A/N: Sorry for the length of time between parts, but for the past two months work has been insane. It's slowed up some, but still very busy. However, there have been small pockets of time to sneak in some writing. Hope you enjoy.

The car ride back to NCIS headquarters was silent. Rossi occasionally shot Emily a concerned look but said nothing. Gibbs would glance in his mirror every now and then, hoping to catch Prentiss' eye, but she studiously avoided his gaze. Only Ziva acted as though nothing unusual was going on.

"I have emailed McGee the names and contact information of those who were at the Embassy dinner with Rapetti the night Commander Hill disappeared," the former Mossad agent said aloud. She tucked her phone away in her pocket.

"Good," Gibbs said in a grim tone. "Do a full background check on that guy." He looked into the mirror again. "We need to know if there's a possibility he could be involved in these murders." His voice softened just a touch. "We need to get as much information as we can on him."

It was obvious what he meant, but Emily still remained silent. They pulled into the NCIS parking lot and Emily had the door open and was stepping out of the car almost before Gibbs had fully stopped it.

"Emily!" Rossi called out as he fumbled with his seat belt. By the time he was opening his door, Gibbs had already stepped out of the car. The NCIS agent was rounding around behind the vehicle, intent on going after Emily when he suddenly found his path blocked by Ziva. By the time Rossi got out of the car, he could see the other two facing off with each other.

"I think we should also see if we can find any of the other women Rapetti has dated," Ziva informed Gibbs as she blocked his path.

The older NCIS agent gave her a piercing, searching look which she blandly returned. Rossi looked from one to the other, trying to discern what was going on.

Gibbs remained silent, looked up once to see Emily entering the NCIS building and then back at Ziva who had not budged, still blocking her supervisor's way. A few slow heartbeats passed before Gibbs nodded. "Find them. Question them."

Ziva inclined her head and then stepped aside, allowing Gibbs to move towards the building. Rossi also started to move forward but Ziva stepped back until she was now blocking his way.

"Why do I feel like I have to pass a test before I'm allowed to get by?" the FBI man said in a dry tone.

"I just think that perhaps Emily should be given some time and space and not be bombarded by questions right now," Ziva said simply.

Rossi peered closely at her, but it was hard to read the woman's face. Rossi prided himself on his people reading skills, but Agent David was giving him nothing. However, he could sense she felt what she was doing was in Emily's best interest. His first instinct had been to question Emily, to find out the reasons for her disquiet and try to help her with it. With this delay Ziva had caused, Rossi realized, presumably like Gibbs had, that interrogating Prentiss at this time would be counterproductive. Emily was intensely private and he suspected this was a very delicate matter. Demanding answers would likely just drive her further into her shell.

Rossi looked intently at Ziva, realizing she was doing what Abby had done earlier, protecting Emily from talking about something that had upset her. Rossi knew Emily was friends with the NCIS people, but he hadn't realized they were this close. He also began to wonder how these NCIS agents had become much wiser in matters of Emily Prentiss than her BAU team.

Dave nodded. "Okay. But she's going to have to talk about it at some point. It might have relevance to the case."

"I agree," Ziva replied easily. "But perhaps the person she confides in should be someone other than you or Gibbs or even me."

Rossi cocked his head at this. "You have someone in mind?" His own thoughts flashed briefly to Hotch.

Ziva merely smiled serenely at him. "I'm sure Emily will find the right person herself."

Hotch was examining the pinned up photos of the victims in the case, but his mind was elsewhere. He had sent DiNozzo and Morgan, the latter giving him a look that was part pleading and part annoyance, out to interrogate the photographer. It was a good lead, but Aaron couldn't help but feel that they might be missing something else. He was still lost in thought when the door to the small conference room the BAU had set up shop in opened. Hotch turned to look at Prentiss slipping quietly into the room.

"What's wrong? What happened?" Hotch asked immediately sensing something had troubled his agent.

Emily cursed internally, annoyed that she had not hidden her feelings from Aaron Hotchner's prying eyes. She tried to gather herself together before she answered. "We spoke to the man Commander Hill was dating. His name is Riccardo Rapetti, a cultural attaché to the consulate." At that moment the door opened and Rossi stepped into the room. Hotch saw his friend give Emily a look of concern and then glance around the room, as though he was looking for someone or something. Hotch frowned, puzzled.

"Rapetti," Emily continued in her calm, professional voice. "According to the Vice Counsel, has questionable relationships with women."

"Meaning?" Hotch arched an eyebrow.

"The Vice Counsel couldn't prove anything, but he hinted that it was more than dog in heat type of thing. We also met the guy," Rossi added as he came up next to Emily who involuntarily tensed up just a hair.

"And?" Hotch prodded as he watched his two agents suspiciously, realizing they were withholding something.

"Scumbag," Gibbs replied in a clipped tone as he walked into the room.

"You think he's a potential suspect?" Hotch watched Rossi throw the NCIS agent a questioning look which the other man completely ignored. What was going on?

"If not for this, definitely for something else," was Rossi's grim response. He glanced at Emily which she ignored.

"Okay, someone want to tell me what happened?" Hotch asked in exasperation.

Gibbs and Rossi remained silent, looking over at Emily, something Hotch didn't miss. He took a step towards the woman. "Prentiss?"

Emily licked her lips nervously and shifted slightly on her feet. The men could see her struggling to talk about what happened that afternoon at the Italian Embassy.

"Prentiss, if it could have an impact on the case, we need to hear about it," Hotch continued in a not unkind voice.

Emily felt trapped. She could feel panic building within her. She hadn't had time to gather herself, to shove the contents of some of her deepest, darkest boxes back in and lock them away. The memories were overwhelming and she couldn't find her voice.

"Emily?" Rossi urged her.

She felt cornered, hemmed in as the men seemed to be crowding her, converging on her. A part of her mind, the part that remained rational knew none of the men had moved, but the urge to flee was almost overwhelming. She could feel her chest tightening, breathing was becoming difficult.

"Prentiss," Hotch's voice signaled his impatience at her continued silence, but there was also a flicker of worry there.

"Emily!"

The voice was different, still male, but filled with light and happiness. Everyone turned to look at the newcomer. Dr. Mallard. The Medical Examiner came in carrying a folder and wearing a smile on his face.

"My dear! You haven't been in to see me yet." He wagged his finger in mock chastisement at the woman. "I have a pot of your favorite tea brewing." He examined her face. "And seeing the redness around your nose, I think that my tea will be exactly what you need." He weaved his way between the much taller and younger men and took Emily's arm. "I'm sure these gentlemen won't mind if I steal you away for a few moments, my dear." He turned to hand Hotch the folder. "My report on Commander Hill's autopsy. I'll be sure to have Emily back to you before you're done with that. Come, my dear."

Ducky took Emily's surprised hand, tucked it into the crook of his elbow and led her out of the room as Hotch and Rossi stared after them, dumbfounded. When the door had closed behind the couple, Dave turned to look at Gibbs who returned his gaze.

"That's why you came into the room after me," Rossi stated, realizing the NCIS agent had gone and recruited Dr. Mallard to talk to Emily.

"If she's going to talk to anyone, it'll be Ducky," Gibbs replied. "Everyone talks to Ducky."

"Talk about what?" Hotch said in an exasperated voice. "What is going on? Did something happen to Prentiss at the Embassy?" Concern flooded him. He had sent her to the Embassy because he thought it was the safest place for her given her close resemblance and connection to the victims.

"It seems Emily and Rapetti knew each other years back, likely when the Ambassador was assigned to Italy," Rossi supplied. "I don't think it's a pleasant history they have. She was very rattled when she saw him and you know nothing rattles her."

Gibbs watched with interest as Hotch's face hardened. "What was the word you used to describe him, Agent Gibbs?"

"Scumbag."

"You think he hurt Prentiss back in Italy?" the BAU leader's voice had grown frigid and for the first time, Gibbs felt something other than disdain for the younger man.

"I think the only person she might talk about it to is the person's she's with right now," was Gibbs' answer.