"Time heals all wounds, unless you pick at them." ~Shaun Alexander

Spencer gripped the handle of his suitcase tightly in his hand with a shaky grip. His eyes scanned his bedroom one last time, seeing if there was anything left he wanted to take to JJ's house with him. He really didn't have enough. He packed just the essential things. Reid didn't see any reason to take much with him if he just planned to sulk around anyway.

Trying to ignore the knots winding up in his stomach just from having to see the room they used to share, Reid walked out into the living room where JJ stood waiting. He noticed the way she looked around, her eyes stopping on things that were Evie's and her face falling just a bit every time she did. An ache continually burned in Spencer's chest for her, the pain never diminishing. He was used to it now. It was a part of him. Reid didn't particularly want it to go away either. It was a reminder of her, the only one left. That, and the things that he hid in his suitcase...

Unfortunately he didn't hide them very well, because as he began to tug it across the floor towards where JJ waited, the top fell open and everything spilled out onto the floor: Her jewelry, pictures of her, her favorite sweatshirt and books. Spencer held his breath and looked at spilled items with a disheartened look. The heavy silence seared through the air, and he just knew JJ was looking at him.

"Spence..." she said after a while. He couldn't even count how many times he heard that word spoken with the same deep sympathizing tone that he was so used to. Spencer didn't particularly hate sympathy. He rather not have it, but he knew it was the only way his friends could think of getting to him. Of course they would feel sorry for him all then wanted, but they couldn't bring Evie back. No one could.

Nevertheless, Spencer was silent in response to JJ's half-saddened, half-disappointed tone. He knew exactly what words she would speak next. He'd already thought the same thing before packing the things into his bag.

"You're never going to be able to let go if you keep torturing yourself with all of these memories." JJ told him. Spencer eyed the ground in the stillness and quiet. He didn't want to hear it, or talk about it, or think about it.

"I know..." he whispered, finally breaking his own silence. "But I don't want to let go."

He felt his friend's gaze on him, drilling holes into his head. He had gotten this a lot too: just stares. Stares of concern and pity and remorse while he cringed under their gaze, wishing it away. He didn't like this attention. He never liked attention in general.

After a moment, Jayge sighed and seemed to sag before him, giving into Spencer's self destructive tendencies, probably knowing there was no way to stop him. He was on a long and fast spiral downwards, with no brakes to his fall. There was no end of the tunnel he was thrown into, he was too far in. Every spec of hope had been stomped out completely within him.

Kneeling down besides the mess spilling out of Spencer's suitcase, JJ pushed a lock of hair behind her ear and bent over to delicately pick up the items that had fallen, placing them back into the bag. Spencer finally was able to look at her, watching Jennifer pack everything back up for him, Evie's things included.

Feeling grateful for her lenience, Spence sunk down to his knees and helped her in cleaning up without a sound. He felt his stomach sink as he held the cool silver of one of her bracelet chains between his fingers. Everything he touched of hers sent chills down his spine and aches through his chest. It was a reminder of her though, and he'd take what he could get.

Once they had everything stuffed back into the suitcase, JJ zipped it up and sighed once more in finalization. Risking a small glance, Reid noticed how worn out she looked; emotionally drained from just touching Evie's things. JJ was looking up at the ceiling, her hands tangled in her lap and her body still save for the steady rising and falling of her chest as she took deep breaths.

Spence would've said something, but no sound would come out. He was drained as well. Drained of energy, of will, of food, of sleep... of everything.

Luckily Jennifer was the first to move, her eyes falling on Spencer's. He watched her timidly, biting his lip with uncertainty. JJ forced a smile, tilting her head and trying to give him a hopeful look. She put a gentle hand on the side of his face and ran her thumb lightly across his cheek bone. Spence looked back at her sadly and closed his eyes as she leaned forward and lightly kissed the top of his head. He really needed to remember how lucky he was to have her as his best friend. Whenever he needed it, JJ was like a sister and mother all wrapped up in one.

"Come on." she said, gently, pushing herself up into a standing position and holding her hand out for Spencer. He took it and let her help him stand, gripping the handle of his suitcase in his hand afterwards. Spencer was tempted to look back at him and Evie's home for one last time, but he knew it was just another unnecessary way to hurt himself more, so instead, he took a deep breath and followed JJ out without looking back.

A certain amount of days had gone by. Evie was unsure as to how many, but she hadn't been visited by Batra much. Only once or twice and even then, he didn't say much. She had a gnawing feeling inside of her that he knew something she didn't. Was it Spencer? Was he okay? What if he hadn't gotten out of the alleyway alive that awful night that they were separated? She always had the smallest suspicion in the back of her mind, but she had tried to cover it up. The more and more her hope dwindles however, the more it seemed to be a viable possibility.

If Evie began thinking like that however, who knew what would happen to her will to get out of this place. She wanted to consider Spencer alive and back at home until she heard otherwise, so that's exactly what she did; or she tried to anyway.

Lately, she had been getting back some of her strength. Her abdomen still hurt like hell most of the time, but by forcing herself, she was able to push herself to walk around her small confined space. It was more like stumbling and falling around the space, but still, Evie considered anything a step closer to getting out at this point. Every time she moved, pain flared up so intensely that she saw spots forming out of the corner of her eyes, threatening to send her spinning into the darkness of unconsciousness. Just the thought of home, of her friends, and of Spencer kept her fighting, however. She couldn't will away the pain, but remembering the reason she was still staying strong was a good way to distract from it. This alone was the only reason she could take even the slightest step across the room as she was now.

After a blank faced gang member had brought her the usual meal, Evie had slid it under her bed and set out on a quest around her personal jail cell to look for any way out. It didn't sound like much, but with the effort she had to use, it seemed like the hardest thing she ever had to physically endure.

And what would finding a way accomplish anyway? She'd get out and instantly be seen by one of Slick's goons, and if not that, she'd take a few steps until collapsing from the pain of her gunshot wound.

Evie brushed away the negative feelings and thoughts she had, even though she knew they were the only reasonable ones she has had lately. Something had to keep her from acknowledging the hallow feeling in her chest that was constantly boring into her at every second, reminding her that she was basically helpless and doomed to die. The very least Evie could do was pretend she still had potential to change her fate.

Clinging to the wall and picking up her foot to move forward, Evie took a step and exhaled sharply.

That wasn't so bad. She thought to herself before taking another one. She cringed at the stabbing sensation in her side for a moment, but the pain eventually diminished and she took another step. Every single day it was getting easier. At least she was healing.

Before she could even have her own small celebration for overcoming her pain so well, the door flew open on the wall opposite from her bed. Evelyn jumped from the loud crack and bang that sounded from the panel hitting the other side of the shabby wooden wall. A man was standing tall in the doorway, his shoulders squared and his chest puffed out. His eyebrows were dark and loomed over his eye sockets that looked almost empty in darkness from the shadows and lighting that cast across his face. He noticed her standing, but didn't seem phased. She would've jumped back down into her bed, but there was no time, so Evie stood their frozen, wondering what he was going to do with her heart thumping hard in the pressure of waiting for something she knew not to be good.

All at once, chaos broke out. The man in the door way lunged forward and encased her wrist in his hand, making her shriek at he sudden and unexpected movement. A new person took his place and the doorway before darting forward and taking her other wrist. The men didn't say anything as Evie struggled to break from their grasp. Sharp pangs ran through her side and up her spine as she did so, flames of pains spreading throughout her body while being jerked out of the door.

Evelyn had been outside the room before, but it was on a wheelchair with a blindfold, only to be carted to the bathroom occasionally. This was different. She was being forcefully dragged out into the dark and musky cement hallway where a few other men stood with the same dark faces and hard stares.

"Where are you taking me?" she shrieked, demanding answers. The men continued to drag her stumbling down the hallway towards an open door . She couldn't see what was on the other side since it was shielded by the ajar door. She could however, see natural light from the outdoors flooding in. It was the first signs of daylight she had seen in what felt like forever. As relieving as it was, it was also terrifying. What on Earth were they planning?

"I said, where are you taking me?" she screamed, trying to muster up all of the energy she had. The fear and adrenaline must have been kicking in, because despite the fact that she still had a hold in her side, she was fighting like crazy and ignoring most of the men holding her arms seemed to not be phased even a little however. Their arms bulged as they used muscle to restrain her, but other than that, they were as solid as statues.

They reached the door and ushered Evie through without problem. It wasn't so much the pain than the tiredness that was getting to her now. She hadn't done much but sleep and talk to Hani for the last couple days. The sudden change in activity was wearing down on her.

Her fight was renewed however, when she saw the giant semi truck parked outside the door on the asphalt of a tiny nook of an alleyway. The engine was roaring with life and the giant back door was pulled down and stuffed with boxes. Hani was sitting in the back of the truck with two guards guarding him. His face acknowledged her and he gave Evs a sympathetic expression. She knew what this was. They were trying to escape out of the country, taking Hani and Evie with them.

Her mind was on full red alert, and Evelyn panicked. She couldn't be moved out of the country. That meant she'd be moved further away from home and further away from Spencer. She'd never see him again, or anyone she loved. It'd become exponentially harder for the team to find her and for her to escape. Being trapped in a little personal prison in Boston was bad, but moving across seas to potentially be trapped forever or killed was a great deal worse.

"No! Stop! You can't take me!" she continued to protest the best she could. It was absolutely no use however. The men were able to hoist her small frame up into the truck where she collapsed in a small heap on the ground. Evie was finally starting to feel the biting pain in her abdomen that had been blinded from adrenaline and her racing thoughts. She tried to push herself up with her arm but she fell back down onto the dirty floor of the truck, grunting a bit as she hit the ground a second time.

Out of the corner of her eye, Evie could see Batra beginning to move forward with means of helping her, but one of the guards blocked him with his gun, pushing Hani back. He gave Evie an apologetic look and stared at her through thick, concerned eyebrows.

Without any time to spare, someone yelled something outside the truck in a different language. The men on either side of Hani looked at each other and nodded, finally leaving Batra's side and walking past Evie towards the opening of the car of the semi, not without one of them giving her shoulder a nice kick however. Evie cringed and curled up in subconscious defense, waiting until she heard the two men walk to the end of the truck and hop out before the loud squeak of hinges emanated from the door and a big boom filled the air as the back of the truck was shut up and sealed, leaving Evelyn and Hani alone.

Hani hopped down from his place sitting atop a box, kneeling at her side just as the truck engine revved and the entire car jerked forward, the sound of the truck moving emanating a low hum.

"Are you alright?" Batra asked, trying to reach forward to gently take her arm to help her up. Evie only pushed him away however, focusing her strength on pushing herself up and falling back so that her back laid on the wall of the truck so that she was propped up. Evs pressed a hand to where the gun had shot her only days ago, squeezing her eyes shut and trying to think of everything but the fact that she was hurting pretty bad at that moment.

The truck was bathed in quiet as she took deep breaths, trying to calm herself down and disregard everything else. She had to keep her tolerance up and she had to keep herself together.

I'll get out of this. She kept telling herself over and over again. I'll get out of this. I'll get out of this.

Finally, Evie felt the pain diminish and she was able to slowly open her eyes to the small confined space around her. The cart of the truck was still bigger than her small little room was at least.

Evelyn's eyes landed on Hani who was staring at her with a curious gaze. She stared back at him with half open eyes, her chest still heaving up and down from the effort it took to tranquilize herself from the ache.

"Where are we going?" she asked in a low and tired voice. She didn't even recognize the sound of herself anymore.

Hani looked at her for a while, almost as if he was deciding it wise to tell her information. Evie often got the feeling that her extreme desire to escape scared Hani. No doubt that there was concern that her will to go against the gang's wishes and somehow get Batra involved. She doubted if they'd even care if Hani helped her or not, he'd be punished all the same, but most likely at his family's expense. As much as this disturbed Evie, it was a risk she was willing to take. It irritated her how little Batra wanted to do about his predicament. Yes, he family was in danger but sitting here with the people who made it that way wasn't going to make anything better.

"Canada... first." he finally answered in his thick foreign accent. Evie was used to it now, however. It was the only voice she had listened to in a while.

Thinking about his answer, Evelyn proposed another question that was poking at her mind.

"So... we'll travel near Virginia?" she asked, thinking of home and longing for nothing more.

Hani just looked away and bounced along with every bump and crack the truck hit. The ride wasn't exactly the smoothest, but it wasn't bad enough to rattle Evie into discomfort with her damage.

Evelyn was expecting him to say something more. Usually Hani would take forever to respond. She could nearly see the gears in his head turning every time before he spoke in his wise ways. This time however, it was different. Hani was dead silent, and it didn't seem he had any intention of changing that anytime soon. Evelyn sighed and let herself slid down until she was lying on her side. She slipped her arm under her head and sighed, reaching her other arm up so her fingers could toy with the pendant of her necklace on her chest, hoping to God she'd be safe and at home in bed sometime soon. She missed the comfort of her sheets, and her pillow, and Spencer's arms. The thought made Evs exhausted, so she gripped her necklace in remembrance of Spence before her eyelids drifted shut and she sunk into sleep.

"He's here!" a tiny voice shouted excitedly as soon as Spencer set foot into JJ's house. The familiar sound made Spencer's chest fill with a much needed warmth that he had been lacking for a while now. He set his bags down on the floor in time for Henry to run around the corner with his jeans and favorite blue t-shirt with the Avengers logo on the front. Just the sight of his godson running up to him with so much life and excitement made Spencer feel more alive than he had in days.

"Hey buddy." Spence said, kneeling down in order for Henry to throw his arms around his Uncle Spencer's neck. Reid smiled wrapped his arms around Henry as well, giving him a squeeze before letting him go to look into his blue eyes that so perfectly resembled his mother's.

"Where's Evie?" he asked immediately, as if he knew something was up. He had that concerned but curious gleam in his eye and Reid already had the feeling that this was going to be hard to explain. He turned a bit to look up at JJ who frowned at Spencer, seeming as if she wasn't quite sure what he wanted her to say. Reid looked back at Henry who was patiently awaiting his answer, rocking back and forth on his feet.

"She's in a lot better place, bud."

Henry's face scrunched up with confusion as he thought deeply about this.

"Disney World?" he asked, unsure. Spencer smiled a bit and shook his head.

"Not exactly."

Henry looked seriously at Reid did the same thing JJ tended to do. He looked right into Spencer's eyes with a concerned but caring expression as his pupils seemed to bore straight through him, reading him inside and out.

"Is she with my Mommy's sister?" he asked in a whisper. Spencer looked solemnly at his godson, half proud that he was so smart in understanding and half distraught that Henry was actually right.

"Yeah, she is." Reid said quietly. Henry wasn't so excited now. He looked at Spencer as if he wasn't quite sure what to say. Spence didn't know how much Henry quiet understood, but from the look on his face, he seemed to understand that something not quite right had happened.

"Alright, sweetheart. Uncle Spence is going to get some rest." JJ told Henry, Spencer's cue to stand and grab his things again. He was staying in the guest room that was all the way at the end of the hallway on the first floor. There's a series of three doors down that hallway, the closest two being a bathroom and a study, and the last being the guest room that hardly anyone used except JJ's mother when she visited.

"Why?" Henry asked, looking up at Spence with big eyes that silently begged the question why won't you play with me?

"Cuz I'm exhausted." Spencer told him, reaching forward to tousle his hair. He was able to lift Henry's spirits with this as the kid giggled and straightened out his hair once more.

"I'll make you some peanut butter and bananas after I help Spence take his stuff to the extra room, kay?" JJ asked her son as she bent down and kissed the top of his head. Henry nodded and trotted off to play with his action figures in the living room. Spencer smiled marginally as he watched him go, appreciating that Henry had created the first moment where he had felt something different than pain, despair, and agony in a long while. Those feelings were slowly returning however, and he was already emotionally drained. When Spencer had agreed to go straight to sleep when they arrived at Jennifer's house, it was only to please her. But now, as he felt the effects that not sleeping at all lately was having on him, Spencer really wanted to fall into a deep sleep.

Wanting to fall asleep and being able to fall asleep were two different things however.

"Come on." JJ whispered gently, putting a hand on Spencer's elbow before moving forward with most of his bags which she refused to let him carry. Reid sighed and followed her into his new temporary home, although without Evie, he doubted anything would really be home ever again.

A/N: Just wanted to say the favorites and follows and reviews are seriously just amazing. Thank you!