The BAU team was assembled in the bullpen with Penelope Garcia and Kate Callaghan up in the conference room. JJ watched through the window as her heavily pregnant friend and co-worker tried to come to terms what had happened, head in her hands, while Garcia helplessly placed a comforting arm around her shoulder. JJ let her hand briefly fall to her stomach where she herself was currently growing a new person, and turned back to the group.

"What do we do?" The profilers looked at each other, each unwilling to answer the question. JJ shook her head. "We're not just going to sit around and let another team work this case."

"We're not going to do that," Hotch said, leaning against a desk, pressing his right index knuckle against the bridge of his nose.

"Guys, we're running out of time. Not just for Meg and Markayla, but we have no idea how many other kids they have." Derek Morgan stood with his hands in his pockets between JJ and Hotch.

Reid nodded. "We need to see Markayla's parents."

"And Kate needs answers This is going to drive her crazy. Where are you going?" Dave asked as Hotch moved toward the doors of the bullpen.

"CSU. We need a unique perspective and I think I know someone who can help."

When Hotch walked into the Crime Scene Unit Labs 10 minutes later, Amelia Georgia Marlowe was hunched over a microscope, fiddling with a dial. It wasn't long until her focus shifted to the computer, tapped a few keys and turned back to the microscope. Especially since she had recently started working in CSU, Hotch found it hard to believe that the little girl he had met over 20 years ago was all grown up and working a few buildings away from him

"Do you always stare at young women or are you making an exception for me?" She jotted something in her notebook and spun around in her chair to look at him, smiling. He smiled back, despite the situation.

"How are you, Amy?"

Amy stood up, pulling off her gloves and put them in the bin as she passed, walking to him. "Week 1 is almost over: I'm settling in." She hugged him. "How's Jack?"

"He's great. He thought he'd be seeing more of you now that you're moved back to DC. We both did. It's been 3 weeks and we've only seen you a grand total of 2 times days"

"Moving back. And still settling in. And you're jetting off all around the country" Amy notcied his smile falter. "What's wrong?"

"I need a favour."

Amy pushed back a lose strand of hair and crossed her arms. "I didn't think we did favours."

"There's a trafficking ring in DC. I need your help. You're a profiler."

Amy shook her head. "No, I was never a profiler."

"You took the classes."

"I'm a criminalist. Not a criminologist." She moved her eyes away from him

"You're a criminalist with the greatest attention to detail I've ever met. You have a backgound in forensic psychology as well as well as the other sciences. And you know what it's like. Amy -" Hotch paused and pulled out a picture of Meg. "She's 13. Her name's Meg. She's one of our own – her mother is on my team. I'm not asking to put you in the middle of this. Kate's heavily pregnant." He put the photo away. "Amy, please... I'm running out of options. And I'm begging you." He caught her eye again. "You owe me."

Amy scowled. "You're mean and evil." She uncrossed her arms and gestured around the lab, continuing: "I'm working and I should say no. And we're only going to waste time clearing this with my supervisor." She let a smile develop on her face. "But you've already done that." Amy nodded. "Ok. You win"

Hotch filled her in on the details of the case as they made their way to the BAU. She tuned him out, letting the case file he had brought with him speak to her. As they reached the elevator, she tried to suppress a yawn but it was too late. "How long have you been awake?"

Amy smiled a smile of defeat. "Since yesterday morning..." Hotch raised an eyebrow. "...3 am." She looked at him and saw the concern in his eye. "I'm just having a little trouble sleeping sometimes. I'm fine."

"Alright. But I'm here." He smiled at her.

She avoided his gaze as they stepped off the elevator. "And the girls went missing when?"

"About 3 hours ago." Hotch held the door to the bullpen open for her and she walked through.

"You have a team of elite, seasoned profilers. I still don't really understand why I'm here. Well, aside from that unique perspective you hark on about." Hotch walked past her. "You're really not going to answer." Amy sighed in exasperation, shook her head, but followed him up to the steps that led into the conference room.

"Everyone, this is Amy Marlowe from CSU. Amy this is..." Amy gave everyone a small wave and looked at everyone in turn as Hotch introduced the members of his team: David Rossi, Derek Morgan, Spencer Reid, Jennifer Jareau, Pene- JJ! Amy did a double take and the two women stared at each other as Hotch finished the introductions. Amy pulled her gaze away when Hotch finally introduced Kate.

"I don't mean to be rude but why are you here?" Kate asked. Hotch wasn't wrong: this was one heavily pregnant profiler.

"Amy's with CSU. I has an eye for detail and I was hoping that a fresh pair of eyes might pick up something we missed," Hotch answered

"No offence," Morgan said, looking at Amy, "but Hotch, if we missed anything, Reid would have found it."

Amy and Hotch glanced at each other. After 20 years, these covert, questioning looks had been perfected, it was like a second language: she expertly read the question in his eyes and answered. "I'm here for a reason, Hotch. They'll find out sooner or later." She looked back at the room. "I'm not just here because of my academic qualifications..." Amy pulled up a chair and sat next to Kate. "Over 20 years ago I was in Meg's position." She took a deep breath and, very aware of JJ's presence, continued:

"I was abducted. For sex trafficking. I was 11 when I was taken. And I have a pretty good idea what's going on in her head. More importantly, I have a pretty good idea of what's happening." She suppressed the pity she could feel stirring and the awareness that everyone was staring at her. She put all her focus on Meg. "After the abduction comes the grooming – getting girls to look and act the way they want. The way other people will want them to. They'll try and... I'm so sorry I know this is difficult but I have to use these terms – this is business for them. They'll try and make her into a product – these rings have client lists and regulars so they know what they need. Chances are there's already a buyer lined up. They're going to want to break her and right now her life depends on how long she fights them off for and when she gives in. If she refuses to break – they'll kill her."

"How did you get out?"

"There was a pretty amazing team of profilers that got to me just in time." She looked up at Hotch and smiled weakly.

"What can I do? I need to do something." Kate tried to blink back tears.

"You need to go home. You need to take care of yourself and your baby. Be there when she comes home."

"Garcia and I will come with you. And Amy will stay with you while we're looking for Meg," Hotch said.

Kate nodded and left the room. Amy turned around to face him. "Are you going to tell me why I'm really here?"

"Because you know what's like... and you know what the fallout is like. I need you to keep their heads above water so that they can handle this when she comes home."

Amy nodded. She held onto her final question until they were at the car, before climbing in: "Promise me you'll bring her home. And you'll catch the bastard this time."

Hotch nodded. "I promise."

Hotch and Garcia had left Amy alone with Kate and Chris about an hour ago. She and Chris had alternated staying by Kate's side since she had passed out. She had walked the young girls room several times, hoping she would get some inspiration - or an idea of what it would have been like to have been blissfully unaware when she was Meg's age. She was now making the couple some tea which she handed to them. She took the seat across from them.

Kate started shaking her head. "If she comes home – safe – how does she get through this? Will she be alright? How did you do it?"

Amy stared into her cup. "It's possible. I had Hotch. He really looked out for me after I came home. It took time but I got there. It's all about support, Kate. You need to be there for her through the good and especially the bad and the tantrums. First she'll be relieved. Then for a few days she'll be herself again. And then she'll lash out. Especially at you. Because you were the one who was supposed to protect her. You were the one – out of both of you – who was supposed to stop this from happening. Because she isn't just your kid. She's the last link you have to your sister and you're supposed to preserve that. She'll feel betrayed. But you have to stay strong. Be understanding and firm and supportive, Let her know that you did everything but let her vent. Let her know she's being heard and all of her thoughts aren't being locked up inside – they're being shared. You are going to come to loggerheads. My first summer back, I had to live with Hotch for two months because my grandmother couldn't handle me. Perserverance, Kate. Perserverance and support are the key to this." Amy took both of Kate's hands in hers. "You will both get through this."

The hours ticked by. They found Markayla, but Meg was still out there. Kate was sitting with Chris' arm wrapped around her shoulder. It was already 3 am. Finally Amy's phone rang – they all jumped. Amy excused herself from the room. "Hotch." She listened and broke into a smile. "That's fantastic. I'll tell them." Amy hurried back to the front room. "They have Meg. They're bringing her home."

Kate broke down.

20 minutes later the front door opened and Meg walked in with Derek Morgan following closely behind her. Amy moved back and let the family regroup. Kate mouthed a thank you to Morgan and Amy.

Amy and Morgan turned to leave. "Wait." Kate walked up to Amy and put her arms around her. "Thank you."

"If either of you have questions or need to talk – or just vent – you have my number." She gave Kate a final hug before joining Morgan outside.

"You think they'll be ok?" Morgan asked as they walked down the steps.

"Yeah. They're a nice family – they have a lot to pull through for."

"You need a lift back to Quantico?"

"That would be great."

On the drive back to Quantico, they made polite small talk. Morgan didn't ask her any questions about her past, which she was grateful for. She assumed it had a lot to do with him already hearing so much already and feared an information overload but she felt hugely grateful when he brought up a case he had heard her mentioned in connection to from a few years ago and didn't feel at all uncomfortable when she made a Harry Potter reference that he just didn't get.

When Amy walked back into the bullpen, JJ was sitting at her desk, eating a cracker. Amy walked towards her. "How's my future niece or nephew doing?" She pulled the chair from the nearest desk and brought it up to JJ.

"We're doing ok." JJ rubbed her tummy. "How're the Callaghan's?"

"Happy. For now. But they are going to go through the motions and it'll be hard."

"And how are you?" JJ made eye contact with her friend, a feat Amy regretted instantly.

The emotions that she had been holding back for the last 8 hours finally boiled to the surface. "I'm sorry, I didn't tell you. It just- It's something that happened to me but it's not something I want to be defined by. I didn't want you to look at me and think, 'that's the girl who was abducted and raped,' and suddenly be pitied. I wanted to be... Amy. Just Amy. Only happy parts. You and me have always pulled each other up and... I know I should have told you."

JJ clasped Amy's hand in hers. "It's really good to see you. Henry misses you."

"I miss him too." They smiled at each other. Amy tried to blink back tears as Garcia, Morgan and Reid walked into the bullpen.

"You want to grab a bite to eat with us?" JJ patted her tummy. "I'm eating for two now."

Amy smiled. "Tempting but I think I'm just going to head home and call it a night. Besides..." Amy looked up to Hotch's office. "... I think I'm just going to make sure he gets home at a reasonable hour." Amy glanced at the clock on the wall. "Or, before Jack gets up."

"You guys are really close, huh?" Amy smiled. They stood. "Yeah. Now, see, that's something we need to talk about. Breakfast on Saturday?" JJ asked. Amy nodded and pulled on JJ's hand, pulling her into a hug. "Ok, goodnight, I will call you tomorrow and I love you, you beautiful, crazy lady."

"I love you." Amy watched her leave before turning and walking up to Hotch's office. She knocked on the door and entered. Hotch was sitting on his couch with his eyes closed. " Are you alright?" she asked walking into the office and looking around.

"Sure. I haven't slept in 2 days though, and I have a meeting on Monday and a ton of paperwork still to get through." He opened his eyes. "Shouldn't I be asking you that question?"

"If you want to come in tomorrow I can take Jack for a few hours. You look tired."

"I'm exhausted."

Amy sat down next to him. "Yeah, I know the feeling - facing your demons can be pretty draining too." She rested her head on his shoulder.

"Are you ok?" Hotch asked taking her hand.

"No. But I'm glad I'm here. Maybe not running anymore is a good idea." Hotch felt her shaking next to him. "I don't want to run anymore." Hotch looked down at her and saw her tear streaked face. There was only four times in the last 20 years that he had seen her cry. "I want to be here with you and Jack and JJ and Henry and Will and the new baby. I don't want to be alone anymore. I don't want to be pushing people away. I'm scared."

"Listen to me. No matter where you run, you're never alone. I don't like speaking for other people but you will always, no matter what or where you are, you will always have us. You're the closest friend I have and I will never... I will catch him." Amy nodded. Hotch wiped her cheeks with his thumb. "I'm glad you're here too. And so is Jack. Apparently: 'I don't do the voices.' " He looked down at her. "Do you want to go home tonight?" Amy shook her head. "Do you want to stay with me and Jack?" Amy nodded. "Let's go." Hotch took her hands and pulled her up and together they walked out of the office.

A/N Here it is. Just a few quick notes on this chapter:

1. When I started writing this I hadn't seen the season finale - it was sligthtly, though not terribly - different in the first draft. Actually, thinking back on it, I think the only major difference was that the girls had been missing for longer, Ashley Seaver and Andi Swann featured, and a closing scene with JJ, Hotch and Amy.

2. The conception for this story came about after I had been fangirling over the frienship between AJ and Meghan Ory (Meghan Ory is the face claim for Amy). I thought about how cool it would be if she joined the show and then the idea just spiralled. Seriously, this entire thing has taken on a life of it's own - I've been doing photo manips, thinking up fanvid ideas, even started ideas for playlists to add onto 8 tracks.

3. The biggest hurdle I had to overcome was how I was going to relate Amy to both Hotch and JJ without the other knowing BUT still maintaining strong relationships with both. I'm still trying to figure out a few tweaks and that'll be referred back to over the next few chapters.

I really hope you've liked this chapter. It's the first time I've written fanfic in years and posted it. Constructive criticism and/or praise is more than welcome. And I hope to have another chapter up soon. Thanks xx