I AM BACK! I am very sorry for the wait! I have been very very very busy with job training and being back at school! Thanks for the following! :D

Chapter Six

We stayed like that for what seemed like a blink of an eye but at the same time an eternity. Our lips moved in sync, caressing with each touch. Every pull away for breath had the same urgency to return. He was so close to me that I could hear his heart beating against my chest. Our hearts beat together, the pounding increasing as we stayed in such close proximity. His hands held me close, one around my back and the other knotted in my hair. I never wanted it to end.

When we finally broke the kiss, I couldn't help but giggle. I had never ever thought that anything like that would ever happen to me. Derek was WAY out of my league. He was strong, brooding, charming, handsome and loving. I was just… I was a little nobody who was never cared about. I'd been on my own for so long, I never thought that I would have anyone to take care of me and yet, here he was, making me feel something that I hadn't felt in a long time… loved.

"What's so funny?" he said, smiling, still holding me close.

"I just… I've never met anyone who actually… cared… you know?" I said. "It's been so long since I have had anyone who wasn't like repulsed by me… It was just unexpected.." I started rambling on… and he just sat there quietly. My heart raced a little. Had I offended him? Oh god… did I fuck this up already? I broke out of his grip and turned away, embarrassed with myself and the tears that were beginning to stream down my face. "I'm… I'm sorry if I've… uh.."

I tried to make full sentences out but when I turned back around, he put a finger on my mouth. "Shh. You didn't upset me… I just cannot believe that anyone could ever treat you the way that you have been treated in the past. Penelope… I… I… I'm sorry that you have been hurt… I promise, I will never hurt you like they have." He said, grabbing my hand and pulling me back into an embrace.

I sat there in his embrace for a long time. I could feel that there was so much tension that was being released from my body the longer I stayed there. "We should.. probably get my stuff…" I said, laughing lightly.

"You're probably right." He chuckled back.

We gathered up my things, tossing them into the suitcase in now particular order. I was never one to be orderly. Once it filled up, I zipped it and he grabbed it, pulling it back out to the car. I sighed, looking back at the house. It was the first time I was going to stay somewhere else since my parents had died. I remember returning to the house after they had passed. It was empty but I stayed there all the same. I had grown accustomed to the quiet and the loneliness. Staying with Elle would be interesting but I would have to learn how to deal with it.

I turned around to head over to the car when I heard someone shout my name in the distance. "Penelope!" My stomach churned a little bit. It was the voice of an old acquaintance of mine. We had known each other since we were younger, attending the same middle and high schools. He had always had a crush on me, which I had never really felt comfortable with. Even when he was with other girls, he still had his sights set on me. I cringed to turn around but did anyway.

"John… hi…" I said, not prepared for the fact that he was going to be right behind me. I jumped back about a foot or so. "God, you scared me."

"How are you? I heard you're working for the BAU now." He asked.

"I'm alright and yes I am… How did you find out?"

"Oh, good news travels fast, you know. I uh.. I just figured since you were in the neighborhood, I would see if you wanted to go get dinner sometime. I live right down the road from here."

My heart raced. Not again. Not again. Not again. I turned my head over to Derek, giving him a panicked look, hoping that he could come over and at least intimidate John. Thankfully, he caught on and ran over to my side, standing behind me, his hands on my hips. "I'm actually getting ready to leave for a little bit so I won't be around. BAU work is demanding." I responded.

His face fell. "Oh… So who is this?" He gestured to Derek.

"Agent Derek Morgan. I work with Agent Garcia." Derek responded, a stone cold look on his face. Derek was at least 6 inches taller than John, who had now taken a step back.

Looking Derek up and down, John finally responded, "Nice to meet you," before averting his attention back to me. "Well, if you ever want to hang out, just give me a call." John took out a piece of paper that was already prepared with his phone number on it and handed it to me. "Goodbye, Penelope." He said, staring into my eyes and smiling before turning around and walking back the direction from which he came.

I turned around and hid my face in Derek's chest. "Thank you…" I sighed. He kissed my forehead and pulled my hand back in the direction of his car. When we finally got back in, Derek looked at me sternly.

"Who was that?" he asked.

"He's a long story…"