Trust
"You know, I can't believe you let him in the door!" Eric said furiously.
Since Munch and Helen had left he'd been cordial, but only because the kids were still up. Now that the kids were asleep, Arica knew it was all going to come out.
"It would have been rude to both him and Helen to not let him in. She and Detective Munch are dating."
"That... jerk isn't coming in my house again," Eric exclaimed.
"Good thing this isn't your house then isn't it?" Arica asked cooly.
Eric growled. "You know he accused me of hurting you!"
"And he was doing his job -- protecting me. We knew it wasn't true... We knew it would be sorted out. And it was."
"Well I don't trust him."
"I can't blame you, but you should trust me. I'm the one you should be worried about. I was startled to see him too, thanks for asking," Arica shot back. "But your reaction has nothing to do with me or your concern for me. It has to do with your pride. He did his job, unlike the rest of the CIA in this case. And while I was upset that they looked at you, I understand why and I appreciate their concern for me."
"I don't care. He's a jerk. I don't want him around us."
"Well Helen's my friend and she and Munch are pretty serious."
"I can't believe anyone would want to be with a guy like that! Besides, what do you really know about either of them."
"Eric, the overprotective husband routine is getting really old, really fast."
"Well it's my job to protect you," he said.
They argued for a while longer, until Arica got tired enough of hearing it that she went to bed. She hated this tension in her marriage. It always came up because she felt like Eric didn't trust her and Eric felt scared because he couldn't protect her. They would work it out. They always did. She woke up the next morning to find Eric sitting next to her. He leaned down to kiss her forehead.
"Baby, I do love you and I trust you. I'm just scared of losing you."
"We're going to be okay this time Eric. We've got people watching out for us."
"I know," he said squeezing her hand gently.
"I'm sorry I flew off the handle at you," she replied softly. "You are right that we need to be careful."
And like she had predicted the night before, the worked it out, because failing everything else, they did love and trust each other. That was what made their marriage work in the face of all the obstacles that had been placed before them. Nothing would ever tear them apart.