Felicity

VI

   I woke up suddenly, wide-eyed. I looked around quickly, making sure I was still on the plane. Sure enough, I was. Everyone was asleep in their seats and Derek was in front of me, sleeping as well. I leaned my head back. I had lucid dreams quite often, more so when Maeve had first died, but never like this. I sighed and I put my head in my hands. "I love you too..."  What I had said to Derek in the dream rang over and over in my head. I put my hand over my chest as if that was going to stop my heart from beating so wildly. I tried to take a deep breath but it was all shaky. My hands hadn't been sweaty like that since Meave had first told me that she loved me. 

   That can't be it, I thought. There is no way that I am like this because of Derek. I shrugged off the idea and I sat back in my seat. I looked out the window and it occurred to me that we would be landing soon. I sighed again, not wanting to go back to sleep. I didn't know what was worse, a dream of Maeve or a dream of Derek. I looked over at Derek. Yeah, he is definitely worse, I thought.

   When the plane landed and I got off I felt so tired. There wasn't any way I was going to be able to drive home.

   "Derek," I called.

   "Yeah?"

   "Can you drive me home? There is no way I can make it without falling asleep," I said, rubbing my eyes. 

   "Okay. Come on. I'll make sure you don't pass out," He said, smiling and shaking his head. 

In Derek's Car

   I was so tired I almost fell asleep in Derek's car. But, in the back of my mind, I was afraid that something might happen if I fell asleep. So, I forced my tired eyes to stay open. Derek glanced at me and looked back at the road. He then said, 

    "Hey, kid. You can go to sleep if you are tired." I swear I saw a smirk on his face when he said that. 

   "I can't," I yawned. "I don't want us to crash and die before I talk to you."

   "You can talk to me now."

   If I was going to reply, it was lost under the euphoria of sleep. I am not sure if I imagined it or not, but I heard the soft sound of Derek's laugh right before I could slip into my sleep. I didn't dream while I was asleep, rather I could feel everything that was around me. The bumps in the road, the quiet swish as cars went by, and the chirping of crickets. But, I was sleeping. I didn't know why, but it was always relaxing being around Derek. This was the second time I fell asleep next to him. I felt safer than I ever had around him. 

   The way his lips curved to form a smile and the way his voice got loud every time he disagreed with someone, it made me feel good. I had no way to describe it properly. Just good. While I was sleeping, I could feel myself moving but I didn't once open my eyes. I could also feel someone touching me. Then, I heard Derek's voice. I didn't know what he was saying, but I could hear the sweetness in it. When I heard it I stirred in my sleep. 

   "Derek..."I whispered as I was opening my eyes. 

   It only took me about two seconds to realize that Derek was carrying me, in his arms, up to my house. I had no idea what to say for a split second. 

   "Um... I'm awake," I said, very awake. 

   "Oh, you were sound asleep a second ago. Did I wake you up?" He asked. 

   "Um, you were- are carrying me. How am I not supposed to wake up?" I said, blushing a little.

   Derek put me down, we were right in front of my door. I bit my lip and looked down at my feet. It was a little intimidating to talk to Derek. He had a way of finding everything out and it was awkward and embarrassing when he did. But, to be honest, I didn't want him to leave. So, I pulled my key out of my pocket, unlocked the door, and said,

   "Do you want to come in?"

   I think he understood that I didn't want him to leave so he said, 

   "Okay. I haven't been to your house in a while."

   He walked inside and I closed the door behind him. I thought back to the dream I had on the plane earlier. Do I really not look like I am listening to him? Maybe telling him that I do might help, I thought. I had been thinking about it for a bit and I wanted to tell him about it. 

   "Derek, I wanted you to know that I do listen to you. I don't think that I seem like it, but I do listen to what you have to say. Because the truth is, whatever you have to say always makes me feel good. I- I think that I don't always say what's on my mind and that's a problem, but I am serious. You mean a lot to me. And when you came to my room the other night, that made me feel a lot better. Thank you," I said. 

   I looked up at him. I didn't usually open up like that and I think that surprised him a bit. I knew that he wanted to know the truth and he hated being lied to. I did too. 

   "Kid, you didn't have to say that," He said.

   "But, I think you wanted me to," I replied. 

   "It doesn't mean you had to say that."

   "I wanted to say it too."

   "You're welcome. For the other night. And thanks, for everything you just said. You are right, I did want to hear that," He answered, smiling. 

   He put his hand on my shoulder and then embraced me for a hug. I felt my heart pounding again. It was only Derek Morgan who made me feel this way. I wrapped my arms around him and I buried my head in his shoulder. I didn't feel like letting go. Since Maeve died, he was the only one who felt almost as good as her. It turns out, she was right. There were other people out there. Other people like Derek who would never be as good as her but as good as it gets.

   "Reid, are you okay?" Derek said softly in my ear. 

   He tried to pull away from me, but I held tight. I was not ready to let someone else go. No matter how childish it was.

   "No..." I replied. "I don't want you to leave too."

   "Pretty boy, I will never leave you. I swear." I felt him hug me tighter.

   As tears rolled down my cheeks, I knew it was going to be okay. He was there for me. Just like he always was.

   "Thanks, Derek."

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, who else thought that this was the best hecking chapter so far?? Anyway, thanks for reading this far and for bearing with me while I have school. Since I haven't been posting as lately, this amazing chapter is making up for that. Thanks again for reading and have a good weekend! Love ya'll!