When she was done, she gently shook him awake,
"Hey Morgs, if you wanted to grab a shower before we head out, you might want to take one now." She had left him to sleep instead of waking him to eat breakfast, knowing that he needed sleep more than food. They had a couple of mini stops on the drive, and she had baked muffins for the drive.
"You let me sleep through the morning." He said groggily,
"You needed it. I figure you can hold out till noon for food,"
"How about you?"
"I had an apple before I got ready, I'm good. I still have a muffin for you if you're hungry."
"Hey you unpacked." He said noticing their empty bags neatly placed in the corner of the room.
"You didn't have to do that, but thank you." He said dropping a kiss on her forehead as he passed her.
"You're welcome." She said nonchalantly. It wasn't the first time they had unpacked for the other. It may have been awhile, but some things just come naturally.
Derek could tell that Penelope was excited to see Mac. Mac Taylor was the only person from her old life that she had left. Being so far away from her own brothers, he was the only one within easy access, and his presence in her life was a significant one. She bounced in the SUV on the drive their grinning with anticipation, and Derek loved that she was so happy, and that she had included him to share the week with her. Mac was waiting anxiously for them at the foyer and broke into a grin at the sight of her. Being an only child, he had taken her on as his own little sister and doted on her from childhood. Like a little girl Penelope ran straight into his big protective arms and buried her head into his chest as he held her close and tight.
"It's so good to see you Bug."
"You too Mac. I've missed you."
"I've missed you too. Hey Derek," he greeted looking up not at all loosening his grasp on Penelope who clung to him just as tightly.
"Hey Mac," Derek replied with a nod,
"Is it my turn to hug her yet?" Stella asked as she approached smiling at the sight before her. Penelope looked up, grinned and then squealed in unison with Stella. Mac reluctantly released her as she and Stella threw their arms around each other jumping like excited jelly beans.
"You'd think they were teenage girls and not grown women," Mac stated with a chuckle.
"That's fresh coming from the man who thinks I'm still twelve with pigtails." Penelope retorted as she and Stella rejoined them.
"Hey Stella," Derek greeted dropping a kiss on her cheek.
"Hey Derek, I'm so glad you can join us for the holidays."
"Thanks for the extended invite."
"The more the merrier." Mac reassured him with a pat on the back.
"Let's lunch, I'm starving." Stella declared earning a knowing laugh from Penelope and Mac.
"She's always hungry." They explained as he nodded.
"We have one of those, and her name is Prentiss."
"I'm going to tell her you said that." Penelope threatened with a smirk.
