Songs I listened to while writing this chapter: Let Somebody Go by Coldplay ft. Selena Gomez, Over You by Goo Goo Dolls, and Lose Somebody by OneRepublic

"David," Emily said again dumbly. He was still standing there. He hadn't disappeared. He was alive.

David was alive.

"Can I come in?" he asked.

"Oh, yes!" she exclaimed, feeling stupid suddenly. She stepped back, and he came inside. His hands were in his pockets, and she stared at him. Her heart was pounding. She'd dreamed of this moment for years, never thinking it would actually come true. She took in everything. His smile. His blue eyes. His face, lanky body, dark hair that almost fell over his eyes...all of it.

"Is this a bad time?"

"No, it's fine," she answered, pushing her hair back with her hand. "I just...how is this possible? How are you here?" Her voice trembled slightly. He exhaled and reached to scratch his head quickly.

"It's a long story," he said. "Can I tell it to you?" Emily gestured to the kitchen chair, and he sat. She sat down across from him, heart still pounding.

"I have nothing but time," she replied.

Two Days Later

Lee had picked up and set down his phone a thousand times in the last two days. He'd wanted to call Barney but figured he shouldn't. He wanted to talk to Emily but knew he couldn't. Lacy went to work and was bubbly and happy while he sat at the kitchen table with his head in his hands wondering what the hell he'd done.

He reached for his phone again, searching for the only photo he had of Emily. It was the one he'd taken at her apartment when she'd found out she wasn't pregnant. She wasn't dolled up or made up into something fake. She was just herself. He smiled at her expression, the one of shock with an underlying "I'm going to murder you" tone behind it. He rested his thumb on her cheek on the screen and felt horrible all over again for hurting her like that. Of course she'd think he wasn't with Lacy when he'd shown up at her apartment. Then he'd told her he wanted her and almost immediately took it back. How could he have been so stupid, so cruel? Well, to be fair, he hadn't known about the baby until after he'd told Emily he was leaving Lacy. He wouldn't have done that if he'd known, but still...he felt like a schmuck.

Then his mind wandered to who had been the one to make out with Lacy at work. He didn't know who he was other than he no longer worked there. Lacy had been smart to not tell him the guy's name. She knew he'd go looking for him.

What if it's his baby? his mind asked, and Lee flinched hard. He was avoiding asking that question. Lacy had been adamant the two of them had only kissed, that the baby was Lee's. She didn't have to tell him any of it, and she had, so that meant she was trying to be honest with him.

His phone vibrated with a text, and he frowned as he saw Jane's name come up. Why was she writing him? He flicked open the message and then stared at it.

David's back.

...

Jane was feeling shocked. Emily came in that morning with a grin wider than Jane had ever seen, and when asked, she answered with: "David's back."

This had everyone's attention, especially Nigel's. You could hear a pin drop in that sudden silence. If Alison had been there, Jane was pretty sure she'd have fainted from shock. Jane pegged her as that kind of girl.

"What?!" he exclaimed. "That...that's impossible!"

Andy and Jane both looked at him. How could it be impossible? Unless...

"Wait, was he...?" Jane started.

"He didn't die," Emily said, beating her to it. She launched into the entire explanation of it, and Jane felt like it was something from a fiction movie. Did this stuff really happen in real life?!

"Oh my God," Andy said, putting a hand over her mouth. "Is this for real?!"

"Yes!" Emily exclaimed, nodding vigorously. "He showed me the proof."

"And you're sure it's legit?" Nigel asked, sounding concerned.

"There's only one David Jones," Emily answered, affronted. "It's him. He has never stopped loving me, and he remembers everything we used to do together. He knows my family. He knows my secrets. It's David, trust me. I did my own testing on him. He passed."

Nigel still looked unsure, but Emily was so happy that he didn't have the heart to challenge it further. He shared a look with Jane, who gave a slight nod. She felt it was a bit unreal too.

"I know none of you believe me," Emily said, "so that's why I have him coming to visit later. He remembers you, Nigel. He's looking forward to seeing you again."

"Alright."

Jane was left feeling shocked all morning after they'd dispersed to get back to work, and then she'd decided it would be a good idea to let Lee know this information. What she was hoping to accomplish, she wasn't sure. She just wanted him to get off his ass and stop being a moron. Yes, having a baby was a big deal (she would know), but that didn't mean he had to saddle himself with the wrong woman forever. They could be a modern day family and co-parent, but she had a feeling that Lee was a bit old-fashioned in that sense, that he felt a responsibility to his child and wanted to provide a nuclear family. She still wanted to punch him in the face, though.

He came to the office barely thirty minutes later. He found her in his office, his shoulders and face wet from the snow.

"Where is she?" he demanded, making Jane jump at the sudden sight and sound of him. Then her brain had to catch up to what he was talking about.

"Erm, she's not in her office?"

"No."

"Then she's probably out with...with David."

"Do we know this guy is legit?" he asked.

"He seems to be. She's done some testing apparently."

"What's his excuse for 'dying'? CIA mission?"

"How did you-?"

"I have contacts. I will ask," Lee said, cutting her off. Jane was a bit gobsmacked. He had CIA connections?! Who was this guy?

"Um, I think that would just piss her off even more," she reasoned.

"I don't care. I won't let some asshole rip out her heart again."

"Like you did?" Jane asked, unable to stop herself. She pressed her lips together, shocked by her own boldness. His face changed from anger to guilt to shame.

"Yea," he said quietly. "Like I did. I owe her that much, to...to make sure she won't get hurt again...by the same guy no less."

"Are you sure the baby is really yours?" Jane pressed.

"Why does everyone keep asking me that?" Lee growled.

"I just...well...with her reputation..."

"How do you know about her reputation?" Lee asked angrily. Jane opened and closed her mouth. She'd walked into that one all by herself.

"Um..."

"Did Emily tell you? Cos that wasn't information to be freely shared with others," Lee went on, sounding even more furious.

"No, she didn't. I...I called your friend."

"What friend?"

"Barney," Jane said quietly. Lee stared at her.

"You called my friend behind my back to ask about Lacy?"

"I was just trying to get a clearer picture," Jane insisted.

"That was none of your business, and I can't believe you'd do something like that."

"I'm sorry..."

Soapy rushed in at the sound of his voice and was winding around his legs anxiously. He didn't bend to pick her up. He was too angry.

"Never mind," he said curtly. "I'm done with this place, with all of you. Have a nice life." He turned to leave with the cat running behind him. Jane sank back into her chair feeling guilty and upset. He was never supposed to find that out.

...

Barney was feeling nauseous. He was still mourning the loss of his friendship with Lee, and he didn't know what to do about it all. The guys had tried to help, but they were feeling just as confused. Toll had talked to Lee, but he hadn't gotten anywhere with the conversation. Lee was marrying Lacy, and that was final.

Barney wondered about Emily. He knew things had gone south there, and he felt bad for both of them. Lee and Emily belonged together. Any idiot could see that.

Well, not all idiots because apparently Lee didn't see it. He sighed. He had to get back to prepping for their next mission, but he was having trouble focusing. He'd lost a lot in his life, but losing his best friend was proving to be very difficult.

He wasn't sure if he would ever recover from it.

...

Emily felt like she was on cloud nine. David was in her apartment. David was alive. David still loved her. David was still amazing. He'd stayed at her place since he'd first arrived, and to Emily, it felt like he'd never left. They had fit back together like a puzzle piece, just like before.

"I forgot how cute you look in the morning," he had commented that morning while touching her back lightly as she had walked by him.

"I'm hideous," she had snorted. "But thanks for trying."

"My pleasure."

Now, she smiled as she walked down the street from the coffee place back to the office. It was hard to feel angry with him once he'd explained everything to her. On their wedding day, he'd been given an undercover job by the CIA in the Middle East, and they forbade him from telling anyone, including her. David had felt torn as he loved her but also wanted to do his part in saving lives, so he'd taken the job. Now, his job was over, and he'd returned to find her in hopes that she still loved him because he still loved her and thought of her every single day. He still wanted to get married. Emily realized she still wanted to marry him too. The feelings had come back strong after seeing him and even more so when he'd kissed her. It hadn't taken long to pick up where they'd left off, and Emily felt herself becoming whole again. Lee was becoming a memory, a hurtful memory, but one she could get over. David remembered all their jokes and secrets. He knew everything about her. She knew Nigel and the others were suspicious, but she didn't care. This was her David, and she was going to marry him. She'd waited long enough.

She walked towards the office only to find herself face to face with Lee right out front of it. From the look on his face, it appeared a bomb had been dropped on him. She stumbled out of his way as he stopped dead in his tracks.

"Emily," he said.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I heard about-"

"Emily!" David's voice made her turn to see him jogging slowly up to her. "Sorry I'm late, love. Traffic." He slid an arm around her shoulders and kissed her cheek. She saw Lee's face change, and she did not fail to see the suspicion there.

"It's alright," she said. "Um, David this is Lee. He worked with us for a little bit but doesn't anymore."

"Nice to meet you," David said, extending his hand. For a second, it looked like Lee was going to punch him in the throat instead, but he reached to shake David's hand.

"Likewise." Something in Lee's voice sounded strained, and Emily felt angry that he'd dare be upset about this. He was marrying Lacy and having a baby. He'd made his choice. He could sod off.

"We were planning Lee's wedding," Emily went on, trying to assure David without making it obvious that she and Lee were not an item. "He's going to get married sooner, though, so he's left us."

"Congrats!" David beamed at Lee. "Did Emmy tell you the good news?"

Oh, shit...

"What's that?" Lee asked, dread in his voice. David missed it, but Emily caught it.

"We decided to continue with our wedding! We got it planned for two weeks from now," David said happily. "I mean, I know I've been away, but we've just picked right up where we left off, and neither of us want to wait. It's incredible."

"Oh, you mean you came back acting like having her believe you'd been murdered all this time was nothing at all?" Lee asked, and Emily inhaled sharply.

"She's forgiven me," David said simply. "She understands that sometimes we have to do things for the greater good."

"Right," Lee said sarcastically. "Well, good on you." He shot Emily a look, who avoided his eyes.

"We gonna go see Nigel?" David asked Emily, giving her arms a squeeze. He was completely unbothered by Lee, which seemed to irritate Lee even further.

"Sure," she said a little faintly.

"Nice to meet you, Lee. Take care," David said with a smile. He clapped Lee on the shoulder before going inside. Emily went to follow when Lee snagged her coat sleeve and stopped her.

"What?" she asked angrily.

"You're smarter than this," he said abruptly. "You're doing this to prove something to me, and I'm telling you that you don't have to."

"My decisions have nothing to do with you," she said sharply. "Not everything is about you, Lee."

"Then why the rush?" he challenged.

"Because we were getting married anyway before he left, and we don't want to waste another second apart," she shot at him. "Life is too short. We both know that lesson, and it got taught again just recently. I'm not wasting anymore time. We're doing this."

"He didn't just leave, he faked his death!" Lee exploded. "How can you just forget about that?!"

"He did it for a very good reason," she argued. "I do not have to explain this to you. Deal with it, Lee. Your backup plan is gone."

He looked as though she'd slapped him in the face, which made her feel slightly good inside. Let him be hurt for once.

"You were never my backup plan," he said quietly.

"It sure as hell felt like it," she said angrily. He let her go, and she stood there glaring at him.

"I meant what I said. I wanted to be with you."

Wanted. Past tense. She wanted to punch him.

"Well, actions speak louder than words," she replied, doing her best not to get emotional or angry. He just nodded and pressed his lips together.

"If there was no baby..."

"Don't," she cut him off, holding up her hand. "Please don't finish that sentence." He watched her carefully, and she wondered if he could see deep down what she was feeling. She held her ground, though, not willing to give in or give him the satisfaction of knowing.

"Would you have left me for David?" he asked softly. "If I had broken up with Lacy to be with you?" She honestly didn't know. Thankfully, she never would.

"They say everything happens for a reason," she replied, "Lacy got pregnant, so you didn't get with me, so that means we will never know the answer to that question." He gave a soft chuckle but didn't argue. They stood there looking at each other for a moment longer before he cleared his throat.

"Have a nice life, Emily," he told her. "I mean that."

Something broke inside at the sound of his voice. He was being genuine, and she knew it.

"You too," she said back, her tone a little softer. He gave a rueful smile, and she moved to walk past him. She found David chatting with Nigel, who appeared to look happy to see him.

"David was just telling me what's going on," Nigel said upon seeing her. He gave her a thumb's up behind David's back as David turned to kiss her cheek again. Nigel was letting her know he was satisfied with what he was seeing. This gave Emily a lot of relief. She trusted his judgment.

"I asked him to be my best man," David said. "Since my family members aren't speaking to me."

"Oh?" she asked. She'd only met his mother, but she knew he had a sister too.

"They didn't take too kindly about my lying to them," David said, regret on his face. "I had hoped you'd understand, and you have, which is amazing. I guess it does sound unbelievable, but it's the truth."

"I do believe you," Emily said firmly, squeezing his hand.

"I have some champagne," Nigel said, raising a brow questioningly.

"Drinking at work? Nigel," Emily admonished, but she was smiling. He went to go get it while Jane and Andy came to meet David. She had a huge grin on her face that she couldn't stop from happening. The only thing she wished she could get rid of was the small pang of regret over letting Lee walk out of her life forever.

"Okay, so we all took our kittens home," Jane said suddenly, scooping up the remaining kitten with her hand. "You have to take yours home now."

"Oh, no..." Emily started.

"Aww," David said, reaching to take it and cuddling it against his chest. "It's adorable!"

"That's Tigger," Jane said, and Emily gave a start.

"How did you-?"

"I heard you name him," Jane said, rolling her eyes. "He's your baby, don't deny it."

"Tigger," David said. "That suits him so well. Are you bringing him home?" Emily couldn't say no now. David appeared smitten with the thing, and she felt slightly attached to it as well. Damn.

"I guess I am," she answered with a weak smile.

"Excellent!"

She looked at the kitten in David's hands as he loved it all up and couldn't stop thinking about what Lee would say if he knew. He probably wouldn't say anything. He probably would just smirk and let her guess what he was thinking.

She wished she could stop thinking about him so much. Hopefully, with time, she'd forget all about him.

Then she'd be free.

...

Lacy felt good. She and Lee were back on track. Emily was out of their lives forever. Hearing that she was marrying an old fiancé was the best news ever. Lacy just wished Lee would stop looking so hurt by it.

"Less than three weeks," she said happily, sitting next to him on the couch that night.

"Mmhmm," he replied.

"You're going to be the best father," she told him. "I just know it." He gave half of a smile at this, but didn't say anything. This made Lacy feel a bit irritated. What was wrong with him?

"You are happy, right?" she asked again.

"Yes, I am."

"I feel like you're not."

"Lace," he said strongly, putting a hand on her knee. "I'm happy, alright? You don't have to keep asking me that."

"Well, tell your face!" she cried, pulling away from him. "Cos you look miserable!"

"I'm just...dealing with stuff right now," he said. "Okay? I'll be fine. I just have to get past everything."

"Get past what? Emily marrying someone else?"

"No! I lost my entire team, my friends," he said angrily. "Years of working together and spending time together all just gone. It's hard and it hurts, alright? I'm sorry that I can't just get over it in five seconds like you can..."

"That's not fair," Lacy said sharply. "They're not my friends."

"Then at least have some empathy for me," Lee shot back. "You say you love me, so at least care a little that I'm hurting."

"Okay, you're right," she said. "I'm sorry. I am." She made an empathetic face, and he sighed heavily. She reached to hold his hand, and he let her.

"We're good," he told her. "Okay?"

"Okay."

She felt him press his lips into the side of her head, and she released the tension she'd been holding in her stomach. They were okay. They were good. Things were just fine.

If only her heart actually believed that.

A Week Later

Emily loved waking up next to David. Having him back in her life was filling the void she'd had ever since he'd left. He could still make her laugh out of the blue. He even got her to pick up her camera and take some pictures again. She didn't feel like she'd die from the pain like she used to because it was their thing they did together, and he was back so it was their thing again. All was good in the world. Yes, sometimes she panicked thinking he'd leave again, but every time she brought that up to him, he promised he wouldn't. He expressed remorse and regret, but then he'd talk about the people he'd saved, and Emily couldn't hate him for doing it, not if he'd helped people, especially children.

"Are you sure you don't want a big wedding?" he asked her, pouring her a cup of coffee.

"I really don't. I just want to marry you," she answered. "I don't care how we do it." He smiled and kissed her. She tried not to notice that it felt less intense compared to Lee's kiss. She shoved the thought away. She didn't care about him anymore. He was out of her life now.

"You still have the dress, right?" he asked.

"Of course."

"I can't wait to see it," he said, eyes twinkling. "I've only imagined it ever since that day."

They referred to his faking his death as "That Day." It was easier that way. It was less harsh.

"I think you'll love it," Emily said, resting her chin on her hand and smiling at him. He grinned back. It was so easy between them, so natural. No fighting, no bickering, and no teasing. Well, David did tease her, but not like Lee would.

Stop it, she told herself. Stop thinking about Lee!

"I've got a job interview today," David told her. "Nothing fancy. Just security detail for a bank."

"Sounds exciting," Emily commented.

"It's a tamer version of keeping people safe," he laughed. "But I'll take it. I'm all about tame these days."

"Do you miss it?" she asked hesitantly, referring to his job with the CIA.

"No," he said instantly. "I don't. That part of my life is over. The secrecy and bullshit was starting to get to me too much anyway. No, I'm happy now. Here, with you."

"Okay."

He kissed her again and then went to grab his coat and put on his shoes.

"Have a good interview," she said.

"Thanks. Have a good day," he said back with a smile. She smiled too. This was what she wanted.

It was perfect.

...

"It checks out," Tool said to Lee, who then sighed on the phone. He'd reached out to Tool to find out about David Jones (Jane had provided the last name for him).

"Thanks," Lee said.

"I'm sorry if it wasn't what you wanted to hear."

"I just want to make sure she's going to be okay, that's all."

There was silence for a bit, and Lee felt like Tool thought he was crazy for staying with Lacy too.

"You know, if you just call him, I think everything would be okay," Tool said softly.

"I can't. He'll never accept Lacy, and she's going to be my wife. I can't have it that when I'm with Barney, I can't have Lacy with me and vice versa. It's too hard."

"I get it."

"He probably doesn't even care," Lee insisted.

"Are you kidding? He's been a wreck ever since," Tool said.

"I find that hard to believe."

"You don't know him quite like I do."

Lee was quiet at this. He knew Tool was right. It didn't change his mind, though.

"Thanks again," he said.

"You're welcome, brother."

They hung up, and Lee felt like another door had slammed in his face. David Jones checked out. He was a former CIA agent and was indeed retired from the game. He had honorary mentions regarding a job done in the Middle East. He wasn't lying. Emily was going to get her happy ending after all.

But he still had a lump in his throat because somewhere deep down inside of him, he thought he'd have been her happy ending. If only he hadn't been an idiot and realized he could have been that for her instead of accepting his fate with Lacy.

...

Andrea was sitting in a bar and sipping her drink when she saw Lacy come inside. She felt surprised at first, but then she chastised herself for making the assumption that Lacy was there to have alcohol. The place served more than that. She watched the woman slide into a table, and she frowned as a man appeared with his hood up and joined her moments later. Andrea sat up in her seat, pulling out her phone. She casually and covertly snapped a few photos. She wished she could hear what was being said, but they both looked intense as they spoke. She sent the photo to Jane with a question mark in the text, and Jane soon wrote her back asking what the hell was going on and where was she?!

Andrea quickly sent back her answer while keeping an eye on Lacy. She held her phone up discreetly, getting ready to snap another photo when the man leaned over the table and kissed Lacy on the mouth. Andrea's jaw dropped, and she barely was able to take a picture of it before they stopped. Lacy looked conflicted and went to leave. The man chased after her. Andrea sat there dumbfounded.

So Lacy was cheating. That bitch.

Andrea fumbled with her phone, calling Jane. "Hey, it's me. We need to talk."