Coming towards him was a completely different Penelope Garcia. She was thinner, and the clothes she wore weren't terribly bright. Her blond up-do complemented her face amazingly, and he couldn't stop staring at the way her clothes hugged her new curves. A dark blue knee length skirt with pink polka dots, and a sheer pink shirt with flowing sleeves that had a slit through the side wasn't her normal style.

She stopped at the table, and looked at him with laughter in her eyes. "Sweetness, its still me under it all. Trust me, I haven't changed... well, maybe a bit, but there's a pretty interesting story behind. These clothes are just what I had on hand since I didn't feel like unpacking."

He shook his head, and smiled at her.

"Then I hope you're prepared to tell me all of it... I'd say this warranted an in depth explanation." Standing, he pulled out her chair and sat her down. The scent of her hair drifted up, and he inhaled. It smelled like strawberry's dipped in chocolate. He motioned for the waiter once he sat down again, and ordered wine.

He looked at her, and just took in her new look. His heart stuttered in his chest and he stopped breathing for a moment. He could tell it was still her under the changes, but he couldn't stop staring at the person she had become. She exuded an air of unconscious confidence and grace. Glancing around, he realized that quite a few of the guys at the restaurant had been glancing her way.

"Goddess, I've got to hear this story. Start talking." He commanded teasingly. Their wine arrived, and he hastily took a sip to try and calm himself. His heart hadn't stopped beating at an accelerated rate since she had arrived.

"There is no way to make this a short story, so be prepared." She smiled at him. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, and listened as she launched into the tale of how the last year had gone.

"When I got there, I was already missing everyone on the team terribly. There were nights when I couldn't sleep because of it. They had assigned everyone a roommate, but mine was a couple days late. I couldn't help but feel relieved, since it gave me the chance to adjust, and make the room comfortable." She paused and took a sip of her wine.

"By the time my roommate arrived, I had thoroughly made the side that was mine homey. Weird and wacky stuff was all over my side, and she didn't blink. Just tossed her bag on the top bunk, and lay down. Derek, she was so tiny! A couple nights later, I heard her throwing up in the bathroom after dinner, and I just couldn't let her waste away."

"I confronted her about it, and well, it didn't go too well. But a week or two later, she just... dropped. Fainted completely out of the blue. I stayed with her 24/7 for a couple days, and when I was sure she would listen, told her I had a pact to make. If she would eat healthier, so would I. She didn't completely agree to it, but after a while, she took my advice. That was when I decided I missed you guys too much, and to try and complete the courses early." She beamed at him, exuberant in her success.

"I stayed up a lot of nights to cram for the extra courses, but after a bit, I couldn't do it anymore. My roommate started helping me out, quizzing me on tests and being incredibly helpful. I couldn't have done it without her." She looked a him over the entree that had arrived in the middle of her story.

He cleared his throat, and took a bite of his meal. He swallowed and then asked, "How did her and your health plan go when you were studying so hard?"

She rolled her eyes and twisted her mouth. "Horrible for the first three months. She didn't gain a pound, and I didn't have time to eat, but when I didn't, I couldn't concentrate. She and I finally decided to only study once we had eaten a healthy meal. They had a gorgeous park next to the campus, so we started going there as well. But lets not talk about the dreary stuff. How's the team? I hope you all behaved while I was gone."

He chuckled, and shook his head. "We've all missed you terribly. Somehow, calling for information from the new computer tech just wasn't the same without you. They have no clue you're back, so you, my beautiful goddess of knowledge, are going to let me know when you arrive so I can see everyone's reactions. This should be good."

She laughed at him, and he felt something deep in him relax. After all these months of little to no contact with her, it felt incredible to finally talk to the one person who could take him away from the stress of the job. The sleepless nights he had after especially tough cases had made him all too aware of the effect she had on him. Talking to her, flirting and bantering back and forth like they did provided something that was missing. He couldn't quite grasp what they had that made him such a mess without her, but whatever it was, he was grateful for it. The waiter arrived with a wine bottle, and he frowned. They hadn't ordered any more wine.

"This is complements of the guy at the table over there ma'am." The waiter handed Penelope the bottle, and scuttled away. She looked at it, and looked at the table it had come from. Derek turned and glared, but his view was hidden by plants.

"No scaring him off Hot Stuff. I can take care of myself you know."

Derek turned and faced her. "I just don't like my hot dates receiving compliments that aren't from me baby girl."

"Relax sweetness. I'm not going anywhere, and seeing as how this is one of the most expensive wines in the restaurant, I think it rather fitting to give it back since I won't be drinking it."

She motioned their waiter back, and quietly told him to take it back with her thanks, and an apology that she couldn't accept it. Derek sat back in his chair, still slightly miffed.

She turned back to him, and chuckled. "My dear Chocolate God wouldn't be jealous now would he?" She teased.

He smiled, and laughed with her, but something in him told him that the feelings warring in him weren't a joke.

I can't thank all my readers and reviewers enough! It was you that inspired me to get a chapter out early, but today is the last day of spring break, so next week updates might be slightly slower. I hope you enjoy this chapter, hopefully it doesn't seem to rushed! If you discover anything wrong, just let me know and I'll fix it pronto! A cookie to all my reviewers! Keep it up, you never know what it might inspire! xD