It would never have happened had Penelope's head not been in the stars. She was looking for a particular constellation Reid had told her about when she ran smack-dab into someone. "I'm sorry," she stammered, reaching down to help up the woman she knocked over. "Oh, my god, Section Chief Strauss! Are you okay?" Sudden panic filled her as she realized how large a gaffe she had made.
"I'm fine, Ms. Garcia," she said as she took hold of her hand, avoiding her concerned gaze. Penelope noticed the bruise on the woman's face and instinctively reached out to touch it gently. Strauss flinched away from the touch, turning to escape from her.
"Excuse me for saying this, but no, you're not." Penelope was surprised to see her turn back and fix her eyes on her, assessing her. Penelope took another step forward and watched as tears pooled in her boss's eyes. "Please, let's go get something to drink. You need someone to talk to right now, and I have all the time in the world."
Strauss nodded and Penelope slipped her arm through the other woman's and led her to a nearby coffee shop. They went to the far back corner and Penelope dropped her coat off before getting in line to order. She went with the girliest sounding drink on the menu and took the number the barista handed her. Going back to the booth, she slid in, setting the number on the edge.
A silent five minutes passed as they waited for the coffee. Strauss looked anywhere but at her, trying to avoid her gaze. Finally, a young man brought by the steaming mugs, and they both wrapped their hands around the warmth, letting it bleed into them. Penelope took a sip, getting whipped cream on her nose. A ghost of a smile flickered across Strauss's face as she tried to lick it off. Penelope smiled at her, and then used her finger to wipe it away.
"I can't go home, at least, not right now," Strauss suddenly said, sorrow lining her features once more.
"Is he the one that gave you that bruise?" She nodded in response and Penelope reached out to grab a hold of her hand. "Do you have anywhere to go? Any family in the city?" Strauss looked down at the table, and Penelope felt her heart clench a little. "Then come home with me. You shouldn't be alone right now."
There was a long pause as Strauss thought about her offer. "All right, I will. Thank you, Ms. Garcia."
"Penelope." She smiled at Strauss until a tiny smile flickered across her face. They finished their drinks in silence, an easy sense of companionship forming between the two. They put on their coats and stepped out into the crisp fall night. This time, Strauss didn't flinch when Penelope put her arm in hers, leading her over to her car. Silence once more reigned over them on the short drive to her apartment.
Strauss followed her upstairs to the door and Penelope ushered her in. "Take a seat on the sofa. Do you want anything? Wine, cookies, ice cream?" Strauss shook her head and Penelope sat next to her. "Is this the first time he's hurt you?"
"No," she replied softly as she took her coat off. "He's just never touched my face before."
"Oh, Erin," she breathed out, wrapping her arm around the other woman's shoulders. "Love should never hurt like this." Tears began to roll down her cheeks, and she wiped at them hastily. It wasn't her pain after all.
"You're crying for me," Erin said quietly.
"I'm a bleeding heart."
"No, Penelope. You're a sweet, sweet woman who obviously cares very deeply about the pain of others. A tender heart is one of the most precious gifts you can have." She leaned back against Penelope, sighing deeply. "You make everyone so comfortable."
"Hmm?"
"You do. Everyone is so at ease with you, even Agent Hotchner. There's just this air about you." Her eyes fluttered closed and she yawned. "I didn't realize I was so tired."
"Let me get one of my nightgowns. I know it'll be huge on you, but it's better than sleeping in your suit." Penelope got up and went into her bedroom, grabbing a soft flannel nightdress. She turned back and saw Erin slipping off her suit jacket, wincing as she did so. Penelope gasped as she saw the blood staining Erin's thin shirt.
She rushed up to her side, grabbing both her hands. "Erin, let me, please," she begged, squeezing tightly. Erin nodded in defeat and Penelope unbuttoned her shirt, carefully pulling it away from her body. "Lay down on your stomach on my bed. I want to wash and dress those wounds before they become infected."
She went into the bathroom and ran the softest washcloth she could find under warm water. Then she rummaged through her medicine cabinet, pulling out salve, gauze, and tape. When she came back out, she saw Erin stretched out on her bed, her head buried in a pillow. Penelope sat on the edge of the bed and carefully unhooked Erin's bra, trying not to open the welts along the band. Penelope's eyes clouded up with tears as Erin hissed in pain. "I'm sorry, I'll be more careful," she whispered as her tears fell on Erin's back. With the utmost care, she washed the blood away from the wounds. Once her back was clean, she opened the jar of salve and daubed it delicately on the wounds, then put the gauze over them, taping it down. "Sit up now, please."
As Erin did so, Penelope bunched up the nightgown. She slipped it over Erin's head and helped her put her arms in the sleeves, trying to ignore the sight of her half-nude body. Penelope helped her to stand and unzipped Erin's skirt, letting it fall to the floor. "Go to sleep. No one will hurt you here, I promise."
Erin sank down on the bed once more, burying her head in the pillow again. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed, and Penelope could feel her heart breaking. She pulled the quilt up over her, tucking her in. Then she pulled out another blanket from her dresser and curled up on the couch. Sleep was a long time coming that night.
In the morning, she woke up first and picked up Erin's blouse from the floor. She took it into the kitchen and filled the sink with water. Carefully, she scrubbed the blood out of the delicate linen, taking care not to snag the cloth. When all the spots were removed, she wrung out the excess water and laid it on her table to dry. She began to hear movement in the bedroom and went in to check on Erin
The sorrow that surrounded her had not lifted, her eyes red-rimmed and bloodshot. "It's Sunday, you can sleep longer if you wish to," Penelope said sweetly. "Or I could make us breakfast, if you'd like. You name it, I'll do it."
"Breakfast does sound good," Erin replied, standing up. Penelope watched her disappear into the bathroom and then went back into the kitchen, frying up some eggs, then cooking some toast. She pulled out the various jams and jellies she had in her fridge, setting them on the counter along with the butter. She nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt Erin come up behind her.
"Would you like anything besides toast and eggs?" she asked and Erin shook her head.
"You certainly love spreads," she commented as she looked over the jars, picking up the container of apple butter. Penelope handed her a knife and a plate with two pieces of toast and some egg on it. Erin took the plate and spread some apple butter on her toast. "I'm going out onto the sofa."
"All right." Penelope filled her plate, deciding to use the apple butter as well. She joined Erin a few moments later, taking a seat next to her on the couch. They ate in silence, growing more comfortable with each other by the minute. When they had finished, Penelope set the dishes on the coffee table, turning to face Erin. "So, you're not going home, right?" She took Erin's hands in hers. "I couldn't let you go back there, knowing you would get hurt again."
"Penelope, I have children…"
"Two of which are in college. Your son will soon be as well. Promise me you won't go back."
"Why do you care? I've never been nice to you."
"I told you last night, love shouldn't hurt like this. You are a strong person, you have to be to have gotten where you are. Why would I not try to keep you from putting yourself in harm's way once more?"
Erin looked away from Penelope, staring at the nails of one hand. As she watched, tears coursed down Erin's cheeks and she instantly moved to wipe those tears away. Erin leaned into the soft touch, a sad smile on her lips. Without thinking, Penelope leaned forward and tenderly kissed the other woman's cheek. She heard Erin's sharp intake of breath and hastily sat back. "I'm sorry, I overstepped my boundaries. Excuse me."
Penelope quickly got up, grabbed the dishes, and went into the kitchen. She set them in the sink and then began to put the jars back in the fridge. When she felt Erin come up behind her, she acted like everything was normal, even when Erin wrapped her arms around her waist, laying her cheek on Penelope's back. "You're the only one who's ever cared enough to want me to leave. All my friends have always looked the other way, have tried to pretend they didn't know what was going on."
Penelope slid her hands from the counter to cover Erin's. "In my head, I know I can't make you leave or do anything you're not ready for. But my heart, my heart just wants to keep everyone safe."
There was a brief pause and then Erin said, "If I were to leave, where would I go?"
"Here," Penelope replied without hesitation. "My home will always be open to you, no matter what your decision is, I promise." She felt Erin nod against her back. She turned in her arms and carefully embraced her. Erin melted into the hug, holding on to her for a long time.
When she let go, Penelope saw the sad air had returned. "I have to go back."
"I know. But now you know I'm here for you. I promise not to tell your secrets out of turn."
Erin sharply nodded once, then went back in the living room while Penelope finished putting away the spreads. A quiet cry of pain caused her to run into the next room. Without speaking, Penelope went over to her side and calmly fastened her bra. She picked up the nightgown and took it into the bathroom, putting it in her laundry basket. When she came back out, Erin was gone.
