It was Christmas, already, and Erin wasn't prepared for the holiday, or informing David about her follower. That was what she had taken to calling the man, since he'd appeared in the corner of her eye three more times since her lunch with Alex. And now, she was hurriedly trying to finish up her work before heading home for a blessed week off, most of it spent with David and her children. Finally, she sent off the last email she needed to get out before the holiday, and then she was shutting down her system and slipping into her coat before heading out the door.

"Erin! Wait up!"

Turning, she saw Penelope jogging over to her side, a wide smile on her lips, and Erin knew that she was about to be hugged, so she braced herself for the embrace that came moments later. "What can I do for you, Penelope?" she asked as she returned the hug.

"So, I've been asked to come home with you to Rossi's." Erin frowned. "Oh, don't look like that! I'm certain it's nothing bad! It's nearly Christmas, after all! But he was a little vague about the reasons why, and wouldn't elaborate when I pushed for answers. All I know is that I have to ride shotgun with you." She let out a soft sigh as she finally nodded, and then they were getting on the elevator together, riding down to the ground floor.

"How are you getting home?" Erin asked as they reached her car.

"Probably Uber or a cab. Depends on how late it is when we leave."

That we made Erin think that there would be more than just Penelope at David's house, and she pursed her lips as she tried to think about who else might be joining them that evening. "If it's too late, you can just use a guest room, since David has more than enough of them."

Penelope giggled as she fastened her belt. "I don't know if he'll like you just inviting people into his home."

"Well, I don't like being ambushed about things. Not when…"

Her voice trailed off, stopping the rest of her sentence before it could come out, and Penelope reached out to touch her upper arm softly. "When what?"

Erin shook her head a little as she backed out of her space and started for David's home. "Nothing, forget I said anything."

"Is it about the man that's following you and Alex?"

She blanched, suddenly wishing that she had some tea or wine or anything to drink that would ease s the acrid taste of fear that was in her mouth. "What are you talking about?" she finally managed to croak out.

"I'm talking about the fact that neither one of you are telling us the truth, and that it shouldn't have taken Reid slipping up on the phone with me to find out that there's even more hinky shit happening to my team. It was bad enough when it was just some crazy person copying our previous cases. But now that we know that there's also someone stalking almost half of our team? Well, that just sends my overprotective mama bear mode into overdrive. Because I'll be damned if we have another Doyle situation happen to us!"

Erin closed her eyes for a brief moment as she tried to regain control of her emotions. "I think they're the same person, honestly. I've only seen him when there hasn't been a copycat case. And I know, we're not supposed to name unsubs, it limits our thinking, but I can't help but call him the Replicator. I just can't figure out why he'd be interested in the three of us."

"Well, after the holiday, we're going to get together, the four of us and try to figure out just what you three have in common."

Somehow, Erin knew that there would be no arguing with Penelope, so she just nodded as she finished the drive to her partner's home. The porch light was on, the sight soothing her a little as she pulled into the garage. "I want to have a happy holiday, Penelope. I don't want to think about this ugliness," she said as she turned her car off and turned to look at Penelope. "Please, let me have this."

She wasn't surprised when Penelope leaned over to hug her again, the embrace much softer than the previous one. "And while I would love to keep the ugliness away from you, I know that life doesn't always work that way."

Erin nodded against her shoulder, drawing in a shaky breath before releasing the woman and climbing out of the car. The garage door opened, revealing Alex, and Erin smiled to see that there was a mug in her hand. "You made tea for me this time?" she asked, trying to sound light.

"Yeah, I figured that we both needed something warm to wrap our hands around as we talk about the situation. And before you blame me, I wasn't the one who talked."

"I know, it was Spencer who let something slip." Alex nodded as she handed the mug to Erin, and then they were headed into the living room, Penelope at their heels. "So, I guess that you've decided that we need an intervention, David?"

"No, I was thinking that the four of us could enjoy watching White Christmas after we talk about what's been happening to both of you." She sighed as she nodded, knowing that there wouldn't be a way to wriggle out of telling them everything she knew. "Now, if you three want to take a seat on the sofa, I will be right back with snacks."

Erin nodded as she sank down onto the sofa, smiling a little when she was flanked by Alex and Penelope. "Just to let you both know, I cry during that movie, so one of your shoulders will be very wet."

"Eh, I've had worse happen to my shoulder," Penelope said quickly. "Now, before Rossi gets here, what can you tell me about the man that's following you?"

"He's somehow gotten access to a uniform for a delivery company, though I've never seen him with an packages in his hands, or a cart that would bring a larger delivery into a business. Somehow, he knows where we're going to be, as I've seen him in the field." Erin's head whipped around to look at Alex, and the woman shrugged a little. "I knew that would worry you more than necessary, which is why I didn't say anything. I'm sorry."

"And now I'm even more unsettled." Alex reached out with her free hand, and Erin clasped it, holding on tightly as she took a few shallow breaths. "What is happening here?"

"I wish that I knew, Erin. All I know is that we will do anything to protect the three of you." She looked up at David, giving him a small smile that quickly crumbled into a sorrowful look. He took the mug from her hands and set it on the coffee table before kneeling down and cupping her face, stroking her cheekbones with his thumbs. "There is nothing I wouldn't do to protect you, Erin." She nodded as she leaned forward, wrapping her free arm around his back as he hugged her tightly. "I love you," he wished fiercely in her ear, and she knew that she would never grow tired of hearing those words from his lips.