AN: The overwhelming response from this story has helped my poor heart. Thank you, my friends. I am okay, and I will always be okay. Sometimes you take a path in life that you know is hard but you do it anyway.

This is Derek's pain in not having Penelope.

Derek Morgan - "Mercy" by Shawn Mendes

Derek Morgan watched the dancefloor as Penelope danced with another stranger. His hands were on her waist as she moved her hips into him. Derek did his best to control his breathing, trying not to give away the anguish he was feeling inside. You've got a hold on me. Don't even know your power. He tore his eyes from the scene as he tried to stop his heart from shattering once again.

He stared at the beer bottle in front of him as he let his teammates voices fade away.

Where had he gone so wrong? By now, he knew in his heart he should have been married to Penelope. Had at least two children with her…But sometimes life doesn't turn out the way it is supposed to. He sighed. Somewhere along the many years of their friendship, his love for her grew into something so much more, while hers was firmly planted. He'd never forget the most painful day of his life. The day he finally told Penelope he loved her, only for her to start dating someone else. He never thought he'd feel a pain that cut him so deep that it rivaled the pain of losing his father. He was wrong.

He couldn't understand it, he could swear he'd seen the same love in her eyes for him, that he had for her. The same look she gave him as he gathered her from her office only a few hours ago. He obviously saw wrong or she wouldn't be dancing with someone else. Show me an open door, and go and slam it on me.

She was the most beautiful person he had ever seen inside and out. Her beauty would brighten any darkness. Even the darkness inside of him. There'd been so many times the demons of his past would resurface. Those exact times were the same times she'd magically show up on his front door step with a movie and popcorn in hand. He never asked her how she knew, but then he never wanted to hear her secrets when it came to him. Her honesty might be too much to bare.

Penelope was his other half.

He looked to the dancefloor once again.

But he wasn't hers. Baby, please have mercy on me. Take it easy on my heart. He could feel the pain sweep through his body just as it did every time he saw her and remember she wasn't his. Or, that she didn't want him the way he wanted her. Watching her on the dancefloor he closed his eyes and thought, even though you don't mean to hurt me you keep tearing me apart.

Reaching his hand into his pocket he pulled out his personal phone. The background came to life as he looked at one of his favorite photos of her. It was taken one of the first nights she had fallen asleep on his chest halfway through one of their movie nights. She was curled into him, a peacefulness on her face. I'd drive through the night just to be near you, baby. And he had. There had been countless nights especially after she'd been shot where he'd have a feeling she needed someone. No matter where he was, he'd get into his SUV and end up on her doorstep.

He heard her laugh echo through the bar. His heart instantly shattered the impossible bit more. Would you please have mercy on me? I'm a puppet on your strings. Taking a chance, he glanced to where he heard the sound of her voice. He saw her, place the palm of her hand to the stranger's chest while shaking her head "no". His heart skipped a beat before falling. He learned the hard way not to get his hopes up.

She turned from the stranger and made her way back to the table, the smile that lip up the room, was present on her face. The second she sat down she reached for his hand squeezing it. It was so normal for her to reach out for him like a lover would, no one ever batted an eye anymore. Looking down at their intertwined fingers, he squeezed back, before placing a smile on his face and looking at her. Even though you have good intentions I need you to set me free.

Who was he kidding, though? He'd take whatever she was willing to give him. He'd never want to be free of her. In life, sometimes you are given the chance to meet your soulmate. But unfortunately, sometimes, life messes up. Sometimes, life gives your other half to the wrong person. And even if that other person will never love you the way you need them to, you can't walk away from your soulmate.

Knowing that walking away was never an option he pushed all his feelings inside of the box labeled Penelope. If all she would ever give him was friendship, he'd gladly take it. She was his world. He'd do anything for her, no matter what it was. If by chance an UNSUB ever captured her, he'd change places with her in a heartbeat. I'm prepared to sacrifice my life. I would gladly do it twice. This woman that sat next to him was his one true love. He'd fully came to that conclusion a long time ago.

"Oh, I love this song. Hot Stuff, you wanna dance?" He looked from their hands to her face. Doing his best to push down everything, he smiled and said, "Of course, baby. I'll always do anything you want." He watched as a brief moment of sadness ran across her face, but was quickly replaced by a warm smile.

Trying to not look too deeply into it, he let her lead him to the dancefloor. He decided that even though he couldn't have her he was going to hold her in his arms and pretend for as long as the song played she was his. He just wished he had the power to never let the song end.

.::THE END::.

(at least for now)

AN: If I ever come across a song that would put them together I would gladly write it and add it as a third chapter. But, for now this story is done. A small insight into two people that love one another more than their next breath. Unfortunately, life doesn't turn out the away we always hoped it would sometimes, as we saw in the show. Stay beautiful, my beloved friends. –Love always, Polhop