Chapter 3

Dave and Penelope were sitting, a little impatiently still waiting for news of Erin when the doors to A&E swung open and 2 paramedics came rushing in with Curtis on a stretcher, followed by the team. Dave was on his feet in seconds, watching the man who had just tried to murder his beloved Erin being rushed into risus.

"Aaron, what the hell?"

"We found him under all the rubble and debris after the blast at his home."

"Why the hell didn't you just leave him there. He tried to kill Erin, he doesn't deserve to be saved."

"Dave come with me."

Hotch took hold of Dave's arm and took him outside, leaving the others with Penelope.

"Aaron…"

"Just listen to me Dave. I know what he's done to Strauss is killing you here okay but do you really want him to die."

"Are you kidding me, of course I want him dead. It's what the bastard deserves."

"Dave, I'll say the same thing I said to Morgan. Death's the easy way out and Curtis deserves to pay for what he did to Strauss."

"Yeah I get that but at least if he's dead I'll know there's no chance of him ever coming back again to hurt her."

"I know this is tough on you right now but you're not thinking clearly."

"I know he doesn't deserve to live."

JJ took a seat beside Penelope while Alex, Reid and Morgan went to get coffee.

"Garcia, can I ask you something."

"Sure, sweetness. Is this about Erin.?"

"Well yeah…when I called you earlier and I told you what had happened, you seemed pretty upset by it. I mean I know you take news like that about any of us badly but I never thought I'd ever hear to worrying over Strauss, especially after what she did to me."

"Oh JJ, I know she was a bitch for transferring you to Washington but after finding out about her alcohol problems, I guess I felt sorry for her."

"When did you find out about her and Rossi."

"A few weeks after she came back, Reid and I saw her coming out of the same Hotel as Dave, at first I thought nothing of it but then when I went to see her in her office a few days later, well I kinda walked in on them."

"Oh my god, doing what."

"Oh god JJ no, they were just kissing but I knew I'd been right when we saw them at the Hotel that day. I'd always had my suspicions about them, you know me. I'm very rarely wrong about this stuff."

"Yeah…and they've really been together a year."

"He's helped her through a lot, spent a lot of time with her outside of work. Helping her re-establish her relationships with her Children. I guess they finally gave in to the feelings they had for each other. I wanted to help her too, I walked into her office one day and found her in tears. One of her bad days and so I comforted her. I took her shopping to try to cheer her up and take her mind of things, I guess it became a regular thing without either of us realising it. We get on really well JJ, she's not the Ice Queen everyone thinks she is and I really wish you guys would give her a chance, especially after what's happened tonight."

"Well I'm willing to give her a go I guess and Derek as we know already has. Spence shouldn't be too hard to convince, I think your main one will be Alex, given her and Strauss history."

"I'll talk to her later."

Penelope looked up as a Doctor came walking towards them. She stood up along with JJ, feeling nervous.

"JJ, go get the others."

JJ did as she was told and ran outside to get Hotch and Dave. Morgan, Alex and Reid came walking over a few moments later.

"Are you all her for Erin Strauss."

"We are, how is she Doc." Dave asked, panic on his face.

"She's one very lucky woman. We had to pump her stomach with the amount of alcohol she had consumed aswell as the overdose. All I can say is that she's bloody lucky to be alive."

"When can we take her home." Dave asked.

"I want to keep her in for a few days, to make sure her system is clean. She'll be very tired over the next few days, she'll experience dizziness, loss of appetite, achy joints, even depression. What she needs is her friends and family around her to help her."

"We will Doc, please…can I see her." Dave begged.

"Of course. Nurse Hart, would you take this Gentleman to Erin Strauss room please."

"Yes Doctor, Sir would you like to follow me."

Dave didn't need telling twice and followed the Nurse to Erin's room. Hotch took the Doctor to one side to have a quick word with him.

"Doctor…?"

"Matthews."

"Dr Matthews…I'm Agent Hotchner. The man who tried to kill Erin was brought in a little while ago, his name is John Curtis. I believe he was taken into risus, some of my people will be guarding him around the clock. Can I ask that your own security are aware of him aswell. I don't want Erin to know that he's in the same Hospital as her."

"I understand Agent Hotchner. If it would make things easier, as soon as we are aware of his condition, we could have him transferred to another Hospital."

"I think that would be a very good idea. You'll keep me informed."

"Of course."

"Thank you, this is my card. 24/7 if there's anything you need to know."

Dr Matthews took Aaron's card and made his way back to his patients. Dave came to a stand still outside Erin's room, looking at her through the glass window.

"Sir, it is safe to go in."

"She will be okay, won't she."

"I believe so Sir. Dr Matthews is one of the best Doctors we have. If anyone can make her better then it's him. I'll leave you to it, don't be too long okay…she needs to rest."

"I won't, thank you." He smiled.

He watched the young woman walk away and took a few steady breaths before walking into the room. The first thing he heard was the steady beeping from the machine hooked up to Erin, indicating that she was alive. He walked over to her, and couldn't suppress the smile when he looked at her. Even after everything Curtis had put her through mere hours ago, she looked as beautiful as ever. He took a seat on the edge of the bed beside her and took hold of her hand, it was warm to touch compared to earlier that night. He ran his hand down the side of her face as he watched her eyes flutter.

"Erin…bella it's me, Dave."

"Da…ve." She whispered.

He watched as she slowly opened her eyes to see him sitting before her. She tried to smile but the tears came instead. She was trying to sit up but all her energy was gone. Dave leaned forward to help her sit up and he wrapped his arms around her as her tears became louder.

"Ssssh, darling it's alright. You're safe now, we're all here."

"David, I'm sorry…I'm so sorry." Holding onto him tightly.

He pulled back from her to look her in the face, brushing the tears from her cheeks.

"Why are you apologising."

"It's all my fault, I caused all of this."

"Erin don't…don't go there. You're not responsible for everything he did to his victims. Those were his choices not your's."

"I got him and Alex demoted Dave."

"And rightfully so, you did nothing wrong. Even Alex must see that now. I don't want you to think about any of that now okay. We need you back, fit and fighting."

"I love you so much Dave."

"Oh Bella, I love you too, more than you know."

She began crying again and she fell against Dave's chest. He just sat there and held her as she let all her pain out.

To Be Continued…