Baby Girl

Morgan and Garcia

Chapter Three

July 2000

Their first day together flew by.

They walked around the fest for half an hour and then went to go see the free concert that was being held. Sitting on the lawn next to each other, her legs tucked to the side since she had on a dress, and his bent at the knees, they chatted for hours about their lives.

He told her about his family and his time playing college football, his time in the military, and how he was top of his class in the police academy. He also told her about the music he liked and the sports teams he rooted for and his hobby of fixing up old houses. He had worked on a few with an uncle and he loved it. Derek was a sucker for those home improvement shows on TV.

She told him about growing up with hippie parents who were anti-establishment, all the crazy protests they dragged her to and the all organic food they made her eat. She shared that she used to be into the goth lifestyle and only gave it up a few years before. She also shared that she loved science fiction books and movies, and graphic novels. Laughing she told him that under her gorgeous exterior she was a nerd at heart.

"Hottest nerd I ever met," Derek had told her back.

After the concert they walked around and got some more food- finally getting the ribs that Derek had been craving and also some beer for him and a bottle of Bacardi for her.

Derek felt more than just turned on by being around Penelope. He felt completely lost in her. His heart was singing in a way it never had before and he just didn't want the feeling to end.

He asked "Hey, what do you say about going over to Navy Pier to see the fireworks?"

She looked at him for a long moment before her eyes lit up.

Derek smiled a little. "Yeah?"

She nodded. "Yeah, that sounds like a wonderful idea, handsome."

"Cool. Lets grab a cab then."

Soon they were at Navy Pier, walking the boardwalk, shopping at stores and buying mementos. He got her a silver bracelet at one of the shops and a oversized Chicago sleeping shirt, that she stuck in her big, funky, green purse.

She got him a key chain that read I Love Navy Pier so that whenever he looked at it he could remember being there with her. She also got him a ball cap and he happily stuck it on his head, turned backwards, as they walked around.

His phone started to go off incessantly over five minutes but he kept checking it and ignoring it. "Sorry, girl, I'd turn it off but the job might call me in."

"Its okay. Someone sure does seem to want to get a hold of you. The friends that you ditched earlier?"

"Nah."

"Your girlfriend?"

"Hey, hush with that. I don't have a girlfriend. If I did do you think I would have spent today with you like I did? I'm not that guy. I don't ever really have girlfriends. Haven't since freshman year of college when I half tried to get serious with someone. But half trying ain't really trying and I learned my lesson quick."

"So you spread your Hot Stuff loving around, huh? The women of Chicago must thank God for that."

"I do all right."

She purred "I'm sure you do better than all right."

Their eyes held, as they stood in another random shop, and they were caught in a moment much like they had been having all day. The world just disappeared and fell away, and suddenly it was just the two of them.

"After the fireworks do you wanna go get a drink?"

"Derek Morgan, I think you're trying to make sure this night doesn't end till the sun rises on us."

"I told you, girl, I'm yours till morning. And if you're real sweet to me maybe even longer."

"Oh, if only the world worked that way. But, alas, this tech kitten is headed back to Cali in four days and you are meant for a life of being a playboy. Our two paths were only destined to cross for one day, I'm afraid."

For some reason everything in him turned cold at that idea. "We'll see about that." After a moment he added "Hey, lets go get a good spot for the fireworks. We can see them from the beach."

"Cool beans."

He took her hand, for the first time, and led her out of the store and down the boardwalk and then onto the beach. Eventually they settled into a spot. Derek sat behind Penelope and had her between his legs. He rubbed up and down her arms. "You don't mind, do ya, mama? I can move if you're uncomfortable."

"Do not move one inch away from me or else I may just remove you from the grid."

He laughed at her tone. "What does that even mean?"

"That you would go poof in the cyber world. No more credit cards, car lease, driver's license or any of the other things that make a person actually exist these days."

"Damn, you can do all that?"

"With one touch of my magic fingers."

"Wow, girl, you are lethal. I better treat you right so I can stay on your good side. Don't worry though cause I can't imagine ever doing wrong such a beautiful woman...with such beautiful curves...and such beautiful, sweet smelling, pretty blonde hair." He nuzzled her hair and then her neck. "Mmmmm, you ain't my first blonde but I'm pretty sure you are my last. I just couldn't ever be satisfied with another when I remember the woman who set the standard."

She shivered and he loved feeling that. "You have quite a way with words, even if you are just sweet talking me to get into my pants."

"Mmm, well I do want under that dress but I also mean every word. With most women I talk a lot of junk that ain't hardly true but with you I don't gotta make anything up because words can't even start to describe how damn fine and funny and cool and amazing you are. I ain't never had a better day with a chick before, and you can take that to the bank."

She let herself relax against him. He wrapped her in his arms. They kept chatting and later the fireworks went off. Afterwards they went and got ice cream at a vendor and stood on the boardwalk eating it.

Some dripped down her chin. Feeling bold he leaned in and licked it off and then he stole a very short kiss from her. That kiss hit him hard. It left him feeling stunned. It had been just a heartbeat long but it was intense.

He stared deep in her eyes. "Can I see you tomorrow again, Penelope?"

"I just don't think its wise. I'm sorry."

"Is there some other guy?"

"More phenomenal than you, Derek? I think not. Its just that I have to leave in a few days and I came here to hang out with a friend. Already as it I will go back home carrying memories of you that will be hard to ever get over...but if we keep hanging out then it will only get worse for me."

He caressed her cheek. "I hear ya but I don't want to say good bye. Not yet. Just give me another day, at least. Didn't you come out this way for fun? Ain't I the most fun you could ever have? Remember," he wagged his head at her "you said you could have a lot of fun with a Hot Stuff like me. So go for it, girl."

She smiled brightly. "Okay," she said in a cute tone. "You talked me into it. But lets keep this light, okay?"

"Light is my speciality."