"If we leave now, we can still get in a half day of work on the mole."
Erin looked up at Penelope, her hands wrapping around the mug of coffee that Penelope had given her before heading back over to the stove and working on breakfast. "I told Director Sheppard that I would be off for two weeks. Maybe I don't want to get back right away."
"Do you really think you can stay away from me for that long?" Penelope teased as she plated the eggs she had made, bringing the plates over to the table and setting one down in front of Erin as she took a seat next to her. "Seriously, though, the quicker we wrap up this investigation, the quicker we can convince Sheppard to allow our relationship. I mean, if we close things well, I'm certain that we can request that one small boon of him."
She chuckled a little as she dug into her food, eating with relish. "There's a good chance that that won't happen. The frat rules are a little blurry for us, since you float in the BAU, working with a number of different teams. David and I could get around some of that, seeing as how he technically has more seniority than me."
"Still, I think that I can wheedle this favor out of him."
Erin gave her an indulgent smile as she finished up her food and then settled back in the chair, watching Penelope closely as she continued to pick at her food. "Perhaps. I suppose there's nothing that you can't do, after all."
"That's right!" Penelope gave her a sunny smile before finishing her meal. "Seriously, I think you'll feel better if you go back now. If you keep running, eventually you'll get so far out, you won't know your way back."
She had a point, and Erin nodded as she let out a deep breath. "I know that you have a point there, Penny. But I also know that people will still be talking about what's been happening. And I haven't even looked at the most recent blind items. Who knows what the mole has gotten up to in my sudden absence."
"I haven't looked, either, since I was still assessing the previous ones. So, we're what, three behind? And I know you won't believe this, but I didn't bring along my laptop, because I was more concerned about you."
Erin smiled as she finished off her coffee, deciding to tease Penelope a little. "I see why you really want to get back. You can't live off the grid any longer."
Penelope pursed her lips together as she ducked her head, not looking at Erin as she got up and put their dishes in the sink. "Would it be bad if that really was a small reason why I want to get back, too? I'm certain my emails are stacking up, and I don't really trust my backup tech all that well. He's good, but he's not me. If that even makes sense."
"It does. Because you're so good at what you do, when you're not the person in charge, it makes your skin itch."
Penelope nodded as she finished washing the dishes, setting them in the drying rack before turning back to face her. "That sums it up perfectly. So, will you indulge me and come back early? I'll go easy on you, I promise, but if I'm to work on this case, I want you by my side."
Somehow, she knew that she couldn't win with Penelope, so she let out a deep sigh as she nodded. "I don't know what will happen once we're back, I'm making no promises to be nice, this case will probably keep setting me on edge…"
"And I will be there to bring you back off the edge. If we're to be partners in this, and maybe other things, you have to trust me to look after you. I'm certain you let Rossi look after you!"
She shrugged a little, standing and making her way over to the door. "I'll need to pack, if we're to get back by one." Erin had barely made it up three steps when Penelope had reached her side and taken hold her hand. It was comforting to know that she was there, and Erin smiled a little wider as they stepped into her bedroom. "Now, you can help me gather my things, or you can sit on the bed and not distract me. Because I know myself all too well, and…"
"I get it, and I'll sit on the bed, keeping my hands to myself, thinking pure thoughts."
"There is nothing pure about you," she muttered under her breath as she bent to pick up her bag. Thankfully, she had managed to keep all her things in relatively the same area, so it was easy enough to stuff them back inside before heading into the master bath and quickly packing her makeup case and grabbing the lingerie bag with her dirty undergarments.
"Is that really all you brought with you?"
"I tend to lounge in the same clothes when I don't have to get dressed up for work. So, I really just needed a few tops and a pair of jeans."
"I'll have to keep that in mind." They shared a smile before Erin reached out and picked up her bag. "Are you ready to head out?"
"Yes." Penelope bounced to her feet, and Erin let out a light laugh as she took hold of her hand, somehow craving the touch. There was something about Penelope that intoxicated her, and a tiny part of her wondered if she was replacing one addiction with another by developing feelings so quickly for Penelope. "I'll probably stop at a coffee shop before heading in to the office. Is there anything I can get you?"
"I'll let you decide for me. I trust you enough to do that."
Erin nodded as they stepped out of the cabin. The sun was shining brightly, and she felt optimism bloom in her chest. It was odd to have that feeling, since she hadn't had much in her life that lent itself towards optimistic thoughts. Penelope stopped them in front of her car, and she anticipated the kiss that she received, leaning into the embrace and lingering over it.
"I'll see you soon," she whispered as she finally broke away from Penelope's lips. "Drive safely."
"You, too."
Erin smiled as she climbed into her car, watching Penelope in the side mirror. Once she was underway, Erin backed out of the drive and followed her back into civilization. They diverged once in Quantico proper, and Erin stopped at her favorite coffee shop, finding herself famished along with needing a caffeine shot.
Heading inside, she quickly ordered for Helen, along with Penelope and herself, pulling out her phone to text Helen and inform her of that. It didn't take long to get her order, and then she was getting back in her car and finishing her drive in to work. It was only when she climbed out of the vehicle that she realized she was distinctly underdressed for a day in the office, and only hoped that none of her colleagues would be milling about at this time of day and see her in jeans and a blouse.
Thankfully, once she'd cleared security, she didn't see anyone she recognized, and she decided to forego the elevator, instead making her way up six flights of stairs, feeling out of breath by the time she reached her floor. Slipping out of the stairwell, she hurried over to her office and smiled brightly at Helen as she held up the bags with their food. When she didn't get a smile in return, she knew that nothing good had happened in her absence, and her smile faltered. "What is it?"
"Penelope has the latest blind items. I'll join you in your office, Erin."
She drew in a deep breath as she nodded, heading into her sanctuary. Penelope was seated at the table, an angry look on her face. Hesitantly, she set the tray of coffee cups down, and as Penelope looked up at her, the anger melted into something akin to sorrow. "The mole was busy in our absence. Here."
As Erin took a seat next to Penelope, she accepted the clipping from her hand. Attached to the first one was a sticky note, and she recognized Agent Morgan's handwriting. If you think you can drag Penelope into this, you have another thing coming!
Peeling off the note, she quickly scanned the blind items, feeling her eyes widen at the first. "How did the mole know about where I went? I didn't tell anyone. And how did they find out about Alex coming to visit me? Oh, god, if James sees this, he'll be furious, and rightfully so. Penny, Agent Morgan is right, you need to pull away from me, save yourself, before the taint in me infects you even more."
"I will do no such thing, Erin! We are in this together, and there is no force on heaven or earth that will separate us."
"Pretty words, Penelope. But when Agent Morgan gets back, you're going to have to make that decision all over again, and faced with your best friend, I don't know if you'll make that same choice. And I get that, I truly do. So please, let's leave things to friendship before you're forced to make a choice that will destroy my heart."
She didn't realise she was crying until Helen handed her a tissue, and she swiped at her eyes, shame filling her heart. She was such a coward, that she would push Penelope away now, after she had just declared her devotion to Erin, but she knew that she didn't want the woman to get hurt. She couldn't bear it if another person was destroyed because of her actions. All she received from Penelope was a soft smile as she reached out and caressed Erin's cheek gently.