A/N: Hi everyone, here's another update - things are at a bit of a standstill between our OTP, but not to worry - I'm a fan of HEAs :) Read on, review, and enjoy!

He slipped into her apartment as quietly as possible, and quickly kicked off his boots to not make any more noise. He looked around, and noticed an almost empty wine bottle on the coffee table, along with a glass that had been tipped over. He picked it up along with the bottle and put them in the kitchen, then headed into the bedroom. He paused in the beaded doorway, in awe of the sight before him. There lay Penelope, sprawled on the bed still wearing her silk robe and her glasses. He watched her for a moment before going over to her side and slipping her glasses off before kissing her forehead tenderly.

She stirred and slowly opened her eyes, gasping when her vision focused and she realized it was Derek who woke her. "De- what are you doing here? What time is it?" She whispered, sleep still clouding her head.

"Shh, it's late. I didn't mean to wake you, I just wanted to see you" he cooed, tucking a curl behind her ear.

"You didn't answer my text…" she pouted, sitting up to put her glasses on.

"When? I didn't get one," he frowned, checking his messages, and showing her.

She reached for her phone and opened hers too; only then did she notice her last message indicated it was not delivered, and had an information bubble beside it. "Oh… it didn't send… I thought you-"

"What, that I'd ignore you? Never, Baby… We'd get back so late to the hotel every night, and reception was so sporadic, that I figured you'd be sleeping, so I didn't want to risk waking you. So I thought I'd come see you the moment we got back."

"And now you're here," she smiled faintly.

"Have you had a bit of wine tonight, Baby Girl?" he grinned, starting to undress to get in bed.

"I did… More than a bit." The reasons why she had the wine came flooding back to her, as she watched him pull his belt off.

"Everything ok?" he asked.

She could ask. She should ask. She should tell him everything wasn't ok. But her head was foggy and she wasn't in the mood to argue. So instead, she threw the covers off and motioned for him to climb in bed. He joined her and wrapped his arms around her, but instead of snuggling into her favourite spot as she always did, she pushed his arms off her and sat up again. "Derek, what are we doing?"

"Uh…" he looked over at her, concerned. "Going to sleep? What do you mean?"

"This. Us. You and me. Something's different."

He chose his words carefully. She had wine tonight, and he could tell she was emotional. "Baby Girl, we… I don't know. I feel it too, but we've never actually talked about it."

"So, let's talk."

"Mama, how about we talk when you're clear-headed?"

"Get out" she grumbled, defeated. Of course he doesn't want to talk, he doesn't want to put a label on it because it would make it real. She groused.

"Pen-"

"Get out!" She shouted, louder this time.

"Did I do something…?" he asked, genuinely worried.

"Of course, you don't want to talk! You don't want to put a label on it – whatever this is – because it would make it real!" Frack, I just said that out loud, didn't I?

He looked up at her and smiled softly, taking her hand in his, placing it over his heart. "Sweetness, I do want to talk about it. I do want to put a label on it, because I do want to make it real. I want to make sure this isn't just a dream, that I'll wake up and I'm not next to you… But it wouldn't be right to have this conversation that you may have trouble remembering tomorrow… You know what happens when you drink more than two glasses." He looked into her eyes, she could see the wheels turning. "My guess is… three? No, four."

"Stupid profiler…" she pouted.

"Do you want me to write it down? We could sign a contract to make sure we talk?" he chuckled. "I promise I would love to talk more about this. About us – and make it real. I don't know what to say to make you believe me… But I want us to both be well rested and refreshed, I think we owe it to ourselves to give this conversation the time and attention it deserves."

"That was a lot of talking, Hot Stuff… I think you're right. You said lots of words that sound nice, but-" she yawned loudly, and lay back down, this time snuggling into him. "Red hurts my head… and I can't exactly concentrate with a Chocolate God lying in my bed…" She yawned again and fell asleep instantly.

"Tomorrow, my sweet…" he whispered, laying a kiss on her forehead and closing his eyes. He could tell she still had her doubts despite not being quite sober, but he was determined to prove himself to her, no matter what it took.

So... Will she remember? What will her reaction be? Stay tuned to find out!

Also, time is almost up to submit your votes for the Profiler's Choice Awards 2016 - Voting ends Feb. 28, 2017.

I'm nominated for Best Morgan/Garcia :D A million thanks to whomever nominated me, I'm over the moon excited to even be considered. You're the best! Head on over to the forums to vote for your favourites.