Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to anything

I am so sorry for the delay in this update…. I have got sidetracked with other stories. The whole 'Lauren' saga threw me off. Anyway, this chapter is done and I am going to finish this story here. I hope you have enjoyed it.

The team continued going through Moretti's history with Brandon as Detective Jordan stepped out of the room to take a call.

A few minutes later he rushed into the room and everyone turned to look at him.

"That was Interpol. They've done some checks on Da Corte. She is still in Italy but she made some purchase on her credit card in the States. One was for a hotel downtown for one adult male in the name of Tirotta. She's also paid for 2 plane tickets from Washington National Airport for Tirotta and a child."

"When's the plane leaving?" Hotch asked.

"In 4 hours."

"Ok, we need to cover both possibilities….." Hotch started. "… Prentiss, you come with me, Rossi and Detective Jordan to the hotel. That should be more than enough with some local uniform… Morgan, you take Reid, Nick and Brandon to the airport."

Morgan looked at his boss with raised eyebrows… in fact the whole team looked at him as if he had gone mad.

"You want me to go with him?"

"Yes. Brandon will be able to spot Moretti easier than anyone else and I need your expertise at the airport… it's a big place and a lot could go wrong. I'm sure you can both play grown ups for a while right?"

"Sure." Morgan replied, not happy at having to work with the guy that ripped Emily's world apart.

"Detective Jordan, can you organise some locals to meet Morgan at the airport. We'll need all the exits covering."

"No problem." The Detective said, dialling the local operations centre.

"Right everyone, let's go. We've no time to waste." Hotch ordered.

As they left the room Morgan gave Emily a little wink and a smile and mouthed, 'It'll be ok' to her. She forced a smile back and followed Hotch to the SUV.

They got to the hotel and rushed to the reception desk, Rossi showing his badge…."Ma'am…. FBI…. Could you tell me if you have a Mr Tirotta staying here please? It's an emergency."

The receptionist tapped away….."We did. He checked out about 40 minutes ago."

Before Rossi could open his mouth, Emily had practically stood in front of him…."Did he have anyone with him?"

"Yes, a little girl."

Turning to the Unit Chief she said…."Oh God Hotch."

"It's ok, Morgan will be there to intercept them. At least we know where she is, although we should check the cameras to make sure it's them….. Dave, ring Morgan and let him know."

Morgan was driving, not trusting the whiz kid to get them there quick enough. His phone rang out and he checked to see who it was….."Go on Rossi."

"He's left the hotel with Katie about 40 minutes ago, so he could already be at the airport."

"Ok, are the locals on route?"

"Yes, Jordan's spoken to them. They should be waiting for you outside."

When they arrived, Morgan briefed the cops and asked them to cover all exits but not to enter the airport until instructed to by him. He didn't want to scare Moretti off.

The four men then split up to search the terminal building…..Morgan stayed with Brandon…he was not letting him out of his sight.

It didn't take long…."There he is." Brandon said signalling with his eyes towards a coffee shop. There was Moretti sat with Katie. She had a half eaten sandwich in front of her and she looked as though she'd been crying.

Moretti was talking on his phone. Morgan went to call up Reid on his radio so they could surround them, but it was too late. Moretti spotted Brandon. Within a couple of seconds he had disposed of his phone and picked Katie up of her chair like she was a rag doll. He walked away in the opposite direction to Morgan and Brandon, as fast as he could with the weight he was carrying.

Morgan drew his gun and carried it to the side of him, running after Moretti with Brandon on his heels. When he was within a few meters of Moretti, Morgan shouted, "Moretti, FBI. Stop where you are. There's no way out. The place is surrounded."

Moretti stopped and turned to face the two men, continuing to hold Katie in front of him as a shield.

"You've no use for the little girl. Put her down."

Moretti didn't answer and Morgan's heart sank at what he was watching. Moretti pulled out a knife and held it to Katie's throat. The little girl looked petrified and was looking at Morgan as if pleading with him, almost asking why he wasn't helping her.

Reid and Nick joined them and were stood behind Morgan with their weapons drawn.

Before Morgan could move, Brandon handed him his weapon and raised his hands in the air, positioning himself between Morgan and Moretti

"What are you doing man? Move out of the way!" Morgan whispered.

Brandon ignored him….."Moretti, your beef is with me. You don't need her. Just let her go and you can have me."

"Firstly Brandon, I don't trust you. Secondly, what am I going to do with you? As soon as I put her down I'm a dead man."

As Moretti was distracted with Brandon, Morgan moved behind Reid and Nick….."Try and keep his attention on Brandon guys. I'm going to find a way to get behind him."

"You sure you know what you're doing Morgan?" Reid asked, knowing that whatever he said would make no difference at all.

"Yes, just keep him distracted." And with that he disappeared.

Brandon was still focused on Moretti…"What do you want then Moretti?"

"To get you back. You betrayed me twice…no one does that to me and gets away with it."

"So what are you planning to do?"

"To take her away from here."

Brandon saw Morgan behind Moretti, but he didn't flinch. He kept his gaze on Moretti…."I gave her up once…..what makes you think I care if she goes again?"

"That's bullshit Brandon. You're here aren't you? Why would you be here if you didn't care?"

Morgan was creeping up closer to Moretti. He was just a few steps away and Brandon knew he had to keep him talking…."They made me come. I'm in a fair bit of trouble for some of the things I've done so I've some debts I've got to pay."

As Moretti went to answer, Morgan used his whole strength to grab the arm that was holding the knife and pulled it behind Moretti's back. He heard the crunching of bone as it broke and the screams of Moretti. Katie fell to the floor…"Run Katie, now!" Morgan shouted at her.

Katie ran towards Reid who was holding his arms out to her. Brandon and Nick immediately ran to help Morgan with Moretti, although it wasn't difficult to restrain him with the amount of agony he was in with his arm.

Morgan signalled for one of the local cops to come over and take Moretti away.

He stood and turned to Brandon…"Thanks." It was probably the hardest thanks he'd ever had to say, and didn't sound all that sincere.

"Well, it's the least I owe her right?"

Morgan didn't answer him, but just looked over to where Katie was stood with Reid. Brandon watched as the little girl looked over to the two of them. She started running and he watched as she jumped into Morgan's arms and nestled her face in his chest, sobbing. He watched as the other man gently stroked his daughter's hair. And that was the moment when he truly regretted everything he had done. He had given so much up and now he knew exactly how good he could of had it.

Morgan walked past Brandon, giving him a quick glance, Katie still in his arms. Brandon wasn't sure whether it was still anger in his face, or gloating. Either way, he knew Morgan had won.

Morgan took Katie back to the SUV and placed her on the back seat with her feet dangling outside. He wiped the tears from her face…."Hey kiddo. Everything's ok now. You're safe."

"Derek, is mommy going to be mad with me for going with Uncle Antonio?"

"Of course not."

"But she told me not to go anywhere with anyone and I did."

"I'll tell you what…" and Morgan got his phone out and dialled Emily.

"Derek? What's happening?" A desperate Emily said on the other end.

"Hang on."

He handed the phone to Katie…"It's your mom."

"Hi mommy."

Morgan watched the little girl's face turn from sad to happy within seconds, knowing that Emily was probably gushing down the phone to her.

A few minutes later, Emily pulled up in the other SUV and ran over to Katie taking her into a hug….."Oh my god. You have no idea how happy I am to see you baby."

"I'm sorry mommy."

"Hey, you've nothing to be sorry about. I'm sorry this happened to you."

"Antonio told me he had bought Mia to see me."

"Oh sweetie, it's ok." And she hugged Katie even tighter.

As she was hugging Katie, Emily saw Brandon walking towards them. She put Katie down but kept her tight against her legs.

"What do you want Shaun?"

Before he could speak, Morgan touched her arm….."He did help get her back Emily."

Emily's face didn't change…."Well thank you for doing that, but you know I will never forgive you for what you did."

"I know and I am so sorry. She's amazing."

"That's no thanks to you."

He took a deep breath, probably trying not to react to her coldness, "Emily, I know you won't believe me, but I want you to know that I did love you…I do love both of you."

She shook her head…."I don't know what you want me to say Shaun."

"Nothing. Just be happy ok?"

Brandon went to walk away and as he did he turned to Morgan and said, "Take care of them."

Morgan acknowledged the man but didn't respond. He watched him walk away…..just to make sure he'd gone. He wasn't particularly happy that Brandon just told the woman he loved that he loved her too.

Once Brandon was gone Morgan crouched down and turned his gaze to Katie….."How do you fancy a trip to the windy city kiddo?"

Katie scrunched her nose…."Why would I want to go to a windy city? Where is it?"

"Chicago….. Where the Cubs play."

"Ooh, can we go and see them?" she said excitedly, her face lighting up.

"Sure, although I don't know how happy mommy will be about it." And he winked at her.

He then stood up to face Emily…."Fancy a break Em? We could go and stay with my mom."

"It sounds like you two have it all sorted already….. but yes, I'd love to. We all need it I think."

She just continued to stare at him.

"What?" he asked.

"Thank you…. for everything. I love you Derek Morgan." And she leaned in for a sweet kiss, sandwiching Katie between the two of them.

Reid, Rossi and Hotch stood and looked at the two of them… "I never thought I'd see the day."

"What do you mean Rossi?" Reid asked.

"The day Derek Morgan became a dad."