Note- This story is written for emzypemzy as part of Chit Chat for Author's Corner Christmas Fic gift exchange.
Please watch the dates on each section to follow the story correctly. Each chapter is a different year.
The Gift Is You
Morgan and Garcia
December 2007
Chapter One
(Winter snow is falling down.
Children laughing all around.
Lights are turning on,
like a fairytale come true) (The Gift by Jim Brickman)
She had always wanted to spend her Christmas vacation with him but before this year she never had the chance. In the past that had left her feeling rather blue at this time of year, not that anyone ever guessed it.
Penelope Garcia was darn good at putting on a happy front. So in year's past no one would see her loneliness, no one would witness her tears, no one saw her smile slip, she tried to hide all her fears and insecurities from the profilers she worked with- even if she couldn't completely fool them, she managed to hoodwink them somewhat. She was the first to tell Derek to enjoy his trip home to Chicago each year and assure him she had lots to keep her busy.
She'd throw herself full force into volunteer work to fill up her empty days during the long holiday when everyone else was off with their families.
Back then it wasn't like she hung out every weekend with Morgan anyway. It was rare to see each other outside of work. But she had always wanted to. She couldn't help the crazy crush she had on her best friend. Though she dated plenty of other guys nothing ever came of any of that because no guy could compare to Derek Morgan.
And that was especially true this Christmas.
Though the reason that he was being so attentive really sucked- she had been shot and nearly died- the attention itself was sweet and endearing. He could go overboard with doting on her but she still loved every second of being his top priority. She wondered how she would deal with it when this newfound deeper level of devotion faded away.
But for tonight it was here. For tonight he was all hers. And she was all his.
They stood on a chilly street in Washington DC staring at the White House, which was festively decorated, as were the surrounding streets and parks. Derek's stood behind her, his arms around her waist, trying to keep her warm with his body heat.
It had been her idea to come out here. He thought it was too much for her because she was still recovering from her surgery but she felt better and better each day. Since she was still alive she really wanted to live. And that meant getting up off her couch, where her and Derek watched movies for hours on end while sharing snacks, and getting outside to enjoy some of the holiday cheer.
Against her ear, he murmured "About ready to get out of here, mama?"
With awe in her voice, at the majestic look of the White House, Penelope asked Derek "Its looks like a castle, doesn't it?"
He chuckled softly. She could feel the reverberations go through his body. She loved being this close to him. Warm, safe, snug in his arms. Her heart raced fast in her chest over him. Maybe it was silly- after all these years of being just friends- but she still got weak kneed over Derek. It was about so much more than how he looks though. It was about his sense of humor, his wit, his intelligence, his big heart, and his kindness toward her and others. It took a while to figure this man out, and there were still things that confounded her about him, but she felt like she knew him better than she knew most people now.
It was an honor and privilege to be loved by Derek and to love him. Though her crush may forever be unrequited Penelope would not let that make her heart break. Instead she would always remind herself how lucky she was to be loved by him as a friend.
And try to let that be enough.
Tonight felt magical and she wouldn't ruin it by longing for more. Smiling slightly she looked up at him "If I was a princess who lived in a castle you would be my first choice for a prince charming."
He smirked. "I am far from any kind of Prince Charming, Garcia."
"Maybe to all your conquests," she started.
He raised an eyebrow in amusement.
Penelope went on "But to me you will always be Prince Derek the brave."
His dark eyes warmed as he smiled tenderly at her. Derek let go of Penelope and moved next to her. "Come on, girl, time to get you out of the cold. How does some hot chocolate sound? There's a shop over on Fifth."
"The only kind of hot chocolate that I want most you can't find in any kind of shop."
Derek laughed at her flirty words. "Watch yourself. The doctor has you on restriction."
"What the doctor don't know won't hurt him."
"You are crazy. Will you behave?"
"Make me."
"You are so gonna get it when I get you home."
"Oh, I've heard that one before. Are you gonna spank me for being a bad baby girl? Do you think you're up for finding out if I bothered to wear panties today?"
"Hush," he admonished her, with a soft laugh, as families with kids walked by them, noticing the flirty banter between them and the nearly sparking chemistry in the air. "Come on, silly girl, we are going to get some hot chocolate and you are gonna be good and that's an order, you feel me?"
"Hmmmm, feeling you, that would be the uber best Christmas present ever. Come closer and I'll tell you where I'd start."
Derek just stood there staring at her, his eyes dark and unreadable, while Penelope smirked happily. There was nothing better than making him speechless.
After a moment he shook his head,, as if to clear his thoughts, and then wrapped his arm around her waist. "Stop distracting me, you sexy thing." He led her down the sidewalk for a block and then they grabbed a cab to take them to the coffee shop for their drinks.
Later they stood on the sidewalk again, to get another cab to take them back to the parking garage where Derek's SUV was parked, when the snow started to fall down very lightly.
Penelope's eyes lit up and she smiled like a little kid on Christmas morning. "Ohhhh, its so pretty, isn't it, baby?"
"Hmpf. All I see are messy, slushy roads and possible car accidents. Oh, yeah, and something to shovel in the morning."
"Bah humbug! Come on, have a little holiday spirit. I didn't grow up with snow every Christmas. Its still a treat for me."
"Okay, angel, you have your treat," he said, in a tender tone. After a moment he chuckled, as he watched her practically dancing in the snow, trying to catch falling snowflakes. "You having fun over there?"
"I'd have more fun if you were over here with me," she flirted.
Derek hailed the taxi and then reached out for Penelope, to help her inside. She slipped and went falling against him. He caught her. They both laughed a little at their mishap. She stared up and into his dark eyes.
He was looking down at her with such adoration in his eyes that it took her breath away. Only lately were his feelings for her on such display. She knew it would fade in time, once he got over her being shot, but for now it was nice to know that he cared so much.
She didn't assume that it was more than friendship on his part though. The days when she thought they might actually hook up were long past. He just wasn't looking for that with her.
Or so she thought.
The way he was staring down at her right now was with a hunger and want, mixed with a gentle longing and sweet vulnerability, screamed so much more than just friends. Maybe she was simply imagining things?
Surely Derek wasn't interested in-
In a flash he went from just holding her in his arms, and staring into her eyes, to pressing his mouth against hers, pulling her tight against him (as if he couldn't get her close enough) and bringing a hand up to bury in the nape of her hair. Their kiss was gentle but firm, insistent, meaningful. A declaration: I love you, you silly girl, as so much more than just a friend.
She heard his heart in that kiss and when they pulled apart she was left breathless with her own heart gone. For Penelope's prince Derek, the brave, had gone that last inch, snuck in, and stolen her heart from her. Now she would always have to be his, or else live without her heart.
