Chapter 7
AN: Getting better.... sometime help comes in the most unexpected ways....
The next day in Derek's life was completely rotten. He drank a lot more than he normally did that night after she left, and then promptly passed out in his bed. He woke up the next morning with the worst hangover he had in years. He was in a funk, and he needed to end it.
First thing he did was take a shower. Next thing, he called Tamara and officially ended it. He didn't feel right being with her when he so quickly slept with another woman. He needed a love interest, but she wasn't it. He wasn't certain anyone would be it.
Then he worked out like a demon was chasing him, and ignored every call, every person he came in contact with. Like a fool, he checked his caller ID though, just in case Garcia called.
She didn't.
Monday, he went to work, because he was going to be as normal as he could be. If this was nothing to her, something to forget, then he was going to be that way too. He actually had a bit of an epiphany moment- so many women it was nothing to him; with Garcia, it was everything.
Knock it off, you chump! He scolded himself. How many times do you need your ass kicked by that blonde?
So, he walked into the BAU, like nothing happened.
"Derek, what's happened to Garcia?" Prentiss said, coming over to stand by him immediately. "Have you heard from her?"
"No," he said. It was true. He didn't speak with her the rest of that night. A feeling of dread filled him. "What happened?"
"She didn't show up. We got worried, because she's usually here first. So JJ called her," Prentiss shook her head, her brow knitting. "She told JJ she was sick, but JJ didn't buy it. Said she sounded off, distant… not Garcia."
He tried his best to hide the guilt he felt. He wanted to make her bleed, hurt like he did. Seems he succeeded. "Don't know anything. Sorry."
Prentiss gave him an odd look. "Morgan, did something happen between you two?"
"No," he said, a bit too quickly.
It dawned on Prentiss then. Her mouth dropped open wide. Then she narrowed her eyes at him. "Morgan, you-"
He shot her the dirtiest look he could. She immediately stopped talking. If he looked like he felt, he knew the reason why.
"Look," she said after a moment. "I am not getting involved, but that is a nice girl. Not one of your usuals."
"Lay off, Emily," he growled, walking away from her.
Of course. He was the bad guy in this. They would all think that. Yet she was the one who broke his heart. Over and over. For nearly three years running. Penelope, the sweet angel who tore his heart out of his chest and stomped on it.
"Derek," She said behind him.
Oh great, he thought. She followed him. He turned and glared at Prentiss.
She looked at him with sympathy, which surprised the hell out of him. "You need to talk, I'm here." Then she walked away.
Then, three hours later, a very unexpected face walked into his office. Kevin Lynch stopped in front of his desk, a perturbed look on his face. Looking up into Lynch's determined face, he knew something was wrong. Immediately he worried about Penelope again.
"Agent Morgan," he said, his nasal tone grating on Derek's ears. "I have something very important I need to discuss with you. Can you please step outside with me?"
Derek couldn't think of anything he'd dislike more than stepping out with Penelope's lover. But he was a glutton for punishment. "Sure thing, Lynch," he said. "Your wish is my thrill."
Kevin stepped aside to let Morgan lead the way out. He was fine walking in front of the shorter, rounder man. He didn't want to watch his stupid ass leave the building anyway. Once they got outside around the corner where the smokers usually stood, Derek turned.
"Alright, Lyn-"
He never saw it coming. Lynch sucker punched him, hard, right in the mouth.