BAU Headquarters –
Hotch had a call to make, one that needed to be made in private. It had been years since he'd spoken to her and things had not ended well. He had no choice, he wanted her to answer for her crimes but more than that he needed to save the life of an innocent man. Somehow, the two were connected; Elle Greenaway and Derek Morgan both had lives that had been lived in the shadows. Hotch knew that shining the light on them both meant that the fallout would be like none other.
Peach Blossom Farmhouse –
Derek and Elle headed back down the narrow hallway, through the secret doorway and toward the front of the house. Just before the two stepped outside, Elle's phone rang. Derek looked back confused as she stared at the familiar name on the screen.
"Elle." Hotch began.
She remained silent; there was nothing she had to say that he would want to hear. She knew what he wanted and like years before she had no intentions on surrendering. She moved on, still secretly working for the government in spite of what she had done.
Derek watched her puzzled. He had no idea of her history with the BAU; he had no reason to suspect her of wrongdoing, outside of her government assignments.
"I know you're there and you need to come in."
Derek wondered why she wasn't speaking, just standing as if she were in a trance and listening. He wondered if it were Delaney giving her a chance to do the, "right" thing.
"Does Morgan know who you really are? He doesn't, does he? Are you willing to risk his life?"
"Elle, we need to go; now!" Morgan pleaded.
She nodded with the phone still at her ear. Then abruptly, she ended the call and pocketed the phone. As if nothing had happened, she moved toward the door. Derek blocked her path.
"Was that Delaney?"
She looked at him guiltily. She'd never put him in danger; she'd die for him without a second thought.
"No, it wasn't Delaney."
"You sure?" He asked searching her eyes.
"I'm sure, but we need to leave."
"There was a time that we'd never keep anything from each other."
"I need you to trust me."
"I've always trusted you, but something is off. Tell me who that was." He demanded.
"I'll make you a promise."
"What?"
"If we make it out of this alive, I'll tell you everything you want to know."
"Let's go."
Derek opened the door and stepped outside. Natasha approached seemingly on edge. Derek's eyes quickly scanned the area noticing a SUV that had not been there when they arrived earlier.
Penelope and JJ had arrived at Derek's property and parked across the street quickly killing the engine and the lights. They noticed a car in the driveway and a woman standing nearby, hidden in the darkness.
"It's Derek!" Penelope whispered.
"We have company." Natasha warned. "Where's Elle?"
"What? ...She's..." Derek responded.
Derek turned; Elle was nowhere in sight. She had an uncanny gift of being able to disappear without being heard and without a notice.
"Forget about it, let's go!" Natasha urged.
"No, I can't leave her behind!"
"You're not leaving her behind, she's leaving you behind...again! Get in the car!"
Then he saw the gun pointed at him. Natasha had suddenly regained her composure her hand steady and sure. He did as he was told. Natasha jumped behind the wheel and started the car.
"Natasha, what are you doing?"
"I'm earning my spot." She answered calmly.
"Your spot?"
"After you're dead, then there will be a spot that needs to be filled. I've been waiting for five years to be a part of your little elite, party."
"Killing me is not going to guarantee you a spot, Natasha!"
"Maybe not but the information in that file will buy me a very nice life somewhere in a land far, far away."
Derek looked out of the side view mirror, he saw the SUV behind them; he wasn't sure if that was good news or bad news. He hoped that the younger woman hadn't noticed.
"Don't worry, I saw them the moment they fell in behind us. The car is registered to the BAU."
"Penelope." He thought to himself.
"Don't get your hopes up, Morgan. Even if they do catch up with us, I'll kill you before she can even open her door."
Federal Building – Office of Director Morris Delaney, CIA –
She'd made it a point to know all of the secret exits and entrances of the building. She had access and she quietly entered, avoiding the security cameras and alarms. Things had come to a point where she had to make a choice. She had to protect herself, she had to protect Derek and his family. Morris wasn't going to stop looking for confirmation that Derek was dead, he knew Derek possessed the secrets that could bring him and their department to their knees.
Derek had meant something to her a long time ago but unfortunately, neither of them could afford a life outside of the agency. Both of them had sacrificed their lives and any hope for a real future for the sake of their country and now that same country needed them dead.
The light was still on and he was nothing if not predictable. If Natasha had sold her out then Delaney would be expecting her and if she was truly someone she could trust, then the younger woman would be taking Derek home to his children; the latter was most likely the truth and so she pulled her gun from its holster and stepped into the man's office.
He smiled and turned to face her.
"Agent Greenaway, I was wondering when you would get here."
Natasha was out of her league; she had already made three wrong assumptions, one or all of them would get her killed tonight. Derek had more than earned his spot in the, elite party, as Natasha had called it. He wasn't planning on getting killed especially by an inexperienced agent who wanted to be one of five. Timing was everything and he figured it would take three seconds...
...two...
...one...
Penelope and JJ watched in horror as the car ahead of them jerked to the left and then the right then suddenly veering off the road flipping once, then twice before coming to a halt.
"Oh my God!" Penelope screamed.
