Before knocking on Anna's door, I look down at Carly, reminding her, "Just what we talked about. Don't let him get to you."

Her eyes are both nervous and excited; she always gets a high from a good scheme and a volatile scene. The look on her face, personally, is somewhere between terrifying and sexy as hell. She's lit up, alive in a way that makes the air around her crackle with energy. My job is to make sure it doesn't all blow up in our faces.

She laughs as she reads my expression, "Don't worry so much, we've got this." She comes up and presses herself against me. "And, as for that smolder, make sure you save that for later. I bought a sexy little red and lacy number you are going to love."

I growl out, "Carly… Be serious."

With a smirk, she leans in and gives me a kiss, "Trust me."

Then, she turns around and knocks on the door herself, but barges in before there's an answer. Anna and Agent Cates look up shocked to see her enter. Anna's eyes shoot to me in question, but Carly speaks before I can answer.

"So, Jagger, it seems we have a bit of a dilemma." She walks over and sits on Anna's desk in front of him.

"Miss Spencer, I don't know…"

"Now, that I don't believe. You know a lot. But the thing is, I know some things too. For instance, as Sonny's power of attorney, I was shocked by the autopsy which found SSRI meds and traces of GHB in his system. Medication that sends bipolar patients into dangerous manic episodes and just enough GHB to lower his inhibitions." I see Cates pale with beads of sweat appearing on his temples. Carly is in her element; my lips quirk up as I see her preparing for the kill. "Why, Agent Cates, you don't seem surprised. Me, I thought to myself, who has a beef with Sonny? Who would slip drugs into his alcohol?" She pauses, almost like she is waiting for a response. Then, she leans forward, "Maybe someone who likes to tell everyone about Sonny drugging their ex, and who has been actively investigating him despite that not being their assignment."

I step forward, placing the photographs of him giving the drugs to Sonny's guard. "We have proof of you giving the drugs to a guard. The guard has given Anna an official statement saying you paid and threatened him to slip drugs into Sonny's alcohol."

Anna quietly adds from behind her desk, "Which I have yet to officially file."

Carly crosses her legs and leans forward, "Here's the dilemma: I know you have a recording of me you are holding over Jason's head. He has done what you asked, found what you wanted him to find, but still you threaten him by threatening me. Quite frankly, I think it's time we deal with all of this knowledge face to face. Cut out the middleman and all that. Don't you?"

Cates looks between the three of us, then turns his attention fully back to Carly. "Alright, Miss Spencer, I'm listening."

"I'm glad I have your attention. I have a highly effective lawyer who could easily make the case that you were responsible for the bloodshed that took out four people. I wonder how well that badge will protect you from murder and conspiracy charges. Probably won't help much, will it Anna?" Anna's eyebrows shoot up, but Carly barrels on before she can respond. "The thing is Agent Cates, I am currently more concerned about Jason. So, I'm willing to make a deal."

Anna stands up suddenly, "If you will excuse me, I think I hear my assistant calling my name."

Carly waits until the door clicks shut, then continues, "We can play this one of two ways: we either both go nuclear. You have me arrested for RICO violations and I submit all the evidence I have about your shady dealings with Sonny. You lose your career, at least, and probably your freedom- my lawyer is very good, your son loses his father, and my kids lose their mother. Avery loses the only parent she has left. Or…"

Carly pauses for dramatic effect. While I feel strung as tight as a wire, she looks like she's enjoying every moment. Cates's face, on the other hand, has gotten progressively darker. He's playing it smart by keeping his mouth shut, not giving anything away. However, his silence is speaking volumes. Carly waits for a response before continuing, making him participate in the conversation.

Finally, he asks, "Or?"

"I am so glad you asked." She tells him with a smile, but then her tone changes, turning hard, "You delete your evidence, let Jason out of this forced service, and Jason, Anna, and I pretend we never found out that you drugged my ex-husband, setting in motion a psychotic spiral that will traumatize my family for years to come. We both wipe the slate clean and go our separate ways. What do you say, Agent Cates, which path are we taking forward?"

He sits silently for a moment, regarding Carly intently. Then, he gives her a sardonic grin, "You have played your hand well, Miss Spencer. I believe that you could run a criminal organization," his eyes briefly shoot to me, but quickly go back to Carly. "With help from some loyal muscle." He shakes his head, then stands up, putting him a foot away from Carly. I move closer to her, close enough to force Cates a step back. "Definitely loyal. Very well, you win. Jason, you are free. I will delete the evidence from the system."

I speak up, "I expect proof it was deleted. Only then will we destroy our evidence."

He gives a nod, "Carly, as charming as you are, I hope to never have to deal with any of you again."

With a bright smile, she tells him, "Oh, the feeling is definitely mutual."

He finally turns his attention to me, "Jason, I have to admit this turn of events is surprising. I underestimated you." He runs his hand through his hair, then giving it a shake, he looks directly at Carly and continues, "He deserved it. You will never convince me he didn't. Clearly, he was dangerous to everyone around him. But I am sorry it caused your kids pain."

Carly gives him a tight nod, "We'll have to agree to disagree on that. Honestly, your apology falls short. I don't think you cared if you hurt my children when you took Jason from us, threatened me, and drugged Sonny. So, you can keep that apology and make amends by staying the hell away from us."

He gives us both a look, then his head drops down. Without another word, he turns and walks out of the door. We stand for a tense moment until Carly breaks out of it and rushes into my arms. I squeeze her tightly to me as she lets out a sound somewhere between a sigh and a laugh. "I wasn't sure it would work. I was halfway convinced I was going to end up in jail today. It totally would have been worth it to get you your freedom, but I am really glad it didn't come to that."

"I would never risk that. I would never trade your freedom for mine." I whisper into her hair. I feel the weight I have been carrying for the last three years fall away, and I'm suddenly overwhelmed. Carly feels the storm of emotions tearing through me, holding me even tighter. There were times when I was sure I was never getting out from under this, that I was convinced the feds would destroy everything I love. I feel tears in the corner of my eyes. "I didn't think…"

"I never doubted you, Jase. But you aren't the only person who can put themselves on the line for us and our family." Her voice quivers, "I know you never intended to tell me…"

"Carly, I…"

She shakes her head at me, "No, let me finish. I get why you did it. I don't necessarily agree, but you put so much on the line to save me. This isn't me scolding, this is me telling you thank you for everything you've done for me, and thank you for trusting me to get it over the finish line. I hate what you had to do to protect me, hate that they used your love for me against you. But I am grateful for everything, Jase. I love you so very much!"

Choked with emotion, I respond, "I love you too, and I will always do whatever it takes to make sure you are safe and happy. It would break me if you…" I can't even finish saying it.

Carly runs her fingers across my cheeks, wiping away any evidence of my moment of weakness. Then, she places a soft kiss on my lips. As she leans back, I chase the kiss and take charge, suddenly overcome with the realization that we're free, that I'm no longer caged by the FBI. Holding her to me, I deepen the kiss, losing myself in this woman who is the center of my heart.

Anna lets out a laugh as she walks in the room, "It's good to see you have your priorities straight." She walks around and sits at her desk, picking up a file, "I'm guessing you don't want me to file charges against Agent Cates. You came to an agreement?"

Carly gives a huge grin, "He agreed. Jase's free, and I guess I am too. Thank you for your help."

"Yes, thank you." I add. "I don't think we would have come out the other side without your help."

"I'm glad I could help. Though, to be fair, you did most of the heavy lifting. Thank you for your help with Pikeman." She says with a smile.

I give a nod, then take Carly's hand in mine. Looking down at her, I propose, "What do you say we go tell our kids the great news?"

Her smile lights up as she agrees, "That sounds perfect."