Disclaimer: I own nothing
They exited the yoga studio nice and relaxed, Penelope said to Beth, "That is what my life has been missing."
"I know that was better than a massage," Beth said.
"Better than chocolate," Penelope said trying to top Beth.
"Better than sex," Beth countered
"I wouldn't go that far," Penelope said with a smile and they laughed.
Penelope wore a white tank top with a bright bra underneath—it was pink and with floral accents and a maroon wrap skirt She reached in her bag and grabbed a lime green Carrie Bradshaw flower and pinned it above her right breast.
"You carry your trinkets, I mean your, Garcia-ism, with you," Beth said with a smile.
"Can't leave home without them,"
"So how are you and Derek doing?"
"Beth," she said in a tone that said she didn't want to talk about it.
"Ok, let me put some tequila in you and then tell me."
She laughed, "Deal, it's hard to say no to you and Sauza."
"Great, an impromptu ladies night out. I told JJ & Emily that I would drag you out kicking and screaming- they'll come after work."
"How about my house instead?"
"Garcie, why are you trying to break-up the Sex & the City moment," Beth asked.
As she was debating her answer– JJ joined them on the corner.
"Are you heading to Pete's?"
"I'm not sure—I'm really not dressed."
"And from what I can tell you need to do laundry" JJ said gesturing at her bra.
The ladies laughed.
"I know—with the kids gone, I've been slacking – I did an all nighter Wednesday and crashed all day Thursday. Handed in everything this morning, Strauss, my department chair, all of it. I crashed again at like noon and woke up for yoga," Penelope explained.
"Oh, what a hard life you lead," JJ teased
"Come on lets discuss over drinks," Beth said.
"Geez, when did you get so pushy Beth—Let me call Derek and let him know."
"Hey baby girl!"
"Hey, I'm heading out with the ladies for a few drinks—have you guys landed?"
"We're about to. Have you eaten something of substance today?"
"Besides wine and cheese," she teased, "I think so."
"Ok, because I know what happens when you and Beth fly solo."
She laughed, "I promise—we'll be good."
As he hung up with Penelope, he took his seat next to Hotch and across from Reid.
"What trouble are our ladies getting into?" Hotch asked.
"Impromptu ladies night, featuring some sort of tequila," Derek replied
"Geez, the last time they did that I had to whisper all Saturday," Hotch said.
"I had to carry a drunk Garcia to bed with her IPod on singing Barry Manilow's greatest hits."
"How is that going?" Reid asked
"What?" Morgan asked.
"You and Penelope?"
"Were good. She's happy. I'm happy—it only been a week, but were finally good. Its also good to be back with you guys—it's like returned home twice."
"So your not using Ryan's services, good decision." Hotch asked quizzically
"Ryan?"
"No, He is a lawyer, after I found out about Penelope and Stella I flipped out and I called Ryan. But in the end, she's my world and I can't imagine life without her."
"I didn't know—I guess Stella's invite to your Labor Day Fiesta is permanently revoked."
He glared at Reid, "Sorry," Reid said, "I'm just glad things are better."
Back at Pete's, their first round of tequila and margaritas were just delivered. "What should we toast to?" Penelope asked—"Friday?" she offered.
"How about happy endings?" Beth asked.
"Yes, Happy Endings" JJ agreed.
Sure, they slammed their shots and Penelope said to Beth, "ok, fire away."
She told them about the hospital incident, the date night in Chicago – which was amazing, Derek retaining a lawyer, getting rid of the lawyer, clearing the air with Stella, and Derek moving back in.
"He came over and made you dinner?" Beth asked
"Yeah, it was one of the sweetest moments—like a somber goodbye. We know we can't even be friends like we were. I mean there will be this tension there and we acknowledge what the ramifications of that would be. Co-teaching the class, this fall is going to suck to say the least. But it was a sweet moment."
"What present did he give you?" JJ asked
"He gave me the complete works of EE Cummings for my birthday—one of my favorite poets. My dad used to read me his poems when I was a kid. And Season 2 of True Blood"
"Are you sure there isn't anything there?"
"Yeah, I mean it is nice to be seen as a woman who you want to impress and be your best self – I mean he looks at me the Derek used to with all of that newness, but it's like comparing mineral water to champagne. I mean like, what Derek and I have has aged to perfection or is aging to perfection and I love him. We are still seeing a therapist but if I was a relationship weatherman I see clear and sunny skies."
Beth squeezed her hand, "I'm so happy for you guys – I didn't want to loose my couple BFF."
Penelope smiled "I will always be your BFF- Amanda, another round please—pretty please," she called from across the bar.
"What am I chopped liver?" JJ asked
"We are like sex and the city season 6 I think—and we just have to get Reid to realize he has to chase Em," Penelope said.
"Maybe we should put it in an old English lit book with a map, " JJ added and the table erupted with laughter.
Beth's phone went off and it was a message from Hotch, "hey they guys are going to crash our ladies night."
"Oh, I should let Will know," she said as she stepped away from the table.
"How are things going with Hotch?"
"Great, I think. I'm finally ready."
Penelope smiled and said, "That is awesome! Jack does need a brother or sister."
"Have you thought about having another one?" Beth asked.
"I have, I think one more would be amazing," she said wistfully.
"Ok Will is coming," JJ said as she returned to the table
"Let's get two more rounds in before they get here and start talking case and takedowns," Beth ordered
JJ laughed, "yes, - Amanda" she called to the waitress, "One more round."
When the guys arrived, girl talk was over. Penelope sat next to Beth and Derek sat on her other side. He kissed her quickly on the lips and said, "Tequila?" She nodded fervently with a child like smile.
"How was yoga?" he asked
"Relaxing, the best way to start off the weekend. Your mother called she has everything she needs to travel with the kids next weekend."
"What the theme tonight?" Rossi asked
Reid, "it's TGIF Friday peppered with karaoke for those so inclined."
"Want to do a song Reid?" Emily teased.
"I'm not good at karaoke—don't say anything Penelope,"
"My lips are sealed," she said locking her mouth and throwing away the key.
"We should do a song," Beth said to Penelope
"Maybe you could do Mo'money/Mo'problems," Derek said
Penelope almost spit out her margarita, "really? I thought what happened in Chicago stays in Chicago?"
"I'm intrigued what does this have to do with P. Diddy?" Emily asked
"All I have to say is who knew Garcia was such a hip hop diva." Derek said with a smirk.
They talked about work and weekend plans as folks piled into the bar for the spirits.
"What is going on tonight—I've never seen Pete's so packed," Penelope asked
"The new recruits find out if the made it into the bureau, today. Those who made it get insanely drunk—well that is what I did," Emily said.
The table chuckled
The microphone made this loud sweak and then they heard:
"My mama always said if you want something you gotta reach out and grab it and if I could reach out and grab anything – it would be you Miss. Penelope Morgan! So, would you have this dance with me? Thanks Rich for lending vocals and Rob & Tom for back up dancing," said Anthony. He was a student with bright blue eyes and black hair. His skin was fair and he was about 5'10''—he was attractive in a North Dakota kind of way.
Penelope looked up and said "what?"
Rossi replied, "I think the Mickey Mouse club has a crush on you, Mrs. Morgan", he said with a smile.
Derek looked to the stage with a pissed angry look, but when he saw they were like 20 – he had to chuckle to himself. They wouldn't even know how to handle a woman like Penelope—he thought. He barely knew how. His smile broadened as they began to sing.
Hey Pretty Baby With The
High Heels On
Oh Geez, she said, her face was beet red and they started to dance in sync towards her. She knew she had to be a good sport but she hated being the center of attention, like this. Their dance routine was so cute she couldn't hold back and started to smile.
Derek laughs and leans in and says, "you have fans, sweetheart." Without thinking he kissed her shoulder and said "don't keep them waiting – dance with the little mouseketeer."
You Give Me Fever
Like I've Never, Ever Known
"Don't kill'em Derek," Hotch said with a laugh.
You're Just A Product Of
Loveliness
I Like The Groove Of
Your Walk,
Your Talk, Your Dress
I Feel Your Fever
From Miles Around
I'll Pick You Up In My Car
And We'll Paint The Town (Michael Jackson, The Way You Make Me Feel)
She danced with him and by the chorus; she waved her family on to the dance floor to share the spotlight, which they graciously did. As she danced with Anthony, Derek thought about how easy it was to love her. She always said that she had to work at being pretty, with the make-up and the accessories but a night like tonight—she just had nothing on and she looked amazing. He loved her, he thought, as he watched her dance with Anthony. He loved her like; he did the first day they met.
When the song was over – she chatted with Anthony, as Beth, Hotch, Will, JJ, Reid, and Emily made their way back to the table. She introduced him to the table and to Derek.
Anthony began to apologize and Derek cut him off.
"No harm, No foul—you can't help it if you have good taste," he said as he put his hand over Penelope's slightly protectively and gave her a squeeze.
As Anthony made his way back to his friends, the conversation kept on flowing like old times. She sat across from Derek and she couldn't help but stare at him. Sometimes she forgot how beautiful he was on the inside and outside. The past week they've spent together has been such a treat—to get back to who they were before life happened was amazing. She forgot how their house felt like a home with him there. She couldn't wait for the kids to come back so the circle would be complete. She missed them so much, especially in the mornings; she laid on Chris's bed often reading her kindle just so she could be closer to him.
"You're staring," he whispered to her.
She blushed instantly—and covered her face to the on lookers a bit. "I was in a deep contemplative thought," she whispered back with a slight smirk
"About what?" he whispered giving her that 1000 watt smile with his eyebrow slightly raised.
"Do you fancy a dance?" she asked.
Smooth came on by Santana and Rob Thomas, he smiled and got up from his seat and she followed him to the dance floor. They swayed to the music.
The next song that played Ho Hey and the dancers started to do some form of line dancing. They stayed on the dance floor, Derek got the moves right away and she stumbled into is arms a few times before she finally got it. As the women and men separated into their own line. Her hips swayed and he was in a trance. As the women stepped closer to the men, the men grabbed their hands and spun them around and they danced apart in the other direction. She added her on sexy moves to the two-step. This is the way they used to be, Derek thought.
As the song approached the end, he grabbed her by the hips and said, "I belong with you, you belong with me my sweetheart." He kissed and dipped her in one sweeping motion.
"I know right," she said with a smile.
He kissed her hand and led her back to the table – Bathroom she said as she continued to the back of the bar.
"I thought you were a bump and grinder," Emily teased, "I had no idea that you added the Texas two step to your repertoire."
"Emily, come on girl, I thought you knew I had moves."
JJ, "I know and some of them are just reserved for Garcia."
"Exactly," he said with a smile.
"Out of all the bars in Quantico, this guy comes here," Rossi, said so annoyed
The table turns and sees Stella enter with a date.
Derek's smile fades, he looks at his hands.
Penelope return with out noticing Stella. The tension is as thick as a slice of cheesecake.
"What," she said to the table, "Do I have toilet tissue on my shoe?" She said with a laugh as she looks down.
"Who needs another drink?" Derek said as he stood.
"Margarita me, Handsome."
"What bug got into Derek's Bonnet?"
"Stella" Emily answered as the rest of the table looks over her shoulder.
"Oh," she said as she bit her lip. "I'll be right back."
She walked over to him and said "Hey Plato!"
"Hey Penelope—"
She didn't know what to do with he hands so she kept them behind her back, "How are things?"
"Good."
"Are your kids back?"
"No, next weekend"
"When are you heading to your parents?"
"On Monday."
"Did you get my email? Our syllabus has been approved—our class is all squared away."
"Oh, Penelope this is Janet."
"Nice to meet you – do you teach yoga at Ohm!?"
"Yes," she said
"I think – I've taken a few class from you—advanced Sunday class."
"That's right."
"Maybe we can grab lunch or something before I head out", Stella interjected
"I'm consulting on a case and I may travel," she fibbed.
"Well I'm going to head back but it was good to see you—Have a safe trip," she said as she gave him a hug.
"Nice to meet you Janet," she said giving her a quick peck,"—he's a great guy you know."
Janet looked up at him as if he was the most beautiful thing she ever saw and said, "I know" with a smile from ear to ear.
She turned to walk away with in two steps he touched her arm and walked towards her.
"It's weird having an audience," he said gesturing with his eyes towards the table.
She looked over and everyone looked down—"my family," she said with a smile.
"I'm surprised how hard this is. We used to talk like every day and now nothing," he said as he ran his fingers through his hair. "We can't even be friends?" he asked as he jammed his hands into his pockets.
"We can but I just need some time and space to focus on myself and my family."
"I know but I just miss you," he whispered with pleading eyes, "I miss us."
"We're friends," she tried to say clearly, "I should head back before Derek goes all Jason Bourne on you tries to kill you with a straw wrapper and then you go all Eric on him and try to glamour him." They laughed at the image of that and she tilted her head and said, "Have a safe trip Stella."
She headed back to the table and things were awkward to say the least. Derek was sitting there pretending not to be fuming under his collar. He knew he had to let go of this irrational jealousy. She chose him she would always choose him he reminded himself.
She bit his neck and he jumped.
"What was that for?"
"I am trying to release some of that tension in you lower back—are you familiar with the Morgan Technique."
He laughed and just like that, it was the two of them, again.
"I forgot to tell you I signed us up for a song," Beth said nonchalantly.
Penelope smiled, "of course you did," she laughed.
"I mean Derek was telling us how into you killed it in Chicago – we wanted to see hip hop Penelope up close and personal."
"Well as close to hip hop as I could get," she added.
The Karaoke MC called for the Non BAU girls to come to the stage.
Penelope almost spit out her drink, "Is that the name of our band. Maybe Reid could join us – y'know with that new hair cut and all."
The table erupted in laughter
As Penelope looked at the song Beth chose she laughed, "we are divas I guess."
As the opening of Beyoncé's Diva started, Penelope composed herself and pretended to be Beth's back-up dancer. Beth sang the first verse and Penelope was her stone cold back-up singer and dancer. As the chorus played, they sang it with a two-step the created on the fly. Penelope did the 2nd verse channeling her inner Beyoncé, while Beth became her back-up dancer. She adlibbed one of the lines and changed it to Bet, Derek has a six pack in the cooler as she gestured towards her abs. Beth's inner Beyoncé trumped Penelope's and they sang the 3rd verse together. When the song was over, they returned to the table and were greeted with hi-5's.
Emily asked, "Did you guys work on that routine?"
"Nope," Beth said proudly, "all improv."
"We are mentally in sync"
"Actually guys that song wasn't hip hop it was pop music." Reid said matter of factly
Penelope put her arm around Reid, "Let's not get technical Dr. Spencer Reid, or I may have to drag you to the dance floor kicking and screaming."
She sat down next to Derek, "Hey handsome," she said smiling at him as if they were the only ones in the room—she then yawned the fakest yawn he had ever seen. "Geez, I'm pooped. "
"Wanna get out of here," he asked with a mischievous glint in his eye.
She did another fake yawn and said "yeah"
"Garcia, we are all aware that those yawns are fake. If they were real someone else at the table would have yawned too."
"Thank you Dr. Obvious, Em I think you are just going to have to beat him over the head and take him to your cave."
JJ spit out her drink and Reid asked what she was talking about as Emily turned crimson red.
"Nighty Night Superheroes and Beth I will text you tomorrow 9am."