After the initial tumult had died down, Emma walked over to the ambulance where the EMTs were examining and bandaging Sydney's right shoulder.
"Any problems?" she asked the techs, who were working on the dazed, sobbing woman who was securely handcuffed to the gurney with a deputy guarding her.
"Not really," was the reply. "It was a through and through and nothing major was hit; just soft tissue."
"Okay," Emma told them. "I'll call the hospital emergency room and make sure the doctor on duty knows to put her on psych hold once she has been stitched up. And, I'll make sure they know that a deputy will be assigned to keep an eye on her."
She watched as Sydney was loaded into the rear of the vehicle. "Drive safe," she added as the driver climbed into the cab of the vehicle and the back doors were slammed shut.
Her next conversation was with Detective Wade and the state police trooper who had fired the shot.
"It was a good shoot," Detective Wade assured the man. "And smart. You were wise to aim for her shoulder like that. It stunned her just enough for our guys to get to her and grab her."
"Sydney's not vicious," the trooper replied. "Just confused. It's not her fault!"
"You're right about that," Emma confirmed. "And, you made the right decision. From what the EMTs tell me, the bullet just passed through the soft tissue with no damage to anything important. Sydney will recover without any problems and will be able to receive the help she needs."
"Now, you do understand that I need to take your weapon," Detective Wade continued.
"It won't be for long," Emma explained. "It's just routine, until you have finished up the paperwork and spoken with some big wigs."
"Dr. Porter here can help walk you through it," Detective Wade told the trooper. "First thing tomorrow morning, I will need to see you in my office to give your formal statement. And, after that, she will be available to talk with you and answer any questions you may have."
"Tomorrow morning," Emma handed the man her business card. "Call me as soon as you have completed your statement. We'll get together and talk and see what it is going to take to get you back on the job."
"Okay," the officer handed his gun to Detective Wade. "Tomorrow morning?"
"Bright and early," the detective told him.
"And, then, call me," Emma emphasized, pointing to the card he was clutching tightly in his hand.
Taking a deep breath, Emma next walked over to the second ambulance where Mary Masters was sitting on the back bumper, sobbing. Her fiancé, Marcus, had his arm wrapped tightly around her and was holding her close.
"You okay?" Emma questioned softy.
"Why?" was the question. "Why now? I don't understand."
"We may never know exactly," Emma told her sadly. "And, I don't think Sydney really knows herself. However, now we can make sure that she gets the help she needs and hopefully, someday, she may be able to live a normal life."
"They want to take me to the hospital," Mary complained. "And, I don't think I need to go."
"Why don't you go anyway?" Emma suggested. "If you stay here, you are going to be inundated with friends, family, and well-wishers, as well as a bunch of Nosey Nellies. You don't need that. You two need some quiet time together to try to sort things out."
"You think at the hospital?" Marcus questioned.
"If the doctor puts out the 'No Visitors' sign, no one is going to argue with that," Emma pointed out. "And, I will speak with him and make sure that happens."
"Are you ready?" the EMT asked.
"Yes," Mary replied, standing up to climb inside.
"And," she turned to look at Emma. "Thanks."
"That goes for me, too," Marcus added as he followed Mary into the ambulance.
As she stood watching the second ambulance pull away, Emma sensed someone standing behind her.
"You yelled at me!" the accusation echoed in her ears.
When she turned around, Emma found herself staring up at Reid, who was standing unusually close to her.
"Spencer, it has been six months," she reminded him. "Things have changed – I have changed. And," she looked thoughtfully at her husband. "I think you have changed, too."
Without a further word, Reid grabbed her by the shoulders and, leaning down, soundly kissed her.
"S – S - Spencer?" she stuttered as he silently turned and walked away, back towards the government SUV.
"Don't you have a call to make to the doctor at the hospital emergency room?" Rossi reminded her with a smirk.
Neither Rossi nor Emma noticed that Detective Wade had pulled out his cell phone and was discretely making a call.