"It's time to head home, stellina. They've finally managed to get him in custody, and the building has been cleared. The Director said that our team was to take tomorrow off, and I made certain that that extended to you, as well."
Erin sat up and stretched, the blanket that she hadn't remembered wrapping around her body falling to her waist as she blinked and focused on him. "Did everything work out well?"
"As well as could be expected, given what the unsub is going through mentally. Since you've slept, would you mind driving home? I don't trust myself behind the wheel right now."
She nodded as she looked around for Helen. "Where…?"
"I sent her home before waking you up, since I knew that would be what you wanted." David reached out and helped her to her feet, handing her the coat she'd worn that morning and helping her into it before handing over her purse and taking hold of her hand, leading her out to the elevators. The rest of the team was also there waiting, and Erin could see just how drained they were by the way their shoulders slumped. It was a good thing that Director Shepperd had already given them the day off, as she would have made that decision herself, based on what she was seeing. "I'm assuming that Jack and Jessica are still at our house, Hotch."
"They are, I called as soon as we were able to, and let her know that I'm just going to head home, as I don't want to wake Jack to bring him back to our house. I'll pick him up sometime tomorrow, as I definitely need to get some rest and get this case out of my head."
Erin nodded as they all stepped into the elevator, smiling a little to find that David and Aaron flanked her, making it feel like she was being cocooned between them. Knowing that she couldn't be seen by the others, Erin reached out and took hold of Aaron's hand, squeezing his hand softly as the elevator descended. He answered with a series of squeezes of his own, and she relaxed a little at the feeling of comfort. "I don't know what time we'll wake up, Aaron, since Jessica and I are going to talk once we get home, but just call before you head out, and one of the adults will be ready when you arrive."
"Of course, Erin," he replied as the doors to the elevator slid open on the ground floor. They quickly let go of each other's hands as David led her over to their car, and she slipped behind the wheel of the Cadillac, watching the others get into their cars as the vehicle warmed up a little.
"What's wrong with Jessica?" David asked as she started to drive.
"She'll tell you when she's good and ready, but until then, I don't feel comfortable with saying anything?"
He nodded as he reached out and rested his hand on her upper arm as she drove, a comfortable silence filling the car. It didn't take her long to arrive at home and once they were inside, her fiancé kissed her softly before heading upstairs, while she made her way into the living room, knowing that Jessica would be in there. A soft laugh trilled off her lips when she saw that the woman had not only lit a fire, but opened a bottle of wine as well. "You're home."
"We are. David went upstairs already, since he almost fell asleep on the drive home. I managed to get a nap in after we ended our call, so I am yours to talk at until we fall asleep once more."
"I figured as much, which was why I brought down a few blankets and pillows to make things more comfortable. I'd suggest curling up on the floor directly in front of the fireplace, but we're both of an age where that would be murder on our back. Your couch is very comfy, though, so there's less need to worry about that."
Erin laughed as she reached out to pour herself a glass of wine before taking a seat next to Jessica on the sofa. After awkwardly pulling a blanket over her lap with one hand, Erin sipped at her wine and looked at Jessica. "All right, let's get back to the reason for our little chat. How are you feeling?"
"Stupid?" Jessica said hesitantly.
She frowned at her friend as her hand clenched a little tighter around the stem of the wine glass. "Do I need to have a little chat with Celia?"
"No, because I don't think that would make things any better between us? I just…I didn't realise that she was so bothered by the fact that my life revolves around Jack and Elise and you and Aaron so much. And the rest of your family, to a lesser extent. But you saved me after Haley died. I was so certain I was going to spiral into depression, but then you asked me to help with Catherine and Elise, and I found a new purpose."
"So why do you feel stupid? There's nothing that I heard that is stupid."
"Because I blindly trusted her, and I sent a few pictures that probably weren't smart, because I thought we were building a life together. I shared so much of myself with her, that it feels so wrong to open up to you. Even though you're my best friend. Erin, will I ever be able to trust again?"
Jessica picked up her own glass of wine, taking a large swallow as she stared into the fire, tears dripping down her face as there was a poignant silence between them. "When I first found out that I was pregnant with Elise, after Aaron treated me the way he did, I asked the same question of myself. I think that our positions are quite different in these situations, since my situation was my own doing. But I was lucky to find that David would support me, and I was able to trust him quicker than I thought possible, because he was so patient and kind." Leaning forward, Erin set her glass of wine on the coffee table so that she could scoot closer to Jessica, reaching out to take hold of her hand. "I know that you're heartbroken right now, that you feel foolish for trusting Celia and carving out a space in your heart for her, but love is never wasted. And I know that you will find the person who makes your heart just sing with joy and who won't begrudge your time spent with family. And you will always be our family, even if you do decide to step back and not be with us all the time. David and I can afford to hire a nanny, so that you're not quite as beholden."
"And if you did that, I think my heart would break." Jessica reached out to take hold of her hand, threading their fingers together as they sighed in unison. "Since Aaron didn't come home with you, can I tell you a secret? One that I will never act on?"
"Of course, Jess."
"I was always a little jealous of Haley, because she caught his attention, and they fell in love so quickly. I was always the one in the shadows, looking on as they fell deeper and deeper in love. I did get over it, a little, but there are times when those feelings bubble up in my heart and mind. Especially now, since I'm struggling to find my sense of normal once more. I don't want to fixate on him, but I do feel like, if things had gone differently back in high school, I would be the one with a child. But then, we wouldn't be friends, and I think that things worked out the right way, even if I lost Haley."
That was the moment Jessica broke down into harsh cries, and Erin took her glass from her hand, setting it on the table before pulling her into a tight hug, allowing the woman to sob on her shoulder as she murmured soothingly in her ear, so grateful that she was able to be there for her friend.
