Thanks for all the wonderful reviews, alerts and favourite stories I've gotten for the last chapter. I hope you continue to like this chapter as well.

Disclaimer: I don't own CM, they belong to CBS.

Chapter 2: Anytime you need a friend

Derek Morgan, one of the FBI's hottest agents, well according to the women working at Quantico anyway, was enjoying a very relaxing evening. It was his first night off in weeks and he had taken his time to go to the gym. The workout had been nice and long and after a much-needed shower, he had taken Clooney for a walk and run through the park. When he got home Derek realised that, instead of going out with his buddies and drink and dance all night, all he wanted to do was sit on the couch and relax just a little bit, maybe catch up with the world of sports for a change. He turned on some music, took a beer from the fridge and sat down on the couch. Sighing he closed his eyes and let his head rest, thoroughly enjoying the silence and comfort of his own home, while absentmindedly petting Clooney, who had taken place next to him on the couch and was resting his head on his thigh. This was going to be a very, very nice evening. No cases, no running around chasing Unsubs, just some music, the sports section of his newspaper and a cold beer.

Derek groaned when he heard his phone ring. He loved his job, but he really didn't want to go to work tonight. He checked the caller-ID and his mood lightened instantly the moment he saw who was calling him.

"How's my Baby Girl doing?" He asked with a bright smile on his face. It was always good to talk to his best friend. He loved the way they flirted with each other and their light-hearted banter never failed to bring a smile to his face. But not tonight; instead of a witty comment about the fact that he wasn't out dancing and having a drink with his friends, he heard her cry. His protective mode sprang into place right away and he sat up straight.

"Penelope, baby what's wrong?" He couldn't help that he sounded worried. Being in a job like his, his imagination came up with a thousand different scenarios, all picturing horrible reasons as to why Penelope was crying.

"Derek, could you come over here. I really need you." He heard Penelope say between sobs.

"I'm on my way." Derek was already on his way to the door. He quickly picked up his key and his jacket and ran to his SUV.

"Princess, please tell me what's wrong? Are you hurt? What happened?" He shot one question after another at her. The adrenaline had kicked in and in no time he was driving to her apartment. Even though she was hurting really bad Penelope could hear the anguish in his voice. She took a deep breath to gain some control over her crying and said: "I'm not h-hurt. Kev- Kevin and I… we broke up."

Relief washed over Derek, when he heard that his Baby Girl wasn't hurt, well not physically anyway. He knew that mentally she was a mess and that she probably needed him, now more than ever. His heart ached when he heard her cry, but somehow he also felt good. As far as Derek was concerned Kevin Lynch had never been good enough for his princess. She needed someone who could take good care of her and treat her like a princess and in his eyes Kevin had never done that. Reasonably speaking Kevin had always treated her right, but Derek knew that Penelope deserved so much more. She deserved someone who would love her unconditionally for the rest of her life, who would sweep her off her feet every single day, someone she could talk to and who would listen to what she was saying. She needed someone… someone… well she needed someone like him!

And suddenly Derek realised that he was in love with his best friend and had been for so many years. It shook him to the core, but he had no time to process, because Penelope needed him, so his feelings had to be stowed away, until later… much much later that is.

"Oh sweetheart, I am so sorry to hear that. I'm on my way. Just a couple more minutes," he said and he drove to her apartment as fast as he could, all the while talking to her on the phone. Derek didn't bother to properly park his car, but got out of it as quickly as possible and ran up the stairs. Luckily he still had his own key to her apartment, so when he reached her front door, he opened it to find Penelope sitting on the floor, knees tucked to her chest, phone in her hand, still crying. Derek did the only thing he could do. He sat down in front of her and wrapped his arms around her.

When Penelope felt Derek's familiar arms around her, she let go of her phone and buried her face in his chest. It felt so good to have him around, hugging her and talking to her soothingly. It took some time, but finally the flow of tears was slowly coming to an end. This was Derek's cue to take Penelope in his arms en carry her into her living room. He sat her down on her couch and took a seat right next to her, with his arm wrapped around her firmly.

"Thank you so much for coming Derek," were the first words Penelope said to him, since he walked into her apartment.

"You're ever so welcome princess. So, do you want to tell me what happened?" Derek gently asked. Penelope nodded and started to talk about how her relationship with Kevin had gone from fantastic to almost non-existing. She talked about all those evenings spent in silence, about her loneliness and her loss of a dream to be with a man she could love for the rest of her life and he would love her right back and about breaking-up with Kevin tonight. In the end she was almost in tears again, but fought them off. It hurt Derek to see his girl in this state, but he was proud of her strength.

"And you know what hurt the most?" Penelope finished her story. "The fact that I have totally neglected you and my family, but you most of all. I feel so bad for letting our friendship slip away and still you are here when I need you the most." And tears started to fill her eyes again.

"Oh Penelope, don't say that. You will always be my Baby Girl and I will always love you, you know that right? Come here Baby Girl." And Derek hugged her fiercely and kissed her on her forehead. A small smile appeared on Penelope's face as she heard the sincerely spoken words.

"I love you too sweet cheeks," she said, feeling better for the first time tonight. "You're the best friend anyone could ever wish for." With those words she hugged Derek back, not noticing the slightly hurt expression that was visible in Derek's eyes.

When they let go of each other Penelope suddenly realised that it was way past midnight. She felt exhausted from al the crying and talking and longed to go to bed. Of course Derek, being one of the best profilers of the country, noticed immediately.

"Time to go to bed and get some beauty sleep," he said as he stood up from his comfortable position on the couch. He then gave Penelope a hand and helped her stand up. She gave him another hug and whispered: "Thank you. I don't know what I would have done without you tonight."

"Go and get some sleep." Derek pushed her softly towards her bedroom. "Oh and Penelope… if there's anything you need tonight, anything at all, just call me. I will be right here sleeping on the couch and no… no arguments about that now. " Derek said with a determined sound in his voice as he noticed that she was about to object. Penelope closed her mouth and decided that she felt better knowing that Derek was only a call away.

"Goodnight princess."

"Goodnight Hot Stuff." And with these words Penelope disappeared into her bedroom.