It had been a very long day and Isabella was exhausted.

She closed and started the dishwasher with a sigh. Murdock had pulled off an excellent dinner and the least that she could do was clean up the mess that he made in the large gourmet kitchen that was about the size of her entire apartment. The guys had been ecstatic with joy when they saw the house that she had leased for them that would be their home for the next six months.

And she was happy that she was able to provide the oasis for them. They needed a safe place to regroup and plan what their next move would be from here. The nervous tension that she had felt among the men had evaporated since they arrived at the house which had been replaced with a nervous happiness. She hoped that by the morning the nervousness would be gone and it would be a relaxed happiness.

She rubbed her neck and began to walk out of the kitchen and into the living area when she heard someone enter the kitchen from the patio door. "Hey," she heard her father call her. "Headed to bed already?"

She smiled as she turned around. "Yeah. I'm exhausted." She stopped in the entranceway of the living area as Hannibal continued to walk towards her.

"Do you think we could talk for a few minutes?" He asked.

Isabella nodded her head. "Sure."

Hannibal reached his daughter and placed his hand on the small of her back, leading her to the leather sofa. "I wanted to talk to you earlier." He said as they both sat down. "Time just got away from me."

"I understand." She said. "It's been a busy day."

"First of all," Hannibal began as he took her hand in his. "This house is spectacular. You knew exactly what we needed."

She nodded her head. "Six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, 12000 square feet on 10 acres fully gated." She laughed a little, "plenty of room to be apart after so much time cramped up together. Do you really like it?"

"Yes."

"Want me to buy it?"

It was Hannibal's turn to laugh. "Is it for sale?"

"No." Isabella said slowly. "But everyone has a price."

Hannibal looked at his daughter. "That's not true."

She shook her head, "everyone has a price Dad. Even you. You just haven't discovered it yet." She spoke softly. "So, what else is on your mind?"

Hannibal shifted in his seat. "Well, there's another thing that I really need to talk about with you."

"Ok."

"This may shock you a little and I hope that it won't upset you."

She nodded her head. "Ok. What is it? Is it about you and Face?"

Hannibal's eyes widened, "how did you find out about that?"

"Well, I hope this won't upset you but Murdock and I heard him last night moaning your name while we were watching TV before we fell asleep."

"Shit," Hannibal cursed. "Ella, I'm so sorry. I should have told you last night but Face was nervous about you finding out."

"Why?"

"I don't know. I think he was afraid that you wouldn't approve."

She smiled softly as she shook her head. "Dad as long as you're happy then I'm all for it. Face shouldn't have worried about that."

"Thanks." Hannibal said as he released her hand. "So," he began, "Is there anyone at all special in your life?"

"Um...yes and no." She said slowly. "It's really complicated."

"Complicated?" Hannibal questioned. "That doesn't sound too promising. Does he have a girlfriend already?"

"No," Isabella replied. "He's single. That's not the issue."

"Then what is it?" Hannibal asked. He saw the turmoil in his daughter's face. "Come on, you can tell me."

She took a deep breath as she nodded her head. She looked away for a moment before turning back to look at her father with tears in her eyes. "It's Murdock." She said softly.

Hannibal was taken aback but not entirely surprised by her admission. "I see." He said. "I thought that may be the case."

"I know you probably want me to stay away from him but-"

Hannibal interrupted her before she could finish. "I wouldn't say that. Murdock has all the qualities that I would want you to have in a partner. He's funny, smart, very loyal and honest. He's exactly the man that I would want you to have in your life."

She looked at her father in amazement. "That's not the reaction I expected. I thought you would forbid me."

He laughed," no I'n not going to forbid you. I have a feeling that even if I did that it wouldn't make a difference anyway. But if a relationship with him is truly what you want you need to go into it with eyes wide open."

"What do you mean?"

Hannibal sighed, "we're federal fugitives. We're in a shitload of trouble and to be honest I don't know when we will or if we will ever be able to get out of it." He paused for a moment before continuing. "You wouldn't be able to go out to places like a normal couple would. There would be extended periods of time apart. It would be a long distance relationship. It would take a lot of patience and a lot of trust. I'm not saying that it can't be done but it would be hard."

"Can I ask you a question about Murdock?"

"I'll answer it if I can."

She looked around to make sure that there was still no one around but the two of them. "Is he really crazy?"

Hannibal pondered her question for a moment before answering. "Murdock has always had a very eccentric personality." He paused for a moment, "I don't think he is crazy at all. He has been in some very bad situations that caused mental scars. There is a dark part of him. He has demons and it's not pretty when they come out."

"I love him." She admitted. "And it scares the hell out of me."