Author's note: Hello all again. First off I want to thank everyone for the wonderful review's they are candy for the soul. Next I hope you like this chapter, I think there may only be one more unless said muse decides to take this on a fun ride. However I see two ways it can go but who knows. So happy reading.

Disclaimer: As normal I don't own anything.

With each step Kevin's confidence grew. He kept telling himself that it was for Penelope, so that she would be happy, even if it wasn't with him.

Taking a breath, Kevin stood right behind Morgan watching the agent flip through the files on his desk before saying, "You know Agent Morgan for a profiler your pretty stupid."

Kevin watched as Derek turned to face him a surprised look lighting his eyes, with an underlying anger starting to bubble.

"Excuse me?" Derek said cocking an eyebrow.

"You heard me right Morgan your stupid. You can't even see what is right in front of you all along. Even now you sit here and work, not even going to her when you know she's needs you."

"And it's any of your business?" Derek asked turning to look at the tech sizing him up and finding him lacking.

Frustrated, Kevin put the box down on the desk and crossed his arms trying to look, at least somewhat threatening. He was sure it looked more humorous then menacing. "It's my business because Penelope is a friend, even if we broke up I still care about her and I want her to be happy."

Derek turned away from him, "Just drop it Lynch you have no idea what you're talking about."

"Damn it Morgan will you listen for once in your life. Pull your head out of your ass long enough to understand that Penelope loves you, even while we were dating her heart was never all in."

Derek swiftly turned back to him, "Don't try to tell me what Pen feels." he growled anger flashing in his eyes, "she sees me as a brother nothing more and that's the way it should be."

"And you call yourself a profiler," Kevin said shaking his head, "either that or you really are blind."

Derek was bringing to get agitated, "Lynch if you value your life…" he let the threat hang.

"Your threat doesn't scare me," Kevin challenged stepping closer so Derek could hear the next words clearly, "you love her, and I could see it every time you looked at her. Stop pretending that you don't, you both deserve to be happy."

Frustration gathered behind his eyes, he didn't need this, not now, not when all he really wanted to do was jump up and run to her. He knew she needed him but he wasn't sure she would accept his presence. She had turned him down earlier and he didn't want to press his luck. If he was honest with himself he knew he loved her and had for a while now. But he also knew that there were many skeletons in his closet, and he knew, or so he thought, he'd never be good enough for her.

"Just shut up Lynch and leave I don't have time for this," Derek responded turning back again.

Shaking his head Kevin picked up his box, but before he left he had a few parting words, "She does love you deeply. She sees pass all the things you think would hold you back. She's more worried that you don't love her because of the way she looks. That you think of her, and will continue to think of her as a good friend, and nothing more, so please do you both a big favor, tell her. Work can wait, but Penelope may not."

Before Derek could reply Kevin had walked off leaving him with a lot to think about.

"You know he has a point," a voice from behind him said.

Derek turned, "And what point would that be Rossi?"

"That you are stupid and blind and that Penelope won't wait forever," Rossi said before walking off.

Without another thought Derek stood and raced out of the bullpen hell bent on talking to her, to get everything out in the open no matter what. He was tired to the dance it was time to man up and tell her what he felt before it was too late. Life was too short to what if.

Penelope had driven around for an hour before settling on going to the lake, time alone by the quite waters would hopefully help clear her mind. The rain had held off to just light sprinkles for a long time as she watched the small waves of Lake Potomac lap at the shore. She wasn't sure how long she had sat there before a deep voice called her name.

She looked up surprise written the brown depths, "What are you doing here Derek?"

"Looking for you," came his reply.

He had spent the better part of two hours trying to find her. He'd gone to her apartment, the hospital, and even a few restaurants they frequented, with no results, until now.

"Why?" she asked turning back towards the lake.

"Because I was worried and I figured you needed some company. Even if you said you didn't."

Shaking her head Penelope tried to push the tears back she didn't want him to see her at a weak moment. "I'm fine Morgan really you didn't need to come find me. You just wasted you time."

"You don't sound fine Baby girl," Derek pressed walking closer to her.

He could see the traces of tear tracks down her cheeks and it tore at his heart to know that she was trying to handle everything by herself when she didn't need to. He wondered how they let this get so far, but he knew why and now he was going to fix it.

"I am, so just drop it," Penelope returned wiping at her face.

"Damn it Penelope just talk to me. We use to do that all the time what happened."

Neither noticed that the rain started to fall hard around them.

Penelope turned to face him her face a picture of pain and hurt, "Why do you care?"

"Because I'm in love with you silly girl," Derek responded his eyes locking with hers, trying to tell her everything with just his eyes.