Back in Washington Erin has snuggled down in the king-sized bed in David's bedroom. The pillow next to her smells of David's cologne and she smiles. It's hard to be away from each other so often. She turns out the lights with the hope that David will be safe and home soon. She faces away from the large window in the room hoping she will sleep better tonight. She's very glad she doesn't have to go into the office tomorrow. Suddenly she hears the doorbell ring and she's immediately on edge. She tries to fall asleep, but the doorbell keeps ringing. Reluctantly she climbs out of bed. She pulls her gun out of the bedside table and goes downstairs.

When she cautiously opens the front door she finds Garcia on the doorstep. "Garcia, what are you doing here? You don't usually come to me for support. Come in." Erin is surprised by Garcia's sudden appearance at her front door.

"I'm here because I need someone to talk to and I don't want to talk to anyone on the team because they can't keep a secret from each other." Penelope tells Erin as she enters the house.

"I understand that. Sometimes I hesitate to tell David things because I don't want the whole team to know. It's hard because their closeness makes them better as a team, but they can, on occasion, be a little too close. I love that David has such a big support system." Erin smiles and sits down on the couch.

"Shouldn't Rossi be talking to you?" Penelope questions as she sits next to Erin.

"There are some things he can't tell me or doesn't want to tell me. He doesn't want to give me nightmares or have me haunted by anything he tells me. He tries to protect me as much as possible. He hates to see me cry." Erin says wistfully.

"How serious is this for the two of you?" Penelope asks carefully.

"It's very serious. We're practically living together. We've even been talking about selling my house and me moving in here. This is very special for me, but I don't know how official David wants to make our relationship." Erin admits to Penelope.

"You're not sure how Rossi feels about marriage after everything he's been through, huh? I get that. Relationships are so uncertain." Penelope sighs heavily.

"That sounds like the voice of experience to me. What's going on Penelope?" Erin asks gently. She's surprised Penelope wants to confide in her.

"Derek and I have been best friends for a long time, but I want more. I love him, but I don't know if I should tell him or how to tell him. It's so hard to decide. I don't want to destroy what we have if I'm wrong about how he feels about me." Penelope explains to Erin.

"Doesn't Derek have a girlfriend? Couldn't this be really awkward between the two of you? Are you sure you want to do this? When David and I confessed our feelings to each other it was mutual. Someone told me after a team guy's night that David thought he had feelings for me. You need to be careful and try and get some more information about Derek's feelings for you. The team will know how he's feeling. It's better to know than not know. Trust me, not knowing is scary if you want to confess." Erin says seriously.

"It seems like you know a lot about this. You were the right person to come to for advice. Thank you for helping me." Penelope compliments Erin.

"It's late, Penelope. Why don't you stay over? David wouldn't want you driving home this late. You'd be safer here." Erin suggests to Penelope.

"Would you be okay with that? I don't want you to be uncomfortable in your own home." Penelope says graciously.

"I don't mind at all. I think David would be more upset if I let you drive home." Erin says seriously.

"I'll just run out and get my bag. I'll be right back." Penelope sound relieved that she doesn't have to go home.

Erin smiles as Penelope bounces back into the house. It's clear she's happier than she was when she first arrived. "Listen Penelope, I don't know about you, but I am exhausted. I'm going up to bed. Let's get you settled." Erin sighs tiredly.

"I'm tired too. You miss Rossi, don't you?" Penelope asks gently.

"I miss him very much. It's so hard to be in this house without him. He makes me feel more grounded." Erin says honestly.

Penelope hugs Erin. "I get it. They're away from home way too much. I wish they were all home more often. We all need each other and you would obviously like Rossi to be here with you more."

Suddenly Erin starts to cry. "God, I miss him so much. I'm not the same when he's not here. Even when I can talk to him it's just not the same. I'm not as confident without him which I hate because it means I'm not as independent. My kids are shocked by all of this. This is a new side of me for them. I want him home soon."

Penelope dries Erin's tears. "He'll be home in your arms very soon. They're going to solve the case soon. Don't worry. He'll keep himself safe so he comes home to you."

"Thank you for the reassurance, Penelope. I needed that. David tries to reassure me, but I'm not always sure if he's telling the truth. He can't always be safe and that scares the hell out of me." Erin says seriously.

"I know. Every time the team goes out on a case my biggest fear is that one of them won't come home." Penelope sympathizes with Erin.

Erin sighs heavily and she and Penelope begin to climb the stairs to bed. "Which room do you normally stay in. There's so many rooms here."

Penelope pauses at the top of the stairs. "I normally stay in the room three down on the right hand side of the hall." Penelope points down the left hand hallway.

"Oh, David put you in the room across from his so he could keep an eye on you. That's perfect for the time that it's just the two of us in the house." Erin opens the door to the room Penelope will stay in.

"I love this room so much." Penelope says happily.

"Good night Penelope. I'll see you in the morning." Erin yawns sleepily.

"Good night Erin. Thank you for letting me stay." Penelope says politely.

Erin climbs into bed in the master suite and pulls the blankets up around her chin. She's never as warm in bed when David isn't there with her. She pulls David's pillow against her body. His scent is embedded in the fabric and it soothes her. She slowly falls asleep dreaming of David. She begins to dream vividly that David is next to her.