Erin drifted awake from a sweet dream. Spencer was lying next to her, his arm around her waist, and she burrowed into the warmth he gave off. Both of them were hesitant about making their relationship official, to call themselves a couple, even though they'd been sleeping together for three weeks now. They had a good thing going, and she didn't want to rock the boat too much.

"What are you thinking about, my tender Heloise?" he asked as he woke up as well, his hand cupping her breast, tugging at her piercing.

"I'm going to sing for you," she blurted out as the space between dream and reality faded with the morning dew.

"What?" He sat up, pulling her over to rest on his chest so he could play with her hair.

"At your club. It's open mic night tonight, and I want to sing for you. I contacted the owner and he said I could do a three song set. I want to risk this for you, after everything you've risked for me."

"I'm playing tonight, too, for an hour. The team is going to be there, they haven't heard me play in a while."

"Oh." She felt strangely hurt by the admission and began to get up. "I can…"

"No! I'm your faithful Abelard. I am not ashamed of you, nor do I want to hide you away. You just needed to know, in case that would change your mind. My set tonight will be dedicated to my tender Heloise. It's going to be my way of letting them know I have a girlfriend."

He bent his head and kissed her forehead and she just sighed. "I can be such a fool, Spencer."

"No, you're not a fool, Erin. You are coming out of a long winter and learning what warmth and love are once more." She nodded and he kissed her again. "Now, we need to get moving, or we'll be late to work. That would really get tongues wagging."

"If they figure us out tonight?" she asked as she got out of bed, walking over to her dresser.

"Then we go from there. You might have to do a little damage control, but I feel confident that we can get through anything Erin?" She turned to look at him as she fastened her bra. "Would you mind if I thought of you as my partner?"

A great joy welled up in her breast and she shook her head. "No, I would not mind that at all."

He blushed as he tugged on a pair of khaki pants. "How can such a little thing like that make you so happy?"

"I've been living in limbo for about two years now, Spencer, not knowing of anything in my life would be there in the morning when I got up. By you claiming me as your partner, you've given this some permanence, some heft, and that sets my soul at ease." She zipped her skirt and went over to him as she tugged on her blouse. "As you said, winter is over, and with spring comes joy unbridled."

Erin stopped in front of her Spencer, waiting for his response. It didn't take long as he bent and kissed her softly. He let the kiss linger until she thought she would drown in the taste of his sweet lips. "I'll see you tonight at the club, then," he said once he'd released her. She nodded and watched him amble from her bedroom.

Once he'd gone, she hurried to the bathroom to do her hair and makeup. Before leaving, she set out the slinky red dress she'd bought for tonight and put her silver pumps next to it on the bed. Taking the stairs two at a time, she smiled widely. In the kitchen, he'd set out her coffee mug, filled and waiting for her next to her purse and keys. His thoughtfulness was one of the things she'd quickly grown accustomed to and it had endeared him to her.

While she was driving, her phone rang and she touched her Bluetooth. "Hello?"

"Hello, Erin. I forgot to tell you, bring a go bag with you tonight. I'm taking you home with me."

Erin could feel her cheeks redden with pleasure as she drew in a deep breath. "That will be really nice, Spencer. Am I going to pack for the weekend, then?"

"Yes. Pack casual clothes, though, I want to go for a walk in the park with you. I know, how romantic for a first day out with you."

"I'm going to consider tonight as our first official date, Spencer." She loved saying his name, knowing he was hers.

She listened to him cough, as if he had choked on his breath. "That sounds like a better plan. Today is going to drag by, since I don't really have much work to do. You know, I've found myself mooning over you? Emily swears it's because she's leaving again."

"And you're letting her believe that?"

"Do you know how badly Morgan would tease me if he knew a woman had put my head in the clouds? I love you, Erin, but I'm not about to let that give him ammunition."

He had said those words so casually she thought she had heard wrong. "After three weeks…"

"My mom told me that when you know, you know."

"And now my day is going to drag on, too. I love you, and I'll see you this evening."

"Until this evening, my sweet Heloise." He hung up and she sank back in her seat, a dumb grin on her face. She had not been able to tell her ex-husband those words until they'd been dating six months, and then only because she felt she had to. Their parents had pushed them together since grade school, and she felt duty-bound in marrying him.

But Spencer, he excited her, he understood her, and he loved her. She had never expected to fall in love with him, she was just so overwhelmed by the suddenness of it all. She drove on autopilot the rest of the way to work, thinking about her lover.

By the time she got up to her office, she was officially in la-la land and she nodded to her assistant as she went into her personal sanctum. Sighing like a lovesick schoolgirl, she flopped down in her chair and stared at her computer screen. As he computer booted up, she thought about the three songs she was going to sing. It had been easy to come up with 'A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square' and 'In a Sentimental Mood', but 'Peel Me a Grape' had taken her longer to feel comfortable with.

"Chief Strauss, Agent Hotchner is requesting to see you." She looked up at Helen and blinked a few times. "I can ask him to come back later, if that would be better."

"No, Helen, now is fine. Send him in." Helen nodded and motioned to him and he soon appeared in front of her. "Please, have a seat. What can I do for you?"

"I'm worried about Dr. Reid, Erin. I know he's been dealing with some headache issues, but those seemed to be getting better. In the last month, however, he's been spacy, staring off into the distance at the oddest times."

"Is it interfering with his work?" she asked, trying to look serious.

"Not yet, no."

"Then I fail to see what the problem is, Aaron. Have any of you considered the idea that he might have a girlfriend? Or a boyfriend?"

He shook his head. "Reid isn't the mooning type, Erin."

"When you fall in love, Aaron, weird things happen. Don't be so quick to discount the obvious. Dr. Reid is human after all." She found herself smiling kindly at him and enjoyed the confused look that rippled over his face. "Do you need anything else?"

"No, Ma'am. Oh we will be heading out a little early today. Reid's playing at his club tonight, and we're going to go see him. Is that going to be a problem?"

"No. You all put in such long hours that one early slip out will not be noticed. I hope you all have a good time tonight."

"Thank you," he said, still looking confused. "Um, have a good weekend."

"I will, Agent Hotchner." She stood and he followed suit, letting her usher him to the door. "And tell Dr. Reid that I hope he does well this evening."

"You're more than welcome to come, too, you know."

She was touched by the spontaneous offer, knowing he truly meant well. "Perhaps you'll see me there, then. Have a good day."

"You as well, Erin." He left her office and she shut the door, leaning against it. At least, this way, she had planted the idea of her being there in his head.

Taking a deep breath, she sat back down and fought to concentrate on her work. It was a losing battle and shortly after one, she stood up, grabbed her purse, and left her office. "Helen, I'm heading home now. Please hold my calls or take messages for Monday. Have a good weekend."

"You, too, Erin." The woman smiled at her, as if she knew what was going on. Erin just shook her head and made her way to the elevators. While waiting for one, she looked in the bullpen and caught Spencer looking at her. She smiled and then turned away from him, certain that she was about to give them away.

She was barely halfway down to the parking garage when her phone chirped. Pulling it out, she saw a text from him. Bring a set of handcuffs with you, if you have them.

I prefer silk scarves, Spencer. My skin tends to bruise easily. Will that be okay?

Perfectly so. Hotch told me.

Better to plant the idea, my faithful Abelard.

There is that. Until tonight, my sweet Heloise.

Erin smiled and slipped her phone back in her purse. She didn't remember the drive home, but she was soon parking and heading inside. Once in her bedroom, she packed up her weekend bag before stripping and going into the bathroom. She had five hours to get ready, so she decided to take a bath.

She turned the water on, getting the temperature just right before adding vanilla bath oil to it. Stepping inside the tub, she sank into the warmth of the water, relishing the way it lapped at her skin. She relaxed in the tub, washing her body slowly as she thought about the evening ahead. It would be so wonderful to sing for him.

When the water began to cool, she let it drain and then stood up, closing the curtain as she turned the shower on to wash her hair. With that finished, she stepped out and wrapped a towel around her body. Sitting on the toilet, she worked lotion into her heels, knees, and elbows before letting the towel drop to the floor as she blow dried her hair.

Going back into the bedroom, she began to dress, attaching shimmery hose to a black lace garter belt. Her dress had a built in bra, so she was able to forgo that piece of clothing. Padding back into the bathroom, she applied her makeup, making certain to do the smoky eye shadow she knew Spencer liked to see on her. She painted her lips a bright, brilliant, red and then styled her hair so that it obscured her right eye.

By the time she had finished, she had thirty minutes to get to the club. Stepping into her heels and picking up her bag, she went downstairs and grabbed her clutch, stuffing her phone inside. The drive did little to calm the nerves that had sprung up in her stomach and she tapped her fingers anxiously on the steering wheel of her car.

Erin went to the back door as instructed and the woman she'd spoken with on the phone greeted her. "Erin, right?" She nodded. "All right, you're going on after our resident trumpet player, Jody Marvin. Spencer will be after you, so you'll have a little time to go out and watch him. Here's the full lineup." She handed her a piece of paper that had their names on it and Erin scanned the list, looking to see if anyone else she knew would be there. The first thing that jumped out to her was the fact that she was performing fourth that evening. "The band will accompany you, and they have your order of songs already. Any questions?"

"I forgot to bring a copy of my music!" she exclaimed, realizing she'd left it on the counter.

"Don't worry, I always make a copy for our vocalists, just in case this happens." The woman led her over to an alcove and pulled out a slim black folder. "Here you go. Try not to be nervous, you'll do fine."

Erin tried to smile, but found herself too nervous to do so. "Heloise!" Turning, she stepped into Spencer's open arms, letting him rub her back. Tenderly, he kissed her cheek. "You look ravishing."

"Thank you," she replied as he led her over to the green room. A number of people were warming up, and Spencer played some scales for her so that her voice wouldn't be totally cold going on stage.

"All right, I'm going out into the audience now. The others snagged tables right next to the stage, so they will recognize you. Keep your eyes on me. I love you."

"I love you, too." He kissed her cheek once more and left her alone backstage. Everything passed in a blur and then she was stepping on the stage. The band played the intro to 'In a Sentimental Mood' and she found her Spencer in the crowd. He was seated next to Agent Jareau, grinning at her.

The songs poured from her throat as she never took her eyes from her lover. When she'd finished, she took a bow and then went backstage. Giving her music to the stage manager, she hurried out into the audience, finding a seat where she could see Spencer. He went to the mic before beginning to play. "This is for my tender Heloise," he said softly, looking directly at her.

Erin smiled and listened to him play, never noticing Dave come up to her until he sat down. "Is he your Abelard, then, Erin?"

She turned her head to look at him, wary of how he would react. "It depends. Who else knows?"

"Just me, at the moment, and I won't tell if you don't want me to. Are you two happy?"

"Yes. Incredibly so."

"That's all that matters, Erin. Come on and join us, you shouldn't be alone." She nodded and took his hand, following him over to the tables where Alpha team was camped out.

"I had no idea you could sing like that, Ma'am," Ms. Garcia gushed. "You and Reid are going to have to do some songs together sometime, if his girlfriend will let him."

"I'm sure they'll be able to arrange that, Kitten." Ms. Garcia just beamed at Dave, not making the connection.

Erin focused on her lover for the rest of his set, watching his fingers dance over the keys. "He's utterly amazing," she said quietly. Dave nodded and she blinked back sudden tears. "I'm glad you know."

When Spencer had finished, he joined them, pushing his way between her and Ms. Garcia. "I didn't know you could sing so well, Chief Strauss. You sounded beautiful."

"Thank you, Dr. Reid." She smiled at him, feeling free enough to do so. "And you're a wonderful player." He nodded and fell into a conversation with Agent Hotchner. Without anyone else noticing, he slipped his hand under the table and caressed her leg. She struggled to keep herself under control as she talked with Dave.

She had almost let go of the frayed strand that was her control when Spencer stood. "My mom is expecting me to call her this evening. I'll see you all on Monday." Once he was out the door, her phone rang and she answered. "Make your excuses and meet me outside. I want to kiss you so badly."

"Yes, I understand, I'll be right there." She looked around the tables, smiling apologetically. "I'm sorry, I have to go as well. Work, you know." The nodded at her and she caught Dave's wink at her. Gliding from the building, she found herself wrapped up into a warm hug and she melted into the embrace as Spencer kissed her hungrily.

"I've been wanting to do that since you began to sing 'Peel Me a Grape'. God, Erin, I can't get enough of you." He kissed her once more, softly nipping at her lower lip. "I'll try to drive slowly, my lovely Heloise."

She nodded and went over to her car, following him home. When she'd parked, she barely had time to grab her bag before he was on her, kissing her once more. The sweet, heady, passion thrilled her and she gave herself over to it. "I don't think I can wait for any setup, Spencer. We'll play with the scarves tomorrow?"

"That's fine, I don't think I can last much longer, either." He led her to his apartment and ushered her inside. The first thing she noticed was the scent of old books. "Through here," he murmured, leading her into a bedroom lined with shelves of books. She stepped out of her heels, letting him unzip her dress and peel it away from her body. "Do you mind if I leave your garter and hose on?"

She shook her head and then gasped as he knelt in front of her, kissing her mound as he tugged off her panties. He then kissed his way up her body, paying special attention to her breasts, before capturing her lips once more. As they kissed, she undressed him, pushing his clothes to the floor before falling back on the bed, taking him with her. "Make love to me, Spencer."

"Gladly, Erin…"