"Will you ever talk to her?". Asks Maria. Dina is holding her drink, looking around the pub.

"Not now".

"Look at her… she is devastated. She really had enough. I think she learned her lesson". Insists Maria and Dina really looks at her now. At Ellie.

She is sprawled on a table. Totally drunk playing with the hem of her cut fingers. She has been like that for a week now. Dina wonders if she even got up from that damn table.

"Tommy hates her…". Murmurs Maria as if this can change things. "Don't you think she paid enough already?".

"This is not the point. I don't want her near my son again. What if he gets attached and she disappears again?".

"She is not, Dina. That's a closed case".

"What if she opens another?".

"Go talk to her and find out. She feels too guilty to do that herself. Please… she is a nice girl". Dina bites her lips and after a long moment of silence, she walks over to Ellie. She sits in silence.

"Can't you see this table is taken?". Asks Ellie's drunk voice. The girl doesn't even rise her head to look at her.

"Don't tempt me to leave Ellie. Maria worked too hard to convince me and come talk to you". This is the moment, when she hears her voice, that Ellie looks at her.

The girl is not just drunk. She looks like she is enduring so much pain. She is pale… she lost weight. She seems on the verge of crying, but she doesn't. Not even in Seattle she was so miserable. She really looks like a drug addict striking abstinence.

Ellie holds her hands tight and lowers her head. She tries to speak but Dina stops her.

"Don't try and say you are sorry Ellie…". She intercepts. Ellie swallows.

"I love you because you let me finish my sentences…". She offers, but that is the wrong move.

"Don't use my words against me". Says Dina, in rage. "What are you here for, uh? If you think I will forgive you, for leaving us…". Ellie says no with her head.

"I just wanted to make sure you are okay. That's it". Is the answer. "If you want me to leave...".

"Isn't that what you do?". Replies Dina and Ellie winces as if she is really hit.

"That's low...".

"It is true though".

Silence falls between them, and now that Dina looks at her from up close she has to admit Ellie really seems sorry.

"How did it go with Abby? Was it worth leaving?".

"I... couldn't kill her". And that is a surprise for Dina.

"Why not?". Is the sincere question.

"She was too much like me". Ellie bites her lips and Dina... she can't really believe her ears. "I was enraged and desperate... I left because that felt like the only option, but... when I had her there I... that was not the answer". Ellie nods as if she is answering and unsaid question. "I am really sorry Dina. I love you... I am not here to force myself into your life again. I understand... what I did". Dina sighs.

"Do you really?". Ellie's answer is positive.

"Yes".

"So you understand why I don't want you near JJ right now, right?". Ellie nods slowly.

"Yes...". Ellie's voice is low and disappointed. Dina's eyes soften.

"You know... I am fairly happy you are alive...".

"For what is left...". Replies Ellie, showing her hand. Dina crosses her legs.

"I presume you are not gonna... run away again?".

"Do you want me to?". Asks Ellie, and there is hope in her voice. "Tell me and I will. I won't ignore you again".

"Show me that you will not leave us. That you can stay and you are committed and I might... take you back".

"Will you?". And Ellie's tone is a bit happier. Dina opens her hands. There is the possibility...

"Ok...". Ellie smiles a bit and on her suffering face it appears like a grimace. "Ok".

"Stop drinking, though. I mean it. This...". Dina points at Ellie's general appearance. "...Is unsettling". Ellie laughs a bit.

"Got it".