"You just take a seat next to Dad, Erin, and I'll see about getting plates of food for us all," Jessica said as she guided Erin over to the table reserved for family. Jack and Elise hurriedly sandwiched her between them, so that Jack was sitting next to his grandfather, and Erin gave him a small smile before turning her focus on her daughter. "Thank you for being so good today during the service. Mommy really appreciates that."
Elise gave her a wide smile before wriggling in her chair in an effort to get closer to Erin. It was easy to wrap an arm around Elise's shoulders as she kissed her forehead gently. "The music was really pretty, Mommy. But when are we going to be able to see Aunt Haley again?"
She stiffened, wondering how she would explain to Elise that Haley was never returning. "Daddy told me that Mommy is in a better place now, and one day, we'll see her again, but that it will be a long time, because I'm so young. Since we're the same age, it will be a long time for you, too. But at least we have each other?"
Erin teared up at Jack's little speech, and she gave her daughter a small nod before swiping at her cheeks, not wanting to co-opt a sorrow that she felt like she had no rights to. Mister Brooks caught her eye, giving her a knowing look as he shook his head a little. "We're all entitled to our grief, Erin. I know that Haley loved your friendship." Mrs. Brooks nodded in agreement as she swiped at her own eyes in order to clear her tears.
"That's so nice to hear," she murmured as she looked over at the table where most of Alpha team was gathered. Emily glanced up from her plate to send a little glare her way, and she fought to keep from acknowledging the look. From the corner of her eye, she saw that David was leading Aaron outside, which made sense, since they were close friends, and hopefully her fiancé would be able to get him to open up a little, as she was extremely worried about him.
"I tried to get a little of everything, Erin. I didn't know what you'd like."
Looking up, she saw that Jessica and Agent Anderson were standing there, plates in hand, and she gave her a small nod as Jessica set a plate down in front of her before taking the ones from Anderson's hands and placing them in front of Jack and Elise. "Thank you, Agent Anderson," she whispered when he pulled out utensils and napkins.
"You are most welcome, Chief Strauss." From the look on his face, she knew that he knew about Elise, and she pursed her lips together a little, knowing that the news would be around the entire building before she could return to work the next day. "Don't look like that. There are a few of us trying to keep a lid on certain rumors that might be flying around the office." Giving her a small wink, he went over to Agent Sharpe's side, slipping his arm around her waist in a familiar gesture as they went over to the food tables. A part of her knew that she should probably quash that, but she was loathe to end any spot of happiness in the face of the tragedy that they were facing that day.
"I didn't know if you wanted anything to drink."
She shook her head a little. "If I'm thirsty later, I can get myself something." Jessica nodded as her parents got to their feet in order to get food. "They didn't have to babysit me."
Jessica actually giggled at the testy tone in her voice before reaching across Elise to pat Erin's hand lightly. "It's how we take care of each other. Mama isn't handling this well, either, so having someone to look after is good for her, and for Dad."
"I see," she whispered as she started to eat, feeling like she wasn't really hungry, but knowing that she needed to remain strong and healthy for Elise and Catherine. Erin was about to ask Jessica if she wanted to come over after the meal, in order to talk some more, to keep her company, when her work phone jangled harshly, interrupting her train of thought. "I am so sorry. Can you make certain that Elise doesn't spill? Hopefully this is a quick call," she muttered as she pulled the phone out of her purse and got to her feet, heading for the bathroom, since she knew that it would be a bit quieter there. "Hello?"
"Erin, I know that you're probably still with Alpha at Haley's wake, but we've caught a particularly nasty case in Nashville that will need Alpha's immediate attention."
"They'll hate me even more than they do right now if I send them away from here, before they've had time to appropriately grieve with their leader. And Aaron can't leave his family."
"Of course not, he's on bereavement until after we've held the inquest into what exactly happened the day you were shot and his wife was murdered. And you have to prepare for leading that inquest."
"I'm sorry?"
Director Shepperd cleared his throat before speaking once more. "I need you to do that, because I don't want to see Alpha cannibalized into different departments. You'll be impartial to the matter, because of the renewed rumours and gossip surrounding the parentage of your fourth child. Isn't that right?"
She knew what he was driving at, and let out a long huff of breath as she nodded. "Yes, I suppose that you have a point there. Any other news that I should be made aware of?"
"We're offering both you and Aaron the option for early retirement, after what you both went through. You'll need to discuss that with him at some point before the inquest, since that will have some bearing on how that will proceed. I'm forwarding the data for the case in Nashville to your phone while you make the call to Agent Morgan, since he is still the de facto leader of the group. And should Agent Hotchner choose not to return, that can be made permanent."
"Oh."
"You don't like that idea?"
She wanted to say no, but knew that she needed to appear to be playing ball with her boss. "It will be a difficult adjustment, that's all. I would prefer David to take over as leader, should Aaron decide not to return."
The Director laughed a little, and Erin frowned at that sound. "That would be too large an etiquette breach, Erin. It was difficult enough to get the committee to look the other way for your current arrangement, but I went to bat for having Dave back as a part of the team. Now, make that call. And Erin?"
"Yes, sir?"
"I am truly sorry for the loss of your friend. She didn't deserve that ending. None of you did."
"Thank you, sir," she whispered before ending the call with him. Taking a few deep breaths, she remained in the bathroom while scrolling through her recent calls, pausing when she saw Agent Morgan's name stare up at her accusingly. "Please, Lord, let this go well." Touching his name, she brought the phone to her ear and waited for him to pick up.
"Morgan here."
"Agent Morgan, I have just been informed by the Director that you and the team are needed in Nashville tonight. I will be forwarding the case information to you once we've finished speaking."
"No."
"I'm sorry, I don't have any control over this, since the Director informed me directly. You're needed, and you will go. There's no one else. Believe me, I would much rather have my fiancé at home, by my side, tonight. I don't have enough energy to argue with you right now. Please, just go."
"Fine," he bit out before ending the call and she slumped her shoulders in relief before splashing a little cool water on her face before heading back to the table.
Taking a seat, she looked at the food on her plate and burst into tears, finding her appetite gone. "Erin?"
"I had to send the team out on a case in Nashville. They'll hate me more, and I'll be alone tonight. Alan has our children because he thought that would be better for my recovery. We all forgot that unsubs don't care about what happens to us."
Jessica shook her head a little before getting to her feet and coming to her side, wrapping Erin in a soft hug. "You won't be alone. I don't think that I could go home tonight, anyway."
"I couldn't ask that of you."
"You didn't, I insisted. Besides, I need to be with a good friend tonight, taking care of her and her babies." Tears glistened in Jessica's eyes as she pulled away to look at Erin, and she nodded, knowing that there would be no arguing with her, and she found that she didn't really want to anyway.
"All right," she softly agreed as she watched the team leave in a hurry, not sparing her a second glance. Moments later, Aaron and David came over to their table, and she gave her fiancé a tremulous smile as he leaned down to kiss her softly. "Jess is going to take care of me tonight, so you don't have to worry. But please, oh please, David."
"I know, stellina, and I will. I love you." She nodded as they kissed once more, and then she pushed him away, knowing that time was of the essence for them on this case and she needed to focus on the three difficult tasks in front of her, wondering what her answers would be.
