After supper, they washed the dishes and then meandered out to the living room. "So, one more movie tonight. Show me your favorite anime."
"Well, there's not time enough to watch the entirety of Neon Genesis Evangelion. However, we can watch 5 centimeters per second." As Erin situated herself on the sofa, she dug out the disc and popped it into the DVD player.
As they watched, Erin found herself tearing up for no good reason, and once more, Penelope was there to comfort her, rubbing her arm softly as the gentle movie played out to its end. "That was beautiful, Penelope."
"I know, that's why it happens to be one of my favorites. Now, as for night clothes, I have negligees, nighties, t-shirts and boxers, or pajama sets. What would you prefer?"
"A knee-length nightie." She could feel her blush and looked away from Penelope.
Hearing commotion in the bedroom, she dared to look up and watched her friend pull out a few different nighties. "Here, take your pick. I'm going to go change in the bathroom, and wash my makeup off. Feel free to get changed and crawl into bed. I'll take the couch."
"We can share for one night," she blurted out before her internal filter kicked in and she pinched herself sharply. "I mean, I have a guest room at the house, and you shouldn't be uncomfortable because of me, even for one night. I promise, I won't feel you up during the night."
Penelope burst out laughing. "Fine, I'll sleep in the bed with you. I'm going to hold you to the no groping thing, though, sweetheart." She disappeared into the bathroom and Erin quickly stripped down to her panties. Going over to the bed, she picked out a sapphire blue nightie and pulled it on over her head. Yawning, she pulled back the covers and climbed into the bed, scooting over to the far side. She was half asleep by the time Penelope joined her, and so she did not protest the arm that draped over her waist, pulling her close.
In the morning, she woke up facing Penelope. Her face was so relaxed in sleep and before she could stop herself, she reached up and caressed her face. Blinking her eyes open, Penelope smiled at her. "Good morning, Erin." And then she leaned forward and kissed her softly.
"Penelope?"
"Sorry, sleep fog?"
Erin was a little disappointed at the quick response and she nodded in response. "We should probably get a move on. Do you mind if I take a shower this morning?"
"That would be fine. I'll find you something to wear while you're in there. Do you want waffles for breakfast?"
"Sure." She got up out of bed and made her way over to the bathroom. Shedding the nightgown, she stuck it in the hamper and shimmied out of her panties. There was nothing to be done about her underwear, and she prayed that no one would notice her going without them that day. Sighing, she also threw them in the hamper and then stepped into the shower.
The warm water poured down on her and she relished the feel of it. Picking up the loofah, she poured some soap on it and lathered up. As she was washing it off, she heard the door open and close. It was a bit odd, but she shrugged, beginning to wash her hair. She smelled like Penelope and she loved that.
Finally turning the water off, she stepped out and grabbed the towel off the rack, wrapping it around her body. As she wrapped another one around her head, she noticed that a fresh toothbrush had been set out along with makeup and a comb. At the end of the counter was a set of clothing, her bra on top. After she was made up for the day, she dressed, noticing that the woman had tried to account for her personal tastes in the clothes that she had picked out. The navy skirt had a drawstring that she pulled tight, keeping the white blouse tucked in.
Finally, she opened the door and stepped out. Breathing in deeply, she smelled bacon and eggs. "I thought you had gone the vegan way," she said as she took a seat at the kitchen table.
"I have, mostly. I just can't seem to give up bacon." She set a plate in front of Erin and took a seat across from her. "I charged your phone up, you have about fifteen voicemails from Rossi and Jayje. And there are some texts from them as well."
"Did you look at them?"
Penelope blushed and looked down at her plate. "Yes. Sorry. I saw my name in one and had to know what they were asking of you and why my name was coming up. Rossi thinks we're sleeping together."
"Well, we just did, only not in the way that he means." Penelope giggled and dug into her food. "Seriously though, Penelope, is he going to make trouble for you?"
"I won't let him make trouble for either of us. I've already taken the liberty of forwarding the texts to my phone and will be letting the Director know of the harassment. They are not going to push us around, just because they want to be free to screw each other."
"No, we talked about that, Penelope. Just use the threat of going to the Director against them. We cannot expose Henry to that Hell." She felt her eyes tear up and she bent her head to focus on her food.
"Sweetheart, why does this affect you so? It has to be more than just your breakup with your ex. Your children are all older and can make their own decisions. Who hurt you?"
"That obvious, huh? My parents divorced when I was four, and my father got custody. They always fought until he moved me here to America. I don't even know if my mother is alive or dead, we haven't had contact since we moved."
"Erin…" She could hear that the former anger had dissipated from Penelope's voice and she looked up to see that she was tearing up as well. "If you want, I can track down that information for you, once we get to work today."
"Thank you." Erin reached out for her hand. "That may actually save this horrible day. I don't know if I'm ready to face him, even with you and Hotch there."
Penelope nodded and they finished eating. Erin closed her eyes as Penelope put the dishes in the washer. The room fell silent, but she still didn't open her eyes. Then, she felt lips softly press against her forehead and her face relaxed into a smile. "Think about that when you feel a little too tense this afternoon."
Erin just sighed, trying not to shake her head. This was entirely too weird, even if some tiny portion of her heart was saying to let it play out, to let Penelope take the lead and perhaps heal her wounded heart. "One more for courage, then." Her boldness shocked her and she tried not to lean into Penelope's lips as they covered hers in a sweet kiss.
"Let's get a move on." She helped her up and Erin picked up her purse from off the counter. Penelope slung a large duffle over her shoulder and followed her out, locking the door behind them. As they got settled in the car, Erin changed the radio, setting up her own station on Pandora by typing in the title of her favorite song – 'If Love Were All'. "What, you don't like my music?"
"No, I just want to hear something that will calm me down. I'm sorry."
"Don't be, I was just teasing you." Penelope pulled out of her complex and drove to the office. Erin found herself watching her friend, taking in the way she hummed along with the songs she knew. "What are you thinking about?"
"What I'm going to say to him. What am I going to say to him? I detest him now, Penelope. This is why you don't get involved with a colleague, it never ends well."
"That is true, look at me and Kevin. But, sometimes they work out. Right?"
"I've yet to see one that has. It doesn't mean I can't be proven wrong." She found herself biting her lip, a habit she thought she'd abandoned in high school, watching Penelope's face.
"I hope that you are." The other woman smiled gently and she smiled in return. She tried not to think about the signals she was giving Penelope.
She was surprised when Penelope parked next to her own car, but figured it would be easier to follow her home that way. They got out and Penelope came up to her side. "Yes?"
"Nothing. I just want to walk next to you, be a buffer against the people who will point and stare." She sighed. "I wish I could hold your hand. That always sets my heart at ease."
"Maybe tonight we can hold hands, after supper." Her breath caught in her throat and Penelope smiled, quickly bumping hips with her. They got on the elevator and rode up to their floor. As soon as they stepped off, Dave was at her side.
"We need to talk."
"We will, at lunch today. Aaron and Penelope will be there as well, to referee. There is nothing more I have to say to you at the moment." She felt cold to the core, barely registering Penelope's hand on her upper arm.
"Dammit, Erin, we need to talk, alone." He roughly grabbed hold of her other arm, tugging her closer to him and she hissed in pain.
"Let go of me."
"No."
"David, you will let go of her, now." Erin looked up into Aaron's hard gaze and shivered a little. "Obviously, this cannot wait until lunch time. Follow me." He roughly pushed Dave forward and she hung back with Penelope.
"Are you okay?"
"I think so, Penelope. It will probably bruise, I have tender skin." The other woman frowned and she shook her head. "No. I know what is going through that lovely mind of yours and no."
"But –"
"No."
"Yes, Ma'am." They followed Aaron into his office and she took a seat on the couch. Penelope sat next to her and Aaron pulled two chairs over.
"Sit, David. Now, we are going to work this out like mature adults. Dave, Erin told me yesterday that you broke up with her. Are you saying this is not true?"
"No, I have no idea what I did to make her act like this." Penelope snorted. "Do you have something to add to the conversation, Kitten?"
"First, never call me Kitten again. Ever. And second, I heard you Thursday morning with your blonde floozy outside Erin's office. I'd say that's pretty clear evidence that you broke up with her, but not before breaking her heart. Couldn't you keep it in your pants, you jackass?"
Erin restrained Penelope with a soft hand on her upper arm. "He's not worth it, Penny. He was never worth what my heart wanted to give him. I'm just sorry that I didn't see this sooner." She smiled sadly at her friend. "And I am not craving a single drop of alcohol."
"That is amazing, Erin." Penelope gripped her hand tightly. "Are we finished here?"
"I just need to ask one more thing. Do you know who I was with that night?"
"No, David, I didn't recognize her." He nodded and stood, stalking from the room.
"You're lying, Erin. Why?" She looked up into Aaron's eyes once more, and shrugged. Penelope ran her hand down to clasp Erin's, and she squeezed back, needing the contact. "Is there something the two of you know that you should tell me?"
"I cannot say anything, Aaron, I'm sorry." He cocked his head, his eyes narrowing. "If I could tell you, I would. There's more at stake here than just our professional relationship. Please trust my admittedly bad judgment in this particular case. Please?"
"I'm going to have to, Erin." She nodded tightly and left the room.