Disclaimer:Criminal Minds belongs to its wonderful creators and not me.

Summary:The team gets invited in on a case in Flagstaff, Arizona where a potential string of murders seems to be connected.

Notes: I love me some pairings so this fic will primarily be Rossi/JJ and I might add some glimpses of others as it goes on. At this point I'm just playing around with a plot I've had running rampant in my mind for a few weeks. I am notoriously known for my lack of updating but I PROMISE you I have more time on my hands this time and will be updating regularly :D This is also my first Criminal Minds story. So if I don't do it justice, let me know what I can do to make it a more enjoyable read for you. Reviews are appreciated, as well as criticism; I'm not a touchy person so don't worry about being honest. So without further ado, here we go!

It was close to noon when a knock came to Aaron Hotchner's office door. In its frame stood Penelope Garcia, a file in her hand at least a couple of inches thick. Dread settled into the pit of his stomach as he motioned her inside.

"What've we got?" He asked, leaning forward over the paperwork he'd been doing.

"Sir." Garcia greeted hastily before opening the file up and placing it before him. Now spread out over his desktop were the photos of various victims; their faces completely indistinguishable. Hotch began to mentally take notes as he looked at them, picking up the report of one incident.

"Acid?" He looked up at her seriously and viewed the small shudder that came from their Tech Analyst.

"Yes, sir. Flagstaff, Arizona where three men and two women have been found in similar manners. I just got off the phone with Flagstaff PD, sir, and they are stretched pretty thin; I think there might be something to this."

"Why didn't they call us in sooner? If they've had this many victims, why hold off?" His voice was level, though something told Garcia he'd already made up his mind.

"I don't know the chief seemed pretty 'short' on the phone. I'll gather the team." She excused herself, trying to flee the scene of those nasty pictures on Hotch's desk but cringed when she was stopped.

"Garcia, I'm going to need you present on this one." He had a knowing, apologetic look on his face when she turned around, an excuse not to go ready on her lips; but the thought of it died when she saw his expression.

"Course, Hotch."

"And don't bother gathering the team, tell them wheels up in an hour; we can brief them on the way." And with that she made her way out of his office.

"Babygirl, why are your eyes closed if you aren't asleep?" Morgan's voice practically spoke the smile adorning it.

"Because Handsome, there are all kinds of nasty in those files you all have and I think seeing them once is too many times." Rossi and Prentiss shared a look of smirks and small laughs before opening the folders that had recently been placed in front of them after the plane had taken off. Everyone had been curious as to just why they were flying out so soon without any information. But by the fallen and serious expressions of his teammates, Hotch figured they had a pretty good idea about why they'd been ushered into the plane so quickly.

"Five already?" Rossi shot the comment towards Hotch and Garcia, with a furrowed brow.

"Cale Johnston, 32, Henry Dalmer, 32, George Torst, 32, Maria Salazar, 29, and Jennifer Hallsworth, 29. All defaced and then injected with 140mg of morphine as the cause of death. No post-mortem injuries." Hotch rattled off the facts quickly, ignoring the way Garcia hummed and plugged her ears.

"So he puts them through terrible amounts of pain and then makes their deaths comfortable?" Prentiss was having a hard time believing someone would go through the trouble of torturing the victims and then just taking the pain away.

"Angel of Mercy." Mumbled Rossi, reflexively glancing towards Garcia; suddenly remembering the night she'd gotten shot, the next day when JJ had had to shoot the man in the head.

"Maybe. I mean it's completely likely. This Unsub has a definite target age; men, 32 and women,29. It could be that this Unsub might have been medical personnel who lost a patient after a fire or gas leak." Reid offered to Rossi's comment, breaking the spell over everyone else who'd also thought of Garcia's close call.

"Maybe." Hotch affirmed and then looked to the others. "Dave, you and Reid go to the Hospital see if you get anything; I want to run with Reid's and your theory. Morgan, Prentiss, go to the last crime scene and see what you can find. Garcia and I will get things settled at the station. We land in three hours so I would advise you all to get some sleep." Hotch watched them all nod rather sagely before he looked to Rossi. "Dave, a minute?" Hotch moved to the front of the plane and took one of his usual seats, his back to the cockpit. Rossi joined him after a moment.

"What's up?"

"I wanted to thank you, actually. I got a call from the Director of the DOD at the Pentagon and we worked out that JJ can come back in two months." A rare smile lit Hotch's face as he spoke quietly, simultaneously listening to the others tease Reid about not bringing clothes that might be appropriate for the winter-wonderland Flagstaff had become during these December nights. Dave smiled, despite himself and shrugged; a sly look on his face.

"Oh that? It was nothing." He played it off as nonchalantly as possible, but he was damn excited about her coming back. "Plus, these past weeks have been…hard on her. She needs her family and we need her. For Garcia's sake and your sanity." Rossi joked a bit and finally fixed his dark stare on Hotch who nodded in agreement, though the smile had certainly disappeared beneath his stoic walls again. Truth be told, Dave hadn't left the DOD alone since Will had decided to leave JJ a few weeks prior. Something inside David had snapped when he opened his door one evening to a stony-faced, teary-eyed Jennifer Jureau and a sleeping Henry. Of which, Aaron knew practically everything that had transpired that evening. Dave had confided in the man after having to babysit Henry one Saturday when JJ had been called in to work.

"Well I told Garcia to keep it on the down-low until we knew for sure, but I'll be announcing it to the team when we land."

"Sounds good." Rossi started to settle back into his seat as he listened to the team behind him, a yawn following. "I'm going to catch a few hours before we land." He said as he drifted off into sleep smiling.

Reid hadn't stopped talking since Hotch had delivered the news of JJ's return in the next few months. He'd been spouting out things he would do with Henry, about how, as his Godfather, it was only practical that he teach the boy something about all of his nerdy expertise.

"For the hundredth time, Ried, I don't think JJ will appreciate you teaching her son how to speak Klingon and Elvish." Stated a rather amused Rossi as he drove the black SUV towards the Flagstaff Medical Center. Reid, who was riding shotgun, just laughed. For the next few minutes their ride was relatively silent; Reid kept playing with the radio, while Dave managed to deal with the coma-inducing classical music station the kid had managed to find.

"Why did JJ go to you?"

"How the hell did you know about that?" Rossi was taken aback by Reid's knowledge of the fact.

"Oh, well, um, JJ said that I shouldn't worry because she already had 'Dave' watching Henry. It's just normal for maybe a Godparent to watch their Godchild when he or she needs babysitting." Clearly a little jealous, Reid fixed a confused look on Rossi as he drove. Dave could have sworn that somewhere in Reid's brain a huge flashing sign that read 'DOES NOT COMPUTE' threatened the existence of the young genius.

"I don't know, maybe she couldn't reach you or Garcia?"

"She didn't call….." Mumbled the young man accusingly before they pulled into the Hospital parking lot near the Emergency Center. Rossi didn't answer, finding that he didn't have one for the kid before he parked and got out.

"Garcia I know that you probably won't want to talk about details of the case, but-"

"My sexy superior, nothing could ruin my mood this fine and glorious day." Garcia interrupted with a small laugh, her bout of theatrics, thank God, done while Hotch and she were alone in the conference room setting up. "My baby butterfly is coming home and I will no longer have to bring blindfolds and earplugs to team meetings!" Hotch could barely suppress the grin threatening to invade his facial features. After he'd made the news public, Garcia had been able to gleefully express her excitement in front of everyone, which had allowed each of the BAU members some much needed laughter and happiness.

But as the day progressed into a long week, Hotch wondered if he shouldn't have waited until after the case was over to fill them in on such happy news. As he looked at their tired and worn faces, he couldn't help but feel as though they all needed a pick-me-up. It was Friday evening and outside the station snow fell heavily on the small city and its inhabitants. Somewhere in hotel rooms, families visiting the area had long since tucked their kids in bed and local residents were probably enjoying the last warmth of a fire as the embers burned slowly into ash. Thinking about things like that made him miss Jack; made him want to go home and hold his son before tucking him into bed. But he was hundreds and hundreds of miles away from his home and his son would have been in bed two hours ago.

"Garcia, any follow-through with the Hospital?" Rossi suddenly asked, staring at the map Reid was standing next to.

"Unfortunately no. The only thing I've been able to pull up since we arrived was an accident involving an ambulance en-route to the hospital on December 10th, 2002. Apparently it was snowing when a semi collided with the ambulance and sent it into a gas line. A few sparks later and the entire thing went up in flames; killing everyone inside except one technician, but he moved away six years ago. His name was Joseph Kersey, he now lives in Denver." Garcia made a face at the photos she had been able to pull up.

"Let's all go back to the hotel. There's no use running ourselves into the ground, we have no answers tonight anyway. After we all get a good night's sleep then we can come back fresh tomorrow." Hotch's order was not questioned. Morgan was practically dancing in the driver's seat by the time Prentiss and Reid got in. Rossi, Hotch, and Garcia in the other.

Dave had assumed the role of driver as Hotch and Garcia got into the already started Tahoe. Rossi cranked the heat as he pulled out and glanced in the rearview mirror at a nearly asleep Penelope Garcia. A week in Flagstaff, in the freezing cold, with lack of sleep, did not do the team any favors and Rossi was happy Aaron had finally caved in giving them a much needed sleep.

"We'll get 'im Hotch. Trust me." Dave's low voice whispered as he tried not to disturb their sleeping techy in the back.

"I know, I just hate to think we're no closer than we were when we arrived; even after two more victims." Two days ago, two victims, same ages as before; a man and a woman this time. That was when the press exploded and it was actually Rossi who had to make a formal statement, standing along side Garcia as they asked for diligence within the community to catch the killer while Hotch dealt with various Editors from around the state who wanted to print the story.

"You're wrong. Those last two were rushed; they were semi-identifiable by their faces. He's getting messy, panicked. A spree like this will only breed mistakes for this guy." His consoling must have done some kind of reassurance because Hotch switched the station to a Christmas channel and they listened to Dean Martin and Martina McBride sing 'Baby it's Cold Outside' until Dave pulled into the Hotel parking lot. They woke Garcia up who mumbled something incoherent and stumbled out of the SUV and towards the main entrance to the hotel. Their rooms at the Little America Lodge beckoned to them all. Rossi had grabbed hold of the keys in the ignition, fully intent on shutting the truck off and joining the rest of his team as they made their way towards their rooms, but stopped. "Hey Hotch, I'm going to go get something to eat real fast, I'm starving." He gave a sheepish smile, albeit tired; the apparent combination made his superior smirk.

"K, be careful." Hotch left the Tahoe with nothing in mind but sleep and this frustrating case.

"Will do." Dave answered and put the car in reverse. Soon he was out and traveling towards the Coco's he'd seen on his way in. Open 24-hours, bless the Coco's CEO, he thought dramatically as he pulled in. It was only when he was seated that he found the coffee in front of him not as soothing as he'd thought. The waitress had come to take his order a few minutes later and he'd ordered the Lumberjack Special. It was just after 3 in the morning when his phone started to ring.

"Rossi." He answered out of habit.

"Did I wake you?" JJ's voice was music to his ears as he pushed the coffee away from him; substituting the warm liquid for something much more relaxing.

"Haven't even made it to bed yet." He assured her, and then immediately regretted doing so. She shouldn't have to worry about it. "What are you doing up at 6 on a Saturday morning?"

"Rough week huh?" She asked as she watched Henry sleep fitfully. "Henry had a tummy-ache this morning and I'm really hoping he hasn't caught any bug going around."

"I hope he hasn't too. Hotch told everyone about your return the other day." He said as the waitress brought his food to the table, leaving him be at the sight of a smile on his exhausted face.

"Oh boy, I bet Garcia popped." She laughed quietly into the phone on the other end as she pictured an over dramatization of Pen showering everyone in rose petals and singing 'happy day' while she danced around the office.

"Let's just say she has an entirely new set of nicknames for everyone, and they are all ten times more mushy-gushy than the last ones." He chuckled and took a bite of his eggs.

"Good, how's everyone else?" She had to have stepped out of Henry's room, because she was no longer whispering.

"They're all ecstatic. Don't be surprised if you get a call from all of them soon, especially Reid. He won't stop talking about it. Espeically on the way to the Hospital"

"The hospital?" There was a slight edge to her voice, a sharp and sudden tone of worry.

"Ya to interview doctors." He replied absent-mindedly as he tried to picture her in her home, tried to picture the way she looked as she stood in the hallway talking to him. He felt himself in the need to move all of a sudden and he pulled his wallet out, not even finishing his meal or waiting for the check, before tossing a twenty on the table.

"You had me going there. Hey hold on just a sec." He heard her put the phone down on the counter as he walked out of the restaurant and out into a heavy snowstorm. Perfect, he thought sullenly. Dave loved the snow, loved the atmosphere it gave, loved the smell of it…just loved it in general. But the fierce cold that whipped at his face as he made his way towards the SUV was not a welcome thing when he was running on an hour of sleep from the previous night. He yawned as he got in the Tahoe and started the engine. He was beginning to think she'd forgotten about him when she picked up the phone again.

"Sorry, I wanted to put some coffee on." She sighed after, running a hand over the back of her neck. "I wish I was there." She said finally, her eyes concentrating on the floor in her kitchen.

"Me too." His voice seemed quiet on the other line and she had to question what kind of response that was. You too? Not 'the team would love that' or 'we really need you' it was 'me too.' "Hey, uhm, if and when we get a few days off after this case, you want to take Henry up to the mountains? He could play in the snow and we could go to the tree-lighting ceremony in a small town I know of." He was a bit hesitant in asking only because he knew she'd be occupied with divorce papers and court dates and changing offices yet again.

"We'd love to! You know he asked about you the other day?" That brought a smile to his face and quelled the butterflies in his stomach.

"Really? What about?" He asked as he pulled onto the highway accidentally. Damn Arizona roads, he thought as he looked at the exit sign; 3 miles. Well that was certainly out of his way.

"Just about where you were, and when you were coming back." She informed him as she filled her mug with coffee.

"Well you can tell him that I'll be back as soon as I can." By that time he's actually made it to a little service road with a sign that read Navajo Rd. He pulled a u-turn without thinking much of anything and was forced to drive along Thorpe Park, a huge camping area with a few homes scattered throughout.

"Oh my gosh, it's almost seven here, sorry I kept you up."

"Hah, it's no problem. I was out eating and have now successfully gotten myself lost." He passed his predicament off as a joke which she still felt the need to apologize for. "Seriously hun, it's not a big deal." After inspecting the dark and snowy terrain outside the car windows, Dave guessed he was traveling along side a raised part of the road; the trees to his right seemed shorter.

"It's almost four there right?" JJ honestly just wanted to keep conversation going now that she'd effectively killed it with her apologizing.

"Yep. The rest of the team's probably been-" His voice cut off suddenly. A ton of raucous noises filling his end of the conversation.

"Dave?" JJ's face scrunched up in concern when she didn't get a response after a few seconds. There were sounds on the other end of the phone, a rustling and what sounded like the crunch of broken glass. Somewhere a car door opened; the click of the handle audible. "Hello?" She heard breathing on the other end of the phone, a deep breathing that sent chills down her spine.

"Dave can't talk right now." And the phone went dead….

Heheheh I know. But I love cliffhangers! :D