"Please, just let me come!"

I seized Spencer's arm. It hadn't taken long for Garcia to ping Peyton's phone. They were at her house. Luckily, the girls were in school and Peyton's husband, Chris, was at work, so at least they weren't in danger. The BAU and the cops were getting into their bulletproof vests and whatnot. This time the entire team was going.

And so was I.

"Emma, you can't come," Spencer insisted. "Why are you so hellbent on running into danger?"

I scowled. "I can talk to Elijah. He knows me, he'd be more comfortable with me."

"He wants to kill you!" he exclaimed, eyes wide. I set my jaw. Spence was right, but I needed to be there. I knew I could talk Elijah down. I was certain that I was the only one who could. Spencer turned to me, cupping my face. He kissed my forehead. "You are staying here and that is final, okay? If things go wrong...I can't lose you."

I scoffed. "You're so sappy." I kissed the corner of his lips. "Fine. Please just save my best friend."

"Of course," he replied. He kissed me one last time before exchanging looks with Hotchner. He sighed and left to save the day. So did I. As soon as the cop cars and black SUVs were gone, I got into Beth's car and took a shortcut that I knew their GPS wouldn't pick up. I was perfectly aware I was being reckless, but I couldn't care if I was going to get shit done.

I pulled into Peyton's driveway and ran up to the porch. I knocked on the door. When there was no response, I called out, "Elijah! I know you're in there. Please let me in. We need to talk." I pressed my ear to the door. Heavy footsteps headed towards me. I took a deep breath.

The door opened and Elijah stood there, a large kitchen knife in his hand.

"Can I come in?" I asked. He gestured for me to come inside. I followed him to the kitchen, where Peyton was duct-taped to a chair. She was unconscious, a bloody head wound near the part in her hair. I was quivering now. She looked dead, but I could tell she was breathing. I wondered what he had planned for that knife.

His voice sent shivers down my spine. "Why are you here?"

"The police are on their way," I admitted, turning to face him. "You need to surrender, Elijah. So you can get the help you need." I heard the cars pulling up to the house. My heart pounded in my chest.

"It's too late for me," he declared, moving behind Peyton. He pressed the knife to her throat.

My hands balled into fists. "Please don't hurt her."

"She hurt me first." He slid his free hand up her neck, through her hair. He grabbed her roots and yanked her head back. I flinched as the doors burst open and the BAU, as well as the cops, flooded in. Spencer shot me a dirty look. I lied to him, but I needed to be here.

I bit my lip. "Elijah, please. She's not the one who hurt you." I took a small step forward, trying to maintain eye contact. I raised my hands and spread my arms to create a sort of barrier between the cops and us. I took a deep breath. "What did your mom tell you?"

The anger dropped from his expression. "What?"

"Did she tell you that no one would ever love you?" I questioned. He gave a slow nod. "I bet she said you were incapable of love, too. That all you had was each other." Another nod.

I took another step. "My uncle used to tell me that too, in the dead of night, with his naked body pressed against mine and his fingers in my hair. He told me that he was the only one who could ever love me. He told me that I would never be able to love." Elijah was tearing up. So was I. I wanted to run into Spence's arms, but I just kept talking.

"He would put his hands on me and insist that he was the only one who would see me as perfect," I continued, "but, Elijah, he was wrong. He was so wrong. I've been loved. I've fallen in love so many times, hell, I'm in love right now." Tears slipped down my cheeks. I couldn't help but glance at Spence. He was clearly emotional.

Elijah's voice shook. "Does he love you back?" I looked back at Spence. Our gazes locked. My body quaked with suppressed sobs. I didn't have an answer for Elijah. I had no idea if Spencer loved me or not.

"I do," Spencer answered, lowering his gun. He tucked it into the holster. My heart warmed and a wide smile curled my lips. He loved me. We were in love. We loved each other. Spence smiled at me. "I love you so much, Em."

I approached Elijah, sniffling. "Put the knife down, Elijah. Surrender, because there's nothing in the world like being in love, and if you don't surrender you might never get to have that feeling."

"After everything I've done..." he whimpered.

I laid a hand on his arm. "We all deserve love, Elijah. Every single one of us. Even you. Your mom was wrong, okay? Put the knife down and prove her wrong." We stared at each other for a moment. Slow and steady, he moved his arm out and dropped the knife. Morgan surged forward with handcuffs. Blake set to work on an awakening Peyton's restraints.

It was over.

*

The EMTs treated Peyton in the back of the ambulance. Moments later, Chris and the girls arrived. They went inside without much talking. She didn't even look at me. I tried not to let it hurt. The cops, Morgan, Blake, and JJ took Elijah to the police station. I followed Spencer, Hotch, and Rossi's SUV back.

I expected to feel lighter, but instead, the weight on my chest just grew heavier.

I gave a statement about the showdown. Beth and Ethan went back home to get some rest. People were talking at me, but I didn't hear a word they were saying. There was a ringing in my ears. My heart hurt. Somehow, I still felt like we lost.

Spencer sat down beside me and told me he would take me home. I nodded distantly. He sighed slightly and took my hand. He rubbed the back of my hand with his thumb. With his free hand, he cupped my cheek and tucked a few locks of hair behind my ear. I leaned into his touch.

"I was telling the truth," he said. I tilted my head. He leaned in and kissed me. The numbness left me and suddenly I felt like I was flying. I deepened the kiss, throwing my arms around his neck. Kissing him was the most amazing sensation. I loved him so damn much.

He pulled away and pecked the bridge of my nose. "I love you, Emma Aragon." I beamed and rested my forehead against his.

"I love you too, Spencer Reid."

*

a/n: one more chapter