Morgan and Garcia

Chapter Three

July 2011

Derek Morgan was great at plastering a fake smile on his face. He learned that trait young and it had served him well over the years. He sat at JJ's wedding smiling through the dinner, toasts and the start to dancing.

Penelope was seated at the head table and Derek found himself watching her often, dragging his attention away from the rest of the people at his table. She looked lovely this evening- breath taking really- and he found himself completely taken with her all over again.

Not that he was happy about this rush of overwhelming emotion that was coursing through him ever since seeing her walk down the aisle today. He had been fine around her for so long now. They were the best of friends and all that other painful stuff had been pushed down somewhere in him, a place he didn't let hurt him on a daily basis. At the joint bachelor and bachelorette party last weekend they had a great time drinking, flirting, hooting and hollering at the burlesque show in Atlantic City. Sure there was some underlying steam there between them that night but that was the usual for them.

He certainly hadn't been about to cry in his beer that night!

This wedding was just getting to him. He had been tight with JJ for nearly a decade. It was like seeing a sister of his finally commit to her life partner after years of ups and downs together. The fact that Emily's death is what had prompted JJ to bring up marriage once again to Will- to tell him yes after saying no for so long- made it that much more emotional too. The ceremony was beautiful and it felt like Emily's presence was here, surrounding them all with her wish that they find love and happiness, something Emily herself never had much of in her life.

Derek had spent so long trying to convince himself that his feelings for Penelope had come and passed that he had almost bought it himself. Believing that is how he had gotten through day after day for so long now.

But the illusion shattered the moment she took her first step down that aisle today. He hadn't seen her before the ceremony and the image of her in a light yellow bridesmaid gown with her halo of blonde curls framing her pretty face, flowers in hand, had been too much for him. He was just a man after all.

It was the closest he had ever seen to her looking like a bride coming down the aisle towards him, and in that moment he knew that his heart hadn't really ever let the dream of loving her go. He just had let his head believe it because it relieved him of the pain of longing for her while she was a taken woman.

Now she was single again. Derek could tell though that she had no interest in him beyond friends. If she did then she wouldn't be dating every guy she bumped into but him. They barely had time for their movie nights and chatty weekend phone calls these days. She was looking for love all over...and never once glancing in his direction for it, not unless she was simply teasing.

Teasing. She did that often and he was the idiot who lapped up every word.

"Morgan," Rossi's voice interrupted Derek's thoughts, as Derek had been watching the dance floor but not really seeing the people there.

"Hmm, yeah?"

"Looks like Garcia could use a drink." Rossi nodded toward the bar area. The wedding was held at a hotel located on the beach, with the ceremony and reception outside.

Watching as Penelope tried to get the bartender's attention to no avail in the large crowd, Derek smiled slightly and headed over there.

Clearing his throat, as he came up behind her, he spoke in a warm, throaty tone "Baby girl."

She slowly turned, her red rimmed eyes settling on him and growing soft with tenderness. "Hello, handsome man."

He lifted her hand, holding it to the side, and raked his eyes up and down her. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, look at this stunner."

"Why thank you, kind sir. I think this color kinda washes me out though."

"Hush. Nonsense. You're looking mighty fine right now. You better be careful, woman, or else you're gonna outshine the bride tonight and I'll have to spank you for that."

She chuckled.

He moved to the bar and, with his deeper and more booming voice, got the bartender's attention, ordering them two drinks. He handed hers to Penelope. "I hope this is what you were in the mood for..."

She ran her hand down his chest. "Not exactly but it will do."