Hey guys! Let me know if I should write other stories or continue with this one. Reviews are greatly appreciated by this new FF writer. (:

Red. All I saw was red. How could she be with my family and not tell me? How could she be with my family and my family not tell me?

The next thing I knew I was on a flight to Chicago and landing in an airport. I gripped the wheel until my knuckles turned white on the way to my mother's house. Pulling in the driveway I knew I needed to compose myself.

I saw three cars for the first time in a long time in the garage. I knew Desi and Sarah moved in with Mama about three months ago when Desi had the twins and the scumbag Baby Daddy left her. I hadn't been able to see them in person yet with all the cases, and the thought of meeting them today almost made me forget totally about my anger.

But when I knocked on the door, and a fair skinned brunette opened the door with a smile, I felt my emotions go crazy. Happiness that she was alive. Anger that she had lied. Betrayal that his family hid her from him. And love knowing that I had my best friend and love of my life back.

Her smile faltered realizing who it was and she froze. Her hair was cropped shorter, a little off her shoulders. Her skin was tanner, and she looked well rested for the first time in a long time. She was wearing a simple tank and shorts showing off her slender but toned figure, indicating that she kept up with herself frequently. And hooked to her leg, was Shawna, Sarah's only child.

"Em, who's at the do-" I heard my oldest sisters voice approach us behind Emily and she noticed me.

The next few minutes I do not remember. I stared at Emily, willing myself to believe she was actually here, and that all the nightmares were just nightmares. I looked at her face, memorized her features as I was ushered inside and placed on the couch with everyone filling in around me. My mothers voice, low and cautious pulled me out of the fog.

"Derek honey, we can explain." I stopped her there, hurt pulling through my facial expression.

"She's been here. And you didn't tell me. How could you not tell me? You know ow much she means to me."

"She told us you could get hurt Derek." Desi spoke up. "We didn't want to take that chance."

Emily's clear voice rang out next to my sister's. It was the same as I remembered it to be- I closed my eyes at her voice, trying to hear it over and over.

"Ian had an army out there searching for me. I wasn't given a choice- when I woke up from the coma, the bureau had already put on my funeral. I didn't get to choose who I told. I'm so sorry Derek. I had to let you mourn. Ian was watching you. He knew how close we were. If you didn't mourn for real he would know something was up. And you would never look to your family for me because you know they would tell you." She spoke softly. Gently. Lovingly.

"But they didn't." I spat out harshly.

Sarah opened her mouth to speak but Emily beat her to it. "I wouldn't let them. I made them swear."

I sighed. And I let my anger pass through. How could I be mad at her when she was trying to protect me and my family?

I reached out hesitantly, gauging her reaction. She smiled at me and stepped forward. I tugged her into my embrace and I felt the world fall back into place. She sniffled into my chest and tears I didn't know formed, fell from my eyes onto the top of her head.

"I missed you so much." I whispered into her hair.

I felt her smile. "I missed you too."

Suddenly I remembered the object in my pocket I had grabbed. Pulling apart- I reached into my jeans and clasped the golden circle in my palm.

I looked down at her.

"When I gave this to you, and told you that you were the most important person in my life. I meant it." I said lowly looking at her intently. I grabbed her left hand. "This belongs here now. And we can talk about it when we are ready." I slid the ring onto her ring finger, and pulled her into a tight embrace again.

When I heard a chorus of "what?" and excited "excuse me's" I remembered my family was there with us.

We pulled apart and turned to face them. I latched my hand onto hers and I started to tell them the story.