"I can't believe that the tour is already half over!" Erin exclaimed as they followed their guide into the restaurant that had been reserved for their group. She could tell by looking at it that it was a good deal more tourist trap than the places they had eaten in Fes, thanks to Mahmoud, but that was to be expected with a group as American as the one they were a part of.

"I know, but everything has been so fascinating. Though I keep hearing you ask the guide questions in Arabic, Erin. When did you learn?"

A brief stab of panic shot through her as she noticed Spencer watching her intently as well. She hadn't told him that story, and she wasn't certain how much of it would still be considered classified. Taking a deep breath, she glanced over at Alex and gave her a small, tense, smile. "I don't think I can tell you the full truth, as much as I would like to."

"You have an Afghani accent. Did you spend time there?" Erin closed her eyes as she nodded. "And I take it that the operation was strictly need to know?" Again, she nodded before lifting her head to look at Spencer, seeing that he was still smiling at her, which made her feel a little better about the situation. "Is there anything you can tell us?"

"I wish, Lexie. It was a joint operation with the State Department, though, and…"

"Wait, the State Department? Then were you there with JJ?"

Erin took a deep breath as she pursed her lips. "I have to be very careful about the words that I chose to speak next. I know that we're in Morocco, far away from prying ears, but you never know who is listening. Agent Jareau did good work with the State Department, and was an asset to them for the months they had her. If you will recall, I was on vacation around the same time that Ian Doyle tried to kill Agent Prentiss, and that the State Department had to fly Agent Jareau in to help you on that case. Our paths did cross during that time, but that's all I can say."

She desperately hoped that they could read the subtext of her words, and from the way Spencer relaxed, she knew that he had understood. "I'm certain that vacation must have been quite stressful, Erin."

"You have no idea, Lexie. But it was a good learning experience. Now, when we get back to the hotel, I think that I'm going to write to my children and tell them what we've been up to these past few days. You both are more than welcome to explore, I just think that I've hit my wall. There are times when I just feel like my battery has drained a little too much, and I need to get my bearings back. I hope that you don't mind."

"That's fine, Erin. I have those times, too." Spencer reached across the table to take hold of her hand, squeezing it softly before ordering food for them both, Alex putting her order in right afterwards. "Oh, and Garcia said that I needed to take a picture of you two together to prove that Alex was treating you right, Erin."

She glanced over at Alex, who she caught mid-eyeroll, and nudged her with her elbow. "Penelope is a love, an exuberant, joyous, sunbeam, of a woman and she will break you down bit by bit until you love her or hate her thoroughly. There will be no in the middle, and since we're already starting down the path to friendship, I think that you'll eventually succumb to her charms as well. Now, lean in close and try to smile for her."

"Only for you, Erin," she murmured as she scooted her chair closer to Erin's side and tilted her head inwards. Erin rested her head atop Alex's and gave Spencer a brilliant smile as he took a few pictures of them on his phone. "And one to make her think shocking things?"

Erin giggled as she nodded, knowing what was coming next, though Spencer gave her a confused look as she listed her head and tilted her cheek towards Alex. She kissed her quickly, and Erin hoped that he had managed to capture that moment with his phone, since they couldn't dare repeat it in public again, not where they currently were. "Let me see!"

Spencer handed over his phone, and Erin scrolled through the pictures that he had taken, making certain to send the best ones to Penelope and herself, including the one that showed Alex kissing her. "She's going to blow up our phones within the next ten minutes, you know."

"Will she? Or is she too wrapped up in Derek to notice right away?" she asked as she handed the phone back to Spencer, giving him a tender smile.

"You do have a point there, Erin. And I'll need those pictures, too."

Erin unlocked her phone and handed it over to the woman. "I trust you enough not to pry, but send them to yourself and add your information to my contact list."

Alex nodded and began to tap away at the phone screen. She let out a small sigh as she reached out for her water glass, taking a long drink as she focused on her Spencer. "I wish that I had thought to take more pictures with my phone than my camera, since then I could share what I took with you all. Spencer's been good at grabbing a few snaps of me candidly, since Penelope has commented on the ones he's sent her."

"He's sent a few my way, too. I think that he wanted to make it easier for me to see you for who you are." Alex handed her phone back to her, and Erin slipped it into her purse before taking a deep breath. "Are you tired already?"

"Yes? You all are accustomed to travelling so much, but I'm a homebody. I love being here with Spencer, and you, and the others, but it will be nice to have a down day once we get back to Tangier. I know, I'll have the rest of this day to rest, but I have the feeling that it is going to take me a little longer to catch up to speed."

Their food was placed in front of them, and Erin dug into her meal, finding herself famished. As they ate, she listened to Spencer and Alex talk, adding a few insights of her own as she thought of them. It took her a moment to realise that her phone was vibrating in her purse, and she pulled it out to glance at the display. You and Alex look so happy, Erin! I'm glad that you've started to make inroads with her. Cannot wait to see you tomorrow! xx Penelope's sweet text caused her to smile, and she dropped the phone back into her purse as she picked up her fork once more as she rejoined the conversation, finding her energy start to return as she continued to eat. This was the right place for her in that moment, and she couldn't wait to see what the rest of her trip would bring.