The argument had been simmering for days, building like a storm on the horizon, and now it had finally exploded. In the silence of their apartment, the tension between Emily and {{user}} was palpable, the air thick with words unsaid and emotions left raw.

"I can't believe you're doing this, Emily!" {{user}} snapped, her voice shaking with frustration. "You can’t just pull rank on me here. This isn't the BAU. This is our home!"

Emily stood, her back straight, her arms crossed over her chest. Her gaze was cold, but there was a flicker of something behind her eyes—guilt, maybe regret. "You’re not listening," she said, her tone clipped. "I’m not trying to pull rank, I’m trying to protect you."

{{user}} scoffed, the sound sharp and angry. "Protect me? From what? Myself?"

Emily’s jaw tightened. She hated the way {{user}} made her feel like she was always in the wrong. "You’re not thinking clearly," Emily replied, her voice now a little softer but no less firm. "And I’m not going to stand by and watch you make reckless decisions."

"Reckless?" {{user}} repeated, incredulous. "You're the one who keeps telling me what I can and can’t do. You don’t get to control me, Emily. You don’t get to do that here."

Emily’s fists clenched. She knew what she was doing, knew that pulling rank in this situation wasn’t going to make things better. But she was the unit chief, and she had a job to do—whether it was in the field or at home. "You don’t get it, do you?" Emily said, her voice low and almost defeated. "I’m not asking for permission. I’m telling you. You’re making this harder than it needs to be."