A/N: First I'd like to thank you all for the wonderful reviews and for more importantly for sticking with me on this story. My life has been crazy and I have little to no time for writing. I'm hoping that things will settle soon but I don't quite see the light at the end of the tunnel. I apologize for that as I hate leaving everyone in the balance on stories but sadly there is nothing I can really do right now. It will probably be a bit before I can update again and I'm sorry. I do promise though to see this story through. I hope you enjoy

They sat at Derek's computer and researched possible flights to Chicago. As they reviewed the schedules Penelope took notes of things that had to happen before they could go. Things like packing for the trip, talking to their neighbors about their mail, and taking Clooney back to the Kennel. The list seemed to grown but neither of them seem too worried. If they planned this out right they could make the late afternoon flight.

"Oh my god Derek, do you realize it's 3am?" Penelope asked as she looked at the clock on the desktop.

"Baby girl, if we're going to make that list happen and still fly out tomorrow, we need to get to bed. Why don't you stay in the spare room? All your things are still there." Derek said.

"You don't mind?" Penelope asked.

"Actually, I'd prefer it. I don't want you driving home this late. We'll get an early start tomorrow. Besides, this way you can cook breakfast." He said with a grin.

"In your dreams my vision." She said giggling.

They turned off the computer and with plans all set, they decided it was definitely bed time. Derek walked Penelope to the guest bedroom and before turning around to walk to his own room he said "Baby girl I really enjoyed tonight. I've really missed this. I've really missed … us."

Penelope smiled and said "Me too."

Derek grinned and walked towards his room. He had spent the entire night with his best friend and he had had a great time. He always had a great time with Penelope. He felt at ease and could be himself with her. He trusted her 100% and unconditionally. He lay down and turned off the lights. Even though it was now almost 3:30 in the morning, sleep wasn't really coming. He was tired but he was so excited about spending the next week with Penelope that it seemed to overpower the sandman. He thought about the things he wanted to show her in Chicago. He would take her to see where he grew up, the schools he attended, and the places he would hang out. He'd take her to the youth center that he used to go to and now helps support. He was excited about being able to spend an entire week with his baby girl and not have to share her with anyone. Tonight he had realized just how much he cared for... no just how much he loved Penelope. He was in love with her and the thought of this brought a smile to his face. He would take the opportunity of this week to show her and to tell her. The last time he waited she started to date Kevin. He was not about to lose the chance he'd been given again. Hotch was right, he had to tell her.

When Penelope turned off the lights she closed her eyes to go to sleep but the smile on her face just wouldn't go away. She'd spend the night with Derek and truly enjoyed herself for the first time in months. He was always so easy to be with. She knew that fantasy of him would never come true but she was satisfied just having him in her life. Being with Kevin just didn't feel right to her but then again she knew that being with anyone that wasn't Derek wasn't going to feel right. He had set the standards too high for anyone to reach. She was in love with Derek Morgan but would never be able to let him know. For now, being with him and spending the next week with him was enough for her. She would have her Dark Knight all to herself.

The following morning, Penelope woke to the smell of breakfast. She walked into the kitchen to find Derek setting the table for them. "Good Morning doll how did you sleep?" Derek said smiling.

"Like a rock. I almost forgot where I was." She said.

"Come eat, breakfast is ready and we have a list to get through before we leave." He said.

They chatted as they ate breakfast and went over the list of things that needed to get done before they left. When they were done with breakfast, they both cleaned up and made the beds. "Derek, I'm going to head out and start with my list how about I meet you back here at 2?" Penelope asked.

"Baby girl I'll pick you up at your place, we can go in my car and we'll leave it at the airport." He said.

"Ok I'll see you in a bit." She said as she walked out the door.

As he drove to her apartment 4 hours later he went over and over the list in his mind making sure that everything done. He was so excited about this trip that his concentration wasn't all there. As he got closer to Penelope's he realized he hadn't called his Mom to let her know. Nervously he picked up his phone and called. He was nervous about telling her. He was nervous about his favorite girls finally getting to meet.

"Hello?" Fran answered.

"Hi Ma it's me." Derek said.

"Hi Baby. Is everything ok?" Fran asked.

"Yea Ma everything's fine. I was calling to let you know that we have a week off from work and we'll be heading up there to spend some time with you." Derek said.

"We?" Fran said.

"Yea Ma I'm coming with Penelope." Derek said as he felt himself blush. He felt like a schoolboy all of a sudden.

Fran smiled. "I'll finally get to meet the famous Penelope. Will you both be staying here?" Fran asked.

"Yea Ma if that's ok." Derek said.

"Of course that's ok. Penelope won't mind sharing a room with Des will she?" Fran asked.

"No Ma she won't. She can also have my room; I can sleep on the couch." Derek said.

"Nonsense! We'll have everything ready for when you arrive. When do you guys get here?" Fran asked.

"We'll be there by 6 and we'll be ready for some real home cooking." Derek said with a grin.

"I can't wait. The girls are going to be so happy that you're coming." Fran said.

"Ok Ma I'll see you later on then." Derek said.

"I love you Baby, I'll see you later." Fran said and hung up.

"Who was that Ma?" Des asked her mother.

"That was Derek, he's coming for the week and he's brining Penelope." Fran said.

Des smiled. She knew that there was something between her brother and Derek but she could never get him to admit it. Whenever they talked he always managed to bring Penelope into the conversation. "I wonder if he finally said something to her about how he feels" Des asked.

"We'll find out soon enough. For now let's just focus on getting this house ready for them. I didn't ask him any questions and you know Derek, he wasn't volunteering any information." Fran said.

"I'm going to call Sarah and see if he's said anything to her." Des said.

"Young lady, stop being such a busy body. He'll tell us his own way if there is anything to tell." Fran said.

Des smiled. "Come on now Ma, you and I both know you're thinking grand babies. I'm not going to pry, I'm just going to ask for some background here." Des said.

Fran simply smiled. She knew that nothing she said was going to stop Des from trying to find out. In truth, if she was going to be honest with herself she too wanted to know. She would always hear stories about Penelope and often wondered about her son's relationship with her, she knew there was something special about Penelope because her son seemed to be so connected to her. That type of connection was rare for Derek.

"Hello Sarah? Wait till I tell you the news." Des said to Sarah over the phone as she giggled.