David was standing outside Erin's office with clenched fists as he saw her pull a breathtaking, without a doubt expensive, ball gown out of the large box sitting on her desktop.

"Wow, there really isn't any line that jerk won't cross, is there?" David said out loud. "He hasn't seen Erin in God knows how many years, yet he sends her a dress that expensive just to be nice? Erin is smarter than this. I need to find out what's really going on here."

David was going to storm into Erin's office without warning, but his breath caught in his throat when he saw her wistful, almost dreamlike smile when she held the ball gown against her body.

It's been a while since anyone made her feel this special, David suddenly realized.

Erin was dumbfounded by the delivery driver standing at the door of her office holding out a big box with the Chanel logo clearly emblazoned on the lid. She didn't remember taking the box from him, or even shutting the door and retreating back to her desk, yet here she sat, with the box laying in wait for her to pull the ribbon. She was hoping now that she at least remembered to say thank you.

She noticed a white envelope tucked underneath the bow and gingerly plucked it from the confines of the ribbon. She turned the envelope over and loosened the flap. She could feel her heart beating faster as she read the note:

Dearest Erin,

It may have been years since I last saw you, but I have no doubt you are as exquisite as I remember. Please do me the honor of wearing this gown to the fundraiser this weekend. It was the main showcase in the Chanel display window and when I saw it, Iimmediately thought of you. My personal tailor is on standby to come alter it so it is a perfect fit. His business card is enclosed. Make the call, and he'll be at your door the same day. I'm looking so very forward to seeing you.

My very best,

Ross

Erin removed the cover from the box and pulled back the tissue paper to reveal the most beautiful couture gown she had ever seen. She was sure it had cost a fortune. She was touching it so delicately; afraid it might disintegrate in her hands. She couldn't imagine actually wearing it.

The gown was strapless with a sweetheart neckline. It was made of long, flowing layers of the finest silk Erin had ever touched. The dress was a deep shade of sapphire blue and the fabric was gathered at the waist with a stunning gemstone brooch of white and blue stones.

She felt like Cinderella as she removed the dress from the box completely and held itagainst herself. She didn't have a full length mirror in her office, so she decided to look at her reflection in the office window to at least get a sense of how the dress would look on. When Erin got closer to the window, she noticed David standing outside her office with an incredulous look on his face, his hands clenched into fists. She could tell he was upset, and in a way, she could understand why. A man Erin hadn't seen in a long time had just sent her a dress that most people could never dream of affording.

She laid the dress over a chair and opened the door.

"Why are you standing outside my office?" she asked.

"I need to talk to you about this weekend," David said, looking past Erin at the dress.

Sighing, Erin stepped aside, motioning David through the door. Following him in, she shut the door behind them.

"What is left to talk about, David? I already told you, I'm doing a favor for an old friend and colleague. You know how the world of politics works. In order to gain recognition and status, it's all about who you know. Ross needs to attend this fundraiser, and who better to go with than a high-ranking member of the FBI?"

"This whole thing seems odd to me. You and I both know this isn't the first fundraiser he's attended, and all of the sudden, he needs you by his side? Wearing a dress that costs upwards of ten thousand dollars, no less?"

Erin tried to keep her voice calm and even as she answered.

"It is just one weekend, David. It is nothing more than seeing an old friend and attending a political function with him. I wasn't expecting the dress."

"I still don't like it. Where is this thing being held, anyway?"

"It is at the Mandarin Oriental on Maryland Ave," Erin replied.

"Of course it is. I see no reason why it should it be anywhere else than one of the fanciest, most expensive hotels in the city," David said, not attempting to hide the sarcasm in his voice.

"I know the way you feel has a lot to do with us and the way things went last weekend. We can certainly talk about it when I get back, but as I said before, I'm done with the topic of Ross Brannigan and this weekend. I don't want you to bring it up anymore. Now if you would please excuse me, I have some phone calls to make."

Erin opened the door, signaling their conversation was over. David was not feeling much better after this most recent chat, and the way he felt just affirmed that he was going to be in DC to keep an eye on Erin this weekend.

It was Friday afternoon and Erin looked at the clock on her bedside table. The blue glow of the numbers showed that it was almost 4 p.m. In less than a half hour, she would be on her way to the airport. The remainder of the week had passed quickly due to the whirlwind of work she was caught up in. She hadn't spoken to David much, other than to talk about some recent cases that the team was working on.

Erin zipped up her suitcase, hoping she had packed everything she needed. She glanced at the garment bag hanging over the door. Inside held her perfectly tailored gown. Ross was right when he said his tailor would be at her beck and call. She spoke to him on Tuesday and he came the very same day. He pinned and tucked and markedthe fabric, and when she received the dress back on Thursday, it was an absolutely perfect fit. She was worried about what accessories she would wear with such a fancy dress, but thankfully, the brooch on the dress was the centerpiece. That meant she could keep her jewelry simple, deciding to wear only the diamond stud earrings that were her staple for so many outfits. Slipping them on her ears so she didn't have to pack them, Erin's thoughts turned to David.

"Maybe we should have talked before I left," she thought.

Little did Erin know, David Rossi was also packing a suitcase and getting ready to make the trip to Washington, DC, and she and David would have more than enough opportunity to talk.

Sitting in the back of the taxi she had hailed at the airport, the garment bag containing her gown draped across her lap, Erin was thinking about how to spend the night, since she had nothing to do until tomorrow.

The flight had been short and uneventful and Erin was grateful it was early enough that she could check in to her room and then relax at the hotel restaurant while enjoying a nice solo dinner. Ross had asked her to call him when she arrived, but she decided to wait until after she was satiated and had time to unwind a bit.

Erin's thoughts were interrupted as she heard the taxi driver trying to get her attention.

"Here we are, madam, the Mandarin Oriental. May I help you with your luggage?"

"Thank you, sir," Erin said, as she handed him the cab fare and a generous tip.

The driver walked around to Erin's door and opened it for her, helping her out so she wouldn't trip over the large garment bag she had refused to let out of her sight. She waited while he retrieved her one suitcase from the trunk, and walked with him toward the front entrance of the hotel.

"Thank you again for the help," Erin smiled as she moved toward the revolving door.

"You are quite welcome. Enjoy your stay," the driver replied.

Erin walked into the front entrance and immediately noticed how grand the hotel actually was. It just occurred to her that no one had asked her for a credit card number or gave her a total for the stay when she called to make the reservation. By the grandiose nature of the main lobby, Erin guessed the room was probably going to be quite expensive, and was happy she decided to take her American Express card at the last minute.

Approaching the front desk, Erin caught the attention of one of the employees.

"Hello, my name is Erin Strauss, and I have a reservation for one of the rooms blocked off for the fundraiser this weekend."

"Of course, Ms. Strauss, let me just pull up your reservation," said a friendly looking woman whose nametag read 'Natalie.'

Erin waited as Natalie keyed her information into the system.

"It looks like you have been upgraded to one of our presidential suites, Ms. Strauss, and your bill has been taken care of. Let me just program the keys for you."

Erin couldn't help but feel a bit angry at the presumptuous nature of Ross Brannigan. The dress was already too much, now he was paying for a presidential suite?

"May I ask who made the request for this upgrade, as I certainly did not," Erin asked.

"Yes, ma'am, just give me a moment to pull up the reservation log," Natalie said. "Oh, here it is. The upgrade request was made by a Mr. David Rossi. Here are your keys and other information about the hotel. I will have our concierge escort you up to your suite."

Erin could only stand there with her mouth agape, at a loss for words. "Thank you," she managed to squeak out, as she took the keys and folder of information from Natalie and started to follow the concierge who had appeared to take her to the room.

As they were walking toward the elevators, the familiar sound of her phone's text message alert sounded from inside her purse.

She knew exactly who it was before she even opened the message. Her suspicions were confirmed when she read it:

Wait for me. I'm right behind you.