The feel of the trigger was fresh in her mind, the sound of the shots still rang in her ear, the sight of him fall to the ground replayed in her head. Her breath was heavy and fast. She stood in shock not knowing what to do. She heard Hightower on the phone with the paramedics. Lisbon was grasping her shoulder where she had been shot and was on the phone with Jane. Her mind caught up to reality and she ran to Craig. Grace sunk down beside him. "I was starting to grow fond of you" He said emotionlessly. Grace looked into his cold, hard eyes. She could not believe he worked for Red John. Everything had been a lie- her whole life, their relationship was fake. Simply a plot for Red John to get closer to Jane. The engagement, the ring, the trips, the dates, the love, the hope, the laughter, the trust was fake. It was gone, gone and broken. She looked at him; her eyes were glossy and brimmed with tears.
"Craig I'm- I'm sorry. I love you" She didn't know why she said it. It was obvious he didn't care about her, he never had. He reached up and pulled the necklace he had given Grace off her neck. It was his last act; his last act was to remind Grace that he had used her, that she meant nothing to him, even though he meant so much to her. Grace could feel Hightower and Lisbon watching her but all she could think about was Craig. She looked at the necklace in his hand; it was like a stab at her heart. Grace watched helplessly as the life drained out of him. Then she cried, cried for what she thought they had, for what it could have been if it was real, for the unfairness of the situation, for everything. First it was just one tear rolling down her cheek, then more, until sobs shook her body, her shoulders trembled as she leaned over Craig's body.
Grace didn't know how long she sat there; the only thing she knew is the whine of sirens interrupted her thoughts. Bringing her back from her reverie about the past and into the present. That's when Grace remembered Lisbon. How could she be so selfish? She was so busy crying over herself and Craig that she had completely forgotten that Lisbon- Her boss and best friend had been shot. Grace stood up and wiped her eyes in a feeble attempt to pretend that she was okay. Grace walked over to Lisbon. "I'm so sorry. I can't believe I was so selfish. I hope you're okay. This is all my fault. I'm really sorry. How could I have been so gullible? I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry. I know it's a lot to ask but I really hope you forgive me, but I completely understand if you don't" Grace gushed, her words streaming together like the tears on her face. Lisbon felt so terrible for Grace she couldn't believe Grace was blaming herself. The younger agent looked pitiful and broken. The usual sparkle in her eye, smile on her face, and spring in her step was gone, and Lisbon was willing to do anything to get it back. "Oh Grace, this isn't your fault at all. I'm so sorry about Craig, that's horrible." Lisbon said. Grace was so relieved that Lisbon didn't hate her. "Thank you" Grace said gratefully. "For what?" Lisbon asked. "For everything, for always being supportive, for being the best boss and friend I could ask for, I honestly can't thank you enough" Grace finished. Lisbon smiled at Grace and was about to speak when their conversation was interrupted by paramedics-who quickly put Lisbon on a stretcher. Lisbon tried to resist but due to the pain, she quickly gave in.
Hightower had gotten her kids and went outside, leaving Grace alone with Craig. She looked at him, still trying to comprehend how this was possible. Grace was still in denial; she couldn't face him right now. His lifeless eyes looking at her brought memories of all the times she had looked into those eyes. She turned away; more paramedics came in this time for Craig. "Don't bother trying to save him. He's gone" Grace said, she bit her bottom lip in an attempt to stop the tears. Then she added softly "and he's not coming back" The paramedics looked at Grace sadly. "I'm sorry for your loss" One of them said to Grace, she looked down at her feet and mumbled a thanks, the paramedic didn't understand that Grace had lost much more than a person when that gun had been shot. They took his body out and Grace couldn't help watching. She wanted to look away but she couldn't. Now Grace was alone, truly alone. She could cry without worrying about looking weak. But her solitude didn't last long; soon the place was swarming with police officers and detectives.
Grace couldn't take it; she couldn't handle it right then. She felt trapped and she needed to get out. She ran out of the house and fled into the forest. Grace didn't stop until the cabin was out of sight. She leaned up against a tree, her knees felt weak, her stomach hurt, and her head was spinning. She felt dizzy and sunk down against the tree. She tucked her knees into her chest and put her head in her hands and sobbed. A few minutes later Grace stood up and paced, all her nervous energy was getting to her. It didn't help how she was feeling- especially her dizziness. She was about to fall over when she felt strong arms wrap her in an embrace. She knew those arms; they belonged to one of the only people who could make her feel safe, despite everything that was occurring. "How could I have been so stupid?" She whispered "You were not stupid Grace" Rigsby said "But-"She began, but she was silenced by Rigsby. He gently placed a finger on her lips "Shhh…" He said softly. "It was all a lie" She said desperately. Rigsby had a way of making her speak her thoughts-even when she didn't want to. "I know, but everything will be okay. I know it feels like the end of the world but someday the sun is going to come up and you're going to realize that everything is alright. Just trust me." He said gently to Grace. Grace was trying not to cry and Rigsby could tell "Let it out Grace. Crying doesn't make you weak. You're a strong person we all know that." Grace listened to him and let down the walls she had put up. She buried her head into his shoulder and sobbed. "Come on let's get you out of here… Do you want to go to your place or mine?" Rigsby asked. "Yours- definitely. There's too many memories at mine, I can't go back." Grace said between sobs. "Okay" Rigsby said leading her out and away from that nightmare that had become reality.