Season of Love
Episode 8
November 2011
"Never do that again," Derek murmured to Penelope, as he held her in his arms outside of the unsub's house. "I just got you...I can't lose you, today or ever. You feel me, woman?"
He pulled back some and looked down into her eyes- which were wet with tears after just seeing her friend Monica shoot a man- and gave her a tender look. Things between them had changed a lot in the last few days, leaving Derek filled with emotions that were hard to handle.
After so long of lusting after her, of being her best friend, of living with the knowledge that something more between them wouldn't work out (for reasons he made up for a long time, and then cause she had a boyfriend for years), it was now shocking but wonderful to be in this new place with her. It took them years of building up trust and faith before they finally crossed that thin line between love and friendship.
Now Derek never wanted to the cross back. He was ready to hang up his player card cause he couldn't imagine going back to being 'that guy' who hit on random chicks day and night. Not now, when he knew what being 'this guy', the one who had Penelope's love and got to be her man, was like.
This is the man he wanted to be for the rest of his life but it came along with a rush of even more powerful emotions than he had ever felt before. If it was last week and he saw Garcia with a gun pointed at her, he would have wanted to shoot the man dead who had dared tried it but this week he had wanted to do that and also to kiss her senseless just to convince himself that the love of his life was still alive.
Since they were at work, though, he couldn't do that. Instead he settled for taking her into a hug and squeezing her tight.
Leaning his forehead against hers, as his hands cupped her face, he said "You were very brave but you leave the brave field agent stuff to your man from now on."
"I just had to help Monica."
"I know, baby. I know. You did good." Derek wrapped her tight in his arms again. He could hold her like this for hours...days...months...years. She might drive him crazy with her stubborn head strong ways but he wouldn't ever want to change how she had such a big heart.
Even though that loving heart had led her through that door today...right into danger.
He would just have to work overtime to make sure that every time she was in danger- big or small- he had her back and brought her home safe to him at the end of the day. Cause that is right where she belonged.
Penelope might still be trying to figure out where they were going but Derek's heart was sure...all the way. He wouldn't be satisfied with anything less.