Another chapter - I couldn't figure out where to stop so I feel like this is like one and a half chapters. Make yourself a cup of tea and enjoy. Yes, this is still an M/G HEA story... after reading this chapter you maybe be Team Jaime (in fact, let me know if you are) but just know this is a long and winding road to our final destination.

Thank you all for the reviews and keep them coming (they inspire me!)!

I still own nothing!


The sun was blaring into the coffee shop as Derek waited in line to get Penelope her favorite caffeinated beverage.

The flowers were nervously itching in his hand and he couldn't help but feel silly. He hadn't bought flowers in years and this morning as he left his building he smelt these flowers and they reminded him of her. Honeysuckle – but the florist wouldn't sell him a weed so he bought them with a bunch of baby breaths and white delphiniums… the bouquet looked wild just like his baby girl. He hoped she liked them.

As he parked the car in front of her building she was leaving her house… perfect, he thought.

He hopped out of his car and called her name.

She turned in the opposite direction and he saw Jaime bringing his bike out of her building. Derek squeezed the poor paper cup and the lid shot off and landed on his car - as the hot liquid cooled on his hand.

Shit, he said as he put dropped the flowers and put the cup on the roof of his car.

He wiped his hands off on his jeans and wouldn't you know it... Penelope is making her way towards him.

As she walks towards him, he notices Jaime is wearing the same clothes he wore yesterday and his hair is wet. Penelope is in her yoga gear and her hair is dry.

"Morning," she said stopping in front of Derek.

He passed her the flowers – "I'm sorry about last night and"

She shook her head, "No need Derek."

"I got the message," she sighed and then added "loud and clear" in a whisper.

Derek saw the hurt look in her eyes and he put the flowers in the car and reached for her. Penelope allowed Derek to guide her closer to him. He lifted her head so their eyes met. "Baby Girl…"

Penelope felt her heart soften as she looked in her eyes and then she heard his mean words from the night before and she looked up to the sky and took a step back trying to put space between them.

"Sweetness… Look," he said stepping towards her, "Your favorite –"

"I'm off the joe," she said as she refused the coffee too, "I haven't had a cup in like 2 weeks."

Derek shifted his weight not knowing what to do next, "Penelope," he began as she said "We're heading to yoga – I should go, Derek."

She started to walk away when he said "Hey," taking hold of her arm, "I'm sorry –"

"Me too, Morgan but nothing has changed. We said things last night…" She shook her head, "you really hurt me last night and it wasn't even your fault… It was mine," she looked at the sky, "all mine."

She finally looked at him, "I was just being …silly trying to do this your way. I mean I can be carefree… I can be in an open relationship but," she shook her head, "being with you like this reminded me of all the things I want in a partner… I want someone proud to be with me. I want someone who is open and honest… and most importantly someone who want more late night booty calls."

"Someone like Jaime?" Derek asked sneeringly.

She looked back at him and then turned to Derek, "We're not.." she began when Derek cut her off.

"Savannah and I have a history? Yes. We were serious – she was my world Penelope but that was before us… the BAU… but I wasn't with her when we were together – I was with you – only you Penelope – so don't get all righteous with me – while you in fact were being the player."

"Player," she scoffs, "I mean, if I was honest I would have said – I'm a cuddler, and I love dates, and movie nights with fresh popcorn. I totally get excited by sex outdoors but I'd prefer to be in front of a fire receiving a foot massage and swapping secrets—I'm a romantic I believe in love and all the trappings it comes with it and you my friend… one of my dearest loves… don't."

He turned away from her trying to figure out what he could say so that she would finally hear him, "But," she continued, "our thing is movie nights and popcorn and sassy talk and that's fine—we're fine. I mean you can't be my everything and I can't be yours."

She turned back and looked at Jaime—"I should really go – See you on Monday?"

He didn't respond -"Friends?" she asked wondering aloud.

"Of course," he replied with his 1000 watt smile.

She hugged him tightly – she sighed, "You are one of my most treasured friendships and I'm glad that we still are."

He held her tighter, "Nothing can come between us."

Derek released her. "Now, go salute the sun… and downward dog house?"

She laughed, "Yoga… I must."


3 weeks later

The days flew by and things returned to normal, Penelope thought as she and the team disembarked the jet. They… Derek and Penelope… kept their distance from each other and the team thought it was because of their new respective love interest and not because they tried being fuck buddies and failed.

There was just one moment that was awkward… the team had to bunk together… since they were in a small town and everyone was surprised that Derek chose to bunk with Reid. Ever since Alaska they were always sleeping mates.

As she walked towards her car and waved goodbye to her team her phone dinged.

Jaime: Guess what day tomorrow is?

Penelope: Friday and I'm not working or Monday and it's a holiday.

Jaime: Saturday and you're not working

Jaime: We have to celebrate

Penelope:?

Jaime: 34 days sugar free?

Meet me at my house 11am

Festivities will start promptly

Penelope: Aye, Aye Captain

Penelope: Do I have to wear anything special?

Jaime: No but comfortable shoes

Penelope: Have you seen my shoe collection?

Jaime: Where the puppies

Penelope: Puppies?

Jaime: Puppy Heels

Penelope: Kitten Heels …. Gotcha!

Tomorrow at noon your place

Jaime: 11am

Penelope: Gotcha

Penelope arrived to Jaime's apartment 10 minutes early… you know just to show him that she could be on time… heck, she could be early. She checked her reflection in the window as she waited for the elevator to arrive. Her hair was in a sloppy fishtail side ponytail with little yellow flowers bursting out of braid. She wore a white dress with huge blue flowers and electric green kitten heels …. Per Jaime's request.

As she approached his apartment in the loft building, Billy, one of Jaime's many roommates let her in.

She looked around for Jaime but he was always hard to find in the ginormous space.

She followed Billy to the kitchen…

"Coffee, tea, water," Billy asked with his eyes lingering on her legs and then working his way up to breast… everyone always lingered at her lumps... her lovely lady lumps.

She laughed at her own joke and responded, "Tea would be awesome,"

"You're in luck… we have chilled Moroccan mint tea,"

"Be still my beating heart—It's my favorite," she said as she sat on the stool.

Billy laughed at her colorful reply. As she took a sip of her tea, Billy said "Jaime made it this morning," He looked at her as if the meaning of life was just revealed to him, "Are you the reason he's never home?"

Her eyebrow arched questioningly, as she let the pregnant pause hang between them.

Billy continued, "I think, this week was the first week he's been home in weeks."

He sized her up again, "I think he has a secret girlfriend if it's not you…" Billy asked surprisingly indirectly.

"Nope not me," she said smiling as she took another sip.

"Really," he said looking at her again.

Penelope nodded and took another sip.

"My friend is having an opening tomorrow," he said sitting next to her invading her personal space, "Would you like to go?"

Was he asking her out? She put her glass down trying to think of the nicest way to say thanks but no thanks.

Billy leaned in and touched her knee, "There's a great restaurant close to the gallery."

When it registered that he was touching her she hopped out of her seat and started rambling, "I just got back.. I mean into town… I mean," she took a deep breath, "Jaime and I have plans tomorrow or I'd love to go – Sorry for the rambling -I'm just a touch jet lagged."

"So, you are his secret girlfriend," Billy said grinning like a cat.

"Whose secret girlfriend?" Jaime asked

He was wearing a jeans and a sky blue shirt that made his eyes look piercing blue and a light scarf wrapped around his neck... So European.

"Nothing," Penelope said, "No one has a secret girlfriend. Billy's friend is having a show tomorrow. He was telling me about it – but we have plans you know our Sunday thing so," she shrugged.

"We can go no biggie," Jaime shrugged as he put on his navy blazer.

"Perfect—Ashley can come too it will be fun. We gotta cram all of the fun in before you get deported"

"What?" she said looking up at Jaime concerned, "You know who I work for? I could do a thing."

"He's kidding."

"But," she began, "it's just a few clicks and poof."

"He's kidding," he repeated as his hands found Penelope's hips and he guided her towards the door.

"Bye Billy," she called as Jaime navigated her hips like a car.

"Bye William," he called out parroting Penelope's tone.


"That brunch was amazing!" Penelope exclaimed, "who knew brussel sprout tacos could be so amazing."

She linked arms with and said "I think my hips are falling in love with you?"

"Explain teacup?" pretending to be fascinated by her revelation.

"I mean I haven't been able to wear this dress for like 2 years or maybe more – because of yoga and no sugar… I think I went down a dress size or two… Hence my hips love you... I think" she teased.

"Do you hear that?" he asked as he lead her towards the sound.

There were so many things going on in the area her ears couldn't focus on just one sound, "What?" she asked.

"Another reason for your hips to love me," he teased as he led her to the music which involved navigating a busy street fair.

Once they landed in front of the band and surrounded by a bunch of swerving hips – Penelope pulled away.

"I don't dance."

"Everyone dances."

"I don't dance," she looked around and her eyes landed on the bar… "you can dance and I'll have a drink and watch you from a far."

"Nope," he replied in a horrible American accent, "we'll get some liquid courage and conquer."

"There's not that much liquid in the world," she replied as she followed him to the bar.

After three shots of courage and speaking to the band leader's wife… they were on the dance floor cha-chaing with the best of them.

The band leader's wife, Gloria, taught the group how to salsa… Penelope and Jaime were getting the hang of it just when droplets started to tap their shoulder.

The music stopped abruptly and the crowd started to dissipate when, Penelope's braid started to unravel and the little yellow flowers became the leaves to her tree of curls.

"We should head out," she said watching the people scatter.

Jaime pouted, "one more dance."

"but there's no music," she said peering into his blue eyes.

"I hear it…" he said looking around and above her head, "don't you?"

She smiled, "I hear rain, mister."

He held her close, "I hear the distinct sound of percussions and strings, Listen" he suggested. Penelope leaned into him and the danced to the imaginary band. His scent was crisp and clean like laundry and the sea… Penelope laughed at herself and wondered if that was the tequila talking. Derek always smelled sweet and woodsy like caramel and the forest.

She hadn't thought about the way he smelled in a longtime.. she hadn't thought about him in that way … since… since.. she stepped on Jaime's foot.

"You have to swing me out or we're not cha-chaing."

"Teacup we're dancing the salsa … the Nordic version where you just follow me…"

"but you are supposed to swing me out so I can do this shimmy back to you …" she said trying to show him her moves but he was too close.

"I like you right here," he said as he slowed down their rhythm.

She looked up to tease him and was surprised to find that he was looking at her with so much passion and wanting.. her cheeks became flushed.. "Jaime we," she began as she stepped back.

He stepped in and kissed her.

The world stood still – but not in a cheesy my heart is a cup that runeth over… but in a soaking in the sun and time has no beginning or end ...kind of way. She parted her lips because she wondered if he tasted like the sea.. and he did… the sea, some salt, lime, and sweet. The sweetness was a surprise and she leaned in for more as he explored her mouth. He pulled away and kissed her nose.

"I don't know why you made me wear the shortest shoes I own if you were going to kiss me."

"I'd hope to kiss you," he corrected her with a blazing smile as he played with a curl in her hair.

"I'm glad you did," she said, "I'm hoping you'd do it again…"

She stood on her tippy toes and pulled him towards her.

This kiss was better than the first – under his touch she felt like she was flying. Then she heard clapping… and hooting. They peered over the to the crowd that was huddle underneath the awning… the band across the street… under a patio umbrella.

"Geez, we have an audience," she said as she led him to a free awning… He came to a full stop and said "let's bow."

They bowed and the crowd cheered some more.

"She's amazing," he screamed as thunder started to crack.

They ran for the awning and she looked up at him in wonder.

"Now, I'm wondering how much tequila you've had," she teased.

"You are amazing Garcia and then some," He picked her up and twirled her around.

She laughed as her little yellow flowers twirled out of her hair and landed around them.

"Jeg skulle ønske du kunne se hva jeg ser (I wish you could see what I see)" he murmured as he kissed her again.


Derek joins Savannah outside after the clapping has simmered down a bit

"What's going on?"

"Your office wife and her Nordic Guru were making out in the rain… They," she said gesturing towards this old Italian couple in front of her, "said they remind them of their younger selves… they've been together for 70 years."

"The way they look at each other," Ester says to Derek and Savannah… "pure love."

Derek knew he and Penelope were over but there's no way she could be in love so soon… she said she felt all these things but... If he could only let go of who he thought he was so he could be the man kissing her in the rain. They don't write self-help books for that and that's what she wants.

"Derek," Savannah said, "can we talk?" she asked as she pulled him out of his daze.

"Sure," he said as he started to walk towards his car.

The rain let up and he walked with her but his mind was still on Penelope.

"You're never listening to me Derek," she said annoyed

He tuned back in quickly and said, "Of course, I'm listening."

"What did I just say?" she asked as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Vana," he said knowing she was picking a fight.

"You can't tell me can you?" she said rolling her eyes

"Sweetness, do you want to argue or talk?" he asked trying to get to the heart of the issue.

She sighed, "I want us to try again—we've been dancing around it but I want you – and I want us to be the way we used to be."

He tried to hide the surprise look on his face – but he was at an emotional lost.

"I know I said we shouldn't but we should try," she purred in the voice that used to make his body hum but that now just left him tepid at best.

"Savannah," he began—"I just got out of something..."

"I'm not talking about your flavor of the month, D," she stepped closer and caressed his face, "You and me—we've been dancing around it but let's just try - like give it 100%. Something is here Derek you can't deny it."

He removed her hand from his face and his eyes darkened.

"You asked me to come down to DC when we lived together in Chicago," she reminded him, "and I should have—I miss what we had and I'd like us to try being a we again."

He opens the door for her and when he closes it- he sees Penelope laughing at something Jaime says as he twirls her in the street. She deserves that kind of happiness—and that is exactly what he can't give her.

Derek entered the car and tapped the wheel, "I'm not the same man who asked you to come down here Vana," he said finally looking at her, "I need you to get that."

She grabbed his hand and Derek continued, "I'm not some naïve college kid – who is going to dance with you in the rain or whisper sweet nothings – that man is gone and isn't coming back."

"I'm in love with you Derek not the memory… you."

She leaned in and kissed him—yet all he could think about was Penelope


"Today was a pretty awesome day," Jaime said as they rounded the block to her building.

"Yes, it was," she said beaming at him. She had no idea he like her – I mean she knew he liked her but not like kiss you in the rain like her. Like can't stop smiling at her like her.. Like going up stair and testing out her sheets like her.

"I think it makes the top 5," he said shaking her out of lusty thoughts.

"Top 5?"

"Top 5 days of all time," he explained

"Oh really—I don't believe in categorizing days especially when they aren't over."

"Oh tea cup it is – early class tomorrow and .."

She interrupted him and blurted, "You could come up,"

"Your wet. We could dry off, I can make tea, wine, a light dinner," she said as the words fumbled out of her mouth.

"Or Home," he said semi-sternly, "I think I should go home – want to get lunch after class?"

"Sure," she said not quite understanding the change in mood or the vibe.

"Yes," she said as she shook her head to get her wet bangs out of her face, "Tomorrow. Yoga at 11."

She took two steps up the stairs facing him and then turned and made her way up, So embarrassing she thought. Did I really say we could dry off? Who says that she thought!

"Hey teacup," he said following her as she kept on walking.

"Älskling ( my love)" he called as he caught up with her.

What was it about her she thought that made men not want the full package – I mean he kissed her and now he's all I should go home. I should probably stop kissing people completely. Matter of fact I think I will stop trying to date… or have friends of the opposite sex – completely.

I should do a men detox, she thought.

When she was on the landing of the door she turned around and to her surprise he was right there.

"I will set my alarm so you don't have to wake up call me – I promise," she yammered on but he stopped her with his lips.

Jaime knew she interpreted him trying to be a gentleman as rejection, "I like you, a lot and I want to be with you in every sense of the word but I don't want to miss the good parts like our first real date, or the first art show. We've done so many things as friends that I want to truly enjoy this next step with you. So yes I want to go upstairs and I only want to emerge once we've christened every surface twice but that is just one side of what we can be. And I'm being selfish – I want all of it. I want you completely and we should take it slow…I know you're coming out of something so I don't mind waiting for you."

He brushed the bangs from her face… "Waiting till your head is clear and your heart is open."

She looked at him surprised by his declaration—cross off that men detox—"did I just fall into that earth girls are easy category."

"You are far from easy Teacup but I like a challenge." He said as he kissed her forehead.


Did you like? Please leave feedback ... and if you want to proof my story PM me.