Natasha took advantage of that Luca was in his afternoon sleep to work a little. Miguel was supposed to pick him up the next day. It was always good to have your grandchildren here, but it wasn't always possible, because of the distance and also because of Natasha's work, which required her a lot and she couldn't always be with a child around. But this weekend her parents had an appointment and she offered to take care of the boy and take the opportunity to kill him. Bia, who was Miguel's youngest, would stay with the nanny in their apartment, as Natasha found it too heavy to bring them both, and her son would not overburden her knowing that she had her own business to do.

The brunette turned on the computer and remembered some good examples she had in her career, some of which she still mirrored today. And there was a person who scored a lot and she had him as a mentor. Mayfair. She was a strong, hardworking woman and nothing intimidated her. Since her start in the FBI, the Latina has wanted to be like her. She wanted to grow in her career and achieve a place of prominence. But some of that desire collapsed when Mayfair was killed, perhaps because of her choices, or perhaps because she had no choice. Mayfair became involved in an organization, Orion, where no one left, or stayed or died. That took on a proportion that the woman had to hide things and hide cases from her subordinates. She no longer endured this situation. When she tried to free herself, she was killed by Carter, who was the head of the organization. Mayfair left as a traitor and it took years for them to recover her name and also her honor.

- What? - Natasha was very frightened by what Weller had just said.

- That's right. His body was not found, but we found traces of a lot of blood and by expert research it was confirmed that Mayfair was killed and his body may have been disintegrated with chemicals.

- It's true, Tasha, I followed the results of the experts and everything is confirmed. - Patterson intervened.

- She's gone ... - Reade added.

Natasha sat on the first chair she found and cried. He cried in silence. She couldn't believe that she had lost her boss, much more than her boss, her mirror, her mentor.

All the circumstances of Mayfair's death were explained to them. Her board of directors was removed from the SIOC and she would not be entitled to a decent tax. This was worse than death and her absence. All her deeds being erased as if she had never been worth anything.

The afternoon of that day was slow to pass and Natasha was unable to concentrate on work. She was too shocked and shaken by the news. It is true that she had also been suspicious of some Mayfair acts a few times, but the woman did not deserve to end this way.

The latina started to think. Would that also be your destiny? Getting to do questionable things to the point of not being able to differentiate what is right and what is wrong in your work. She hoped not. Natasha knew that she had already made a lot of mistakes in her life, but she did not intend to let her profession be called into question in this way.

- Are you going? - Reade approached when she was going to the elevator. The boy clearly looked sad and also worried about her.

- Yes. - The brunette replied. - I think it's done for today.

- Yeah, it was a very sad and stressful day. - Reade agreed. - Do you want to do something?

- I ... I'm going home. Do not worry. - She answered.

In fact Tasha intended to stop by a bar for drinks before going home, as she knew she needed to relax.

- Tasha ...

- What's it? Do not trust me?

- That's not it. - He shook his head. - Let's drink together.

More than a month had passed since Reade had surprised Tasha at the gambling house. Since that day she has been steadfast, attending meetings and was not going out to bars alone, she always went with Reade or the team. She knew of her lack of control over the drink that could lead her to the game, but she had promised herself that she would not do that anymore.

- Fine. - She agreed and the two entered the elevator together.

The bar was a few blocks from the building and they were on foot. Talking and relaxing on the way in an attempt to break the mood of everything that happened that day. The place was poorly lit and played a jazz background making the atmosphere very cozy. The two sat at the bottom at a table in a corner and asked for draft beer, which was a lighter drink, as they didn't want to overdo it.

The conversation flowed well and they avoided the painful subject of the day, but their thoughts turned to it all the time.

- Did you talk to Sarah? - She took a chance.

"No." He shook his head.

- Reade ... - I saw how happy you were with her.

Tasha had to admit that she rarely saw her friend as happy as she had in the past few months. But for a few days now she saw him sadder and then she knew that he and Sarah had broken up. The brunette could nurture her feelings for Reade, but she didn't want him to end their relationship, because she wanted to see him happy, even because she knew she would never have the courage to say anything to him.

- She left for Portland. Get closer to Sawyer's father. - He counted with sadness.

- I'm so sorry. - Natasha put her hand on his that rested on the table and took a while looking at him.

- It's all right. Really. - He said.

- Good, because I don't want to see you crying around the corner. - She joked and the two started laughing.

It was good to be like that, relaxed, despite all the sad events.

- It's getting late. I need to go. - Natasha said getting up.

- I'll take you. - Reade stood up too.

- Reade. You don't have to. - She looked at him and then understood. - Are you doing this because you think I can do some nonsense?

She was clearly upset by this possibility. She knew her weaknesses and didn't need him to keep an eye on her.

- That's not it. Tasha. Wait!

She was about to leave and he took some bills out of his wallet, left them on the table and followed her. When he arrived from outside the bar she stopped and he saw how angry she was.

- Reade, I don't need a babysitter. I know how to take care of myself.

- Tasha, it's not like that, today was very difficult and I didn't want to leave you alone. - He confessed. - And I also didn't want to be alone.

They took a taxi to her house and remained silent the entire way. They hadn't drunk much, just a few beers, but the tiredness was apparent in both.

- Thank you for coming with me. - Tasha spoke in a hoarse voice of tiredness.

- So you're not mad? He asked with a mocking smile.

- And can I get mad at you? - Natasha tried, but couldn't help the smile.

Reade pulled her into a hug and she let herself go and hugged him too. She didn't know how much she needed it until she did. She thinks he never hugged her like that and it felt so good to feel his grip on her body. Reade was your friend, your best friend. The bond that they created in the last year would last for life. They did not even know how long they remained embraced.

When they left, Tasha had tears in her eyes. She hated feeling weak, but with everything that happened today and alcohol can also help, and now Reade there hugging her, she ended up letting her emotions speak louder.

- Hey. - Reade spoke when he realized that she was crying. - It's all right.

- Yes. That will pass, I know. - She smiled weakly.

- I'll go and if you need to call me. - He meant it.

- Fine. You too.

Natasha went up to her apartment and tried to sleep, but that night her sleep was overturned, she had a mix of nightmares with Mayfair and in some moments of her dreams she saw Reade smiling and hugging her.

Those were difficult times for Natasha, but when Reade promised to always be around, she believed and felt safe. This was just one of the times that she could feel the warmth of his embrace and knew that he would be there for her, always.