-15. Looking Back
When Penelope got in on Monday she found a fresh vase pot of lilacs, two boxes of the most exquisite chocolate and bottle of wine she had, back when she made a trip to France. She first thought it was Derek and she eagerly read the card that came with her gifts. 'Poor tokens compare to the greatness that is the Oracle of Quantico. We bow to you. Team C'
''So much for kiss and make up!'' she said sadly.
She sat down and looks at her 'tokens' She was intrigue. Did Team C participate in the bet? Sure half of this building had if Lucas trip to Barbados was any clue. If it was the case why would they feel guilty enough to send these when no one else had? She got up and went at the other side of the floor looking for Team C.
''Alright Peasants! You got this Goddess attention! What do you want?''
Four men looking comfortable and three confused women turned to look at her.
''I'm sorry what?'' said one of the women
She handed them the card. When they finish reading it, they turn around in one motion towards the men of the unit. Rookie spoke first.
''It's just to let you know we appreciate you as much as Team A Miss! The guys thought it was a good idea!'' he said looking at his feet, as the men nodded.
''Right, I know how much this cost, not that this Oracle doesn't deserve it, again I'll ask what do you want from her?''
Rookie broke.
''Forgiveness.'' the other glared at him while avoiding looking at the women.
''For what?''
''An unfortunate comment I made without knowing better to Agent Morgan and Dr Reid. Pleas, please forgive me. I just started I can't afford to be erased!'' he whined panic setting in, the other three didn't look better.
''Did this 'comment' was related to the bets going around? What you look surprised? I'm the Goddess of all knowledge after all, but I don't lower myself in petty punishment everything I learn something, I wouldn't have time to work around here! Letting you explain to your girlfriends why the purchase came to be on your credit card should be punishment enough and looks like my Knights scare you enough... girls come with me I have two box of chocolate and a fine bottle of wine with your names on it, this Goddess do not fest on spoiled tokens but I think you will appreciate the aftertaste of irony.'' she ended her tirade with a bright smile, gracefully waved her hand goodbye before walking back to her lair with the women in her trail laughing their heads off.
After half of Team C left her office she took the vase and went to the bullpen.
''Ooooh! Those Pen have a secret admirer?'' inquires a giddy Emily.
''Let me guess, Morgan?'' said JJ, her fingers cross hoping she was right.
Since their week-end, she calmed down. It just frustrated her that they were going in circle. Heck a few years ago they pressurized her about Spence and she gave it go, why couldn't they? They were great people, she loved them greatly and would be forever grateful to have them in her life, and she just wanted them happy.
''This is from Team C.''
''The whole team or just the guys? Please tell me it's just the guys you home wrecker!!'' Emily said her smile broadening.
Reid suddenly found the content of his desk very interesting. This won the attention of the girls since his nervousness made this little quest loud.
''Spence what are you looking for? ask JJ.
''I think he might be looking for his shinning armour. Aren't you my genius Knight?''
Both girls got matching confused look on their face.
''Gar... Penelope I can explain...''
''I'm all ears Sweet Cheeks.''
''I swear I wasn't pulling a 'Morgan' on you I know you can take care of yourself! I... they... with everything going on I just wanted that at least a few of them not to get away easy...'' he said his eyes down cast.
The girls got choked up.
''Awww! Sweet Pea! Here I brought you these cause I know you like their perfume. And next time just ignore them sweetie, I don't people to turn their backs on you because of me.''
''But you do the same if not more for me!''
''Cause this is the job of a Goddess and she's such in a great mood she'll grant you a wish now.''
''Anything no matter what?''
The watery smile of the JJ and Emily turned mischievous at Reid's tone. How come their Oracle didn't see what was coming? She can be such a sucker for the men of this team.
''A Goddess never back track on a granted wish!''
''Talk Morgan, seriously talk to him when he comes back, you owe each other this much?'' he said with uncertainty in his voice.
''Walk right into that one didn't you Garcia?'' said Rossi coming behind her.
She swept and accusatory glare to the four agents around her before huffing.
''Granted!'' and she stalk off.
Boy this is going to be a long week if they keep on that one track mind!
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A few days later in Chicago
As soon as her baby boy went through her door Mama Morgan knew something was wrong with her cub. He wasn't the same man she talks to a week ago. She let a few days pass thinking that maybe after the festivities he'd be more talkative and not afraid of ''ruining'' her birthday. Still not a word. His sisters had been pesterising him about Ebony calling every dark tree in the books but he merely shrug it off, not getting in their usual siblings fight/banter.
''How's Cherry?'' inquires Sara
''Come on sis you know he doesn't like to talk about Maple!'' quipped Desirée
''But I want to know more about Mahogany, it took him six months to tell mom about her!''
Again he just shrugs it off.
''Girls leave your brother alone, if he doesn't to talk about Rosewood... sorry honey it's addictive. If he doesn't want to talk about Ebony he has a right to!''
''You're no fun! And neither is you Derek! Come where my obnoxious brother at?'' pushed Sara
''If you don't talk to us I'll call your lovely Penelope...'' edged Desirée her cell in hand.
The family got their wish, a reaction, but not one they expected...
''She's not mine and you will leave her alone! Understood?!'' he yelled
''Derek calm down!'' his mother tried
''Do I make myself clear?'' he continued ignoring his mother.
''Yes, yes, sorry!'' Desirée never saw this much anger sent towards her, let alone her own brother.
''Derek! Control yourself!'' yelled Fran.
It was like he snapped from a daydream.
''I'm sorry...Desirée... mom...I'' he took a step towards his sister and engulfs her in a bear hug. He felt her tense and it broke his heart.
''Its ok baby bro, we didn't stop since you got here.''
''Its no excuse, forgive me?''
''Yes of course, think nothing of it.''
''Derek did something happened between Ebony and Penelope?'' said Fran her concern growing for her baby boy.
''It's alright mom, I'll just go take a walk to clear my head, don't wait up.'' he let go of Desirée took his keys and went out the door.
''Do you think something happened to Penelope?'' ask Sara.
''I think what I've been dreading since he first talk about her have come true.'' was their mom reply, a sad look on her face.
''What do you mean?''
''Ever since that day I knew she would be a big part of his life and if he was too scared or stupid to make something of it someone would come between them...''
''You don't think that... girl or boy ask one of them to chose?'' said an outrage Desirée.
''Maybe or they make sure Derek and Pen drifted apart.'' she reply shaking her head.
''Poor Derek... I'm calling her.''
''No! You heard him and we don't know what's the states of their friendship! She might not want to talk to us or worst put on a happy front for us.'' Sara reasoned.
''The best we can do girls is wait and let him open up when his ready.''
They sat in the living room trying to watch TV and not looking out the window for any sign of Derek.
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Derek walks aimlessly, not trusting himself to drive with his state of mind. In two days he'll be back and still didn't have the answer he was looking for. He used to call her when he was at deep ends like this, but it wasn't an option now was it? He laughs bitterly, to think this was to blame for this mess. Garcia wasn't the type of woman run after a man even if she might love. He felt she got burn more than once which causes this.
When he told her he loved her after her shooting, she did more than he expected; she reply in kind and what did he do? He got scared send her to bed thinking he will have time to straight things out in his head! Again when Lynch start lurking around, he didn't scare him away like the others, thinking he owed him for Battle, plus letting her have some fun and believe in her attractiveness. He couldn't risk her blowing him of like she did the night she was shot.
Then the famous Man-to-man talk to that let him know he might be too late. He ran to her bunker hoping that he wasn't. He told her about Lynch, she frowned at first making relief wash over him, but then she beamed repeating 'I have a boyfriend'. He never saw this expression on her face, a mix of happiness and disbelief. That's when he got it, this guy was fighting for her, something he never did. Of course he protected her, cared for her, comforted her, but he never took a stand, each member of the team did from Hotch to recently Rossi. Lord knows how many time she took one for him. He felt ashamed, the words he came to say about her giving him a chance got stock in his throat in a big lump. He couldn't take this look of her face, and then Lynch came in smiling like an idiot, so he stepped down but made sure Lynch new he was at every corner waiting for him if he ever messed up!
He thought everything would stay the same, boy was he wrong! A few months in a caught a conversation between the girls where Pen was crying saying she didn't what to do to make her boyfriend believe that Derek had no interest in her. Derek let out another bitter laugh. If she only knew! So he started to see her less often, always made sure Kevin was there, if they gather in a bar after work, before coming. Called her less often in and out of cases, there were talks about her coming to Chicago with him this year but he stop mentioning it. When she would invite him for there usual Wednesday night of CSI NY and old movie and he would tell her she should use her free nights on her boyfriend. After a few weeks he met Ebony, a few more weeks and she stopped trying with him, he couldn't blame her but it still broke his heart, Ebony seemed eager to make him forget the best way she knew how...
He was back in front of his mother's building. Guess it was time to make a man out of himself and talk to mommy.