Erin leaned against Rossi's car, knowing that Penelope would be down in a few minutes to comfort her. Slowly, she rubbed her hand over her stomach, trying to calm the churning feeling she felt. Hot, bitter, tears slipped down her cheeks and she closed her eyes, wanting to staunch their flow.

"Erin? Honey, what's wrong?" A soft hand closed around her shoulder, and she turned to face Penelope, shrugging a little. "Don't give me that. I know there's something going on. What happened between you and Reid? Davie said that you were on cloud nine when you ended up in bed with him a few weeks ago. Did he give you something?"

"I guess you could say that," she responded softly, looking down at her stomach. "Could we go somewhere and talk? I really want to drink right now, but I can't."

"Of course we can. I'll bring you to our home." She helped Erin into the car and she curled up in the passenger seat, continuing to rub her belly. In a few weeks it would be obvious that she was knocked up, and then all the gossip would begin. She didn't know if she was strong enough to go through that once more. "Have I told you our happy news? Perhaps it will bring a smile to your face."

Erin shook her head. "No, you haven't said anything to me. What's up?"

"We're going to be parents. A new little Rossi is going to enter the world in about seven months. Isn't that wonderful?"

Erin sucked in a deep breath and nodded as her tears began to fall faster. "That is such a miracle. He never thought he would have a second chance at fatherhood. What are you hoping for?" she asked, eager to get her mind off her own situation.

"I think he wants a little girl to spoil, but I think I'm probably going to end up with a boy. I mean, look at our track record. Both Jayje and Hotch had boys."

Erin nodded and then touched her hand to her mouth, suddenly feeling sick. "Penelope, could you pull over a second? I'm going to be sick." She felt the car come to a stop on the side of the road and she stumbled out to the grass before collapsing to her knees and retching. The taste of bile just seemed to set off her gag reflex all the more and she heaved.

"Erin, I'm here. Shh," Penelope said as she pulled her hair back from her face, holding on to her as she finally finished emptying her stomach. "Oh, sweetie, are you pregnant, too?"

She nodded absently, digging her fingers into the soft fabric of Penelope's shirt. "Yes. That's what I told Spencer this morning. He didn't take the news well." She let the woman help her to her feet and they made their way back to the vehicle. "So, now I have another reason not to drink, even if I wanted one."

Erin buckled her belt once more and Penelope finished the drive as quickly as she could. When she pulled into the garage of David's home, Erin felt like she was home. "Do you want to talk now, or take a nap? You look so tired, Erin."

"I'd like to nap, if you don't mind. I'll just head up to the guest room." Penelope nodded and then opened her arms. The tender gesture nearly broke Erin's heart, and she stepped into them, letting her hug her tightly. "You two will support me, right?" she whispered as she began to cry again.

"Of course we will, Erin." Softly, Penelope pressed her lips to Erin's forehead and she smiled sadly. Letting go of her, Erin went up to the guest room and collapsed on the bed, crying herself to sleep.

When she woke up a few hours later, she felt awful. Her stomach growled hungrily and she sat up and stretched, only to ram her hand into soft, giving flesh. "Penny?" she asked as she opened her eyes.

"Yeah, I was worried about you, Erin, so I watched over you as you slept. Hotch called a few minutes ago and would like you to call him as soon as you feel up to it. I think Dave may have told him a little of what's up, since he sounded really concerned about you."

Erin nodded and held out her hand for the phone. Quickly, she dialed Aaron's office number and waited for him to pick up. "Hotchner here."

"Hello, Aaron. This is Chief Strauss. I take it that Dave has told you a little of my predicament?"

"Only that Reid has upset you. Why? Is there something more going on here?"

She took a deep breath and reached out for Penelope's hand. "I'm pregnant and thinking about what comes next."

"And the baby is Reid's?"

"Yes. It was a one night stand, and I assumed that I wouldn't get pregnant, since my doctor had informed me that this was an impossibility. I don't want anything from him, Aaron, I just want to have this baby. I can't…"

Erin stopped talking, feeling the tears begin to choke her throat once more. "You don't have to choose that, if you don't want to. I can draw up papers that would absolve him of any responsibility to the child."

"Thank you, Aaron. I'm sorry, I have to go."

"I understand. Tell Garcia that she is to take tomorrow off and watch over you. You shouldn't be at work when you're this upset. Take a day to process the news, I'll let Shepperd know that you went home ill today."

"Again, thank you." Taking a deep breath, she disconnected the call and set the phone aside, looking at Penelope. "He said that we're to take tomorrow off and you're not to leave me alone." Biting her lip, she looked at her friend and smiled. "I really want this baby, Penelope. I don't know why, but I do. Abortion would never be an option for me, even though I'm pro-choice."

"And that's okay, Erin. That's why it is a choice." She nodded as she fell back on the bed once more, cradling her stomach as she cried. Feeling Penelope spoon up behind her, she nestled back, needing the comfort of a friend so much in that moment.

"I don't know why this hurts so much. I guess I assumed that he would be more understanding. Please, tell him that I don't want anything from him, I just want to keep this baby." Turning, she looked into Penelope's eyes. "I won't even ask for child support. If he doesn't want to see the child, he doesn't have to. Please, make him understand that."

Penelope reached up and wiped away some of her tears as she nodded. "I will, Erin. Everything will work out, whatever comes next." Her smile seemed to reassure Erin a little and she pulled her into a hug, needing to hold on to someone, anyone, at that moment.