Over You

Morgan and Garcia

Chapter Four

July 2011

Derek lost his breath and train of thought.

That always happened when she caressed his chest and turned her sultry voice on him- even on days when he had wasted his time pretending she was just his hot friend who he liked to flirt with for the fun of it. But there was so much more there.

In a world full of woman who were beautiful and special, in their own ways, only Penelope Garcia made Derek Morgan lose his game, get tongue tied and confused, too nervous to act, too shy to confess.

She was a weakness he had tried to run from over and over again, tried to deny, claimed he was so over her for good and the last time he wanted her as his lover had been the last time. He had tried to believe that was all true.

Now he had to admit it had all been a bed a lies that he lay in for years. Lies to her, his family and friends and, worse of all, to himself. And the lies would continue.

They had to because she just didn't see him as anything more than friend. That was something he was completely sure about. If there was a slightest chance she wanted more then he would gather his courage and ask her for a real and proper date. She didn't want him that way though.

Penelope was content with how things were and Derek knew he just had to forget about the feelings that were churned up during the ceremony and go back to being content too. He could do it. He'd fought this kind of war inside of himself before.

He could convince himself he was happy, just like she was. Standing there, staring in her eyes, he just felt lost though. Lost to all the emotions he couldn't control, no matter how desperate he was to love her back in just the way she wanted and needed, instead of the way he desired.

If only he knew how to do that. If only tonight was already over so he could get a breather from these overwhelming emotions. He needed space from her, from this wedding, from knowing how alone his life was and would stay.

There was no space to be found yet though. For now he had to laugh softly at her flirty words and give her a sweet smile, playing along like he always did and always would.

They both sipped their drinks before Penelope looked up at the night sky. "It's a nice night. Clear sky and the heat of this afternoon has finally broken."

"Would you like to take a walk?"

She gave him a surprised, but touched look, before slipping her arm through his. "Don't you know I'd follow you anywhere? Lead the way."

Heading away from the patio area they leaned against each other, not feeling the need to speak for long minutes. Morgan carried Garcia's heels and they made their way far from the reception, finally he put his suit jacket down for her to sit on. Her head rested on his shoulder, he intertwined their fingers.

Derek broke the silence. "The ceremony was beautiful." He gave her a smile. "Did I see some tears escaping those pretty eyes?"

"Only buckets full. It was so romantic, wasn't it, baby?"

"Yeah."

Their eyes locked and held.

Penelope whispered "I've always wanted a truly magical moment all my own but Garci never got that lucky before."

"Don't worry. You'll get your moment one of these days. It'll come along probably when you least expect it."

Though it would feel like it was killing him and break his heart to see her so happy with another man, Derek wouldn't wish away her happiness just because it was sure to bring him a fresh onslaught of pain. She deserved a romantic moment to remember all her life where she felt loved and like the queen of some man's heart.

Penelope was still staring deep in his eyes. Her tongue darted out to wet her lips. She said "I've had it with sitting back and waiting for it to come along."

"Is that right, mama? Not feeling too patient anymore, huh? Don't think I can help you there. Love comes on its own timetable."

"See, I've always believed that too. Look at us, simpatico in the thinking department, but it feels like cupid is sleeping on the job and I just don't think I can put my fate in that fat baby's hands anymore."

Derek chuckled. "So what do you plan to do about it, huh, Miss Thing? You're been dating like a mad woman already. Maybe you just need to step back and let love come to you."

"Been there, done that, so over it."

He couldn't help smiling. She was so silly.

The last thing Derek wanted was Penelope to rush off to search for her next lover with renewed vigor but he knew he had to accept that she would because she didn't see him as anything more than her friend. He'd tried too many times to change that. It wasn't something Penelope could control. She felt like she felt and Derek had to live with. And he would do it the best he could.

"So what you gonna do to make cupid get his ass in gear?" Derek asked Penelope, amused by her feeling as bad about love as he was. Even though she was the cause of his heartbreak he had long ago stopped blaming her for not returning his deeper affection. She was too sweet and wonderful to blame for something she couldn't help.

Her fingers walked up his chest, which always made him gasp and watch her hand. She smirked as she said "That's where you come in."

"Hmmm, how's that?" Slowly his eyes rose to hold hers.

"We'd be so good together. Perfect really, don't you agree?"

"Ain't we perfect already? I remember you telling me we were a while back. Perfect and just how you hope we'll always stay, right?"

"Perfection has degrees, Hot Stuff."

Swallowing hard, he gulped, as his body tensed up.

Before he could think of something back to say she was leaning closer to him, obviously going in for kiss. Not waiting for her mouth to come to him, as she rose a little to stretch toward him, Derek swooped in and took her lips in a powerful kiss, letting all his pent up love flow from him to her, not holding a thing back during what could be the only kiss of his life with his sweetheart.

He kissed her as if his life and love depended on it, his hand holding the side of her face and his other splayed on her back, as his beer was left sitting on the sand. The waves lapping against the shore and the sounds of their soft, guttural moans filled the air.

What felt like strong, hot, live wire electric jolts flared, burned, sizzled and ran through him as Penelope returned his kiss with more passion than Derek had dared to believe she would ever show him.

No matter what happened in the future, he would always have this memory to warm him. The night she had let him kiss her for the first time, not blowing him off, the night she had finally wanted him back.