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A/N: Thanks for the all the reviews, they were ALL amazing! I can't promise a daily update after this, but I'll try my hardest! Sorry for no review replies just yet, flyby update =)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- True Love's Lie -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"You needed to talk to me?" Fran asked as she came to sit opposite to Penelope in the yard. It was quiet; the spring breeze was picking up a little. She wrapped her cardigan around her and shivered a little, "Want to go back inside?"
"No," Penelope started as she shook her head, "It's quiet out here. Peaceful," Penelope mused trying to gather all her energy together to be calm and collected and, at the end of it, quite courageous.
"What's this about?" Fran asked gently, "I remember last night you said you wanted a word, and I got so caught up that I forgot until I was reminded."
"No worries," Penelope batted back the concern, "It's about Derek."
Fran's face lit up with acknowledgement then. "Oh, you wanted places to take Derek," Fran said all of a sudden, remembering Penelope's simple request. "There's the diner just down the road, he used to love going there for the best milkshakes in Chicago. There's Benny's in town, there's the lake, there-"
"I'm going to head back to Quantico, Fran," Penelope cut her musing short and found her fighting off the tears. "I'm sorry, it's not you."
"Is it what happened earlier?" Fran asked in panicked worry, "Because I am so sorry that everyone over heard that."
Penelope shook her head, "It's not all to do with that. It's to do with me."
Fran's brow furrowed at that. She knew from hearing stories that Penelope was an emotional being, but this emotional side to her seemed to be pouring out without her meaning to allow it to. She put her hand onto Penelope's and looked into her eyes, trying to form some sense.
"Tell me what it's really about, Penelope," She tried to coerce her into telling. "I won't let you leave until I know the real reason why all of a sudden you're leaving."
"I fell in love with him, Fran," Penelope admitted, "and I guess I got what I was going to ask him to answer for me," she shrugged for a moment then. "I was going to tell him, but I was saved the majority of humiliation."
"Oh Penelope," Fran said as she put her hand on Penelope's, "He might just surprise you."
"Not this time," Penelope spoke nonchalantly. "There are only a couple of people Derek doesn't lie to. You're one of them, and I'm another. I just can't stick around, I hope you understand."
"I do, I'm so sorry." Fran apologised again, "What about Derek? I don't think he'll understand you skipping out."
Penelope looked back at the house momentarily, "I think Derek's more than occupied to even notice I'm gone."
"You will tell him though right?"
Nodding her head, "Of course I will. He'll be moody, but then he'll realise I'm no life of the party. He has a lot of people that wanted to see him and to be quite honest; I'm feeling like a bit of damp cloth."
"That is my fault," Fran said apologetically, upset that her questioning had resulted in this. "I didn't know he would be so verbal with his response, but I guess years of pestering got me the answer."
"And me," Penelope smiled and then felt the tears begin to pour from her eyes. "He really is amazing. I know you know that already, but at least this way I can still cherish that he's my best friend. He has a big heart, and I know that whoever the lucky lady is that ever receives his love will be the luckiest woman on this earth."
"And you'll just watch?"
Smiling sadly, Penelope looked into Fran's eyes, "I guess we'll have to cross that bridge when we get to it."
"Or you could tell him..." Fran tried.
"Everyone heard that I'm just Penelope. I'd be the fool to go and declare love for him now. I refuse to be that and I refuse to risk what me and Derek have. He's my best friend and I want that to last."
Fran couldn't fault Penelope's dedication to her relationship she had and she could see how much Penelope wanted to keep what was left of it. Even if it meant she got hurt in the long run.
"You do what's good for you, but do not feel like this is the cut off point. My son always was a little blind when it come to the right option." Fran joked, "I will cover you though if leaving is your only option."
Penelope wiped her face, "Thank you," she whispered. "I never could stop him from getting under my skin," She admitted and looked up at Fran, "He really is the best guy I have in my life. I just never want to lose him."
Feeling her eyes water, Fran took Penelope's hand again, hoping to transfer some hope into the situation, but all she saw was Penelope building walls around herself.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- True Love's Lie -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"Baby," Derek said as he burst into the room, "Mom said you're leaving."
Penelope stalled her packing for a moment, "Yeah I am, Handsome."
"And I didn't deserve to know? To try and stop you?" Derek asked her, his hurt at this moment very evident. "Why?"
"I'm like a bit of third wheel here," Penelope told him, half a lie, half the truth. "You've got a lot of people to talk to and I don't know anyone. I did my bit." Penelope smiled through the pain, "You won't even realise I'm gone."
"Don't go," He begged. The hurt shining clearer and clearer, "I don't want you to go."
"My flights in three hours, I have to."
"Cancel it," Derek bargained with her.
"I can't," Penelope answered him simple. "Derek, this is your hometown, not mine. They're your friends, not mine. They're lovely and friendly, but they're here for you. Me being here means that either I get ignored or you have to keep me occupied because to them, I'm an outsider. That's not fair. I got to see where you grew up and I got to wake you up on your birthday and not break out tradition. Now it's time for you to have some beers, kick back and do what you do best." She approached him, trying to calm him, "Have fun and lap up the time you have here."
"You're right, so fine go! Just drop me a text when you're back safely and I'll speak to you when I'm back," Derek said and his temper rose as he slammed the door.
She hadn't expected him to snap that badly.
Penelope sat on the edge of the bed for a moment and let the tears fall. If only he could have read her mind in that moment. He would have known that she didn't want to go. He would have known that she was in love with him. He would have known the entire truth.
Sucking in a tight breath, Penelope stood and then finished packing, preparing for a quick exit.
Heading downstairs she was glad the party had goers had gathered in the back yard. Finding Fran in the kitchen she said her goodbye and received the biggest motherly hug she could've gotten. Turning, Fran walking behind her, she came face to face with Derek.
She looked at him, wary of what to do, but he just remained quiet and wrapped his arms around her.
"I'll be back home soon," He whispered and kissed into her. He didn't say anything as he let her go. There was no apology, no proper goodbye, just an acknowledgement of her leaving.
Penelope smiled at him, praying the tears didn't spring from their spots on her lashes. He didn't want to beg her to stay around and she guessed she had to understand that that was because she was just his friend.
"Enjoy yourself, Handsome," Penelope told him softly, "Happy Birthday." She finalised as she left the house and headed for the cab that was waiting outside for her.
Fran watched Derek lose the one woman that had ever wholeheartedly loved him.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- True Love's Lie -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-