A/N: Sorry about the delay. I finally got a job, six months after moving here. I've been busy with that but I'm going to try to update my stories on a regular basis. I'm working on another Derek/Penelope story which should be up tonight or tomorrow.

The rest of the week flew by in a blur. Penelope could barely believe what was about to happen. Derek Morgan, the man she had loved for years was actually going to take her out on a real date. Not as friends, but as an actual romantic couple. The very thought of it made her nervous enough to puke. She was terrified.

When Derek had come into her office on Monday and begged, literally begged, for her to give a relationship a chance, it had broken her heart. She knew Derek probably better than anyone and for him to actually beg was huge. She couldn't say no to him after that.

In spite of the fact that she said yes, she still didn't think it was a good idea. She didn't need a date with Derek to know that a relationship between them would be explosive and amazing. The wedding had proven that it would inexorably be the best relationship of her life. She just wasn't sure what would happen when their relationship would fizzle out, which it inevitably would. Derek just wasn't a long term relationship type of person. And that would break her heart.

There was a knock at her door and Penelope took a deep breath. A final glance in her mirror told her that she looked damn good. She found a cute little black dress in her closet that was flowy, knee-length and covered her cleavage very nicely, which was hard to do. She paired the dress with a funky pink cardigan, hot pink heels and an assortment of jewelry. Just because she thought the date was a bad idea didn't mean she couldn't look amazing.

The knock sounded again and she quickly walked to the door, opening it with a smile. Derek stood there looking absolutely gorgeous in a deep maroon sweater and dark slacks. "Hey," she said, hoping to sound calmer than she felt. Hot damn, he looked good, she thought.

"Hey baby girl." He leaned in and gave her a quick kiss. When he pulled away, he looked her up and down and Penelope saw approval shining through his eyes. "You look good enough to eat, momma."

She couldn't help but laugh. "If you're good tonight, maybe you can," she teased with a wink as they headed out the door.

The restaurant was absolutely gorgeous. It was small and quaint with a well known jazz band. They were seated at a table right in front of the band, much to Penelope's delight.

"This place is really nice," she said as she looked around. They were one of many couples filling the low lit room, giving it a romantic atmosphere. She momentarily wondered how many other women he had brought here filling her with a twinge of jealousy. She pushed the envious thought away and turned back to him with a smile. "I've never even heard of it before."

Derek shrugged nonchalantly. "It's pretty well known among the jazz crowd. I loved coming here." In spite of the fact that he was acting so casual, Penelope could tell he was proud to bring her to this place.

"You never told me about it." A teasing smile played on her lips.

"Baby girl, there are a lot of things I've never told you." As he said it, his dark eyes danced with heat and Penelope was reminded of just how he had looked at her when he saw her in the dress she wore to the wedding. It made her think of the night they had spent together and a raw heat flushed through her.

"Like what?" she asked huskily.

"I hate strawberries."

"What?" she asked quickly. That had been the farthest thing from her mind. She had been expecting something sexual. She suddenly realized what he said. "Wait, but I bake you a strawberry pie for your birthday. Every year." For six birthdays she had made him a pie. Not a cake, everyone got cakes for their birthday, but a pie because pies were different. And a strawberry pie because, well, it was the only pie she really knew how to bake.

Derek's face shown with a playful smile as he said, "I know."

Penelope wasn't sure how to feel. Part of her was upset that he had never told her but another part of her was flattered that he had eaten it anyway. She asked, "Why do you eat it?"

"Because you baked it for me," he said simply. Penelope gave him a questioning look prompting him to explain. "You bake once a year. For me."

She blushed slightly; it was very sweet of him. Part of her felt silly that she'd been baking a pie he hated all these years but she knew he only did it to make her feel good. "You could have told me," she said finally.

"I didn't want you to stop. I thought it was sweet." He smiled at her and Penelope couldn't help but smile back. Derek really was a sweetheart, once you really got to know him, she thought. Her adamancy that a relationship with Derek wouldn't work was starting to thaw. Maybe, Penelope thought, something good could come from this.

The rest of the date went well, just as Penelope knew it would. They laughed, they flirted, they teased. If she really wanted to be honest with herself, it was probably the best date she had ever been on. Derek made sure of that.

When they pulled up to her apartment, Derek turned off the car and looked towards her. Penelope's nerves began to spike; she knew he was going to push the relationship thing and as amazing as their date had been, it hadn't changed her reservations. "So, how was it?" he finally asked.

She smiled softly, "You know it was an amazing date." He had planned it to be perfect and it had been.

"And?"

He looked to eager and hopeful that Penelope couldn't bring herself to tell him no. She said, "And what?"

"Did I prove it to you?"

"Derek, I didn't need a date to know being with you would be wonderful."

Derek sighed and looked out the window. Penelope could see the frustration evident in his posture. His hands were clenched around the steering wheel and the moonlight shone through the windshield, highlighting the tense irritation in his face. Penelope felt the need to reach over and touch him but didn't. He spoke without turning back to her. "Penelope, I don't understand."

"It's just…."she sighed, at a loss for words. How could she explain to him her fears without insulting him? He turned back to her giving her the courage she needed to continue. "I know what it would be like if we were together, and I know that it would be the best time of my life…"

She was stopped as Derek interrupted her. "Then what's the problem?" Irritation was rife in his voice and it almost made Penelope flinch.

His irritation angered her and pushed to her blurt out, "What happens when it ends?"

"What?" The look on his face was one of disbelief. His eyes narrowed and it became apparent that his frustration was beginning to get the better of him.

Penelope didn't say anything for a moment. How could she tell him that she didn't trust him to stick around? She knew he would be hurt and that it could possibly hurt their friendship. She feared this date had already ruined their friendship. If not, it had certainly changed it. Never again could they joke in the same way. Never again could Derek make one of his blatantly sexual comments and laugh it away. She finally said softly, "When you get tired of it and move on to someone else?"

To her surprise and relief, Derek simply laughed. "Baby girl, that's never going to happen," he said with a shake of his head.

Penelope's row crinkled in frustration. He was just disregarding her greatest fear. "How do you know?" she challenged.

His eyes softened and he took her face in his hands. His rough thumbs stroked softly against her cheeks. "Because I love you and have loved you for years. I've dreamt about you, about being with you. I know, just like you do, that being with you will be the best thing that has ever happened to me and there is no way I'm going to give that up."

She wanted to believe him so bad. Every fiber of her being was begging and urging her to listen and believe him. He looked to earnest and what he was saying sounded so wonderful. One look in his eyes told Penelope that Derek believed what he was saying and it nearly broke her heart. She pulled away and interrupted him, "Derek, I-"

"Penelope, stop," he commanded. She shut her mouth and turned back to him, waiting.
"I understand you're scared and you have every right to be with the way you've seen me go through women over the years. But are you really going to let that fear keep you from what you know will be amazing? I'm never going to leave you. I know that. But, even so, there's always the chance it could end without me leaving you. We both know our work is dangerous. I could die every time I go out on a case. Would you let that stop you?"

She smiled and shook her head. "No," she said softly. She was reminded of Derek's mom who had lost her husband to his job. When Penelope had met her, she had been so strong and felt so adamantly that loving Derek's father had been worth it. Maybe Derek was right, she thought suddenly. Even if something happened, it would be worth it.

Derek must have sensed her resolve was weakening. He took one of her hands in his and spoke. "Stop thinking of the worst possible scenario, baby girl. You're not the type to let your fears rule your life."

It was true and Penelope knew it. She wanted to just say yes and fall into his arms so bad. Why couldn't she, she suddenly thought. What was holding her back? If she still wanted a relationship with him as she had for years, she was the only thing in the way. No one else and nothing else was standing in her way. She didn't let her fears run the rest of her life, so why should she let them run this part of her life? As this realization dawned on her, Penelope felt a warm happy buzz flood through her body.

With a smile she turned to Derek. "You're right. About everything."

A huge smile spread on his face as he said, "Of course I am." Penelope chuckled as Derek pulled her close to press a soft kiss on her lips. When he pulled away he said, "I'm not promising that everything will be perfect, Penelope. I'm just promising that I will do everything in my power to make you happy for as long as I'm breathing."

"That's all a girl could ask for," Penelope said and for the first time since the wedding, she felt right.