Like We Never Loved At All

Years after Derek left the BAU, he and Penelope crossed paths again. She thought she had moved on-until she saw him, and suddenly, it's like no time had passed at all. But Derek acts like they were never more than friends, like they never shared late-night phone calls, whispered confessions, and almost-moments that neither of them had the courage to chase.

Now, he's back, standing across from her at a café in D.C., talking about life like it's simple, like their history was nothing but a footnote. And Penelope? She's trying to breathe through the ache in her chest and pretend it doesn't hurt.