Salvation

Summary: What happens when one of their own becomes the next target for a deranged UNSUB? Will the team get there in time?

Disclaimer: As much as I would like to believe that I own Criminal Minds I sadly do not.

Prologue

May 30th 2012

Hotch buttoned his shirt as he stared across the room at her lying on the bed. She watched him intently, knowing what was coming, but still dreading hearing him say it.

"As much as I want too, we can't do this again Emily." and there it was.

"I understand, really Hotch. I know it was just sex Hotch. We just let things get out of hand in the heat of the moment." she said and turned her head away, in fear he might see the tears forming in her eyes.

"That's not what I mean Emily and I think you know me better than that. If it was just about sex we wouldn't have let it happen. I am just sorry I can't offer you more; be the man you deserve."

"Who said you weren't? Maybe you are exactly what I need. I'm sorry about Beth though. I never meant to come between you." Emily said quietly.

"Emily it is not your fault. If there had been anything real between Beth and I, then this would never have happened. I think you know that too. She saw it at JJ's wedding. She knew she could never compete with you and she was right. She never meant to me what you mean to me. We just can't do this; you deciding to stay has changed everything. There are rules and I won't let you take the chance of ruining your career. I am not ready to step down from my job and I would never ask you to either." he said stepping closer to the bed.

"It's fine Aaron. I wouldn't ask you to choose between your job and me any way. I know how much it means to you and your right, there are rules and we need to go by them. I'm just sorry things couldn't be different." She felt a single tear escape the hold she had on it, and it slid down her cheek.

Hotch wiped the tear away with his thumb as he cupped her face.

"I care about you Emily, I really do and I am sorry." He said and then he bent down and kissed her tenderly before turning and leaving her bedroom and then her apartment.

He stood outside her apartment door, his hand pressed to the wood. He closed his eyes and whispered "I love you Emily" and then he left, the tears rolling down his face.

July 18th 2012 Colorado Springs, Colorado

It had been seven weeks since Hotch and Emily had spent the night together. Seven weeks since their world had changed. They had returned to work and went about their work as if nothing had happened. They were both good at covering up their feelings while at work. Once they went their separate ways after work, was a different story.

Hotch had been leaving the office earlier and spending more time with Jack, trying to ease the pain he was feeling. The pain his heart was feeling. He knew it was for the best but it didn't make it any easier. He hurt and there was nothing he could do to ease that pain. He had hurt her and he knew that, and there was nothing he could do about that either. No matter how much he wanted too.

Emily had turned to to crying herself to sleep most nights. She would lay in bed and the pillow he had slept on that night; it still smelled of him a little. She couldn't bring herself to wash the pillow case yet, she needed that closeness. Even if it was from just a scent, a memory she needed that connection.

The team had been in Colorado Springs for three days, trying to get ahead of the UNSUB. They had four bodies, all women in there mid to late thirties, black hair and brown eyes. They all saw the resemblance Emily had with the victims but none said a word.

The victims were all found in different locations in Pike National Forest. The team had their work cut out for them; it wasn't easy to cover six hundred and forty four thousand acres. They had called in the National Guard to help search for more victims. With no new leads and no suspects the team would have to leave soon for higher priority cases. Cases they could actually do some good on.

But soon the teams' priorities would change and none of them would be able to even think about what the outcome could be.