Ch. 11

Emily's heart began to beat, and her mind began to question what the hell was it that she kept feeling inside her. It was like an uncomfortable rock aching her hard in the heart. What was it? Her cold had healed miraculously with bits of normal stuffy nose and coughs. And all thanks to Ducky's tea, including Gibbs' special remedy.

The thought of Gibbs and her, risen her emotion as she let out the uncertainty of her feelings for him. Of course there was an irresistible attraction between them. But to what extent did this attraction led to? Is it love? And what about hotch? How does he intersect into this feeling of hers?

Her mixed romance tale was interrupted by the chattery sound of the team.

"Rapetti has bound to be captured at any moment now." Ziva began to say.

"How can you know that?" Mcgee asked puzzled.

"I have a feeling." she easily replied.

"Is this one your mossad ninja skills that you have?" Tony joked.

"Maybe" she responded. "But I would never tell you." she smiled.

Morgan, who stood two foot way, couldn't help but laugh when he saw Tony's falling face. He kinda figure these two had some undeniable attraction with each other. He sigh as he couldn't help stop thinking of Emily.

He wanted to help her but he didn't know how to approach after the way he treated her. They have been friends for a long time. They're partners. And he started to feel guilty about how he treated her and accused her over something he was jealous of. He knew that she wouldn't trade their friendship with anything, or inclusive anyone such as agent Gibbs' team.

Finally, he decided to have the courage and man up to apologize to Emily. He wanted to kick his own ass for treating her the way he did since the minute they walked into NCIS. He shouldn't blame her for being jealous of the friendship she has with Gibbs' team, or even Gibbs himself.

No. He shouldn't. But when he turned to Emily sitting alone at Tony's desk, he knew it is the perfect opportunity to amend his mistake with her.

Emily, on the other hand, kept feeling something that continued to bothered her. Like a ghostly air squeezing her heart. And it wouldn't stop. Whatever it was, it wouldn't go away.

Suddenly, she felt a close presence next to her. She looked up to meet the dark chocolate eyes of the guy she consider a big brother to her.

"Hey" she quietly greeted, arousing the awkward tension.

"Hey, ah, I, uh…..

He didn't quite knew how to begin or what comforting words to speak.

He swallow his proud ego, and took the bravery to ask for her forgiveness. He prayed she did. Because in the end they were partners. And he missed his partner.

He finally sighed and just let go of what he was going to say. "I just want to apologize, for the way I've been treating you for the last couple of weeks." he began.

Emily was taken by surprised at Morgan's unexpected apology that she is lost at words.

"Derek." she began.

"No,Emily, listen." he interrupted her. "What I did to you, since Matthew Benton's death, is treat you terrible." he admitted.

Emily couldn't be angry at him; disappointed, yeah, a little. But angry, she just couldn't. And to demonstrate it, she got up and threw a surprise embrace at him.

"You are my partner, just like you would do anything for me, so will I." she whispered in his ear.

Her words received a smile from him, as he held her tighter.

Once they pulled apart, he added; "I'm also sorry for acting as a child and making you choose your loyalty between us and -

Emily held her hand and placed it on his shoulder, to pause him. "You guys are my team, my family, and nothing is ever going to change that." she assured.

But her insides were contradicting her words. She couldn't understand what was it that she continued to feel? Like a throbbing needle stabbing her heart.

Morgan profile the tense body language his partner was showing. "Emily? Are you alright?" he frowned.

Emily turned to his voice; "I'm fine." she assured him, with a soft smile.

Derek smile back and embrace her in his arms. But it didn't stop him to worry about his partner's sudden agitated body language. It made him more worry to his own liking. And this time he would be by her side, not turning his back ever.

Just then, the elevator doors opened. Both hotch and Gibbs came out with a shot of eagerness and determined looks. Their teams replying it with questioning eyes.

The only one that could see through Gibbs, would be Ziva. She has a knack for reading the most reserved people in the world. And her conclusion had been that Gibbs had a plan in motion.

Somehow, he always had a plan.

"Boss, is everything alright?" Mcgee began, feeling a bad taste.

Gibbs gave him a stony stare, that made his legs shake. Totally regretting asking anything. While the rest of the team continued with their questioning stares.

"We have a reliable suspect in transit." Gibbs replied, his eyes landing on Emily.

Emily suddenly looked up into Gibbs' eyes and frowned as she saw something twinkle inside him.

'Did he had a plan in mind? What is he planning?' her thoughts came rushing in her mind, as her heart was telling her something else.

"Who is it hotch?" Morgan asked, the agent knew that the older man wasn't telling what he led on.

"Ricardo Rapetti" Gibbs answered, his eyes never breaking eye contact with Emily.

"You mean, we had the suspect on our radar all this time." Mcgee stated surprised.

Everyone had rising questions, but three of them had a knowing looks.