This one doesn't have the humor that has been running through the story. But I needed it to get where I am going. Hope you enjoy anyway;)

Many many thanks for all the reviews! You guys are the greatest.

The Suspect's House

"Clear," Morgan's voice rang out from the back of the house.

"Clear," called out Hotch from the kitchen.

"Clear," called Emily from the bedroom.

He opened his mouth to call out from his position in the den when a wall panel flew open, a shot rang out, and suddenly his body was on fire.

He wasn't really cognizant of what happened next. He sensed a flurry of activity, voices, more shots, and then quiet. When he woke, he heard sniffles. Casting his eyes around, searching, he found her. More than anything, he wanted to reach out to her, wipe the tears from her eyes, comfort her; but he just didn't have the strength. So he tried to speak. He thought he heard himself grunt.

Her dark eyes darted to meet his. "Hey," she said softly, a weak smile forming on her lips. He wanted to say so much, to tell her…maybe for the last time… that he loved her, to thank her for the life she had given him. But his mouth wouldn't work, so he just kept his eyes on her, trying to say it all that way and also holding on to the strength that she gave him.

Awareness of their surroundings slowly sank in and he glanced around the ambulance before settling his gaze on her again. There really wasn't anything better to look at…more important. Besides, if he really was going to die, she was the last thing he wanted to see. And he could feel his life slipping out of him.

As if she knew what he was thinking, she barked at him. "Don't you dare die on me, David Rossi! Don't you even think about it. You have to hang on…for me, for your sons, Marco and Joseph. You have to," she commanded in a weakening voice.

He wanted to. But he was so tired. He tried to speak again, to tell her he loved her, to tell her he w anted to fight but there just wasn't any fight left in him. She grabbed his hand and held it to her, kissing his fingers. And then, as if reading his mind she whispered, "I know, honey…but you have to fight." His last thought as his eyes closed was how much he loved this woman.

There were forces at work within David Rossi, forces that were pulling him away from life, his life. But he sensed her fear and her tears. And that pulled at him as well.

He woke to white. Everything was white as he tried to look around. There were sounds but they were muffled, except for one. Moving his head slightly, he saw her. She was with Aaron. He was holding her and she was sobbing. But it seemed off. Why would Aaron be holding her? He was generally non demonstrative. And why was she sobbing?

He wanted to reach for her, to call her name, but he didn't have the strength. So he watched. And then Aaron did something odd; he whispered to Emily. Dave was confused. Why was his friend whispering in the ear of his…his Emily? The bastard was making a move on his woman and it infuriated Dave.

Her head came up and she looked at Aaron, who nodded. And then she turned and she looked at Dave. She looked so sad, so heartbroken that he wanted to tell her not to cry, that it would be okay.

He watched as she moved closer to him. But the forces that wanted to take him away were at work again and he felt himself slipping away. Her hand snaked into his, holding him in this place. She was saying something to him but he couldn't understand. He didn't need to; he saw her love and her heartbreak… and her fear. And then he understood her. "Stay with me," she ordered. "Or else I'll follow you and make your life hell."

He wanted to let go, let the forces win. He was tired, so tired. But the way she looked at him, the love he found in her eyes, he couldn't go. He didn't want the heartbreak for her and he did want the life she had given him. Besides, he didn't want her following him to where he knew he'd go. He'd already found Heaven with her…only one direction to go in after that. He blinked as he fought to stay. And then his eyes began to close. He wanted to stop them, but the forces were at work.

Behind closed eyes, he fought. How could anything be better than the heaven he'd found on Earth, with her? He wanted her; he wanted to go back, to open his eyes and look into hers. He needed her… she needed him.

Two days later his eyes fluttered open. His chocolate eyes were met with a smile and a look of relief in her dark eyes. And he knew he was home. He had won; the forces had been beaten back by his Emily.