Erin Strauss looked up from the book she was reading, her blond eyebrows furrowing at the knocking at her front door. She didn't remember ordering anything or inviting someone to come over. Who could it possibly be?
The blond stood from her favorite chair and placed her book on the cushion, slipping on her sweater and making her way through the halls. "I'm coming!" She quickened her pace and made it into the foyrer, peeking out the window with surprised eyes.
There stood the smiling face of Emily Prentiss, her naturally curly hair up in a ponytail.
The former Section Chief frowned before opening the door. "Emily hi. What are you doing here?"
The brunette smiled to the older woman. "Well I called you but you didn't answer your phone. I just got off work and thought you'd want this back."
Erin felt herself smile at the jacket that sat perfectly folded in her hands. "Oh thank you. I didn't relaize I left it at your house." She gently took it from the younger woman. "Thank you, I appreciate it."
Emily nodded her head, clasping her hands together before her stomach. "So are you busy?"
The older woman slowly shook her head. "Not really, no. Why?"
"Well the kids are with their Auntie Penelope tonight for a sleepover, so I was wondering if you'd like to go out. Maybe for dinner or something?"
Erin's eyebrows shot up, her jaw dropping open. "Go out?"
Emily smiled and quickly shook her head. "No, not like date 'go out' but a friend 'go out'."
The blond immediately let out a breath of relief. "Oh. Alright."
Emily gave a tiny laugh. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to phrase it like that."
The older woman quickly shook her head. "I'm sorry, I just..."
"No I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you or make an assumption."
Erin smiled kindly. "No, I didn't think you were."
Emily bit her lip. "So? Would you like to? We can do whatever you want."
The older woman hesitated, her hands clutching her jacket tight. "Why do you want to? You don't have to feel obligated just because we had lunch, Emily. I'm a big girl, I can be on my own."
The brunette agent stared gently to her former boss with her soft chocolate eyes. "I don't feel obligated. I liked when we had lunch, and I think I'd like if we did something like that again. If you don't want to, then that's completely fine. I just know that sometimes you need a friend, and you're a good one."
The former Section Chief felt her heart swell at the younger woman's sincere words. She slowly gave a nod, hanging her jacket up on the coat rack beside her. "Alright, let's go."
The pair headed to Emily's house so the brunette could change. Erin was sitting on the younger woman's bed, her hands clasped in her lap. "Are you ready yet, Emily?"
"Just a minute!"
The blond rolled her eyes. "You've been saying that for almost twenty minutes, Emily. Why did you need to change, anyway? You looked just fine before."
"'Just fine' is not ok. I looked all business-y, and that isn't ok for going out to eat."
"Emily, we're going for burgers!"
The brunette agent laughed as she finally exited her closet, quickly making her way over to her vanity. "Exactly. There's the right outfit for every occasion, and this one is perfect."
Erin's steel eyes widened at the outfit the younger woman was wearing. The agent had on a dark blue tank and black cardigan, skin tight jeans and a glossy pair of black heeled boots that came up just to her midshin. Her curly har was falling silkily around her shoulders, a pair of diamond studs peeking through the ebony strands.
The mother of three looked breathtaking.
Emily turned around and gave a smile, running her nimble fingers through her hair. "So? Is it ok?"
The older woman's eyes snapped back into her head before she nodded. "Yes, great."
Emily smiled, nodding her head before she went to pick up her bag. "Ok great. Then we're ready to go." She bit her lip, holding her hand out for the older woman to take. "After you."