MISSION CREEP

Harold Finch: "Just like you."

He won't comment. Even if it's true that he has his fair share of medals and commendations, he usually doesn't think about it. It's not as if he could wear them, not without going back to the people he used to be – one of them isn't even supposed to be a hero anymore, not with the setup John orchestrated before faking his own death. He's still a fighter, yes. But he's not much of a good soldier anymore.

John Reese: "Over there they grow up fast... or they die."

He was already grown up, him, when he enlisted. He didn't die – but now, he's old. In a way.

John Reese: "I don't know. You're the genius."

Not that he's stupid. In fact, he's even pretty intelligent. He could probably figure it out, given time. But Finch is more intelligent for this kind of things, and pretending the contrary would only make them lose time. Being smart is also about letting the right people handle the parts of the op they are the best at.

Sam Latimer: "What kind of skills?"

The kind the man is looking for. But so much more than that, too. Latimer probably wouldn't want to know, if John told him the exact array of his skills. So he settles for the ones the guy cares for.

John Reese: "I prefer to work with people who know the area."

If he's going to do something illegal, he'd rather do it with people who can minimize the collateral damage.

John Reese: "Thanks. You won't regret it."

Of course he will. But John's not going to warn him ahead of time, is he?

John Reese: "Big fella's got it tattooed all over his arm."

Which is not the first reason he knows, but is the reason he allows himself to mention – since he could explain. It's always best to keep it simple. Don't complicate things when you have an easy answer right before your eyes.

John Reese: "Killing in battle, in combat, is one thing. Killing someone up close... Someone who can't fight back, that takes a different sort of killer. And Joey's not one of them."

And Joey's not one of us, is what he really thinks. People like John, able to kill even in cold blood, are more dangerous than Joey will ever be. The question being, from here, whether or not these people would kill an innocent in cold blood, or only someone who deserves it. John always tried to be one of the latter.

John Reese: "That's one of the things you learn over there – in the end, we're all alone. And no one's coming to save you."

Something you learn when you're on the battlefield, certainly, but it's true everywhere else too. If it's the end for you, no one will get there in time. If it's not... John's father went and made sure it wasn't the time to go for four people, many years prior. But by doing that, John's father also made sure it was his time to go. No one is there to save the savior.

Banker: "It's the knowledge economy now. Time to use this, my friend."

John is intelligent, and has a lot of knowledge on many things – unpleasant, for the most part. Really. That's what got him in the CIA. But he's not sure the banker would appreciate it if he made use of his knowledge right now, on him. So he'll just go for a head-butt.

Straub: "Yeah, even your sneaky little earwig. Hey, it's not a problem, is it?"

For a moment he wonders if he should have left Straub to deal with the police, back in the mob gambling joint. If not for his "sneaky little earwig", the guy would be dead, or a killer, by now. Ungrateful brat.

John Reese: "She loves you, Joey. Just tell her it's gonna be you and her now. Just you and her."

He said that to Jessica, once. Then the Towers fell. But for Joey, the Towers have already fallen.

Joss Carter: "And that is how this ends. Sooner or later, I'll lock you up. Or find you bleeding out somewhere."

What the detective doesn't realize is that there is no jail time waiting for John. If she locks him up, the CIA will walk in, and he'll be killed... or, if he's lucky, he'll end up in a black site prison that definitely doesn't work within the Geneva Convention. And of course, he can't tell her that, because that would only bring the wolves on his trail faster.

Jessica Ardnt: "You wanna be brave? Take a risk. Tell me to wait for you and... Say those words and I will. It would take real courage, wouldn't it?"

It isn't about courage. It's about keeping the pain to a minimum for Jessica. Even if it's at the cost of his own happiness. She can't understand that, though. She doesn't know what he is capable of. And it's better that way. Even if he is the one she blames.