Penelope woke up in the arms of Derek Morgan, firmly wrapped around her lower body. Since the Friday he'd told her honestly about his fears, he'd tried everything to work through his fear of getting touched. That had been 8 weeks ago, and as far as Penelope was able to say, he'd made significant progress. It felt like Derek had just needed a shove in the right direction. Thankfully, Penelope's brother Carlos was working very hard with Derek. Could she be more grateful for having one of the best stepbrothers in the world? Penelope didn't think so.
Carefully snuggling closer to his muscular, well-formed sexy body, Penelope enjoyed the feeling of Derek Morgan so close to her. While still fast asleep, Derek cradled her even tighter to him, murmuring something to her neck, she didn't understand, but Penelope smiled nevertheless. In his sleep, without being haunted by nightmares, Derek was comfortable enough to hold her in his arms, like he was doing it right now. Penelope understood now that Derek had told her about his issues, that he needed her close. Derek wanted to touch her, wanted to hold her but all these choked memories, Derek was going through almost every day, were straining him. Associating her touches with Carl Buford's in his sleep had made it unmanageable for him to enjoy having her close.P
lainly spoken he could've told her earlier, but Derek had tried to fight it on his own at first. Penelope could only hope, that Derek would trust her unconditionally, she wouldn't let him down ever. For that, she loved that handsome man behind her too much.
The therapy was hard on him. He was exhausted very often, but Penelope was so proud because he kept fighting to get his old life back. He hadn't drunk alcohol since the first day of his therapy anymore. Together, they had thrown every single bottle, cheap or expensive, out of his home. They had cleaned up the whole house together, after the mess he had created in the one week, they'd been apart, so they both were more comfortable with it. Derek had felt so much better afterward.
"I feel like I've got purified too," he'd told her honestly, yet very exhausted then. He appreciated her every day for her support, gifted her with presents or flowers at least once a week. It wasn't required though, but Penelope admired the little presents anyway. It taught her how significant her presence really was to Derek.
Suddenly, he stirred behind her, slowly awakening. Penelope remained silent. She didn't want to scare him away. Besides, it was too cozy in his arms.
Derek stretched his well-formed body behind her, and that was the moment, Penelope could sense his arousal at her back.
Her eyes snapped open, astonished.
That hadn't happened before.
"Good morning, Princess, I know you're awake," Derek whispered behind her, squeezing her softly. "You never lay that still, Baby Girl," he supplemented chuckling.
"I'll show you a good morning, Hot Stuff." Giggling, Penelope relished the fact that Derek didn't pull away from her like every morning in the last few months when he'd recognized that he'd held her in his arms after waking up.
"I just wanted to make sure you're thoroughly awake before I move Handsome," she said with a tender smile, slowly turning around, to be able to face him. Penelope was sure her cheeks were blushed, but she was too aware of the fact of Derek's sudden arousal. What would he do now? Penelope observed his face carefully.
Derek indeed was looking a little bit scared, but he smiled at her anyway.
He didn't stop fighting.
Penelope couldn't be prouder.
"Thank you Baby Girl," he whispered softly, holding her in his strong, protecting arms. "I'm a little bit overwhelmed right now," he admitted to her after a moment of lovingly staring at each other.
Penelope smiled and nodded slowly and sympathetically.
"It's alright, really! All at your pace, my Chocolate Adonis. I'm proud of you anyway for not pulling away. But honestly, you will not be permitted to leave that mattress here for a long while as soon as you're ready," she told him jokingly, winking at him. Derek chuckled, and for the first time in a long row, the smile reached his eyes.
"I can live with that fact hot momma," he answered, while he caressed up and down her spine, just to stop at her butt to give it a firm squeeze. Penelope shivered at this touch. "I can't wait to give you everything you deserve, Baby Girl. You're so hot, I wish I were able to taste every single part of that sexy body of yours right here right now. You can't even imagine the things I wanna do with you," Derek growled as he suddenly captured her lips with a passionate kiss to both their surprise. Penelope could only let out a weak moan while responding to his kiss. Just the imagination of Derek's lips all over her body left her dripping wet. She would definitely need an ice cold shower later. "I will be ready at some point, hopefully very soon. But right now I'm not. It's getting better though, I can see it now," he told her silently after they'd pulled apart in the desperate need of air.
"It's apparently getting better, Hot Stoff, I'm so grateful you can see it today," Penelope answered, carefully lifting a hand to caress his cheek lovingly. Derek didn't back away, he closed his eyes for a moment, apparently relaxed. "I can wait, cause I know you want me as badly as I want you." Smirking she winked at him again as soon as his eyes fluttered open again. "That leaves us enough time to become very creative, as soon as you're ready, don't you think? I have a few ideas which need a second thought!" Penelope told him with the most earnest expression she could muster, causing Derek to chuckle in amusement.
"God, you're killing me, woman! But hell, yeah you're so right!"
"Of course I am!" She replied, beaming at Derek with delight. "But now, we have to get our butts out of bed anyway, work is calling." Yet, another Monday, Penelope thought to herself as they slowly got out of bed. She directly headed downstairs to give Clooney his breakfast and let him out in the backyard, while Derek took the first shower. As soon as he was ready, he would take care of their breakfast while Penelope would get herself ready for work. It was some kind of a daily rhythm they'd created over the past weeks, and Penelope liked it that way.
With Derek being able to admit his feelings more than before, Penelope felt so much hope. Humming to herself as she stood outside, relishing the first rays of the sun on her face, Penelope felt so much happier. Derek was proving day after day that he was working very hard after all those struggles, and he began to trust in her completely.
Tenderly touching her lips, where she still felt Derek's passionate kiss, Penelope smiled to herself, knowing that this was their first kiss since Derek had left for his mom's birthday to Chicago month's ago.
She would never forget this kiss anymore in her life.
Turning around to head upstairs to take her shower she was met by Derek - Hot Stuff - Morgan who was watching her with a soft smile on his lips, holding two coffee mugs in his hands. He was already fully dressed, ready to start the week.
Penelope took the cup he gave her and thanked him as they sat down on the wooden stairs of his back porch.
"You're so enthusiastic today," Penelope determined with a kind smile. "I like to see you like this again," she stated and nudged him softly.
"I like that too, I wish it would last," Derek responded, taking a sip of his steaming hot coffee. "But at least, it's a good day, and I'm ready to enjoy it as good as possible."
"Sounds pretty good, Hot Stuff," Penelope couldn't stop smiling at the handsome man at her side. Couldn't be happier for him. Derek hadn't had many good days since he'd began his therapy. Being exhausted and mentally drained had caused many nightmares and flashbacks. But since Friday, no evil dream or visions of his tormenter had haunted him. That definitely was a good sign, it couldn't be something else.
The day went by at a great pace. The team didn't become a new case, which meant they all were staying in Quantico. Penelope didn't remember when the last time was, she had so much joy at work. Derek had carried out his promises and enjoyed his good day with all his playfulness, the whole team had missed so much. He was laughing and making fun just like all of them remembered him. Penelope enjoyed it as much as Derek did, she adored seeing him like this again. Knowing it wouldn't remain for now made her relish the time even more.
Soon it was time to head to Carlos, time for his therapy. Like every day, Penelope and Derek drove together to her stepbrother's house.
"Would you like to listen today?" Derek asked her to her surprise. "I think I'm ready...," he said thoughtful, almost haltingly as he risked a glimpse at her.
"If you're hundred percent sure, you don't have to ask me twice Handsome," she answered, tilting her head to look at Derek, sitting in the driver's seat. He nodded carefully and smiled in her direction while he was concentrating on the traffic.
"I'm sure...," he answered as he stopped the car in the parking lot in front of Carlo's house. "I don't know if I am that confident again and I understand you have to know everything that's going on in here," he told her, mentioning to his head. "I esteem you Baby Girl, and I want to convince you that I trust you unconditionally with all my being."
Penelope's eyes teared up at these words. Finally, he made this movement which was so crucial for both of them. He began to understand now that everything that had happened to him wasn't his fault at all.
"Thank you for that, Handsome, I really appreciate that," Penelope whispered tearfully.
"You deserve it, Baby Girl. I know it's not easy for you too, you have to endure all my moods, I really want to make it up to you for everything you've done for me. No one besides my momma and sisters has ever done so much to help me without awaiting something in response. I still don't know how I became that blessed to deserve you, but I will do anything to make this thing here between us work. I love you, Penelope."
Penelope opened her mouth just to shut it again because of a big lump in her throat. Eventually, he'd said the words she'd been waiting for month's now. And now that she'd heard them, Penelope found herself speechlessly staring at her Hot Stuff, the love of her life. Opening her mouth again, she became aware of the tears which were streaming down her face without her approval. Penelope wanted to wipe them away, but Derek was faster. With his big palms, he cupped her cheeks and tenderly wiped away every single tear.
"I'm sorry it took me so damn long, Baby Girl," he whispered, with so much comprehension in his words.
"It's okay...really...I'm just so happy, Hot Stuff," Penelope whispered. She'd eventually found the control over her voice. "I love you too, and I'm sorry, but I have to kiss you now!" Penelope informed him, causing Derek to chuckle. He bent his head and kissed her for the second time for this day. Penelope responded immediately, throwing her arms around his neck carefully. "I love you so very much, Derek Morgan," Penelope whispered into their kiss, feeling Derek's soft smile as they shared one last kiss before they would have to go to Derek's therapy appointment.
Only minutes later they were comfortably seated on Carlo's couch, next to each other, her stepbrother was sitting in his armchair in front of them.
"So Derek, you decided to let Penelope join our appointment today...what's the occasion?"
"Well...I'd say, today was a perfect day. It started pretty nice..." Derek began slowly. Penelope could feel how difficult it still was on him to talk about him and his problems, but he was getting better at it.
"I was aroused for the first time in...I don't know...month's? It wasn't caused by the nightmares of Carl, it was caused by Penelope," Derek said slowly, and Penelope listened attentively, holding a cup of steaming hot coffee in her hands. "I told you that Carl Buford told me every time how much I liked what he was doing. And I mentioned that he made my body like it too even if I didn't want that. It just happened. That was why I dated so many women in the past...I needed to prove to myself that I didn't like what Buford had done to me, that I was a man and capable of enjoying the body of a woman. Since the day, everything came out, especially in the week I was on my own, I didn't feel anything toward any woman who wanted me. That was killing me, and I thought I would never be able again to have this. But this morning was different." Derek looked at Penelope. Still, she could see the anxiety in his eyes. But he trusted her entirely, Penelope saw that too, and her heart melted in an instant. "I was fully aroused as I woke up, holding Penelope in my arms. And it felt good. There was no memory of Buford haunting me, it was just this feeling of lust and love. It was overwhelming though," Derek admitted slowly.
"What did you do, when you realized all that?" Carlos asked Derek, who smiled a little sheepishly.
"I kissed her and told her how I felt and that I absolutely want her, but that I'm not ready."
"And Penelope?"
With blushed cheeks, Penelope listened to the men talking. She was here to listen to Derek, she knew it, but oh how much she wanted to say something to support Derek.
"She accepted what I told her and just did everything right...like always," Derek told Carlos honestly, almost shining with gratitude towards Penelope.
"Okay, okay, whatever happened here, Derek, I'm proud of you!" Carlos said, grinning from ear to ear as he watched his patient closely. "You did an amazing job in the past 8 weeks. I think you're ready to be fully back to work."
Penelope beamed with happiness. That was outstanding news, and a look at Derek's face told her the same, he apparently was the happiest person on earth right now.
"We still will meet each other, I want to know how's it going on when you're back on the field. You still have to tell your mom?"
Derek nodded slowly. That topic wasn't easy on him. Derek didn't want his mom to feel sorry for throwing him into the arms of Carl Buford. He didn't want to hurt his momma. But all of them knew, talking to his mom would be another part of his healing too.
"I think I can talk to her. But that's no topic for the phone...we need to visit her," Derek admitted, looking at Penelope with a pleading expression. "Would you join me? I know I've asked you so many things, but..."
"Stop asking unnecessary questions, my Knight in shining armor, of course, I'm coming with you!" Penelope interrupted Derek with a smile. "I told you, I'm at your side when you need me, this is no exception."
Gratefully, Derek took her hand in his, with the sweetest smile on his lips, Penelope had ever seen.
"Thank you Baby Girl, thank you so much."