No One Heals Me Like You

Chapter Three

November 2009

Penelope woke up to see Derek sitting with his back to her and a cell to his ear. He whispered "She's sleeping. Are you okay?.....Yeah, all right.....Take care of yourself, JJ."

She sat up and wrapped her arms around him from behind. She lay her head against his back. "All night long I heard Haley crying and begging Hotch to tell Jack that love is the most important thing,"

Derek's voice was thick with pain when he said "Baby girl."

His hand came up and gripped hers, as it rested against his chest. Penelope pressed a kiss against his shirt and then got out of the bed. She grabbed some clothes quickly and headed for the bathroom to shower.

When she came out she found Derek in the kitchen drinking coffee. She poured herself a cup. "How did JJ sound?" Penelope asked, aware her own voice was scratchy from crying.

"Shaken still. Worried about Hotch."

Penelope's eyes watered again. "How is he going to survive this, sweetness?"

Derek shook his head, sadly. "He won't give up. Jack will keep him from doing that."

"And Hotch promised her."

"Yeah."

Derek glanced away, nearly overcome with emotion, and Penelope could tell he was remembering listening to Haley's last words. Penelope sat down her coffee mug and walked over to Derek. He was leaning against the counter. She positioned herself so that one of her legs was between his and then wrapped her arms around his waist.

They held each other for a long minute.

Trying to cheer them up some Penelope said "I'm going show you a good morning, Hot Stuff. Why don't you get dressed and then we'll get Clooney and drive out to the beach? We can take him for a long walk and get some lunch before we come back here for a night of movies and popcorn. I don't hardly ever get quality time with my gorgeous best friend and today I just wanna spend some time with you, okay?"

"Sounds like a plan, baby girl. I'm all in."

She gave him a teary smile. "I'm all in too."

XXXXXXXXXX

By the time they got done watching movies that night Penelope was in tears again but this time for a different reason. She was crying over the end of The Lake House, with Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves.

Derek smirked as the credits rolled. "You do know that is so unrealistic, right?"

"Don't care. That's not the point."

"It barely makes sense at all, baby."

"And yet its still romantic as all get out."

Derek chuckled and got up to get her some Kleenex. After he gave it to her he stretched. "I'm gonna grab a shower, if that's okay."

"Sure." She reached out her hand and he took it, pulling her to her feet. "Give me five minutes in there first."

After she went to the bathroom, brushed her teeth and washed her face, Penelope came out "All yours, my love. I'll be waiting in bed."

Derek gave her a probing look from across the room and answered "That's got to be the sexiest thing you ever said to me, Garcia."

She laughed and walked into the bedroom area. "Your memory must be failing then, Hot Stuff, cause I've said things that nearly made you lose consciousness before."

He chuckled, while walking into the room and opening up his overnight bag. He got out some clothes and toiletries. When Derek took a shower Penelope called Kevin to check in again. She told him that the funeral would be in three more days but that she didn't need him to go with her.

After that she flipped on the TV and watched the late show till Derek came back in the room. Her mind started to question just what she was doing by having Derek continue to stay at her place. Was she really trying to change the nature of their relationship? Was it even fair to bring that up right now?

All she knew was nothing felt right except having him there.

XXXXXXXX

Derek noticed that Penelope was sitting up on her bed with wide nervous eyes as she pretended to watch TV. She seemed lost in thought though and he wouldn't be surprised if she had no idea what was on the screen.

He sat on the edge of the bed and faced her. "What's going through that hard head of yours?"

"You agreed to stay with me for one night. This makes two. If you need to get home then I get it."

"The only thing I need to do is get through this with my girl by my side. Baby, I'm just as torn up as you are, you can tell that, right? Being here is helping me as much as it helps you. Believe that."

"Okay. Well you don't have to sleep in here. Its probably more fair to your situation for you to sleep on the couch."

His jaw tensed. "What's my situation?"

She gave him a look and he knew just what it meant. Derek sighed, in frustration, and looked away.

Penelope answered "I know you. I know you went ahead with dating Tamara."

"Baby, I barely ever see that woman. She needed a friend and yeah she wanted more but I wasn't sure I could give her more. Don't assume you know what I do when I'm away from you."

She rubbed her hand along his arm. "The last thing I want to do is fight with you right now. My couch is yours for as long as you want it."

He turned his head and looked deep into her eyes. "That's the best offer I've had in years."

She gave him a small smile. "I could go you one better if you want."

His lips crooked into a tiny grin. "Tell me what you want, Garcia."

"Stay in here with me again tonight."

Derek crawled into the bed, under the comforter, and pulled her tight against his side. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Just try and get rid of me, hard head. I'm not about to walk out on my girl."

She smiled and they spent a while talking about trivial things, like the guests who were on the late night show and the movie they had watched earlier, until finally their words died out and a long comfortable silence filled the room.

Derek drifted off to sleep holding Penelope and feeling a hell of a lot better than he would have if he was home alone that night.