"I can understand why you feel that you brought this down upon us, Erin," Spencer said as they walked through the first hall of the museum. She said nothing, instead stopping in front of a piece of pottery and staring intently at the complicated pattern etched in the earthenware pot. "And I know that you're listening to me, even if you're not replying. I will say this again. You are not to blame for the decision you made to save your job when you were in a fragile place in all aspects of your life. I know that that doesn't excuse you from culpability, but you have done your best to make amends in the months since Alex has joined our team. And if it is John Curtis who is stalking us, we now have the advantage, because he won't think that we could figure it out this soon, if ever. As soon as we're home, and Garcia has access to her computer systems, she's going to track him down, and we'll be another step ahead of him. And you and Blake won't be alone."

She frowned a little as she turned her head to look at her partner. "I'm sorry?"

"I'm staying with you when not on a case, and Hotch is going to strong arm the Director into making certain that you have a protection detail when I'm out on case. Blake will get the same detail when she's home, since her husband is overseas most of the time due to his job. We're going to protect you until he is found."

Erin's shoulders slumped a little as she nodded. "I know I'm being defensive, but having to explain my past decisions to you and Aaron was a little more difficult than I had imagined."

He nodded, slipping his arm around her waist as they continued through the galleries. There was so much beautiful art to look at, and Erin wondered if they would be able to get through the entire museum before lunch. "You were in that proverbial spot between the rock and hard place, and I do not envy your younger self for trying to thread that needle."

"I would have tried to do things differently if I could go back in time. There must have been a way to make certain we all survived with our careers intact."

"Or you could have been out on your ear, too. Everything happens for a reason, even if we never know that reason."

She nodded and let out a puff of breath before moving on to the next piece of art, staring at it intently in order to get her emotions in check. Spencer rubbed his thumb along the curve of her waist as they looked on in silence, and she was grateful for the moment to just be together. She almost knew that by the time they returned to the hotel that evening, Alex would know about her theory, and that it would dredge up painful memories that they had just started burying. She didn't want to lose the fragile friendship that they had been forming, but she also didn't know of another way to save the situation.

Erin was just about to say something when her phone vibrated in her purse, and she dug it out as Spencer moved on to the next piece. Hotch told me about your theory, and I have to say that I agree. I forgot about John when I was so angry at you, and I can't help but wonder just how much he must hate us – you, for the position you hold in the FBI, and me for getting my position back after all these years. We'll talk on the plane home, Dave said that our seats are next to each other, since he was hoping that we'd work things out while here. I just hope that Spence doesn't mind too much. I just wanted to let you know that I don't blame you for this happening, and you shouldn't blame yourself. If it is John, and I think it is, it is entirely on him for making the terrible choices that he has been lately. I have to go, but we will talk more tomorrow at supper. Enjoy your day with Spence. Lex

The message did assuage a portion of her guilt, and she tapped out a quick reply before dropping the phone back inside her purse and catching up to her partner. "Good news?"

"Yes. I think that things are going to turn out all right after all. I just need to have a little more faith in the fact that my friends love me more than I love myself, or certain aspects of myself. And I do love you, Spencer." Erin smiled at him as she slipped her hand into his, holding on loosely as they continued to stroll through the galleries. This time, their silence was much more comfortable, and she relished this time that she could spend with him, knowing that they were safe here, that the evil that was stalking them back home couldn't reach Morocco.

Somehow, they managed to see the last room just as her stomach started to grumble a little too loudly to be ignored, and they walked to the nearby café that had intrigued both of them on the way inside the museum. While she ordered, Erin felt Spencer's eyes watching her, and she gave him a small smile as she handed the menus back to the server before resting her chin on her hand as she stared back at him. "The wheels are turning in that beautiful brain of yours, Spencer. What are you thinking about?"

"I'm thinking that Alex sent you a text, absolving you of the guilt you carry like a millstone around your neck, because after you wrote a reply to her, your demeanor softened and you were much more relaxed. You became the woman I've gotten to know over the last two weeks, and I was glad for the change. I don't like you being so keyed up over something that you ultimately can't control. We're going to protect you and Alex, as best we can."

"I can take care of myself, Spencer."

"I know. Your shooting record at the range is beyond parallel. Anderson has made mention of that fact numerous times, comparing you to Jayje. Do you think that we could have a contest between the two of you when we get home?"

Erin giggled fiercely as she shrugged. "I suppose that could be arranged, if Jennifer is willing to go along with it. And after we've taken care of the Replicator. We have to be safe to carry out shenanigans, after all."

"I will hold you to that," Spencer said as he poured them both a cup of tea, and Erin sipped at the brew, letting the warmth from the tender moment they had just shared spread through her system like the tea did. "And I might just have to take bets on the outcome. I don't know how many people know how good you are, after all."

"Spencer Reid, you will do no such thing! My talents are not to make money off of. Though if you want to do something like that, we could have a fundraiser for a charity, where the team pledges an amount of money depending on how many targets we hit."

"I like the way you think better," Spencer replied as they settled in to wait for their food. "Though we'll have to make certain that the targets are sufficiently difficult enough for the two of you. Wouldn't want you to soak us for too much money, after all." He gave her a broad wink, causing her to giggle once more, her brain starting to make plans for a future she wasn't entirely certain of in that moment.