A/N: First off, thank you to those who have decided they want to see what else I've got floating around in my brain. This is my first story, although I think I've read almost everything out there that centers on Morgan & Garcia. This story started brewing in my brain about 10 days ago, and it became so detailed in my head that I figured I should probably write it down. I don't have a beta and although I've proofread it about 10,000 times, I apologize for the mistakes. Obviously, I don't own Criminal Minds.

Chapter 2 - Making an Entrance

Garcia unlocked her front door, dropped her bags and kicked off her shoes. She headed straight to the couch and collapsed with a sigh. She'd left the office with a smile and laugh, but was no longer feeling the joy of just an hour earlier. Yes, this weekend would be fun, but what would Sam have to say about it? She hated his passive aggressive attempts to control their relationship.

No, they didn't have any firm plans, but he just always kind of expects her to be available. She scoffs to herself knowing how ridiculous that expectation is because of her job. Kevin barely understood her job requirements, and he did the same thing. There is no way Sam could understand, but she'd hoped after all this time that he would at least try. And after all this time, why is she still comparing him to Kevin?

They had started out fairly casual and just when she thought they'd be ramping up to more, the last three months just bulldozed through her life. Even though she was here while the team was out in the field, with one or two exceptions of course, she was either at the office late or exhausted when she made it home. She tried a movie night here or there with him, but it just wasn't as relaxing or as comforting as the time she spent with Derek.

Derek just understood what she needed, when she needed it. He always had. Ten years is a long time to be so close to someone, but then again that's what best friends are – close. Of course, she was attracted to him, but she never allowed her brain to go there, even if her mouth talked about it often. She couldn't allow her brain to go there. She would never survive losing Derek's friendship if they didn't work out. She wouldn't be able to survive her job. Simply, she'd be lost.

So a long time ago, they moved swiftly to the friend zone, even if they always joked about crossing those lines. They loved how it riled people up, and she loved the fun of shamelessly flirting. On days when she was feeling less than her spectacular self, his flirting always picked her up and made her smile. It simply helped her get through the day. And the look of shock on people's faces at times didn't hurt either.

Penelope pulled herself up off the sofa and walked into the kitchen. Since she was taking a cab tonight, why not start off with some wine while getting ready. Her merriment is mandated tonight, right?

Text from Penelope Garcia to Sam, 6:05 pm
I know we didn't have any plans this wknd but I've got a work thing.

Text from Sam to Penelope Garcia, 6:17 pm.
Not even remotely surprising.

Text from Penelope Garcia to Sam, 6:18 pm
Will you be around in the morning to chat?

Text from Sam to Penelope Garcia, 6:35 pm.
Sure. Bye.

An hour later, as Meghan Trainor is blasting through the apartment, Penelope is dancing around while deciding on an outfit, trying not to dwell on Sam's response (or lack thereof). While her tendency is to lean towards a Cyndi Lauper kind of look when going out, tonight she's going more Marilyn Monroe. She decides on her new black pencil skirt and black V-neck sweater paired with ruby red stiletto heels and matching ruby red lips.

The outfit would seem sedate, but as she looked in the mirror, she realized how low cut the sweater actually was. You could absolutely see the top of her red lace bra. Deciding it wasn't too risqué for the team considering how much other skin was covered, she picked simple thin black frames to complete her look. Pinning the side of her long, blonde, loosely curled hair back with a sparkly red flower, she decided she was as ready as she would ever be for their team night out.

While checking her clutch for the evening's essentials, Penelope's phone started to buzz.

Text from Hot Stuff to Penelope Garcia, 7:38 pm.
BG, you ready? I'm headed out.

From Penelope Garcia to Hot Stuff, 7:40 pm.
Yep. About to leave. U know I need to make an entrance.

Text from Hot Stuff to Penelope Garcia, 7:41 pm.
I know u do and u know I need to see it. B safe.

From Penelope Garcia to Hot Stuff, 7:44 pm.
Calling cab now. 3 3

Derek stepped out of the cab ready to relax. A night out with the team, knowing they wouldn't be called in to work, was a luxury. He could relax, drink without worrying about driving and shake his ass on the dance floor. Thinking about dancing with his Baby Girl made him smirk. Maybe one day he'd actually get her to dance with him. He knows that she insists that she doesn't dance, but he's seen her do it before.

Dancing around the kitchen in the morning, around her room while getting dressed or even her office when she thinks she's alone, he knows she loves to dance. He's seen her do it. Knowing that if he called her on it she would stop, he's kept it to himself, enjoying the private show. Oh and what a show it is! Her beautiful curves swaying to the beat. The memories alone is enough to put a smile on his face.

Just as quickly as the thoughts come, he pushes them away. They were best friends, and he wasn't going to lose her because he was attracted to her. She meant way more to him than that. He couldn't lose her. He definitely couldn't do this job without her. But more than that, he isn't sure he could go on without her. He came way too close to that all those years ago. He decided in that hospital room waiting for her to wake up that he would do anything to protect her for the rest of his life, even if that meant protecting her from himself.

He walked into the bar seeing Reid, JJ, Kate, Hotch and Rossi all sitting at a reserved table.

"Reserved? When have we ever needed a reserved table here?" Derek asked the group.

Rossi explained, "Apparently they've got some special themed nights lately and it gets really crowded in about an hour. Since this is supposed to be official, I thought a reserved table might be a smart idea."

"Fair enough. Anyone need anything? I'm headed to the bar." With five negative responses, Derek headed in the direction of the bar. As he learned when he started dating Savannah seriously, he kept his focus on his destination and did not meet or return any eye contact. It kept most of the unwanted advances away, saving huge headaches later. If he needed safe, friendly flirting, he always had Penelope. In fact, he enjoyed flirting with her more than strangers. She got to be downright filthy at times, and he loved every minute of it.

"JJ, did you talk to Penelope? Is she running late?" asked Kate.

"No, but I'm sure Morgan knows. She probably just couldn't decide on an outfit." JJ responded with a small grin having witnessed the scene of clothes flying in every direction while Pen decided on an outfit.

Reid joined the girls' conversation, "Were you able to talk to Will and Henry before you left? Kate, have you heard from Meg?"

Kate smiled at Reid as she answered, "Yeah, I did. She thought that colonial Williamsburg was crazy. They even ate at a restaurant that was themed and run as a colonial restaurant, meaning they had no electricity and ate period food. I think she's looking forward to Busch Gardens more tomorrow."

"Did you know that Williamsburg was founded as 'Middle Plantation' in 1632, but changed its name to Williamsburg in 1699 in honor of King William?" Reid asked the group.

Kate laughed at him and replied, "And are you now going to tell us the number of horses in Williamsburg?"

"1,854"

"You can't possibly know that. There's no registry of horses for you to read in a governmental report." She retorted.

"You're right, but it's fun to watch you get worked up about it." He smirked in response. His smile reaching his eyes as Kate began to laugh at the trap she'd walked right into.

"Well, Will and Henry might not have eaten in a restaurant with no electricity, but they are getting plenty good Louisiana home cooking. I'm definitely jealous about that! Will was glad that we were going to get some time to relax and have fun this weekend." And just as JJ was going to finish her story, Penelope walked through the front door of the bar.

From the corner of the bar where Derek was picking up not only his drink, but one for Penelope as well, he looked up when the door opened. What he saw made him freeze in his tracks. Penelope smiled coyly at the doorman as he practically drooled on her, but continued past him like she owned the room. She chose not to make eye contact with anyone and just continued to the table once she spotted the team. Out of the corner of her eye, she thought she saw Derek frozen in his spot, just staring at her. Knowing it was at least someone who appreciated her new outfit even if it wasn't him, she held her head high and put a little extra swing in her hips as she made her way to her friends.

"Penelope Garcia! Are you wearing leather?" JJ exclaimed in shock.

"Oh sug, you know better than that! However, this lovely skirt is the finest pleather that money can buy." she beamed to her friend. Looking at their faces, she twirled around and asked, "Does it work? I mean, it's a little sedate for me, but I was trying something new."

Rossi quipped, "Kitten, if this is sedate, my old heart couldn't handle anything more potent."

"Oh you!" she said as she waved her hand away as to dismiss his words. "I'll take that as a compliment. Thank you!"

Shifting in his seat and somewhat ashamed at himself, "Oh I assure you, I meant it as one." And murmuring so that only Hotch could hear him, "And I'm glad I was able to say that before Morgan sees her. He's going to make her put on a coat." Hotch did his best to keep his smile and laugh to himself, while nodding his agreement.

Looking at Kate and JJ, she quietly added, "I thought it might be a good outfit for the next time we… you know!"

They both nodded their agreement with smiles on their faces but refusing to actually use words in case their giggles returned from earlier this afternoon.

Garcia sat down next to Reid in one of the two empty seats. "Hey there, my supreme genius! Where's Derek? He should be here already."

Reid looked at Penelope with wide eyes. It wasn't the question that floored him, but it was her outfit. He had never seen Garcia flaunt such raw sexuality. It's definitely not about the amount of skin shown. But the little she is showing, encased in vibrant red lace hinting at everything you can't see, is enough. The red lace, the black pleather, red stilettos, the clothing hugging her curves perfectly – all together, they drew a very seductive picture. "He's at the bar and possibly suffering from blood loss from the brain."

"What? What's wrong with him?" Garcia gasped not even remotely understanding what Reid could be talking about.

"Garcia, I say this as someone who views you as a sister and not even remotely interested in you that way, if I wasn't sober and did drink, tonight I might even wind up hitting on you. So taking into consideration that you and Morgan routinely discuss very sexual situations with each other, seeing you embody it tonight might make him react."

"Ohhhhh…" Penelope blushed. She wasn't normally so sensitive to blushing, but the idea of literally getting a rise out of the only and only Derek Morgan, sculpted God of chocolate thunder made her smile. "Well, I'm sure you are just being silly. But thanks, Junior G-Man. I'll take that as a two thumbs up on the outfit."

Derek Morgan was frozen in his tracks. All of the blood was gone from his brain and was heading south. Quickly. He thought briefly that she caught him gaping at her when she sashayed into the room, but she never looked directly at him. Her only tell was the way she swayed her hips with a little more gusto.

He always knew she was beautiful, inside and out. He always knew she was bold. But what betrayed her true self at times was her confidence. He could see the boldness with which she navigated life didn't always go all the way to her core. He could see when she used it as a shield.

Tonight she was shooting out confidence like tractor beams, pulling every man in the bar into her orbit. His eyes followed her to the table and saw that Rossi, Hotch and even Reid were now worshiping at the feet of his goddess. He couldn't hear what they were saying, but he didn't need to. She had definitely made her impression. She did tell him earlier that she wanted to make an entrance. Mission accomplished.

Now all he needed to do was stand at the corner of the bar and will his body to return to its normal state. Maybe a shot would help him relax, because he was anything but relaxed at that moment.

"Could I get a shot of tequila?" He slammed the shot back, completely ignoring the salt and lime. If he didn't calm down soon, it was going to be a long, embarrassing night. Looking in her direction, he noticed her slight blush and the surprise on her face, followed by a coy smile at whatever Reid had said. Just then she looked up in his direction. When their eyes met, he knew right then, it was going to be a long night.

He grabbed their drinks and walked towards her, his smile growing brighter and deeper the closer he got to her. The really was no point in delaying the inevitable.