Okay, I have had several requests for a sequel to Never My Love and have determined that there are two parts to the story of Reid's recovery and return to action. Sadly for those waiting for the continuation, I wrote the second of those first and only recently cleared my head enough to write this one which is the one you need to read first for anything to make any sense at all. As always I welcome all reviews.

It is near dawn in the parking lot of a large office building. A woman who is obviously part of an overnight cleaning crew is walking to her car. She is no more than thirty years of age but those years have not been kind. She is exhausted from work and looks as if the weight of the world is heaped upon her shoulders. She nears her car, a rather non-descript but very old and beat up sedan. As she fishes in her purse for her keys, a dark shape walks quietly up behind her. The figure puts a hand over her mouth and a knife to her throat in the same motion. From behind a dark ski mask a man's voice speaks softly in her ear.

Man: Come quietly and I won't have to hurt you. Do you understand?

The woman allows a tiny whimper but nods her head. The man walks her to his vehicle, a dark colored van, where he puts her in flex cuffs before pushing her into the back. He then walks to the driver's side door and climbs in. He drives away leaving the parking lot vacant but for the woman's car.


At the BAU, the team, minus Reid is gathered at the round table. J.J. is showing pictures of women on the screen.

J.J.: Four women so far. One victim every two weeks or so. Each one suffocated with a pillow that was found under her head. The women were all found fully clothed under blankets.

Prentiss: Any sign of sexual assault?

J.J.: None.

Rossi: What about where they were found?

J.J.: Grassy areas of public parks.

Morgan: He's not trying to hide the bodies.

J.J.: He's actually taking care of them. Each of the victims had just gotten off of work when she went missing. The bodies were freshly bathed, their hair brushed and they were clothed in fresh nightgowns.

Morgan: Remorse?

Rossi: That would be my guess.


The team is on the plane.

J.J.'s voice: There is an old saying, "A man may work from sun 'til sun but woman's work is never done."

On the plane J.J. is just walking back to her seat and hanging up her cell phone at the same time.

Hotch: Everything okay?

J.J.: Yeah, Henry is teething right now. It's really hard on Will because Henry only wants me.

Hotch nods in understanding. They both turn to the laptop when they hear Garcia's voice.

Garcia: So, my friends, I've been trying to learn a little more about these women.

Morgan: What did you find out?

Garcia: Well, I know they say that every mother is a working mother but these ladies take the cake. They are all single parents; no dad in the picture at all. None was receiving child support of any kind. Each worked at least two jobs and just barely made ends meet.

Hotch: Any more direct connections? Work maybe?

Garcia: Nothing so far. Different jobs, kids in different schools.

Morgan: Keep digging.

Garcia: Aye, aye, captain!

Hotch: We're going to need to hit the ground running when we land.

Morgan: Agreed. Rossi and I will head to the sites where the women were found.

Hotch: Good. Prentiss, you and Re—Damn! I keep forgetting. Can you and J.J. go to speak with the victims' families? See if you can get a feel for some of the victimology here.

Prentiss: Sure. Speaking of Reid, has anyone talked to him?

Morgan: A couple of times. He's still got a lot to get through. He puts on a brave face but he's really hurting. I don't know when he'll be ready to come back.

This puts a more somber than usual mood over the passengers on the jet.


Looking at the exterior of Maggie's house in Williamsburg, VA. It is the middle of the night but there are one or two lights shining through windows.

Reid's voice: "Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it."-Tori Amos

Inside Maggie's house, Maggie is dressed in sleeping clothes. Her hair is partially obscuring her face and she looks to be frantically blocking the door with her body.

Reid: Maggie move! I need to leave!

Taking a closer look at Maggie, she has been crying. There is blood on her lip and one eye is swollen and starting to discolor.

Maggie: You are not leaving until you talk to me.

Reid: I have to go. I can't deal with this.

Maggie: Yes you can.

Reid: What makes you so sure of that?

Maggie: Because I did and I'm not any stronger than you are.

This stops Reid in his tracks. He immediately loses interest in leaving and most of the energy seems to leave his body.

Reid: Y-you never said anything.

Reid slumps to the floor in shock. It is only then that he notices Maggie's face.

Reid: Oh God, what did I do?

Maggie: You had a nightmare. I tried to wake you. You weren't even conscious.

Reid starts to lose himself in the dream again.

Reid: I was back at the cabin…

Maggie: Go on.

Reid shakes his head bringing himself back to the now.

Reid: I can't. You were raped?

Maggie: It was years ago. It took me quite a while to be okay again. I guess you call it PTSD. I just called it scared. I never reached out for help or confided in anyone. If I've got a regret, that's it.