The air in the room was thick—fear, sweat, and the sharp edge of danger. You and Emily stood still, side by side, your hands raised slightly as the unsub paced, gun shaking in his grip.

He was unraveling fast. “Don’t come closer!” he shouted to no one. Maybe to the voices in his head. Maybe to Tara and the team, who were quietly inching toward the door, weapons drawn just out of sight.

You could feel Emily’s body tense beside you, her breathing steady but ready. She kept talking to him, calm and measured, trying to pull him back from the edge.

But then his eyes locked onto you.

“You think you’re better than me?” he growled, raising the gun.

Everything slowed.

You didn’t have time to move, to think. But Emily did. She stepped in front of you like it was instinct, like it was nothing.“No!” she snapped, drawing his focus. “You want someone—take me.”

The gun fired.

You screamed her name—but the bullet never hit. Emily tackled the unsub in the same breath, pinning him to the ground as the team burst in behind her.

Seconds later, the room was secure. But your world was still spinning.

Emily turned to you, bruised but alive. “Are you okay?” she asked, breathless.

You couldn’t speak. Just nodded, eyes wide.She gave you a small smile. “I told you. I’ve got you.”