JJ sat down in a chair around the conference table and glared at Reid.

"JJ, I'm sorry! I didn't know you were in the middle of something important."

"For future reference Spence, when two women are in a one on one conversation, and they don't immediately respond? Just leave it alone."

"Amen." Derek said. He knocked Reid's shoulder on his way by and took his own seat. JJ just snorted at him. "What?"

"Nothing." JJ replied, grinning to herself. Morgan looked suspicious, but JJ was giving nothing away as she sorted through her pages.

"Alright. Settle down everyone." Hotch appeared in the room.

"New case?" Emily asked, clicking her pen into a ready position.

"No, not right now. The new year is about to begin so there are a series of announcements and re-registrations- yes, I know it's tedious but we have to get through all these things every year, so I'll try and cover it quickly. Yearly physicals will be scheduled for the next two weeks. You all need to have yours done by the January 11."


Hotch had buried them up to their necks in administrative tasks. With short deadlines. By the time JJ finished what needed to be in within days rather than weeks, she just wanted to get home. She'd talk to Garcia in the morning. It would be more interesting then anyways.


7:03. The time was static in the corner of several of her computer screens when there was a knock.

"Enter." Garcia called out, putting the last of her necessities into her bag.

"Hey." Derek opened the door and leaned against the frame. "You ready to go, or do you need a few more minutes?"

Penelope glanced at him over her shoulder. It was unfair for a man to be that goodlooking.

"Nope, I'm all ready to go." She moved to get her coat but he reached for it with longer arms.

"Good. I'm ready to get out of here. Hotch buried us under admin stuff for the next week and I've been up to my arms in triplicate all afternoon. How was the rest of the day for you?" Derek commented as he held out her coat to her, helping her slip her arms in and straighten it over her shoulders. Penelope smiled.

"Chivalrous. I could get used to this." She teased. " My day was uneventful. I got the same forms, but most of it I got by file from one of the girls in personnel, and just put it into my fields program. I just have to add in a few explanations for things and I've got it done." Morgan glared at her playfully as she took her bag and he followed her through the door.

"I'm both awed and jealous princess."

"As you should be." Pen returned. They fell in step together. " So. Where are we headed?"

"Atomico. It's a flat crust gourmet pizza place. Really good. Does that sound alright?"

"Mmmm. Sound great." They entered into the elevator and pressed the button for the parking garage. "Oh. Car. Whose car?" Pen frowned as they stepped out into the cement expanse.

"Let's take mine. Brought the truck today instead of the bike. I'll bring you back to pick up Esther after dinner." Derek replied, orienting them in the direction of a gunmetal grey 4 door pickup.

"I'll just get JJ to pick me up on her way in the morning." Pen waved off. "I'll get Esther tomorrow."

"Okay. Here, watch your step. It's a distance up." Derek offered his hand as support, standing in front of his now open passenger side door. Pen looked him in the eyes for a moment, something thoughtful going on behind her smile. He tried to take a deep breath as inconspicuously as possible.

"Thanks sugar." She pressed her palm against his for a moment as she stepped onto the running board and slipped inside. Derek closed the door behind her and moved to the driver's side.


"So- No, wait, let me get this straight now." Garcia let out a somewhat embarrassing giggle. Her cheeks turned bright pink. Morgan thought it looked…. pretty on her. She grinned at him sheepishly, and continued. "You had an afro?"

Derek laughed.

"Yes, I did, Miss Nosy. I'll have you know it looked good."

"Yeah. I'm sure it did." She was biting her lip, trying not to laugh. "But if you tell me you had the hi-top cut in the early nineties, I don't think we can be friends anymore."

"Innocent." Derek shifted back for a minute, holding his hands up. "So you'll stick with me now?" He teased, leaning forwards on the table. Pen took a sip from her drink, looking as though she was deciding carefully as she swallowed.

"I guess." She replied. Derek nodded, feeling as though the atmosphere around there table thickened for a moment, reflecting outside distractions.

"Glad to hear it baby girl."


Penelope ran her spoon around the bottom of her bowl. The last bits of hazelnut gelato weren't cold anymore, but they were still delicious. She glanced through her bangs across the table. Derek had put his fork down and was reaching into his jacket pocket.

"Derek." He looked up at the sound of his name. "How much do I owe?" She tried to look at the bill in its black holder, but Derek snapped it shut.

"You don't owe a thing. My treat." He said firmly. She rolled her eyes. Clearly he would know she'd protest.

"I pay my fair share babe. Please." She held out her hand for the bill. She was caught by surprise when he slid his hand into hers, rather than the slip of paper.

"Hey. I asked you to come out with me. I want to treat you. The jealousy of all the guys here who aren't out with such a beautiful goddess is more than enough payment for me." Penelope pulled her hand away gently.

"We should be going. It's getting late."

Derek frowned.

"You okay?" He asked.

"Unhunh. Yeah. I'm fine." Garcia insisted. She kept her words short and clipped. That way her voice couldn't squeak or break. She just wanted to be home in bed, and not have to think about Derek Morgan, and how many other women he had brought to this restaurant on actual dates.


Derek was confused. He'd paid for the meal, helped her into her coat and out to the car, but it had been silent all the way. They were driving the residential streets on the way to her home. He glanced over at her whenever he got a chance. Her arms were wrapped tightly around herself.

"Cold?" He asked, reaching forwards, to turn up the knobs on the control panel. She looked up startled for a moment and nodded.

"A little." Well. It was a start.

"Is…." He knew to proceed carefully. He'd grown up in a house of women and had learned well to tread lightly when something was out of sorts. "Is everything okay?" He cautiously touched her knee.


"Yeah." Garcia gave him a subdued smile, her hands balled tightly under her arms. "Everything's perfect." As perfect as it was going to get. This close friendship was wonderful, but it fell wrenchingly just short of what she really wanted.


Derek knew that something was still not right.

"Thanks, by the way." He tried.

"Hmm?" Pen shifted slightly.

"For coming to dinner with me. I….I had a really good time."

"Me too."

"I don't think I've laughed that much in a long time." Derek smiled.

"Me either." The tension was still there, but it was fading away as Derek pulled up in front of the courtyard.

"I'll walk you in." Derek said before Penelope could get out a goodnight.


The walked up the stairs into the building, past the dully stained patch on the steps that was still disappearing. Derek made sure that he was between her and the spot as they moved inside. At her door, Penelope fumbled with her keys for a moment, before slipping the right one into the lock with a click.

"You should call JJ and make sure you can get a ride. If not I'll drive you over to get your car." He advised. She didn't say anything as he stepped into the apartment behind her. Her bag was set on the entryway table.

"I sent her a text when you went to get the car at the restaurant."

"Good. Good." Morgan took a deep breath. "I guess I should….get going."

"Okay." Penelope had slipped off her coat and it was folded over the back of a kitchen chair. Derek had a view from a few steps away of the royal blue dress and red heels that had caught his attention this morning.

"Can we do this again sometime?" Derek found himself asking, keeping his eyes trained on her face.


"Why not?" Penelope replied. She could think why not. Because this hurt.


"Okay." He took a step forwards. "I guess good night then."

Penelope nodded, giving him a smile. Her arms fell away from their crossed position and with a step forwards they were around his waist.


Derek breathed out shallowly. His hands rested around her shoulder and her back. Penelope sighed and he could feel the increase of pressure from her ribcage expanding against his chest and arms.


"Go home now, you need some sleep." Penelope told him. His arms loosened and he pulled back, his eyes scanning over her. She looked down at the toes of his shoes, feeling flushed. Morgan's arms pulled her gently closer again. He rested his chin on the top of her head. Garcia could feel his chest rising and falling. He inclined his head and pressed a kiss against her hair, as he had adopted lately.

"Baby girl." She felt the tickle of his breath more than she heard the words. His thumb was brushing against her neck as he pushed back her hair. Morgan's lips pressed against her temple, and she couldn't help the swelling rush in her chest. His thumb ran along her jaw line and down her neck. Garcia thought that maybe she could still be friends with him if she could keep this as a memory. If she could think that maybe she actually meant more than sister or friend and comfort. His kiss touched her cheek and she smiled.

"Morgan, gorgeous-"

"Penelope." Her heart dropped at the sound of her own name. She glanced over and caught his eye. There was something there, or not there perhaps. He was open, looking sideways at her as he shifted. The first kiss against her neck was too light. Her breathe hitched as he glanced back to her, almost nervous, maybe apprehensive. The second kiss was hot and soft and she was confused.

"Derek?" She frowned in insecurity, but tilted her chin so slightly to give him access. He pulled away for a moment and they were eye to eye again.

"Are you okay?" He asked. She felt something other than that wonderful hot feeling in her chest, a cold sinking in her stomach.

"Okay?" She stuttered, noticing that he glanced at her lips. He leant forwards slightly.

"Pen." His whisper was too soft, too private. Her hands moved to his chest and pushed him back.

"What are you doing Derek!" He looked suddenly confused and closed.

"I…I thought that you were on the same page as me."

"Clearly not!"

"I'm sorry. What's wrong? You gotta tell me goddess."

"Don't call me that!"

"What?"

"Anything. Goddess, beautiful, baby girl. It hurts Derek."

"I don't understand. Everything was just okay-"

"Nothing's okay! You…you think you can just do these things to me because you think I won't take it seriously. We both know you and I could only ever be a joke." She scoffed. Her arms wrapped around herself defensively.

"Garcia, I am not teasing you here."

"You don't think it, but you are."

"I know what I feel."

"I need you to go."

"You're kicking me out now? Baby come on!"

"No more 'baby' Derek! It's not fair. I'm serious." He looked at her and then at the door.

"Okay. I'll respect that. But I don't agree with you." He picked up his jacket from the back of a kitchen chair and swung it over his shoulders. He stared at her for a moment. "I want to kiss you. I am serious about that." He held her glance, and then turned, shutting the door without a bang or another word.

Garcia walked slowly to the couch and picked up her cell phone. Speed dial number three started it ringing.

"This is Jen."

"Hi."

"Garcia? What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Nothing security or safety wise."

"Is Derek there?"

"No."

"I see…Is that why you're calling?" Garcia curled herself into a corner of the couch.

"I really need to talk Jayje. I'm sorry."

"No, I'll be over in half an hour."

"Thanks."

"No problem. Hey, you okay Pen? You sound a little shaky."

"Nothing I won't recover from."

"Okay, I'll see you soon."