"Hello, Emily. How are you doing?"

Emily paces with the phone up to her ear. "Not good, Dad. Last night Will was murdered."

"Oh my God."

"Yeah. Uh, any chance you can send the jet to fly us all down there tomorrow? His funeral is Saturday and we're going down to help Helen with the police aspect of it. And, well, just to be there for her and Annabelle."

"I'll call the pilots association and leave as soon as we can this evening. We'll arrange to pick up Charlie and his co-pilot for the hop from Dulles to New Orleans."

Emily nods. "Thanks, Dad."

"How are Henry and JJ doing?"

"Henry is angry. He will only talk to Francesca. He has a hell of a kick though as the bruise on my shin shows. JJ is…she's devastated that Henry has lost his father. And I know she's probably flashing back to the times she nearly lost me. God, Dad, I can't help her."

"You can, Emily. You help her by loving her and doing whatever she needs you to do whenever you need to do it," he reminds her.

Emily nods. "Right. Anything. I just…feel so helpless."

"I know, sweetheart. But you will be okay. And when you need a shoulder to cry on, I'll be there for you."

Emily bites her lip, giving her a second to rein in her emotions. "Thanks, Daddy," she chokes out.

"Your mother will be home soon. I'll let her know what's happened. See you tomorrow, Emily."

"Bye, Dad. I love you."

"Love you, too."

Emily hangs up and stares at the phone. The next call is to the Jareau's. Emily walks down the hall from the spare room to the master bedroom where JJ is laying down. No surprise, her blood pressure was close to the red zone. Emily crawls onto the bed beside her wife and brushes a lock of hair off JJ's face.

"You okay?" Emily asks the winces. "Sorry. Stupid question."

JJ manages a smile as she takes Emily's hand. "I'm sorry I wasn't any help with the kids. I'm sorry I…I am…shit…"

Emily smiles. "You're not shit, baby." JJ manages a quick giggle, which was Emily's aim. "How could you not be so screwed up about this? He is…uh, was Henry's father. And you loved him at one time and part of you still loves him. I get that."

"But he was your friend, Emily. And you were close to him and I know you haven't even had a chance to cry because I've been busy breaking down every five minutes." JJ takes a deep breath. "You…You know it's not because I'm in love with him, right? I mean, you know I- -"

"Jen, stop. Of course I know that." She pulls her wife into a hug. "And I will cry eventually. I just…can't right now. We still have to call your parents. We need to call Helen back and let her know we will definitely be there tomorrow. We have so much to do." She kisses JJ's temple. "I'll cry when I need to. I promise."

"I love you. I love you so much."

"I love you, too."

JJ holds out her hand. "My turn."

Emily places the phone in the outstretched hand. "I can take over if I need to."

"I know. Just…hold me. I'll be fine."

"Are you sure I can't do something? Maybe I can get someone else to take my place and- -"

Garcia shakes her head. "No, sweetheart. Trust me considering what's happened I want to tell you to find someone else to go, turn in your badge, and become a mattress tester." She stares into sympathetic eyes. "But you are an agent of the D.E.A. and you have been working this case for 2 years. Trust me when I say it is a damn good thing I am handy with a hair dye kit as you will give me as many gray hairs as my babies at the BAU but it is who you are, Stephanie."

Stephanie stares into the blue eyes of her girlfriend. "Are you sure? I mean, I only met Will a couple times but he's important to you since he's Henry's dad. And I know Henry is going to need you and he'll probably bruise your heart. He's just so young. If you need me, I will be here for you."

Garcia smiles and strokes a hand down her girlfriend's cheek. "You are something special, Agent Diedrickson. I love you and I will worry my pretty little head off while you are gone because you will be gone. I need you to go out there and make the world safer for Henry and Annabelle and Rocky and Jack and all the other little kiddies."

Stephanie leans in and gives Garcia a toe-curling kiss. "I love you, Penelope. And I know you know my handler. Call him if you need me. I'll break cover and get my ass back to you. Promise me."

Garcia nods. "I promise. Now you promise me you'll be careful in Sao Paulo."

Stephanie stares at the analyst a moment then starts to grin. "I almost asked how you knew I'd be in Brazil."

"Silly girl," replies Garcia with a smile.

"Yeah. Love makes me silly," Stephanie agrees.

"Good. Because I love you, too. And if you don't get back to me safe and sound I'll have to fly to Brazil and forget I'm a pacifist as I go all Xena on people's asses."

Stephanie starts to laugh. "I can so see you doing that."

Garcia nods. She then pulls Stephanie into a passionate kiss. When it finally ends, Garcia stares into her girlfriend's eyes.

"Make love to me?"

Stephanie kisses her gently. "You never have to ask, Penelope."

Garcia takes Stephanie's hand and leads her back to the bedroom. When Stephanie leaves in the morning it could be 2 weeks or more before they see each other again. The women plan to get very little sleep as they reaffirm their love and try to sate themselves before the long separation.

"Florence."

"Marty, it's Derek Morgan."

Florence lets out an audible sigh. "Morgan…I can guess why you're calling again."

"Is there anything I can do? On the record or off?" Morgan offers.

"Be honest, the captain and I have talked. Once we get all the forensics back we're sending stuff to your team. We want this fuck found and we know you're not going to swoop in here just to steal the case from us. We're just waiting for everything to come across. Hotch should be getting the official request for help tomorrow."

"Thank you," Morgan says sincerely. "Now, outside the case…is there anything we can do? Anything I can do?"

"Just pray for his wife and kids. Damn, Derek, that little girl won't know him." Florence takes a deep breath to try to settle his emotions.

"Marty, JJ and Emily have tons of home movies with Will in them. Spencer Reid has an eidetic memory. Penelope Garcia has loads of movies and pictures of Will. Annabelle will know him through those photos and memories. She will know her daddy, Marty. I promise you we will make sure she knows her daddy."

It takes a few minutes for Florence to respond. "Thanks, Derek. Check your email in the morning. Lab is rushing everything through as quickly as they can without making any mistakes. As soon as I see anything I'll send it on to you."

"Thanks, Marty. And anything you need outside the case, I'm here for you."

"Thanks, Derek."

Derek pockets his cell phone and walks over to a picture on the wall. Henry is sitting on his shoulders laughing at something. He had joined Emily, JJ and Rocky on a picnic that day and Henry had insisted on a shoulder ride. They had chased after Emily, Henry yelling "Go, Horsey" the whole time. Morgan smiles and pats the picture.

"I'll share all my memories of your dad with you, Little Man. And as you get older and have questions, I'll be there. I know what it's like to lose your dad so young. I'll be there for you. Always," he promises.

Morgan goes to his bedroom to pack his go bag. And to pack a suit to wear to a funeral for a friend and fellow LEO.

Reid tosses a legal tablet to the side and grabs another. All in all 5 tablets are completely filled with snippets of memories, complete conversations, even sketches of good times Will and Henry had shared. He has 10 more tablets to fill, for he believes that is what he needs to give a chronological life story of Will as he had known him.

He reaches up and presses against his temple, trying to will the migraine settling in to go away. He had to get this finished tonight. He had to have it ready so if Henry had questions he need only grab a tablet and show his Godson the answer. His hand starts to cramp and he pauses in his writing.

"But we don't have the final answer he will want. Not yet at least. Who did this? Who killed your father, Henry? And why? We will do what we have to do to find an answer. I promise you. This case will stay open on my desk until it is solved. I swear it, my little Jedi."

He grabs his pen and starts to write again. He would put all the tablets in order in a box and give them to JJ so that Henry would have them as he gets older and starts asking questions she can't answer.

Hotch sits down on the couch and pulls his son up into his lap. Jessica stands nearby at her brother-in-law's request.

"Jack, you know Henry?"

Jack nods. "Aunt JJ and Aunt Emily's son. He's my friend."

Hotch smiles. "Yes, he is." He takes a deep breath. "Last night Henry's daddy passed away. Do you remember Will?" Jack nods. "Well, he is in heaven now."

"With Mommy?"

Hotch's eyes get glassy as he thinks about Hailey. "Yeah, Jack, with Mommy."

"Did Mommy know Will?"

"Uh, yeah, she did," Hotch answers, confused by the question.

"Then she won't be lonely no more."

Jessica has to turn away at the simple, heartfelt conclusion. Hotch hugs his son close and kisses him on the head.

"No…no she won't be."

"Is there gonna be a funeral?" Jack asks.

"Yes, there is."

"Can I go in case Henry needs a friend?"

Hotch smiles. "I think that would be great." He looks at Jessica who nods. "You and Aunt Jessica will fly down on Friday. I will already be there with the team."

"Okay. Henry can come stay the night here if he wants," Jack offers.

Hotch hugs him closer. Could he love this kid more? He takes a deep breath. "Henry is going to be down there already. He has a new little sister that will need him. But I know he will be happy to see you."

"I can tell him about the memory candle."

"I think that's a great idea, Jack," Hotch tells his son. He hugs him and kisses him once more. "Now, how about you go wash up for dinner."

Jack nods, hops down and hurries down the hall. Jessica walks over and sits down in the armchair.

"I'm still in shock. When you called I just couldn't help but think about that little baby," Jessica says.

Hotch runs his hands up his face and through his hair. "Yeah, we're all worried about her and Helen. Helen is estranged from her family so Emily and JJ are going down tomorrow to help her with everything. Will's cousin Marie will be there, too."

"I am so glad she's not alone. Now what about you? This has to hit pretty close to home."

Hotch nods. "Yeah, it does. But the team, including JJ, was there for me when I needed them. Time for me to be there for them." Hotch grins as a memory hits him. "When Hailey and Jack were in witness protection, JJ would find reasons to pass Henry off to me. At their rehearsal dinner, at a picnic the team had, she even convinced me to help her go shopping one time. She gave me time with Henry somehow always knowing when missing Jack was getting crippling for me. Time for me to return that care and concern and be there for her however she needs me."

"You know, every time I see a news report of an officer killed in the line of duty I thank God it's not you or someone I know," Jessica says. "This is a horrible punch to the gut. I can't imagine what his family is going through as bad as I feel."

Hotch thinks a moment. "We know when we put the badge on that it's a possibility. Our loved ones know it's a possibility. Still doesn't make it easier when it actually happens to someone you know."

"There but for the grace of God, eh?"

Hotch nods. "As wrong as that sounds, that is the first thought that flashes through your head. It's human. Still makes you feel like sh- -. Hey, buddy. Ready for dinner?"

Jack nods as Jessica smiles at the quick edit Hotch had done to his statement. Hotch stands and pulls off his tie.

"Me, too. Let's go see what yummy meal Jessica has for us tonight."

Jack runs to the table, followed by his father and his aunt.

"Yes, there but for the grace of God go I," Hotch thinks to himself as he unconsciously drags his hands over the scars beneath his shirt on his torso.

Rossi stares out over the backyard of his mansion. The wide open space is neatly manicured even in winter. Several cleared areas hint at gardens that would be in full bloom in Spring, giving the yard the hint of a fairytale wonderland.

But all he sees is a grave. A small grave. A grave for a child who didn't have time to make an impact on anyone but his parents.

He jumps as a hand gently runs over his shoulder. Rossi had forgotten he wasn't alone.

"Want to talk about it?" Straus asks gently.

Rossi shakes his head. "No. Just…thinking about parallels." He takes a deep breath. "A child a parent never got to know. A parent a child will never get to know. Just…parallels in the darkness."

Straus nods. "I see what you mean." She wraps her arms around him from behind. "You do know it's okay to cry, Dave. For your son and for Will."

Rossi nods. "I know. But if I start, I may not stop," he answers with an emotion choked voice.

She turns him so she can stare into his soft brown eyes. "You will. Even if you cry all night you will stop in the morning because you want to help find answers for Henry."

Rossi takes a deep breath. "We've been invited in?"

"Yes. That was Hotch calling me. He got a call 20 minutes ago from Will's captain. The killer has some confusing actions and he wants a profile. I think he also wants extra guns on the street, too."

"Probably. Did he say what was confusing?"

"Just said when Hotch saw the surveillance video he would understand." She runs a hand through Rossi's hair. "But that is for tomorrow. Come upstairs, Dave. Come lie in my arms and cry for your son and for what Henry has lost."

Rossi just nods and allows Straus to lead him upstairs. For many months he had cared for her while she struggled with sobriety. Now…now she would care for him as he faced a demon from his past awakened by a monster in his present.

"Hi, Mom," JJ forces out before bursting into tears.

"Jenny? Jenny, what's wrong?" Sandy Jareau demands.

Emily carefully removes the phone from her wife's hands. She had worried the hormonal woman would be unable to keep her emotions under control and is ready to take over the notification.

"Sandy, she's okay," Emily states.

"She doesn't sound okay," Sandy points out.

Emily sighs. "Maybe not. But…there is no easy way to say this." Emily takes a deep breath. "Sandy, Will was murdered last night."

JJ moans at the words. Sandy gasps.

"Oh, God…"

"Yeah. His funeral is Saturday. Marie asked us to come down to help with the preparations and…and I think just to be there for Helen and Annabelle."

"Oh, that poor, sweet baby."

"Yeah."

"How's Henry? Does he know?"

"He knows. He's just not speaking to us right now. Francesca is with him since he seems to blame us for the fact that he can't call his daddy."

"Are there any leads?"

"No, just a lot of questions. In fact his captain has asked our team for help. Once I get Henry, Rocky and Jen settled with Helen and Marie I'll meet the others at the station."

"You're flying separately?"

"Yes. Father is flying in overnight. We'll leave tomorrow after a trip to Dr. Manton. Jen's, understandably, having some blood pressure spikes so we want to check in with Doc."

"We are in Houston. We'll head for New Orleans tomorrow. We should get there in the early afternoon."

Emily smiles. "Thanks, Sandy. I know it will help Jen and Henry both to have you two there."

"And, Emily, call us after you leave Dr. Manton. We need to know the twins are okay," Sandy insists.

"We'll call. I promise. Hopefully JJ will be a little calmer tomorrow." She rubs her wife's shoulder. "This is all just a little raw for all of us right now."

"I imagine so. If you all need anything please call us."

"I will, Sandy. Promise."

"I love you, Emily."

"We love you, too, Sandy. See you tomorrow."

"See you then, dear."

Emily hangs up the phone and tosses it on the table. She pulls JJ into her arms and they just sit silently for a few minutes. JJ finally lifts her head from Emily's shoulder.

"Thank you."

"No thanks needed, Jen." She kisses JJ's forehead. "No need to thank me for loving you."

"Which is why I always make sure I do," JJ says with a sincere smile.

Emily leans forward and gives her wife a gentle kiss. "Is there anything I can do? Anything at all?"

"Just keep loving Henry the way he needs to be loved despite his treatment of you."

Emily smiles. "Done."

"And just keep holding me?"

Emily pulls her close once more. "Also done."

Emily sits down beside Henry's bed. "You speaking to me yet, Champ?"

Henry pulls Bear-Bear closer to his chest. "Want Daddy," he whispers.

Emily's heart nearly breaks all over again. "I know you do, Henry. And if I could get him for you I would. I would trade all I own to bring your daddy back." She runs a hand over his head. "But I can't. All I can do is promise to help you always remember him and make sure you know how much he loved you. Because he loved you so, so much."

Henry sighs. "Love Daddy."

"How about you sleep with Mommy and me tonight? Your mommy is really sad like you are and maybe you can help each other have good dreams."

"And Ska?"

Emily smiles. "He can come, too. He can sleep at the end of the bed."

"Okay," Henry agrees with an uncharacteristic lack of emotion.

Emily lifts him up into her arms. "Come on, Champ, let's go see Mommy."

"Mama?"

"Yes, son?"

"I sorry I kick you."

Emily smiles and kisses his cheek. "You were upset. I forgive you. Just promise me you won't kick anyone else when you get upset."

"Promise, Mama."

When they get to the bedroom she sets him on the bed and he crawls up to cuddle with JJ. Alaska jumps up and crawls up there with him. Emily smiles and goes to finish packing her bag for the trip.

"Mommy? Why did Daddy die?"

Emily, in the closet, freezes. How will JJ answer that question? How does anyone?

JJ takes a deep breath. "I don't know, Henry. I think we just have to pray and we have to hope that someday we understand."

"Him in heaven?"

JJ nods. "Yes, he is."

Henry thinks a second, his young mind trying to understand that which is confounding at any age. "Him be our angel now, Mommy."

Emily has to cover her mouth to stifle her sob at that innocent pronouncement. JJ pulls her son close as her own tears start once more.

"Yes he is, Henry. Yes he certainly is."