SHADOW BOX

Joss Carter: "John. John! Are you out of your mind? Impersonating a law enforcement officer? Marshal Jennings? You took his star?"

Never stopped him before – in the CIA, or nowadays. And anyway, at least someone is doing something good with that star, unlike what Jennings did in the end. Uh, now that he thinks about it... Carter still doesn't know about Stills' badge, does she?

John Reese: "We also heard his offer. Maybe a transfer to the FBI would be good for you."

They wouldn't want her to think she isn't free to move on with her life, to reach higher, further away. Helping is her choice, and it shouldn't be her shackles. If she wants to go federal, they won't try and dissuade her. If she wants to continue helping – or if she doesn't – Carter can make that choice for herself. John and Finch might try and convince her... But they won't force her, one way or another. It's her life. Her choices. They are working for a better future, for everyone. That also applies to Jocelyn Carter.

Joss Carter: "I'm sorry. I'm gonna have to do my job. I'm gonna have to put her name out on an APB."

He understands. She's doing her job, and he doesn't have proof the girl isn't up to something problematic. So yes, John understands. Just like he understood, when she was going after him – because with the knowledge of the situation she had, he was a dangerous criminal, and she had been doing her job, back then too.

John Reese: "I am. I woke up this morning and felt- it took me a while to put my finger on it, but I felt happy. Must be this job."

Not that John isn't ever happy, but it's been a long time since he last woke up happy, since it has been so overwhelming that it drowns out the less favorable parts of his life.

Abby Monroe: "Then get off of me. Let me go."

That's rich coming from someone who's wanted by the police and breaking in. When you engage in such behaviors, you don't get to complain about being manhandled and put into dangerous situations – no matter how justified you may be.

Abby Monroe: "I don't know how you know that, but yes, and he's a Marine, so you do not want to meet him."

He's terrified. With threats like that, she's going to have the bad guys running fast.

Shayne Coleman: "If you hurt her, you will be sorry."

Damnit, they're two peas in a pod. They may – or not, it remains to be seen, but his intuition tells him otherwise – be the good guys, but they are acting like criminals on a power trip. Of course people are going to misunderstand with that attitude – and those who don't care, because they are on the other side of criminality, will likely just get annoyed, which is always dangerous.

Abby Monroe: "The right thing."

Thanks. How informative. Unfortunately, that's also what terrorists and people bent on revenge – no matter the cost – think they're doing, so maybe he'd like a bit more details. The dynamic duo can't complain they are being misunderstood if they keep making statements like that.

Harold Finch: "Especially on the back of a speeding motorcycle, which was exhilarating, by the way. I might have to get myself one."

And how is John going to protect Harold from such tendencies, exactly? Motorbike hacking sounds like a dangerous activity – a dangerous activity John can't make more secure, at that.

Shayn Coleman: "Abby did. She went to the DA, but Chapple got there first, spread his poison. The DA even threatened to prosecute her for theft and slander."

Abby Monroe: "When I got to my apartment, one of Chapple's mercenaries was there. He beat me up. He said if I said another word, he would come back and put a bullet in my head."

Okay, so they tried the legal way and got pressed for time and a solution. It excuses part of it. What it doesn't excuse is the complete lack of planning after the heist, or the general lack of awareness of what it looks like to anyone who might cross their path. They have good intentions, enough skills to actually do something, but they seem to lack common sense and maybe some overarching plan.

Harold Finch: "Stay off the line and please get out now. If Shayn and Abby won't come, leave them."

Hum, no. John appreciates the concern, but Finch is the one who recruited an over-skilled operative with a guilt complex and a general lack of concern for his personal safety to help people whose lives are in danger no matter the odds. He should know that John won't stop trying to do the right thing just because it's dangerous to him.

John Reese: "I'm not gonna make it, Harold. Sorry I screwed up. But I meant what I said yesterday. So, thanks, Harold. It was fun."

They have a goal: to protect and to help those who need it. And if John falls, Harold will still be here. With Carter and Lionel. They'll find a way – maybe not right away, maybe not easily, but they will – to make it work, even without John. There's nothing to fear: John won't break, won't talk. He never gave up a secret worth protecting, and this? This is worth protecting.