Emily smiles as she opens the front door. "Hey, guys. How's it going?"

Declan stares at her a second. "Wow…you weren't kidding when you said your hair was darker."

Emily chuckles and runs a hand nervously through her straight, black locks. "Yeah. That's why I wanted to warn you before you saw me."

He stares at her a second more then nods. "It looks good. More…like it goes with you."

"Thanks, Declan. So, come on in."

She opens the door wider, ruffling his hair as he walks by. She gives Tom a kiss on the cheek. Her eyes ask the question her voice doesn't. He nods and whispers.

"Germany. Cross your fingers."

She nods. "I will."

"Thank you, Emily."

She nods, knowing whatever she pays will be more than worth it to keep Declan from losing his father. The young boy is looking around the entry way in awe.

"Your house is huge!"

Emily smiles. "Well, we have a big extended family and we're hoping to have more kids of our own so we planned ahead."

He grins. "Cool."

She walks with them into the kitchen to find JJ waiting nervously. "Declan, Tom, this is my wife Jennifer. Jen, Tom and Declan."

She extends her hand to them. "Good to meet you both."

Tom grins as he shakes her hand. "Yes, nice to be officially introduced unlike that day in DC."

JJ chuckles. "Uh, right. Sorry about that."

He shakes his head. "Nope, that was my fault. I encouraged Emily to play spy games. Should have known better."

"She should have, too," she says with a wink.

"On that note, dinner?" Emily asks.

She grabs drinks for everyone, surprised when Declan opts for one of her caffeine-free sodas. He smiles at her.

"It could stunt my growth. I need some more height if I'm going to get a lacrosse scholarship."

Emily nods, impressed. "Good point. I hope we can make some of your games this season. I've always enjoyed watching lacrosse. Will be even more fun if I know a player."

The four sit down at the kitchen table and chat about Declan's school and sports interests. Turns out he loves the Redskins, too, so JJ is thrilled. Emily is, too, because this means she wouldn't be dragged to games when Morgan wasn't available.

Finally dinner is done and they head into the living room for the tougher part of the night. Emily and JJ exchange a look, each wondering who is more nervous about what they need to tell Declan. Finally, Emily leans forward, resting her elbows on her knees.

"Dec, I understand you know about Tom's…about your Dad's illness." The boy nods reaching out and taking his father's hand. "Now we've found a place in Germany that could help and I swear to you, Dec, we will do everything we can to help your Dad beat this, okay?"

Declan nods. "Okay," he says quietly. "But what if…if…"

He can't finish his question. He scoots closer to his dad. Tom puts his arm around him.

"It's okay, son. I'm not done fighting yet. Promise."

Declan just nods. Emily takes a deep breath then continues. "So, anyway, your Dad might have to go overseas for awhile. We'd love for you to stay with us but there's some stuff we think you should know before that happens." Emily stands and starts to pace. "I know you looked some stuff up about Ian Doyle on the internet. Can I assume you've done so again? Since…since you found out he's dead?"

Declan nods. "Yeah. It's all over about how he was really bad and killed a bunch of people when he escaped prison. But it said the FBI with the help of the Canadian police stopped him. They…they killed him."

Emily nods. "Yes, yes we did."

"Emily, I won't be mad. I know he was hurting you. It said in the articles he had kidnapped an FBI agent. If he was the one that hurt your face then they were just trying to save you when they killed him. I'm not a dumb kid, Emily, Dad. I know he was a really bad and evil guy."

Emily can't help but smile at him. "You're a heck of a kid, Dec. But there's something we want you to know. It may…I don't know…it could…" She stops, trying to get her thoughts together. She'd had the conversation a thousand times in her mind but it's just not going the right way.

"I killed your father," JJ says suddenly in the silence.

Emily spins and looks at her wife. JJ is staring right into Declan's eyes. The boy stares back, his expression unreadable.

"Why?" he asks her quietly.

"When we got into the room where Emily was being held, she was tied to the bed. Doyle was on top of her and he was strangling her. I ordered him to get off of her but he grabbed for his gun. Emily, our teammate Morgan and two Canadian cops were in indefensible positions. I fired center mass to stop Doyle." She takes a deep breath. "To kill him so that he couldn't kill anyone else ever again."

The two blondes in the room stare at each other. Emily moves to the couch and sits down beside JJ, taking her wife's hand in support. Blue eyes remain locked together. Declan finally looks at his father.

"I…I need to go to the bathroom," he whispers.

Emily clears her throat. "Second door on the right."

Declan just nods. He stands and looks at JJ once more. "Would he have shot Emily?"

JJ nods. "Yes. He wanted to kill…kill our child," she explains with tears in her eyes.

"Oh."

Declan heads out of the room. Tom sits forward. "Jennifer, there was no easy way to say that. But I will say Declan's body language tells me he understands. He just…he has a lot going on in his mind right now. My cancer, finding out about Emily and Doyle, and now this. He just has to…process it some."

JJ nods. "I get that. I really do. I just hope I haven't hurt him."

Tom smiles. "He's a tough kid. Always has been. Just give him some time."

JJ nods. "As much as he needs."

When Declan comes back he tells his dad he wants to go. Emily and JJ understand but internally wish they had more time to talk with him. As they walk their guests to the doors, Declan turns and looks back at them.

"Jennifer?"

"Yes, Declan?"

"I'm glad you saved Emily and your baby."

She smiles at him. "Thank you, Declan. And if you have…any questions for me at all let me know. I promise to answer them for you."

Declan nods. "Thank you." He turns to leave then stops and turns again. "Can you come with Emily to my lacrosse games?"

JJ nods. "I'll do my best. Promise."

"Okay."

He heads down to his dad's car. Tom looks at the two women. "I'll give you a call later this week, Emily. Thank you for giving me a chance to try this treatment."

"It's my pleasure, Tom. Just make sure it works, okay?"

He smiles and nods. "From your mouth to God's ears."

He gives them a hug and heads to his car and his son. On their way home, Declan is fairly quiet. When they turn onto their street, Declan looks at his father.

"Emily must have really loved me to do all she did for me."

Tom nods. "Yes, she did."

"Dad…am I supposed to be upset that Ian Doyle is dead?"

Tom pulls into his driveway and looks at his son. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, you're my dad, he's not. And Louise was more a parent to me than Doyle ever was. Even Emily when she was Lauren did more for me. I keep thinking I should feel bad he's dead but I don't. When Jennifer told me she killed him I…" he wipes away the tear that leaks down his cheek, "…I just felt bad that she had to do that. And I was mad that he was hurting Emily. I thought…I thought he deserved to die. Does that make me as bad as him?"

Tom pulls him close. "No, Dec. Just the opposite. It makes you one hell of a kid. You know about serial killers and such. They have kids, too. The sins of the father are not automatically cast upon the child. Ian Doyle chose to be a bad guy. You have a choice to be good or bad, too. I tend to think you'll be good." He smiles at his son. "But I am a bit biased."

Declan smiles. "Yeah, you are. Dad, this was about…where I live if…if you…"

Tom nods. "Yes, it was."

Declan just nods. "Okay. I'll think about it. But…I don't want to hurt Emily by reminding her of Ian Doyle."

"Then maybe next time we get together you and she can talk about that. And then maybe you can talk one on one with Jennifer. They don't want to hurt you any more than you want to hurt them. But," he kisses Declan's head, "we have plenty of time to worry about that. How about we go inside and I school your butt on Rockband?"

Declan smiles and nudges his father's shoulder. "Yeah, right. Like you could. I'm drums!"

Tom chuckles. "Deal."

The two Colter men head inside to have a good night of video game fun.