My first Criminal Minds fan fic. I don't hate Savannah (much) but I want Morcia so she has to go. No copyright infringement intended. I just brought them out to play with. All mistakes are mine. And I may take some creative license with characters so if they are OOC, sorry
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Penelope spent the rest of the weekend on the couch alternating between crying and anger. Did Derek really feel that way? Why did he pretend if he did? She was so confused she was almost physically ill Monday morning and for the first time since she started at the BAU Penelope called in sick. She spent the day vegging on the couch and refused to answer the phone even when Derek called. By Tuesday morning, not only did she know she had to go to work but she decided not to say anything to anyone about what transpired Saturday night. She would go to work and be professional. No flirting, no nicknames, nothing questionable. If Derek was embarrassed by her she would no longer give him a reason to be. As Savannah said, they were getting married, having a baby, and Penelope needed to get over it. He wasn't available and he definitely wasn't hers. She had always known she wasn't the kind of woman Derek fell for and she needed to remember that.
She got to work early and was locked in her computer lair with her coffee before the rest of the team arrived. She only left once around lunch time to go to the bathroom and saw Savannah walking down the hallway hanging on Derek like a wet blanket. She waited until they turned the corner toward the elevator to run into the ladies room and run back to her lair before anyone could see her. She managed to do this for 2 days before there was a knock on the door. When she opened it, Derek stood there grinning. "So you are alive. I was beginning to wonder."
"I'm Fine Derek. Just busy. Did you need something? "
His grin slowly fell. "We have a new case. Meeting in the round table room in 5." He hesitated a moment. " You sure you're ok babygirl?"
"I'm fine. I'll be there in 5." Then she shut the door in his face, locked it and leaned against it to take a deep breath.
Derek stood looking at the door confused for a moment. Just as he reached for the knob to go back in his phone rang and he answered. "Morgan."
"Hey baby, how about I meet you at your office for lunch" Savannah asked.
Derek turned away and start walking toward the round table room. "Sorry baby. Got a new case. I'll text you later."
" Oh Derek, not again. Fine. Im being paged. We can talk about this later. I love you" and she hung up before he had time to respond.
Penelope walked into the round table room just ahead of Hotch and quickly made a beeline for the empty seat next to JJ rather than the seat by Derek. She tried not to look but saw him frown before Hotch motioned her to begin.
"As you can see on the screen we have 3 women who have gone missing in Jasper, GA in the last 5 weeks. The local sheriff is asking for our help because its a small town that is severely understaffed and they have never had a serial murder." Penelope went through all the details. " Be safe my superheroes" and she walked out the door as Hotch was telling everyone when wheels up. She almost made it.
"Garcia!" Derek yelled as she opened her office door, She took a deep breath then turned to face him. "Something is going on with you. What is it?"
She smiled politely. "I'm perfectly fine agent Morgan but you are going to be late if you don't hurry. Have a safe trip". And she turned into her lair letting the door close behind her as Derek frowned. He hurried to his desk to grab his go bag and get to the jet trying to figure out what was wrong with his baby girl as he went.
It has been 6 days since the team left for Georgia. Garcia has been trying to call Hotch or Rossi with any details she finds so she can avoid talking to Derek but it hasn't been working every time. Picking up the phone she crosses her fingers that anyone else answer. "Morgan."
I guess crossed fingers isn't working well, she thought snidely but managed to keep the words in her head and not coming out of her mouth.
"I call bearing possible good news. The last victim that went missing has a TRO against her ex-husband. Anyone want to guess what for?"
"Assault with a deadly"
"Got it on the first try agent Morgan. And to top it off he owns a fishing cabin about 35 miles east on Talking Rock Creek. I'm sending the coordinates now."
"Great work sweetness."
"Um, thank you." She stutters out and hangs up.
After getting the all clear, unsub in cuffs and team on the way home, Penelope decided waiting for the team was more than she could handle so she went home before they arrived back. The team walked off the elevator and stopped. Looking around at the closed door of the obviously darkened computer room of their tech analyst they were all a bit surprised she wasn't there to greet them, none more surprised than Derek.
Penelope was startled awake by a knock on her door. She looked around groggily and realized she had fallen asleep on the couch watching a movie. Stretching as she stands, she walks to the door just as a second knock sounds, "I know you're in there baby girl. Open the door. We need to talk."
"Oh boy," she whispers as she opens the door to let Derek inside.
"What can I do for you agent Morgan?"
He raises his eyebrows, "Let's start with why you started calling me agent Morgan and go from there." He said firmly as he walks over and sits on the edge of the couch.
"It is your name and title isn't it? Professionally speaking Of course."
"Since when do we talk to each other professionally?"
" I think it's perfectly appropriate. I suppose I could just call you Morgan if you prefer." She says quietly.
"Tell me what's going on here P. Something is off. We've never been that professional."
"I just think under the circumstances it's more appropriate. It's how I speak with Hotch and Rossi."
"You and I are not Hotch or Rossi."
"You're right, We aren't. But you are about to get married and I think we should keep things professional don't you?"
"you keep saying that but you aren't telling me the reason behind this sudden change, We are supposed to be friends Garcia. Best friends. Now tell me what the hell is going on!" Derek yells as he stands up quickly, losing his temper.
"You really want to know Derek?" Penelope yells back. "Fine. I'm doing my best to keep my distance. To keep from getting my heart broken worse than it already is. That's what's wrong Derek!"
"What The hell does that mean"
"I love you, you idiot!" Penelope flops onto the couch covering her face with both hands.
Derek stands in speechless shock, " What?"
Penelope sighs. Continuing to look down at her hands she says softly. "I love you Derek. I know you think its some silly crush but Its not. It never has been. And I'm heartbroken that not only have I lost my chance for more with you but I can"t even have my best friend any more. No movie nights, no long lunches or spontaneous trips on Saturdays. Nothing that we've done for the last 11 Years. Not anymore. Not with Savannah in the picture,"
"You"re blaming Savannah because you never bothered to tell me this? That"s on you Garcia. You've had years to tell me and you pick a month before my wedding? I….. I can't do this right now." Derek walks to the door while Penelope sits silently with tears rolling down her face. He stops for a moment, his hand on the knob, then opens the door and walks out shutting it firmly behind him.