A/N: So... it's been a while, huh? Life has thrown me for a loop, but I hope you're still willing to come along for the ride... The end of this season hurt my heart (again) and it's taken some time to get my muse back. Here's the next installment! As always, I don't own a thing...

JJ and Will got back shortly after midnight, to find Penelope almost dozing on the couch. Will went to check on the kids, and JJ was about to start looking for Derek, when she heard him rummaging in the kitchen. "Hey, Garcie!" JJ greeted, walking over to her.

"You're back! How was it?" Penelope sat up.

"Wonderful, thanks again for helping out… How'd it go?"

"Good, except Michael got a bit of a fever and was crying for a bit… I couldn't get him to stop, but Derek seems to have the magic touch. We gave him some medicine, and the fever seems to have gone. He also spit up on me…"

"I'm sorry," JJ pouted. "I'm sure he's fine, it's pretty common if the fever wasn't too high. So…" she dropped her voice to a whisper when she heard Will and Derek talking in the kitchen. "Quite the practice run, huh?" she winced.

"Oh Jayje, the boys were fine… But I think it gave Derek a dose of what it might be like… Maybe this wasn't the best idea?" she whispered back.

"Oh, come on… Give him more credit than that! I think you're just worried, things are still fairly new between you two. This doesn't mean you're having kids tomorrow, but… You can talk about that some other time. Anything further happen between you that I should know about?" she winked at her friend.

"It was so sweet seeing him with the boys… To answer your question, no, nothing else happened, I still don't know where we stand… Probably nowhere, now…"

As JJ swatted Penelope's knee, the two men emerged from the kitchen, Derek with a sandwich and a mug in hand. He walked over to the couch where the two ladies sat. "I made you some tea, sweetness, here you go" and he handed Penelope the mug.

"How was tonight?" JJ asked Derek, noting Penelope stiffen immediately.

"Great! Your boys are a blast!" He grinned, sitting across from them. "Michael had a bit of a fever but we gave him something to bring it down, he should be fine now."

"Thanks again, you two… It was so thoughtful of you to offer to babysit!"

"It was so good seeing the boys," Penelope smiled.

"So, you had a good time?" Will asked. "Was this good practice?" he teased.

"Sure it was! We'll come over any time you need a night out. Won't we, Penelope?" Derek grinned.

"Yes!" she smiled, though it didn't meet her eyes.

Derek drove Penelope home once they said their goodbyes. He didn't want to screw anything up - say something that would leave her with doubts - their conversation had to be perfect. He thought back to that night he went over to hers after work – he wanted to talk then, but he decided to wait until she was sober. Now was as good a time as any, as they had at least a 25-minute drive. He turned to glance at her and was ready to get them started, but instead he saw she had fallen asleep. Not wanting to disturb her, he let her be. "Soon, Baby Girl…" he mumbled, grinning to himself as he devised a plan.

MGMGMGMG

His plan was delayed another two weeks thanks to cases, consults, and court hearings at work. They finally were on stand-down for the next five days, and he had the perfect plan to speak to Penelope, and show her how serious he was about them and their relationship. He invited her to dinner at her favourite restaurant, and now as they sat waiting for their dessert to arrive, Derek took the time to bring up what was on his mind. "So… it's been a while," he commented, topping up his glass of wine, taking a deep breath. The next few minutes were crucial to his plan.

"It has, it's nice to not have to worry about work," she murmured, reaching for a breadstick.

He smirked, but took the moment to glance over at the waiter, nodding slightly. "I mean, we were going to have a little conversation about a few things…"

"Oh," she sighed. "Derek, I've been thinking about that."

"So have I, sweetness," he grinned. This was going to be easier than he thought!

"I don't want you to have to do anything you don't want to, or for this to be any more than it has been-"

"No, Penelope, I want it all-"

She kept talking, just as the waiter came by with their orders. "I know babysitting the boys was a bit much, and I get that it freaked you out. Why do we have to put a label on anything? I know that's not what you really want…" she put on a fake grin to hide the hurt she was feeling.

"Penelope, do you really think so little of me? Or are you projecting what you feel deep down inside? Kevin didn't even have a chance, and deep down I always hoped it was because you wanted to be with me. Now… Now I know. You think I'm not good enough… Just say it and put me out of my misery, already."

"I can't, Derek…" she whispered, getting up and running out the door. He watched her leave in complete shock. This didn't go the way he expected at all… Worst of all, she didn't notice the glint of white gold that was tied to her champagne glass.

MGMGMGMG

"Oh my God, Morgan, what happened to YOU?!" Prentiss asked, doing a double take as she walked past Derek's office. Damn, he tried to hide it, but of course he worked with a team of profilers. He was about to answer, but she continued, this time stepping inside and closing the door. She went over to sit on the corner of his desk, frowning. "Is Garcia still not talking to you?"

"No, she isn't." His voice was hoarse, and he looked like he hadn't slept in days. Clearly their stand down time was not at all fruitful for him.

"I thought you were hungover, but I can see that's not it at all. What happened?" she asked, concerned.

"She walked out on me the night I was going to propose" He choked out.

So... what'd you think? Where do you think this should head? Let me know in the comments! Feedback is always appreciated.