Note: All right, so my third Criminal Minds fic. In this one, I have completely jumped the tracks and wrote what I write best: happy-ending-romance. I'm pretty sure that Derek is out of character in this story and I don't care. I hope everyone enjoys reading what I have enjoyed writing.

Disclaimer: So not mine. If it were… Derek wouldn't be with Joy, he would be with Reid.

So Soon

"Hey boy."

Derek let Clooney out, standing on the porch while the golden retriever ran around the tiny backyard, barking. He grabbed a stick and ran to Derek.

"Just a few throws, all right?"

He tossed it a few times, Clooney racing across the plot for it, bringing it back a little more drool-covered each time.

"I think we're done."

Clooney barked and ran around the yard one more time before leaping inside. He settled on the floor by the couch while Morgan got out a can of beer and heated up leftovers. There had to be something on television that would be mind-numbing enough for him.

The microwave dinged with the doorbell and Clooney's barking.

"Clooney!"

The retriever sat, still barking at the door.

"Clooney!"

The barking stopped as Clooney lay down, paws over his nose.

Derek opened the door.

"Joy?"

She shouldered her purse. "I know you just got in from a case, but…"

"Hey, no, come in." He stepped back to let her in. "Where's Tyler?"

"He's having a weekend with a friend."

"How did you know I'd be in?"

"Penny."

He paused. His baby girl had been acting strangely tonight, ushering him out the door in between phone calls to someone.

"She was calling you."

"Boosting my courage."

He chuckled. "Joy. You don't need anymore courage."

She smiled and sat on the couch, feet curled under her.

"Want anything?"

"No. No…"

He sat next to her. "It's only been a few months. I got a call about the trial, but they said they wouldn't need me."

"What? Oh, no. That's not why I'm here." She glanced down at the couch, fingers idly tracing the pattern.

"Joy? What is it?"

She took a deep breath and looked up, meeting his eyes. "I'm pregnant."

"And it's mine."

"I've got two different brands of pregnancy tests in my purse. I couldn't believe it at first, when I was late and sensitive. My mother came down for a visit and handed me a box on her third day. Watched me perform the stupid thing, denying it the whole time." She sighed. "And she knew. She fucking knew it was you. 'Couldn't keep your hands off him, could you Joy?' I wanted to strangle her."

Derek sat back against the couch, absorbing everything she said. She was pregnant; it was his; she had two tests in her purse, to take now, if he didn't believe her.

"Derek?"

Shaking his head, he scooted across the couch, hesitantly reaching for her hand. He enjoyed the easy friendship he had with this woman. She understood his traumas on a personal level, worked in law enforcement, and was fun to hang around. Her son was amazing, most of the time. He had his moments.

"Derek?"

One night, to offer her comfort. And she had been fantastic, laughter and fun, even in bed. And she had been so relaxed the next morning, said thank you and they both moved on.

His hand rested on hers. He tugged her closer, wrapping an arm around her, kissing her temple. "We'll figure this out."

"I just… I wanted to let you know. You deserve to know. And…"

Her last pregnancy hadn't been pleasant. She had been alone.

"Talk to me, Joy."

"I was in denial at first, but after I worked past that, after I kicked my mother out of the room, sat there staring at the little plus sign, all I could think was 'I want this." She pulled their hands over her stomach. "Derek, I want this baby."

He nodded. "We'll figure this out."