When Penelope got home from spending a great day with the girls, she collapsed on the couch to take a few minutes to just chill. She hadn't really had a chance to process since that morning. Her thoughts were interrupted by the vibrating of her phone.

"Hello," she answered with her eyes closed.

"Hey you,"

"Oh hey." she replied hesitantly.

"Don't panic, I just wanted to make sure you haven't changed your mind on me." Penelope laughed.

"No my sweet, I haven't. If I did, there are two girls that would hound me, and I am so not up for that."

"Let me guess they were salivating when you walked through your front door."

"Wow, you are a profiler."

"I'll come and pick you up in about an hour. Is that okay?"

"Perfect. You know that I am perfectly capable of driving to your place. I have done so once or twice before."

"My date, my rules."

"There are rules?" she asked curiously.

"You better believe it. I'll see you in an hour Baby girl."

"I'll be here."

Just as she hung up she looked at the time and contemplated a shower, she made a calculation of how long it would take to get ready and decided to slip in a quick nap. Unfortunately several late nights had taken their toll and she slept through. Derek, after knocking a couple of times used his key thinking she may have been in the shower and found her fast asleep on her couch. She looked peaceful, beautiful. He ran his fingers through her hair, not wanting to wake her up. Penelope stirred and smiled as she saw him till she realised that he was there to pick her up.

"Oh Derek I am sorry. I was supposed to wake up and take a shower and get ready."

"You're beautiful."

"And you're sweet. Give me 10 minutes and I'll be ready. The girls and I went photo booth happy this morning if you're up for a few laughs. Lap top's there." Pen said getting up, just as she made it to her bedroom door she paused and walked back to him.

"Oh and Hi." She said almost shyly planting a kiss on his cheek before rushing back to her bedroom closing the door behind her. He heard the shower turn on as he sat back down on the couch pulling the computer to his lap, laughing at the current wallpaper which was a photo of Emily, JJ and Penelope in their pyjamas making faces. He opened up photo booth to scan through their photos, he made a mental note to hassle the girls about it when he saw them on Monday. He saw that Penelope had them filed in folders and clicked on a folder titled 'Pokey' and found a few shots of her and Luke at the beach house, and a few others from his apartment. One of the photos had Penelope standing behind a Luke who was sitting down, her arms wrapped around his shoulders as they both looked at each other laughing. Penelope who could hear his laughing from her room after her quick shower realised that he had grown awfully quiet. Worriedly, she came out and found him absorbed on the screen before him. She wasn't surprised to see the photo of her Luke up on the screen. She sat beside him and placed a hand on his knee.

"That's Luke. He's the kid in that picture on my wall."

"His the 'with the exception of one person' isn't he?"

"He is. Luke and I grew up together. Our parents are friends, his Mother's sister is my Godmother, and we spent a lot of time together. Holidays, summers, etc. We've been through the worst times of our lives together. His parents passing, mine. When I went off the rails when my parents passed away, it was Luke and his father William, along with Maggie, my godmother who took care of me. I don't usually talk about Luke because he's my safe place. When I'm lost and forget who I am, he's there to remind me. When I'm hurt and confused, he picks up the pieces. He's the very first person with the exception of my parents of course who loved me for who I am. He's fiercely protective and unwaveringly loyal. You remind me of him. I think you'll like him."

"You'll let me meet him?" he asked surprised, knowing what that meant.

"Sure, why not. He's the closest thing I have to a brother and I want you to meet him. His fiancé Lorelai is a trip. You think I'm nuts, she's a whole lot of crazy." He tucked a lose strand of hair behind her ear and kept his hand there as he placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

"I feel a little jealous of him." He admitted quietly. Penelope looked up at his face and placed a hand on his cheek.

"You have nothing to be jealous of. We have our whole lives to make this what we want it to be. Now I'm going to finish getting ready and we can head to yours."

Penelope ran some products through her hair and quickly blow dried her hair leaving it down and naturally wavy, her make up minimal. She had jeans on and dark green knitted top that brought out her eyes. It was simple and casual. She threw on a well worn pair of converse and she was ready. Derek looked up as she emerged from her room. It was the first time he had seen her so casual and relaxed. He was starting to understand that this was her, girl next door, and the Penelope she portrays is a mask to hide the insecurity she felt. She was showing him who she truly was, and he could feel himself fall in love with her even more.

He got up from where he sat and walked over to her. He leaned in taking in her scent, curling her hair with his finger and whispered softly in her ear,

"Wow, you're beautiful." Penelope blushed and ran her hand down his side affectionately.

"Thanks! Let's go. I'm starved." Morgan took her hand in his and brought it to his lips.

"Let's go."

"It's a nice night out, can we walk to your place, and walk back?" she asked.

"Whatever you wish my lady." He replied giving her hand a tight squeeze.

The walk to Morgan's was no more than 15 minutes. Hand in hand they headed to his place talking about anything and everything. It certainly felt like the beginnings of a relationship, where every little thing was funny and sweet. Penelope loved that.