A/N Hello and welcome to my Story. English isn´t my first language, so I apologize for any spelling mistakes you might find. It´s the first story I am publishing in english first, usually the German version is first. So I am pretty nervous, tell me, what you think. Reviews are very welcome, I´m gonna answer every single one of it.

DISCLAIMER: No one of CM belongs to me, I don´t make any money out of this, the story is written just für fun.

And now, let´s lift the curtain...

oOo

Bangor, Maine ... Holy Spirit Hospice, present day

Patches of fog ... indefinite sounds ... ... Alienore Brewster doesn´t recognize more.
She doesn´t know for how long, she was hearing or feeling this, she just knew today, now, there was a little difference. The fog seemed to thin out, Alienore tried to blink, trying somehow to make herself noticeable, but the noises disappeared again. All she hears now is this beeping, that has stuck with her as long as she can remember. How long that is ... Aliennore does not know ...

oOo

Washington DC

"Aaron, you still sitting here? The others went home, ages ago."
"You're still here too, Dave," Hotch stated and meant his colleague to sit down.
"Do you know what day it is?", he asked and poured Dave some whiskey in a coffee mug.
"Nora Brewster day," Dave replied calmly, sipping his drink. "You´re still thinking about her?"
Hotch nodded. "You see the stack over there? Those are my unsolved cases. Those who won´t let go of me. She was one of my first, Dave. A 10-year old girl who has escaped the 'Maine Butcher'. She is in a coma for 17 years now, David. And we...no, I never caught the Butcher."
"He has stopped, after Nora, right?"
"Yes, he did. I dunno, whether Nora was the trigger, or has he simply been run over by a bus. This guy killed five little girls, Dave. He deserves no life, he belongs on death row."
Hotch put his mug down violently. "Nora deserves justice, even if she won´t notice it."

There was a knock on the door frame.
"So late at work, gentlemen?" Matt Cruz was standing in the door way.
"More like a blast from the past, Chief.", Hotch said. "Take a seat, Chief. Can I offer you some ... uhm ... coffee?"
Cruz grinned, "Of course. I like 'coffee' at the end of the day. What are you talking about?", he sat down next to Rossi.
"The Maine-Butcher", Hotch handed Cruz a mug.
"I remember. He kidnapped, raped and strangled 4 children."
"Actually, it had been five girls. Nora Brewster is in a coma ever since. She´s the one, that got away, we do not know how, we could never ask her." Hotch said in frustration.

"You are not the only one concerned, Aaron. That's why I'm really here. I had a call from a woman, named Cassidy Munroe, from Bangor. She´s working on her PhD in criminology and want´s to talk to the responsible agent. And with Gideon, no longer available, you are probably the man of the hour."

"Cassidy Munroe was Nora Brewster´s best friend." Hotch remembered a small, scrawny girl with open eyes, that was following him and Gideon like a little puppy.
"She did not tell me about this," Cruz finished his 'coffee'. "But I think you should talk to her. Maybe there are new aspects?"
"I'm supposed to take care of a cold case?", Hotch said and Cruz nodded. "Of course, only if you want to. Go to Maine, talk to Miss Munroe. There isn´t anything current and your paperwork won´t go anywhere. You got my official approval."
Cruz looked at his watch, "but I'll send you home now, gentlemen. It's late enough." He handed Hotch a note. "Miss Munroe's number."

"Did we hear that from Strauss, only one time?" Rossi asked, as Cruz had gone. Hotch shook his head. "I don´t think so. I´ll call Cassidy tomorrow morning and probably won´t come to the office. Morgan is responsible, but don´t you hesitate, to call, if something happens. After almost 20 years, I don´t think I can do much."
"Never say never, Aaron. And even if not, you´ve earned a few nice days in Maine. It's really nice there. Hunting, fishing, hiking ... when did I actually have my last vacation?"
Hotch gave a short laugh, "Last thing I remember, you gave it to the needy."
"I did? I have to be a damn good man." Rossi grinned.

oOo

Cass Munroe straightened breakfast the other morning for the boarders of her grandmother´s guesthouse, when her cell phone rang. Area code 202 ... that was DC. Cass did not expect to get an answer so soon, she answered a bit breathless. "Cassidy Munore?"
"Miss Munroe? This is Agent Hotchner, BAU."
"Yes, I remember you. Your boss told me about Agent Gideon, I am very sorry. He has always been very helpful to me."
"Thank you, Miss Munroe. I am at Ronald Reagan National Airport, my plane is leaving in an hour. Is your family still owning the 'Woodland Inn'? I need to make a reservation."
"Of course, Agent Hotchner. I'm making breakfast for our guests, right now. Shall I pick you up? No problem at all."
"No, that´s not necessary, I´m gonna hire a car. See you later, Miss Munroe."
"See you later, Agent Hotchner."