There were not enough words in the thesaurus to describe just how furious Erin was with both David and Aaron when she heard the news about what had happened in Kentucky. She knew that Aaron was struggling with getting back to work after what Foyet had done to him, and how he had separated him from his family, but she knew that this suicidal streak was not the way to handle the current situation. I'll be waiting for you both in Aaron's office when you return to the office. Jessica has agreed to pick up Elise and will get the children's supper ready. We all need to talk

After sending that text to her fiancé and Aaron, she turned off her computer and packed her bag up before stalking out of her office and heading into the bullpen, ignoring the looks she was receiving from Agent Anderson and CTU Sharpe. She knew that more gossip would spread about her being an Ice Queen, but that couldn't be helped. She had to read both the men in her life the riot act before they did something foolish that would lead to her having to explain to Elise and Jack that their lives had changed irrevocably. Shaking her head a little, Erin unlocked Aaron's office and slipped inside, heading over to the sofa and dropping her bag on the floor as she curled up in the corner closest to the lamp, turning it on and pulling her book out of her bag. Since she would be waiting for the men, she thought that she might as well fill her time well.

The sound of a new key in the lock caught her attention, and she replaced her bookmark as she schooled her features into what she hoped passed for her usual cool mask, even as her heart started to pound in her chest. The door slowly opened, and she listened to the tail end of Aaron and David's conversation as they entered. "…she'd be angry. She's pregnant. Do you not remember how often…" David's voice trailed off when he took a look at her on the sofa, and she raised an eyebrow before pointing at the chairs. Both of them gave her a sheepish look as they turned the chairs around and faced her, and she raised her chin imperiously as she gazed at them.

"My daughter very nearly lost her biological father today."

"Erin…"

"Do not Erin me, Aaron Hotchner. I know that you are in a vulnerable place right now, with Haley and Jack in WitSec, you still recovering from Foyet's attack, and the knowledge that he is out there, hunting us, and there's nothing we can do about it until he makes a mistake. But you cannot allow that to influence your actions and reactions. Elise, while she might only know you as Uncle Aaron right now, needs her father in her life. Jack needs his father. And you rushing in where angels fear to tread? Does not do them any good. Pull your head out of your ass."

"Stellina…"

She turned her head to glare at her fiancé, cutting him off with a sharp motion of her hand. "And you, David, need to watch out for your best friend better. He has the power to pull you into situations that you might have trouble getting out of unscathed." Taking a deep breath, she looked between the two of them, her hands fluttering down to her stomach and settling there lightly. "Yes, I am pregnant. Yes, that makes me more emotional. But my anger is completely justified, and I would be this furious with you both, even if I wasn't currently pregnant."

David gave her a sheepish nod while Aaron just stared at a spot over her shoulder, and she knew that she hadn't gotten through to him like she had wanted to. Glancing at her watch, she saw that Elise would still be awake. Letting out a long breath, she stuffed her book back in her bag and rose to her feet. "Our daughter will still be awake if we head home now. You are welcome to stop by and perhaps read her a bedtime story, Aaron."

His shoulders sagged when she said that, and Erin had to fight back the urge to cry, knowing that it was a hormone surge causing her to react that way. "I would love that, Erin. Thank you." She nodded as she held her hand out expectantly. David nodded and got to his feet, taking hold of her hand and squeezing it softly as they made their way out of Aaron's office and out to the elevators. She let out a soft sigh as she relaxed against his chest, finding herself exhausted all of a sudden.

"Have you eaten supper?"

She shook her head, trying not to react poorly at his question, knowing that he had her best interests at heart. "I was reading, and didn't realise that it had gotten so late."

"We'll pick up food on the way home, then. It won't be healthy, but at least it will be something in your stomach." He looked over at Aaron. "I'll text Karen and let her know that you're on your way, since you'll probably get to the house before we will."

"Thanks. And Erin?"

"Yes?" she asked as she turned to look at him.

"Thank you. I know that I shouldn't have gone in there like that, but…" She nodded, wishing that they were in a more private area so that she could take hold of his hand as well. Instead, she gave him a tiny smile before stepping into the elevator after David.

"You felt like you had no choice. I get it. I've been in that position before and as you both know, it cost me a dear friend, since I did not choose reckless abandon. There is a time and a place for every sort of reaction, we just need to learn how to discern when and where that should be." He nodded and Erin tried to fight back the yawn that slipped between her lips, failing miserably as David pulled her closer to his chest, encouraging her to rest against him. "I think that I'm going to have to talk to the Director sooner than I would like about this pregnancy, darling. I don't know if it's the stress of the last few weeks, or just that I'm a few years older for this pregnancy, but I am just so tired."

David nodded as he rubbed her back softly. "I was wondering if that was why you were letting me be so tactile with you in the office, stellina. I'd tell you not to worry, but you know us all too well for that. Though I can promise to try and be better about causing you to worry. But we're in the second trimester now, so there's less worry."

"Less, but it's still risky, Dave."

She was surprised that Aaron spoke up so quickly to defend her, and she gave him a grateful smile as she nodded. "Exactly. And I know that your team is still searching for Foyet, despite being told not to do so, which I understand. I just have to ask you to be careful. I have my heart in my throat most days as a result of everything. Just, please, take care."

"We will." And before she could say anything more, Aaron had reached out and squeezed her shoulder tenderly, his earlier ire gone as he smiled gently at her. While she knew that his words were only good for that moment in time, since he would be just as headstrong during the next case, they were a balm to her frazzled heart in that moment, and she held that feeling tightly in her heart as they headed out to their cars to head home.