Author's Note:

Thanks for the support.

Chapter Nineteen:

"We shouldn't be doing this tonight," Rose argued.

"People are dying Rose," Hotch said. "We need to end this now."

They were standing in the wreckage Rose's office. She had repaired the door and her chair but little else.

"Many of your agents have already fought and I don't like going into a fight when some team member are not one hundred percent healthy," she said.

"I think my agents have recovered well enough to fight. We have shown we can fight in these little skirmishes. The Order had attacked many other people today and your story about a gang war isn't going to hold much weight for much longer," he said.

"I can't even assemble a backup team in four hours let alone plot an elaborate attack."

"You can't even trust your own agents."

A glimmer of rage flared. "I know and that is what blood oaths are for."

"Reid said they are complex spells and take time. I think the Serpentine Sorcerers will provide sufficient backup."

"So we're at the point where four days ago if Lefay was in my interrogation room I'd be looking to put him in jail or make a deal to get the same sorcerers off the streets."

"Desperate times call for desperate measures."

Rose paced the room looking at some of her damaged things. "I do not like the idea of doing this tonight. Not when all of the variables aren't accounted for."

"Rose I think the strategy we have outlined is fairly precise," Hotch said. "You are the only one questioning it."

"Because this is my community you're fighting!" she shouted. "You really can't count every variable."

"I trust my team," Hotch said steadily. "But I am not sure I trust you to follow me. I going to give you five minutes to decide where your loyalties are because I intend to do this with or without you."

Hotch walked out and closed the door behind him.

Rose collapsed in her chair and sighed. She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Hello Merlin," she said with a sigh.

"How did you know I was here?" he said as he made himself visible. He had a tall pointed hat with a wide brim that was the same navy blue color as his robes on which stars seemed to move. His eyes were as blue as the sea. He had a long white beard. He looked very much like the wizard so many identified as Merlin.

Rose regarded his appearance. Barely showing any surprise. She closed her eyes again.

"Your aura is so unique it felt like getting hit by a mythical tornado. And since The Lady of Lake appeared I assumed you'd be next."

"Yet you did not tell your king I was here."

She opened her eyes and stared at him.

"If you wanted to speak with King Arthur you would have made your presence known. What do you want from me?"

"As you say, I wish to speak with you. I think you are very conflicted and I wish to offer my guidance."

"How do you wish to help me your grace?" she said with a touch of sarcasm.

"You are in pain."

"Of course I am and so is Reid."

"Emotional and mental pain and you are not a Mordred," he said. "You have not given yourself the time to recover."

"There is no time unless you'd like to stop it for me," she snapped.

"You're still scarred from the Lady of Shallot interpretation. You know how she floats in the river after starving herself to death for feeling unworthy of Lancelot's love. I think a comparison can be made to feeling unworthy of King Arthur's table."

"Since when are you my therapist?" she asked angrily. "My body also still feel mentally sore from being chained to ceiling and staring down Coyle's staff. I am also still coming to grips with the fact that some of the agents I personally trained may be corrupt. So what?"

"It is clouding your judgement."

Rose sighed. "Your Arthur's champion. Of course you will take his side. I get it. His plan is good. I'll sign up in two minutes now let me be."

"People don't you usually get this agitated when they speak with me."

"I'm not exactly your average knight, peasant, or king for that matter."

"Let me give you what you want the most then. It will be my contribution to the fight of good versus evil."

"A way to end all this quickly?"

"How about eight hours of uninterrupted rest in a single moment?"

"How will a nap help the cause?"

"Next to the son of Diana Mordred you are the King's most powerful ally. If I can give you what secretly desire the most then the fight will be better for it."

"Don't you have anything else to offer like a medieval dragon?"

"Dragons are 'over rated' if I might use the language of your people. The best gift I can give is a brief respite from your troubles."

Rose sighed. "Fine. As you wish Merlin."

Merlin walked over and Rose sat back in her chair. She closed her eyes and Merlin placed two fingers on the center of her forehead.

Rose fell into a deep comfortable sleep. She did not dream. She only felt the pain of the few days melt away. She also felt her fear turn into strength. She slept very well indeed.

…

Merlin was gone when she woke and it didn't surprise her. She practically jumped out of chair and rushed out of her office. She dodged agents as she dashed into the conference room.

"Merlin paid me a visit and gave me a long nap," Rose announced. "I am still not a hundred percent in agreement with this plan but after a long rest, I am ready to help stop fighting. Show me how I can help Hotch."

Hotch smiled briefly. "Thank you Rose. I don't doubt your loyalty now."

"Then Merlin did his job."