Chapter 7

AN: My dears... I see two, maybe three more chapters. I want to "git r done" before the big 100 tonight! (Usually triggers me to write something new!)

Oh shit! She thought, sitting in the front seat of Kevin's Honda Civic. He said, "Later." I think I know exactly what he meant about later. He didn't mean…. she began, but then shook her head. She couldn't lie to herself on that one. Oh yes. He meant THAT! Morgan, I'm so not ready for this. I'm not ready for HIM. But he looked like he wanted me, but I'm not ready…

"Oh, Miss Pee-nel-oooh-pee!" Kevin sung out, making her jump in her seat. She glanced guiltily over at him, and he pulled the car in front of her apartment. "We're here."

She smiled at him and quickly got out of the car. Unfortunately, Kevin did, too. "Thanks Kevin for a nice night and for bringing me this year. I appreciate it," she gave him a quick hug and a kiss on his cheek.

"Can I come in for coffee?" he said, hopefully. Funny thing is, Garcia knew it really was just for coffee. The time when anything else would have happened between them was long gone.

"Kevin, that's not a good idea. But thank you for walking me to the door, and thanks for everything." She looked again at him. He had a hurt expression on his face and she felt bad brushing him off. She sighed. "Kevin, I'm sorry, but that's it."

Somehow, that seemed to do it for him. He smiled and shrugged his shoulders, his hands going out. "A man knows when he lost," he started to walk away, then turned around. "Penelope?"

She glanced at back at him, the key to her apartment in her hand. "Yes, Kevin?"

"If he hurts you, let me know," he said. "I'll challenge him to a duel."

She smiled at him. He really was a wonderful person, her nerdy ex-love affair. "Thanks."

She opened her door and slipped off her shoes. Cinderella's slippers were gratefully off for the night. Only one thing felt better than dressing up: taking it all off at the end of the night. She shucked off her ballgown and pulled on her little pink T-shirt nightgown. Then she sat on her couch and hugged a pillow to her chest. Well, she just threw away someone who loved her with both hands because she knew- she'd never love him.

She was so very in love with someone else.

There was no doubt that she loved Derek, but did he return it? It scared her, this love she had. Was it reciprocal? He obviously wanted her, that in itself was a miracle in her book. But did he love her? Self doubt and washed over her, unwelcome and burning.

Just then, she heard the key to her door turn.

Derek had waited outside, watching from the Suburban. Lynch was holding his girl. He wanted to jump out and tear that fool's head off. Then he watched him walk away. He shook his head, nearly laughing at himself. Here he was, jealous of a computer geek. He quickly sobered. He lost her once to him; he was never going to let that happen again.

He knew Penelope wanted him, but he wanted more from her. He wanted more than just her friendship, he wanted her body, her heart, her soul. More than that, he wanted to be worthy of her love. He wasn't superficial like she once said, and not when it came to her, ever. He'd withstand the fires of hell for her; he'd gladly lay down his life for her. And not just because she was part of his team, and not just because she was his friend.

Because he loved her.

He turned the key to her apartment that he had for such a long time. He opened the door and saw her sitting on the couch, holding a pillow. She looked at him with absolute fear, doubt, and uncertainty on her face. It would have scared him. But amongst all that, there was no doubting the love that was there, too. Written like a masterpiece for his heart to see.

He was done waiting, done being foolish. He was going to claim what his blind ass should have known was his a long time ago. She was his, and always would be.

He smiled at her, the smile of a very happy man, and took a step over to her. "Aw, hell no, honey," he grabbed her hand and yanked her up into his arms. She landed smack against his chest, and he kissed her, deep and hard, with everything he had in him, until she was limp against him.

She was dazed when she looked up into his eyes with some confusion. "What th-?"

"Don't you doubt me, woman, not how I feel about you, not anymore," he said, holding her face in his hands. His eyes were intense dark-chocolate and his face lacked any humor. "I don't want you to be confused or worried, but I can't sit and discuss this properly. I want you too much to be reasonable."

She looked at him again, still confused, and he dropped a kiss on her pretty pouty lips. "I think you need to know something before we go any farther. I've loved you for years, baby girl. Probably before Battle, even. I told you, but-"

"I didn't know you meant it that way! I mean I-"

"Hey, no blaming, no recriminations, and no worries. We need to do this right, because this is going to change everything." He saw the look of fear cross her face again, and he smiled. "And thank God for that! It's about damn time."

She laughed. She couldn't help it. It just burst out.

"No regrets, baby girl," he said, smiling at her. "I love you, Penelope. I have forever. I will forever. And I refuse to wait any longer to share it with you. Deal?"

She smiled and nodded her head, her eyes glistening. "Deal."

He smiled at her again, a full frontal attack grin. "Now, can I go show you how much I love you?" He tossed off his jacket and stripped off the tie of his tux.

She smiled back a wicked grin. "What have you been waiting for?" He kissed her again, a deep, hot swirling kiss that curled her toes and raised the hair on the back of her neck. Then he lead her into the bedroom.