The next morning, Dave woke up before Erin, smiling down at her still form that was highlighted by the early morning sun. She looked peaceful, lovely, and that just seemed to cement the feeling that he had gone to sleep with, that he was ready to start thinking about entering a relationship with Erin, to finding their way in life together. Groaning a little, Erin twisted in his embrace, turning so that her back was against his torso as seemed to fight to fall back asleep. "It's a losing battle, Topalina. The morning as come, and we need to get ready for work. It's Friday, after all, and I have a report to finish before Hotch turns them in to you."
"Oh, but I was having the most wonderful dream. We were in a boat, in the middle of your lake, and you were rowing while I was reclining in it, watching you. I, I felt so loved in that dream, and I wanted to hold on to that ephemeral feeling for as long as I could. You know, I've tried to tell you this so many times, but it never felt quite right. Alan and I were planning on separating, after Allie got her clean bill of health. We just wanted to keep things even for her, since we both knew that stress could exacerbate the cancer, and I was already too much of a stressor with my drinking problem. We hadn't truly been married in every sense of the word for more than year when he died. So I don't think that you would be a rebound relationship for me. And I know that the Program prefers us to wait a year before we enter into a serious relationship, but with everything that I've been through, I need something good to hold onto right now."
He nodded, feeling a sweet sense of hope fill his chest as he tugged on Erin's shoulder, wanting to look into her face. She flipped around to face him, a smile on her lips and tears sparkling in her eyes. "I want to be the good that you hold onto, Erin, darling."
"I like it better when you call me Topalina. That feels like it's something just for me, and I love that feeling." He nodded as she leaned in to kiss him deeply, one hand holding the back of his head in place so that he couldn't pull his lips away, not that he wanted to. If they weren't required to be at work, he would have preferred that they greet the morning by consummating this new phase of their relationship. Still, he was grateful for this small moment in the morning, and he snaked one hand down her back before cupping her bottom and tugging her even closer.
Through the haze of his desire, he heard his phone begin to ring, and he reluctantly pulled away from Erin to slip out of bed and grab the device off the dresser, answering it with a slightly out of breath, "Hello?"
"David, this is Director Shepherd. I think that we have something to discuss. But first I have to ask an obvious, though distasteful, question. Did I just pull you from Erin Strauss's arms?"
He glanced over at Erin, seeing the question on her face, and he shook his head a little before answering their boss. "I suppose that I could lie and say that I was not just there, but I know that lies have no place between all of us. Yes, that is exactly where I was this morning. We fell asleep talking last night."
"I see. And has this been a regular occurrence as you helped her grieve the loss of her family?"
"No, it's only happened twice, so far. But we're fast reaching the point where we want to make things official, which we both know will require a fine balancing act while we're at work. Now I have a question for you. Was Aaron the one that brought this to your attention?"
Director Shepherd paused for a moment, which told Dave everything that he needed to know. "He did come to me with concerns, and when you both didn't show up for work this morning, it felt like his concerns were justified."
"What do you mean, didn't come to work? It's only…" He glanced at the clock on Erin's nightstand and gasped a little. "Oh."
"Yes. I take it that you forgot to set your alarm before you fell asleep last night?" he asked with a chuckle, and Dave felt a blush heat his cheeks as he nodded. "So, here's where we go from here. I don't want to disrupt any progress that Erin's made, because I can only begin to fathom the depths of sorrow that she's had to pull herself out of. And honestly, we need her in the Bureau, as she is an excellent asset. I want you both to lay low while at work, no more nights where Erin falls asleep in your office and then you end up in her bed. All right?"
"I suppose that we can do that, sir. Anything else?"
"Yes. To remove any hint of impropriety, I'd like Erin to consider overseeing another of the teams with the BAU. However, once again, I understand her friendship with Ms Garcia might make that difficult for her, as the woman is permanently attached to your team. Just inform her that that might be a viable option if Agent Hotchner continues to raise a fuss about any relationship that you might form with Erin. Now, enjoy the day together, and we'll see you both back in the office come Monday."
"Yes, sir. Thank you for being so understanding."
"I must admit, it would have been better if you had come to me with this yourself, but given the delicateness of the situation, I understand the reticence. And if Agent Hotchner should choose to give you more grief, do not hesitate to bring your concerns to me."
"I will keep that in mind, Sir." They ended the call and Dave made his way back over to the bed and took a seat next to Erin, smiling when she curled up against him and rested her head on his chest. "Well, we have a surprise day off, Topalina."
"Oh?"
"Yes. The Director thought that it would be best if we laid low today, though I have the feeling that Aaron won't be the happiest with that decision."
"I heard a little of that conversation, David. I just hadn't realized that things were that fraught between the two of you, still. I understand him being upset with me, but to take it out on you? I'm so sorry."
"There's nothing to be sorry for. Now, I'm going to dress and make us breakfast, if you want to shower. I was thinking that, since we have nowhere to be today, we could either head out to a park or to my cabin and while away the rest of the afternoon?"
"If I could have my way, I'd choose your cabin. I just don't know if we'll have time to get back, and well, I'm certain that Penelope will want to ask about what happened to us."
"We'll stay the weekend at the cabin, and you can invite her over, too. I don't think she's ever been out to the cabin, so you'll have to send her the address after we get there."
"That sounds like Heaven, David," she breathed out before twisting her body around to kiss him passionately. "And if you don't mind, I'd rather you pack our bags for the weekend while I shower. We can grab a bite to eat while we drive. It will be more economical that way."
"Your practicality never ceases to amaze me, Topalina," he murmured as she slipped off the bed and gave him a broad wink. "Don't take too long, otherwise I might have to drop you in the lake when we get to the cabin."
"You wouldn't!"
He shrugged as she rummaged through the drawers to get fresh clothes. "There's only one way to find out," he teased as he got to his feet and went to the door, pausing to give Erin a playful grin. "After all, we can always lay out on the grass to dry off, if you were to somehow experience the lake."
"And if you were to do that, I would never allow you back into my bed."
"Touché, Topalina." He winked at her before leaving the bedroom and crossing the hall to his room. It didn't take long for him to undress, and then pull on clean clothes, making certain to wear an older pair of jeans, just in case they did end up horsing around once at the cabin. Dave hummed beneath his breath as he packed up a bag that would last him through Sunday, since they would have to be back for work that Monday.
With his bag taken care of, he carried it back into Erin's room and made quick work of a bag for her. There was something almost a little naughty about digging through her underwear, even though they had slept together almost nude already, and he kept a small frown on his lips in an effort to not think about how he would know exactly what she was wearing beneath her clothes. Not knowing exactly what she would want to wear, he overpacked a little, hoping that he had at least picked something she might like. "Are you still packing?" Erin asked as she entered the room, her hair pulled back with a wide black headband.
"I just finished, thank you very much. Here, for that remark, you can carry your own bag," he said with a wink before making his way to her side and handing it to her as he shouldered his own bag, making certain his phone was in his pocket before starting for the stairs, Erin close at his heels.