"It's almost your birthday," Emily said quietly as they cuddled on the sofa, Dave reading a book while she watched tv.

Dave looked up from his book and grunted, "it is."

The look of anguish that flashed across his face tore at her soul. "You going back this year?" she asked.

Closing the book, he set it down on the side table. "You know I have to," he replied, "no matter how much I would rather not."

Emily was quiet for a minute and then nestled into him, closer. "Let me go with you this year," she suggested.

With a sigh, Dave shook his head negatively. "We have this discussion every year, Emily. I don't want you anywhere near this guy."

"I know. But let me go with you anyway. I can wait in the warden's office or at the hotel. But when you walk out of there, I don't want you going it alone. I can go with you to tell the family too. I want to do this, Dave." She concluded. Then seeing that he was about to argue, she started again. "I need to do this..."

He looked at her in disbelief. "Need?"

"Yeah, need. You're not alone in this, in case you've forgotten. You come back every year…haunted. If I'm there, if I go with you to the family, maybe I can…I don't know…make it better, easier. And even if I can't, I'll be there with you, know how you are handling it instead of sitting here worrying."

"I keep telling you not to worry…I'll be okay…"

Sitting up to look straight into his eyes, she countered. "And I see you when you get back; you're not okay. Besides, I'm your wife; it is my job to worry."

As he looked into her dark, very concerned eyes something softened inside him. "Babe, we see so much bad stuff. I don't want this to …"

"But it does," she interjected. "It affects you so it affects me." She watched as he digested her counter and formulated a response. "Besides," she cooed, "you…me…alone in a hotel room…no kids; it could get…interesting."

"Oh Baby, I like the way you're thinking," he said with a husky voice.

"Well, there's nothing like a serial killer to warm things up," she quipped.

Dave sighed. "Yeah."

Taking his hand, Emily stood. "Come on, I'll give you a preview of your birthday present."

"You going to dress for the occasion?" he asked lightly.

Snickering, Emily grabbed him by his belt and pulled him close. Her voice dropped. "In my birthday suit, of course," she teased.

"I'm liking this plan," Dave asked fluidly as he followed her to their room.