Derek immediately knew that he had screwed up. Why he didn't just give Penelope the chance to explain he will never know.

Flashback

Derek sat in his office toying with his navy blue tie lost in thought. His best friend in the world was only a few doors down, and she felt like a complete stranger to him now. He missed the hell out of Penelope. He wasn't sure quite how it happened.

No that is true he knew exactly what happened. First it was Lynch. Derek tried hard to be nice to Kevin; he really did, but everything about that man, got under Derek's skin. Derek hated the fact that Kevin called Penelope plum sauce.

Derek snorted and said out loud, "Plum sauce. Of all the nicknames in the world; Goddess, Red delicious, doll face…Fucking plum sauce. That is the best you could come up with Kevin?"

Oh yeah to say Derek Morgan wanted Kevin to take a long walk off a short cliff was putting it mildly. Maybe that is why; he decided Tamara Barnes would be a good idea. His heart was screaming at him to stop, but his pride wouldn't let him.

Derek knew people assumed he would go after Tamara when the case was over. Emily gave him so many eat shit and die looks, it was almost comical. Derek knew for a fact that JJ wanted to slap him stupid for it. Hell even Rossi told him, he was going to break Penelope.

But did Derek listen. Hell no. He figured since Penelope, actually it is Garcia now, had Lynch to take care of, and what would she need him around for?

Tamara fucking Barnes was the worst idea Derek had ever had. She was too clingy, too needy. As a profiler he should have seen it right away, but he needed something, anything to make the constant ache in his heart to stop.

It didn't help that Kevin worked in Quantico. He had to see the unkempt, clumsy tech touch all over Penelope. The small kisses Derek used to place on Penelope's temple were replaced by Lynch's lips.

Derek shuddered.

"Fuck this."Derek said out loud.

Derek yanked open his top desk drawer, and pulled out the necklace Tamara gave him, and stared at it. He had to fight the urge to recoil from it. He knew he needed to end this madness with Tamara. He missed Penelope to damn much. He didn't care if he could only go back to being her best friend, but he missed his baby girl.

Derek also took the watch off that Tamara bought him. Lately it seemed like she was trying to turn him into some human Ken doll. Derek was a big boy he could dress himself. He didn't need some woman trying to trade his old faded jeans, worn down Chicago PD t shirts, and cargo pants, for itchy cashmere sweaters, and pea coats.

Okay so maybe Derek cared more about comfort than style, but not once has anyone ever complained. Actually Derek knew Penelope loved his old raggedy clothes he wore on his days off. Penelope told them that they were soft and perfect for snuggling on movie night.

Derek sighed, and picked up the receiver on his desk phone. He dialed the appropriate numbers and said, "Tamara I want to take you out tonight. We need to talk."

If Derek Morgan knew one thing and one thing only, never ever break up with a woman on their turf. They will find shit to throw at you, you didn't know they had.

The next thing he did shocked him a little bit. He stood up, looked around his office. He could still see the robotic puppy Penelope bought him. She called him Clooney 2.0. She winked at him and told him she wouldn't tell Clooney.

Derek smiled and thought, "One or another I am getting my baby girl back."

Derek walked to Penelope's office, and knocked on the door.

"Oracle of all knowing, enter at your own risk."

Derek took a deep breath opened the door and said, "Hey Garcia."

Penelope rather coldly said, "Hello agent Morgan. What can I do for you today?"

"You can try and stop being mad at me."

Penelope rolled her eyes and turned back around to face her computers.

"Damn it Penelope please. I can't deal with this anymore. I miss you."

Penelope felt tears spring to her eyes. She missed Derek, as much as he missed her. But damn it a girl had pride.

"Agent Morgan if there is nothing you would like for me to search or paperwork to file please leave."

Penelope wanted Derek the hell out of her office. She really didn't want to cry in front of him.

"Penelope please. I am sorry. I was wrong you were right. Shit Penelope just look at me."

Penelope stiffened her back. There was no way in hell she would do anything Derek Morgan told her to do.

"Agent Morgan like I said, if there are no searches-"

"Damn it I forgot what a hard head you were."

Derek grabbed the back of Penelope's chair. He spun her around. Penelope was so shocked she didn't know what to do.

She tensed her jaw and tried to pull away from Derek's grasp. He had a firm grip on the back of her chair.

"Derek let me go."

"Not until you stop acting like a fucking child."

"Me. What about you. You have to play in every sand box you see."

"Low blow Garcia."

"Screw you Derek."

Derek sighed and said, "Never mind Garcia. I wanted to tell you that I missed you. Baby- Penelope I am drowning. You know why I went after Tamara?"

"Derek how the hell should I know?"

"You broke my heart, and you continue to break it every day."

Penelope sat in her office chair stunned.

Derek continued, "You stopped movie night with me, you stopped calling me, I had to watch Kevin hang all over you. But when I wanted to give you a simple hug, you would look at Kevin and damn near run for the hills. I am willing to put my broken heart aside to just be your friend again."

Big fat tears spilled out of Penelope's eyes. Penelope whispered, "I miss you too. I'm so, so, so sorry."

Derek knelt down and wiped her tears away."Penelope will you meet me at our place tonight, around 8?"

"Derek Morgan I would love to. Derek stop calling me Penelope."

Derek stood up and stepped away from Penelope. Through gritted teeth Derek said, "Fine Garcia-"

Penelope cut Derek off and said, "I am pretty sure my name is baby girl."

Derek smiled. He hauled Penelope to her feet, and wrapped his arms around her. He nuzzled her neck, and Penelope sighed contently. God she missed the way he felt wrapped around her.

She missed his strong masculine smell mixed with her feminine one. It was like sandalwood, leather, and vanilla.

They both pulled back and smiled. It had been a long time since either one of them had a genuine smile on their face.

Derek with a wide grin said, "Princess don't forget 8 o'clock."

Penelope returned the equally silly grin and said, "Hot stuff I won't forget."

Derek left Penelope's office and whistled all the way back to his office.

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