Yeah, another quick updat, I had no clue this thing would move this fast. Anyway, heres chapter 3.


"So this guy just walks down the street at nigh, calm, cool, and collected, then strikes out at a seemingly random target?" Morgan though out loud as he and Reid examined the latest crime scene.

"He must be highly skilled in concealing and controlling his anger." Reid speculated.

As Reid spoke, Morgan felt his cell phone vibrate in his pocket. Hr tool out hid phone and looked at the name on the caller ID. "It's Hotch," he announced and answered the call. "Yeah, Hotch, what is it. You're supposed to be on leave. Not to sound rude, but why are you calling me?"

"I saw on the news that the BAU is working the string of murders in DC. High-risk targets. How is the investigation progressing?"

Morgan made no effort to hide his confusion. "Yeah, Reid and I are at the latest crime scene. Are you checking up on me or something, Hotch?"

"No, not at all, I trust you as a leader. I was just curious."

Morgan chuckled. "Hotch, you're addicted to the job, man. If you want to come back just call Straus but I still say you need the rest of the week."

Hotch was silent for a moment before answering. "No, you're right. I need…" His sentence trailed off.

"You need what? Is there anything I can do?"

Hotch cleared his throat. "I need to be here with Jack."

"Okay, well just call if you need anything. Keep the television off the news station, alright?"

"I'm sorry, Morgan. I'm addicted to the job."

Morgan was even more confused as he hung up the phone.

"What was that about?" Reid asked.

Morgan shook his head. "Ya know kid, I have absolutely no idea."

O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O

"There are no fibers around the neck wound and absolutely no defensive wounds," the medical examiner hardly looked up from her clipboard as she spoke to Rossi and Prentiss. "It was impossible to determine if the cause of death was the asphyxiation or the blunt force trauma. What I can tell you is that the occipital lobe was almost completely destroyed."

Rossi grimaced. "It's almost as if the unsub smashed her head into the ground while he strangled her."

The medical examiner nodded. "That was my deduction as well."

"You were right, Rossi," Prentiss said shaking her head. "That's a lot of rage to turn around and feel remorse for it afterwards."

Rossi nodded and ran his fingers through his goatee. "He was quick to realize the evil of his actions. He comes down from his rage immediately after killing his victim, and then doesn't panic. He is controlled and focused enough to position the body. I bet we'll find that he's a very fastidious, mature, emotionally collected man."

The medical examiner rolled her eyes. "Yeah, emotionally collected until something really pisses him off."

O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O

A small, week, barely there smile tugged at the corners of Aaron Hotchner's lips as watched his son Jack arrange his trucks in a row on the living room floor.

A smile. When was the last time he had truly and fully smiled? Ages, it seamed. He only came close when he was with Jack. His little boy was the only comfort he had in the world.

Well, there was the other thing.

No. Hotch quickly averted his eyes. He couldn't look at his innocent child when he thought about such things. He feared that if their eyes met while his mind pondered evil he would corrupt the sweet boy; soil the only pure thing left in his life. In a hurry he sat up from his seat on the couch.

"Where aw you going, Daddy?" came Jack's melodic young voice.

"Daddy has to go to the bathroom Jack." He couldn't even glance up at his son when he answered.

Hotch slammed the bathroom door behind him and began to tremble. He looked at his reflection in the mirror, and for a moment he couldn't tell who he was looking at. Was he looking at a loving husband, a caring father, a loyal brother, a dedicated leader, an honest friend?

No. He was looking at a monster.

He thought about his life and how it had gone to ruin.

He thought about Sean.

He thought about Jack.

He thought about Rossi, Morgan, Prentiss, Reid, JJ, and Garcia. His team. Even Gideon and Elle flickered briefly across his mind.

He thought about Hailey.

He thought about his damn abusive father.

He thought about George Foyet.

Most of all, Aaron Hotchner thought about the darkness.