DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN ANYTHING (BESIDES O.C.)


It had been over a year since that final kiss. It had been over three years since the last time they were completely happy. But their eyes were exchanging loving glances. And Spencer really did not know what the hell to do to get out of that room.

He looked at Derek, lying in that bed, staring at Penelope as if he did not exist. Then his eyes looked at Penelope, beside him, with a smile on her lips. They just looked at each other, studying each gesture, deciphering their eyes. Derek was a profiler, and Penelope was, after all, a woman.

"Umm, I need some coffee" Spencer said, turning the doorknob "Be right back"

"Ok, man" Derek was not even looking at his friend. Spencer rolled his eyes, shook his head slightly and closed the door behind him.

Penelope gulped, noticeably nervous "How are you?"

"Happy" he said with a beaming smile, never taking his eyes from her face, "You're here with me"

She couldn't prevent her heart speeding up its pace. The sound of his voice touched every fiber of her being, from the first day. Penelope always had something special with Derek. From minute one of their first conversation, she felt there was something magnetic between them. Something chemical, and out of the ordinary.

But she had a rational side that let her head fall down from the clouds. He was too much. Too handsome, too sexy, too funny, too smart and too much everything. Derek Morgan was perfect. He played in another league, just out of reach.

"What are you thinking?"

"Nothing," she said, walking towards the bed. Penelope squeezed his hand. "I'm glad you're OK"

He brought her hand up to his mouth, leaving a light kiss on her knuckles "I wouldn't mind getting hundreds of bullets in my chest, if I have you by my side"

"Don't ever say something like that. Not funny" Penelope said with a frown. She didn't like those kinds of jokes. The mere thought of bullets wounding his body caused terrifying chills in her body.

"I was not joking," Derek said raising his eyebrows, with a serious gesture on his face "It's how I feel about you"

"What the hell?" she whispered, still frowning at him.

He smiled slightly, lowering his look "I was in this big city, surrounded by people" his sad eyes lifted to meet hers, "but I just wanted to see you"

Penelope blinked a few times, and her tears moistened her cheeks. She had missed him, too. Her heart ached every time her mind was traveling to the past, their past together. "I'm sorry I made you unhappy"

And her apology was sincere. She knew that he had said the truth that night. Tania was not his wife anymore, he had not lied about his marriage. But she chose to plug her ears and close her doors, building a wall around her shattered heart.

"Hey" he put his fingers under her chin, forcing her to look at him "You've been the only reason for my happiness. Always"

Derek could see uncertainty in her eyes, as her lower lip began to tremble. She was about to cry, and he didn't know why. He couldn't tell if it was tears of happiness, or rather, they were symbol of sadness. His heart twisted in his chest. He cupped her face in his hands, wiping all traces of tears with his thumbs.

"When I was shot, I was convinced of my own death. And then, for some reason, you showed up in my mind. Your smile, your eyes. Then I cried, Penelope, I cried like a little kid. And I wasn't devastated at the thought of dying or suffering any pain in my body. I couldn't bear to think that I could never see you again"

She closed her eyes again, releasing all her pain. Walls were falling to the ground, she could feel it inside her soul. All her ice was melting due to his warm words.

Derek rested his forehead against hers, smiling tearfully "I don't want to die without telling you how important you are to me" he whispered, giving a kiss to her cheek, "You're my world"

His mouth dropped to her shoulder, leaving a sweet kiss on her skin. She could still feel her tears burning in her eyes, her heart beating wildly. His closeness caused an earthquake in her senses, but she didn't deserve to be loved by anyone. Her fate was to be alone for the rest of her life.

Then his arms were around her body, melting her into his embrace. She needed that human contact. She needed his warmth more than her next breathing.

Derek pulled away from her slightly, looking at her face. Her eyes were full of sadness, pain and something else he couldn't read. She was shattered, her soul was sunk in depression. "What's wrong, my baby?" he asked softly, hiding a lock of blond hair behind her ear.

She avoided his gaze, her brown eyes staring at the bedroom window. Derek sighed with resignation, placing his chin over her shoulder, "What you looking at?"

"Lie down," she said with a hint of a smile, trying to lighten her mood, "You are in recovery"

Derek chuckled and put an arm around her waist, pressing her back against his chest. "You didn't answer me"

She caressed his hand with the tips of her fingers, around his IV needle. With a big sigh, Penelope threw her head back, resting it against his shoulder. "Does it hurt?"

"No longer" he said, looking at her sweetly "You have a magic touch, angel"

She smiled at him, turning to look out the window "I was looking at the stars. They are beautiful and so bright"

"Not as much as you are, baby girl"

"Derek Morgan, don't ever change. You're so good for my ego" she sentenced, feeling his lips below her ear. Penelope closed her eyes, wanting to record his kiss on her memory. He whispered in her ear, "When you go back to Virginia?"

"In the morning," she said, patting the arm that was around her waist "JJ agreed to take care of the kids, but I hate being away from them"

Derek groaned lightly, showing his disagreement. "Stay another day"

"What is the point of that, anyway?" she said, unable to hide her sadness anymore "That just would lengthen our agony"

"Just stay Sunday, and I'll reward your efforts," he said confidently, kissing her jaw to her ear, "I just need a day in your life"

"You are convalescent" she objected, not taking her sight from the sky. Penelope knew that if she looked at his pleading eyes, she would be able to do anything. "No adventures"

"I'll be out of this fucking hospital in the afternoon"

She rolled her eyes upward. The guy could be insistent!. "Good for you. But I have to get on with my life, Derek"

He frowned, pulling his chin away from her shoulder. Her voice sounded so defeated that it sounded including despair. Penelope was mortally wounded, her spirit was shattered. He could see it in her eyes. "That life makes you happy?"

Penelope sighed heavily, clasping her hands in her lap. She felt his arms around her shoulders, his chest tight against her back and his lips resting on her neck. "I'm sorry, baby girl. I'm so sorry"

"Don't be. You're right" she answered honestly, "I'm not happy"

"I can make you very, very happy"

"But the boy-"

"I can make your kids very, very happy, too"

Penelope let out a slight laugh, patting the hand that was on her collarbone. She wanted to take this opportunity, to be happy again. But nothing could be the same. Matt was never going back. Derek would hate her if he knew about their baby. She couldn't bear the loss of her little kid. Her heart would be unable to bear Derek's detestation. She had to get away from him, and soon.

"I can't be happy anymore" she whispered with her voice in tears "My life is broken, I'm shattered, and there's nothing you can do about it. You can't go out to my rescue this time"

He kissed her temple, trying to find the right words. She deserved to be happy, she deserved to have hope. Smiling, Derek brought his lips to her ear "Let me be your hero, baby"


Am I in too deep? Have I lost my mind? Well, I don't care, you're here tonight...I can be your hero, baby. I can kiss away your pain. I will stand by you forever

(Hero, ENRIQUE IGLESIAS)