'She is flirting with him' Derek Morgan half growled moving next to Rossi at the bar. Rossi glanced up at Garcia who was indeed flirting with a handsome looking guy in a suit on the other side of the room, her hand on his arm as she laughed.

'Yep' he replied returning his gaze to his glass of Jack. Dereks eyes narrowed

'Is that all you can say?'

Rossi looked up again

'Yep.'

'I don't like the way he's looking at her. Somethings not right' with a sigh Rossi looked up again. The guy seemed perfectly decent to him, no weapons, no hands everywhere and the fact he had just bought penelope a drink meant he was at least moderately solvent. He looked at Derek

'Let me buy you a drink'

—-

A couple of hours later and SSA Rossi wasn't sure buying drinks had been a good idea. His initial offer had lead to Dereks and before long Morgan was half a bottle down. Hotch has long since gone home, JJ was with Will enjoying a rare date night and Emily's only contribution to the evening had been to accept his drink then giggle over Garcia 'getting lucky' before going to chat to some British guy...yeah that had helped...

Finally Garcia came sashaying over, her eyes sparkling. She grinned at them

'How's my two favourite boys? Having fun?'

she gestured at Emily 'Someone is' she laughed.

'Who's that guy' Derek asked none too steadily.

'Oh that's Andrew' Penelope's eyes sparkled

'He's a lawyer over at Bemptons'

'A lawyer really?' He voice was sharp.

'Yes really, he showed me his card, they've been having some issues with their internal server...'

'Are you going home with him?' Derek snarled interrupting.

'What' Penelope straightened 'business would that be of yours Derek Morgan?' a flush rose across her cheeks. Derek pushed up from the bar stool, swaying, head spinning he almost stumbled. Rossi grabbed one arm just as Penelope went to grab the other.

'How much has he had to drink?'

Derek didn't know what was wrong with him, he'd seen her hook up many times before and she was right it was no business of his. Why was tonight different? Urgh but he just couldn't stand to watch any longer unfortunately when he went to leave legs wouldn't seem to cooperate. He mumbled something about air, hoping Rossi got it.

Rossi gestured to the empty glasses with a wry slight grimace. Penelope sighed. Then put her hand on Dereks shoulder, her face swam in front of his and he tried to smile reassuringly.

'Wait here hot stuff, I'll be back in a minute'

'She's gonna be mad' Derek slurred to Rossi, watching her walk across the bar.

'Yeah she is'

It wasn't like Morgan to drink so much, what the hell had gotten into him? Penelope quickly made her excuses to Andrew, who accepted them with good grace and asked her out for dinner the following Wednesday, the hurried back to Derek and Rossi.

'Alright sugar, lets get you home'

'Home?' She laughed gently.

'Yeah hot stuff, home where you can sleep some of this alcohol out of your system' she tucked his arm about her shoulder, he leaned into her heavily.

'Geez lover did you even eat before coming out tonight?'

'Are you going to be ok getting him back?' Rossi asked. Penelope smiled

'I called a cab, we'll be fine.' He raised his glass in mock salute and she kissed his cheek.

'Goodnight'

Rossi watched them move slightly unsteadily across the bar as Emily appeared at his side.

'She gonna be ok? Should I go with her?' Rossi turned away.

'They'll be fine, or at least she will be, I've just listened to Derek talk about her all night, maybe he'll try talking to her now'

The cold air hit Morgan like a slap in the face, helping sober him slightly. He straightened conscious of his weight on Penelope as they waited outside the bar.

'Easy tiger' she soothed, anxious incase he fell. He turned and buried his head in her hair making her stumble back against the wall. She smelled of peaches and maybe lavender he couldn't tell.

'Whoa' she whispered.

'We're gonna miss the cab if I can't see it pull up' she pushed him back softly. He didn't seem able to move away. His arms tightened around her, burying his face deeper into her neck.

'Derek?' Her voice seemed to be coming from a long distance. He could feel her pulse beneath his cheek, it drowned out everything.

'Derek?' She was worried he could hear it, he tried to nod, but his head didn't move. She was running her hands up and down his back, whispering.

'It's ok baby, it's ok.'

He took a deep breathe and drew back, meeting her eyes, she was frowning, concerned, he lifted his hand and smoothed at the line, her red lips parted slightly in surprise.

'I'm sorry' he offered a small self deprecating grin.

'No need sugar' she smiled back but her voice was quiet, worried. He could feel her breathe on his face she was so close. The street spun slightly and he just had time to see the shock in her eyes before he did what he'd been dying to do all night and bought his mouth down on hers.