A/N: I know it's been a very long time and I apologize. Between real life taking over and then my Muse deciding It was going on vacation, this story has taken a back seat. I've struggled with this chapter and I can't say I'm 100% happy about it, but I'm hoping Muse will decide to come back and play.. in the meantime please enjoy and all reviews are welcomed.
On the way back to the house, they had both decided that it made sense to just leave all the clothes they had brought with them. They'd be back in two weeks and would only be bringing them back anyway. As soon as they arrived home, they set out to wash all the clothes and put together the things that they would be taking with them, which wasn't much. Penelope packed up her laptop and placed her toiletries in a small handbag so as not to forget anything. With everything under control, Derek headed towards the shower.
"I'm going to take a shower Baby; I wouldn't mind some company in there." He said giving her that smile that had her melting every time.
"Mmmm as inviting as that is Angel, that's one memory I'd like to make at home." She said as she walked over to him. Wrapping her arms around him she gently kissed his chest and looked up at him. "This whole trip has been about making new memories, I don't want to look back on this and think that our first time being together was wrong because we snuck around in your Mom's house. I want it to be special and not rushed because we think someone came home. Please don't be mad at me." She pleaded.
"Baby, I could never be mad at your for that. In fact, I love that you respect her so much. It's one of the many qualities about you I love." He said and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "We have a lifetime to make memories."
Penelope smiled. "Go shower, I'll finish up with the clothes and put them away. "She said.
Derek walked out of the shower and wrapped a towel around himself. His body glistening with water beads as he walked into the room. Penelope smiled at him.
"Whaat?" He asked.
"Nothing Baby, you're just making this whole do the right thing so very hard. It really should be illegal to look as good as you do." She said. "You should come with some sort of warning label… caution Always Hot."
Derek couldn't help but laugh. "You're a silly silly woman." He said. "Go take your shower before I lose the little amount of control I have around you and drop this towel."
"Ohhh threatening me with a good time is so going to get me to behave… NOT." She said grinning.
Derek smiled. "Is there anything left for me to do for the bags or did you finish already?" He asked.
"All done gorgeous. The clean clothes are put away too, there is only one load left in the dryer just keep an eye on that and I'll get it when I'm out of the shower." She said as she walked into the bathroom.
Derek was getting dressed when he heard the front door open and close. Judging by the time he knew it had to be his Mom. He finished up and went down to greet her. He knew she would make a big fuss about dinner and he wanted to make sure she didn't go overboard.
He walked into the kitchen to find her unpacking some grocery bags. "Want some help?" He asked.
Fran quickly turned around and smiled at her son. Every day he looked more and more like his father she thought. "I'm ok baby why don't you go and watch some TV while I get things ready." She said.
"Ma if I don't stay here and help I know you'll spend most of the night in this kitchen preparing and serving enough food to feed the neighborhood. I want to make sure you keep it simple. We'll be back in two weeks so there's no need to go all out." He said as he walked over to her to hug her hoping he could stop the protest that was beginning to form on her lips.
Fran smiled as her son, who towered above her wrapped his arms around her and practically lifted her off the ground. Fran placed her hands gently around his face and said "Do you have any idea how happy I am that you found Penelope?"
Derek smiled at her. "As happy as I am?" He asked.
Fran simply smiled and nodded.
Derek helped by putting things away as Fran set up to prepare dinner. "Where's Penelope?" She asked.
"She's taking a shower, I'm sure she'll be down soon." He said as he put away some canned goods.
"Have you two spoken to the team yet?" Fran asked trying to mask her concern over the no frat rules.
"They know we're headed back tomorrow and we'll be getting together but they have no clue about us. We sort of wanted to talk to Hotch first but we're not sure how we're going to do that. We might head over to his house when we land. This way we can give him a heads up." Derek said. "Stop worrying Mom, I'm sure it'll be ok. Penelope isn't technically a part of the team although she's pretty assigned to our team. Rossi will handle it; he has a way with our Director." Derek added raising his eyebrows as those last words were spoken hinting at something he couldn't completely confirm.
"You'll call me when you know?" Fran asked.
"I promise." He said and smiled.
After dinner, they all helped to clear the dishes and clean up. They had all agreed that a good game of cards would be a great way to end the night. Derek and Penelope needed to be at the airport no later than 7am so by 9 that evening they'd called it a night. Hugs and kisses were given out as Derek insisted that nobody needed to be awake that early in the morning. "We'll be back in two weeks, no need to make a big deal of our leaving." He'd argued. Fran however had made it clear that there was no way her Son and future daughter were getting on a plane without a proper breakfast.
Breakfast was ready at 5am. Fran had set the table and waiting for them to down. As much as she loved it when her son came to town, it was this moment she always dreaded. She hated that he lived so far away but understood that his job required it. Still, saying goodbye was always hard. Derek and Penelope walked into the kitchen. The smell of breakfast leading them directly there.
"Ma you didn't have to do this." Derek protested as he sat down and immediately reached for plate of pancakes on the table."
Fran laughed. "I know I didn't HAVE to I wanted to." She said. "Penelope sweetheart, sit and eat."
Penelope usually didn't eat in the morning, coffee was her only staple but she knew that there was no way Fran would let her leave without having something. After finishing up, Penelope went to clear her plate and Fran stopped her. "Don't even think about it. You two are going to be late." Fran said. "I'll take care of this after you leave."
They said their goodbyes at the door with reassurances that two weeks would fly by. As they drove off to the airport, Fran waved until they were out site. It would be a long day for her waiting for the outcome of the discussion with the team.
As Derek and Penelope drove to the airport, they were silent. Each thinking about the team and what the reaction would be. Derek finally broke the silence.
"You still think we should show up at Hotch's house?" He asked.
Penelope nodded. "He really should be the first to know. Derek I was thinking..." she said but he quickly interrupted her.
"You're not leaving the BAU. Let's talk to Hotch before we both go making any decisions that may or may not be necessary." He said. Squeezing her hand gently.
Penelope tried to smile. She knew they had a hurdle ahead of them. She knew the team would be happy for them but it was Strauss that she was concerned about. Strauss had it out for the team and she knew that this would be the one thing she could use to finally break them apart. There was no way she would allow for that to happen. She wouldn't be able to live with herself if her and Derek's relationship was the avenue by which Strauss would finally win.
The plane ride home was quick. After landing, they headed to the parking lot towards Derek's truck. Once on the road, it was Derek who called Hotch.
"Hey Hotch, I'm sorry to call so early but is it ok if Penelope and I come by your place? There's something we'd like to talk to you about." Derek said. "Ok, we should be there in about 15 minutes. See you then." He said as he flipped his phone off.
He squeezed Penelope's hand and smiled. "Just take deep breaths; you'll see this will be fine." He said reassuringly.
Penelope nodded. She couldn't seem to get any words out. The butterflies in her stomach were quickly becoming tennis balls. At least that's what it felt like.
Derek noticing her concern pulled off to the side of the road. Turning to face her he gently placed his hand on her cheek, his thumb softly caressing it. "Baby girl, we've come too far to just give up. This has been a long time coming. I'm not giving up without a good fight." He said. "Nothing is going to change how I feel about you or US."
A single tear began to fall against Penelope's cheek and he quickly rubbed it away. She leaned against his hand and closed her eyes. "I'm scared." She said so softly it was barely a whisper.
"Nothing to be scared about, I'm not going anywhere." He said as he placed a gentle kiss on her lips.
She looked into his eyes and could see his determination. She wasn't questioning that at all. She had waited a long time to be with him. Hell, she'd loved him from the start and she wasn't about to walk away from this. She just couldn't help wondering if their determination would be enough to keep everyone else together.