They stopped at Lexi's apartment to pick up some of her stuff. Derek had never really been invited into the apartment; let alone her room. She instructed him on where to grab a duffel bag, since stretching was nearly impossible for her.
You could tell women lived in this apartment. It was clean and dainty, certainly more decorated then his own. It would be very interesting living with this woman for two weeks.
He watched Lexi stuff clothes in the duffel bag.
"You really need all this stuff? I thought your boss gave you the time off."
"Only an idiot would take this as a vacation. I might not be able to go to work; but I can still work."
"You sound like my boss. He's a total workaholic. But I didn't think you were this bad."
"The difference between me and your boss; is that he won't be having any kids in 9 months. I, on the other hand, have to get everything together so that when I come back to my job; it's still here. I've got deadlines and project meetings-"
"Oh yeah, it's not like we don't have deadlines; not when lives are involved." He murmured attempting to silence himself before she heard. She did anyways.
"I know, I know, your job is more important than mine." She snapped. This was heading in the exact direction he didn't want to go. Why couldn't he keep his mouth shut?
"It's not that-"
"Oh please. Just. Don't. Bullshit me here. Yes your jobs involve lives, mine involves the planet we abuse. I'm not trying to compete with you." She slammed her dresser shut.
He elected not to say anything else. Instead; he took in the room. She had a million of pictures and they were everywhere. They were almost all in chronological order throughout the room. In the right corner, the wall shelf was lined of pictures from college. Lexi in some random ravine. Another filled with what he assumed was her college friends all covered in mud (likely on an expedition). One particular face jumped out, in a frame at the back. It showed a younger Lexi hugging a very slim looking Emily Prentiss. They were sitting on a rock and he could see blue ocean behind him. "Where are you and Emily in that picture?" he asked.
"Which one?" She had wobbled into the adjoining bathroom. He brought it to her.
"That's when she came with her family to stay with us in Greece. We were on the island of," She thought for a moment. "Pserimos. That was the last trip she ever took to Greece, as far as I know." She went back to gathering.
"So I think I have everything." Lexi said after she packed three duffel bags. He didn't argue this time just grabbed them and put them in his car.
*~*
"Do you want to go somewhere and eat?" He said thinking about what was in his fridge (which was nothing).
She shrugged. "It doesn't really matter."
"Ok. Take out fine with you?"
"Sure. Are you working tomorrow?"
"No, I was gonna call Hotch and tell him I needed the day off."
"You really don't need to. I'll be fine." She insisted. He grabbed her hand as he drove.
"I want to." What he wanted most was to be a real couple. But she was still wary of that. He was now realizing how much he had hurt her. He caught glimpses in her eyes that she wanted it too; she just didn't trust it. He would change that.
They ordered in pizza and just watched television. Derek tossed the duffel bags in his bedroom assuming she wouldn't have a problem sleep there.
She curled up against him on his couch and it felt wonderful. He almost fell asleep like that. It was late, and she was already asleep so he carried to bed. He wrapped his arms around her and for once this week had no dreams or nightmares.
*~*
"Hey Lex." He called from the kitchen, mentally tallying all the food he needed to get. He ate way to much take out lately.
"Yeah?" She called from his bathroom.
"I'm running out to the store."
"Wait for me. I'll come with you." She hobbled out on her crutches. He took in the sight of her. She wore a form fitting shirt that showed off her little baby bump.
"What?" She asked. He was staring at her too much.
"Oh, nothing. I'll just be like a half hour."
"I thought I was coming to." She made for her coat.
"You're supposed to be resting." He pointed out.
"I did rest." It was his turn to roll his eyes. "I'm not handicapped Derek. I can walk so don't baby me."
"I'm not; I'm just following doctor's orders." Somehow they were both walking (well one hobbling) out the door.
As the day progressed, Lexi got more used to the crutches and was able to catch up to Derek. Derek couldn't count the last time he had such a relaxing day. It was like the days they had before; when they were casually dating.
He called his mother to tell her the updates, and spoke to Lexi's mother as well. Penha offered to come up to stay with Lexi but Derek said it was unnecessary. He could take care of her. And that night he actually made a home cooked meal, with Lexi's help of course. He figured he could do the whole domestic thing. Honestly he did not miss the partying or the other girls.
"What are you reading?" He asked later after getting out of the shower. Lexi was already in his bed (such a nice sight to see to) curled up and reading a huge book.
"It's the 'what to expect when you're expecting'." Right. He had heard of that book.
"What can you except?" He asked.
"You don't want to know." She laughed lightly. He sat down beside and took the book.
"What week are we at?"
"15, 16" He flipped to those weeks.
"Your baby is the size of an orange...and can move. Can you feel anything yet?"
"No."
"Wow. You've got a lot of stuff in this book." He read over a few chapters. It even had a part for fathers.
"Should I get one of these books?" He said reading through. Lexi shrugged.
"The book store has a ton of them. Mom bought me that one." He flipped to the 'Dad's survival guide'. It was so surreal to be reading about him being a father. He was quickly glancing through the book, when he came to what freaked him out. He was only on month one. It was cheesy at first; then turned deadly serious when he got to the 'to-do' part. He was looking at the list of things he was supposed to budget for, then what he should be doing for her, then he was supposed to check something with human resources department and that was only month one. In month two he was supposed to be dealing with health insurance and hormones.
And he was actually doing none of it. Lexi was doing it all by herself. Without complaining. It made him feel horrible. He tossed the book away and tried to toss away his feelings of failure.
*~*
Yes I know this is short; but really it's like part 1 or the original. And I know Morgan is beating himself up but it will get better. Please review and tell me what you think. Don't like it? Review and tell me how it could be better (but please do it nicely). Thanks.