Don't Own

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Derek sat beside Penelope's bed at the hospital, he had gotten there three hours ago and she had been fast asleep. Before J.J. had left for the night she had patted him on the back with a smile over at Penelope, she had whispered something to him about not worrying because Penelope was in a better mood. Derek didn't know what she had meant exactly but had just nodded and gone with it.

Reid was sitting across from him, on the other side of Penelope's bed; they were sitting in a comfortable silence.

Derek looked over at Penelope; she looked so peaceful when she slept. He hoped they were back on good terms soon because it was literally hurting his heart knowing that she was mad at him.

Reid stretched and groaned "I'm going to go to the washroom" he said.

Derek looked over at Reid and nodded "Take your time; there's not much of a chance of anything happening while you're gone."

Reid looked relieved; Derek knew that he wanted to take some time to stretch his legs.

Reid had been gone for only a few minutes when the machine that was monitoring Penelope's heart starting beeping faster. Derek looked over at it; Penelope's heart rate was speeding up. Derek then looked over at her and realised that her face was scrunched in pain and she was clutching her bed sheets in her fists. She flung her head to the side like she was trying to get away from some unseen foe.

Derek grabbed her hand "Baby Girl!" he said urgently but gently trying to wake her up.

She let out a strangled cry and tears began rolling down her face.

"Help!" he called out pressing the button that signalled for the nurses.

"Penelope its okay" he said soothingly, the machine was beeping horribly fast now and Derek had to crush down his own fear as the nurses rushed in.

They started moving around her, checking the heart monitor, they tried to get Derek to wait outside but he didn't want to leave her side. Just as they were taking out a needle to give her a sedative she woke up with a shout. She looked frazzled for a moment but after she noticed Derek standing there her arms flew around him and she buried her head in his chest. Derek just held her and within seconds her heart rate had come down to a normal pace.

The nurses looked him over for a minute "I think you've got everything under control" one of them said "Just give us a shout if you need anything."

Derek nodded still holding onto Penelope, he wasn't willing to let her go just yet.

When her sobs subsided he pulled away slightly and looked down at her reddened face "Baby Girl what's wrong?"

"...Nightmare" she choked out.

"You want to talk about it?" he asked.

"I...it was the moment before I got shot" she said tears rolling down her cheeks again, "but it was like I was watching it as a movie not actually living it. I kept yelling at myself to watch out but I couldn't stop it."

Derek rubbed her back softly "It's okay...you're fine now."

"I was so scared" Penelope said softly "After I got shot I kept thinking that no one was coming...I was so alone. I thought I was going to die and..."

Derek waited for her to continue but she didn't "And you what?" he asked gently.

Penelope looked up at him sadly "I'm so sorry Derek...I'm sorry I yelled at you and I didn't believe you. I should have listened to you. I kept thinking that I didn't want to die when my last words to you were mean and spiteful."

"Oh Penelope" he said looking her in the eye "I know you were angry, I shouldn't have said what I did though I didn't mean it the way you thought I did. I just wanted to protect you...I was worried and I'm not angry now. I'm so sorry you had to go through that alone."

"It's my fault" Penelope said sadly "I just wanted to believe a guy like that would like me...who was I kidding."

Derek felt his heart clench at her words "You were wrong you know?"

Penelope looked up at him questioningly.

"You said that I wouldn't walk across a crowded room to hit on you, you were wrong. I would walk across the state of Washington to hit on you...I'd just be afraid of rejection." Derek confessed.

Penelope was in shock, it was such an intense moment, lying there staring up at Derek's seemingly honest face. She thought he must be lying to make her feel better. She went to shrug it off and turn away but he caught her chin in his fingers.

"I mean it Penelope" he said looking at her "I like you...you must know that. You're beautiful and sexy and smart...and I want to be with you."

"Derek I..." Penelope began, searching his face "I don't know what to say."

"Then don't say anything" he whispered leaning down and pressing his lips against hers. He was afraid she wouldn't respond but then she softly moved her lips against his. Their first kiss was gentle and soft and wonderful. Derek took it slow, he didn't want to push Penelope too far since she was still healing. He brought his hand up and caressed her cheek, moving his hand to slowly run it through her hair.

When they finally pulled apart they were out of breath, Penelope looked up at him and blushed.

"Baby Girl you don't know how long I've wanted to do that!" Derek exclaimed.

Penelope smiled slowly, and then pulled him back down into another kiss.

...

Reid rolled his eyes as he stood outside of Penelope's room and Derek's words echoed in his head 'Take your time; there's not much of a chance of anything happening while you're gone.' Yeah right that sure looked like a hell of a lot of something.

Reid shook his head but smiled as he watched Penelope and Derek's embrace. 'Finally' he thought walking away to give them some privacy.

Reid wondered how the rest of the team was going to take it. It would probably be the same as it always was...well except without the sexual tension.