"I didn't know that I had booked the romantic carriage ride. I just wanted to be in the open one," Penelope said as they checked in for their evening meal. It was a bit embarrassing to her, still, but Erin seemed to just take it in stride, giving her a little smile as they were led to their table. "But it was rather sweet that the driver didn't comment on the fact that we weren't a couple."

"He did take it in stride, yes," Erin replied as she picked up her menu, looking it over carefully before setting it aside. "I'm just going to get the grilled chicken salad, since I'm still full from lunch. Order whatever you'd like, and if the server gets here before I return, I'd like French dressing and a glass of lemonade."

Penelope nodded as Erin rose from the table, and she was left alone. Not even one minute later, she felt her phone buzz against her thigh, and she pulled it out to see that Aaron had texted her. Where have you been all day?

Taking a deep breath, she answered him as quickly as she could. I'm spending the weekend at Colonial Williamsburg. I'll be back in the office a little late on Monday, but I'll be there. Thank you for being all right with this. Love you! Before she could second guess her words, she had sent the text, only to look up and see that their server had arrived. "Hello."

"Hi. I can come back if you're not ready?"

"Oh, no, my friend told me what she'd like, and I think that I'm going to copy her, so it's easier on you. We'll both have the grilled chicken salad with French dressing and lemonade."

"Sounds good, I'll get that right in."

As the server stepped away, Penelope felt her phone vibrate once more. Don't lie to me, Penelope. You're with Strauss, aren't you?

Rolling her eyes a little, she snapped a quick picture of the restaurant and sent it to him. See? Colonial Williamsburg. I don't appreciate being called a liar. We'll speak at length when I'm home, and I will not answer any more texts or calls from you until then, so you can think about what you just said.

After angrily stabbing the send button, she shoved the phone back into her pocket and picked up her water, taking a small sip before letting out a long breath of frustration. "That doesn't sound good."

She watched Erin take a seat across from her once more, and shook her head. "Aaron is just mad that I'm not with him this weekend and called me a liar for telling him that I'm here. So, we're not speaking until I return home. He needs to learn that while we're a couple, I am not on some sort of gilded leash that he can tug whenever he wants my attention."

"He loves you."

"Love does not equal control."

Erin nodded as she accepted the glass of lemonade from their server, taking a small sip before setting it aside and letting out a long breath. "You're right, I just know that he probably feels a little more anxious about you because of what happened to Haley. And while there aren't any unsubs stalking the team currently, he probably still feels on edge about losing you to someone like that."

"And that is why I'm glad we're so close. You can help me see the other side of the coin, when I just get so worked up. And I do love him, I just feel as if that love is changing into something that I don't particularly like. Was that how it was for you and Alan, before the bitterness and acrimony set in? I just want to understand what's happening, because I feel like we're losing each other."

There was a long pause before Erin licked her lips and nodded. "I don't want you to think that my relationship woes are being mirrored in you, though, Penelope. Your situation is very different from mine, because you don't have the problem that I do. Okay?"

"Okay," she whispered as she sipped at her lemonade. "I wish we could have been friends like this before your problem grew so large. Perhaps things could have been different."

"Perhaps. But I am of the firm belief that everything happens at the correct time, and we were destined to be together now, at this point in my life." It looked like Erin wanted to say more, but their server came back with their salads, and she watched the other woman tuck into it. It was clear that she was using the food as an opportunity to put a bit of a wall between them, and Penelope tried to take it in stride as they ate. "Now, would you like to do a little shopping before we head out for our haunted tour?"

"I thought you'd never ask!" Penelope watched Erin settle the bill before they got up and went out the door into the early evening air. "Do you think we could link arms again? I like being handsy with my friends."

"I think that would be all right," Erin replied as she held out her elbow. Penelope easily slipped her arm through Erin's and together they walked to the first shop. There were so many lovely things available for purchase, but Penelope zeroed in on the hats that adorned the back wall. It was so easy to lead Erin over there and then she was running her eyes over the hats, looking for the perfect one.

"Aha!" she breathed out as she pulled down a wide brimmed straw hat that was decorated with a blue moiré ribbon that would compliment Erin's eyes. "I'm getting this for you."

"Penny."

"You bought me a hat, so I have to return the favor. Besides, I think that this would look fabulous on you."

Erin rolled her eyes tenderly before picking up a hat that had a purple ribbon attached to it. "I will wear that so long as you purchase this hat as well."

"You drive a hard bargain, Erin. I think I'll get a tricorn hat for Jack. Do you see anything for your kids here? I can call Dawn and see if she can get Alan to agree to let me see the kids at his house and drop off the gifts. I'm certain he wouldn't say no to that!"

Erin nodded as she stepped away from Penelope to peruse the shop, and she smiled as she watched her. Shaking her head a little, she took the three hats up to the clerk and checked out. Once she had finished that, she stepped outside the shop to wait for Erin. It didn't take long for her to slip her hat out of the bag and she took off her fascinator before setting the new accessory on her head and tying the ribbons beneath her chin. Pulling out her phone, she took a quick selfie before sending it off to Hotch and JJ. Once that was sent, she looked up to see that Erin was just coming out of the shop, a rather large bag in her hands, and she waved her over to her side. "You look perfect, Penelope."

"And you will, too, in a moment." Penelope pulled out Erin's hat and settled it on her head before leaning into her personal space and tying the ribbon in an effort to match hers. "All right, now we're both Colonial belles, and I need to take a selfie of us."

"Penelope…"

"No, you can't protest this. Besides, who am I going to send it to beyond maybe Tabitha?"

"Fine."

Penelope grinned at Erin as she whipped out her phone and took a series of pictures of them, wanting to catch the exact moment Erin gave in and truly smiled. That was a little longer in coming, but she sighed as she leaned back against her friend when it did, as there was something so lovely about that moment. "You look so beautiful, you know."

"So do you. Thank you for indulging me like this."

Penelope nodded as she turned and gave Erin's shoulder a soft squeeze. "I love spending time with you, Erin. And I don't think that I ever would have come here had you not suggested it. Now, let's run these packages to the car and then find out where we're supposed to meet for the tour."

Erin gave her a soft smile as she held her elbow out once more, and Penelope eagerly slipped her arm into place. As they made the mile long journey back to her car, she kept up a running commentary on how much she had enjoyed their day together. Erin just nodded a little, adding a few comments here and there. It seemed so peaceful to be together like this, and Penelope wondered what she could possibly do to help Aaron understand that she needed this friendship in her life, since there was just something that felt so complete when she was with Erin.

After placing their bags in the trunk, Penelope turned to really look at Erin, seeing that at some point, she had started to cry. "What's wrong?"

Erin shook her head before stepping closer to Penelope, looking into her eyes. "I guess I just miss my children already. I was hoping to not think about that today, to bring some darkness to our happiness, but I guess I can't hold it back any longer. I'm sorry."

"There's nothing to be sorry for, Erin." She closed the small distance between them and wrapped her arms around Erin's waist, holding her close for a few breaths before stepping back from her once more. "And I will do everything in my power to make certain that these next four weeks pass quickly for you. Hopefully, once you've proven that you've kicked this addiction's ass, the judge will relent and grant you shared custody. That's my hope, and I will keep speaking it into your ear until you believe it as well."

Erin nodded before leaning in and pressing her lips against Penelope's cheek in a quick kiss. "You're my ray of sunshine, Penny." She nodded slowly before accepting Erin's hand as they began to head towards the meeting point for their tour. And though she knew that this evening would come to an end, a part of her wanted to hold on to this feeling of warmth and caring. It was more than she was getting from Aaron, after all, and she would take that affection from anyone who was giving it to her.