Phillip Matthews moved to table and gathered his tools. His hunting knife, now clean from the blood that had stained it just awhile ago, the gun he used to subdue the Sheriff and his wife, and the restraints. It had been so easy to get to them. He'd learned they would be spending the holiday at Connor's hunting cabin. He followed them they day they left, and the next night had surprised them as they slept. There was no security on the cabin, which surprised Phillip. A former FBI agent and cop should've known better.
It took him two days, but he'd obtained the information he needed and now the couple was dead. He was free to travel to Richmond Virginia. He'd called the police with a disposable cell, and they would soon find the bodies, which is exactly the way he wanted it. He wanted Stephanie to suffer, knowing he was out there, and then she would see his face again.
It was early morning, he left the cabin and got into the truck, it was time to be gone. He was anxious to get to Virginia. He couldn't wait to see her again.
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July 4th 1030pm
Home of Aaron Hotchner
Hotch held the door open for Haley as she carried Jack in to their home. He was sound asleep. She took him upstairs to bed; as Hotch moved into the living room, where he sat down to untie his running shoes. It was a rare thing to see Aaron Hotchner in anything but a suit and tie, but the fourth of July was a time for hot dogs, sodas, and sitting on the lawn of the public park to watch fireworks. Granted he'd had a comfy blanket to sit on, but one still had to dress appropriately, and in this case it was a tee shirt, jeans and running shoes.
"Jack's tucked away." Haley said, as she came back down the stairs and joined him on the couch. She put her head on his shoulder.
"Did you have a good time, babe?" Hotch asked, as he put an arm around her shoulders, and kissed the top of her head.
"Yeah, I'm glad Jason and Stephanie made it back from the cabin in time to join us. I like her very much and she's certainly done a lot for Jason. He looked more relaxed and happy then I've seen him in a long time."
"He loves her very much, I was surprised when they ended up together, and I never thought Jason would let his guard down long enough for any one to see his true heart, but she did it in record time." Hotch said with a thoughtful look.
He had been floored when he learned that Jason was seeing Reid's twin. The age difference was foremost in his mind, and after speaking to Jason about it, he learned this had concerned the older man, at first. Then he'd made it clear that it didn't matter, she was brilliant, beautiful and she seemed to understand him in a way no one had in a very long time.
"She and Jack took a real liking to each other. I can't believe that he warmed up to her so fast. Usually he's picky about to whom he gives his affections, but she jumped right in." Haley said with a smile.
She wondered though, as she'd watched the young woman playing with her son, as the fireworks exploded through the air, if the wistful look on the young woman's face was Haley's imagination.
"Aaron, do you think those two will have a baby someday?" Haley asked
"Whoa, they just met a few months ago and now you're talking babies!" Hotch said.
He couldn't imagine his boss with a new baby at his age, after all the man had a grown son with who he had a very shaky relationship.
"I said baby, as in one and I could tell that Stephanie wants it." Haley said as if it should have been obvious to everyone.
"So wife, enlighten your husband, what makes you think she's thinking about children?" Hotch asked, clueless as men can be when it comes to women and what they are thinking.
"For a profiler, you sure do miss a lot when it comes to your friends. Honey, didn't you see the way she was looking at Jack? I know that look; I saw it on my own face in the mirror before we had Jack. She wants a child." Haley assured her husband.
"First I don't profile friends and family, second if this is true, she hasn't said anything to Jason. I know for a fact he wouldn't have been as relaxed as he was tonight if they were talking about kids. Anyway their not married and Jason would insist on it before kids come into the picture." Hotch informed his wife, who he believed was imagining things.
"Okay, you're probably right, but so am I. Trust me, the subject will come up and it will be sooner than later. She untangled her self from his embrace and stood up. Come on babe, let's get to bed, you have to get back to work tomorrow."
July 5th 8 am
Stephanie's apartment.
Stephanie closed the door to her apartment, glad for the first time in months that Jason was gone. The weekend had been wonderful. The cabin had been lovely and peaceful, as had the woods around it. They'd cooked, gone swimming in the lake up the road, he'd read to her from his extensive book collection in the small den off the kitchen, they sat for hours not talking just enjoying each other's company, and they'd made love.
Haley Hotchner was right about one thing, Stephanie did want a baby. She was also right that Jason didn't know, and Stephanie had no intention of ever telling him. If he knew, he'd want to get married and that was okay, but then she would have to tell him what she'd kept secret from him. He had a right to know everything about her. She didn't know if she could tell him. He'd seen so much horror; she was didn't want to add to his pain.
She went into her bed room and changed for the shower. Turning on the water as hot as she could stand to ward off the chill creeping into her heart, she stepped in and pulled the curtain shut. She wondered what she was going to do. She was sure that Haley had seen the desire she had for cute babies like little Jack, and she was afraid Jason had seen it too, although he never said anything, and was attentive and loving as always. The thought of his kindness to her, and how she would eventually have to hurt him again, was more than she could stand, and she began to sob, staying where she was till the water turned cold.
July 5th 11 am
Quantico
Bull pen of the BAU
The elevator doors opened, Stephanie stepped out and walked around the corner. She had received a terse phone call Aaron Hotchner. He wouldn't tell her what was so important, only that she needed to get to Quantico as soon as possible.
"Hey sis, what are you doing here?" Spencer rose from his desk, jogged to where she stood, and pulled her into his arms.
"Aaron called and told me to get up here quick, I don't know what he wants…do you know what's going on Spencer?"
Before he could answer, Hotch approached them, and asked them both to follow him to Gideon's office. They looked at each other curiously, and trailed after Hotch, who was furious. Entering Gideon's office they could see that he was very upset as well.
"Gideon, Hotch what's going on?" Reid asked, wondering if he and his sister done something to anger the older agents, but that was ridiculous, wasn't it?
"Please sit down," Hotch said.
Gideon remained where he was behind his desk, his glassed perched on his nose, and a file in front him. He didn't greet Stephanie or Spencer, just looked at them with a mixture of anger, sorrow and fear. Hotch nodded to Gideon and he spoke.
"Spencer, Stephanie I wanted you both to hear this, before the team hears it. Hotch received a fax and a phone call this morning. Phillip Matthews has been released from prison."
"What do mean he was released…he's supposed to be doing twenty five years? Spencer was nearly shouting as he got up, and paced around the small room.
Stephanie said nothing, her mind was whirling. How was this possible, and why was she hearing it from her lover?
"Sit down Spencer! Gideon said. According to federal law, victims of sexual crimes must be notified when their attackers are released from incarceration."
"Stephanie you should have been notified-have you received anything in the mail from Kansas State Corrections?" Hotch asked her.
"What-oh sorry…um I don't know Aaron; you should see the stack of mail on my desk."
"What about your home?"
"No, my forwarding address is the lab in Richmond. When did he get out?" She asked.
"Three weeks ago."
"Why, he'd only been in prison for thirteen years.
"I called the warden and the parole board gave him points for good behavior, they felt he'd suffered enough at the hands of the other inmates. Most cons don't take kindly to convicted child molesters, and he was almost killed a couple of times." Hotch said.
"I wish they had killed him…maybe I will when we find him." Spencer said going to Stephanie and putting a hand on her shoulder.
Tears began to fall and she stood up and threw herself into Spencer's arms nearly knocking him over.
He murmured quietly to her for a moment, ignoring Hotch and Gideon. Then he looked at his supervisors and said in a firm voice.
"I want to take her home; she's had enough for one day."
"No, that's not all I have to tell you." Hotch said.
"What else is there to tell Hotch? I want my sister out of here!" Spencer said his eyes flashing angrily.
"Sheriff Connor and his wife are dead." Gideon said quietly from behind his desk.
"What!" Stephanie turned to him, her eyes pleading for him to tell her it wasn't true. She sat back down.
"They found them last night at their vacation home in the Flint Hills. There was a note left, it was from your uncle, he makes it clear that he killed the Connors and that he's on his way here."
"He's coming here?" Stephanie said her eye's huge with a fear she thought she'd left behind her years ago.
How was this possible? She'd finally gotten her life on track, she had a man who loved her, she had a career she loved, and she had her family back. And Jason, he'd lost a friend of thirty years.
"We won't let him hurt you again Stephanie, I swear he won't get within a mile of you." Spencer said taking her hand and squeezing it hard.
"You're right about that Reid; you're both going into protective custody-"
"No Hotch, I'm staying on the case with you. You're right though, Stephanie needs to go to a safe house." Spencer said
"Hey I'm in the room and I won't have you all discussing me like I'm not here. And I'm not going to hide either. I have spent most of my life afraid of Phillip Matthews, and I'm tired of it."
She pulled away from Reid and walked over to Gideon's desk. "Please Jason…don't make me leave…I can stay with you, can't I…please baby don't make me go."
Gideon rose from behind his desk and she stepped into his arms. He looked her in the eye and said.
"I can't work this case and worry about you at the same time. Please…do as we ask and go to the safe house, for now."
"But Jason-"
"Guys, leave us alone for a minute ok?" Gideon said not looking at Hotch or Reid.
They left, but it was under protest, especially from Reid. He went directly to JJ's office to let her know what happened.
"Sweet girl, I know you don't want to hide, it's what I love most about you, your willingness to face anything, but I can't lose you. I'm afraid if you're not under FBI protection, Matthews will find you. If he does he'll kill you." Gideon said not caring if he hurt her with his bluntness, she had to understand.
"Is that a concerned lover talking, or the profiler?"
"It's both; if he gets another chance at you he will kill you this time, that's a fact and I won't loose you Stephanie, I love you very much."
"I love you too Jason, and I'm damn good at what I do, please let me help you."
"Alright Stephanie, you can stay here at Quantico. There are apartments for those transitioning to the Witness Protection Program. I'll arrange it for you."
He over ruled her objections by reminding her that she would see him every day. That was the deal breaker, and she agreed to protection. Her office would have to do with out her for awhile, but the BAU would benefit from her help.
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Phillip Matthews arrived in Richmond at three pm on July 5th. He didn't have Stephanie's address yet, but he was confident he could find it fairly soon. Connor had refused to tell him this information even in the face of his wife's death. But Phillip was able to find out about her new job. He'd watch there first, to determine the best way to get to her. He also needed to find out how to remove Spencer from the picture, and anyone else that could interfere.