Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds

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Mini key:-

Derek's thoughts: bold and italic.

Penelope's thoughts: italic

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12 days, 7 hours, 36minutes, and 35 seconds.... 36 seconds... 37 seconds... stop this Penelope! Clock watching never helps matters! Yet here you are, you know they'll be back before you know it so let it be... you need to use this time wisely... like another psyching up yourself session!

The team had been pulled away that day when Derek and Penelope were suppose to go for lunch, the case had pulled them 5 hours across the country on yet another chase for a sadistic unsub who got a pleasure out of killing families in the dead of the night. Penelope had done her best to help out like she was always did and to the success of the team were all able to get the last family before the Unsub. Now she stayed at the office awaiting their arrival once again. She snapped out of her thoughts and hastily answered her cell as it rang with the infamous tune of Derek Morgan.

'Hello.' Penelope! Since when do you answer phone with just a hello?

'What no cheeky halfwit this time?' Derek's voice came out smoothly with an evident smile on his face.

Bugger! 'Sorry sweet cheeks I was lost in thought.' About you.

'Anything in particular?'

YOU! 'Bit of everything really.'

'Want to talk about it baby girl?'

'No I'm fine handsome.' Really? You sure Penelope... you're lying to him again!

'Sure?'

'Positive.'

'Okay... well, we are about 20 minutes away, you still in your bunker?'

'I am indeed... eagerly awaiting the arrival of my superheroes.'

He laughed down the phone at her. 'Well we will be there soon and that's a promise.'

'Okay hot stuff... I will see you then, then.'

'You will do!' She closed the phone and sighed. That was normal Penelope... nothing forced in that conversation at all just a normal chat with your best friend.

Truth be told the team walked into the bull pen and found Penelope there waiting, relaxing in Derek's chair, a large smile plastered on her face.

'I take this as we've been missed?' Hotch commented. Derek who hadn't seen her sitting there due to his general eagerness to dump his bag and head to her office froze at the sight.

'Well get's lonely occasionally.' Penelope replied happily.

This is ridiculous Derek! It's your best friend! Not some floozy air head but Penelope, the woman in your life that gives you everything, always has and always will, don't act odd now.

'Hey baby girl.' God she looks impressively amazing.

'Hey handsome.' Go on my Adonis... flash that smile... oh! There it is!

'Right everyone you have the next 3 days off... go home, reports can wait for now.' Hotch said, smiling when everyone smiled back. 'Drinks tomorrow night though yeah?' He looked at Penelope. 'These plans include you too Garcia.'

'Got it Sir.' She said standing up with a smile.

'Right everyone off home now.' Hotch ordered and headed up to his office.

Just as Penelope was walking past Derek he grabbed her arm and pulled her back. 'You come to mine baby girl... we need to talk.'

'Okay handsome.' She swallowed. Talk... yes Penelope... the thing you've been revving up for is now nigh so take it and talk. 'I need to get my bag from my office and lock up and then I'm all yours.'

'Okay baby girl.' Right Derek it will be just you and Penelope, perfect opportunity, you've taken nearly 2 weeks to get psyched up again so just do it!

Moments later Derek and Penelope were leaving the BAU in their normal fashion and then separated to go to their respective modes of transport. Vowing to see one another in a couple of minutes.

Penelope... your moment is fast approaching if it comes to it just blurt it out as soon as the front door is closed, keep your hand on the handle so if the moment goes bad you can leave quickly and save the embarrassment of Derek laughing... actually would he do that?

What if she doesn't believe me? What can I do to make her realise that I'm in love with her? And have been for way too long. I need to make this genuine and special.... Derek don't be a jerk about this and womanize her... its Penelope not some random one off... do this right... for both your sakes.

Their train of thought took them the entire journey to Derek's place, and when they parked they both felt the time was right. When Penelope got out of Esther there was Derek waiting for her with a smile on her face. She felt her shoulders drop; he saw it and was about to ask her what was wrong but then she smiled and all worries defused.

There's that smile. 'Come on baby girl... let's get a drink, put on a film, order in and have this chat that is nearly 13 days late.'

'I think that would be very wise.' Of course you do Penelope... you've spent the last near enough 13 days gearing up for this.

They walked in easy silence but as they got nearer the door they noticed a light on, and then the door opened.

'Mom!'

'Hello to you too son!' Said the woman at the door.

'Sorry... hi mom.... what are you doing here?'

Derek accepted a hug off his mom. 'I got a phone call off Hotch and Rossi... something about some days off could I get here and spend some time with you, apparently his sorted it for basically everyone.' She then looked at Penelope as she stood nervously.

'Oh it's great to have you here it really is.'

'Who's you friend baby?'

'Oh mom... this is Penelope.'

'Penelope Garcia?' She enquired.

'The one and only.'

'It's lovely to meet you Mrs Morgan.'

'Call me Fran dear... it's lovely to finally meet you at long last Penelope, Derek talks about you a lot to myself and his sisters.' She smiled as Penelope blushed. 'I see that surprises you.'

'Yeah it really does.'

'Why would that be?'

You're kidding right? 'Because I'm sure that Derek has better things to talk about than me.'

'Nonsense P!' Derek said with a smile. I love talking about you! Trust my mom to bring it up though!

'I'm sure you do handsome...' She said with a smile. 'Right our chat can wait I'm sure.' Penelope said successfully hiding her disappointment at missing the chance. 'But I will see you tomorrow night, bring your mom, it will be fun.'

'Baby girl, come in we can still have that chat.' Seriously... Derek a chat like that you do not do in close proximity with your mother!

'Don't worry... spend some time with your mom... you deserve it after this case.' Successfully dodged Penelope!

'You sure?'

'Perfectly.'

'Okay well go home and get some rest... Hotch called in some favours and we know you hadn't left the office for at least 36 hours.'

'It's my job... I like always being on hand.'

'Well maybe but we still want you on ball.'

'And you have me.' She smiled. 'Anyway, it was lovely to meet you Fran... see you tomorrow?'

'I hope so.' Fran said happily.

'See you later baby girl.' He said pulling her into a tight embrace. 'See you tomorrow.' He said as he pushed a kiss on her head.

'You will handsome... have fun.' She replied as she headed for Esther. Well you've met his mom at least Penelope... she seems nice... and now you know Derek talks about you... doesn't that kind of instil that you need this chat?

As much as I love my mom... today maybe wasn't the best timing for Hotch and Rossi to bring her along. However, you're mom does seem impressed... maybe that's a sure sign that this can work? No Derek you make it work!