"Derek? It's Erin. I'm sorry to bother you, but I need a huge favor."

"Of course, Erin. Anything," It was rare that Erin asked for a personal favor. If Derek had taken a moment to think about it, he probably could not have remembered a single time. He had certainly been instrumental in assisting her in a rehab placement years ago, but she hadn't exactly requested that help.

"I need you to call Penelope and ask her to book you on the same flight she just booked David on. He left for the airport moments ago so you need to hurry."

Derek was grabbing his go bag and moving to leave as she spoke, "OK," was all she allowed him to say.

"I'm sorry. I know this is a lot to ask . . ."

"It's not a problem. Mind giving me a clue as to where we're going?"

"To LA. To stop David from ripping my ex to shreds."

"Say no more. I'm on my way."

Erin said, "Thank you," but suspected he had already ended the call.

Kara was still sitting on the bed in her parent's room watching her mother pace as she talked on the phone. "Don't you think we should be on that plane?" she asked when the call ended.

"No," her mother said.

"Really? I think we should."

"You don't need to witness David and you dad arguing and I'm not leaving you alone right now."

"What do you think is going to happen?" when her mother didn't answer, Kara continued, "you think something bad will happen. That's why you sent Agent Morgan to babysit."

"I sent Agent Morgan because I didn't want Dave . . . oh, who am I kidding? I don't know what's going to happen. That's why I called Agent Morgan. I'm sure David will fill us in on everything when he gets back. We just need to wait."

"You're worried," Kara said. Erin's pacing had not stopped. "Mom, don't lie to me."

That caused Erin to cease her movements and look at her daughter. "Honey, I'm not going to lie to you. Yes, I'm worried. But I feel better knowing David won't be alone. I'm not sure this was a good idea, but I trust my husband." She stepped closer to Kara and took a seat next to her on the bed. "I'm also worried about you. What are you feeling?"

"Numb, I guess," she said. "I'm still not sure what to feel. It's all very strange. Actually, it's all totally fucked up." Erin twitched at her daughter's curse but didn't correct her. "How did this get like this?"

Erin positioned herself more comfortably against the back of the bed and pulled her child down beside her. Sighing deeply she said, "Oh, honey, I've been asking myself that question a lot lately." Kara snuggled in next to her mother and listened. "Your father wasn't always like this. When I met him he was fun and happy and . . ." a smile spread across her lips in spite of herself.

When she didn't continue, Kara pressed, "When did it change?"

"I don't really know. You were young. He and I were both busy in our careers. I was trying to rise in the Bureau and be the happy homemaker. And give you what you needed. I guess something had to give. The happy homemaker seemed the logical thing to let go of. Your father would have preferred I give up the Bureau."

Kara let her eyes close but didn't want her mother to stop talking. "Was he jealous?"

"Probably. He started to become very insecure. Which I guess makes sense with how he's behaving now. Your actions," her voice rose suddenly as she realized the potential impact of what she was about to say, causing Kara's eyes to open, as she added, "although none of this is your fault." After pausing for impact, she continued, "but your actions probably made him self conscious about his abilities as a father. Maybe that's why he's throwing the baby out with the bathwater."

"But did you love David that whole time?" Kara was enjoying this more than she imagined she would. She could not ever remember having such an intimate conversation with her mother.

"No . . . I don't know . . . maybe. David and I always had a connection but the timing was never right. He was married, then I was married, then he was married again."

"And again," Kara couldn't help herself. She smiled sleepily and listened to the soft giggle beside her. "Do you worry about how often he's been married?"

"No. It took him a few times, but he finally got it right," she kissed the top of her daughter's head. "So did I." She closed her eyes and, moments later, they were both asleep.

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Derek was the last passenger to board the jet. He placed his go bag in the overhead compartment and slid into the first class seat next to his teammate in time for the flight attendant to take his drink order. Only then did he turn to his friend and watch him down the remains of what looked like a scotch.

"Hi," Derek said, giving his widest and cheesiest grin.

"I was wondering who was going to take that seat," David said.

"Disappointed?"

"Nah. Honestly, I'm relieved it isn't Erin. I did not want her to come but, as you know, she can be stubborn."

"I do know that. I also know that Erin Strauss never asks for help, so do you want to fill me in on what's going on?"

CMCMCMCMCM

Rossi approached the oversized contemporary house with Morgan waiting by the taxi and gave three knocks. He heard voices and footsteps approaching and deduced that his identity had been recognized.

When the door swung open he faced a surprised, yet angry Roger and glimpsed a woman disappearing further into the back of the house.

"Well, well, well if it isn't the FBI's finest agent. To what do I owe the pleasure, Rossi?" Roger asked, his distaste obvious as he crossed his arms over his chest.

Glancing at his Movado, Rossi said, "I think you're supposed to be on the other side of the country right about now."

"So you came to collect me?" Roger asked and peered around David's shoulder at Morgan leaning casually against the side of the cab. "Oh, and I see you brought some muscle with you."

"Nope. No muscle is needed today. I just came to tell you to stay away from my family."

"Your family? I believe they were mine first. And my daughter will always be mine."

"You've made your feelings for her clear. So, unless she changes her mind, you are to have no contact with her."

"Oh, really? Well, I think that credit card that she has no problem using and that college tuition might have a problem with that."

David laughed, "Believe me, she doesn't need your money. And you have nothing else to offer her. So leave her alone. Plus, you probably have enough to handle here with your girlfriend," he said indicating the interior of the house and alluding to the woman he saw.

"I'll tell you what, Rossi. You stay away from my family and I'll stay away from yours."

"Deal," David turned to walk away, "Oh, but one more thing Roger," he hesitated on the doorstep.

"Yeah, what's that?"

David turned and rammed a right hook into Roger's jaw feeling and hearing the crunch underneath his knuckles. "Never hit her again." As he turned to walk away, he almost bumped into Morgan who had come up behind him. "Let's go," he said to his friend.

"Not bad, Rossi," he said as they made their way to the car. "Not bad at all."

Author's Note: No Erin/Roger confrontation at this time - she really needed to stay with Kara. I'm ending this here, but another story is already started. Thank you for reading and reviewing. I only own Kara (and I guess Roger).