So happy people are liking this one….JadedSapphireRose, thank you for the push to write it. Anymore in the future, let me know xx
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Chapter 2
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Erin's grandfather clock in the hall began to chime, startling her in that moment. She flinched, causing Aaron to open his eyes and looked down at her.
"You okay?"
"Sorry, the chiming startled me." She smiled, looking up at him.
"How long have we been asleep?"
"It's just after 6am."
Erin moved from Aaron's arms to stretch, letting out a small groan as she did so.
"It wasn't such a good idea to fall asleep on your couch, was it?" He smiled.
"Not for my back perhaps but for the rest of me….it was lovely. Aaron, thank you for staying with me last night."
He sat up and leaned closer to her, placing a small kiss to her cheek.
"I'm glad you asked me to stay last night, I was a little apprehensive about leaving you."
"What do you imagine today will bring for me?"
"You know I can't answer that one, but whatever happens…I'll be right here with you."
"What is this?" She asked, quietly.
"I'm sorry, I don't understand?"
"This, us here last night? Was this just a colleague comforting a colleague or something more? Listen to me, I sound like a teenager." She laughed.
"No, listen don't apologise. I don't know what last night was if I'm honest, I know I like you but you are Dave's Ex and he might have an issue if you and I were to start seeing one another."
"David doesn't have any right to be angry or jealous, not after the way he's been towards me."
"Yes, but you know why he's been behaving the way he has."
"I understand his anger but to break up with me, he clearly didn't care for me as much as I thought. If her had, he'd have fought for me."
"Let's concentrate on getting the Team talking to you again, for now at least. I do like you Erin, a lot but I don't want to rush into anything. I want us to take our time, get to know each other. Introduce you to Jack, if you like?"
"I'd love that Aaron, how about I make us some breakfast?"
"That would be good." He smiled.
She quickly kissed him before getting up and heading into the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
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Derek Morgan walked into the bullpen to see everyone at their desks, all looking about as happy as he did to be there.
"Hey, rough night for everyone then was it?" He asked.
"Henry's caught some bug from school, Will's out of town so I've been up all night will him."
"Did you do much thinking about Strauss?"
"Some, you?"
"I don't think I had much choice, did I?"
"Well I thought a lot about what she said yesterday and I happen to agree with her." Reid spoke up.
"You do, I'm surprised Spence. After seeing how hurt you were by Emily, I thought you'd have taken a lot of convincing."
"So did I but last night, well I decided to stop by Strauss house."
"You spoke to Erin?" Alex asked.
"No, I was going too but I happened to look in the window before knocking and she already had company, Hotch was there."
"Aaron was with Erin?" Dave asked, shock in his voice.
"Yeah, she looked like she was crying, from what I saw."
"What was Hotch doing?" JJ asked.
"Holding her, comforting her by the looks of things."
"Oh my god, Garcia was right. We've treated Erin badly." Alex added.
"Will you lot listen to yourselves, Erin betrayed us. She made us all believe she was dead for crying out loud. She deserves to suffer a little." Dave moaned.
"Come on Rossi, it's been nearly 3 months now. I think the silent treatment has gone on long enough, the Woman's clearly suffered enough." Derek added.
"I can't do this, I need more time. Tell Garcia I'm sorry but I have to go, I already missed my earlier flight."
"Dave come on, stay. Just talk to her." Alex pleaded.
"You know Alex…I'm surprised that you're forgiving her after what she did to you."
"Well like Morgan said, she's suffered enough."
"Not as far as I'm concerned."
They all watched as Dave walked off, leaving them all sitting ready to confront Penelope.
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Penelope Garcia entered the bullpen half an hour later to see her Friends waiting for her. JJ was on her feet as soon as she approached them.
"Hey Garcia…"
"JJ, morning everyone. Well, have you all had enough time to digest everything I said last night?"
They all looked around at one another as Penelope watched them all closely.
"We have Baby Girl and we agree with you."
"You do." Surprised that they'd agree so easily.
"Strauss deserves a second chance and we're all willing to give it to her." JJ added.
"I know I've treated Erin pretty badly since I arrived and I know we were finally making some head way and I don't want to lose that, we're all in Penelope." Alex smiled.
"Where's Rossi?" She asked, suddenly aware of his absence.
She looked at them all and noticed the strange look Morgan and JJ were giving one another.
"Guys….where is he?"
"Garcia, he's gone."
"What do mean he's gone?"
"He was here earlier while we were all discussing this situation and whilst the rest of us agree that she should be given another chance…well, Rossi just can't forgive her….at least not right now." JJ answered.
"He is unbelievable, for god sake he loved her. You don't suddenly stop."
"Baby Girl, Strauss was gone for over 6 months. We all believed she was dead, Rossi moved on. You saw for yourself how hard it was for him, dealing with her death…her Kids. He was finally back in some normality and then she came back. For him it will take a lot more time, you gotta be patient."
"I might drop by tonight, apologise for my outburst yesterday."
"Oh, he won't be there." Reid said.
"Why, where's he gone?"
"He had a trip planned, remember. Let him have his time on his own for a week or so…then talk to him. Give him time yeah." JJ said.
"I guess you're right, well at least you guys are all on board. Thanks, it means a lot, not just to me but Erin as well." She smiled.
"Hey speaking of Strauss, what's going on with her and Hotch?" Derek asked.
"Nothing why?"
"Reid went over to Strauss last night to talk to her and well, he saw them together."
"I know he drove her home, she was pretty upset last night. He probably stayed a while to keep her company."
"They looked really close." Spencer said.
"So what if they were, I'm not saying anything's going on but if there is then let them. They've both been through a lot with this job, they might be good for each other."
"Strauss and Hotch." Derek replied.
"Listen sugar, we all need someone. Sometimes the one person you really need has been right in front of you all along."
Penelope couldn't suppress the laugh that escaped her lips when she saw them all look at her in surprise.
"Come on you lot, let's get some coffee. God knows I could use one."
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To Be Continued…