Forgiveness is not always easy. At times, it feels more painful than the wound we suffered, to forgive the one that inflicted it. And yet, there is no peace without forgiveness.

-Marianne Williamson

The team sat around in the jet, going over the case. Spencer and Evie naturally sat right down next to eachother with the rest of the team giving them suggestive looks. Spencer ignored them for the most part, and tried to pretend to be engrossed in the case instead of distracted by Evelyn sitting next to him, her knee barely grazing his. It was a little rediculous that they were taking a plane, the case was right in Virginia. It was late though, and they all had elected to cut down on as much time as possible.

"So this unsub is obsessed with the greek culture?" Evie asked, looking to JJ who sat across from them. Jennifer nodded while looking down at her tablet, swiping to go through the pictures.

"All of the victims were killed using either greek methods or instruments of death. They were dressed up to depict ancient greek gods or goddesses." She explained, holding the tablet up for Evie and Spencer to see the gruesome pictures. The victim was a woman dressed in a bright white chiton and a wreath of vines around her head. Her hair was dark and curly... definitely greek. She held a bow and arrow in her hand. Well, it was actually stitched to her hand. The point was, that the victim closely represented a certain goddess.

"Artemis. She was one of the most widely venerated of the Ancient Greek deities, mostly known for the goddess of the hunt, hence the bow and arrow which is her signature weapon." Spencer recited from his mind.

"Killing depictions of the gods and goddesses could be a way of feeling a sense of power." Rossi spoke up.

"Someone with this accurate of greek methods would have to have extensive knowledge." Morgan added. Spencer frowned down at the papers in his lap, giving the information about the crime scenes.

"Possibly an expert on greek mythology..." he muttered, flipping through the pages.

"I have Garcia looking into anything having to do with expert greek professions in the Arlington." Hotch said. It was a good thing they didn't have to travel far. Spencer hoped to be home soon enough to be able to get a second chance for a sort of date sort of not a date with Evie. "And I think we'll try to get Lawrence some field experience so she knows what she's in for if she wants to go for her gun qualifications." Hotch added, nodding towards Evie. Spencer felt his heart skip a beat. He wanted her in the field? Had Hotch lost his mind? She had barely been on the team for long. There was no way!

"Um... Hotch... You serious?" Spencer asked, frowning at Hotch who mirrored his expression back.

"You have something to say, Reid?" He raised his eyebrows at Spencer which would usually be enough for him to shut right up, but this was different.

"Well... Yeah! She can't possibly be ready!" He spluttered out, his voice getting high as it did when he became upset. All eyes were turned

To him in surprise now, but he ignored them. Even Evie had turned

To him with a look of shock and confusion, but he held his ground.

"Spencer..." She started, but he didn't let her get far.

"No, Evie. Do you really think you are up for something like that? You haven't even been trained for field work yet!" Spencer argued, turning to look at her. Evelyn's face looked slightly appalled and slightly hurt at his words. At the moment, he didn't feel so guilty though. He was just doing her a favor, wasn't he?

"Yes!" she said, her voice slightly raised above normal. "Reid, even if I wasn't ready it's not your place to say so!" He had never seen her angry, but he could already tell he didn't like it. It wasn't like she was extremely aggressive, she was a mixture of hurt as well which was starting to make Reid crumble.

"I- Evie..." He stuttered, trying to find the right words to speak. The team had awkwardly tried to make it look like they had adverted their attention from them now, even Hotch. Spencer hasn't meant to offend her. He just couldn't bare the thought of her around those monsters with or without the proper training. Maybe he had gone a bit too far on the protective end...

"I'm going and it's final." She said in a near whisper, but with a cold tone in

her voice. "I can handle myself even if you don't believe so." And with that, she stood and walked to find another seat on the other side of the plane away from Spencer. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. He had screwed up and let his protectiveness get the best of him. He had to find a way to apologize.

Spencer fought with himself to try to find the right things to say. When he didn't have any luck, he decided to just man up and wing it. He hesitantly stood, earning a surprised look from Morgan. He gave Spencer an encouraging smile, probably realizing what he was doing. He leaned forward in his seat and pushed Reid forward, making him stumble into the aisle way. He advanced forward to Evie who sat in the back of the plane, arms crossed and eyes out the window at the darkening skies. She was even beautiful when she was pissed.

Reid cleared his throat when he reached the seat next to Evelyn. The reflection of her eyes in the window flickered in surprise for less than a second, but she didn't turn to look at him. She acted as if she hadn't heard Spencer at all.

"Um... Evie?" Spencer spoke, sliding into the seat next to her. She stayed impressively still, not even flinching a bit.

"What?" She kept her tone neutral, but it was laced with anger. Reid took a deep breath and tried to explain himself.

"Listen, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to degrade you or anything... I just- I..." What was he even trying to say? He didn't quite know where he was going. Once again, Spence was caught up in his mindless rambling.

"It's fine, Reid." Evie answered, her expression remaining emotionless in the window. Spencer mentally cringed. She never called him Reid. It was always less formal; Either Spencer and sometimes Spence, probably adapted from hanging out with JJ all day.

"But... I just-"

"Please, just drop it." she asked, finally turning to stare into his eyes. He didn't know the same gorgeous, soft gray eyes could end up looking so angry and cold. He hated himself for screwing up with her. He promised that if anything, he'd do everything right with Evie. Spencer decided it wise to give her the space she wanted though. He nodded and got up to go sit in an empty seat away from people. He didn't feel like dealing with anyone else for the rest of the plane ride.

The first hour on the case was awkward and cold between Spencer and Evie. She acted like he was just another professional coworker, which might have been even worse. Hotch had assigned her to go talk to the family of the latest victim with Jayge, Rossi and Morgan were at the crime scene, and Reid and Hotch were at the last place that someone thought they spotted the unsub. He had called Evie a total of three times, thinking of every work excuse possible to talk to her. He had hoped she'd soften up at least one of those times, but her answers were all short, cold, and calculating. Maybe a fourth time wouldn't hurt...

"For God's sake, Reid." she answered. Spencer felt a pang of hurt go through his chest. How much was it going to take for her to forgive him already?

"Evie, really? It wasn't a big deal! Can you please let it go? I said I was sorry." Spencer said in a raised voice that was higher than usual. He tried to calm himself down. He just didn't understand what was such a big deal.

"What did I say? Just drop it."

"No, I will not just drop it!"

"Well then, Spencer... That's your problem."

Spencer felt his heart tighten in his chest. Well it wasn't really his heart, his physical nerves were just interfering with his emotional nerves, causing a constricting experience, but he didn't quite care at the moment. He was silent, not knowing what to say. The profiler and reasonable side of him told Spencer that there was some deeper reason as to why Evie was so angry about something so small. The emotional side of him just told him that she hated him.

"Fine." he finally said, his voice as angry as hers.

"Fine." she agreed in an equally pissed tone. Spencer forcefully hung up the phone and stuffed it in his pocket as Hotch approached. He was standing in the candy aisle of a convenience store. For the most part, they came up empty in terms of any important connection to the store.

"The store manager said that he had come in with blood all over his hands. He didn't even try to hide it, but as soon as the manager asked him about it, he got away." Hotch updated him, scanning the store with his eyes.

"He's probably proud. Back in Ancient Greek times, men would be proud of their aggressiveness and strength. It was probably his way of gloating." Spencer half-mindedly said, also scanning the store. As he did, he was aware of Hotch's eyes on him. He really didn't feel like turning to look, knowing he was going to get some kind of lecture from him.

"Hey Reid?" he said anyway. Spencer turned to him, a little afraid of what he was going to say. Hotch looked at him with his usual intense stare, but there was a little bit of concern somewhere deep in his eyes. "She'll come around." , was all Hotch said before clapping his hand on Spencer's shoulder, then turning to start out the store. Spencer frowned, a little surprised by Hotch's assurance. It did make him feel better coming from Aaron though. He smiled a bit, then hurried after him.

They were two hours into the case, and JJ and Evie were back at the Police Department. It was getting to be around 11pm now, and the sky outside was an inky black. They were talking with the chief of police, trying to find some connection that they were missing. They had already given the profile, but there just wasn't enough to find a good lead to where the unsub would target next.

"Well, we already know that the unsub is now in a frantic state of mind. He knows we are on to him, and Rossi suggested that he might go for the big kill soon. So... how are we supposed to know what the big kill is?" Evie asked JJ, frowning down at her pen that she fiddled with. She had to admit, her mind was completely on the case as much as she'd like it to be. She wondered how things had gone so south with him. Should he have said those things and downsized her like that? No. Should she have reacted so dramatically? Probably not. She just couldn't stand anymore controlling relationships. The moment he had started Trying to prevent her from trying out work in the field, she had taken it to the extreme. Maybe they'd fix it later. Right now she was just too angry with both herself and him.

"Well Zeus would be the head god. Who would represent Zeus though?" JJ questioned. Evie thought about that. She had read a fair amount of interesting Historical Fiction books about the Ancient Greeks. The mythology had always interested her.

"Wait… what about Alexandria?" she spoke up, the gears turning in her mind.

"The city here in Virginia?" JJ asked.

"Yeah… One of the biggest Greek conquerors was Alexander the Great. He took over massive areas of land and expanded Greece. He name one of their more important cities today, Alexandria. We have an Alexandria almost right next door to Arlington." Evie told her, proud at how JJ's eyes widened. She nodded and pulled out her phone and dialed a speed dial number and held out the phone to Evie who looked at her in confusion.

"Talk to Garcia. See if there's any connection between Arlington and something to do with Zeus." JJ said. Evie took her iPhone and listened to the ringing until there was a click on the other end of the line.

"Finally! Someone needs my greatness. Your wish is my command." Garcia's voice came over the speaker. Evie chuckled, then focused on what she called for.

"Hey, it's Evie. I need you to do some digging for me."

"Anything for you, sweet cheeks. What do you need?"

Evie explained logic behind the Zeus and Alexandria connections, and listened to her frantic typing on the other end of the line. It only took about a couple seconds for Garcia to type her way to answers.

"There are multiple companies advertising with commercial Greek themes. The city is Alexandria, there are going to be a lot of cheesy Greek references. I need a little more."

"Um…" Evie thought, tapping her fingers on the desk as she tried to think as quickly as possible. "Are there any advertisements, advertising a Zeus figure?"

"Uh… bingo. A mattress company called Olympus has a commercial circulating. The manager is all dressed up like Zeus and everything. This commercial has all kinds of cheesy going on." Garcia rushed out.

"What's the address?"

"Sent it to all of your phones now."

"Thanks, Garcia."

"Anything for my furry friends."

Evie hung up and ran over to JJ who was explaining their findings to a group of officers. She approached Jennifer and handed her her phone, breathing hard.

"Garcia got a lead. The address was sent to our phones."

JJ nodded and held down another speed dial number while walking out into the parking lot, Evie on her heels.

"Hey, Spence. You guys are closer to Alexandria. We think the unsub is going to the address that was sent to your phones. We'll meet you guys there. Call Rossi and Morgan."

Evie heard talking on the other end as they jumped into their black SUV. JJ hung up and flipped the lights and sirens on. Withing seconds they were rushing out of the parking lot, a small squad of police cars racing behind them.

"When we get there, put on your vest and stay close to me since you aren't allowed to have a gun yet, technically. If you really need one, i'll keep one on my hip so you can grab it. Good?" JJ asked, glancing over at Evie. She swallowed nervously and nodded, expecting JJ to see her out of the corner of her eye. Now that they were speeding their way into the actual danger, she was wishing that maybe she had listenied to Spencer.

"Spence said that it'll take us about 9 minutes to get there." she said, taking a sharp turn and forcing Evie into the car door. "Sorry." she murmered, eyes still on the road.

Sure enough, in about nine minutes or so they were in the nearly empty parking lot of the store complex. It was dimly lit by the dull street lights, and a few of the stores lights were still on, probably for people staying late to wrap up business. The mattress store itself was a big and obnoxiously flashy building at the edge of the complex with big letters spelling out OLYMPUS over glass doors. An SUV was already pulled up to the front of the store, probably Hotch and Spencer.

"Alright." JJ said as she pulled the car up next to the other. Spencer and Hotch already had their vests on and guns out pointed towards the store doors. It was then when Evie realized that they had maybe gotten there just in the niche of time. There was a man with dark hair in the middle of the store with a gun held at the head of what Evie guessed was the manager. Out of all of stores, the manager of the mattress one had to be there. She cursed at their luck.

After fastening the FBI vests on, JJ and Evie stepped up next to where Hotch now had a megaphone pointed at the store.

"Alexander Spiros! I'm Aaron Hotchner with the FBI." he started. Evie wondered how he possibly could've known his name. "You're not the only ones who had a breakthrough." Aaron muttered to JJ before turning back to the megaphone. "I'm going to come in with a few of my agents. We're here to help you, Alexander." he said. The man kept his infuriated expression, but didn't show any protests. Hotch put down the megaphone just as the last SUV with Rossi and Morgan showed up.

"Alright. Reid and I will go in, JJ you hold down the fort out here with Lawrence. Have Morgan and Rossi surround the place." Hotch ordered. Evie watched Spencer's eyes flicker with a bit of worry mixed with anger when he mentioned Evie helping JJ guard the store. She sighed and decided to just let him be angry. She had made the decision to work for the FBI, and she was going to work in the field if she wanted to.

Evie and JJ watched Spencer and Hotch ease themselves into the store with guns raised. The door closed behind them, and after that nothing else was heard but the low murmer of Hotch's voice. Evie scanned the room and the situation, taking in as much as she could. She felt like she needed to help, but remembered that these people knew what they were doing. She still hated the helpless feeling though.

"Hey, What's-" Morgan started, approaching them with Rossi at his side.

"Hotch needs you to surround the place." JJ interupted. Morgan nodded and looked around with his peircing black eyes and gestured over to the right and together, him and Rossi covered more ground.

"What are they doing?" JJ said out loud, obviously not expecting Evie to answer. There were officers all around them with guns pointed at the unsub. Their shots would be useless and could potentially hurt one of the agents of the manager, however. It was truly up to Hotch and Spencer at that moment. Despite their fight, Evie was worried for Reid. Maybe this was how he felt when hearing about her going into the field. Suddenly she wished she hadn't snapped. Now she just wanted him to get out alive and well so that they could be best friends again. Maybe even more. Hopefully more.

"Alright, Spencer is moving in..." JJ muttered. Evie saw what she meant. Spencer had lowered his gun and was easing forward slowly. Alexander had also lowered his gun a bit, the aggression fallen from his face.

"Come on, Spence…" Evie whispered. Just as Spencer was reaching for the gun, everything broke loose. Alexander shot a hand forward and grabbed Spencer's wrist and twisted it so that he spun around. The unsub kept hold of Spencer's arm behind his back in an unnatural position. Evie could see by the way Reid cringed in pain.

"Shit…" she muttered. Her chest tightened in worry as he moved Spencer in shooting range of all of the officers outside the store, and Hotch. He yelled something that just sounded like a muffled yell from outside and Hotch hesitantly put the gun down on the floor. Evie guessed that he threatened to shoot Spencer if he didn't.

Alexander then started slowly moving towards the door, Spencer flinching in his grasp. The unsub kept a gun to his temple the entire time, making it hard for Evie to breathe. What if this was it? What if the last thing she did with Spencer was fight? This couldn't be happening, it just couldn't! Her mind raced with thoughts and worries that she couldn't stifle as the unsub kicked the door open and shoved Spencer onto the sidewalk, not but ten feet in front of where the row of officers stood.

"Shoot and he dies!" the man yelled, pushing the gun barrel into Spencer's forehead with renewed vigor. Spencer squeezed his eyes shut and bit his lip against the pain, making Evie hurt. He opened his soft brown eyes to look at her, and even in the dim lighting, she saw his pleading gaze that sent chills down her back.

'I'm sorry' he mouthed to her, making her want to burst into tears right there. She knew she had to be strong for him though. He was going to get out of this, he had to.

"Alexander, it doesn't have to be like this. Let us help you." JJ spoke up loudly and clearly, making Alexander chuckle.

"I am the one helping you! The immortals must fall! They've been in reign for far too long! The new era is here!" he screamed, tightening his grip on Spencer with every word. Evie bit her lip while watching him in pain. She wanted to help so bad, she didn't know what to do though.

"He is innocent, Alexander. This war is between you and the gods, not our agent." Morgan called out from the other side of the sidewalk. Alexander smirked and with one swift movement, he kicked Spencer in the back of his knees and slammed the butt of the gun into his stomach, making him double over on his knees and grunt in pain. Evie heard herself involuntarily gasp, watching the man yank Spencer's head up by his hair.

"There must be sacrifice for a better tomorrow." The unsub murmured. Evie realized what was happening before anyone else did. Alexander took his gun and forced it to Spencer's temple once again, his finger on the trigger.

"No!" Evie shrieked. She didn't even know what she was doing at first. It was like she was in a trance, watching herself without being in her body. Evie grabbed the extra gun out of JJ's belt and jumped forward with it raised at the unsub. She moved closer to where he stood, looking up in surprise at her. He yanked Spencer's hair again, obviously enjoying the whimper of pain he got in response. Spencer gave her a look that said 'What on earth do you think you're doing', but Evie looked away.

"Evie!" JJ called from behind her. Evelyn knew that it was probably a rash decision to do this, but she couldn't just stand there and watch Spencer get shot dead.

"Alexander, don't you see what you are becoming?" Evie asked. She had read about this kind of thing in past cases the BAU did... the act of talking the subject out of killing. She didn't know how to or if she could, but she went with her instinct and continued. He looked at her with confusion and slackened his grip on the gun a bit. He didn't respond, so she continued.

"Alexander, this is exactly what they want. They kill mortals without care. Do you really want to be one of them?" Her eyes flickered over to Spencer who looked at her in terror. She knew he'd give anything for her to just step back into safety, but there was no way that she was backing out now.

"They- They must fall..." he murmured, forcing the gun harder into Spencer. He kicked him hard in the stomach, making Reid cough and gasp, the wind probably being knocked out of him. Evie flinched and took a deep breath.

"Not like this." she said. "Don't be them. You aren't like the Olympians, are you Alexander?" she breathed, resisting the urge to bite her lip. She needed to seem confident. Spencer's life may have depended on it. Alexander began to let that sink in. His face changed as he thought hard about this, hand slowly moving down and away from Spencer's forehead, making him let out a relieved breath. When the gun was pointing at the ground, someone grabbed the unsub's arms from behind and pulled them behind his back. Evie looked over his shoulder to see that Hotch had come up from behind while Evie was trying to convince the man not to shoot Reid. Aaron handcuffed Alexander, and took his gun.

"Reid!" Morgan yelled before Evie could even take a deep breath. Him and JJ rushed forward to help Spencer to his feet, and he was immediately swarmed by people making sure he was ok. Evie felt like she couldn't move from the shock of what just happened. A million thoughts raced through her head at once as she ripped her vest off as it began to suddenly feel too tight.

Spencer almost died.

She could've died.

Did she just save his life?

What just happened?

She looked up to see the people crowding Spencer thin so that she caught his eye. He gave her the cutest puppy dog face she's ever seen, making her face soften. As soon as she felt her features become just a little more relaxed, she realized that she must've looked absolutely horrified. She told herself just to relax and focus on the fact that Spencer was ok. He was alive...

Evie found herself dropping her vest and breaking into a run and throwing herself into Reid's arms. He grunted as her body collided with his. She imagined he was a bit bruised from being hit a couple of times, but she guessed he could deal with it.

Reid chuckled and wrapped his arms around her back and burried his face in her shoulder. His hair was as soft as she imagined. It just barely brushed against the side of her face when she laid her head on his shoulder and pulled him to her tightly. She was immediately filled with warmth from being in his arms. Something about it just felt so right. Their bodies were almost one with how tightly they held eachother.

"I'm sorry about being such a jerk earlier." he mumbled into her shoulder. Evie rubbed his back and shook her head, enjoying every second of pure bless of being pressed against Spencer's firm chest.

"No, Spence. I'm sorry for overreacting."

"And I'm sorry that I don't have my phone on me to take a picture of this." Morgan snickered from besides them. Evie and Spencer snapped away from eachother in surprise, completely forgetting about pretty much everyone around them. Morgan beamed at them and suggestively wiggled his eyebrows.

"Just remember protection, Love Doctor."

"Morgan!" he said in a high voice that made Evie hold back a laugh. She loved how his voice was raised two or three octaves when he got worked up.

"Come on, kids. It's late. Back to the jet." Rossi said. Spencer looked over at Evie and gave her a small smile that seemed to warm her heart, as cheesy as it sounded. Together they walked shoulder to shoulder to the nearest SUV, both of them enjoying both being alive and on good terms once again.

"So... are you guys going to get married?" Morgan's deep voice rumbled from across the plane aisle. Evie rolled her eyes over at Derek who was making kissy faces. She smiled and shook her head, looking over at Spencer who sat in the seat next to her. Well, he was more sprawled out in the seat next to her. His head lied up against the plane window and his legs were stretched out in front of him, his adorable mismatching socks visible. One arm was draped across his chest and the other was rested on his leg. His chest gently rose and fell with his breathing... he had been asleep ever since they got on the plane. It was only a thirty minute ride back to Quantico, but no one cared to remind him that.

"Stop jumping to conclusions! You guys all hug all the time!" Evie whispered to Morgan who rolled his eyes and put his headphones on.

"Sure, Lawrence. You'll see. It'll happen."

Evie looked over at her sleeping Spencer. She smiled to herself and thought, I hope you're right.