DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING, JUST MY O.C.

Time was passing quickly. Too fast for her liking.

She still remembered like it was yesterday the day she found out she was pregnant. She had so many mixed feelings: fear, love, hopelessness.

Of course, it wasn't easy being a mom at sixteen. She'd missed so much and skipped so many steps. Everything became even more complicated when her parents died and she was left alone in the world. Alone at the age of eighteen and in charge of a two babyboy.

Those were difficult times for her.

She sacrificed her youth, her time and her college career. But she managed to raise a good young boy of whom she was proud.

"Jamie?"

JJ pointed to the photo in the living room, just above the fireplace. She nodded her head slightly. There was no longer any point in making a mystery of it. She had been working there for almost a year and the team had become her family.

"Yes, that's my boy" Penelope said, still smiling. Then she heard a key turn in the front door "Speaking of the devil"

Jamie entered the house with his backpack over his shoulder and a huge smile on his face. All three women looked at him, though not in the same way.

His mommy looked at him with a smile that did not fit on her face as she approached to hug him. Other two women stood motionless with their backs to the fireplace, a look of surprise on their faces.

Jamie approached them somewhat confused, not quite understanding why those ladies were looking at him like that. The brunette could barely close her mouth.

"JJ and Emily, I guess"

The blonde reacted quickly and held out her hand.

"It's nice to meet you, honey. I'm JJ and this is Emily"

But Emily just looked at him with narrowed eyes and a frown.

"How is that possible?" the woman whispered very softly "He even raises his eyebrow in the same way"

Luckily for Penelope, JJ nudged her friend and made her react. Suddenly her body began to function normally, smiling at the boy who looked at her with a raised eyebrow understanding absolutely nothing of her fascination.

"Sorry, Jamie. It's just that you reminded me of Mor... A friend" Emily decided to change the subject quickly. Before she put her foot in her mouth again. "Do you like Virginia?"

The boy shrugged and smiled again.

"I prefer California, but this isn't bad" he grabbed the handle of his backpack with a half-smile "The girls are gorgeous"

Emily couldn't help but turn her eyes upward. It was too much. He was like a Derek Morgan teen version.

The young man closed the door to his room behind him and the two women quickly approached Penelope. There was too much to tell.

"Why your son is a Morgan clon? Is he his father? Is he your high school sweetheart "

JJ asked with her wide blue eyes, positioning herself to her friend's left.

"Im so sorry and forgive me but I really shipp you two"

Emily pointed with a smile from the right. Penelope lightly patted her arm.

"Prentiss, stop it"

She looked up, checking to make sure Jamie was still in the room. She had to tell him the truth but not like that. And not right then. She'd have to do it fast, though.

Her 33rd birthday was coming up and the girls had decided it was the perfect excuse to have a party. They had a lot to celebrate. Penelope's birthday and her new house. And it had been a year since they met. They called themselves Hotchner's Angels.

Penelope tried to dissuade them but to no avail.

"Boys are outside"

JJ's sentence struck her in the center of her spine. Fear now swam through her veins instead of blood.

Emily opened her dark eyes wide. Penelope knew instantly that it had been her idea. In fact, she was the one who got along best with the boys.

"Tell me they're not at my front door"

She was truly terrified to turn around. She didn't want to face reality. But her friend's face was a true reflection of what was happening.

"I'll lie to you if you want," Prentiss said without looking away from the door, "But that's not going to make them disappear"

Penelope grabbed Emily by the arm and they both went to the kitchen. She felt like screaming but couldn't do it. Just like she couldn't slap her pretty face either.

"Can I know why you did that?" she whispered through her teeth, hiding under the table and dragging the other woman with her. "What am I supposed to do now?

Emily looked at her with a frown.

"What are we doing under the table?" she whispered quietly "They're going to knock on the door and JJ is going to open it for them anyway"

Penelope closed her eyes, rubbing her nose eagerly. She was starting to get too nervous.

"Wasn't the fucking barbecue supposed to be next week?"

Emily sighed deeply. That had not been her intention. She didn't want to get her friend in trouble. She just wanted to throw her a surprise party. Besides, it had been Derek's idea.

She shook her head. That damned bastard always managed to drag her into his absurd plans.

"We wanted to throw you a surprise party for your birthday, Garcia. ¿What the hell was I supposed to know that you have Morgan's son living in your house?"

Emily whispered, moving her hands with every word. That girl was infecting him with her hysteria.

"Why didn't you tell us anything?"

"Because he's not his son. I don't know where you get that from."

Penelope looked down at the tips of her toes to avoid looking at the face of the other woman who was watching her with a total gesture of disbelief.

"Are you kidding me? You don't have a pussy, you've got a fucking copier between your legs. I have noticed, JJ has noticed and Morgan is going to notice."

She wanted to retort but really, she had nothing to say. Emily Prentiss was absolutely right. So she sighed deeply praying to all the known gods.

Footsteps sounded in the kitchen and both women could see brown shoes with black laces walking to the refrigerator. They were holding their breath.

"What are you two doing under the table?"

Emily shook her head and came out of hiding, followed by Penelope. There was no longer any point in staying there. It was obvious that they had knocked and sure enough, JJ had opened the door. She was sitting on the couch next to Aaron with an apologetic smile on her face.

"None of your business, Lynch. We were looking for lint."

Kevin looked Emily up and down, still holding the chocolate cake in his hand.

"Thanks sweetie"

Emily took the cake from him and put it in the fridge. When she turned around, she pointed to the door with a crooked gesture.

"Who is that?"

A totally unknown brunette girl walked into Penelope's house with a very happy Derek Morgan at her side.

Penelope felt as if she had been kicked in the stomach. The last thing she needed for her nerves was a stranger inside her house. She snorted with resignation, opening and closing her hands. She wanted to hit the man too much.

The new woman smiled at his nonsense just like herself years ago. Stupid girl.

He continued to behave like a carefree teenager. There he was, dancing to a 50 cent song with his black cap backwards and his sleeveless sweatshirt. God, Emily was right. Like father, like son.

Kevin Lynch's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"It's Jordan Todd. He's going to be working with you guys for a while"

Penelope bit her upper lip. She had to do something.

She approached Derek and ended his show by simply turning off the speakerphone. He gawked at her, pretending to be hurt. He even held both hands to his chest with too much drama.

"Tell me what's on your mind" he said, looking her up and down. She felt that familiar shiver again, "I'm eager to do it, whatever I can do. Whatever can be done."

"The Odyssey by Homer."

The two looked at Spencer in silence, standing in the middle of the living room with a bottle of wine in each hand and a big smile on his face.

"Did you know that the queen of Ithaca was named Penelope?"

She nodded her head.

"I love Greek mythology. Well, all mythologies. But that's my favorite."

Suddenly the woody scent of his perfume flooded her senses. She heard Derek's whisper from behind her.

"You would wait twenty years for me, my queen?"

Penelope sighed and snatched one of the bottles from Spencer. It was going to take a lot of alcohol to get through all that.

She went to the kitchen to get some crystal glasses and then noticed his presence at her back again. Her hand trembled as she poured wine into the glasses. She no longer knew if it was because of him or for fear of discovering her big secret.

Derek took the bottle from her hand and finished filling the glasses.

"Why so nervous, baby? Is thirty-three weighing you down?"

His sly smile made her want to slap him to wipe it off his face. Although deep down it was that same smile that melted her insides. She grabbed her glass and took a good swig.

Derek watched her with raised eyebrows but refilled her glass.

"And this one, take it slower. Don't wanna you throw up all over the cake."

He sat down at the kitchen table, despite Penelope's warning look.

"Poor Lynch has taken great pains with decoration."

She smiled. Kevin was really adorable. He was very shy but once he was confident, he was a fun man to talk to. Not that they had much of a relationship, they had only coincided in a few dinners and birthdays. But they had a lot in common and Kevin was always very polite to her.

"I don't mind Lynch coming, I like him a lot. For me he is one of my friends."

Penelope thought she had more important things to worry about but still, she decided to give voice to her jealousy.

"But I don't know what your new friend is doing in my house. Don't even know her."

Derek looked into her eyes for a few seconds that seemed like forever to her.He smiled in a way that told her everything. Penelope knew what he was thinking even before he opened his mouth.

"And get off the table"

But he didn't get off. He grabbed her wrist and placed her body between his legs. She should not have fallen into his trap. She should not have stood next to him.

She closed her eyes as the ball of sensations stuck in the middle of her throat kept her from normal breathing. She wanted to move away, she really wanted to. But a supernatural force held her still on the spot.

His hands were around her waist and she felt his fingers were magnets for her skin. There was no other explanation.

Penelope noticed his breath brushing against her chin. That was a sure sign that they were too close.

"Let go of me, Morgan" she whispered, placing her hands on his thighs to make the impulse to pull away. But her hands stayed there, doing absolutely nothing.

"We should go with the others. Your girlfriend is waiting for you."

But he was too stubborn and she was too vulnerable when there was no space between them.

His nose brushed hers, like a gentle gesture of affection. She could feel his smile millimeters from her mouth.

"Don't pull such a serious face"

She snorted reluctantly as turned her face away. Derek chuckled and that sound was so irritating to her that she felt like disappearing.

He put his hand on the back of her neck and began stroking her scalp with his fingertips. Penelope bit her lower lip. Fucking son of a bitch. He knew what he was doing. Of course he knew.

"What is it, baby girl?"

He whispered without looking away from her lips. Penelope swallowed hard, trying to smother the jealousy she felt. Of course she was jealous of that beautiful woman. It was a ridiculous absurd feeling. But there it was.

Derek gave her waist a little squeeze and he even dared to nibble on her lower lip, just before softening the bite with his tongue.

"Don't ever do that again."

His brown eyes bored into hers and a shiver ran down her spine again. He knew her too well.

A half smile graced his face. She blinked rapidly and pushed his shoulders to separate their bodies.

But hers was trapped between his thighs and his big hands on her waist didn't help. Penelope tried again to pull away but he held her there, right where he wanted her.

"Don't pretend you don't like me, babygirl. I know you want it as much as I do"

She laughed sarcastically as she finally managed to get out of her embrace

"Not everyone wants fucking you, Morgan. You're too smug for your own good."

She prayed she sounded convincing. But he lowered his chin slightly, looking her up and down with a gaze that stripped her completely naked.

Derek walked toward her. Slowly but surely. Like a lion cornering its prey.

She walked backwards but he followed her path, until her back collided against the wall. And his hard chest against her soft breasts.

Penelope felt his fingertips on her left thigh and had to stifle a moan. She needed to get laid to regain her mental stability. And fast.

"Don't lie to me" his voice was barely a whisper against her ear but his hand was moving safely up her inner thigh. "I know you're horny. I'd bet my neck you're so wet for me right now."

"Derek."

Her brain was telling her to stop that madness. But her voice wouldn't leave her throat.

"What, baby? Just tell me. Can't wait to please you."

He was looking at her with his eyes narrowed, the undeniable gleam of desire in his eyes. Penelope couldn't help but think that he still had such perfect features. And there he was, waiting for her permission to go one step further.

His half-open mouth let out a breathy moan as his fingertips brushed her panties fabric.

"God, you're soaking wet."

Penelope closed her eyes. He had just left her hand there, not moving it. She was struggling with all her might not to ride his fingers.

"That has nothing to do with you."

He gave a half-smile just before licking his lips.

"No, huh?"

"It's been a long time since I've been with a man."

He looked at her intensely but without taking his right hand away from her wet crotch. He turned slightly, checking that their friends were still going on with their entertaining chatter.

"You want me to make you cum?" Derek asked, turning his full attention back to her "It'll be quick. I promise."

She gulped. Good God. How could she even be thinking about it?

He ran his left hand up over her dress until he reached her breast.

Her head was starting to spin and not because of the wine. She was feeling sexually frustrated. It had been over a year since she'd had sex. And her vibrator was no longer enough. She needed a man. Penelope needed THAT MAN.

But he had one hand on her tit and one on her pussy, but he didn't move a fingernail.

"What are you doing?"

"Tell me I can touch you"

Penelope shifted slightly against his hand, never taking her eyes off him. Her eyes fluttered closed but he shook his head.

"I'm sorry but I need your pussy. I'm going to die if I don't touch it right now."

If they had been in any other situation, she might have laughed. He certainly was dramatic when he wanted to be.

His mouth hid in the curve of her neck, leaving wet kisses on her skin. His fingers pushed aside the fabric of her red panties, sinking his fingertips into her slit. She should have resisted but to her shame, all she did was spread her legs.

Derek pulled his head away from her shoulder to place his forehead against hers.

"You don't know how badly I want to fuck you right now."

She looked at him intently, trying to stifle her own moans. But then she heard her laugh. An unfamiliar laugh mixed with David Rossi's laugh. It was like a cold shower against her heat. A return to reality.

And the reality was that Derek Morgan had come to her birthday with another woman.

She grabbed his wrist angrily and pulled it away from her crotch. His gesture changed in a microsecond.

"Not going to happen. Especially not when you're meters away from your date."

He looked at her with a frown.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"The lady you invited to my party."

Penelope waited for his reaction but he just held her gaze and smiled. She watched him run his hand over the bulge in his jeans.

"I'm hard as a fucking rock."

She rolled her eyes upward. That man was a real bastard. He was the grown-up version of that teenage Derek. He had changed in many ways, but he was still the same when it came to women. He was still a heartbreaker.

"Well, I'm sure your little friend will take care of that for you."

Penelope gave him a shove, forcing him to separate his body from hers. He laughed slyly but looked at her with a huge grin.

"Seeing you jealous makes me feel so horny. Maybe I'm into dominant women."

She threw her head back and laughed loudly. Penelope gave him a sarcastic smile in return.

"I'm not jealous. I couldn't be. Papi got a hot chick and he's still here, trying his damnedest to get his dick into my pussy."

Derek licked his lips and walked back over to her.

"Don't ever call me papi again if you don't want to be spanked."

Penelope looked at him with a superior gesture even though she knew he wasn't finished yet. Oh no, he was never done talking.

"Although I think you'd like it."

He leaned against the door as his smile turned into a soft laugh that touched every nerve in her being.

"You'll never know."

She answered with conviction. With all the conviction she was capable of feigning.

Derek reached over to Penelope and stroked her cheeks with his knuckles.

"Someday you'll let me adore you, I know it. And you will never forget that day. Shit, all the ways I can think of to give you love."

Suddenly he turned away from her with a smirk, biting his lower lip.

"But in the meantime I'll keep practicing with other women. With the brunette sitting right there, for example."

She twisted her lip, looking at him with disgust. Though inside she knew it wasn't disgust she was feeling.

She felt as if he had ripped out her heart with his bare hands and then stomped on it. Yes, of course she was jealous. A jealousy that made her feel rage towards any woman who came within a meter of him.

And that was a feeling she hated. Because Penelope hated being so toxic.

Derek headed for the living room with a huge smile but she grabbed him by the elbow and pulled him back into the kitchen. She could notice everyone's stares on them but at that moment she didn't care. She needed to get Derek out of her place before he saw Jamie. She needed to talk to both of them, but not right then. And she didn't need to see that woman near Derek either.

Penelope tightened her fingers on his forearm as she whispered in his ear, "Get your whore out of my house."

He gaped at her, not believing what he was hearing. That wasn't Penelope. Derek didn't even know what to say. He just looked at her, watching her gestures.

Penelope clenched her jaw and opened her eyes wide. She had to reflect the anger in every millimeter of her face if she wanted Derek to take her decision seriously.

"Baby girl, she's not my whore" he said at last, too quietly so the others couldn't hear their conversation "Todd is our new co-worker. I was just teasing you."

She blinked rapidly and squeezed his forearm a little tighter.

"I don't give a shit who she is. I don't want her here. Does it make you horny to fuck that bitch in my bed?"

Derek was getting angry, she was sure of it. He was looking at her with eyes that seemed to pierce her soul. He ran his free hand over his face in frustration and seconds later grabbed her arm to place her against the wall. Penelope let go of his forearm and placed her hands at his chest.

"Do you want to drive me crazy? Because, believe me, you're succeeding. The only one I'd fuck in your bed is you. In your bed and in the middle of this fucking table in front of all these people if necessary. But don't break my balls, babygirl. Do I look likethat kind of a man? You really think I would ever do that?"

His voice sounded menacing and deeper than usual. Maybe he meant to scare her, but to her embarrassment, the reaction was being otherwise. She had to squeeze her thighs together to stop the sensation she was feeling where she shouldn't have.

"I think you're capable of anything. And now get that Malibu Barbie out of my house."

They were talking in very low tones but they both knew their friends were listening to everything. Maybe they didn't understand what was going on but they were making the effort to decipher their conversation.

Derek shook his head and walked out of the kitchen, sitting down on the couch in the middle of Spencer and Jordan. He looked at her from there as if daring her to make a fuss.

"I'm going to get the cake" Spencer stood up, the word 'awkwardness' written all over his face. "JJ do you have the candles?"

The blonde nodded and followed her friend into the kitchen to prepare everything. Penelope smiled like a fool, wishing that day would just fucking end.

But once the tense moments were over, everything went back to normal.

She had plenty of gifts, laughed heartily and drank good wine. But she couldn't fully enjoy her birthday. She couldn't help but look at the clock. Her friends had already been at her house for two hours. It was only a matter of time before her son came down to get something to eat.

Suddenly she felt hands grabbing her waist from behind.

"Did you like the necklace?"

She had to smile at him. His had been one of her favorite gifts.

It was a silver necklace with a moon-shaped pendant. He knew how she adored the star of the night.

Derek tapped the tip of her nose, still smiling at her in that way that melted her inside.

Why couldn't she hate that man? He had hurt her. He didn't even remember her. She had to remind him who she was that morning in that cab.

However, she had never managed to forget him. And if Penelope was honest with herself, she had never stopped loving him.

"Are you still mad at me?"

His question caught her off guard. She frowned, smiling as she answered him with another question.

"Why should I be mad at you?"

He pursed his lips and leaned against the wall, not taking his eyes from hers. Penelope knew he was suppressing a smirk.

"Your bout of jealousy earlier."

Penelope gawked at him as her palms began to sweat.

"I wasn't jealous."

He brought his smiling face close to whisper to her.

"You are a jealous one. And oh, I love it."

And in a second, his gaze dropped from his face. His seductive smile faded. His gaze lost its gleam of amusement. He was turning pale.

Penelope closed her eyes as her heart pounded a mile a minute. Behind her, her son's voice.

"Hello Mr. Hotchner. My mom has told me a lot about you"

Penelope could see the consternation on his face, without taking his eyes off their son. His son. The one she had hidden from her for so many years. That kid who grew up believing his daddy died.

"I take it you're Morgan?"

Jamie looked at Derek with a big grin on his face. A smile as bright as his father's. On a face as perfect as his father's.

Penelope closed her eyes again and let a few lonely tears fall. When she opened them, Derek had stopped looking at his son to look at her with all his pain reflected in his pupils.

"Sir? Are you okay?"

"Its not true" his voice sounded as broken as his heart, pricking every corner of her conscience.

"Please. tell me I've had too much to drink. It's all in my h-head, right? Right?"

Derek approached her in two strides and cradled her face in his hands. His chocolate eyes were filled with tears and she saw so much despair in them that she felt like most evil woman on Earth.

He needed answers and she could only give him silence. Silence and tears.

"You didn't hate me this much. Not to this extent. You would never do something like this to me, would you?"