"M'lady…" Derek said as he opened the door and held his hand out to assist her into getting into the car.
"Why thank you kind Sir." Penelope replied placing a kiss on his cheek as she passed him. Derek grinned as he made his way to the other side of the car. It would be the first time they would officially be out on a date. Most of their time together was spent with James, and the rare times they would be alone would be after putting him to bed and they almost always preferred to stay home and watch DVD's. Once in a while they slipped out for a movie or a quick bite, but nothing compared to the plans Derek had up his sleeve.
"So do I get to ask what we're doing seeing as you're all giddy with excitement?"
"Errr no…" he answered without even thinking.
"Shouldn't I be a part of the excitement?"
"Are you saying you're not excited?" he challenged.
"You suck!" she muttered folding her arms to her chest in mock defiance.
"You love me." He retorted confidently as he pulled out of her parking space.

"Derek," Penelope gasped as they drove onto a long driveway and a quaint cottage came to view. From the car she could see that the walls were made out of windows so that you see right into the dimly lit restaurant, open fire in one corner, a small platform in another with a string quartet playing, tables for two spread out appropriately for privacy, set with flowers and candle light.
"You like?"
"I love, baby you didn't have to go through all this trouble." Derek took the hand he held on knee and brought it to his lips,
"The look on your face P, makes it all worth it."
"You spoil me." She protested,
"And you deserve it Princess."

Though a waiter had greeted and sat them down, Penelope noticed that he did not take their orders or hand them menus. He did however come back a few minutes later with a bottle of her favourite wine and a couple of glasses. Penelope cocked her head to side suspiciously at Derek who grinned wordlessly taking her hand over the table.

"This is nice," she said softly with a smile as he threaded her fingers with his looking right into her eyes.
"It is. I'm sorry it took so long for us to finally get a grown up date."
"Don't be silly, you know how much I love hanging with both Morgan Men, but admittedly it's nice to have you to myself for a night without interruptions."
"That's for sure. By the time we finally get some alone time the slugger has us completely exhausted."
"The kids is definitely a ball of energy, but he's cute and I wouldn't trade him for the world," Penelope stated affectionately.
"Well that sentiment is definitely mutual as not a moment goes by that he's not thinking of you. It seems I have competition in vying for your attention."
"Sorry, we've made a pact. He wins every time." She teased as he laughed,
"Don't speak too soon Penelope Garcia, I may just woo you."
"Oooh a challenge."

Entrée, Dinner and Dessert were all of Penelope's favourites, by the Entrée she knew that he had already planned their menu and everything was to perfection.

"You up for a dance before dessert?" he asked
"Sure handsome." She replied taking his hand and followed him to the dance floor where he drew her close to him, Penelope wrapped her arms around his neck as his enveloped her around her waist. Derek brought his forehead to hers,

"I love you P."
"I love you too." She murmured in response,
"P, you know I'm all in. That I want this, you, us forever…" he said pulling back to look at her. Penelope gulped for a moment uncertain as to where he was headed, not sure if she was ready for what he could possibly be suggesting,
"I know that we're still a work in progress, but nothing will change how I feel. It's you P, it's always been you and I'm sorry it took so long to realize that."
"Shh, it's okay Derek we're passed that."
"Are we?" he asked unsure,
"Yeah Baby, we are."
"Then marry me P." he said getting down on one knee pulling out a simple white gold solitaire ring out of his pocket. Penelope heart stopped unable to process it all in her head,
"Dirk…" she said tearfully pulling him up and throwing her arms around his neck burying her face on his shoulder as her held her close running his fingers through her curls,
"I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you, but are we maybe moving a little too fast? We don't even live in the same county." She saw his eyes drop in disappointment,
"Baby, I'm not saying no."
"You still don't trust me." It wasn't an accusation, but a sad realization.
"I don't trust myself. I'm sorry!" she said tearfully turning to go unable to stand the look of hurt in his eyes. Just as she was about to walk away he gently pulled her back into his arms,
"No running remember, talk to me P." he said cupping her face with his hand,
"I love you Derek, I've loved you for as long as I can remember. It is so easy to immerse myself in your world. I know despite the distance and circumstance, I am falling in love with you more and more as each second passes and that scares me because I can't control it. I don't trust myself to love you and still be me, I've only just found me, and I'm learning to incorporate you and me into that without having to lose the other, but it's a daily thing, and though I want nothing more than to be Mrs. Derek Morgan, I don't want to gamble what we have, it means too much to me. I'm not saying no Derek, all I'm asking for is a little more time." Derek drew her closer and placed his lips and her forehead. As he did he unclasped the chain with the cross he had given her and slipped the ring into it.
"I told you I was all in, so I'm going to wait, but P, I'm not asking you to give up who you are, I'm asking you merge our lives together, I love you because of who you are P, and I would never ask you to be less than who you are."
"I know that Derek, you're not the problem, I am. I've been so uncomfortable in my own skin for so long that I learned to hide behind my looks, and the persona that I created myself to be. I just want you to get to know the me that I am for a little longer, because this is who I am."
"You're crazy, I see you. I see right through you and I love you, but if you need time, okay. You got it."
"Thank you." Penelope wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
"You're killing me P." Derek groaned after an extremely heated kiss.
"I love you." She said giving him her best puppy dog face to date.
"I love you too." He replied with a shake of his head.