A/N: thank you so much for the kind reviews Today was a good day and I've had time to write another update. I hope you all enjoy and please review
The following morning just as Fran was about to go into Derek's room to wake him, Des walked out of her room and closed the door. "Ma he's not in there, he's in my room sleeping." Des said.
"Why is he in your room?" Fran asked a bit surprised.
Des explained to Fran what had happened. "You should have seen it Ma, he got into bed with her and as soon as he hugged her and spoke to her she settled down. She never even woke up!" Des said.
"I'm glad he was able to help her." Fran said not sounding at all surprised.
"This is something that's happened before because he said that she stays calm when he holds her." Des added.
"Desiree Nicole you're bordering on gossip!" Fran said sternly.
"I'm not gossiping Ma. I actually hope that they are together. I like her and I love what she does to him. He's so much more relaxed around her. I just wish they would say something. They're both so tight lipped about things. They keep referring to each other as best friends. I have best friends Ma and I don't have THAT kind of a relationship with them." Des said.
"Don't you have school to attend?" Fran said trying to sound authoritive.
"I'm going. I'm going." Des said rolling her eyes as she left.
Fran stood there and shook her head. "I don't know what I'm going to do with that child." She thought to herself as she headed towards the room to wake up Derek.
Penelope's eyes opened as the sun shone through the window. She was still half asleep and trying to get her bearings when she realized that Derek was in bed with her. She was confused to say the least and then realized they were at Derek's house and panicked.
"DEREK! DEREK! GET UP! OMG what are you doing in this bed? This is your Mom's house!" She said to Derek as she quickly got out of the bed. "What if she finds you here? She's going to think something is up!"
Derek was startled out of his sleep and was confused about Penelope's rant. "What are you going on about, you had a nightmare last night and Des came to get me. It's ok Penelope" he said trying to calm her down.
"OMG Derek I'm so embarrassed. What are your sister and Mom going to think?" Penelope said nervously.
"That you had a nightmare and my son tried to calm you down. " Fran said as she walked into the room.
"Oh Fran I'm so sorry this really isn't what it looks like." Penelope said embarrassed.
"Sweetheart its ok. I know all about the nightmares. Derek's had them several times when he's stayed here before. There's nothing to be concerned about." Fran said trying to sooth Penelope's fears.
Derek got out of bed and went to Penelope to try and settle her down. "Baby my Mom isn't going to think anything other than I was helping you get to sleep." Derek said as he gently placed a curl behind her ear and caressed her cheek with his thumb.
Penelope looked at Fran and back at Derek. She was obviously embarrassed. "I feel so bad for waking up Des." She said.
"She's a big girl, besides knowing Des she went right back to sleep. That girl can sleep standing up!" Fran said laughing. Derek and Penelope both laughed with her and that seemed to put Penelope at ease.
"Baby, if it'll make Penelope feel better we can ask Des to switch rooms with you or Penelope can sleep in your room." Fran said to Derek.
"Oh I couldn't ask Des to leave her room. That would be too much of an imposition." Penelope said. "I feel bad as it is."
"Ma, Pen can sleep with me. It'll keep both of our nightmares at bay." Derek said as he placed his arm around Penelope reassuringly.
"That's settled then. There's fresh coffee in the kitchen but I'm afraid I'll have to leave you too now. I have some meetings that I couldn't move and I have to attend." Fran said.
Derek walked over to his mother and kissed her on the cheek. "Don't work too hard. Every time you have one of these meetings you wind up with all the work and no help!" Derek said.
Derek walked his mom to the door and once locked he went back to the room. "Ok our day starts now so get ready, wear something comfortable and wear flat shoes." Derek said.
"Where are you taking me handsome?" Penelope asked.
"For me to know and for you to find out." Derek said smugly.
"So not fair! How do I know what to wear?" She asked pretending to pout.
"No no no, there will be no pouting! It's not going to work! Just go comfy nothing fancy!" Derek said as he walked out of the room and headed to his bedroom to change.
Thirty minutes later they were both ready to go. When Penelope walked out of the room Derek couldn't help but think she looked beautiful. She had put on a pair of jeans that hugged her body in all the right places. The blouse she had chosen was low cut and Derek found himself staring at her like a high school boy.
"Is this ok?" She asked.
"Mmmm baby you look gorgeous." He said not able to take his eyes off of her.
"Flattery will get you everywhere." She said coyly.
"Is that right?" He said grinning ear to ear.
"Care to test that theory?" She said giving him the smile she saved just for him.
"Baby girl you're killing me here!" Derek said as she shook his head and started to walk towards the front door.
Penelope grabbed her purse and smirked as she walked past Derek and out the door. "I do believe I won that round." She said smugly.
Derek laughed. If she only knew what she did to him.
Des was halfway to school before she called Sarah to fill her in on the events of the night before. As they chatted and exchanged observations it dawned on them that they were both seeing the same things. The glances, the smiles, the slight touches and the nicknames. "Sarah he flat out told me that when she has nightmares she feels better and settles when he holds her. That means they sleep together!" Des said excited about her news.
"Des you know how Derek is, he's the one that always came to the rescue." Sarah said.
"Sarah, when do people have nightmares? I'll tell you when. They have them when they sleep. How can he comfort her if he's not sleeping with her? I'll tell you how. Because they are sleeping together! That's how! It's not rocket science here." Des said.
Sarah couldn't help but laugh at her sisters remarks. "Look Des I understand what you're saying and I agree but here's the thing, why deny it? They both say they are best friends. For now that's all we have from them. Why would they want to hide a relationship?" Sarah said.
"I don't know. I don't have all the answers. That's why it's up to you to find out!" Des said.
"Uh uh I'm not going to pry into their relationship or lack of one. When Derek's ready to say something he will. You know damn well that getting anything out of him before he's ready is a mission!" Sarah protested.
"And big sister, I have faith in your abilities to complete that mission!" Des said.
"I'm glad you have faith but that's all you're going to have because I'm staying out of it." Sarah said adamantly.
"OMG what is wrong with you people. Aren't you the least bit curious? Mom won't discuss this with him either. I'd like to know that he's found someone special and that he'll be taken care of. I like her Sarah. I like who he is around her. Don't you want him to find someone?" Des asked anxiously.
"Des I agree with you. I'd love nothing more than to know that he's finally put down his wall and let someone in. From the looks of it, he has whether it's as a friend or a girlfriend. Of course I want him happy and I'd like nothing more than to know that he's put his past behind him. If it's with Penelope, great. I like her too and I agree, he's a different person around her. I too like the kinder and gentler Derek but it's none of our business until he makes it our business. Until then you'll have to suffer it out with the rest of us. " Sarah said.
"Fine." Des said with a sigh. "I see I'm not going to get any help in this area."
Sarah laughed. "Des I love the fact that you're so passionate about things but really… when they were handing out patience you were standing in the wrong line!" Sarah said giggling. "I'll talk to you later."
"Yea yea yea talk to you later Sis." Des said and hung up the phone.