"And here are your room keys," Dave said as he handed out key cards to them all. "We're all on the fifth floor. Have a great evening and see you all in two weeks."

Erin smiled a little as she took the envelope from Dave's hands. Spencer had gathered all their luggage, just leaving her with one carryon to sling over her shoulder, and she led him over to the elevators. Penelope and Derek joined them, and she found herself enjoying the other woman's happy chatter. "Are you sure you don't want to come with us to the beach for a little bit? When's our next chance to see this side of the Atlantic Ocean?"
"Maybe. We'll have to see." The woman nodded and snuggled into Derek, resting her head on his chest. Erin felt a deep pang of longing in her heart. She missed the companionship of a relationship, she truly did.

"If you want to join them, I wouldn't mind. I'm not much of a beach person myself. Too much sand getting into sensitive places." She nodded a little, feeling hurt that he wanted to push her away so soon. And then, he was smiling at her kindly, and she shrugged as they stepped into the elevator. Once on the fifth floor, she quickly found their room and let them in.

"Oh," she said lowly as she saw that there was only one bed in the room. "I can sleep in the chair just as easily…"

"No, we'll be fine sharing the bed. Won't we?" He stepped closer to her, closing the door and throwing the deadbolt. "I mean, we're colleagues, we can get along without doing anything inappropriate for two weeks."

"I suppose that we can. Spencer?"

"Yes, Erin?"

"Would you go down to the beach with me? I would like to see the ocean and take some pictures. And we're supposed to do things together, if we listen to David."

He nodded, setting their bags down on the bed. "That might actually be nice. We can take care of our things when we get back." She smiled and grabbed her camera out of her purse, slipping one of the room keys in her pocket. "Are you ready to head out now, then?"

"If you are." He nodded once more and then held out his hand. She was surprised by the gesture, but hesitantly clasped it. His hand was warm against hers, and she liked how right it felt. "I know this isn't how you planned to spend your vacation, Spencer."

"And I know you would rather have been paired with Rossi. But, we'll play the cards we're dealt and make the best of this." He tightened his hand and she squeezed back, needing the comfort. Together, they went out the door, meeting Penelope and Derek in the hall once more. The woman had changed into a soft pink sundress, a floppy straw hat on her head.

"Ooh, you changed your mind!" the woman said excitedly as she grinned at them. Erin nodded and held up her camera. "Those will be amazing pictures. Come on, come on, the day's a-wasting. Do you want to meet up later for supper, say at seven?"

Erin found that she was already looking forward to the time spent with her friend, and she nodded. "At least, I would. I don't know about Spencer."

"That would be great, actually." Penelope nodded and snuggled into Derek as they both shook their heads. Spencer laughed lightly as he changed how their hands were entwined. A soft shiver swept down her spine and she let out a deep breath as they stepped onto the elevator. "I was hoping to make it down to Casablanca at some point, too."

Erin looked up at him, a quick smile on her face. "I was hoping to as well. And it's only a four hour train ride, I checked already, before we left."

He nodded and she found herself blushing at the look he gave her. Looking away quickly, she sighed a little as he pulled her tighter against him. "We might even have time to explore Fez while we're at it. Mom filled my head with tales of the old cities of the world, and that one ranked up there with Carthage."

"We'll have to see how much time we have," she murmured. The elevator doors opened, and they walked out from the lobby, quickly crossing the street to get to the beach. Derek and Penelope peeled off, waving at them as they went to find a secluded spot on the beach.

"Would you mind if I put my arm around your waist again?" She shook her head and he let go of her hand, wrapping his arm tightly around her. "I thought I saw a pier about a mile down the beach. You could get some great pictures there."

"Lead the way, Spencer." He nodded and began to direct her in the right direction. The comfortable silence that fell over them soothed her in some inexplicable way and she found herself cleaving tighter to him as they went on. "So, um, how is your mother?"

"She's doing okay. The drugs she's on aren't helping as much as they once were, and her doctor hasn't found a new combination that works yet. I couldn't tell her what happened to Maeve. It would have set her back so much, so I just told her we broke things off." He sighed and she knocked her head against his chest lightly, wanting to comfort him. "And how are your children?"

"They're doing well. I don't hear much from them these days, they're off living their lives. Mother doesn't really matter anymore, you know."

"No. My mother always mattered to me."

She sighed sadly and felt his thumb begin to rub up and down her side. "I messed up, Spencer. Atonement isn't always the easiest thing to do, nor is it always accepted. I've come to terms with that." The salty tang of the ocean air felt heavy against her skin and she stopped suddenly, looking up at him. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For messing up." She felt the lump in her throat grow as they continued to look into each other's eyes and then he was reaching up and cupping her cheek. She rubbed her face into his hand, finally letting her eyes close and the tears fall.

"I've messed up, too. But something my mother told me helped greatly. She said that it's only the broken pieces of glass that get put in a kaleidoscope, and those broken pieces make the most beautiful mosaics. We have to learn to see the beauty in our lives, Erin, not the mess."

She nodded, trying to get control of her emotions. "I'll try to keep that in mind," she whispered as they began to walk on once more. It didn't take long for them to reach the pier and they made their way to the very end. Erin sat and watched the horizon, snapping a few pictures of the ocean.

"Here, let me take a few, too." Spencer held out his hand and she handed the camera over before turning back to stare out at the water. Vaguely, she heard the click of the button, but thought nothing of it, letting the peace of the unchanging ocean settle into her soul. "Look at me, Erin."

She turned, the wind whipping her hair around her face, and she reached up to push it back, smiling lightly at him. He snapped one final picture, of her, before sitting down next to her, settling his arm in its proper place. That thought startled Erin, as she knew the only thing they were was friends. Still, though, she rested her head against his chest, content to be in his arms and feel understood, even if only for a few days.