Thanks to everyone who read, reviewed, favorited, etc. you all keep me writing!

Chapter Seven

Erin Strauss never was one to be distracted when she was in the office. That is until David Rossi re-entered her life about three years ago. True she had seen him off and on in his retirement period but that wasn't the same. The man had a spell on her whether she liked it or not—the truth was for the first time in their whole tumultuous relationship she could honestly say she loved David. Time had only changed him for the better and herself as well. She was missing him. She had just gotten back from the annual budget meeting with the director and other political players who had no idea of the realities of the BAU's work. Oh goodness how she hated politics—not that anyone who did not know her well would ever have guessed. It was the one part of her job she could have lived without—though she learned to be a master at political schmoozing it didn't mean she had to like it. Hell David was the only person in the world who truly understood her hatred of politics. Oh how she longed to pick up the phone and vent to him. She remembered that today was the day that he was in family court. She was both nervous and excited for him. Though she didn't know much about the girl yet she did know that she wanted to be a maternal influence in her life. Ever since she quit drinking Erin realized how much of her children's lives she'd missed out on. Even though all three were grown and away at college they had began the process of restoring their relationship. After allowing her mind to wander she brought her focus back to her work.

Alexandria was a bundle of nervous energy as they waited for their turn. She had never been so nervous in her life. "Relax, Lexi. It'll be fine I promise" Dave said. "Up until today I thought the day I first started vaulting Yurchenkos was the most nerve-racking of my life" she said. "I know what you mean…I've stood toe to toe with some of the worst serial killers and I'm as nervous as you are" Dave said. It was their turn. After reviewing the case the judge ruled in their favor. She was now officially Alexandria Marie Rossi. "See I told you it would work out" Dave said. He kissed her head and drew her into a hug. They decided to go to dinner to celebrate after they went to her old house to pack Ria's things.

Alexandria froze in the doorway. The truth was she had been slightly numb and in a whirlwind of activity since that fateful night. She never really had a chance to process everything and she knew once she came down it would be tough. Dave knew it to but he would be there every step of the way. "You don't have to do this if you don't want to I can do it for you" he said slipping his arm around her and drawing her close to him. "It's ok I have to do this" she said. "Ok" Dave said. They entered the house and went upstairs. "You're quite neat for a teenager" Dave observed. "Yeah everyone says that" she said. "According to Agent Morgan I get that from you." Dave couldn't help but chuckle "He's right." They started gathering her things in comfortable silence with occasional conversation. Dave noticed that when Alexandria experienced an emotional time she tended to be quiet and withdraw into herself.

Two days later…

Tonight was the night that Alexandria was going to meet Erin for the first time. They decided on dinner at Rossi's just the three of them. Even though Dave assured her that Erin would love her Alexandria was still slightly nervous. Rossi was cooking his pasta dish which was a favorite of Erin's. As Dave put the finishing touches on his sauce and Alexandria did the same on the table the doorbell rang. Rossi answered it. "Hey Bella" Dave said placing a chaste kiss on her cheek. She returned his greeting. "I missed you, David" she whispered. "Me too, I have a plan to fix that later" he whispered. Erin smiled. Alexandria stood back allowing them their moment until Dave turned to her. She came closer. Dave introduced the two of them. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Strauss" Alexandria said. "Please call me Erin and nice to meet you too" she said. Alexandria nodded. They went into the living room and sat down. Dave went into the kitchen to pour drinks. "You're a gymnast right?" Erin asked. "Yeah I am" Alexandria said. "When did you start?" she asked. "When I was four" she said. "What is it that you love about gymnastics?" Erin asked. "I love that you have to be strong and tough but still graceful, the team aspect—my teammates are some of my closest friends, the fact that there's always something new to learn, the life lessons I've learned, and the fact that it requires dedication and precision" Alexandria replied. "Makes sense. It seems like you have the personality and traits required to succeed" Erin told her. "Thanks" Alexandria said. Dave came back in and handed the two of them a glass of cider each. "Looks like you girls are having a good chat" he observed. "We are" Erin said with a smile. "I'll go put the pasta on" Dave said. "Sounds good" Erin said. "The last two years were my hardest yet but also most rewarding. It started with injury and rehab bit ended with my win at regionals" Alexandria said. "How did it happen?" Erin asked. "I tore my ACL during a bad landing on vault" she answered. "That must've been painful" Erin said gently.. "Yeah I've only had two major injuries which all things considered isn't bad. The other was a torn ligament in my foot which still sometimes bothers me" Alexandria said. She nodded. "Now that I've asked you a few questions I'm guessing you have some for me.
Alexandria nodded. "How long have you known my dad?" "I first met David when he joined the Bureau. We both started out at the same time and were partnered up. Then things took a turn and I decided the field wasn't for me and worked my way up to becoming section chief and got assigned to the BAU after five years with cyber crimes. That all happened during your dad's 10 year retirement period" Erin said. She could see that a question was lingering in Alexandria's mind that she was uncertain whether or not to ask so she answered it by saying: "We had one particularly bad case that involved a shootout. Your dad and I were right next to each other firing our guns. I saw a bullet coming our way but he didn't so I jumped in front of him and took it. It changed a lot of things. Your dad's retirement happened about 6 months later. Though I don't think the two events had anything to do with each other. "Why did my dad retire then come back?" Ria asked. "I really don't know. There was a lot going on at the time both personally and professionally. His comeback came as a shock to many of us—myself most of all. I never really believed he would. I'm happy he did though" Erin stated. "I am too" David said re-entering the room. "We're ready." They made their way to the table and had dinner.

Later that night after Alexandria went to bed leaving Dave and Erin alone. "That went wall" Dave said. "It did" Erin agreed. "Only one thing would make it better." "Oh really and what would that be?" Dave asked flirtatiously. "David, I didn't wear this dress for nothing" Erin said playfully. To anyone else it would have looked like a simple black dress but to them it held a meaning all its own. She wore it on the night that started it all. They shared a passionate kiss and only parted when the need for air became too great. Dave grabbed Erin's hand and lead her to the bedroom before they took each other right there on his couch. Not that the couch would've been a bad idea. They barely reached the threshold of the bedroom door before they were shedding clothes from each other. They needed each other more than anything after being apart for the week. After a passionate round of love-making they lay in each other's arms. "I missed you. Bella" David said leaning in for another passionate kiss. "Me too. I may have to make it so you don't travel anymore" Erin said. "You wouldn't dare" Dave retorted playfully. "Wouldn't I" she said playfully slapping him.

Hope you liked this chapter! Hopefully I can update again soon but with my family visiting for a few weeks it might be hard but I'm hoping that at least during our two week beach vacation I'll have some time to write...