Hello, My Darlings: just a quick note to say thank you for sticking with me. Erin and Dave are begging to continue their conversation from the last chapter. I'll get right on that, but first I think you should know:The 2014 PROFILER'S CHOICE CRIMINAL MINDS FANFIC AWARDS are back!

Calling all CM readers and authors! Join us in celebrating the best of the best CM stories for the annual Profiler's Choice CM Awards! Help us and let your voices be heard. Please check out the nomination ballot and rules at the ProfilerChoiceAwards2014 Forum. All rules and information are on the forum. Nominations begin November 15 and are due December 31st.
Good Luck!

(Sorry for the long note: on with the show.)

A good man knows his woman like the back of his hand. He knows when she's mad, sad, aggravated, happy, hurt…because that's his woman.
— Unknown

"When have I ever lied to you, David? As I remember, it was you who kept secrets." Erin spat, crossing the room. She needed to put as much physical distance between them as possible.

"It's different now and you know it." He circled the desk and advanced towards her. "What are you hiding?" His hands gripped her shoulders and he studied her face.

"There's nothing to hide!" She denied through clenched teeth.

"Fine." He said, with practiced nonchalance, "call your doctor and talk mystery stories." He rounded the desk again and lifted the phone. He flipped through the Rolodex until he found the number.

"What are you doing! That is an invasion of my privacy, David."

"Inviting her to my place, we'll have a barbecue." His fingers poised over the buttons.
Her cheeks blazed hot, knowing full well what was on the menu.

"So you can grill her for information, there are laws against that. It's called HIPAA David."

"What information? I thought there was nothing to hide."

Her shoulders dropped in frustration, "there isn't."

He caught the doubt that creeped into her tone, "you mean you don't know?" He asked, his tone came out sharper than he intended. "How could she not know!" His mind screamed.

"I'll call her back-"

"You're damn right you will." He growled, his eyes dark with frustration, "dammit Erin," the phone clattered back on the hook as he moved towards her.

"Go," she ordered on a shaky breath. Anger and fear and every other emotion was overpowering her senses. She needed to be alone. His being there was only complicating things.

"You really want me to go, Erin?" he challenged. "We need to talk, we can work this out together."

" No, we can't." She denied, "Not now. Not ever. Go."

"We're not finished. You will make that appointment."

"My body, my choice," she whispered around the lump in her throat. "You don't have a say."

"That is still half my child you're carrying. That gives me more say than any law written in your favor."

His eyes blazed hot. Erin shrank back, unsure as to what he would do. At the last minute he turned on his heel and stormed out of the office. The sound of the front door slamming reverberated throughout the building.

"Please," she whispered to the empty room. "Don't leave."
But no one answered.