A/N: PHEW! It took me DAYS to get this chapter done. I guess I was reluctant to let this story go. Gosh, I can't believe that this is coming to an end! But first…

THANK YOU, so much, for all your reviews and love! You totally boosted my desire to finish this story. (HUGS)

Awkay, because I'm sure that you'd like to know how this ends… Let's go! I really hope that you'll enjoy the ride.

Epilogue

When she was just a little girl Ilsa had already buried almost all of the family she'd known. Her mother died when she was born. Then she lost Big Auntie (1), who'd been basically her mom and grandmom. Then Leo. Then Scarlet and Luther.

Too many losses that she could only understand partially, too many funerals.

That dark evening it was time to say goodbye to the two dear friends they lost most recently. When candles lit up the night Ilsa snuggled closer to her daddy, tears blurring her eyes. She clung to his sleeve as tightly as she possibly could, her tiny heart breaking in her chest. "I hate candles", she whispered, slipping to Russian. It was her comfort language, Big Auntie's language.

Her daddy kissed her hair gently and pulled her closer. It helped both of them feel a little warmer. "So do I", he confessed quietly.

Spencer's heart ached while Ilsa began to tremble in his arms. Her reaction wasn't caused by crying but by holding back the tears. She was far, far too young to hold herself back in such a way.

Spencer's lips opened but Ilsa was faster. The barely audible words were like a stab. "Will they come back? Like auntie Emily did?"

Spencer bit his lip, so hard that it almost bled. Of course Ilsa had known that he only faked his death. There was no way he could've been cruel enough to hide the truth from her. But Emily… was a different story. Explaining her return to life to a child who barely understood what death meant was an exhausting, heart taxing task.

Paddling furiously against the pitch black memories and fresh, raw grief Spencer sighed heavily. He pulled her just a little bit closer still. "No, sweetie. They won't", he murmured, his eyes stinging hellishly. "Auntie Emily had to hide to protect us and herself. The others… Do you remember what I told you, after Emily?"

Ilsa nodded slowly, leaning heavily against him. "Yeah." Her voice had never sounded so small. "They were needed elsewhere, so they had to go. Even though they didn't want to."

Spencer nodded slowly and kissed her head. He tried not to notice how badly he was shaking. "That's right", he breathed out, hoping that she didn't hear how his voice broke. "But it's like with the stars. They're still there, even if we can't see them."

Ilsa nodded fiercely. Quite possibly not even noticing the tears drying slowly to her cheeks. Her hand shook a little bit when she placed it to her chest. "For as long as they're here."

"For as long as they're there", Spencer confirmed. He wasn't quite able to hold back his own tears. It was alright. Ilsa needed to know that it was okay to show her emotions, even sorrow.

Since then it was stunningly quiet. Which wasn't a surprise, considering that only a selected few people were present. This wasn't like Leo's memorial service. Scarlet and Luther… They didn't die heroes but as victims of the world they'd been pulled into. They were good people, deep down, despite the horrible things they'd ended up doing. Only those who knew that, who knew who they really were, needed to be there for this final farewell. Which was why no more than ten people had gathered to watch how those two were laid to rest beside Leo and Gabriel.

Spencer was so focused on his little girl that he shivered with surprise when a hand grabbed his. Turning his head he saw Emily, whose gaze was fixed firmly on the fresh graves. Her eyes weren't quite dry while she squeezed his hand, almost tightly enough for it to hurt. After a brief moment he held back. It was 'We made it', 'I'm sorry' and 'I'm here' all rolled into one.

Later it'd be the time for healing. For figuring out where he belonged in the world anymore, now that so many parts of it had come crashing down. For moving forward. But now, for a few moments, it was finally time to really stop for a bit and mourn all that'd turned to ashes and dust.

Much later that night Emily was tossing and turning in the bed of her hotel room. It was comfortable. The room's temperature was just right. But for the life of her she couldn't find any ease from the itch burning under her skin.

Funerals of too many friends do that to a person, she figured bitterly.

She shivered a little when her phone began to ring. She wasn't surprised to disover who the caller was. "You're not in the mood for sleeping, either?"

"Sleeping's a waste of time." Dante sounded exhausted, though. "I've… been trying to figure out where to go next, actually."

"How about London?" It slipped out far less subtly than she'd intended. Not that she would've ever been much for sugarcoating things. "I have… a friend who has a minor position in the British government. He might have a job offer for you, if you're interested." She decided to add a one more hook. "If I know him at all it's something stupidly dangerous."

Dante was quiet for a very long moment. "You know, wildcat… Let me think about that in the morning, yeah? Right now there's something else on my mind." And a second later there was a knock on her door.

Emily had to bite back a chuckle. She rolled her eyes and put away her phone after opening the door. "Still one for dramatics, then."

Dante grinned while pocketing his phone. "I was starting to climb up the walls alone. So sue me." He revealed a plastic bag. "Ice cream?"

Emily stepped aside, letting him enter. It was almost disturbing how natural this all felt despite how long it was from the last time. "I don't want ice cream."

"Me neither."

The door closed quite a bit more loudly than the people in the next room probably would've appreciated.

It was a long night for the BAU-team. Spencer refused furiously to be returned to the hospital although he would've clearly benefitted of one. And for rather understandable reasons he kept pain medication to the minimum. He managed to maintain a brave, strong front for as long as Ilsa needed him. But once she was fast asleep keeping the act together wasn't quite so easy. The day's emotional strain did nothing to help him feel better.

He was only half aware of what was going on when David led him to a car and began to drive. His head cleared marginally when he realized what their destination would be. "You're taking me to your place?"

David nodded. "I've got more than enough room. And since you're basically discharging yourself against medical advice you need an adult around to make sure that you're alright."

Spencer fidgeted a little from discomfort. He wasn't a huge fan of the idea of having a babysitter. But he could see that with all the scares he'd given his team they were determined to make sure that he'd be alright. And as a dead man walking he didn't exactly have a place to stay in. So he relented silently, warmth fluttering in the pit of his stomach and filling his whole body.

Slowly and carefully, not wanting to disturb his sleeping daughter or his injuries, Spencer picked up Ilsa and began to make his way towards David's mansion. The older man followed close behind, obviously keeping an eye on him. He was led to what turned out to be a massive guest room. Instantly he lay his daughter on the bed. Separated from the warmth of her daddy Ilsa frowned and whimpered in her sleep but soon settled with a sigh.

They watched her in a silence for a few moments until David dared to whisper. "Maybe you should get some sleep, too", the man suggested. "It's been a long day."

Spencer shook his head. True, he was exhausted. But he also knew that there was no way he'd be able to sleep that night. Even if he'd by some miracle fall asleep he didn't feel like facing the nightmares. "No, I'm good."

David nodded. There was understanding in the man's dark eyes. "Take your time to get settled, then join me downstairs. I think we both need a lot of strong coffee."

Spencer agreed with all his heart. Once David left the room he headed towards the toilet and splashed some cold water on his face. Whatever he attempted to accomplish with it didn't happen.

About twenty minutes, or perhaps twenty hours, passed by until Spencer finally felt ready to leave the room. He headed downstairs and froze. The scent in the air… It didn't come from coffee. He entered the kitchen almost cautiously and froze.

Derek, Penelope, Aaron, JJ and Alex were all there. His entire BAU-family. They were cooking pasta, with red wine to provide further inspiration. There was a glass of water and an open spot waiting for him.

About a lifetime ago they celebrated Emily's return to life with a pasta party. It made sense that they celebrated his as well. Spencer's heart swell at the thought. Gosh, how lucky he was to have so many people to come home to.

It took some time before they noticed him standing there. The ladies smiled at him encouragingly, their eyes suspiciously moist. Aaron merely nodded, that simple gesture somehow speaking more loudly than any words. The grin on Derek's face would've melted anyone's heart.

"So." There'd never been the kind of a look in David's eyes he saw then. "Would you like to join us?"

Spencer smiled through the searing sensation in his eyes. And did the only thing he could've possibly done. He joined his team, for a moment letting go of all the pain and sorrow with the help of his family.

They cooked. They ate. They didn't talk much but that was alright. Words were overrated, anyway. Once they were done they settled for a silly soap opera marathon.

For a few hours they watched and amused themselves with trying to profile which soap opera cliché would be used next. All of a sudden they became aware of just how quiet their youngest had become. The alarm, however, faded soon when they looked at him.

Somewhere along the way he'd fallen asleep, his head having lolled to rest against Derek's shoulder and his hand almost pressed against JJ's thigh. He was finally getting the real, proper rest he needed. And for the first time the team dared to muse that perhaps everything would be alright, after all, eventually.

Two weeks later four people were at a tiny, secluded airstrip that few knew about. Close to them a private jet was ready to take off. New lives were about to begin.

Spencer's eyes were soft. Full of both longing and support. "Take care of yourselves, will you? Both of you."

Emily nodded. Dante grinned and winked. "You know me. I always fall on my feet." His hand lingered behind the woman, so close to a certain area that it might've earned someone else a broken wrist. "And how could I not be all good with this one as my bodyguard?"

Emily rolled her eyes. It looked like she hid a smile. "Keep going like that and I'll slip laxatives to your food", she dared the smaller man. Then hugged Spencer as tightly as she dared to from his still healing injuries. "You take care of you both, too. I'm going to miss my favorite girl."

Ilsa smiled, even if it crumbled soon. She was a little too young to understand why everyone seemed to be leaving her. "I'll miss you, too." The child's eyes then turned towards Dante. And all of a sudden she was hugging the two of them with all the might a little girl could muster. "Please don't become candles."

Emily seemed confused. Dante understood, if the flash of ache in his eyes was any indication. "Don't be silly, princess. Of course we won't." He poked at her nose with one finger, succeeding in making her giggle. "You're my favorite girl, too. And I'll see you soon."

"You swear?"

Dante nodded very seriously. "I wouldn't dare to break a promise to you, kiddo." And the man clearly meant it, from the bottom of his heart.

The adults exchanged a few more words, along with loudly speaking looks that Ilsa wouldn't understand. Emily and Dante would visit often, of course they would. Which didn't make saying goodbye any easier.

Spencer and Dante looked at each other. "Who would've thought that we'd be the last of us left, huh?" the smaller man murmured, so softly that Ilsa wouldn't catch it. His voice broke a bit.

Spencer pulled in a deep, tight breath. He sure didn't. "Let's make it count", he decided on.

Dante nodded firmly, making a yet another promise.

Their whole bizarre team had always been on borrowed time. By some miracle the two of them had been given an extra lease. They'd be damned if they didn't make the most of it.

All too soon the father and daughter watched the jet taking off. Ilsa nudged at Spencer's sleeve fervently, effectively pulling him back from his thoughts. "Daddy?" She seemed afraid and was unable to look away from the jet that was leaving the country behind. "Will we see them again? For real?"

Spencer smiled and held her closer. It didn't slip his attention that she was using English, even though she was in a distress. "Of course we will, sweetie", he assured her softly. "They'll be just fine. They have a lot of guardian angels watching over them. And so do we."

A month later Spencer was recovering quite nicely, even if it'd still take time before he'd feel like himself. He was still in pain most of the time but it was manageable. Especially with the healing factor of his daughter's presence. It also felt good, if not a little embarrassing, to see how his team lingered as close as they could to help him. Although after a month the attention was beginning to feel a little smothering. He'd always been used to looking after himself. He didn't know how to handle the sudden network around him.

That beautiful, sunny day he was, however, alone at Rossi's house with two children. Will had work and the team had a case so he'd offered to babysit Henry. He wanted to spend time with his godkid and having another child around would also do Ilsa a world of good. She'd never had other kids to play with, which was one of Spencer's greatest regrets, and now she had the company of a boy very close to her age. After a slightly shy start the two of them seemed to hit it off. Spencer could've watched them playing together for ages.

The doorbell ringing pulled him from his musings. After making sure that the children would be safe at the backyard Spencer made his way to the door, his hand resting on his gun. He managed to relax a little upon discovering that the arrival was Mateo Cruz, who looked like he hadn't slept in days. "Are you alright?" he asked upon letting the section chief in.

Mateo nodded slowly, hesitantly. "I should be asking you that", the man pointed out. The guilt was nowhere near hidden.

By then they'd made it to where Spencer had been observing the kids. The two were still playing rather loudly, lost into a world of their own. "I'm… getting there." Nightmares still plagued him every single night. His psychiatrist had suggested that he might be suffering from PTSD. But he was alive and recovering. Wasn't that what mattered? "And so is Ilsa. Therapy helps her, too."

"She seems to be adjusting well", Mateo offered, watching her.

Spencer sighed. "This is all new to her. She's uncomfortable with crowds and she's… hesitant when it comes to other children. And she worries, all the time. That someone might come for us. That every time she lets me out of her sight I may…" He trailed off, his throat starting to feel uncomfortably tight. He rubbed his eyes. "So far she's had three big panic attacks. And the nightmares she has…" He shook his head, a sting taking over his eyes. "I… I spent far too little time with her, back at the farm, so I don't know how much of this is new. And how much she's battled with all her life." It was horrifying, to imagine the damage the life as his daughter had done to Ilsa.

"You're the best possible father to her." Mateo seemed to mean it. "Don't forget that."

Spencer really wished that he could've believed the other man. That one day he'd be convinced that he hadn't destroyed his daughter's life by his inability to let go of her. "I… thought about giving her up for adoption, when she was born. But when she looked at me for the first time…" He swallowed. "I know that there are no more criminal charges against Dante and me." How their criminal records disappeared yet again was a mystery to him. Her wondered how much Penelope and Emily had to do with it. "Still… It'll never be safe for her to be my daughter, while I'm the only one left who can keep her safe. She'll never have a normal life."

"For what it's worth… She seems very happy with her life." Mateo's jawline tightened. "Look… I'm so sorry, about everything. If I didn't help the CIA's corrupt part find you…"

Spencer shook his head, interrupting the apology firmly. "You did what you thought was right. I can relate to that." He frowned, studying the face of his former superior. "But something tells me that saying sorry wasn't the only reason you came to see me."

Late that evening David came back from a case to a suspiciously quiet house. For a few moments he panicked until some sixth sense led him to the backyard. Spencer and Ilsa lay on the grass, the little girl snuggled close to her daddy while man pointed at the sky, introducing her to the constellations.

The sight broke David's heart and made it flutter all at once. Those two… They'd lost so much time together. But he was sure that they'd make up for it. Who would've thought that Spencer, the baby of their bunch, would fit into the role of a parent so well.

David thought about slipping away unnoticed until Ilsa's voice called out. "Uncle Dave!" Her eyes sparked with joy and excitement. "Come and see the stars!"

Spencer chuckled. One hand ruffled the child's hair gently. "Well aren't you demanding." It was good to see the little girl, who still had problems with trusting any adult aside her daddy, come out of her shell like that.

David smiled. "Well, there's no way I could say 'no' to that invitation." And before he knew it he was already settling down on the grass. No one would believe him if told them about this later…

"You're still wearing a suit", Spencer pointed out, sounding amused and touched all at once.

David shrugged. "You don't see me caring, do you?" He gestured towards the sky. "I want a lesson on constellations, too."

Listening to Spencer's voice continuing the narrative David found himself relaxing. Letting go of the horror story the case just introduced to him. Right there, in that magical moment, it was easy to imagine that none of the evils of the world existed.

Of course Spencer and Ilsa couldn't stay in the safety bubble of David's mansion forever. Especially when it was revealed that he'd be able to officially become Spencer Reid once more. And so, a couple of weeks after Mateo's visit, the father and daughter stood in a large apartment, looking around with serious, contemplating expressions on their faces. The place was full of light and warm colors. Promise.

"Daddy?" Ilsa squeezed his hand tightly. "I like this."

Spencer nodded. He had to clear his throat before he dared to try speaking. "So do I." Because the aparment felt like a home. The first home they'd actually get to share.

Spencer had always told all his secrets with him mom. Of course Ilsa was no exception. The two women of his life were also his best kept secrets. For a very long time he feared that the two of them would never get to meet. Finally, on a rainy afternoon, they got that chance.

Despite having made sure thrice that his mom was having a lucid day Spencer's heart hammered with nothing short of anxiety while he led his daughter towards the room where he knew his mom to be waiting. Ilsa also seemed nervous. "Are you sure that grandma will be there?" she inquired.

"Of course she will be", Spencer reassured her. Even if he wasn't sure about anything. "She wouldn't miss seeing you for anything."

Ilsa gulped. Loudly. "What if she doesn't like me?"

Spencer's heart broke a little. Somehow he managed to give her a smile. "Don't be silly. She's going to love you."

Sooner than they were ready for it they found his mom. She was reading a book but soon sensed that she was being watched. Her eyes found his first and filled with tears while a smile brightened her face. Then she noticed Ilsa.

The little girl shifted with discomfort. For a moment she seemed to debate hiding behind her daddy but chose against it. "Hi grandma."

All tension faded away with those words. Whatever doubts there'd been disappeared. When Diana Reid folded her granddaughter to a tight, tender embrace no words were needed.

Another month flew by. The BAU-team was surprised and suspicious when Mateo invited them to a meeting. The tension could've been cut by a knife as they sat down to hear what he had to say.

Mateo sighed. "The thing is… I've been trying to continue as your section chief, to the best of my ability. But I know that my inability to believe in Reid and my lack of trust on your judgement damaged something beyond repair." His eyes lingered on JJ's a couple of seconds too long. "I should've had your backs. I should've believed in you. The fact that I couldn't do so is a clear indication that I shouldn't be your boss anymore."

A shocked silence lingered for a while. Aaron was the one to break it. "Who will be the next section chief?"

One corner of Mateo's lips twitched. "Actually… That's why I asked you here. Because I'd like to hear your opinion." The man opened the room's door. "Come in. They'd like to meet you."

The person invited did enter the room. The steps were slow but not hesitant. It took quite long before the team really took in what they were seeing. JJ and Derek grinned in a way that left nothing to be questioned. Alex smiled softly, almost fondly. David's expression was something similar. Aaron's eyes softened. Penelope bounced up from her seat with a loud squeal and rushed forward to hug the arrival.

It was Spencer Reid, with his very own brown hair and hazel eyes, stood in front of them, wearing a suit and a cautious little smile.

Years rolled by faster than anyone realized. Ilsa grew up with the help of joy, sorrow and everything in between. Through getting used to going to school, through school bullies and first friends she became a teenager. Through a brief rebellious phase during which she became a brunette, first love and first heartbreak she transformed into a happy, strikingly beautiful young adult. One ready to try her own wings. When she was accepted to a university in London she wasn't sure which one was more terrified, she or her daddy. On that day he disguised the tears in his eyes with folding her to a firm embrace.

Letting go wasn't any easier on Ilsa. During her farewell party she looked at the BAU-team with hard, demanding eyes. "Look after him, okay?" Her voice broke a little and she had to wipe her eyes. "Make… Make sure that he isn't lonely. And that he eats. You know how he can be. And that he's happy. And…"

Before she could finish Penelope's loving hug interrupted her. "Don't worry, sweetie. We'll take a good care of him." She then narrowed her eyes at Emily and Dante. "You two…"

Dante held up his hands. "I know, I know, we'll keep an eye on her. Trust me, nothing you have in mind could match with what we just got from Spencer."

The whole group exploded to laughter. Shortly after Spencer returned from his trip to a toilet and gave them a look of confusion. "What did I miss?"

Ilsa kissed his cheek. "Nothing, daddy. Nothing at all."

The following day the whole team was there to support Spencer when Ilsa, Emily and Dante headed towards London. While they watched the plane take off JJ took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Don't worry. She's tough, just like her daddy. She'll be fine."

Spencer said nothing to that. He glanced briefly towards her. "How's Henry holding up?"

JJ winced. "Horribly. I'm preparing myself for funding a lot of trips to London."

It was a moment of bittersweet happiness. Both parents watched the sky long after the plane disappeared, their thoughts on their children. Their little ones were growing up fast.

"So…", Derek stated at last. Breaking the heavy mood. "Anyone up for some Chinese?"

In a blink of an eye Ilsa was twenty-eight. A grown woman with a career and a life of her own. Which didn't mean that she wouldn't still be her daddy's little girl.

Ilsa was on her way home from work when her cell phone rang. Her long, black coat billowed around her legs as she picked up and smiled upon discovering who the caller was. "Hi daddy. How was the case?"

"Long", he admitted honestly. Sounding every bit as old as he was. "The team caught the killer. He didn't go down without a fight, though. JJ got a bullet to her leg."

Ilsa shivered and frowned. Worry made her feel colder than moments ago. "Is she alright?"

"Yeah, it was just a flesh wound. Will gets to take her home later today. She's thinking about retirement again, though." It wouldn't have been a surprise if she decided on it. David and Aaron had already left the team. The former became a full time author. The latter focused on educating the agents to be, even if it sometimes threatened to drive both parties mad. Alex followed soon after and was finally able to live with her husband. At the moment Derek was the unit chief of the team that'd changed dramatically over the years and apparently still enjoyed his job immensely. Even if Savannah and their two little girls often wished for his retirement. Penelope was still the team's analyst, the lively constant support behind the team. It was comforting that at least some things didn't change.

"So…" Spencer's tone revealed that she'd soon hear the real reason to why her daddy decided to call. "You made it to international news. Congratulations." He sounded proud. And furious.

Ilsa winced. Of course he'd hear about that one. No news concerning London slipped past his attention. "It was just a drug bust", she explained. "My team took those idiots down before they knew what hit them."

"It was a highly dangerous group of drug dealers", her daddy pointed out.

Ilsa rolled her eyes. "Oh, spare me. You don't get to lecture about the hazards of my job."

"These days most of my job consists of dealing with paperwork and suffering through meetings."

Ilsa scoffed. It came out affectionately. "Like you wouldn't join the team whenever you can." She stepped through a more than familiar door to her apartment building. "It's in our blood, daddy. We'd be bored silly without an occasional rush of adrenaline."

"I know." Her daddy's voice was full of warmth. "Sometimes I wish that you wouldn't be so much like me."

"That's just nonsense", Ilsa accused. "I got the best parts of me from you. Why change that?"

It took a second before her daddy managed to speak. He sounded touched. "Now you're just trying to talk me out of being upset with you."

"Is it working?"

"Too well." Someone called out to him. "I have to go. Say 'hi' to Henry for me, will you? I love you."

Ilsa smiled. Some of the weight the long, gruelling case had landed on her shoulders was washed away. "I love you, too."

As soon as Ilsa put away her phone she felt that something was wrong. She tensed up upon finding a man she'd never seen before stood behind the door of her apartment. "Who are you?" she demanded sharply.

"Are you DI Faust?"

Despite all the years passed Ilsa couldn't get used to the surname she'd been using since moving out of home. It was out of security reasons but sounded awful to her ears. "Yes. And you would be…?"

The man showed her a badge. It seemed authentic. "Agent Atlee, MI6. I've... been keeping an eye on you for a while and I have a job offer for you…"

End

1) Because I'm not quite sadistic enough to expect you to remember EVERYTHING after all our heroes have been through… (chuckles) This refers to Scarlet's mom, who died when the CIA found the farm. I didn't want to dive deeper into her character – too many OCs is just TOO MANY OCs – but for some reason I've always imagined her to be Russian, and Scarlet's father to have been a New Yorker. Feel free to make your own interpretations!

A/N: Gosh, that became long! (chuckles) I just wanted to take this a bit further into the future to show you guys what becomes of everyone.

Sooooooooo… Any good? A worthy closure? PLEASE, do leave a note! Final chapters are only slight less nerve wrecking than first ones…

You know… I've got a Fictionpress account and I've even toyed with the thought of typing a story of the team, minus Reid. It's harder than it should be to let go of those guys, heh.

And now… THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart and soul, for sticking around through this story! It's been such a long time, with several far too long gaps. But by some miracle you've all chosen to hang in there. So thank you, for every review and listing and for the love! You guys are marvelous!
I really have to go. But maybe I'll meet you guys again…? Once more, THANK YOU! And take care!

(ps: A high five to everyone who caught the 'Rogue Nation' Easter Eggs!) (grins and winks)