Morgan had crossed the river with his horse and backtracked south a ways to a settlement he had been told about. No one there had seen Emily. He sits on his horse, preparing to leave again.

"Farther south or just go north," he ponders. After a second he shakes his head. "North. Even if she started south you know where she was going. And if she didn't make it across the river she won't have made it north so who the fuck cares where she landed."

He turns his horse north and starts along the road. A man had told him to watch for a sign that mentions New York. That would keep him on the right trail to eastern Pennsylvania. On his second day going north he sees a tendril of smoke in the distance. He studies it a second, then turns his horse off the road and makes his way towards it.

"Emily would prefer a one on one situation versus a town filled with strangers," he tells his horse. "Let's go see if she stopped there, Tahoe."

As he gets close, he dismounts and ties Tahoe off on a tree, preferring to recon on foot. He is staring down at the house when the sound of a shotgun racking sounds behind him.

"Give me a reason to trust you," a melodious British voice orders.

Morgan raises his hands but does not turn around or stand. "I'm simply looking for word on a friend. I just didn't know if whoever lived here would be friend or foe."

"And if I turned out to be a foe?"

"Then I planned to leave. But if you were a foe and had the drop on me I'd be dead. That tells me you're a friend."

"Well deduced." Dr. Quinn lays her shotgun barrel up on her shoulder. "I'm a friend. Who are you looking for?"

Morgan stands and slowly turns. "Her name is Emily. She'd have been traveling through this area last fall. I know it's a long shot but- -"

"Emily Prentiss?" Doc confirms.

Morgan's eyes widen happily. "You know her!"

"I do," she confirms. "Happy to say I saved her life. She and her son got to spend the winter with me while she healed. She's been gone a couple of months now."

"She's alive! And healed? My God, what did he do to her that it nearly killed her?" Morgan mutters, his heart not liking his imagination.

"She was in bad shape. She'd been whipped, beaten, starved and only given minor medical treatment. By the time her son found me she had a very bad infection. For two weeks I wondered if she'd live or not."

Morgan smiles. "And she lived. She lived because she is tough as shit!" He thinks a second. "You said she had a son?"

Doc nods. "Yes. Declan. Wonderful young man. He adores her and she him. I know it was an adoption situation but the love was there anyway."

Morgan smiles. "He is her second chance to be a mother."

Doc chuckles. "Okay, you've proven to me you know her. Get your horse and come in for a good meal. When you set out in the morning I can tell you the route she was taking with Declan."

Morgan nods. "Sounds good." He extends his hand. "Derek Morgan."

"Ah, Morgan. She told me a lot about you." She shakes his hand. "Dr. Michaela Quinn. Healer and recluse at your service."

Morgan chuckles. "Pleasure is all mine, Doc. You're the first person who could confirm she made it off the river. You don't know how happy I am to meet you."

He goes to get Tahoe and follows Quinn back to her house, eager to get word on Emily and her journey north to JJ.


Cyrus turns as two of his men drag in a barely conscious, badly beaten man. They drop the injured man to the ground at Cyrus' feet.

"He says the coalition is strong but that Gibbs is the one least happy with it," Christopher reports.

"Not surprising. He's farthest away from Picard. If anyone is going to get screwed over he's the most likely candidate. Any chance we can turn Gibbs to our side?"

Christopher shakes his head. "No way. He's like Hotchner; a real goody-goody."

Cyrus shakes his head. "Pity. What about our spies?"

"They confirmed Morgan went north instead of Hotchner. They lost his trail when he got a horse and crossed the river."

"And still no idea where he is going?"

"No, sir. We had thought it was to garner more support for this coalition but we think more people than just Morgan would have gone."

Cyrus nods and turns to look out the window. Why would Hotchner have been going on a journey? And why would Morgan now be going instead? Why not just put the trip off until Gibbs is more at ease with the truce?

"Love," Cyrus says, answering himself.

Christopher frowns in confusion. "Uh, what?"

Cyrus turns to Christopher. "No one ever saw Emily Prentiss leave that tower room."

Christopher shakes his head. "No, sir. No one."

"She escaped. She killed Doyle. Probably set it up to look like Foyet did it to cause a war between the factions. She had no idea I was really in charge by that point. She escaped and went north, not south." Cyrus starts to pace. "Prentiss has been with Hotchner for years."

"Are they lovers?"

Cyrus nods. "No. I think we'll find out Prentiss…is really Emily Hotchner. I believe she's his daughter."

Christopher frowns. "Is he old enough to be her father?"

"Maybe not by birth. But I bet he raised her."

Christopher thinks about it a moment then shakes his head. "No way. Think about it, Cyrus, he sent her off to Doyle once to screw him over and then again to sacrifice herself to rescue that guy Doyle captured. Look what Doyle put her through! No father would send their child to do be abused like that!"

"He would if he expected her to do exactly what she did. She escaped, Christopher. Proverbs 22:6 says 'Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.' He trained her to give her life at his order, and she did. But when she escaped she went north, not south. She had to. If she went south his followers would know she didn't sacrifice herself as she was supposed to. He needs his people to know that his orders are followed by everyone, even his own family. He may pretend to be a good man but he is a wolf in disguise." Cyrus turns and looks back out the window. "Matthew 7:15 'Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.' Do not think Hotchner a good man just leading his people. He is a killer no different than Foyet or Doyle."

Christopher and the other man nod. Christopher looks at the man on the floor. "What do we do with him?"

Cyrus turns and walks over to the beaten man. He kneels down and draws a finger through the blood, using it to draw a cross on the man's head.

"You have served The Word well, my friend. Do not fear the death you have coming. For as Romans 6:23 comforts us by saying 'For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.' So you see…your life is only just beginning."

And with that he pulls a dagger and slices the man's throat. He continues to pray over the man until he finally dies. He then stands and motions to Christopher.

"Bury him with respect. He gave us the information we needed."

"And the one still holding out on us?"

"Kill him. And dump his body in the river."

Christopher nods. He and the other man drag the body out of the room. Cyrus turns back to the window.

"So…Emily Prentiss is the daughter of Aaron Hotchner. Maybe it's time I send a few men out to try to track her or that bastard Morgan down. I will find a way to dethrone Hotchner and be one step closer to taking over this whole area."

Cyrus smiles, picturing slowly retaking the country. People were so easy to manipulate, especially when they are desperate for a leader who can help improve their lot in this miserable new world.


As Morgan and Quinn arrive at the home, she gestures to the barn. "You'll find hay and oats for your horse. Water comes from a well-pump out back."

Morgan nods. "Thanks. I appreciate the hospitality."

"Don't expect a free ride," she warns with a grin. "Once your horse is settled get the metal bucket hanging by the back door and bring water into the house. Then you can set the table for dinner. Then tomorrow before breakfast you can collect the eggs."

Morgan starts to laugh. "You know, Doc, I'm in a good enough mood I'll even offer to chop firewood if you need me to."

Doc lifts a brow. "In that case, forget the cooking water and table setting and get to chopping."

He nods. "Will do."

He leads his horse into the barn and gets Tahoe settled with food and water. As he goes out to start chopping firewood his mind strays to his best friend. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out the vial of hair. He smiles as he squeezes it.

"She's alive, Evan." He leaps in the air, and gives a whoop of elation. "WOO HOO! SHE'S ALIVE!"

From the kitchen window, Doc watches. She smiles, glad she had taken a chance and revealed what she knew about Emily and Declan. There is no way to fake that sort of happiness and excitement. This man truly was the Derek Morgan she had heard so many stories about. And he quite obviously loved her the way she loved him.

"Now if only I had a crystal ball that would tell me if she made it north to her Jennifer or not," Doc whispers as she starts to make dinner for herself and her guest.


From the window of a friend's house, Ezekiel Jareau watches the sky light up in the distance.

"Goodbye, Emily Prentiss," he whispers gleefully even as the others in the house race to the window and start lamenting what had happened and what it could mean to those at the miner's compound.