Author's Note: This chapter doesn't really do much in the grand scheme of things, but it does correct something I've always wished was in canon, though I know they were too busy keeping Jane and Kurt apart at this point of the episode to have it. I'm thinking there will be eleven more chapters after this one, but that's assuming I keep the things I assume will be brief scenes short. I hope you guys will be with me until the end, but this is loose end territory now. :)

"Zapata just texted me back. She just got off the subway, so based on the time it took me to get from the lab to here, she'll be here any second." Patterson stopped on the edge of the boundary to Kurt's office—the glass partition was due to be replaced this evening, but right now, there was just an empty space where the shattered one had been.

"Thanks, Patterson." Kurt got up from his desk, motioning to Jane, Nas and Reade, who were all gathered nearby, catching up. "Now that we're all here, let's go talk to our people."

They headed together through SIOC to the elevator, which chimed as they got halfway across the room. The doors opened to reveal Zapata, who smiled wearily when she saw them approaching. "Hey, guys."

"Nice work yesterday." Kurt gave her a hug identical to the one he'd given Reade a few minutes ago, and Tasha returned it tightly.

"Is it really over?" she asked, as they released each other.

"God, I hope so." The alternative was too much to consider right now—even as he had to consider it, as the Deputy Director of the NYO. None of the intel they had pointed that way, but they couldn't afford to be complacent.

"Jane." Zapata's smile widened as her eyes fell on her friend. "I'm so glad to see you back here."

"Not as glad as I am to be back here," Jane said, the note of humour in her voice not hiding heartfelt undertone. She returned Tasha's hug with a murmured, "Let's get that drink soon."

"Count on it."

As Patterson and Nas took their turns greeting Zapata—Reade had been in DC with her, and so didn't need to welcome her home—Kurt looked over at Jane. It was clear she felt a little uncomfortable being back here, with everyone who worked in SIOC now knowing her role in sending herself to the FBI, and her previous affiliation. There had been a few stares, but a couple of people had already come up to welcome Jane home this morning, which had helped a little.

Nas finished welcoming Zapata back, just as someone began to applaud nearby. Others took up the gesture and got to their feet, while Interim Director Eleanor Hirst crossed the room to stand a few feet away.

Agents and administrative staff gathered behind Hirst, smiling and applauding enthusiastically. Even lab techs began to appear, though whether the noise had carried down the hall or whether someone had emailed to let Patterson's people know what was happening, Kurt wasn't sure.

As the applause began to die down, Kurt glanced at the rest of the team. Jane looked a little stunned, her smile verging on shy. The last time this had happened, when they'd brought in Guerrero—one of the FBI's Most Wanted for many years—she'd been just as surprised, though she'd hidden it quickly.

The others were more used to the tradition of applause at the conclusion of difficult cases, and were all smiling, appreciating the gesture. Kurt was glad they were getting the admiration and gratitude they deserved. This case—Jane's case—had been hard on all of them, not least because of the loss of Mayfair.

He just wished she could have been there to see how everything had turned out.

As soon as it was possible to be easily heard, Interim Director Hirst told them, "Well done. If Director Pellington wasn't busy recuperating, I know he'd be giving you his heartfelt praise as well. I only know what I've read in reports, but by all accounts, closing this case was an impressive feat. You should feel very proud of yourselves—FBI and NSA alike."

"Speech!" someone called, and Hirst gestured to Weller with a smile, yielding the floor to him.

Kurt hadn't been in Mayfair's shoes for a case as big as this before, but he knew exactly what she would have said first in this situation—and she would have been right to say it. Time to step up, Weller.

"Thank you, everyone," he said, feeling the weight of everyone's attention turn solely to him. "But it's not just us who deserves applause. Every one of you who worked on this case—you all made this possible. Since Jane got here, you've all worked non-stop to find out who did this, and why. And you've risked your lives, and sacrificed so much, to get the answers that we needed to stop Sandstorm and bring them to justice. And yesterday, we didn't just take down their leader. We saved a nation. So, thank you, and well done—to all of you."

He began another round of applause, and it was taken up just as enthusiastically as the first, yesterday's attack on SIOC still fresh in everyone's minds. Co-workers nudged each other and smiled, enjoying the sense of accomplishment that being appreciated brought. Moments like this, Mayfair had always told him, were vital to team morale, even if they didn't happen very often.

When things began to quieten once more, Kurt reiterated what he'd said the day before about the circumstances of the SIOC attack, since he knew his words had probably not sunk in in the immediate aftermath of the trauma, especially for the administration staff, who were unused to combat. After he made sure everyone knew the circumstances had been unavoidable, and that help was available for anyone struggling, he paused for a moment, letting his words sink in.

Then he continued, "I know this speech is getting a little long, but I also want to briefly mention Mayfair."

A ripple went through the gathered agents. This, they hadn't expected.

"Bethany Mayfair was targeted by Sandstorm because Shepherd's plan relied on me, her successor, being in a bunker when the nuclear fallout hit the East Coast. God knows why, but I was one of her picks to run the country after the nuclear blast took out the current administration and members of Congress, who would have all been in DC in the aftermath of yesterday's planned attacks. As you all know, Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Weitz arrested Mayfair last year, and she broke house arrest and disappeared. That was all we could tell you until now. But Mayfair didn't kill Tom Carter. Sandstorm did. Mayfair did break house arrest, to follow some leads, and she started closing in on Sandstorm. They killed her, too."

Somebody gasped. The mood was sombre as everyone processed Mayfair's fate.

"We couldn't clear her name of Carter's murder, or announce her death, until now. If we'd done it earlier, Sandstorm would have known Jane had turned on them. But now we can. We lost three good people to this case—Bethany Mayfair, Philip Caruso—who died during a Sandstorm shootout in Sofia, Bulgaria—and yesterday, Christian Watts, who worked downstairs on the front desk. Jane's case may be over, but their deaths won't be forgotten."

He was about to end the speech when Jane reached out to touch his arm. "Do you mind if I say something?"

Kurt was a little concerned, knowing how guilty she felt at her role in all of this, but he couldn't refuse her. He'd been the lead agent on her case, but Jane had done as much work as he had. Nodding, he stepped back a half-pace, yielding everyone's attention to her.

"I just wanted to say something to you all, since this was my case, and I know people must have concerns, given the revelations about my past."

The atmosphere in the room was a little different now. Kurt sensed that his people—for the most part—would forgive Jane if an apology was offered, but they did expect that apology to come first. Luckily, Jane was more than willing to give one.

"I had no memories and no knowledge of my origins, or my family's plans, when I first arrived," Jane said, her voice growing stronger as she found the right words. "But everyone who works in SIOC, once I began to work with you all…you were so helpful and reassuring, and you made me feel accepted here, despite my lack of Quantico training. That meant a lot to me, as a person without any memories of family or friendships to comfort me."

She looked down at the floor, then up at the gathered agents again, steeling herself. "I didn't know back then that I was betraying your trust by aiding in a terrorist plot, but I need to apologise for my role in planning all of this, before my memory was erased. Ever since I learned about Sandstorm, I've been struggling with the fact that I used to be a terrible person. I hope that my going undercover to find out Shepherd's plans… I hope that that goes some of the way towards making it up to all of you. When I…"

She faltered, and Kurt fought the urge to take her hand. As much as he wanted to lend his support, this wasn't the moment to undermine her or to reduce her to his girlfriend, when in reality she was a formidable, inspiring woman who'd taken her own destiny into her hands, and changed her life for the better. He remained silent and still, his attention on her, and the rest of the agents followed his cue.

"When I didn't know anything, you collectively taught me that the FBI is a force for good, and by the time my former friends and family came back to convince me that wasn't true, I had enough experience working with you to suspect that Sandstorm's way was wrong—and then to become confident of it, as I compared their approaches to yours. I was indoctrinated into thinking government agencies were all corrupt, from a young age. I was adopted by Ellen Briggs—Shepherd— from an orphanage that was basically a training camp for child soldiers, along with my blood brother, Roman. Shepherd brought us up to only see the bad in government institutions, showing us evidence of corruption, like the tattoo cases we've all been working together. We believed her, because we trusted her, and we didn't have an alternate perspective. But the ZIP wiped all of that brainwashing out, and I became so proud of all the good I was doing here, with the FBI."

She took a moment to collect her thoughts, with a wry, "I'm nearly through, I swear." A ripple of amusement ran through the crowd of their colleagues, and Kurt exchanged a glance with Hirst, who had been watching Jane with open curiosity.

"So, uh… Being here, working here—it helped me become a better person. When I found out my true origins, I was shocked. I spent three months being interrogated by the CIA, and though I'm probably not legally allowed to make any accusations about what that entailed, I'm sure some of you have heard rumours. I hope those rumours are enough to convince you that I wasn't just given hugs and kisses along with my undercover assignment. I'd also like to make clear that no one at the FBI knew where I was, or what methods the CIA were using to interrogate me, at that time. I wouldn't still be here, if that were the case."

Kurt was gratified to see outrage and sympathy on the faces of some of his people. Mayfair had hand-picked many of the agents who worked here now, and their moral compasses were as true as his own—people who would be as appalled by Jane's treatment as he and his team had been.

Jane cleared her throat. "If not for the way you all treated me in those early days, I might not have turned from Shepherd, or been able to convince my brother to do the same. So thank you—so much. And thank you for all your hard work on the tattoo cases, especially when you were working to give me the answers I didn't have. Knowing who I used to be isn't the relief I once thought it would be, but I hope you can forgive me, and accept that all I want now is to be the person I found inside myself, when my memories were wiped out."

She stepped back with another barely audible 'thank you', which was almost drowned out by the thunderous applause that erupted. Tears came to Jane's eyes as the majority of SIOC's personnel wordlessly gave her their forgiveness and approval, though there were a few more hesitant people amongst the crowd who didn't applaud.

That was fine. She'd win them over in time—either when they read the detailed reports of her undercover work, or later, as she continued to prove herself as one of their own.

At a nod from Kurt, Hirst took control of the gathering again. "Now, I'm sure y'all have work you need to get back to, and Jane has a few steps she needs to take to secure her immunity deal. Agent Weller and Agent Kamal will be supervising that this morning, so if you have concerns, I'm the one to come to. I'm camped out in Director Pellington's office."

As she dismissed them, everyone began to disperse back to their desks and assigned tasks. Kurt turned to Jane, who was attempting to blot her teary eyes without smudging her mascara, with Zapata's arm around her shoulders. He shot Tasha a grateful look—at the moment, in his official role as one of the heads of the NYO, he couldn't spend as much time supporting Jane as he wanted to.

But in this, as in so many other things, his team had his back.

He turned to Nas. "Sorry you didn't get a chance to say anything. You were as much a leader of the taskforce as I was. More, at times."

Nas smiled and shrugged. "I'm not one for recognition—at least, not by huge crowds. It makes my job easier if I just fade into the background, actually."

"I bet." He couldn't help the wry edge that crept into his tone, and Nas rolled her eyes.

"I'll go make sure the coronary polygraph's being set up without an issue. Can you wait here for the DOJ representative, bring them down with Jane when they get here?"

Kurt nodded. "See you in a few."

Patterson, Reade and Zapata were still clustered around Jane, reminding him of the day she'd left for Sandstorm's compound, when Patterson had brought out the cake.

"Last time we were all together like this, I could swear there was more cake involved," he said, joining them.

"I promise, there'll be sweet, chocolatey goodness again. I just need to catch up on the sleep Sandstorm have deprived me of for the past year, and then I'll bake a welcome home cake for Jane." Patterson smiled over at their reunited team member.

"And I promise to eat my share, very enthusiastically," Reade said, with a weary grin. "No matter how tired I am."

"Are you okay, Reade?" Jane asked, her concern obvious.

He shrugged, looking around them at the bustling environment. "We can talk about it later, maybe. When we go for that drink."

Kurt frowned, sensing his agent was nearer breaking point than he'd realised. "You need to talk about it sooner, my door's open."

Reade snorted, gesturing to the open corner and doorframe that had once been his office. "Right now, you barely even have a door." Before Kurt could respond, he nodded. "I get it. But I'm good for now. Having a check in the Sandstorm column helps."

Before anyone could respond, the elevator doors slid open behind them, the usual chime announcing a new arrival. Kurt glanced into the elevator car just as Zapata made a disgusted noise. "What the hell is he doing here?"

"Well, I don't love that welcome." Assistant US Attorney Matthew Weitz stepped off the elevator, smiling a smug, wannabe-politician's smile. Kurt had heard rumours he was angling for election to Congress, but that would be a few months away yet—which meant Weitz would be in full campaign mode, all insincerity and bluster.

"You just missed the speech where Weller cleared Mayfair's name of the charges you laid against her," Zapata said, her voice taut.

"The charges based on evidence a terrorist mole in this very office planted for me to find? A terrorist mole for whom, I believe, I'm supposed to sign immunity papers today?" Weitz raised an eyebrow, looking like a cross between Jonas Fischer and a smarmy car insurance salesman.

Out of the corner of his eye, Kurt noticed Jane flinching, even as Zapata took a breath to respond.

Kurt sighed, wondering if he'd have to physically restrain someone by the end of the day. "You're the DOJ representative sent to sign off on the immunity deals?" he asked, cutting Tasha off.

"That I am."

One look at Jane's face told Kurt she felt about as enthusiastic about seeing Weitz again as the rest of them were, but was striving to keep it from showing. "I'll head down to Zero Division," she told him, her tone calm.

Kurt strove to keep his concern for her hidden as she walked away. Hang in there, Jane.

"Team, I know you all have paperwork. Your choice whether you do it at your desks here, or in Zero Division, now that the rest of SIOC's been read in."

"Wherever he isn't, that's where I'll be," Zapata murmured, and stalked off with a final, scornful look in Weitz's direction.

"I'll be in my lab," Patterson said, stepping back. "Shepherd's hardware all has military-grade encryption on it, so…"

Kurt turned to Reade.

"Don't worry. I'll keep an eye on her," Zapata's partner said, not without affection, before trailing after her.

Left alone with a politically ambitious lawyer, Weller steeled himself and gestured in the direction Jane had gone. "After you, Weitz."

Weitz shot a final look in Zapata's direction as he began to move. "Do you get the impression she doesn't like me? It's just a vibe I'm picking up on…"

Do you get the impression anyone does? Kurt wanted to ask, but forced himself to take a breath instead.

"She's been under a lot of stress lately. We all have," he said, his voice terse.

"Yeah, me too," Weitz said, with an air of over-sincere empathy. "Had you heard I'm running for Congress in the fall?"

God, it's gonna be a long day.

Author's Note: I was still on team 'god I hate Weitz' when I started this fic, but now I can't imagine not having him there for at least a couple of scenes! So I'm sorry if you hate Weitz, but I now love him, so... :D