29

That afternoon, at the FBI field office, it was all quiet again. But this time it felt different. The heaviness had lifted. The shadows in the corners seemed to retreat.

Morgan stood by the windows, arms crossed, gazing out over the city skyline. Reflection written across her face.

The danger had passed. Justice had been served.

Selena Soto approached, her footsteps soft. "You okay?"

Morgan exhaled. "I don't know. I think I will be. Eventually."

Selena nodded. "You took down a titan today. You gave those families closure. You proved to all of us once again... that we were right to believe in you. Since day one."

Morgan turned to face her. "Thank you. For letting me be part of all of it. For backing me."

"You didn't need our backing, Morgan. We were just lucky to have yours," Soto smiled.

The two women stood in silence for a moment.

Then Selena's voice softened. "You're one of the best I've ever worked with. You've got a gift, and guts. Take some time now. Be with your kids. Heal. We've got your back."

Morgan nodded, touched. "I think... I'll take you up on that."

Selena gave a small nod, then turned and walked away down the corridor.

Right after, Agent Ronnie Oliver approached from the far end of the hallway, his usual guarded expression replaced with something more sincere.

"Morgan," he said, stopping beside her, "I just want to say thank you. Every piece we needed came together because of you. You didn't just help solve this, you brought it down from the inside."

Morgan felt her chest tighten. Not with pride, but with quiet validation.

He gave her a small, respectful smile. "You're definitely more than just a consultant. You're really good at what you do."

She felt the recognition more. She and Ronnie never had a conversation like this. It was odd, but sincere.

There was an utmost respect being given, and being received. After everything, after all the doubt and risk, this was enough.

"Thank you, Agent Oliver," she said genuinely. "That means a lot. And thank you for helping to save me and my kids. I won't forget it."

"No problem," Ronnie gave a simple nod. "Always be careful, Morgan."

Then he walked away.

In that brief moment, there was a mutual understanding.

No more roles, no more titles. They are all just people who had survived something extraordinary.

Morgan stepped out into the late afternoon light, the sky streaked with the fading gold of a long day.

She made her way toward her car, keys in hand, her mind already halfway home. Until a familiar voice called out behind her.

"You know," Karadec said as he approached, hands in his pockets, "if you keep solving cases like this, they're going to run out of medals to pin on you."

Morgan turned, already smiling.

"Oh, Karadec," she said, her voice warm. "I've hit my praise quota for the day. Selena and Ronnie already tried to spoil me. Don't you pile on."

He stopped a few feet from her, the playful smirk softening. "Can't help it. You earned it."

She met his gaze, then looked down for a second, brushing a hand through her hair.

"I didn't do this alone," she said quietly. "I never did. We all worked for this. Every step of the way, since the beginning."

Karadec nodded, thoughtful. "Yeah. But someone still had to hold it together when it almost fell apart. That was you."

Morgan's expression shifted, grateful, but not basking. "I just did my part. Like you did. Like all of us did."

There was something in the silence that followed. Not tension, not uncertainty, but a calm understanding that stretched beyond words. The kind that came only after walking through fire side by side.

Karadec's eyes lingered on her. "Well... I'm proud to have done it with you."

She smiled, slower this time. "Same."

They stood there for another quiet beat, the world carrying on around them.

Then Karadec tipped his head slightly. "Take care on the way home, Morgan."

She gave a gentle nod. "You too."

They turned opposite directions, but almost at the same time, they glanced back. Just for a second.

A smile passed between them. Brief. Honest. And impossible to hide.

Karadec watched her as she drove away, his expression unreadable but fixed.

Morgan drove in silence, the city unfolding around her, yet her mind turned inward. She wasn't entirely sure what she was feeling. Only that it ran deep, and had something to do with Karadec. She didn't name it. But it stayed with her, steady as the road ahead.

—

Karadec stepped back inside the field office, the echo of his steps filling the now-quiet hallway. Most of the agents had gone home. The buzz of the day had quieted, leaving only the hum of vending machines and distant elevator chimes.

He made his way to his temporary desk, collecting a few scattered files, grabbing his keys, ready to call it a night.

"Another case closed, huh?"

Karadec turned to see Ronnie approaching from the corner, arms folded, a knowing look in his eye.

Karadec let out a low chuckle. "You say that like it's getting old."

"Just saying," Ronnie stopped beside him, leaning against a desk. "You and me... we've done this a long time. From day one, man. Still feels good, though."

Karadec gave a small nod, his smile genuine. "Wouldn't have gotten through half of them without you and your team."

But Ronnie's expression shifted to subtle, but unmistakable. A flicker of thought passed behind his eyes, like he wanted to say something more.

Karadec noticed. "What?"

Ronnie shrugged, forcing a small smile.

"It's funny, you know? I still think we're the best team there is... but sometimes I feel like I already got passed up. Like someone else wears that partner badge now."

Karadec scoffed lightly, rolling his eyes. "Come on. Don't start. You jealous of Morgan now?"

Ronnie grinned. "Me? Nah. Just noticing how you two talk like you've been through three wars together. And don't think I didn't see that little goodbye moment in the parking lot. Looked like something out of a slow-burn drama."

Karadec held up a hand, laughing. "Alright, alright. Don't make it weird."

"Too late," Ronnie said with a grin. "You're down bad, man."

"I am not... down bad," Karadec said, with too much emphasis to be convincing.

Ronnie raised his brows, smug now. "Man, you literally ghosted Liana. Ignored her calls and messages numerous times. She also told me you stood her up when she asked you out for dinner."

Karadec winced slightly. "I didn't stand her up. I... just got real busy."

Ronnie laughed. "She called it getting stood up, man. She even texted me afterward like, 'Guess Karadec's too busy saving the world, or daydreaming about his partner.'"

Karadec groaned. "Okay, now you're just making stuff up."

Ronnie held up a hand like he was swearing under oath. "Scout's honor. Her words, not mine. And honestly? She's not wrong. That wasn't a time issue. That was a Morgan issue."

Karadec opened his mouth, then closed it again. He let that hang for a second, then leaned back against the desk casually.

"Not to mention when you turned down my offer," Ronnie added, his tone dipping lower. "When I asked you to come to the Bureau. Partner with me again. You could've transferred, had the whole setup. But you didn't. Because she was still at LAPD. You chose her. You chose that partnership. Over everything."

Karadec sat back slightly, exhaling through his nose. He didn't dodge it this time.

"You really aimed for the soft spot today, huh?"

"Not really. You're just easy to read these days," Ronnie chuckled, satisfied.

Karadec shook his head, but the smirk tugging at his mouth gave him away. "Remind me why I ever told you anything?"

"Perks of being the original partner," Ronnie said, clapping him on the back. "Just saying... when it's that obvious, might be time to stop pretending it's not there."

They shared a quiet laugh, but the moment was deeper than nostalgia. It was filled with acceptance and support.

Karadec left standing there, suddenly a little less sure of what he was pretending.