She woke up and frowned slightly when she found that Derek was no longer there, for a minute she feared it had all been a dream. That her mind had made him up because she was so lonely. Her chest felt heavy because it had been so nice to think she had a friend. Her thoughts were quickly interrupted by a sound coming from her living room. She walked into the bathroom deciding that she could deal with whatever was in the living room in a minute. She grabbed some sweats and decided to forgo makeup that day.
Finally, after putting her long black hair into a ponytail, and brushing her bangs and putting on an oversized sweatshirt and some sweatpants she walked into the living room.
She smiled instantly seeing that she had not been dreaming for there he was sitting on the couch with a bowl of cereal watching the early morning news. She smiled once more before walking over to her computers. Grabbing her laptop before making her way to the couch and sitting down.
"Good morning," Derek said taking another bite of cereal, before sitting the bowl back down on the coffee table.
"Good morning handsome." She smiled as she saw a cup of coffee waiting for her on the coffee table, she picked it up and took a drink.
"What you doing now?" He asked with curiosity as he watched her open up the laptop as he fingers started to glide over the keys effortlessly.
"Well, I thought I could look into the incident reports to see if anyone saw anything." She said as she typed in his sister's name and cross-referenced it with car accidents.
` "You're the best." He said with a smile.
"You only say that because it's the truth." She said shooting him a smirk as she continued to type turning the laptop slightly so that he could see what she was doing.
They both sat there entranced in the screen of the computer until they both heard his name on the tv. Derek paused knowing what the next words from the reporter would say next. He knew he would have to leave now as the words of the reporter played on repeat in his head 'Derek Morgan has been spotted in California. There is a warrant out for his arrest.' He sighed heavily when they showed his picture on the television screen. He put his hand into his hands and shook his head. He knew that he would have to leave now and he felt terrible because leaving, meant leaving Penelope behind. A frown settled on his face and he sighed once more.
"I'll go with you," Penelope said without a second thought.
His head snapped up and he looked at her in complete and utter shock. Maybe he hadn't heard her right, or at least that's what he had thought until she repeated herself again softly.
"Where?" Derek asked his voice soft, not wanting her to leave behind everything she had ever known.
"Anywhere, we can get into the car and drive until there is nowhere left to go." Penelope offered and for a minute it was bittersweet.
"But this is your home," Derek said, giving her a look to ensure her that she didn't have to go with him.
"It may have once been home, but it's just not the same as it used to be." Penelope said taking another sip of the coffee.
"What do you mean?" Derek asked confusion written all over his face as he turned on the couch to face her.
"It's just that everywhere I go, everything I do I'm reminded of them. And while it's good to be reminded every once in awhile." She found she couldn't find the words to continue what she was saying.
"But it hurts to be reminded all the time. I understand that." Derek continued to her softly, knowing exactly why she wanted to leave even though she might not be able to bear it.
"Yeah, that's right," Penelope said as a silent thank you for him helping her finish her sentence.
"Are you sure you want to go?" He asked softly, he didn't know where to go or even how to get there because his car had quit about a week ago.
"I don't think I've ever been surer. Plus I've got you to protect me." She said with a soft smile.
"Of course I'll protect you." He affirmed with a smile before he turned to face her once more, "I-I" He stopped the sentence there not wanting to admit he didn't have a vehicle.
"You don't have a vehicle?" Penelope asked softly not wanting him to be embarrassed about not having a vehicle, she had a car out back that she hadn't used in years.
He gave a small smile and shook his head, yes, and then sighed embarrassed.
"That's okay, Ester's out back." She said with a smile, remembering the nickname she had given her car when a few years back.
"Ester?" He asked with a small chuckle before he saw her grab keys and new that it was her car.
"Yep," she said with a wide smile, knowing that when she got the keys out that he understood.
"I've got some stuff to pack first though." She said and then threw the keys at him so that he could go start the car while she got her stuff ready, motioning towards behind the house so that he would know where it was.
He gave a small smile and put his shoes on before heading out the door with the keys. She smiled softly and went back to her room grabbing a blanket, a pillow, and some toiletries. When she was finally satisfied that she had got everything including her laptops and everything else she finally headed out of the door. Taking on the last look at her house before she shut the door and after taking a deep breath she walked away.
Getting into the car with a smile as Derek got out to help her put her bags in the back seat, before he asked, "You wanna drive?"
"No, I'm good." She said cars still had a way of making her nervous ever since her parents died.
"They still make you nervous, don't they?" He asked gently not wanting to pry.
She nodded and got into the passenger side door when she felt him take her hand in his, he smiled softly and said, "Don't worry, I'm right here."
For once she felt safe in a car and she squeezed his hand as they drove off and felt herself finally relax. Knowing that she was going to be okay, she opened her eyes and watched as the town she had known disappeared in the rearview mirror.