The hot shower didn't help. Eli's body felt like one big throbbing muscle. He was in a state of disbelief at Erin and her plan for getting her parents back. The thought of her in danger was caused a massive headache to take up residence right behind his eyes. She was standing at the bathroom mirror, finger combing out the thick black waves of her hair. Down from its braid, her hair fell to her shoulders. Eli was so used to seeing it up that when she let it down, she almost looked like a different person. A temptress, sultry, sexy as sin little woman. She cast him a worried glance, before moving out of the bathroom.

Eli wished he could have told her he wasn't upset, at the very least, not upset with her, but he couldn't. It felt like she didn't trust him to get this done. Granted, her plan was a good one. The only drawback was her accompanying them. She had a point the team wasn't under his command and if they all agreed to this option, then he would abide by their decision. That didn't mean he wouldn't try his hardest to change Erin's mind before morning.

Back in his room, Erin was sitting up in bed waiting for him. Eli crawled in and pulled her into his arms. His love for the woman wouldn't allow for the cold shoulder. They were going to be together for a very long time, hopefully a lifetime. They had to start this relationship off with strong communication, talking things out was the best way he knew to go forward.

"Love, you do trust me don't you?" Eli, placed her hand on his chest and rubbed up and down her arms.

Erin pushed up to face him. "This isn't about not trusting you. It's about my complete trust in you. Do you think that I would have volunteered to do this if you weren't there? Not a chance. I'm depending on you to keep me and my folks safe and bring us home. You beat yourself up about the decisions you've made in the past, about what it cost the team. Have you ever sat them down and asked them how they felt about what happened. I for one don't see them heading for the hills, not trusting you to lead them. Each one of them look to you, trust you. I trust you."

Eli felt her words fill him with joy and pride, and heart wrenching fear. "Erin, I'm terrified you'll be hurt. I can't live with that."

 Eli thanked the powers that be for Erin. He wasn't a praying man, but tonight he prayed that she would change her mind.

"I believe in this plan, I'll be fine with all of you around me." Erin assured him with a kiss.

Eli pulled her in close and breathed in her sweet aroma. His time to make love Erin was limited, a few short hours. His need to have her bloomed within. Snatching her roughly onto his chest, Eli devoured her lips, trying to show with his actions how his feelings for her.

Erin would have none of that, physical expression was fine, but she wasn't afraid to say the words. She pulled away.

 "I love you." She panted.

Three words and night became day, his chest constricted then expanded, his world compressed to only Erin. His heart swelled and if by the look on her face, his love for her was reflected right back at her. She smiled.

"I've loved you from the moment I walked into your diner. I will love you always believe that Erin Talley."

Erin's smile, the one that was so sweet and alluring, was now gloriously beautiful, turning his insides to mush. She placed soft hands on his shoulders and kissed his lips, gently like soft rain on flower petals. Straightening, she removed her top, revealing her lush breast capped with pebbled nipples, Eli's mouth watered. Erin climbed off of him to remove her shorts and his. She then threw her legs back across his hips. Tenderness fled, and hunger ruled his lover. Erin ate at his lips moaning and rocking on his pulsing erection. She was hot and wet and the sensation of her pussy gliding along his shaft forced his hip to rock in tandem with hers and his palms to take hold of her ass and grind her down hard.

His little southern bell was a demon between the sheets. She groaned and panted, made sexy as hell grunts that blazed heat through every nerve ending in his body. She loved being in control. She stroked him from chest to cock with a look of pure ownership in her shimmering brown eyes. Her lips followed her hands as she shimmied down until she reached his erection. One last sultry look that warned, don't you dare move, and she was running the flat of her tongue up and down his cock. She gobbled up the head and pleasure unparalleled wrapped around Eli. On their own accord his hands, both of them fisted her soft, thick curls, holding her gently as his hips instinctively pumped and a groan unlike any he'd ever made ripped from his throat.

"Fuck yeah, baby. I need to taste your pussy, right now." Eli pulled her up his body as he positioned her on his lips.

Erin flipped herself around, with that luscious ass of hers in view, she wrapped her lips around his dick once again. He growled into her folds. She tasted so damn good and her hot mouth had him on the edge. Eli used his tongue on her clit as he fingered her pussy in time with her stroking his cock. The sound of suction and muffled moans grew, filling the room. Eli felt his balls tighten. He didn't want to end this way. With a grunt, he pulled himself from Erin and reversed her position.

Lightning fast he got a condom from the night stand and rolled it on. She grinned and with one deft movement was seated on him. His cock twitched within her tight hot pussy. All coherent thought left him. Erin threw her head back as ecstasy caught hold of her. She screamed his name, her body jerking with pleasure.

Eli held her hips in a death grip as he exploded. His body jerked then went hard from head to toe. He came harder than he ever had in his life. Pulling Erin to his chest, he kissed her where ever his lips could reach, her shoulder, neck, and check. God, she was sweaty and sticky and tasted like him, smelled like them intermingled to where he couldn't tell their scents apart.

He wrapped the covers around them. Their bodies still throbbing and stuck together. Morning would be there before either of them wanted. He held her a little closer, a little tighter

****

Erin came awake slowly. It was early and the room was cast in Simi-darkness, but there was just enough light to see Eli's arm wrapped protectively around her. His big body was a warm blanket knocking back the early morning chill. How could this one man come into her life and change everything? Fear for her parents trumped all of her other emotions at the moment, even the love that was growing in her heart for Eli.

Brandy didn't make her guilt for having been the reason for the abduction any easier to bear. If she had only stayed home that day and not delivered Eli his laptop. She would be at work right then. In her normal world, none the wiser. She would not have gotten involved with Eli and the crazy Alpha Team Six.

Sliding away from Eli, Erin threw on a robe and left in search of coffee. The rest of the team, minus Brennan, would be up soon. The need to steal a few moments for herself was more important than a few more minutes of sleep.

The butterflies in her belly had butterflies from the stress. At the bottom of the stairs, she heard the soft sound of hushed conversation coming from the kitchen area.

Big, Tech Specialist, Blake was perched on a stool with a cup in his hand talking to Brandy. Her sister was leaning so far across the counter that their faces were inches apart, showcasing the striking contrast of her velvet, black curls and Blake's honey blond tresses. Brandy was the first to notice Erin and gave her a tentative smile.

"So. I'm not the only early bird?" Erin joked. She headed around the counter and snatched a cup, intending to pour some coffee quickly then get out of there.

Blake nodded as a greeting, his bright, intelligent blue eyes appeared sad as he looked between the two sisters. "Think I'll let you two talk." He said, swinging his stare back to Brandy. Something unspoken passed between the two of them. Erin sat down on the stool Blake had vacated. What the hell was up with Brandy and Blake?

Brandy's eyes followed his back as he strolled out the room. "Why can't every guy look that good in cargo pants and combat boots?"

Erin took a sip of the steaming black liquid remaining quiet. Brandy could have her say right here and now. She could rant and throw around accusations all morning if she wanted, but Erin was determined to keep her cool. She knew her sister better than anyone, knew her quick temper, and her tendency to hold a grudge. Erin lived with the woman long enough to know that most of it was bluster, underneath it all her sister was a kind and loving woman. Brandy was scared to death and lashing out in her fear. Understanding that, Erin was willing to pay her pound of flesh and if things got too out of hand, she would have to put the hurt on her little pain, but she didn't want it to come to that.

Brandy came around the center island, stood behind Erin, and hugged her from behind. She placed her cheek alongside Erin's. Skin to skin, sister to sister, the bond that was built through years of heated fights and late night confessions, of secrets shared and never revealed, of love and loss, that beaten and battered bond, tied them together from heart beat to heart beat. Warm tears, her tears and Brandy's fell in a slow trickle down her face to drip onto the front of her robe.

Brandy's lips pressed in against the wetness and kissed her softly. "Forgive me for being such a bitch to you and Eli."

Too choked up to say a word, Erin smiled into her sisters watery brown eyes and nodded.

Brandy ran her fingers through Erin's hair, separated it into three sections and started a braid. They sat there in the silence of the house, Brandy braiding her hair, all forgiven and forgotten for the moment. They didn't know the fate of their parents, didn't know what the breaking of the new day would bring them. Would the four of them, her little family, ever be the same again, would they be whole again?