June 3, 2009
Quantico, Virginia

JJ was in her office digging through random files when her phone rang. She answered it, and responded confidently with, "Behavioural Analysis Unit, Jennifer Jareau speaking". The conversation continued, and slowly JJ's confidence began to fade. "Again?... Sir, with all due respect, we were just there, we closed the case, we caught our UnSub. There is no chance that this case is connected to the last... Sir, you have to calm down... Did you send the BAU a profile? Pictures of the crime scene?... Oh, you're right. I have them... This is... brutal... You're kidding?... Alright. Sir, I can't make any promises, but I will talk to my Supervisor and if my team is interested in this case, I will call you back and let you know, alright?... Thank you." JJ hung up the phone, printed off the photos and descriptions that she needed for a profile, and walked down the hall into Aaron's office. As usual, he was doing paperwork.
"Working hard? Hard at working?"
"Same as every other day. What is it JJ?"
"We have another case."
"Where?"
"Delaware, Ohio"
"We were just there"
"I know. The police chief just called me and he told me that he thinks this case might be connected to the last 3 families." JJ handed Aaron the folder. "This is horrendous. Sir, I don't think that this case is connected at all, but I still think that we should go back and check it out. We can't ignore something like this."
Aaron opened the folder, and as he glanced at the family name, his heart sunk. Butterflies formed in his stomach and for a moment he felt panic and fear. Not for himself, but for the Benson's.
"JJ?"
"Hotch?"
"James Benson? The lawyer?"
"That's why I said it's awful and doesn't match. All of the families that were murdered were middle class, average people. This family is high-maintenence, Jamison Benson is a state-famous lawyer and..."
"JJ we can't take this case."
"Hotch?"
"I know them. I was at this house not three weeks ago."
"Oh my god. Hotch, I'm so sorry." Sympathy grew inside of her, and as she felt it she wanted to cry. But she took a deep breath and fought away the tears.
"You know what, you take this case. Bring it to the team, let them know that I wont be on it."
"Are you going to be okay with this?"
"Of course. Just, let me look over this okay? Give me a minute."
"Alright." Concerned, JJ left Aaron alone in his office.
Looking over the profile, Hotch suddenly felt an overwhelming rush of emotion. Tears formed in his eyes, and for the first time in a very long time, he cried.

He read the profile in disbelief:

Evidence of foul play...
Evidence of break and enter...
No fingerprints match in CODUS...
Broken glass...
Stolen jewelry...

Could this have been a robbery gone wrong?


Bodies found bound and gagged...
Lined up...
Prosocution style...

The Autopsy reports.

Male... James Christopher Benson... Age 40... COD: Gunshot to the back of the head
Female... Julia Marie Benson... Age 37... COD: Gunshot to the back of the head
Male... Trayven Conner Benson... Age 17... COD: Gunshot to the back of the head
Female... Kestlyn Michelle Benson... Age 11... COD: Gunshot to the back of the head
Female... Rekaiah Grace-Maelyn Benson... Age 15... Missing (30/09/09)

Anxiously, Aaron snapped up out of his chair and brought the profile with him into JJ's office.
"JJ!" He nearly yelled
"Hotch?"
"Rekaiah Benson. She was only reported missing. Have you had any tips, any hits in AMBER Alerts? Anything?"
"No, Sir, I haven't, but when I do you will be the first person to know"
"I want to give the briefing"
"Whatever you want." JJ knew that Aaron was hurt and angry. She didn't know what he did in his personal life, or the people he knew, but she knew that it was a good thing that he wasn't taking this case, because it definately took a toll.
Aaron, without confidence, sternly walked into the breifing room.
"Hotch?" Morgan said, surprised. "JJ said you weren't taking this case"
"I'm not. I'm only giving the briefing" Aaron said, without making eye contact.
Every one of the team members were sitting at the round table, except JJ who sat on the desk against the window. They all exchanged a look of "What's up with him?" and they were all lost in confusion and concern. They all turned to JJ who they knew had talked to him and who had followed him into the room, but her eyes widened, she raised her eyebrows, and put up her hand as if to say, "Don't even ask" Aaron, with a quick pace, strided over to the projector, snatched the control and put up the pictures.
"This is the Benson family."
"Benson. You mean the famous lawyer?" Morgan asked.
"Yes." Aaron hesitated, clearly just wanting to get the briefing over with. "They were all shot to death 2 nights ago. When the kids didn't show up for school, their private tutor went to check on them and he found this."
Aaron clicked the button, and on the overhead above them appeared a picture of 4 bodies laying close together on the floor surrounded in blood. Garcia turned away. Morgan grabbed her hand and squeezed it.
"Lined up oldest to youngest."
"Prosecution style" David interupted. Aaron looked at him with an offended expression. There was a short silence, and David broke the ice. "James Benson had three children. 2 daughters and a son. Where's his second daughter?"
"Missing" Still, Aaron sounded pissed off and offended that anyone would question the case.
Morgan looked at Aaron, knowing that this wasn't like him at all. "Hotch. What's wrong with you, man? Why are you taking this case to heart?"
Aaron turned to Morgan. Expression the same, only adding a little bit more hurt mixed in. "I went to college with James Benson. I worked with him for nearly 10 years before coming to the BAU. I was his best man when he married Julia, and I was there for the birth of all three of his children. I am their Godfather. When we find Rekaiah, I get to bring her home. I'm the one that gets to explain to her everything that has happened, and what is going to happen to her. You all have to understand that Kaia is very small, and she is vulnerable. She is going to be traumatized if she isn't already... This family means as much to me as Jack and Haley, and until we find our UnSub you are all going to work your asses off, and work harder than ever, and you are going to bring that girl home alive and safe." Hotchner threw down the control, and everyone watched in shame as he stormed out of the room.
Morgan looked pale, as if he was sorry he had asked the question that set him off. There was another short silence, and Reid cleared his throat, ready to go over the profile with Rossi as temporary Head Supervisor.
Rossi took a deep breath and was ready to wave off the overwhelming rush of drama. "The plane leaves in 20" he said. And with that, he slowly stretched up out of his seat and left the room.