He was hunched over so far that he was nearly prone. Even though his body was facing away from her, she could still see his elbows resting on his knees as he looked out over the London landscape. Emily strode through her open office door, and announced herself when she entered the room. Immediately, he rose in attention, an impassiveness in his expression falling away the moment he laid eyes on her.

Emmett Amari looked no different from when she'd last seen him over a month ago. Loose salt and peppered curls were styled in such a way that perfectly framed his features (warm-toned and gently aging as they were.) She walked closer to him, and it was uncanny; his demeanor and countenance had the same effect of affability as before. Cordially, she reached out her right hand in attempt to shake his, but with a swiftness, he clasped it between two hands and squeezed gently, his eyes meeting her's with what could only be described as overwhelming gratitude.

"Emily Prentiss, Emily Prentiss." He spoke her name as if he were placing laurels upon her head,"How do I even begin to thank you?"

The brunette cracked a thin smile, "Detective, it's good to see you. Have a seat, and we can talk."

After lingering only for a moment to give her hand another squeeze, Amari followed her lead and settled back into the chair across from her desk, "When I heard about Elana, I wished I could've made it over here sooner…" A think twinge of disappointment crept into his voice, and even as he cleared his throat, there was no chance he'd be able to hide it,"But I… I have strong belief that she's at peace, knowing she did what she could to protect our son."

"I'm so sorry for your loss." Emily softly offered her condolences. The words would always come up short, never fully encapsulating just how empathic she felt towards those who'd recently lost someone, and yet the urge to say them always remained. To avoid wading in sorrow for too long, however, it was good to redirect, to take some of the weight off by channeling cherished memories, "How did the two of you meet?"

"I met Elana in 2003, at a pub on the West side." Amari recounted, "She was actually with her boyfriend at the time, and I was just a single guy visiting London for an old college friend's bachelor party."

"But you two hit it off?" She encouraged him to continue.

The man chuckled. The memory of meeting Elana seeming as delightful to him now as when it happened, "I probably talked to her more than any other person that night." He looked off into the distance, recalling their history, "It was her laugh that captivated me. And the way her faced scrunched up when she insisted on sipping this terrible cocktail she ordered. And her eyes… those gleaming hazel eyes."

The smile he couldn't erase was telling. Emily tilted her head in understanding, "Sounds like you fell in love with her right then."

"I did!" He grinned even harder, "We kept in contact and it wasn't until a year later that the two us began dating. She had left her boyfriend, and I'd moved to England." He leaned in a bit, now speaking just above a whisper, as if to conceal a secret, "Via that same college buddy, I wiggled my way out of the States and into a criminal justice position right here in London— I still owe him a beer for setting that up."

Emily snickered from a place of relation, "This deep into my career I probably owe multiple people a keg." She joked.

Amari laughed, "If that's the case, it may be in your best interest to open up a brewery."

Prentiss shared in his laugh, but then pressed forward with her questioning. It wasn't to say that the long version of this story didn't have merit, but she was unapologetically more interested with the circumstances that allowed her to cross paths with him, Elana, and Teddy, "So, you get married, buy a home, you have kid together. Why did it end? Why did you two separate?"

Almost instantly, Amari's gaze fell to the ground, and he took an honest beat before releasing a response,"I wasn't consistent. I spent all my time obsessing over this one murder case, and it ate me up inside. I neglected her, neglected Teddy. Clearly, it hurt Elana to see me in our space, knowing I wasn't fully there for her— to be living with the shell of me. After a while she said, 'Emmett, if you're not going to be here, then don't. Just leave.'"

"Hmm, and you didn't dare argue with her, did you?" Emily asked compassionately.

The detective shook his head, and drew in a labored breath. The regret of how things unfolded still hung over him like a dark storm cloud, "She filed for divorce shortly after that, and then… life happened pretty fast. I moved into an apartment, spent time finalizing the divorce, and when the time came, I eventually transferred back to Georgia."

"Had you planned to see Teddy again?" She wondered.

"I…" Amari's voice trailed off as something seemed to briefly sneak up and steal the words from him, "Because my relationship with Elana was strained, and because I had put in the paperwork to be transferred to the States, we agreed that she would have full custody. He took her last name. I had no visitation rights. Nothing."

"I see." Emily remarked, the complexity of his relationship to the young agent put her at a loss for words as well.

But sensing he might've milked her sympathy too long now, Amari spoke to put an end to this note of their conversation, "Yes so, it's been almost two years since I last saw him in person, and— I have to say, even though it feels twisted to thank the universe for giving me a second chance with him, Iam truly glad to have that chance."

Emily smiled, "Teddy's a really sweet boy. And although he was a little younger when you left, he does remember you."

"That's— good to hear." Said the detective. She could've swore the news had choked him up.

"Of course, there will likely be a curve to him adjusting to his new life, but my hope is that those memories will help ease any anxiety he might have around you."

"I hope that as well." The man affirmed, his eyes glimmering with a restored sense of hope. Then he added, "I'm sure you witnessed his emotional high's and low's this week, having had him in you care…"

His words were a mixture of a question and a statement. They were a bit equivocal, but she guessed that he was searching for more information about what to expect from the 5 year old, and how to parent him in this stage of his life, "Yes. As you know, my partner and I took care of him for the week. He has frequent nightmares, and can be clingy in new environments or around new people, but there's nothing severe to worry about. As long as you're promising to be there, to give Teddy the love and attention he deserves, he'll come out of this okay."

Amari offered her a thankful smile as an initial response. Then, he arched his brow and cocked his head, another question forming at his lips, "Your partner is Derek Morgan, no?"

"That's correct." Emily answered diplomatically. His acute interest seemed a little out of the blue, "Why do you ask?"

"Oh— I was just surprised to discover that both of you had transferred to London." Amari mused, "The case in Georgia was less than ideal, but I didn't think it would cost the BAU two of it's members."

It then became evident to the division chief that the detective was sleuthing for more than rehabilitation advice for his child. She wasn't completely oblivious to the way his posture shifted when she had mentioned Morgan, or how there seemed to be some subtext underlying his most recent remark. But she was resolved to willfully brush it off.

It didn't much matter whether it had something to do with his previous personal interest in her or if it was out of professional concern for how that case ended. She was careful not to divulge too many details.

"Ah— no. Actually, Agent Morgan is still employed with the unit." She chose her words carefully, if not a bit awkwardly, "He's on temporary duty with the Legal Attaché offices over here, and, fortunately, he was able spare his time and assistance for Elana's case this week."

"So, the list of people whom I need to express my gratitude continues to lengthen?" He asked, narrowing his eyes mischievously.

An unauthorized giggle escaped her mouth, "It sure does."

Amari nodded, his scintillating gaze falling away as he contemplated the next thing he wanted to say. Or perhaps, he knew what he wanted to speak on, but didn't know how to propose it. Either way, a pensive wave appeared to take over him, his brow furrowing in the slightest, "As far as future contact with Teddy goes, would either of you… want to see him again?"

Emily's breath hitched. She'd been waiting for the question like a love letter that got lost in the mail. But like a letter, it required a response. With resounding impartially, she and Derek were both able to acknowledge the possibility of never seeing Teddy again (maybe her even more so than Derek.) First things first, protecting this little boy's life was a job they'd been contracted to do. The day had come for that contract to expire. However, that didn't mean there weren't moments when the desire to maintain the bond they'd made with him wouldn't surreptitiously make its presence known.

Just a couple days ago, it would float through like a bubble in the summer breeze, and would pop at her gentlest provocation. At this moment, it took up space in her whole being, and exhausted every last pragmatic cell within her to swallow it back down. Quieting her emotional self with such precision and expertise, Emily knew when to function from head and not heart. She appreciated Amari's character and the humanity his question afforded her, but remaining steadfast in her position, she conjured up the response she was supposed to.

"I don't think it would be a good idea." Emily remarked, "Once you leave with him today, the best course of action would be to move forward without looking back."

"Oh?" Amari raised his eyebrows, the words that rolled off her tongue surprising him as much as they did her.

The brunette nodded slowly, "Generally speaking, children who are recovering from trauma need routine and stability. It's recommended that they form relationships with person's who aren't transient in their life." The irony of her own statement smacked her clean across the face, but she continued despite the throbbing mark it left, "And while I'm glad our offices were here to provide Teddy with a system of support, it was only temporary. He's lost a lot, so he needs all the love and community he can get right now. It's just no longer here in London."

"Okay… —Okay." Amari tried to let her speech sink into the crevices of his mind, down into places where he could come to terms with what had been said. But the parts of him that wanted to protest it were much stronger, "Look— I know there are professional boundaries you have to observe here, Prentiss. But I also know you care. Maybe even more than most people are able to see…"

His voice was low and earnest. He peered across the desk with a look that could cut a tear in a galaxy. A slight tip of his head, a small lift in his brow, and a widening, but penetrating stare implied that she knew what he was talking about. A quick deduction told her that he was referencing the time (back when they met) that he caught her gazing at a photo of a dead couple with nothing but pain in her heart. She hadn't counted on anyone being around, but he was.

He saw her then, and he was seeing her now. Emily felt her cheeks getting hot. It was uncomfortable. Although, she didn't much mind that he detected the passion and commitment that she put into her work, she did mind that he could see how hard she was towing the line between her personal and professional ties; that he could see how she felt bad even suggesting what she was suggesting knowing that both she and Derek would want the opposite; and ultimately, that he could see the pain this pending separation was putting upon her heart.

Despite the fact that she was doing a great job at being tight-lipped, and the fact that Amari knew so little about the week that had transpired, he still managed to see deeper than the surface. Possessing a microscopic view of the woman underneath the many levels of compartmentalization was a thing that very few people could do (even less without the help of profiling), and most certainly something she always did her darnedest to have control over— something she would once again attempt to control now.

"I appreciate your sentiments, Detective, but at the end of day, I was just doing my job." Emily threw a wall up.

The man shook his head,"You did more than that. This—" He said with a general sweeping wave of his hand,"Is not something that people in your position do for people like me or even for Elana. Our son was spared the hardship of the foster care system. This whole week he's had a place to call home during the lowest point in his life, and Emily, I— if you happen to mean something to my son— anything at all, then I know he means something to you. It's as you said: he's lost a lot. Please, don't let him lose you, too."

There was no denying that Teddy had grown attached in the span of the week. Emily was brazenly aware of this, however, her psychoanalytical mind was always quick to generate a logical excuse to prevent her from becoming equally attached. What he liked about her, for this brief period of time in his life, was that she was a beacon of motherhood in a time without his mom. A simple breed of emotional transference, they were placeholders for the people he'd lost in his life, and could be swapped out with ease… or so she thought.

Amari's words now rang in her ears. Being adaptable didn't mean that Teddy wouldn't be heartbroken saying goodbye to his short term guardians. Teddy was incredibly resilient, but he had also clung to her for dear life, and trusted her unflinchingly to never leave him, and to keep him safe. Those values wouldn't magically dissolve. Yes, he needed the long term stability that a parent could offer him. But he would also need continued support, and communication with those who helped lift him up in the midst of this tragedy.

Although she couldn't fully comprehend why he wanted this for her so badly, Emily had to admit, Amari was right. He said enough to make her second guess her executive decision. Teddy had experienced enough sudden changes in this short period of time to last him a life time. Whisking him away to a new world without any correspondence to the last would only add to that. Thus, after a few moments of laboriously swimming around in pools of thought, Prentiss emerged, a proverbial conclusion in hand: sometimes the band aid didn't need to be ripped off, it could slowly expire and come away with wear.

"Alright, you've convinced me." She admitted. Amari looked triumphant, "But, I'll meet you in the middle. If Teddy needs to contact us for the first couple of months, you both can have access to that information. Phone calls, video calls, anything to help with the transition."

"That's wonderful, thank you." The detective expressed his gratitude.

"However," Prentiss began the addendum to her previous statement, "I think it's important that he phases this part of his life out. And unfortunately, that'll eventually include stopping all communication with Intepol agents, and simply focusing on a new life with new people in Georgia."

Amari bobbed his head slowly in agreement. He seemed reluctant, but despite his strong persuasion, he knew she was right.

"When can I see him…?" He asked.

"Right now, if you're ready." Emily sat up a little bit straighter, prepping herself to stand.

Amari drew in a long, deep breath to steady himself, "I'm ready."

Before exiting the room, Prentiss grabbed her phone to notify Morgan with a text. Then, the two rose from their chairs and made their way out of her office and down into the bullpen. Rounding into the team's central workplace area, they positioned themselves just past the entrance. Lelant, Hughes and Yun all tore their attention away from the work they were so diligently engrossed in, standing up to greet their team leader's guest.

"Team, this is Detective Emmett Amari of the Hinesville Police Department." Prentiss introduced the man, "As you all know, he's Teddy's father, and is here to take him home."

Gladly accepting the queue, Amari reached out to do a brief round of hand shakes and individual "nice-to-meet-you's". Then, with all sincerity, he addressed them as a group,"I want to express my gratitude to you all for the efforts put forth on this case, and for every measure you've taken to protect my son. I get to be reunited with him again today, and for that, I'll forever be in your debt."

"Aht, aht! No more talk of life gravely bonded to debt around here!" Lelant instructed, and the team shared a collective, but short laugh.

"Your thanks is enough, Detective." Hughes offered kindly, "We're glad to have been able to help."

Just then, a high-pitched voice with a British lilt, shouted her name from across the room.

"Emily!"

Her head whipped in the direction she heard his voice. Teddy was running to her, at full speed, his arms flung wide open with the promise of a joyous embrace. Morgan followed close behind, and he sported a playful grin. It didn't take long before the boy came crashing into her, twisting his little arms tightly around her thighs. The sudden force staggered her footing, but with her partner's hand instinctively on her back for reinforcement, she was able to maintain her balance.

"Good morning, Teddy." She said with a snicker, "Did you have fun in the playroom?"

He nodded his head, "Yea! I played with the Legos and me and Derek drew some pictures. I drew you— a picturefor you."

Dropping his arms, Teddy reached deep down into his pants pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. He didn't open it up, but left the task for her to handle. Somehow this made it feel like a gift, in the same way that wrapped presents at Christmas time were. Pulling at the corners of the paper, Emily unfolded it to reveal the picture Teddy spoke of.

In the center of the image was a waxy stick-figure drawing of two people. A woman with dark blocks for hair and long pricks for lashes, hugged (with peachy, yellow arms) a springy, brown-haired little boy stick-figure. Around them, a big heart, with alternating hues of purple and red, brightened up the image. It was colored in crudely, and yet some spots demonstrated more care. Taking in the whole thing, Emily exchanged a dumbstruck look with Derek, then glanced back down at Teddy, who was watching her with all expectancy.

"Teddy, thank you." She smiled, and gave him a squeeze, awkward though it was, since he'd since refastened himself around her legs, "Now, I have a wonderful art piece to hang in my office."

The little boy giggled, most of it escaping through his scrunched up nose, "And you have it so now you won't forget me when I go to George."

At his remark, Emily pouted her lips, "I could never forget you, Teddy…"

"Okay." He replied simply, and leaned his whole body into another big squeeze of her legs.

The brunette would be remised not to note that it surprised to hear him say what he'd said so innocently. Memory could be such a fickle thing. She knew her memory was long. He wasn't at all inconsequential, this week would live in her mind for years to come, and maybe it would for him, too. But for a 5 year old, it was hard to say. After all, the way the mind chooses to preserve specific information is what kept her invested in this line of work. Nonetheless, one thing was for certain: from the koala hug to the crayola drawing, the gesture was melting her heart like wax over a flame.

"Hey," She tussled his hair, and he craned his head all the way back to hear the rest of her message,"I have someone I want you to meet."

With her right hand, Emily directed the little boy's attention to the man who was now standing just in front of her team members. To the division chief, Amari appeared tense, as if he were holding his breath, stemming from a healthy place of nervous excitement. For the little boy, a brief assessment of his father was all it took for him to decide he was uncomfortable going any further with this meeting. Whipping his head back around, Teddy buried his face against her thigh.

This came as no shock, since Emily had anticipated his anxious tendencies making a ferocious performance today. This instance was merely opening night at the box office. However, because she was optimistic he could handle the situation, Prentiss was determined to help him power through the initial unease. The first step was gently peeling him away from her body, and immediately replacing it with her presence, kneeling at his level.

She rubbed his arm compassionately, and lifted his chin so their eyes could communicate without any words being spoken between them. She beseeched him, and although he was reluctant, the 5 year old eventually discovered the valiance to at least face the detective's direction.

"Teddy, this is your dad." Emily said matter of factly.

Following Prentiss' example, Amari kneeled to the preschooler's level, but for fear of making him more uncomfortable, he stayed the distance he was, "Hey, Teddy. It's been a long time, hasn't it? Last time I saw you, you were just learning how to ride a tricycle. Do you still like riding it as much as you did?"

Teddy looked over to Emily. His lips were pressed tightly together as he deferred to her for permission or a sign that it was okay to respond. The division chief nodded, and then, in response to Amari's question, so did the little boy. Yet, he still wasn't particularly engaged.

"Oh, I'm glad you do." Amari said, doing his best to remain positive, "You know, I have a new bike for you back home in Georgia."

"I don't know how to ride…" Teddy spoke just above a whisper.

"That's okay, I'll be there to help you." He assured him,"You can pick out your own helmet, with cool colors and characters… maybe one with the Ninja Turtles?"

At the mention of his favorite television show, Teddy's posture brightened up, "You know TMNT?"

"Of course!" The detective beamed, thoroughly delighted he nailed one of the little boy's interests, "You've liked them since you were 3."

"Can I make…" Teddy formulated his question, "Can I make my room Ninja Turtles and— and my shoes— and get new Ninja Turtles toys?"

Amari chuckled, "If you like, you can have Ninja Turtle pancakes for breakfast. Does that sound like it would work for you?"

"Yea." The boy nodded his head as his face finally broke out with a big smile, "I miss staying with Mummy, but I… think I can like staying with you, too."

Suddenly, the moment ascended into something quite sentimental when Amari, still on his knees, pressed a sideways fist under his nose and over his lips. His eyes turned a slight pink as they filled with water. It was as if the reality of the situation had just hit him. Elana was gone. Really, truly, permanently. The girl he loved and lost two times over wasn't coming back. There was no fixing the past. All that remained was Teddy, and the herculean task to do right by him from this point on.

Perceptively, Teddy responded, "Why are you sad?"

Amari shook his head, inhaling steadily to choke down the tears that were wont to fall,"I've just… really missed seeing you smile."

Teddy gazed across the distance, and studied his father's reaction. It was evident that the young one didn't know what to do or really how to respond. Through body language alone, he seemed to be riding the fence between approaching the man, and staying glued to Emily's side. Of course, Prentiss was prepared to give him that gentle encouragement to purse the former, and yet as the impulse arose, someone else in the farewell circle took that lead.

Coming around his left shoulder, Derek swiftly leaned over and whispered something into the little boy's ear. She was slightly surprised by his action, as he hadn't participated much since they'd arrived in the bullpen. Regardless, she wouldn't disrupt his current intentions. And even though she was close enough to hear the barely audible words, Emily figured that she wasn't meant to. So, standing back on her feet to give them their own moment in the space, she watched as Teddy listened to what Morgan told him.

Then, not but a couple seconds after Morgan finished speaking, Teddy made his way over to the detective, and offered him a hug. There was no chance that Amari would refuse it. The boy wrapped his small arms around his father, and Emily took note of how different this hug seemed from all his other's. No longer was he the one receiving it. This time, there was someone in more need of support than him, and he finally had the strength to give it. And while it wouldn't be his responsibility to shoulder this weight all the time, at that moment, it was desperately needed.

Once the father and son's hug met its conclusion, it seemed like a good time as ever for everyone to say their goodbyes to the little boy. Teddy, now in the hugging mood, defied the handshakes of Yun, Hughes and Lelant, and subsequently, embraced them with all he might not have fully comprehended how much work this team put in to save him, he did realize how good it made people feel to be thanked this way.

With every one of her team member's having properly been bid adieu, the only person remaining was Derek. He was decidedly not going to accompany Prentiss to the final farewell, and because of this, he was afforded the sweetest interaction of them all. Teddy raced up to him, lifting his arms above his head as he leapt. In perfect sync, Derek caught the 5 year old and enveloped him in one of his signature bear hugs.

Propped up in Morgan's arms, the boy told him goodbye. He hugged him back just as tightly, and after this, cupped his hand around his mouth. Teddy whispered something into Morgan's ear, and a little smile tugged at the man's lips. Then, with one last squeeze, he set the boy back on the ground. One last loving tussle of his hair, and Emily was escorting Teddy and his father out of the bullpen, towards a new journey.

A sleek black Interpol SUV awaited them, and so too did the volunteer driver, ready and willing to assist them with any baggage. However, a small suitcase of clothes was all that needed to be loaded in. Teddy didn't really have much in material items to bring with him (the fire in his home saw to that.) So, while Amari popped the suitcase into the boot, Emily helped Teddy climb into the backseat.

She stood back as he got comfortable in the booster chair, then reached across to pull down the correct seatbelt and snap it into place. Before closing the car door, she smiled at him, and he just looked back at her with those big hazel eyes. Those eyes which, over the past week, she'd seen teary and filled with worry and questions, but also with joy and exuberance. Now with a mix of hopefulness and uncertainty, they reflected her acknowledgment: this was the last stop.

"Goodbye, Teddy." She spoke softly, "You be good for your, Daddy, okay?"

"I will." He promised her.

Choosing to follow the impulse that was tickling her conscience, Emily placed a gentle kiss on the top of the little boy's head. For whatever reason, she felt as if depriving them both of the love and honesty that came wrapped up in that smooch, would've lead to an eternity of regret. Then, with nothing else left to do she pulled away and closed the door.

Once she'd stepped back up on to the curb, she caught Amari out of the corner of her eye. He'd just come around from the driver's side— or perhaps, he'd been standing back watching the whole time. Nevertheless, he gave her "The Look". The same one that she'd given Morgan a few days ago, and very similar to the one that Garcia had given her at the park. It was a look that was becoming all too familiar.

Humiliation was milliseconds away from taking the electrical shock she felt in chest and transforming it into a bright red blush across her face. Like a spider web, Amari kept catching her in these vulnerable moments. But she was quick to flee from it, narrowing her eyes and shaking her head so as to disprove the notion he very pointedly communicated through his gaze alone.

"Thank you again, Emily." He said attentively.

"Take care, Detective." She said, taking a couple steps away from the SUV, "Let me know when you've landed home safe."

Amari tipped his head, and began to pivot towards the vehicle, but didn't fully take the charge to get in. Rather, he lingered, his eyes even more so that his frame. His mouth curled into a smile; soft, kind and tender-hearted. If he hadn't already expressed his gratitude multiple times, Emily was willing to accept the moment as his one last "thank you" for the road. Only after holding their connected gaze for a moment longer than he should've, did he decide to round the corner of the vehicle and hop in the backseat.

The car started up with a soft roar of the engine. As she watched the Interpol car escort the two passengers away from the government building, she never felt that endings were new beginnings more strongly than she did at that moment. With Teddy gone, everything that had characterized this week— that cemented it deeply into her personal and professional history, was over. Emily drew a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

It was time to move on to the next thing.

She swiped her card to regain access to the building. A brisk walk through the halls of her division and another pass through the bullpen, and she found herself heading up to her office once more. However, considering the number of times she'd been up and down the steps today, she opted to take the elevator to the second floor. When she arrived back in her personal corner, the first thing she found was Morgan sitting smack in the middle of the couch, his legs man-spread as wide as possible and his arms spread out like eagle wings.

He had a glazed over look in his eyes as he stared off into space, deep in thought, "Is it just me or does everything come easy to that guy?"

Emily frowned, unsure where he was coming from, "Are you— talking about Detective Amari?"

"Well, I mean who else could enchant a clingy little 5 year old to like them 2 seconds after meeting them?" He asked incredulously.

"Profilers. Other kids their age." Emily quipped, "A man with a big nose and candy being sold from the back of his white van."

Morgan glowered. Her response evoked a more dagger-esque reaction than she'd hoped, which was a clear sign to cut all pretenses. Something was genuinely weighing on him, and while it was likely something deeper than his surface level jealously of Amari, she could wade in those waters to discover what it was. Emily crossed over to sit beside him. This way, they could have a clearer, and deeper conversation.

She plopped down on the couch, and burrowed herself under his right eagle wing. Every ounce of her sank into him, "You were really good with him." She breathed.

"I'm good with most kids…" He replied rather monotonously.

"I know, but he meant a lot to you." Emily pressed the matter, and Morgan shifted a bit. Internally, he seemed to be at war with what she was saying, but he released a sigh and let her keep speaking, "Amari was his father, and if he didn't take to him a little quicker— I would've been worried. But you two had something special. He's not gonna forget that easily…"

"Yea, I know…" He said lowly, his mind looking as if it were processing a thousand emotions all at once,"You and I both know that kids like this, they go to their true homes and that it's for the best"

"So, what's really bothering you then?"

At her question, Derek paused for a little bit longer than Emily anticipated. It made her stomach lurch. Even though she suspected that today's event might be hardest for him, she hoped that he merely had a case of the farewell blues. But perhaps some irreversible damage had been done here— and at her own insistence. Had she willfully neglected to consider whatever it was this separation truly cost him?

Just then, all the turmoil in his expression dissolved. Morgan shook his head like he was holding something back, like he wanted to say something but bit his tongue. Or, as was habitual to him, he clenched his jaw— clamping back every unspoken word. After this, he finally locked eyes with her. And with such intensity, he pulled her closer to him, coming very near as if for a kiss, but stopping just short to take in all her features from the view over the bridge of his nose.

Viscerally tempted, Emily closed the gap for a brief second as she touched her lips to his. But it struck her as unfamiliarly cold, like she had kissed a marbled sculpture in hopes that the affection would transform it into a man.

"Tell me what's bothering you." She urged softly.

Morgan brought his thumb to her lips, and still hovering ever so close, he studied her mouth, almost proactively to avoid what he might reveal if he looked her in the eye once more, "Nothing." He responded, "Nothing at all."

With swift movement, he drew her in and fulfilled what their previous connection was lacking. His mouth touching her's with much more awareness, it was a kiss of both apology and gratitude. There wasn't much ambiguity. Clearly, he felt sorry for his moodiness and yet grateful for her curiosity. Still, he wouldn't let her in on what exactly he was keeping hidden beneath the swirling waters of his black lagoon. And she couldn't fault him as she was equally guilty of the same charge.

They were both keeping their reeling thoughts and emotions concealed. Teddy's absence, fresh as it was, changed things. Parenthood— just a week of it, with this brave, sweet little boy had opened up a door. And the state of its openness proved to be a point consternation more than the idea of where the open door lead. Regardless, they were going to have to find out if it could be closed, or boarded over. Or if that was even a course of action they wanted to take…

"What did you tell him, by the way? Tell Teddy?" Emily suddenly asked, "And what did he tell you?"

A smile crept onto Morgan's face, "Just a little saying my Momma used to tell me about courage."

"He remembered it well enough to repeat it back to you?" Emily looked at him with total admiration.

"I guess it meant more to him than I realized." Morgan murmured.

"Well, if you're still keeping tally on the "Teddy points" scale, I think it's safe to say you won." Emily poked.

Morgan shook his head and laughed. Prentiss was glad to see his sense of humor had returned, and with time, she guessed his spirits would as well. Goodbye's were never easy. Today was no different (as reluctant as either of them were to admit it.) But in that moment, they shared a quiet symmetry. They recognized their apprehension about the future was outmatched by knowledge that they'd accomplished a great thing for this little boy. Setting aside how anything else would unfold, that's what mattered the most.

They both stared off into the distance now. Finding solace in the new silence, the couple settled back against the couch. Emily resumed her position nestled under his arm. Only this time, he pulled his right limb around her shoulder, his hand dangling in the perfect place for her to gently grab ahold of his fingertips. The sun was just beginning to slow the day down with it's evening glow, and as it shimmered in the Thames River, it complimented the moment of reflection that was being ushered in.

A/N: Til next time, lovelies! ;)