"I thought that you needed to know this immediately, Erin."

Those were not the words that she wanted to hear in that moment from her husband, and she drew in a low breath as she watched Catherine and Elise play quietly on the living room floor. "What's going on?" she asked, trying to keep her tone light so that the children wouldn't pick up on her worry.

"This case in Philadelphia is most definitely a Replicator case, and I don't know what we're going to do about that. I wasn't expecting that to be true when we came up here, but there are too many little clues that point towards that being the case. Have you noticed that car watching the house?"

"No, I haven't seen it at all since you've been gone. Just like it wasn't here when you were down in Texas. Thank you, by the way, for not commenting on the fact that Alex and I fell asleep together on the sofa."

"I figured that you two needed the sleep, and I didn't want to interrupt your conversation, either. But you seemed to finally excise the last of the ghosts between you and her."

She nodded, even though she knew that her husband couldn't see the gesture. "We have turned the corner, yes. I just wish that it hadn't taken an awful case like that to bring us to that point of reconciliation."

"Sometimes, those are the only cases that can bring about healing and reconciliation, since they break us down in a way that we can be open with others and finally listen to what people say. Now, back to the fact that the car is missing. I think that we can likely say that it is related to the Replicator, especially as we're working what is clearly a Replicator case."

Erin let out a long sigh. "I hate the fact that you're probably correct, David. I just didn't want to put these things together, since it is just means that one of the two of us is the target of this madman." Tabitha came into the living room, wearing a worried expression, and Erin patted the spot on the sofa next to hear. "But I should let you go, darling. I think that I need to have a chat with our Tabby."

"All right, Erin. Tell her that I love her."

"I will, David. Stay safe out there and let me know more when you do."

"That's always the plan. I love you."

"I love you, too. Good night." He disconnected the call, and then she was setting the phone on the table in front of her before turning her attention to her daughter. "What's wrong, darling?"

Tabitha scooted closer to her, resting her head on Erin's chest as she let out a long, deep, sigh. "I think that Sarah is going to break up with me. And I know, that's not the biggest problem in the world to have, not when you're worried about that weird car that keeps parking near our house, but I feel like my world is ending?"

"Oh, darling, the first breakup is always the hardest."

"Yeah, and I know that you'll understand even more, because of what happened between you and Alex." Erin stiffened a little, wondering how her daughter knew about that, since she knew that she hadn't discussed that time with anyone else besides Alex. "Before you ask, I couldn't sleep that night Alex spent the night a few weeks ago, and overheard some of what you were talking about. I sort of figured that you wanted to keep it private, since Papa Dave was upstairs. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but it just happened. I'm sorry?"

Erin nodded before pressing a gentle kiss to the top of Tabitha's head. "I accept your apology for me, but I can't speak for Alex. If you feel you want to tell her what you heard, and apologise from there, you may do so."

"Okay, I'll think about that, Mama. But before that happens, how did you deal with Alex breaking things off with you?"

"Poorly. I masked my broken heart well enough, but I fell into my next relationship much too soon. It wasn't until I met David that I realized I had truly moved on from that heartbreak."

"Wait, was Daddy your rebound relationship?"

Erin blushed a little as she nodded. "I wanted stability and something completely different from Alex, and your dad offered that to me. I eventually fell in love with him, though that took longer than I expected, especially as I watched Alex move on to James, and seemingly fall in love with him so quickly. So, I guess I would tell you now to make the same mistake that I did and settle for someone who cares for you, but that you don't feel that same spark for. In the end, you just end up hurting them. It just took a little longer for that hurt to manifest between us."

"Did you really love Daddy?"

"I did, in time. But it was never as passionate as what I shared with Alex. Or what I share with David." Tabitha giggled. "No, you know the rules, we don't shy away from frank talk, I won't have you…"

"Learning about sex from my girlfriends. Yeah, I know, Mama. I just try not to think about how Elise was created."

Erin chuckled a little out of realization. "When did you figure out the truth?"

"Last year. There was just this look about them both, and I couldn't unsee how much they looked alike. And it suddenly made sense why we spend so much time with Uncle Aaron and his family. Not that I don't love being a part of the larger family, it just makes sense now. I think we all know the truth, honestly. We just figured that you'd tell us eventually."

She nodded as Tabitha burrowed closer to her, tightening her arm around Erin's waist. "All my children are so smart," she murmured as she began to run her fingers through her daughter's hair. "Now, you mentioned something about seeing a creepy car?"

"Yes. Have you and Papa Dave not seen it before?"

"We have, I just hadn't realized that you had seen it, too."

Tabitha nodded. "It's only around when Papa Dave is home. I've noticed it a few times when coming home from a friend's house or babysitting. I thought that maybe it was someone new to our neighbourhood, but the car always took off when I looked in its direction. I think it's really creepy."

"It is, baby, and we're trying to figure out who is watching us. Just, keep watch and let me know each time you see the car, too. I've never seen it when I return from work, after all."

"Okay, Mama." Tabitha took a deep breath. "You were happy again, right? After you and Alex broke up?"

"I was. Though it took a while, I did find a way to look at her, and see my friend, rather than my lover. And we were so close until…"

"Until things went wrong?" Erin nodded. "But you're friends again now!"

"Through hard work, yes. Everything worthwhile in this life is hard work, though. If it comes easy, you don't appreciate it quite so much. And I am blessed to have her in my life once more. And before you ask, yes, I still love her, but not the way that I love David. And she is so happy with James." Tabitha rubbed her cheek against Erin's shoulder before nodding. "So, if you need an ear to listen to about your heartbreak, I'm here for you. Though I probably won't tell you any more details of my relationship with Alex, because that is extremely private. I hope you understand."

"I do, Mama. Do, do you think that we could have a girl's night? I really don't want to move from here right now."

Erin shook her head as she huffed out a light laugh. "I suppose. But do you really want to spend an evening with your mother?"

"Yes, Mama. And Leelee and Cathy are already sleeping, so it's just us two that are awake now. Please?"

"Fine, darling," she replied, secretly pleased that Tabitha had chosen to spend time with her, and hoping that this small spot of calm would be enough to last through whatever storm was coming next.