As plans were made for Derek's transfer, Penelope kept herself busy with helping him organize everything as well as planning his surprise farewell to be held at his place, which was now technically hers. Upon the many decisions to be made, one of them was moving into his home. Her lease was ending and she was supposed to move in with him anyway. He felt better that she would be in his home, he didn't want to rent out his apartment just because he wanted the option to come back if things didn't work out. With Penelope taking care of Clooney until he got settled in, it seemed to make sense. In the space of two weeks, they had managed to pack her up and moved into his house. Most of his belongings were staying till he made final decisions. Emily and JJ watched as Penelope seemingly keep it together but they knew better. They caught the look in her eye when she thought no one was watching. They knew that Derek was gauging his decisions based on Penelope and her reactions, that if she seemingly wasn't going to cope with having him so far away he would throw it all in. A fact that Penelope knew too well, but he was her best friend and she wanted the best for him and at that point New York was that best. Sure she'd miss him, they all would, but they'd make it work.

"So what time are the boys bringing him back here?" Emily asked as she handed Penelope a balloon to fill with helium. They had decked the whole place out with balloons and streamers. The backyard was set up with tables and in the corner a Jukebox karaoke sat, beside the long table filled with food.

"In about an hour. Do you think we have enough food?" Penelope asked worriedly,

"Yeah PG, there's more than enough. Nice touch with the corn dogs,"

"Well it's like his favourite, and it is his party."

"Pen, I've put Henry down in your room. Reid just called, he said that he's got Morgan's family in the car and they should be here right on schedule."

"Great. I know that he was really heartbroken that he couldn't make a trip up there before he headed to New York, and he didn't want to ask them to come down."

"Well, he's in for a treat tonight. So are you still going to drive down with him?"

"Yeah, Hotch has approved time off for me. We're going to drive down in hi SUV, and I'll stay for a few days to settle him in and fly back."

"Well make sure he doesn't get any funny ideas like trying to convince you to move there with him."

"And incur the wrath of you two? Highly doubtful, besides what would I do there?"

"Says the woman with a standing job offer with CSI New York?"

"If I have said no to Mac after all this time, do you really think I would take that leap simply because Morgan is there? Come on you guys, give me some credit, besides this is his shot not mine. He needs to make the most of it."

By the time Fran and the rest of the Morgan clan arrived, house was ready, the decorations were up, the food and drinks were ready for consumption. Fran had to hand it to Penelope, when she went all out, she went all out. Looking at the decorations, the food choices, the photos she had chosen to display throughout his home was more than paying attention to detail. It truly showed just how well she knew her son, which by no means an easy feat.

"SURPRISE!" they all yelled as Derek walked through the doors to find his friends and his family there in his house all smiles. He glanced at Penelope whom he knew would have been the mastermind behind it all and threw her a grateful look. He was so happy to see his Mom and sisters knowing that the moment he made it to New York, it would be awhile till he made it to Chicago.

Penelope was sitting with the girls on the back porch when two large hands dropped to her shoulders making her jump a mile,

"My God Morgan, wear a bell around your neck would you. You almost gave me a heart attack," Penelope said whacking his legs with the back of her hand,

"I wasn't exactly being Ninja like Baby Girl but you three have been so engrossed in whatever it was that you were talking about that you've blocked out your environment." Not too far from the truth the three of them looked at each other rather sheepishly and chuckled.

"Why don't you sit Morgan. Em and I were thinking of replenishing our drinks anyway," JJ said standing to her feet,

"They do know that you and I are going to be alone together for the next week right?" Penelope asked somewhat rhetorically as they watched the two girls head back in side,

"This is JJ and Em we're talking about."

"True that. So are you having a good time?"

"Yeah P, the best. Thank you for organizing it all." Derek said gratefully wrapping an arm around her shoulder bringing her close to his chest,

"It wasn't just me, but you're welcome." Derek dropped his lips to her head, unable to fathom having to say goodbye to his life in Virginia, saying goodbye to his family and friends, saying goodbye to Penelope.

The road trip to New York, was exactly what they needed to transition to their lives without being in each other's constant presence. They talked, laughed, played games, danced and sang to the tunes that Penelope had picked out for the ride. When they arrived to his new apartment Penelope had helped him unpack and make it as homey as she possibly could. They had hung up pictures of his family, friends and a number of them together. She could tell as the day neared to her departure the more anxious he got.

"Hey, we'll talk every day. You'll be fine. I promise." She said trying to reassure him as they sat on his couch. He would start work the next day, after spending the last few days unpacking his things as well a doing New York things with Penelope. She was staying till the day after and flying home in the morning.

"I just wish it wasn't so far away you know?"

"Baby, it's like three hours away, less by plane. It's not that far. If you need me, or any of us, we'd be on a plane in a heartbeat and vice versa. We can fly to and from for major events." Derek nodded somewhat reluctantly, knowing that he was being a tad high maintenance at that point, but he couldn't help it.

His first day at work wasn't so bad, but he was counting down the minutes because he knew it was his last night with Penelope. Instead of staying home, they had gone out for the night and just made the most of it. After a quick breakfast early the next morning she had sent him off to work refusing his offer to drive her to the airport pointing out that it would only make the moment more epic than it needed to be. In truth, Penelope as at breaking point and having him take her to the airport would break the camel's back.

"Bye Baby, be safe and call me the moment you land."

"I will. You take care okay. Just because I'm not within ass kicking distance doesn't mean you get to take risks that will get you killed. Whether you tell me or not, you know I have my ways of finding out." Derek laughed knowing she wasn't kidding.

"I love you Baby Girl."

"I love you too Morgs." She murmured into his chest as he held her in a bone crushing embrace.