Chapter 21-The Epilogue Chapter
AN: We have reached the end of the journey for this story. Thank you so much for reading. You are all such a wonderful group of people to write for; you make the story ideas flow endlessly for me. I can't wait to share my next story with you! With lots of love and appreciation, Kricket
Monday morning, Penelope was sitting in the monthly Tech Department meeting for the FBI. She had no desire whatsoever to be there. It happened at the ungodly hour of seven AM. This was to accommodate the twelve tech people that worked overnights. They just stayed later as the other TAs arrived for the day. Some were even cheerful and happy they got to be at work early. Not Penelope. She was so not a morning person.
Add onto that Derek kept her up late most nights. Last night, however, was rather by accident. The man was a massive cuddler, loved to hold her, kiss her, whisper sweet nothings in her ear, even when he was sleeping.
In the middle of the night, she'd heard, "Mmm, oh, yeah… Baby Girl."
It was obviously a very good dream. She'd known Derek had a lot of nightmares, so she'd been very pleased by this turn in events. Then she felt the hard press of his erection against her, and she couldn't help but wake him up in a very happy fashion. It didn't matter that they'd made love at the restaurant, once more when they got home, and three times on Sunday; they needed each other yet again. They were that insatiable for each other.
About a half hour into the meeting, she was nearly daydreaming and fighting drool. The rest of the tech department were into security breaching, and their debates were boring as hell and practically medieval compared to what she was already doing. It was the driest thing she ever had to listen to. She had to keep herself busy someway, so she started thinking again about Derek, about how fantastic he was, and how much she loved him...
"God, I am so p.o'd!" the whiny tone of Elba Martin drew Penelope out of her reverie.
She turned to look at her and nod a greeting. She didn't want to be cruel to Elba, but she wasn't pleasant to her, either. Kevin was the true problem, anyway, not her. Nonetheless, Penelope was pleased she only stared at Elba's mole for an extra second or so.
"Why, Elba?" Nadia Bornstein asked, her false concern ringing in her voice.
Kylie Manter sat next to her and patted her knee. "Yes, tell us all about it."
"I think I am going to dump Kevin Lynch."
"Why?" Kylie asked, her tone eerily similar to Nadia's.
Penelope's stomach flipped at the devious twins. These two were experts at gossip.
"That is such a huge surprise! I thought your relationship was hot?" Nadia queried.
Elba scoffed. "Says who?"
Kylie began, "Kevin was saying to Steve-"
"I fake it. I've faked it since minute one. The man is simply the worst I have ever had in bed. He has arms like an octopus and kisses like an eel; he's all wet and slippery... and not in a good way, either!"
Penelope knew she shouldn't be listening, but she couldn't help it. What Elba was saying was correct. The octopus arms she always took as him being so eager with wanting her. She thought that meant he was being eager to please, but she knew now that was wrong.
Derek asked her what her wants were, listened to her, held her just because, and simply loved her. He showed her what a true lover should be like, one that truly wanted to please her.
The more she thought, the more she smiled. She deserved better all those years. Derek made her realize that, too. She was kind, giving, and loving. She deserved the best. She deserved Derek.
A moment later, Penelope stood. "You really need to have a more private conversation," she said, glaring at the gossips, then looking at Elba empathetically. "Good luck to you."
With that, she walked out of the meeting with a smile on her face. Her team was wheels up in a few moments; she wanted to be there to give an extra special smile to the man she loved when they called on her.
"Well it's about damn time," David Rossi said in his usual blunt manner. "I've been sick of watching you be moony over her for the past three years."
"Three?" Reid squeaked. "Try six!"
"Kid, don't make me flatten you," Derek said, wishing he never got on the plane today. He expected some ribbing, but these two were absolutely relishing the opportunity.
"Oh, come on. You know we have to give you hell," Rossi interjected, a slight smile on his handsome face. "It's what we do best."
Reid placed his hand over his heart. "Yes, the great Derek Morgan, head over heels in love. The mighty tree of bachelorhood, chopped down by his own best friend."
"That tree will be an end table, an entertainment center, a crib…." Rossi let his voice trail off with a tsking of his tongue.
"Hey, I really don't mind," Derek grinned at Rossi. "After all, I'm already her entertainment center."
"Good Lord, you're mushy," Prentiss said with a scowl.
JJ crinkled her nose. "And kind of disgusting."
Derek put his feet up on the table, crossing his legs at the ankle and putting his arms behind his head. "If you got it good, you got it good."
"It was bad enough when we didn't know who the woman was, but now," Emily groaned and looked away. "TMI, Morgan."
"Honestly, we're all very happy for you," JJ said with a warm, sincere smile.
"It was a long time coming," Hotch stated, coming up with his paperwork.
"Which leads back to my first comment: It's about damn time," Rossi said with a smirk. "Proving yet again my Italian intuition is rarely wrong."
"Coming from a man with three ex-wives," Hotch added with a smirk of his own.
"Touché," Rossi replied with a wince.
With that, Hotch began discussing the case. It was a rather brutal one, but Derek still couldn't help the smile on his face or the warmth he had in his heart. When Hotch called on Penelope, and she came up on the screen, she gave him just the briefest smile, one he knew was especially for him. He wanted to turn the plane around and hold her in his arms.
It didn't surprise him. After all, he was head over heels, disgustingly in mushy love with her.
It was a long time coming.
And thinking, he knew Rossi was right: It was about damn time.