Erin felt a little awkward being alone in a restaurant with Aaron. When David had called to tell her that she was going out as soon as the team returned home from Tampa, she had assumed that they were going to have a romantic evening together, as it had been far too long since they had shared something like that, or so it felt to her. That was why she had been so surprised to see Aaron show up at her office, looking particularly dapper in a fresh suit coat, and said that there were things that they had to discuss in private, without the possibility of little ears overhearing something they shouldn't.

"I talked to Dave before I did this, Erin. You don't have to act like I'm going to get you drunk and take you home."

She sighed as she nodded. "I know, but it feels a little weird to me, since I don't think that we've ever shared a private meal before. There are certain people in the bullpen who would use this as an opportunity to spread salacious gossip about us."

Aaron chuckled as he nodded, picking up his wine glass and taking a small sip. "There is that, but we all know the truth of what lies between us. A beautiful daughter and a lovely blended family that somehow works despite everything in this world saying that it shouldn't."

"Precisely. So, what are we doing here tonight? And when are you going to watch the younger children so that David and I can have a romantic evening?"

"Just say the word, and I'll have Jess bring the girls over to our home, and they can have a sleepover. We finally have the room now, since Jack and I have moved back into the house."

"When did that happen?" she asked in shock, giving their server a small smile as he set their food down in front of them.

"We've been slowly moving our things home over the last two months. Jack needs to be home, and the repairs were finished about six months ago, so it made sense to give up the apartment, even if I did take a bit of a hit for breaking the lease. I just have this feeling that Jack will start to heal a little faster in familiar surroundings."

She nodded as she dug into her food. "That is a very valid point. Though he is such a gregarious child, it's sometimes hard to believe that Haley is really gone for him. Of course, there's this huge hole in our lives, but we've managed to make a safe enough space for him that it's been a smoother transition to this side of living."

"Yes, having such a large, close, extended family has been all the difference for Jack, I truly believe that. Now, as for why I've asked you out on a working date tonight. I think that I almost gave myself away on this case. It was all about loss and how we assign the blame for loss, and I could tell that Reid and Seaver were struggling quite a bit. It's harder to tell with Morgan, since he doesn't open up about his feelings or wear them on his sleeve like the other two."

"And then there's my partner, and your best friend. He misses Emily dearly."

"I know, and we talked about that quite a bit while unwinding in our hotel room each night. I just feel even guiltier about everything than when you called me out last week. How is that even possible?"

"Because you are a good leader who truly cares for his team. Just as I care for my teams, even if we have vastly different ways of showing our care and concern. You used to have a better poker face than this, Aaron. What do you think has changed?"

"Honestly?" She nodded. "Having so much loss and change in such a short span of time. I haven't been able to find my footing once more, and that bothers me more than I would care to admit. And then there's the fact that I am withholding knowledge from my team, for their good, but it still goes against my personal code of ethics. I've become the liar that I accused you of being back when you were pregnant with Elise, and it feels like we're liars for the same reason – protecting those that we love."

Erin sighed a little as she sipped at her wine, sliding her hand across the table to caress the back of his hand. "Protecting those we love is always a noble pursuit. And if we want her to maybe one day come home, we have to hold that secret tightly to our chest. At least you know that it won't go anywhere beyond me. Right?"

"Right." He gave her a small smile as they shifted to an easier topic to talk about, one that wasn't quite as fraught as the discussion of guilt and lying. "I don't suppose that I could stop by and see Elise tonight?"

Erin smirked as she shrugged. "Well, it all depends on how long it takes us to eat. Five-year-olds have a set bedtime, after all. Though you could always tuck her in if she's asleep when you drop me off." Aaron nodded as she picked up her wine and took another sip. "You know, though, Elise is a little heartbroken that Jack is choosing soccer over horses."

He chuckled a little. "Haley and Jack loved playing soccer together, and JJ's son is also growing into a little soccer fiend, so it makes a little sense that Jack would want to try out his other friend's hobbies. Though I am trying to find a league for him that has games in the afternoons. It's not going well, because…"

"That is the prime time for the older kids. I remember that from when Brucie was that age. But isn't Henry a bit young to play with all the big kids?"

"He and Jack have playdates when we're all home." A flush stained his cheeks as he took a few bites of his meal. "Jessica has made it quite clear where she feels Jack should spend his time when we're out in the field."

"Oh!" Erin exclaimed, a flush of pleasure spreading through her body as she realized the implications of that statement. "I'm glad to be found worthy."

"Worthy? The Brooks family adores you and your family. I never thought that you would slip right into the vacuum that Haley's death left behind, but I know that they enjoy seeing you so much. Even Celia warmed up quicker to you than she did to me."

"You just happened to put your foot in your mouth when you first met her," Erin teased as she continued to eat. Aaron nodded guiltily as he also ate, and Erin found herself wondering if this is what their future would be like. A part of her hoped so, because the ease at which they had fallen into family life was a balm to her heart. Especially after everything that had happened before, she didn't deserve this second chance. "You know, there is a very large part of me that hopes because we've been able to put our past aside and work out a new, kinder, future, I'll be able to make amends with Alex. It's so complicated because of what I did during the Amerithrax case, but I keep holding out olive branches in hopes that one day they're accepted."

"I hope you get that wish, too, Erin," he replied, and they smiled at each other before she turned the conversation again, not wanting to end up crying on his shoulder over something that wasn't his burden to bear with her. It was a wound only time could heal, though she prayed that it would happen sooner rather than later.