It took about ten minutes for Erin to calm herself enough to be sociable, and she swiped at her eyes as she finally sat up to look around the room at their guests. "I'm sorry I'm such a horrible host. It has just been an awful day."
"You're fine, Erin. We're the ones who are invading your space tonight. Though I'm grateful to have someone to be with so that I'm not alone tonight." Penelope gave them a sad smile before she drew in a deep breath. "So, I couldn't help but overhear what you were saying to Dave just a few minutes ago. Do you really think that this Replicator person is going to hurt one of us?"
Erin pulled away from him a little, folding her hands in her lap as she looked down into the carpet. "I do. I feel like he's building towards something that we can't stop, and if I'm truly honest with the three of you, I think it's going to be either me or Alex that he targets next."
Alex quickly turned her head to look at him, confusion in her eyes. "What makes you think that?" she asked sharply, her eyes darting between him and Erin, as if she thought that he might be able to read Erin's thoughts.
"Because I think that I know who is targeting us, and the fact that he went after your protégé only solidifies that thought in my mind. Sure, I know that Maeve was killed by a woman, but there was no way that she could have tracked her down without outside help."
Alex and Penelope nodded, and even Dave felt an uneasy feeling settle in the pit of his stomach, knowing that Erin's words carried the weight of conviction with them. "All right, so, who do you think is stalking our team?"
"It's not just one person, first of all. What happened to poor Maeve just cements that in my mind." Erin drew in a shaky breath as she pulled her hands apart, reaching out for him and Alex. "I only have two hands, Penny, otherwise I'd offer you one. But, anyway, I think it's John Curtis. This only started happening after you joined the team, Alex. And he's been growing closer and closer to harming one of our team as the weeks have gone by."
Alex's eyes widened in surprise as she looked over at Dave. "Oh my god, that makes so much sense. I don't know why we didn't see that before. And since he knows FBI protocols, he could very easily follow our cases and our lives." She shivered almost violently, and Erin nodded as she scooted closer to her friend, letting her head come to rest on Alex's shoulder. "This makes me sick, Erin."
"I know. I just can't find him. I've been using all the sources at my disposal, and I can't find a single trace of him. That's why I'm so worried about my Davie. I already almost lost my Helena. I can't face another loss."
Dave watched as Alex pulled Erin closer to her, spreading her hand out on her cheek and pressing it down onto her shoulder before starting to rub her arm softly. "I'm going to grab us some water," he said softly as he got to his feet and Penelope got up as well, trailing after him as they made their way into the kitchen. The first thing he did was get out four glasses, setting them on the counter before making his way over to the fridge and pulling out the ice tray, filling the glasses halfway before turning and almost running into Penelope.
"You're starting to pull away again, Dave. Why?"
He set the tray onto the counter before leaning against it and staring at her. "Because I can't help but feel like Erin is right. And if she's right, I don't know how I can protect her. Because we're away from home so very often, and if I'm not here, I can't protect her. And I can't ask you to fill that role, since you're not trained the same way I am. And I wouldn't ask you to do that, either, since that burden shouldn't fall on your shoulders." Before he could say another word, Penelope launched herself forward and hugged him tightly.
"You don't have to carry this burden alone, you know. There are people who will pick up the slack, and you forget that I have connections that can help you out with making certain that Erin is looked after. Please, don't let your fear divide you once more. Erin needs you by her side, and I refuse to let you throw away this love. Especially since Erin is trying to regain her balance after Helena's trial."
He nodded as he motioned towards the fridge. Penelope shook her head, and he frowned deeply. "What?"
"Promise me that you will not push her away! Please!"
"I promise that I'll try, Kitten. I just love her so much that if I could protect her by just pulling away, I would do so."
"She needs your love and presence right now, above everything else. So do your children. Draw together and find yourself and your strength in numbers." Leaning forward, she kissed his cheek softly before opening the fridge and pulling out the water pitcher, handing it to him.
Dave smiled a little, knowing that Penelope was right. It was easy to pour out the water, and then they were carrying the glasses into the living room. He wasn't surprised to see that Erin was tucked in close to Alex as they murmured back and forth. "You know I'm going to want my partner back in a few hours, so that we can head up to bed."
Alex nodded, though Erin just looked at him, raising an eyebrow. "How are you going to accomplish that, darling?" she drawled out, accepting the glass from his hand.
"I'll figure out a way," he replied as he took a seat next to her once more. A softer silence seemed to fall over the room as they drank their water. "So, in the morning, I'll make us breakfast. Pancakes, toast, eggs?"
"Pancakes would be delicious!" Penelope said before yawning widely. "I think that I'm going to head upstairs and find myself a bedroom. Alex, do you want to join me?"
"I suppose that I can. We could perhaps share? I still feel a little jittery, and want to talk some more to anyone." Penelope nodded as they brought their glasses out of the room, leaving Erin and Dave alone together.
"I love them, and you, so much. And I know that I'm needling you, that I'm pushing you away, but I just want to hold on to you so tightly so that you don't slip away from me. Promise me, that from here on out, you'll take extra care."
"As long as you promise me the same thing. Please?"
"Of course. I would do anything for you, my love. Now, do you think that we should head upstairs ourselves? I think that I might like to talk to you in bed."
"I will never turn that suggestion down," he replied, waggling his eyebrows at her suggestively, getting her to giggle at him as he rose to his feet and extended his hand towards her. Erin clasped it quickly before pulling herself to her feet and leading him over to the staircase, a gentle, sweet, smile on her lips as they went up to bed.