The members of the Special Services Division were gathered around the polished wooden table in the conference room. It had been a week since the confrontation in the was the first time the squad had the chance to get together. They were served hot drinks by Jess, even more efficiently than usual. She was still blaming herself and more than once, Ross had to admonish her for overcompensating. Every day she brought in home-baked cakes and was running herself ragged trying to please everyone, especially Eames.

The situation was aggravated by Goren's absence. He was still under observation at the hospital but was recovering Eames wasn't visiting, which wasn't often, he irritated and charmed the medical staff in equal measure, a sure sign he would be coming home soon. Eames looked strangely incomplete sat at the table without him by her side. Incomplete, but at ease. There were no swarms of paperclips circling about her head and when she stirred her tea, it was by hand.

Tiggs, of course, was absent as well. The condemnation of his character and actions were silenced by Rodgers' account of the conversation she'd had with his mother. The mood in the room was brought down further when Ross broke the news that Deakins had escaped. He'd been detained in a special holding facility with Carver and Hench the Stench. Angie Deakins hadn't heard from her husband, neither had their daughters, but she'd found a couple of envelopes containing large sums of cash. It was likely that, along with providing a means of escape, Deakins was using his Talent for other nefarious purposes.

Ross had further news. Carver was filing for divorce. His arrest, and probable conviction, meant that he would be disqualified from the Bar so Marianne had no hold over him any longer. He was genuinely contrite and was making reparations to the clients he had damaged. He was also cooperating with the DA to ensure Sean Lafferty would receive the help he needed. It was possible that he would soon be reunited with his son. Petronelli nodded.

"I can confirm that."

Petronelli had been unwilling to return Aiden to the foster home, and after discussion with his wife and the necessary checks, they'd provided a temporary home for the boy. " Carver's testimony has made it easier for Sean to have regular contact with Aiden."

Logan chimed in.

"Of course, if he's playing us to get more lenient treatment, we can always run him by our human lie detector when he gets out of the hospital."

He grinned in appreciation of his own wit, a grin that widened as he felt Falacci's hand on his knee. Steve had returned to New York with the kids and pleas for forgiveness. Falacci could not forget the way he'd reeled in horror from her and the word 'freak' still rang in her ears. Custody negotiations were ongoing but the marriage was over. Logan was proving to be as good a partner out of the office as he was at work. The only trouble was his fear that she was using him as a convenient shoulder, a stopgap or as a rebound romance. Still, there was lots of entertainment to be had in convincing him he was wrong.

Ross cleared his throat, interrupting Falacci's rather racy train of thought and she dragged her mind from the leg under her hand to the business in hand. Ross ensured he had everyone's attention before speaking.

"I have a couple of proposals. The first is not going to be popular but hear me out. I propose that Carver joins the SSD."

Cries of protest erupted around the table and Ross let the team vent for a moment before motioning for silence.

"I know, I know. Let me make my case. First off, he's a Talent like us."

"Yeah, and look what he did with it." Petronelli's voice held a note of bitterness.

"Maybe if he'd been part of a team like this -" said Ross.

Logan's fist slammed down on the table, sending a crack along its smooth surface and causing various drinks to spill. Jess shot up from her seat to grab some paper towels as Logan spoke.

"No! You didn't see the state Lafferty was in, up on that roof. Christ, he was thinking of offing his kid. Carver drove him to that point, and he should pay."

There were nods of agreement around the table.

"I'm not suggesting we absolve him of responsibility," said Ross. "He's planning to plead guilty and is willing to accept whatever sentence is handed down."

"He's a criminal, not a cop. Why should he be with us?"

Falacci's harsh question was met with Jess' quieter reply.

"I'm not a cop."

"And Tiggs was a criminal AND a cop," Jeffries chimed in.

The discussion continued with heated exchanges and Ross let the squad voice their opinions. When it had reached the point that the arguments became repetitive, he intervened.

"Quiet! You've all had your say, now let me have mine."

He waited for the team to settle and continued in a quiet voice.

"I need him."

"What!"

Rodgers exclamation matched the stunned expressions on the faces around the table. Ross patted her hand.

"You, of all people know how much of a strain I'm finding it; trying to run the squad, make sense of the premonitions, deal with the Brass and handle the media and public. I can't go on like this."

An uncomfortable hush settled over the room. Falacci shifted in her chair.

"All this time I've been dumping my problems on you. You never said..."

"No I didn't. It's my job." Ross' voice had recovered some of its former strength. "But I need help doing it. Carver would make the perfect PR man. He'd look good on camera, can handle public speaking and knows our ways. Those powers of persuasion of his could come in pretty handy, too." Ross let this sink in for a moment then turned to Eames.

"You've been pretty quiet on the subject. Any thoughts?"

"I can see your point, but for me it depends on how Bobby feels. He's the one with the sore head - and the one who truly knows Carver's mind."

Another silence fell, this time more pensive. Jeffries spoke up.

"If you need him and Goren's good with it, then so am I."

There were various nods and murmurs of agreement from around the room. Ross relaxed back into his chair and let out a deep sigh of relief.

"That's settled then. Now for my second proposal."

He braced his hands on the table and hauled himself to his feet. There was a serious look on his face and the squad collectively tensed. Ross fumbled in his pocket and dropped something that rolled under his chair out of reach. Jess moved to help him and he waved her away as he dropped down to retrieve it. Jess sat back down, suppressing a smile. Ross shuffled on his knees to face Rodgers.

"My second proposal is to you, Elizabeth."

Ross held out a small box, its lid open to reveal something that sparkled under the flourescent lights. Rodgers eyes were sparkling too, although no-one would dare suggest the brusque pragmatic ME was crying. Ross savoured the moment; he was with the woman he loved and among friends who were more like family. He cleared his throat.

"Elizabeth, would you do me the honour of being my wife?"

A/N - Thank you for your interest and your comments. Your feedback is always appreciated.

And thanks to WendyCR72 - for her patience, attentiveness and excellent beta work.

Usual Disclaimer - LOCI is not mine but the Secrets universe is. Who knows what the dastardly Deakins may get up to next?