Morgan exhaled, gripping his radio tightly. "Rossi, you're not dying today. That's not about to happen."

The bomb tech spoke through the comms. "Alright, I'm here with . We have eyes on the generator and the wiring. Morgan, tell Rossi to stay as still as possible and don't touch the door."

"Wasn't planning on it," Rossi said, "But thanks."

The bomb tech spoke to Reid. "If the backup trigger is wired to the generator, we can disarm it."

"Yes, but the failsafe is looping back to the cabin, so if I cut the wrong wire, it could trigger a secondary explosion."

"Then let's cut the right wire," Riley said, " , the black wire. If we cut it close to the generator, it should bypass the cabin trigger. We're cutting now."

Morgan held his breath, staring at the cellar door.

"Cut's clean," Reid said finally, "The power to the trigger is down."

Morgan tapped on the cellar door. "Rossi, did you hear that?"

"I'm still in one piece, so that's good," Rossi said, "Any word on when I can walk out of here?"

The bomb tech returned to the cabin, sweeping a handheld scanner around the doorframe. The device let out a soft beep.

"No active current. The detonator's dead."

Morgan spoke through his radio. "Hotch. We're clear. The bomb is disarmed. Repeat, the bomb is disarmed. We just need to break that door down."

"Oh, thank God," Garcia gasped through the comms.

Morgan ascended from the cellar and ran to the cabin door just in time to see Hotch prying at the last hinges with a crowbar. The door creaked open. The two men stepped inside to find Rossi.

"Let's get out of here. I've had enough of the woods for one day."

As soon as they stepped outside, Garcia broke free from JJ and rushed toward them, wrapping her arms around Rossi.

"Oh my God, are you okay? You almost exploded."

They pulled away, but Rossi smiled at her. "But I didn't."

Morgan stood beside them, arms crossed. "We should get you both to a hospital."

Rossi waved a hand. "Nothing happened that can't be solved with a classic vinyl, a good plate of pasta, and an even better bottle of bourbon."

Garcia chuckled. "I'll have to join you for that."

Rossi clapped her on the shoulder. "It's a date: you, me, and a plate of pasta a la Rossi."

Garcia gasped, clutching her pearls. "Why David Rossi, if I didn't know any better, I would think you're trying to seduce me."

Morgan rolled his eyes. "You can work out dinner plans after you get checked out by a doctor."

The team stood silently as if no one knew what to do next.

"It's hard to believe it's over," Garcia said quietly.

JJ nodded, glancing at the cabin. "But it is, and that's all that matters."

Garcia shivered. "Well, hopefully, on the next case, there can be less getting taken hostage and more impressing you all with my super hacking abilities."

"Seconded," Rossi said.

Morgan shook his head, taking Garcia by the hand. "Let's get out of here."

Hotch gave them all a final nod. "Good work, everyone. Garcia, Rossi, I'm happy we got you back in one piece."

As the team moved towards their SUVs, Garcia reached for Rossi's hand, squeezing it.

"Glad you're okay."

Rossi squeezed back. "You too, kitten."

They climbed into the back seat, headlights illuminating the dark forest as they finally left their nightmare behind.

A week had passed since they had been stuck in the woods together. For the two of them, it had been a blur of debriefings, mandatory therapy, and failing to fall asleep. But tonight would be different.

She had been to Rossi's mansion before, but it would be different tonight. It started normal enough. Rossi teased her for being late and offered her a drink, but once they were poured, he raised his glass.

"A toast! To outlive the bastards who wished to kill us."

They ate silently before Rossi took another sip of his bourbon and asked Garcia what he had been dreading.

"How are you doing? Really?"

"Better, I guess. I haven't been sleeping much. I keep dreaming about…him. Beckett. If the team hadn't shown up when they did, I- I'll get through it."

A tear fell from her eye. Rossi reached up and brushed it away. "Of course you will. You're stronger than you think. And you're not alone."

Garcia smiled. "I know. I have the team. And Morgan offered to stay with me, but…"

Her voice trailed off, and she hoped he wouldn't press further. She hoped the night could continue in a comfortable yet uncomfortable silence with the crackle of a fireplace and the sound of cutlery. But, of course, he had to keep pushing.

"But, he never experienced what you did," Rossi finished for her. "And neither did I. I was in the woods with you, but I wasn't in the bunker with Beckett."

"Morgan has been great. The whole team has. And I know they would all drop everything to help me if I needed it, but they weren't there. They weren't trapped down there. They didn't feel his rage."

Her fingers traced along the cut that Beckett's knife had left.

Rossi nodded, placing his glass down. "No one expects you just to get over what happened. Beckett did a lot to get under our skin."

Garcia gripped the sleeves of her sweater. "Every time I think I'm over it, it sneaks up on me."

Rossi watched her for a moment before refilling both their glasses. "You know what's helped me?"

Garcia raised an eyebrow. "Oh! I know this one! Buying expensive liquor and lying in your mandatory therapy sessions."

He smirked. "Yes, but not quite. I've been holding onto the things that make me feel like myself."

Garcia nodded. "Oh, I have. Some figurines are shipped to my apartment as we speak, and they will be on my desk Monday morning."

Rossi rolled his eyes. "And I've been making time for the people who help me feel safe."

"Is that why you invited me over for dinner? You wanted me to feel safe?"

"I invited you over for dinner because you make me happy. If I had to go through all that again, there's no one else I would rather have by my side."

Penelope raised her glass. "If I had to go through that again, I'd want you there every time."

Rossi clinked his glass against hers. "Salute."

When dinner was finished and the dishes were clean, Rossi offered his guest room to Garcia. She accepted the invitation with a quick hug. "Thank you for everything."

"Anytime, kitten."

Penelope retired to the guest room, and for the first night since the abduction, she slept without worry.