Morgan turned to see Rossi walking toward him. He knew they wouldn't let him get too far after all there was a killer out there trying to kill him. He turned to face his friend he knew a lecture was coming and he wasn't in the mood to listen but he respected the older agent who was like a big brother and sometimes a father.

"Morgan, you know you can't just take off like that!"

"I know I just needed some air… some space."

"Hang in there we're going to get to the bottom of this."

"She took a bullet for me, Rossi! Now you're telling me she may be a part of this plan to kill me? I don't get it!"

"You and Emily are close hell, we're all like family! There's an explanation for it and we'll find it! But in the meantime, you've got to keep it together!"

Morgan hung is head and then slowly looked away not knowing what to say. Rossi was right as usual; he had to keep his head or he'd lose his edge…lose his edge…lose his life.

O'Riley watched the two men as he stood hidden behind a nearby post. He'd so wanted to bring this mission to an end and impress his boss, but killing Morgan would have to wait. The best he could do for now was to continue to hang around keeping his eyes on things. Besides, if he couldn't get to Morgan perhaps he could finish what he inadvertently began with Emily. She was going to die at the end anyway so she was just a loose end that needed to be dealt with.

Morgan and Rossi walked back inside and joined the others. Garcia immediately went to her friend and smiled as Morgan pulled her into his side.

Meanwhile…

It was so dark in the long narrow room; it was so long and narrow that it was more like a tunnel…that's it an indoor tunnel. She walked slowly through the darkness she'd promised not to be afraid it was important to prove that she could do it…to get to the other side. The older man watched as if he could see her in the dark. It was obvious that he still questioned her abilities.

What was more important friendship or duty? Family or orders? She always thought she knew especially after spending so much time with the others who'd taken her into their hearts and accepted her with no questions and no judgement. She had always dreamt of a family like this…being nothing more than an inconvenience all her life she had thought that she'd finally found heaven.

Then there was him; her protector, brother and friend. He had made no demands even though secretly she would have given him anything if he'd asked. His heart belonged to another but he still made her feel loved. It was so effortless for him and he gave from his heart so freely. Now she had to face him forgetting and discarding everything that he'd ever been to her.

The further she walked into the room toward the other door the longer the room became it seemed. She wanted to get this done to complete her mission and return home (but where was home now?). Turning back slightly she knew the older man was still in the room watching her frowning and doubting. He didn't believe she could do it…pull the trigger…take a friend's life…yet he still demanded it of her. His life for the others' and for hers.

He'd posed a question to her just before she'd turned the knob and walked into the room, "will they understand and still love you?" How could she answer his question she had the same question too.

Just a few more steps she wanted to turn back and run but that choice had been taken because now even her mind and will had been stolen from her. Then, there was the gun in her hand loaded and cocked. All that was left was opportunity and a quiet location. He'd die and his blood would forever be on her hands.

She loved him no one could say that she didn't even though she was waiting patiently yet running out of time. She'd pull the trigger, she'd memorize the look in his eyes, she'd wait until his body hit the ground then without hesitation or regret she'd turn and walk away and join the others for tea.

Tea…funny, she'd never cared much for tea until recently. Now it was so much a part of her day. Things never seemed to turn out like we plan in our heads…life, death, murder and love. She wondered why she was chosen for such a task none of it made sense.

There it was at last she reached out and touched the cold knob turned it and opened the old creaky door. She saw him standing there as if he'd been waiting for her; so handsome, kind…trusting. That's what made the difference, he trusted her…with everything…with his life…he didn't reward many with that gift but he did her. How could she do this unthinkable thing? He saw the gun…she heard the loud noise crack the silence and then the blood…so much blood…then his eyes…black with death, surprise and questions…

She had no answers, no reasons to make it all make sense…she loved him…had always loved him…and that is why she had to do what the man in the shadows knew all along that she would do—save him!

Morgan sat watching her as she wrestled in her sleep. He saw the pain on her face her hands clinching the sheets tightly in her hands. She seemed to be fighting tossing turning losing the battle. He wanted to find a way to the place where her mind had taken her holding her hostage. It was all he knew to fight, to rescue others and to survive. His entire life had been a war small battles some of which he lost but most he'd won. He felt helpless watching his friend who even in her sleep cried and all he could do was wipe the tears streaming down her face.

"Remember I told you that you were not alone? I meant it." He whispered to his sleeping friend. "No matter what or how bad it is, you can talk to me. I've got your back, Princess."

Still she slept, tossed and turned and wrestled as if she were fighting for her life.

"I know you would never hurt me, Emily…I need you to wake up…you can't leave me again!"

He felt his own emotions welling up inside and he struggled to hold back the tears. He didn't hear the door open as the others entered the room taking places around the bed. Then he felt a soft hand on his shoulder but his eyes never left the woman in the bed.

"Any change?" Hotch asked breaking the silence.

"Not yet."

"She's going to be fine…she's going to wake up and she's going to fine." JJ insisted.

Morgan looked away momentarily into the faces of his friends; he wanted to believe what JJ had said. He wondered how much more they could take they fought evil everyday, evil that came to visit other people but now it had come home, climbed the steps and rang the doorbell of their lives threatening to break and enter into the place where they felt most safe…and that was with each other.

Airport – Evening –

Exhausted yet determined, Clyde Easter stepped off the plane and into the airport. He hated flying and he especially hated long international flights. Flying was a necessary headache and so he headed through the crowd. He'd declined O'Riley's offer to pick him up insisting instead that he stay at the hospital. Besides, he had made other arrangements and so he searched the crowd for a familiar face.

He smiled in relief to see his old friend glad that she hadn't kept him waiting. It had been a while since they'd seen each other and even longer since he'd had to call on her for assistance. Nevertheless, he knew he could always count on her she'd come through for him so many times in the past. He grabbed her in a warm embrace meeting her smile with his and then finally planting a light kiss on her cheek.

"Hello, Clyde! Glad you made it!"

"Thank you! It's been a while but it's really good to see you again, Erin!"