She tasted of sweet wine and cherries, soft and responsive in his arms he closed his eyes letting sensation take over, plunging one hand into her hair, the other dragging her closer. Damn but it wasn't close enough.
With a jerk Penelope drew back, gasping softly.
'Baby girl?' Dereks voice was rough, pupils half blown, with a breath he met her wide eyes and tried not to flinch at the confusion and worry he saw there. She raised her hand to her lips, her lipstick was smudged and he'd never wanted anyone as much as he wanted her in that moment, but she was already backing away, shifting out for under him, putting on her too bright smile, the one she usually reserved for others but not for him.
The toot of a horn signalled the arrival of the overdue cab.
'Cmon sugar lets get you home' she looped his arm through hers and tried to act as if nothing had happened.
—-
Penelope woke with a headache, she hadn't slept worth a damn, and her eyes felt gritty as she fumbled for her glasses.
Derek had kissed her, really kissed her. For a moment she had revelled in his touch, before she remembered the alcohol and the fact that this was Derek. Her best friend Derek, and that this would be a terrible idea.
Their ride back to hers has been quiet, and he'd let her tuck him in on her couch with barely a murmur and nothing but a glass of water. She hoped he wouldn't be feeling too bad this morning, her stomach on the other hand was twisted in knots.
—
'I need your advice man' a tired looking Derek Morgan stood in the doorway of Rossi's office.
'I screwed up'
The older man looked up
'Uh Oh...'
He had hoped his two friends had cleared the air, they'd come in this morning together as usual, but Derek had got quieter as the day went on. He waved Morgan in.
'What'd you do?'
'I kissed her' Derek sighed without preamble, Rossi's eyes widened in shock.
'What did she say?'
'Nothing, absolutely nothing, we went back to hers as usual and this morning she's acting like nothing happened'
'Maybe she feels like nothing happened?' Rossi suggested diplomatically 'you two are awful affectionate'
'This wasn't affection man' a blush stole up Morgan's cheeks that the other agent kindly chose to ignore.
'Well then you need to talk to her, tell her what's going on' morgan rubbed his hand over his face
'im not sure I know'
'Yeah you do, you're just afraid she doesn't feel the same way. But let me tell you something, after 3 wives one thing I do know is that there's no point in second guessing women, talk to her'
—-
Penelope watched from behind her sparkly rimmed glasses as Derek left Rossi's office. Things had been weird but not as bad as she feared, maybe he didn't remember last night properly. She sighed, a case had come in, a bad one. Her hand held a file of pictures she knew better than to look at. Pushing her anxiety to one side she knocked on Hotchs door.
'Bossman?' He nodded and gestured for her to come in
'Youre ready to present the case?' He asked
'Yep'
'Good' he paused then added 'and Garcia you'll be coming with us for this one, we'll need you in the field'
