Emily found Eric quickly. He was heading for the elevators.

She reached out and grabbed his arm, but he was walking so fast that he jerked her forward. She tripped and fell on her face.

Eric stopped and looked back at Emily, who was looking up at him from the floor. He rolled his eyes and gave her a little dig in the ribs with his foot.

"Get up," he said.

She glared at him, and began pushing herself to her feet.

Eric grinned and picked her up, slinging her over his shoulder with ease. Emily sighed.

"It this just a way to prove your manly strength to the whole lab?" She asked, noting the appreciating and somewhat jealous stares from the female lab techs.

Eric grinned, also noting the stares. "Yes. You should feel honored to be a part of my demonstration."

Emily whacked him on the back of the head.

Horatio walked up. "Stop fooling around you two."

Eric grinned and followed Horatio, Emily still slung over his shoulder.

Horatio smiled as they got on the elevator.

"Eric, put me down!" Emily whined.

"Nope." Eric said, matter-of-factly.

Emily whacked him on the back of the head again. Eric grinned, completely unfazed.

"So where are we going?" She asked Horatio, as the elevators opened in the main lobby.

"Back to the Gordon's house," Horatio answered. "Philip Gordon was carrying his own murder weapon."

"Oh. Okay." Emily said.

They reached the Hummer, where Eric unceremoniously dumped Emily in the back seat.

"Hey! Why can't I have shotgun?" She said. Eric stuck his tongue out at her from the front seat.

"Emily, stop whining," Horatio said, although he was smiling. "And Eric, act your age for once please."

Emily poked Eric. Eric poked Emily back.

Horatio rolled his eyes and drove on.

They reached the Gordon's house with little difficulty.

Emily busied herself with looking at the kitchen knives, while Horatio and Eric talked to the Gordons.

She sprayed the knife with Luminol and watched as the blade turned a bright purple color as the chemical reacted with the blood. She examined the knife for a minute.

"Horatio," she called, carefully holding up the knife. "I've got blood."

He nodded to her and turned back to Mr. Gordon.

"I think you killed your brother."

Emily listened quietly to Gordon and Horatio, talking as she bagged the evidence.

She had known that Philip Gordon had lived with his brother and sister-in-law, and that the sister-in-law had been a brief suspect, however, she never expected Gordon to kill his own brother.

She did not condone the vandalism and felt very sorry for the miscarriage Mrs. Gordon had experienced, but she also did not think killing his brother was very good for Mr. Gordon to do.

As they left the house and went back to the Crime lab, she remained deep in thought, and quite silent.

Horatio sighed as he watched Mr. Gordon be led away in handcuffs. He felt sorry for the man, although he could not condone the man's actions.

He looked over at Emily who stood rather stiffly beside him. Her green eyes were keenly watching the scene unfolding before her. She appeared deep in thought.

He touched her shoulder gently.

"You okay?"

She started slightly and looked up at him.

"Just a little confused."

"About what?"

"About whether I should feel sorry for him or whether I should just regard him as another murderer. I mean, the stress from the vandalism and everything caused the death of a child, but he could've found another way to deal with the problem…"

Horatio squeezed Emily's shoulder, stemming the flow of words.

"Cases like this happen. Don't let it get to you," He said with a smile, hoping that his words would be encouraging.

Emily nodded as Ryan and Calleigh walked up.

"Who's up for dinner?" Calleigh asked as she leaned on Horatio.

"I am!" Emily piped up eagerly.

Ryan nodded. "I'll go get Eric."

"No need for that," came a familiar voice. "I'm here," Eric said.

Emily smiled as Ryan draped his arm over her shoulders and squeezed in a brotherly way. She leaned against him for support and the team walked out to their cars, each feeling encouraged by the presence of the others.

THE END!