Chapter 13

Erin had been sitting in the squad room as everyone but Fornell, Sacks, and McGee had left. Sacks was ordered to watch Erin as McGee and Fornell were in the Director's office. She looked up as the elevator's door open and narrowed her eyes at the occupants.

"Erickson -- Rider, what are you doing here?"

The agents ignored her as another man walked from behind them.

"They are with me Agent Morgan."

Erin quickly stood up as she said in shock "Carter?"

"Hello Erin, where is the Director?" Agent Derek Carter asked while he stood in front of her.

Erin looked up to the upper floor and motioned with her head.

"Thank you Fred-- Dennis stay here with Agent Morgan." Carter ordered as he climb the stairs.

Thirty minutes later, Fornell stormed down the stairs behind Agent Carter and Director Vance. Tim followed quietly behind both men.

"Erin, you have to go with Agent Carter." Tobias stated as he gave a disgruntled look toward Carter.

Erin quickly stood up and gathered her things but felt a hand on her shoulder.

"You need to turnover your badge and gun." Agent Carter stated as he looked at Erin.

Erin nodded as unclipped both and handed to the FBI agent in charge.

She looked at Tim then asked, "Can I speak to Agent McGee alone?"

"You have five minutes Erin?" Agent Carter replied as he motioned for the FBI agents to follow him.

Tim followed Erin behind the stairs, where she pulled him into a passionate kiss. The kiss lasted a good minute until Tim pulled away and put his left hand on her cheek.

"I don't know what is going on Erin but I know you didn't do it." Tim stated as he caress her cheek.

Erin felt tears well up in her eyes as she said, "They think I killed my old partner."

"Scott Hopkins.?" Tim questioned as he saw Erin begin to nod then completely breakdown.

"He-- He came by last night, completely drunk and begged me to come back to Langley. He would not leave me alone so I locked myself in Jess's bedroom until he passed out. I woke up the next morning and he was gone. I could have saved him if I had just slept on the couch." Erin explained as she continued to sob.

Tim shook his head and pulled her into a hug "He could have hurt you if you hadn't protected yourself."

"I -- I am sorry I didn't tell you sooner Tim." Erin apologized as she hid her face in Tim's chest.

Tim quickly pulled away as he tipped her chin up "Er, you have nothing to be sorry for."

Erin's tears kept pouring down her face as Tim pulled her into another hug. The moment was broken when someone cleared their throat. Erin felt Tim shield her as he said, "Is there any way we could fight this?"

"No Tim. I wish we could." Fornell replied as he heard Erin clear her throat as she walked out from behind Tim "I guess times up?"

"Yes sweetheart it is." Fornell said as he watched Erin walk to him and felt as she hugged him.

She began to pull away but he grabbed her tightly and whispered, "We will find out who did this."

Erin nodded as she pulled away and walked back to Tim. Tim automatically grabbed her hand as both agents followed Fornell to the bullpen. Before Tim let go he quickly whispered, "We will be there as soon as Gibbs' gets back."

Erin nodded as she kissed his cheek and let go of his hand.

Carter glared at Tim as Erin stood in front of him "Do you have any other weapons?"

Erin nodded as she bent down and pulled her second gun from her ankle. She quickly bent down and pulled out a knife from the other pants leg then pulled a knife from behind her back. Carter nodded as he said, "Erinreanna Morgan, you are under arrest for the murder of CIA agent Scott Hopkins."

She felt the cuffs around her wrists as she followed the agents to the elevator.