You Know That, Right?

Note- This chapter takes place during season three episode fifteen titled "A Higher Power"

Chapter Two

"Office of the All Knowing. Speak to me."

Emily Prentiss snapped "What's wrong with Morgan?"

"Why do you ask? How is he acting?"

"Like a jerk. He won't listen to what anyone says about this case being the work of an unsub and not just a bunch of random suicides. He's being completely stubborn and combative. You sure you don't know what's bothering him?"

"I really couldn't say. Sorry. Anything I can do on my end?"

"Just keep digging into the lives of the victims. I have a new name to add to your list: Beth Smoler. S-m-o-l-e-r. And look into what drugs, if any, were found in the autopsy reports of the earliest victims."

"Got it. Garcia out."

Penelope starting type but her mind was consumed with worry over Derek. She had a bad feeling she knew what was bothering him and if that was true she had made a hell of a mistake by ever going on any dates with Lynch.

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It felt good to take down Peter Redding, a guy who saw himself as an angel of mercy, and Morgan relished the moment. He had pulled the man out of a car, thrown him down and slapped handcuffs on him.

In that moment, with the adrenaline rushing, Morgan felt better than he had in days. Between the time he had learned about Penelope dating Kevin Lynch and when they flew to Pittsburgh for this case he had been keeping busy every way he knew how. Always doing something physical in his off time to tire out his body so he might be able to sleep- like lifting weights, sparring at his gym, jogging, taking Clooney on long walks and working on his investment properties. He focused on each task with intense determination and did not let himself slip into thoughts about his baby girl being with another man.

It felt very hard to be alive this last week. Like he was drowning. But if he kept moving he knew that soon he could flash a smile again that was real.

At least he hoped so. He really had no practical knowledge in being broken hearted. His biggest priority was not showing anyone how he was feeling. Though the team was annoyed at him for his cranky behavior during this last case- arguing with their logic every step of the way- he found that better than if they all felt sorry for him over missing out on his chance to date Penelope. He never wanted any of them to know what went down.

It would make him feel dumb to explain to anyone how he could have gotten in this situation. Torn up inside over a woman that he had never kissed who pushed him aside for a nerd who could barely dress himself properly. The whole thing would be laughable if it wasn't so damn painful and pitiful.

Wasn't he supposed to be able to get any woman he wanted? Everyone thought that and told him that. But the reality wasn't that at all.

He only wanted one woman and she didn't want him back. He was trying to avoid her around the BAU and let other people call her during cases. But she called him earlier in the day- to report the toxicology results- and he had to act like he was just fine.

There was no use in telling her otherwise. She knew he loved her. It just didn't matter to her.

When the team got back to their headquarters Morgan was worn out, yet his mind was racing over the whole situation. He just wanted to get his paperwork done, go get his dog from the kennel, take him on a late night jog and then fall into bed.

When he spotted Penelope sitting at his desk, working on her lap top, his steps slowed. The rest of the team broke off to go their own separate ways, as Derek walked up to her. "What's up, Garcia? You need something?"

She popped out of his chair. Her eyes were wide again. Guilty as sin. "Hi!"

"Were you waiting for me?"

"Yeah...um...I was wondering if you wanted to go out and get a drink so we could have a talk."

"Something the matter?"

"No. I don't know. Maybe."

"What's going on?" He couldn't help it. He cared. He cared too damn much for his own good.

"I wanted to discuss with you this whole Kevin thing."

"You two having problems already? It hasn't even been a month, has it?"

"No and no....we're not having problems. We're great."

"Good to hear. You know all I want is to know you're happy, baby girl. He better treat you right."

"So you think it's a smart idea to date someone I work with?"

"Follow your heart, sweetheart." He focused on unpacking his briefcase.

"About that drink....?"she asked, as she fidgeted around behind him.

"Sorry but I'm bushed, baby. Maybe you better ask JJ to join you. You two would have more fun gabbing about your new man than you would with me anyway. Trust me on that. Tonight all I'm fit for is my couch, a beer and the sports highlights."

"Oh! Okay. Um....that's all right. I'll let you do your paperwork then so you can get out of here." She grabbed her lap top and started to walk away.

He turned and watched her leave. "Hey...."

She turned to look at him.

He stuck his hands in his pockets and his eyes got dark. His voice was deep and thick with emotion when he said "Its very good to see you getting on with your life after all that happened."

"Thanks!" she said, brightly, spun around and rushed off.

Derek let out a shaking breath, sat down and got to work on his files, completely ignoring how he could barely read them for the tears in his eyes. He went to the bathroom and when he came back he was under control again.

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Penelope raced away from Derek's desk and went straight to JJ's office. She knocked and after her friend said to come in she hurried inside. "I think I totally messed up the best thing to ever happen to me!"

"Calm down. What happened?"

"Have you noticed that Morgan has not been himself this last week?"

"Well, yeah, I guess. He's been kinda moody."

"He's nearly ignoring me! I have to call him. Go to him. Corner him almost to get him to look at me and when he does its with all this....pain...in his eyes and I'm just worried....did I do this to him?"

"Sit down. Take some deep breaths."

Penelope instead paced the small room. "What did I do?! I hurt him, my beautiful chocolate adonis who would give his life for me! I'm a horrible person. I don't deserve to have his love. Which works out great since I obviously lost it now."

"Did anything happen between you two that you didn't tell me about?"

"No. I told you everything that happened when he stayed at my apartment after I was hurt. He was fantastic to me. And, yes, like you know, he said he loved me but he couldn't have meant it as more than friends....could he? And even if he did he was in an emotionally messed up state because of all that happened. He didn't ever say that before. He couldn't even imagine a hot guy being into me! And they don't come hotter than him. He said he loved me because he was upset about all that happened and didn't want me to feel alone....right? He would have done the same thing for any member of this team, don't you think? Tell me that I didn't misread this whole thing and hook up with someone else right after he poured his heart out to me."

Slowly JJ said "Of course Morgan would protect any one of us."

"Right! He loves everyone on this team."

"Sure he does but there has always been something...more....a deeper bond...between you and him. And I don't mean the flirting you two do at all. Take that out of the picture and he's still closer with you then any of us. He lets you in where none of the rest of us will ever be able to go. And you do the same for him. Is he in love with you? I don't know. But you should know if you're in love with him. So....are you?"