"The car's all warmed up and waiting for us, Erin. It's time to get to the airfield." She looked up at Penelope from the couch and smiled. "I went through our room one last time to make sure we weren't forgetting anything. Let's get a move on."

Erin nodded and stood up, smoothing her skirt. She slipped her book back in her purse and joined her friend in the doorway. "Are you riding to the airport with Morgan?"

"No, I'm going with you and Rossi. The others already left to get the plane packed up with our gear and luggage. Oh, and Hotch called, we have until the third of January off, all of us. I'm going to be spending it with my sweet Sugar Bear. Go home with your dreamy Italian Stallion. But, you are coming to my New Year's Eve party."

As they walked outside, Penelope babbled on about the party and how much fun they'd have together. Erin clasped her hand as they walked over to where Dave was. He grinned lazily and came forward, taking hold of Erin. "So, has she convinced you to come to her party?"

"Yes." She was slightly surprised at her quick acquiescence and opened the passenger door. Penelope got in back, humming happily. "Do you need me to bring anything?"

"A scrumptious dessert, if you want." She nodded and made note of it in her planner. "And you're bringing the pasta, right, Rossi?"

"I remember, Penelope. I'm not senile yet." Erin laughed lowly and he clucked his tongue at her. "English rose, I wouldn't laugh at that if I were you. I could forget something very important in the middle of the night."

In the back, Penelope dissolved into giggles. "You two are absolutely adorable," she managed to squeak out, and Erin just shook her head slightly. "I can't believe we'll be home in such a short time."

"This place got under your skin, too," Erin said quietly, staring out the window. "We just need to keep this feeling in our hearts." They lapsed into silence and Dave turned on the radio. It was jarring to hear current pop music come out of the speakers, as it was just one more reminder that life was returning to normal.

Once on the plane, it became clear they would be pairing off again – as Dr. Reid and Emily were curled up in one set of seats while Morgan was just pulling Penelope down next to him on the seats across from the other two. That left the individual seats or the couch. Following Dave's lead, she sank onto the couch, snuggling in close. "What's on your mind, Erin?"

"Why would you ask that?" she said nervously as she played with one of the buttons on his shirt.

"Your eyes are so sad, honey."

Sighing, she splayed her hand out on his chest. "Sometimes I forget we pay you to read people. I selfishly want to stay in this magical place where I feel loved and lovely."

"You don't need Moose River, Maine, to feel lovely, Erin. You exude loveliness. And like you told Penelope, you just need to keep this feeling in your heart." He kissed her temple and she moved closer to him. "Did Penelope tell you that Hotch called?"

"Uh huh, and she mentioned we're off until the third. She's spending the extra time with Morgan." She paused, looking up at him. He lowered his face to look at her and smiled. "She suggested I spend some of that time with you."

"Do you want to spend that time with me?"

'Yes," she replied instantly, and he chuckled lowly. "I know what I want, Davie. At long last, I feel okay saying that a relationship with you might fulfill me, might make me complete."

"And why is that, my English rose?"

Erin stretched out on the seat, her head coming to rest on his shoulder. "Despite all the sparring we've done over the years, you've always been there for me, calling me out on my rash decisions. You never abandoned me."

"Now you're going to be spending the better part of two weeks with me, and it feels like that won't be long enough." He turned his head and breathed in deeply. "We'll stop by your house to pick up some clothes and the go grocery shopping?"

"That sounds blissfully domestic, my Italian Stallion."

"Now, that's Penelope's name for me. You need to come up with your own to call me."

"Give me a little bit of time, then, Davie. I'm not good with cutesy nicknames like you and Penelope." He nodded and wrapped his arm around her waist. Without meaning to, she fell asleep against him, feeling perfectly contented.

"Wake up, honey. We're about to make our descent into Quantico." She blinked open her eyes and looked into David's smiling face. He bent and kissed her softly and she purled a little as his hand brushed the underside of her breast.

"Already?" she asked as she sat up. He nodded and she stretched, working out the kinks in her back. She caught him staring at her from the corner of her eye and she extended the stretch, letting the fabric of her blouse pull taut across her breasts.

"English rose, you keep doing that and we'll never leave the house until Penelope's party." She smiled wickedly and he laughed gently. Turning to him, she kissed his cheek, snuggling into his side.

"Are you two behaving back there?" Penelope called out.

"Always, Kitten," he answered for them and Erin bit her lip to keep from laughing. They landed with no troubles to see they had gotten some snow as well while they were gone. "Wait for me in the SUV, Erin. Morgan, Reid, and I will load our things in the back."

She nodded and let Penelope clasp her hand as they walked to the waiting vehicle. Emily had already claimed the back seat and Penelope smiled. "Derek's going to want to drive home, so I'm going to take shotgun. Happy Boxing Day, honey." She pressed a small box into her hands and Erin looked at her questioningly. "One last gift from me to you. I'm so glad Rossi reminded me I have a heart."

"I'm glad for the same thing. I never realized how quickly things can change when we want them to." She climbed in the car and looked at the small box, wondering what could be inside. Slipping her thumb beneath the tape, she carefully pulled the paper off, setting it next to her. Opening the box, she found an antique locket and she looked up at Penelope. "This is too much, Penny."

"No, see, my mom told me that one day I'd meet a friend who'd need to be reminded of how much she was cared for. Her best friend had filled that position and gave her the locket. It's my turn, now, to pass the tradition on. And every time you feel lonely, just pull out the locket and think of me and Dave. When I found it in my jewelry bag this morning, I knew it was Providence."

"Thank you, my friend." Erin blinked back the tears stinging her eyes and held the necklace tightly in her hand. The men loaded up the SUV quickly and once Dave was sitting next to her, she held the necklace out to him in her palm. "Would you put this on me, please?"

"Sure," he replied and took the delicate chain from her hands. Turning a little, she felt the slight weight on her neck and smiled as she carefully tucked it underneath her blouse. His large hands lingered on her shoulders and she relaxed against him as Morgan began to drive. Once back at the Academy, he parked and they all got out. Dave shouldered all of their bags before taking her hand and leading her away. "See you all on Saturday!" he called out as they walked toward her car.

"I'm actually kind of hungry now, David. Could we stop for lunch at Myrkle's before anything else?" she asked as he put her bag in the trunk.

"That sounds good." He shut the trunk and looked around the parking garage. "And I like when you call me Davie." Leaning forward, he kissed her quickly and she felt a laugh bubble up out of her. "Ah, my English rose, I don't think you'll ever fail to surprise me. I'll see you at the restaurant in five."

David opened the car door for her and she slid in, buckling her belt before starting the engine. "One more for the road." She lifted her face and he bend, softly kissing her. He shut the door and let her back out before heading over to where his car was. Erin made it to the restaurant before he did and asked to be seated in a secluded booth.

She looked over the menu as she waited and then heard his voice. "Is Italian Stallion on the menu?"

"Very funny, David." He sat down across from her and smiled. "I think I'll be having the chicken Caesar salad." Setting the placard to the side, she watched him make up his mind. The waiter came by and they ordered. "I know it doesn't do to dwell in the past, but if I had asked, would you have gotten me help?"

"What's brought this up, English rose?" he asked as he reached across the table for her hand.

"Looking over the wine list, actually. I would have preferred you, if truth be told." He gently squeezed her hand as she looked away from his all too knowing eyes. "I don't think you'd've judged me so harshly."

"You're probably right. But Aaron knows I have a soft heart when it comes to you. He really does respect you, and knew it would take someone like Derek to get you to go. When did it start getting worse?"

"After Morgan exonerated that parolee. I just felt so out of control." As they ate, they talked about what had gone down and she felt a few tears fall down her face. Dave pulled out a silk handkerchief and dabbed at her cheeks. "Thank you."

Despite her protestations, he paid and then followed her home. She left the garage door up until he'd come inside and then closed them off from the world. Holding out her hand, she waited for him to clasp it and then led him up to her room. Taking out a small suitcase, she set it on the trunk at the end of her bed and began to fill it as he watched her.

And then she felt his hand on her shoulder. As Erin looked into his eyes, she saw the desire he did not attempt to mask. "I want you. Now." She blushed and giggled a little as he pushed her back on the bed. Their clothes seemed to melt away and in the soft afternoon light, she felt exposed. As she crossed her arms over her chest, he clasped her hands, drawing them back down to her sides. "You are beautiful, my sweet English rose."

She wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing him down on top of her. Dave kissed her passionately and she opened her legs to his gentle prodding. Breaking the kiss, he looked into her eyes. "What, Davie?"

"You're wet for me. It's an unexpected boon. I never thought you'd be this sensual." He kissed her again as he entered her in one fluid motion. Again, she felt full to bursting and so good. Twining her legs around his hips, she drew him in deeper, setting a fast pace for them. Soon, they were both coming and she raked her nails down his back.

"I'm yours, Davie, for as long as you want me."

"That's giving me a lot of power, Erin." He nuzzled her neck, kissing the pulse point, causing her to sigh. "Are you sure you want to give me that?"

"Yes." She touched her lips in surprise and then smiled. "I am, I trust you. Caroline always knew what a wonderful man you are. It's time I started following a good example."

"Oh, Erin," he breathed out, running his hand through her hair. "You'll undo me if you keep talking like that."

"I'm already undone, Davie. I need you to put me back together."

"Then I hope that task takes me a very long time. We fit together so very well." He kissed her temple and she sighed. "Tonight, though, we're going to focus on you alone. This was great, but I know how wonderful it can be when we play beforehand."

"I've always like playing beforehand. I got used to not having that with Bill by the end. He saved that for his mistress. Good wives aren't supposed to like sex. We're just supposed to be available when they want."

"Where'd you find that dinosaur again?" he asked as they spooned up together on the bed.

"At an alumni tailgating party. We both didn't want to be there and so snuck away from our friends. We clicked, got married within the month, and then I started at the FBI and met you. I'd heard all about you in orientation, and you intrigued me. But we were ships passing in the night at that time. I think you were with Peggy then."

"I was. Is that why you were always so aloof around me?" She nodded. "I thought you despised me. If we could just go back…"

"No. I am who I am based on my decisions. I do not regret this moment in time, as it brought me you." She kissed his hand and then brought it down to her waist. "Who knows if we would have been happy together fifteen years ago. After all, I had three small kids running around." He tugged her around to face him and then cupped her face.

"Suddenly, I'm not so eager to go home. The kennel can keep Mudgie one more night."

"And I have some food in the house for supper and breakfast. But could we crawl beneath the covers? I'm starting to get a little cold."

"Of course, my English rose." They situated themselves on the bed and she snuggled close, feeling the evidence of his desire hard and heavy against her leg. She opened her thighs and he entered her once more, slowly moving in and out. When they finally came, she felt cocooned in warmth and sighed as Dave kissed her softly. Home again, and the feeling remained. This was right, this was good, this was her lodestone. She never wanted to leave this place they'd carved for themselves. And something told her, David would never let that happen.