Closure

Inspired by FBI Episode 6x08 Phantom

and FBI International Episode 3x08 Remove the Compromise

The moment Al Shabaab was mentioned, they both noticed Tiffany acting differently. The death of Trevor Hobbs took a toll on everyone on the team but especially for her. Seeing one of her close friends die in front of her was traumatic enough but add to that the blame she placed on herself for what happened.

Because of that, Jubal asked her partner about her well-being while Isobel insisted that Stuart look after her.

Once they were left alone in her office, Jubal looked at Isobel, understanding her concern. She tilted her head as she dropped the blue folder on her table. "You've seen how she reacted. It's a concern."

"I know. I'll let you know if I see anything." When she nodded, he went back to the JOC.

Jubal was at the JOC when he noticed the movement at the corner of his eye. He looked up to see Isobel pacing in the conference room. The door was closed but the glass walls allowed him to observe the SAC. He noticed her body language - fists clenching, head shaking - indicating that she's not happy with whatever the person she's talking to was saying.

Then she seemed to have ended the call but he could still notice her tense posture as she placed the phone on her pocket. He saw her hurriedly open the door and walked out. He told Kelly to call him if there are updates then immediately followed her. He had an inkling to where she's going.

The door creaked when he opened it. He found her pacing at their usual spot. "Hey, you might cause a hole in the roof," he tried to lighten up her obviously foul mood.

She stopped and glared at him. "Maggie just called and said that they still haven't made the arrest. She said that they're chasing a lead but..." She saw Jubal nodding his head. "You knew?"

He leaned on his hand on the railing. "Well, I kind of suspected when she called earlier for a phone trace."

"I have a bad feeling about this," Isobel continued, crossing her arms. "Tiffany is so hell bent to capture Hakim that she might be influencing the whole team."

"We did say that we want her to show more leadership," he sighed.

Isobel narrowed her eyes. "But that doesn't mean that she could disobey orders."

Jubal moved closer, his hands in front of him in a placating gesture. "We trust our agents to have good instincts, we just got to trust hers."

"I know but we already lost another agent. I don't want, that in the pursuit of justice for Hobbs, we also lose another one," she said, her voice cracking from the emotion.

He was immediately at her side and hugged her. "She's got us. We're her team, we won't let that happen." He felt relieved when he felt her leaned into him.

Things went from bad to worse and at the end of the day, the team was back at 26Fed for the debriefing. The agents had their shoulders slumped and heads down in the conference room before Isobel asked Tiff and Stuart to follow her in her office.

Jubal just told Maggie and OA that they're cleared for the night when he received a call. The person on the line identified himself as someone from the State Department. Sensing that the call might needed privacy, he went out of the JOC before continuing to talk. Apparently, Yolanda insisted that the department calls the ASAC from the New York field office immediately. When he asked what the call was about, Jubal understood the urgency.

He hated interrupting Isobel but this information was something she needs to know, they all need to know. He jogged to her office and decided not to knock as to avoid her refusal.

The revelation that Hakim has re-entered the country shocked the SAC and the agents. Their exchanged looks conveyed the gravity of this information.

After the agents were dismissed, Jubal approached her desk. "She needs to do this, Isobel. The only way she can move past Hobbs' death is to obtain justice and she gets the guy who killed him. Only then, she can think about moving on."

She nodded. "Okay, but she has to get therapy. Her guilt and grief are now interfering with her job. It puts people's lives, including hers, at risk."

"Yeah." His hand went to the back of his head. "Uh, also, I'd like to apologize for not knocking earlier," he added sheepishly.

She tried not smile but corners of her mouth turned upwards. "I understand but try not to do it again."

His smile lit up his face. "Yes, mam."

The call came as a surprise. When he asked his source to give him a heads up a couple of years ago, Jubal didn't think it would amount to anything. He certainly never thought that after dropping off his kids to school that morning, he would be flying off to Budapest.

He called Isobel on the way to the airfield. After telling her about the information, he ended with "I just have to do this, Isobel."

"Okay," she nodded although he can't see her. "Jubal?"

"Yeah?"

"Be careful."

He couldn't help but smile when he noticed the concern in her voice. "I'll see you when I get back."

Jubal was glad that Isobel understood. He knew he needed to do this. He needs to go to Budapest to finally lay this to rest.

The ASAC arrived late in the evening and went home to his apartment. He didn't want to disturb Isobel but she asked him to text her when he arrives. Just got home. Good night.

He was about to get just a few hours of sleep but his phone lit up with her reply. Okay, good to know. Good night. Seeing her message made him decide to take a leap of faith.

The next morning, Jubal got up early to go to a peculiar but familiar place. Truth be told, he avoided this street - this block even. He could still remember the spilled coffee, her blank eyes, her blood on the pavement.

After a joint session with his son, the family therapist suggested that he seek someone who could help him personally. The one-on-one therapy brought up his need to address his anger and grief.

The trip to Budapest became an opportunity to deal with his residual issues. He thanked Forrester for not letting him be consumed by revenge, this need to be rid of the guilt because of what happened. Their last conversation was like a eulogy of sorts.

The result of a quick web search for a flower symbolizing peace and the nearest flower shop is what he has clutched in his hand. It was still early, he hoped the new owners wouldn't see him. They wouldn't understand why a single white lily was laid on their front steps.

He is doing this for himself. He didn't really have a grave to visit, her parents made sure of that. But he has to do it, so he could truly move forward.

He needed to forgive himself and allow himself to live the rest of his life. As the therapist advised him, he should see what life still has to offer and that good things could still happen if he just let himself be open to it. He needed to close that chapter in his life to start a new one.

He said a quick prayer and looked up to the blue sky. As the first sun rays hit his face and on the flower, he felt like a weight was lifted off of him.

Jubal knew she's awake by this time. He just hoped she hasn't left yet. When she opened the front door, Isobel's eyes widened as she looked at him. He gave her a shy smile and when she smiled back, a sense of hope bloomed in him. Her stepping aside to let him in may be a start of something.

Notes:

Thanks to daitanro for all the help

Reviews are appreciated! Thanks for reading!