A/N: Hello again. :) Once again I'd like to apologize for the wait. I can assure you that there will not be any more super-long waits, because I have written the next chapter after this and I also have started the one following it. Also if anyone wanted to know, the necklace in this story was inspired by a similar one that I have. It looks kind of like this: /5twkncd. I hope you guys like this one! And a super HUGE thank you to all that read and review, it really makes me so happy. :)

XXXXX

Derek stood patiently by his doorway, waiting for Penelope. He had been doing so for the past five minutes, but he didn't mind. He had secretly been anticipating this night. After all, he had never been in a relationship that was as serious as theirs. His relationship with Penelope was special. He liked the fact that they could trust each other with anything – she was the only person that Derek could truly confide in. He believed them to be soul mates.

Finally, Penelope appeared, looking quite dressed up.

"Sorry I took so long," she grinned at him sheepishly.

"You look gorgeous." he bent down slightly to kiss her.

She smiled. "As do you." Did she really have to say it?

He opened the door. "After you."

XXXXX

"Are you two ready to order?" the young waitress asked them. She eyed Derek up and down in approval, but he ignored her. This happened almost every time they'd go out together, and he was tired of it. Couldn't they see that he was taken?

Penelope ordered first, and Derek was careful to make little to no eye contact with the waitress. After what seemed like forever, she finally left.

"Looks like it's just you and me." He smiled.

"That's how I like it." She grinned deviously.

"Well, since today is a special occasion... I got you a little something."

"Derek, that is completely and totally unnecessary and – '' he placed a small blue box wrapped with a white ribbon in front of her. Her mouth hung open.

"Is that a Tiffany's box?"

He grinned. "Go ahead, open it."

Carefully, she untied the ribbon and took the lid off. She took out a thin silver necklace with a diamond heart dangling from it.

"Oh... Derek..."

"I thought that it might suit your tastes." He smiled.

"I love it, I really do." She beamed. "Thank you."

"It was my pleasure, sweetheart." He reached across the table to take her hand.

"Now I feel bad because I didn't get you anything." She pouted.

"Baby, that doesn't matter to me. You're the greatest gift I could ever have."

She smiled. "Honestly, what did I ever do to deserve you?"

"I should be saying that same thing... Penelope, I don't know if you've realized this, but, this night is really important to me. You're important to me. I want you to understand that.. I love you and I never want to lose you." He squeezed her hand.

"Derek, I promise, you will never lose me. I love you more than anything and there will never be anyone that can make me feel happier."

He kissed her hand. "Thank you, Penelope."

"For sticking with me, through all these years. You have no idea how much it means to me."

She smiled. "It's what I'm here for."

XXXXX

After an eventful night, Derek was enjoying sleeping in on his day off. That is, until he was awakened by his cell phone.

Without opening his eyes, he reached over to his nightstand and flipped it open.

"Yeah..." he said hazily.

"Turn on channel 3," it was Hotch. "And hurry up."

"Okay, okay," Derek dragged himself out of bed wearily and walked into his living room. He turned on the TV to channel 3. Suddenly, he was more awake. His brow furrowed as he read the headlines in shock, over and over again, trying to comprehend what was happening. Hotch waited patiently over the phone.

"Son of a bitch..." he muttered, and sunk into the couch, feeling defeated.

"Where's Penelope?"

"She's here, with me."

"Good. Don't go anywhere. I sent an officer to go undercover by your house until we've got all of this straightened out. He should be there shortly."

"Thanks, Hotch." He clicked the phone shut and continued to stare at the TV screen. He sighed in frustration. Just when he thought things were finally getting better, something had to screw it up.

"What's going on?" he was startled by the quiet voice of a sleepy-looking Penelope. She looked concerned. He stood up and ran his hand along the back of this head. He hated having to always tell her the bad news.

"Baby..." he trailed off. "Lynch escaped from jail."