Chapter 3

Aaron has escorted Erin to her office before he had made his way along the corridor and entered the bullpen, everyone looked up when he entered…Penelope being the first one to talk.

"Morning Boss, everything okay?" She smiled.

"Good morning Garcia, yeah everything's fine thank you."

"Good, that's good."

It didn't take long for Aaron to notice the looks his Team were giving him.

"Is there something on your minds?"

"Erm, how's Chief Strauss?" Penelope asked.

"Better than yesterday, I was just in her office and she's doing fine."

"You….just saw her, did you?" JJ added.

"Okay, what's going on here?"

"I'm sorry Hotch, it's just I went around to Chief Strauss place last night to apologise for our behaviour and I saw you with her." Reid replied.

"I see."

"Not that it's any of our business." Alex smiled.

"Come on Boss Man, something goin' on with you and Strauss?" Derek asked.

"Look, she was upset last night. She just wanted someone to talk too, that's all. Erin and I are just friends." He said, as he walked away.

"I guess we were wrong." Spence said.

"No way man, he has it bad."

"Morgan you heard what he said." JJ smiled.

"Yeah I heard him but in the whole time we've known him, when have you ever heard him call her Erin. He's never used her by her first name, certainly not in front of us."

"My god he's totally right, aww he's got it bad. This so wonderful." Penelope smiled.

"Always the romantic Garcia." Alex smiled.

"Always sugar." She giggled, walking away.

It was just after lunch when JJ knocked on Aaron's door and came inside.

"Hotch, you got a minute?"

"Sure, everything okay?"

"Fine, so the others and I were talking and we were thinking about going to the bar down the road after work. We were thinking about inviting Chief Strauss to try and make amends for our behaviour towards her."

"Right….well, it sounds like a good idea."

"You think so."

"She needs to take her mind of this place and well, Dave."

"Look, I know you said you were just friends but you and Strauss, there is more….isn't there?"

"I did stay the night but we both ended up falling asleep on her couch after we talked, nothing happened."

"But you did want it too?"

"I won't deny that I don't find her attractive and yes I do feel something for her but….until this mess with Dave is sorted JJ..."

"That's his problem, not yours. She needs to get back to some normality, put Rossi behind her."

"I'm happy to be her friend for now."

"Okay, so will I ask her about tonight or do you want too?"

"I'll do it, what time?"

"Six okay?"

"Fine."

"Great." She smiled, as she walked out the room.

Aaron waited a few minutes before he left and went along to Erin's office, he stood in the doorway of her office watching her as she fiddled with some cable on her printer and cursing at it. He let out a small laugh, causing her to turn around quickly.

"You find my technical difficulties amusing do you?"

"Sorry." He smiled.

"Would you mind?"

He walked over to her and took the cable from her hand and turned the machine around to get a better look and found where the cable went and quickly plugged it in. The machine immediately began printing the reports Erin wanted.

"Thank you for what." She smiled.

"You're welcome; listen could I have a quick word?"

"Certainly, is something wrong?" Her features showing worry.

"No, actually what I have to ask you is a good thing."

"Oh, alright then."

"JJ was just in my office and they've invited you out tonight, just to the bar down the road. It's their way of an apology for the way they've treated you."

"They don't have to do that."

"Let them."

"Will you be there?" She asked, shyly.

"Of course I'll be there, I wouldn't leave you to handle them on your own."

"Thank you Aaron." She smiled.

"So, I'll come by here just before Six okay."

"That sounds great, thank you."

"I'll see you later." He smiled, before kissing her cheek and leaving.

Aaron and Erin entered the bar to find everyone seated at two of the tables by the window, they all offered her a smile when she came up to them.

"Good evening everyone, thank you for inviting me."

"You're welcome Chief Strauss, can I get you a drink?" Spence asked.

"Just an orange juice thanks."

"I'll help you with the drinks Spence." JJ smiled.

Aaron took a seat beside Erin at the table as Penelope and Derek sat opposite them with Alex.

"Are you feeling better today sweetie?" Penelope asked her.

"Much better Penelope, thank you."

JJ and Spence returned with everyone's drinks and sat them all down.

"I got you a Budweiser Hotch, is that okay." JJ asked.

"Perfect."

Everyone sat around the table and could see how nervous Erin looked, Aaron took hold of her hand under the table in support.

"Erin, the reason we asked you here tonight was really to apologise for our recent behaviour towards you, it was uncalled for." Alex smiled.

"No Alex…it wasn't. You had every right to be angry with me, betrayed…all of you. After what you all went through with Emily, well…I shouldn't have done the same thing. I needed Curtis to believe I was dead in order to protect you all."

"We see that now Ma'am, we are so very sorry…all of us." Derek smiled.

"Not quite all Agent Morgan."

He immediately saw the hurt in Erin's eyes when it hit him who she was referring too.

"Oh hunni, just give Rossi some time. He'll come around, I promise." Penelope smiled, sliding over to hug her.

"Thank you for your kind words Penelope."

"Come on you lot, enough misery. Let's change the subject for the rest of the night shall we." Aaron spoke up.

"Okay Mr Boss Man, let's talk about you and Erin." Penelope smirked.

"Garcia…." He warned.

"It's fine Aaron, he's been a great support Penelope and for now that's enough." Erin smiled at him.

"Okay sweetness, I'll leave it alone…for now." She smiled

They were on their third lot of drinks when Alex had nipped to the toilet, Erin saw her leave and decided to follow her. When she went inside, Alex was drying her eyes.

"Alex, are you okay?"

"Erin, hey…sorry I was just…."

"Crying?"

"I'm sorry."

"You shouldn't apologise for that, are you okay?"

Alex threw the paper towel into the bin and began to fiddle with her ring on her hand for a moment before she looked up at Erin.

"You scared the hell out of us Erin." Alex sniffed.

"I know, I'm so very sorry."

"When you walked back through those office doors 6 months ago, I can't begin to describe how happy I was to see you again."

"You know why I had to do it though?"

"I know, I just felt so angry. You and I were finally back to some form of friendship and then you were gone."

Erin moved in and pulled Alex into her arms, hugging her tightly.

"Alex, I am so sorry. I really am, I never meant to cause so much hurt amongst the Team. I didn't realise I'd have such a huge effect on everyone."

"Why would you think that?" She asked, pulling back.

"I was never the most popular Section Chief, was I?"

"You'd be surprised."

"Dave will never forgive me Alex."

"He will, his pride is hurt that's all. By the way, I'm sorry about the bar….we never thought about your drinking problem when we though of it."

"Don't be silly, I have to accept it and deal with it. It helps that I have support."

"Hotch?"

"All of you." She smiled.

"Can I ask you something, I won't repeat it to anyone I promise?"

"Go on."

"You and Hotch, I know you said out there that you're just friends but…..you feel more than that, don't you?"

"I do, so does he but he wants Dave's approval I think."

"David Rossi doesn't deserve to be jealous."

"That's what I said."

"So put Rossi out of your mind and go for it, Hotch is a great guy….you'd be good together."

"Thank you Alex." She smiled.

"We should get back out there, come on."

Alex took hold of Erin's arm as the pair went back out to join the others.

To Be Continued….