AN: Thanks so much for the reviews, guys! We're cookin' with gas now...Speaking of cooking, starting today, my work is officially closed, and I am on vacation for the next four weeks until I start my new job (Wish me luck!)—the fanfic kitchen for me is open! LOL...

Chapter 8

When Reid's lips touched hers, it was exactly what Emily had thought it would be: soft, sweet, and gentle. Exactly like his temperament was most of the time and how he treated her—that was how he kissed her. It wasn't exactly thrilling, but she could work on that. After all, he was younger than her, and she—

At that moment, something must've shifted, because he drew her even closer and completely blew her mind.

Gone was sweet and gentle, to be replaced with hot, heavy, and deliciously wet kisses. He gripped his hands on her bottom, growled and lifted, aligning their bodies and molding her against him. He angled his head the perfect way, deepening the kiss until she had no recourse but to open completely and let him plunder.

She clung to him, her hands gripping his biceps tightly, kind of in shock, because she really hadn't expected this. Whoa, this boy could kiss! She even felt her knees grow weak and jellylike, and Prentiss was not the kind of person who showed weakness—even in passion.

When he raised his head again, she opened her eyes and looked into his smiling countenance. There was an expectant look on his face, along with just a touch of smugness that on any other man would've been irritating.

Slowly, she removed herself from his arms and centered herself back on her feet. She straightened her crooked shirt, and then wiped her thumb along her kiss-bruised bottom lip. "You've been holding out on us, Reid, haven't you?"

He shrugged. "I've never felt the need to counter those innocent claims foisted on me," he remarked, and then gave her a little predatory grin that made her toes curl. "Until now, of course."

She nodded quickly. "Oh, of course."

"So, Salty Sally," he said with a smile. "Where to now?"

She winked at him, ready to play again. "Yarrr, matey! Ye be nothin' but skin and bones! T'the turkey leg stand with ye!"

Reid nodded, took her hand, and yelled, "Yarrr!"


Hours later, Penelope stood between Hotch and Rossi, feeling terribly disappointed. She had sulked even more when Reid and Prentiss had shown up. The two of them hadn't announced anything, but their body language declared they were an item. They couldn't stop touching one another, and Prentiss was now staring at him and cheering every move he made on the board like it was the nineties and he was N'Sync.

Not only that, Marian and Robert kept giving one another besotted glances across the chess board. It was ridiculous that Marian had to sit on Reid's, aka Robin Hood's, side of the board; it was obvious she was smitten by the sheriff. Still, they had to play the part in this ridiculous faire...something Penelope wished she'd never gone to now.

Hotch had shown up later in the evening with his girlfriend, Sharon. Because they were late to the tournament, neither Hotch nor his lady love showed up in costume. However, Jack had a little wooden sword and a shield and had been pretending to fight dragons for Henry's benefit.

Rossi stood with his fiancée, Betty-Anne, eating a turkey leg and wearing a glittering crown, sort of like Henry VIII. He'd forgone wearing a costume—he was far too urbane for anything but headgear of some sort—but Betty-Anne had worn a gypsy costume, complete with veils, jeweled coins around her waist, and finger cymbals. It was a successful costume; it kept Dave on his toes around her.

Grumbling to herself, Penelope thought of how similar Rossi and Derek were. He was too cool to wear a costume, too. She frowned even harder, causing her forehead to ache even more. She wished she'd stop thinking about him. It was so hard, being surrounded by so many couples that were romantically involved with each other.

For the first time in her life, she hoped and prayed Derek wouldn't show up. She always loved being with him, but at this moment, she couldn't do it. Derek, of course, would indeed show up and stand right by her, buddy that he was, and be repentant...but not notice what was really wrong.

That would kill her even more.

She was still heartbroken. Every day he was with her—every day—and yet, he never really saw her. To say those words, that a man would be blind not to notice someone in love with him, was like a direct slap to her. She'd had seven years of pining for him, for heaven's sake! Yes, she had Kevin, but she'd always put Derek on a far higher level. He had to have seen that...

Hadn't he?

At that moment, she noticed that Marian gestured for her to come over. Begrudgingly, she did. "Hello."

"How fair thee?" Marian asked, concern written in her forest green eyes.

"Not great, Marian."

The other woman paused, and then began softly, "Penelope… by any chance, did you think about what I had said earlier?" She truly looked far lovelier than she had earlier, the glow of love in her cheeks and radiating throughout her petite body.

Penelope's head hurt so much, she couldn't focus on anything, much less some barb Marian had said. "What was I supposed to be thinking about?"

Marian sighed and gave her a look that told her she should've been thinking. "I said you were blind to your own situation, remember?"

"Yes, but—"

"Did you ever think that maybe he was, too?" Marian interrupted, arching a fine brow at her. "That perhaps he thought he wasn't what you wanted, either?"

It seemed preposterous—the man was gorgeous, who wouldn't want him?—but she could see that happening. "Yes, but—"

"Men are simple creatures, Penelope. You learned that today watching me," she said again, dismissing Penelope's retort. "If you can forgive yourself for not stepping up to the plate to tell him precisely what you wanted…can't you forgive him, too?"

Penelope pondered that, thought about her history with Derek, and the probabilty of the situation became far closer to an actuality. "I suppose I can," she whispered softly.

"Good!" At that moment, Robert made a move that put Reid in a precarious position on the chess board. "Oh, excuse me….Huzzah, Sheriff! Excellent move!"

As she began to walk away from the crowd a bit, a familiar voice rang out behind Penelope.

"Hello, milady."

Penelope turned and couldn't believe her eyes. Standing there was Derek, dressed in a colorful court jester costume—purple, yellow, and green—complete with a hat with two points and bells on the end. It was rather ridiculous looking, and despite herself, she couldn't help but smile.

"Derek," she said, and then she chuckled a bit. "You're wearing hosen."

He shook his head, and the bells rang. "They're tights."

She was chuckling even more when she said, "Why…are you dressed like that?"

"Because, Princess," he said, stepping closer to her. "Jesters are known for being fools, right?" His warm, sincere melted chocolate eyes took her breath away. "Well, there's no bigger fool than me."

As the meaning of the gesture sunk in, her heart began to race and tears sprung to her eyes. Before she could respond, he stood even closer.

"There's a double meaning, sugar," he said softly, cupping her face in his hands. "I'm a fool in love, too."

"Oh, Derek…"

"Can you forgive me?" he whispered, using his thumb to wipe away an errant tear that had snuck down her cheek. "I've been such a blind idiot, Baby Girl."

"If you can forgive me," she replied. "I'm so sorry."

"I needed that," he said quickly, smiling at her. "Landing on my ass woke me up."

She giggled. "I'm usually a pacifist!"

"You're forgiven," he teased, and then the teasing glint left his eyes. "I love you, Penelope, you know that, right?"

"I love you, too."

He grinned at her again. "Does your nose itch, sweetheart?"

She laughed again.. "No, why?"

"Shoppe keeper told me your nose itches before you kiss a fool," he murmured hopefully.

Slowly, keeping his loving gaze locked with her own, Penelope brought her index finger to her nose…and scratched the bridge right under her glasses.