Erin knew, from the moment that David had returned to her side after leaving Carolyn's apartment, that she had reached the end of her life. And as he had gone upstairs alone, she also knew that she needed to do something that would help to bring him some peace and closure. As soon as the door closed, she pulled out her phone and called Jessica, hoping that it wasn't too late to get in contact with her.

"Erin? Is something wrong? It's nearly ten!"

She blanched a little before glancing up at the clock to see that they woman was correct. "I am so sorry. I knew it was evening, but not this late. I wouldn't have called until the morning, had I realized. But I do have a somewhat large favor to ask. Do you want to talk about it now, or tomorrow, because of the time?"

"Well, since it sounds important, I'd kinda like to know now."

"All right. Remember how we were talking about David's dilemma while they were out in California on this last case?"

"Yes."

"Tonight was the night. And I can tell just by looking at him that he is not handling this well. But who would be able to, right?"

"Right."

Erin sighed and rested her hand on her stomach. "Now, this is where the favor comes into play. I think that we need to get away for the weekend, since I won't send the team out on a case on a Friday, not unless it is extremely time sensitive, like a child abduction. My older children are able to fend for themselves for a few days, and they could always spend time with Alan and his girlfriend, if they got lonely in the house. But I wouldn't want to ask them to watch Leelee and Cathy. Do you think, that between you and Aaron, you could watch them for us over the weekend? I know it's a lot to ask, on such short notice, but I'm worried about him."

"You don't have to ask me twice, I just have to ask if you mind them seeing my mom and dad on Sunday?"

"Your parents love them, so of course I don't mind! We'll head for the cabin as soon as you get here tomorrow, then. Jessie, I just don't have words enough in the world to thank you for this. I will find a way to make it up to you, I promise."

"You don't have to worry about that, Erin. You're family, and that is what we do for each other. I know that if there ever comes a time when I need you or Dave, that you'll have my back. And I would say enjoy your weekend together, but I know that that's not possible, given the circumstances."

"I understand the sentiment, Jessie. And we'll talk more tomorrow morning before we leave."

"Sounds good. I love you."

"I love you, too," she replied before ending the call and then slipping her phone into her robe pocket and making her way upstairs. She was unsurprised to find that David was already in pyjamas and laying on their bed, staring at the ceiling. "I have made an executive decision as your boss's boss, and that is that we are going to have the weekend off to have time together. You need to heal and grieve, and we can't do that here."

"Who will watch the kiddos?" he asked a bit listlessly as she made her way over to the closet and pulled out overnight bags for the two of them, starting to fill them with the bare necessities that would get them by for the weekend. "Erin?"

"I already spoke with Jessica, and she's going to watch Catherine and Elise, while the older children can fend for themselves. They need to know that we can trust them enough to leave them in the house without supervision for a few days, after all."

"And where do you plan on going, on this late notice?"

Again, there was no real emotion in his voice, and she felt her heart crack a little as she finished packing for him before turning to the last things that she would need for their time at the cabin. "You do have a cabin that we can use, David. And it's private enough where we don't have to worry about being disturbed by other people."

"You think of everything, stellina. Though I'm surprised you haven't asked about what happened yet."

After zipping her bag, she turned to look at him, feeling her shoulders droop as she tried to think about how to answer him. "I know that you will let me in when you're good and ready. And I am trying to be open and available to you for when that moment comes. You've always been so good at waiting for me to open up to you and not push me into something that I'm not ready for. It is time that I showed you that same level of respect."

Padding over to the bed, Erin plugged her phone into the charger before shrugging off her robe and letting it fall to the floor before slipping beneath the covers. Turning on her side, she snaked her arm around his waist and held him lightly, deciding to wait and let him take the lead on how their evening would go. "Thank you," he finally said hoarsely as he turned to face her. Erin saw that he was crying, and she slid her hand up his chest until she was cupping his face and letting her thumb swipe away some of the tears as they fell. "So, the cabin?"

"Yes. You love being there, and it's been a while since we visited. We might have to pick up some food on our way up, but I know that you'll find a little measure of peace there, which is exactly what you need after this." He nodded as he leaned in to kiss her softly. Erin sighed against his lips as her fingers pressed a little deeper into the skin of his cheek. "I love you, David, and I will do anything in my power to make certain that you will be okay after this."

"And that is why I love you so much, Erin. Somehow, we've managed to make this relationship of ours work, despite all the things that would say we shouldn't have lasted." He rested his forehead against hers as he closed his eyes. "I would love to talk to you more about this right now, but all I want to do is sleep away this awful night. I'm sorry."

"There's nothing to be sorry for, my darling one. You've just been through something that I couldn't begin to imagine, since I don't think that Alan would ask something like that of me. But I will be here for you to talk to and to hold you. Because that is what a good partner does for the other half of her soul."

Before she could say another word, David leaned in the scant distance between them so that he could kiss her lightly. "Thank you for this, Erin." She nodded as she snuggled in as close to him as she possibly could, welcoming the weight of his arm around her waist as he tangled their legs together possessively, holding her tightly to his chest as they both fell asleep.