I'm falling apart, I'm barely breathing

With a broken heart that's still beating

-x-

She was finally home after three months out but not for long. Anyway, that place would not be her home anymore. She took a deep breath looking at the place as if she had never done before.

She put her purse on the couch, and climbed the stairs to her room. She had one week to resolve some pending issues in London before returning to the United States as the leader of the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit, a fact that she was still digesting.

She had been totally taken by surprise, but she loved those people, she just said yes before even thinking. She was afraid. She didn't know she was ready, but she couldn't deny.

She took her luggage to start pack all her things to go definitely back to America, but before, she did what she needed to do, sent him a message: "Hi, I'm home", he instantly replied with a 'happily surprised' emoji, and then thirty 'big smile' emojis, which brought a smile to her face. Then he wrote: I am on my way!

She put her cellphone on the head of the bed, and began to pack her things, clothes, shoes, personal items.

During this process, she tried not to think too much. After all, it would be extremely easy for her, who had already been through so much, to maintain a long distance relationship ... #SaidNoOneEver.

He came home and went straight to look for her, who was in their bedroom, in the middle of a mess of clothes, bags, shoes, etc.

Walking through these 'obstacles', he smiled big and hugged her tight, "Babe! I missed you like hell! Why didn't you call me? I'd go pick you up at the airport. These were the three worst months of my entire life!"

"Don't be exaggerated." She smiled.

He held her face gently and kissed her. She wished that kiss would never end so she would not have to tell him she was leaving, but no matter how much they loved each other, the kiss had to end.

Immediately after, she looked down instead of looking at him. He touched her chin, making her look at him. She looked for a second, but then she looked down again, walking away from him.

"We need to talk."

Meanwhile, he had realized the amount of luggage scattered around the room. She had not taken it all to USA, he thought, so he concluded, "You are not staying, right?"

Her tongue licked across her bottom lip as she was trying to avoid making eye contact, "Mark, something happened to our former boss and they asked me and…"

He did not even let her finish the sentence, "…and you said yes?"

"…I couldn't say no."

"…For how long?"

She looked down. She was feeling extremely uncomfortable because there was not a good way to give this news, way that would hurt less.

"Actually, there is no … I mean… I am quitting Interpol. I am going back to FBI. They need me, Mark."

"What do you mean? Forever?"

"Forever is too much to say. Right now, I am moving back to America. I'm leaving Interpol. I'm coming back to FBI for good, definitely, until they need me."

There were a few minutes of silence. "What about us?"

"We still can do this, Mark. I know it's going to be hard but we still can make it work."

"Seriously, Emily? You really think we can make it work living in different continents?"

Trying hard to believe it, she said, "Yes…"

"Have you ever thought about us when you chose to go back to America?"

"It was not a matter of choice. I already said, I couldn't say no and I have my reasons. I really think we can still make it work. I love you and I don't think I need to prove that."

She approached him and touched his face, "Mark, it is a big life change, I would greatly appreciate a support from you."

Dodging her, he spat out, "Support? First, after all those nightmares, you go to America and let me know only when you are there, that's okay, it's your job. Then, all of a sudden, you go again to America and spend three months, we barely have time for a phone talk, but that's okay, it's your job, and now this, you tell me you are moving back to America, without even ask my opinion, without even a talk and as I can see you already packed most of your things, and you want me to support you, I'm sorry, Emily, but I don't see where I fit in your life."

"This whole thing has been already so difficult for me, Mark."

She was referring to having to stay away from him; having to take the place of Hotchner, who is a person she loved so much; having to be leader of the team, which is a huge responsibility; and many other insecurities; all she wanted now was a hug.

"We can do it if we make an effort, Mark. We both have to be willing to do so."

"I don't believe in long distance relationship."

She sat on the bed as a lost battle, "So, that's it? That's the end? You'll give up on us that easily?"

"It was your choice, Emily." He walked to the nightstand, opened the drawer. He took a small jewel box and threw it on the bed. He left the room.

She was torn between go after him or open the box. As she heard the door slamming, she chose to open the box.

It was a wedding ring. She opened her mouth, speechless.

-x-