A/N: I think we're done with angst… whew! Not sure how far we're going with this, now…

BTW: Renaissance faire this weekend, so apologies for the delay. FYI, I own nothing.

It had started raining, a heavy downpour washing the world as Derek followed Penelope to her apartment. It was as if the heavens had opened to pour absolution over them both, washing them both clean of the pain and anger they had caused each other, to start anew, refreshed, ready to go forward hand in hand into their future.

They parked and ran to the door, Penelope giggling as they both got drenched by the rain.

Whipping the door open, they darted inside and ran up the stairs, finally reaching her apartment where they collapsed against the closed door, laughing as they took in each other's disheveled, sopping appearance.

Locking eyes, they stepped to each other, lips uniting in a searing magnetic kiss. Derek gripped her tightly, her damp body shivering, but with cold or desire neither could say. She moaned as he ran his hands over her body, and he took that moment to plunge his tongue deep into the sweet recess of her mouth, tasting her, exploring, claiming it as his territory, forever. The broke apart, panting, gasping for air.

She had never looked more beautiful to him. Her hair hung limp and wet around her face, her dress plastered to her flushed skin, her lips soft and swollen from his fevered kiss. Penelope squirmed under his gaze, realizing what a mess she must look after standing in the rain. She pulled away with a shy smile, heading to her bedroom to check a mirror. He followed her quietly, wrapping his arms round her waist as she desperately attempted to make order out of the chaos that was her rain and passion bedraggled form.

"You are so beautiful, Penelope…"

She laughed. "I'm a mess! Look at me!"

He gazed at her with smoldering eyes. "I am looking… you're a fucking goddess." The words choked out of him, his lust boiling over.

She shivered at the desire in his eyes, blushing as she felt her already hard nipples tighten, almost painfully. She turned around to face him, admiring the way his wet cotton shirt clung like a second skin to his miraculously toned chest.

"We should probably get out of these wet clothes…"

He smiled wickedly at her. "Woman, that's the best idea I've heard all day." He pulled the clinging shirt over his chest slowly, relishing the feel of her eyes on him. Looking back at her, he laughed at the hungry expression in her eyes. "Did you forget? You get this…" He stepped closer, so the heat of his body warmed her, raising gooseflesh over her arms. "You get all of this…" He ran his fingers lightly over her arms. "So, you know, you might want to get out of that wet dress…" He leaned down to kiss along her neck, murmuring, "Or, I could help you…" He pushed the shoulders of her dress down over her arms, exposing the alabaster expanse of her breasts. He leaned down to nuzzle his face between the soft mounds, pushing her dress over her hips to pool on the floor around her feet.

He stepped back to admire the view.

"Damn, woman… what you do to me…" he sucked in a deep breath. She was wearing a red satin bra, paired with tie dyed boy short panties. Utterly adorable, and utterly Penelope.

She raked her eyes down his body, her gaze settling on the bulge straining to be free of his tight jeans. "My love, I think I can see what I do to you…" She boldly stepped forward to cup his hardness in her hand before drawing the zipper down and taking him firmly into her hand. He moaned, head falling back, stunned at the feeling of her soft hand around him.

"Baby girl… you gotta stop… please…" She smirked at him. "Why? Losing control?" She pushed his pants and boxers all the way down his legs to the floor, following them to kneel before him, then sucking him into her warm mouth. He began to tremble, his hands unsteady, one tangled in her hair as her head moved over him, the other clutching reflexively at the bed behind him. She worked him skillfully, making good on every tease, every fantasy he had ever had starring those luscious red lips. He opened his clenched eyes and looked down at her, and, upon seeing the twinkle in her eye as she gleefully adored his hard manhood, he gave up resisting the urge, reaching his climax with a loud groan, his seed pumping into her waiting throat.

She rose before him, smiling hugely. "Do you know how long I've been waiting to do that?" He had fallen to lie back on the bed, his feet dangling off. "Probably not as long as I've been dreaming about you doing it…" She climbed up on the bed, straddling him. "You're right…" She rocked against his already recovering manhood. "Longer. I've wanted to do that since the moment I laid eyes on you, my sexy man…" She laid her head down on his warm chest, listening to his heartbeat. He stroked his hands over her back, slowly, sending shivers of pleasure coursing through her, before pausing to unclasp her bra. She rose up to let it fall down over her arms before flinging it across the room. He reached up to cup the generous swell of her breasts, rolling the sensitive tips between his fingers. She let her head fall back, giving herself over to the delicious sensations cascading over her.

Derek rose up, holding her close to him, then moved so she was rolled beneath him. He smiled gently at her, then moved his hands down to pull the panties from her. He leaned back on his knees, delighting in the sight of her, flushed and wanton, laying spread before him. He stroked his long fingers over the softness of her body, teasing the bright curls at the apex of her thighs before slowly parting her womanhood and stroking the sweet bundle of nerves hidden there. She arched off the bed, moaning his name, his touch drawing her closer and closer to completion. Quickly, he shifted, and settled above her again. Bending to kiss her lips, he slowly pushed inside her, their eyes locked together as they experienced the first moment of perfect union.

Penelope felt filled as never before, his hardness pressed deep inside her, heavy and strong. He held still, eyes searching hers, for a long moment.

"I love you Penelope." He whispered, hoarsely, then began slowly, torturously, drawing his length in and out of her, building delight as no one ever had. They connected, the love and passion melding into a bright, blinding pleasure that threatened to consume them both. He began to thrust faster, her hips writhing, meeting him stroke for stroke. Their control lapsed, the perfection of their union stripping all caution as they chased for their climax together.

Fingers and bodies twined together, they crested the peak, and, shouting out, rode out the spasms as he, at last, claimed her body with his own.

Sated, she nestled into the circle of his arms, looking up into his eyes. "I have a secret…" She smiled at him. He laid a kiss to the tip of her pert nose. "Oh yeah, and what's that?" She cuddled closer to him. "I love you, that's what…" She yawned. "Goodnight my chocolate Adonis…"

He kissed her temple. "Goodnight momma…"