Ten days later: Emily was in the bedroom pulling her clothes out of the spare dresser that she had been using at Davids. She had been ordered into protective custody at the bureau effective immediately because Chief Strauss had opened her mouth to Emily's mother about why she wasn't reachable and so now she had to leave the cabin.

She tossed piles of her underwear and bras into the open suitcase randomly not caring where they landed or how.

David said " I know you hate this stella, I do too but it is to keep you safe for a while."

She sighed. "Once again my mother interferes with my life. She tried it when I first got the job at the BAU to pull favors and get me to report on Hotch and I didn't obey. Now this because I am involved with you and staying perfectly safe at your home, she pulls the concerned mother card when she normally doesn't care what I do or where I am for months at a time."

David said "I can see you at work and she can't do anything about that sweetheart even as much as she tries ."

Emily said "Can we at least go by my townhouse before I have to go to the office? I want some pillows off of my bed and one of my blankets if I am sleeping on a couch I want it to feel somewhat familiar."

David smiled. "Sure, I don't have to take you back to the bureau for another two hours. If anyone asks you stopped to check on your house and get some food and shower items for the office shower area. We are going to get him and then your life can return to normal ."

She said "I am taking him down when he comes, I get that right. He put this splint on my hand after all. I am glad to be rid of that cast though. I get started on physical therapy next week so that is something to keep my mind occupied. Plus there will be Garcia when everybody is on the road."

David said "You're not going to travel with us then? I mean when we need to."

Emily shrugged. "Strauss wants me on desk duty and from what I know Hotch's hands were tied on that one. Morgan tried to argue for me being out in the field but he got shot down too. So I can be Garcia's helper for a while and there are always cell phones amore."

David sighed. " Yes there are but I can't do this over the phone when I want." He pulled her toward him and held her in his arms.

She touched his face gently. "Hang in there , soon this whole nightmare will be behind us. Then we can just be us."

Then there was a knock on the door.

David said"I'll get it , you finish packing ."

Emilly did but she had her gun out nearby on the nightstand.

David came back a few minutes later with Aaron Hotchner. He said" I am sorry but since I know where you live before anyone else in the bureau Strauss ordered me to come and get Emily. Off the record this sucks but on it there is officially nothing I can do to change the situation."

David said" She's in the bedroom packing her things. She did say she wants to stop at her townhouse before she goes back to the bureau for a few personal items that she needs. Can I go with you to take her back to the office?"

Hotch sighed. "That's the other part of this that I don't like. You are only allowed to communicate with Emily at the office for the time being while she is in protective custody, again not my orders. I am against the wall here on this one."

David nodded. "Well nobody says I can't make cell phone calls right? I mean if hypothetically we are out of town on a case and I am at a hotel. Ambassador Prentiss can't control that can she?"

Emily came out of the bedroom in a black jacket with a bright red tank top under it and matching black pants. "What is my mother trying to control now?"

David said" After you leave here with Hotch I am only allowed to communicate with you at work until you are not under bureau protection, but I intend on using my cell phone as well when I am out of town her orders be damned."

Hotch said "I have not heard anything of this conversation you two just had. All I know is that I am to take you to the office after you stop at your townhouse Emily to get your personal things." "Whatever Agent Rossi chooses to do from this point on is his business now not the bureaus."

Emily said "Then let Jennings come for me, the son of a bitch. If people want to interfere with my life professionally and personally then bring him on. I want this done so I can go back to my home and sleep in my own bed and not on someone's office couch indefinitely."

David said "You know I almost feel sorry for him because nobody should ever deal with being responsible for putting that fire in your eyes mia passioni."

Emily smiled. "Well then we have that straight, don't we . I just wonder how much acting I will have to do before this thing is said and done and what it is going to cost me."