"Morgan, there's been another murder."

Hotch dreaded making the call. The team was on their way to debrief Morgan and Penelope and he knew this was news he should have shared in person but he took the easy way out and placed the call.

"We've got to pull Garcia out, man! This is too dangerous! This son-of-a-bitch is escalating we can't risk her life!"

"Morgan, it's too late, you two may have already come across our unsub!"

"We've got to find this guy and quick! We can't let anything happen to Garcia!"

"We won't, Morgan. We won't."

His fist went slamming into the wall as he ended the call pacing the floor trying to process the severity of their situation. She was totally unprepared for this assignment; he knew it and they all knew it; so many things could go wrong. He couldn't lose her all it would take was a blink; a misstep and she'd be gone.

He needed to tell her before the others arrived. She would be upset and worried and he wouldn't blame her. They had plans to go downtown for dinner. Each victim had eaten at Crystal's, a popular eatery known for it's southern cuisine. The more they were seen in public the more opportunities for them to catch the killer's attention.

Garcia had hoped a shower would help her to relax but it didn't. She knew the rest of the team was on their way to debrief her and Derek on the latest details of the case. She quickly dressed and rehearsed her back story trying to take her mind off of the danger of putting herself in the direct line of sight of a person that had already killed three women. The knock on the inner door adjoining the two rooms caused her to jump. Without a word Morgan rushed past her into her room. He was pacing and running his hands over his head. He wouldn't make eye contact with her, which was his tell sign that he was worried; beyond worried even.

"What's wrong?"

He stopped in front of her gently placing his hands on her shoulders.

"They found another body."

He saw the tears spring forth and he quickly pulled her against his chest holding her tightly. Their hearts beat wildly in sync as they stood in silence until the knock on the door pulled them apart. Hotch, Rossi, Reid and JJ quickly entered the room noticing the heaviness in the air. Morgan was clearly upset and so was Garcia.

"I'm sure Morgan filled you in?"

"Yes, just now."

"We're increasing our efforts to make sure you both are covered at all times." Hotch began.

"I can take care of myself. This son-of-a-bitch isn't going after the men. Just make sure he doesn't get near her!" Morgan interrupted.

Hotch shot the younger man a glaring look that prompted Rossi to intervene. He moved over to Morgan gently placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Let's take a walk."

"No, I'm good."

"We're taking a walk. Now!"

Morgan knew not to object he'd only heard that tone from Rossi a few times so without looking at the others he followed the older agent out. Garcia collapsed on the bed. She was a bundle of nerves and now the others were beginning to second-guess their plan.

The Zabana 1733-

The two men walked in relative silence until they reached a popular nightspot about four blocks from the hotel. Morgan waited for the lecture he knew was coming his way. He wasn't in the mood all he wanted was to get back to the hotel and take Garcia to dinner. His little temper tantrum had changed the plans for the evening. JJ was taking Garcia to dinner now while Reid and Hotch managed their surveillance from a safe distance.

Rossi managed to find a table in a far corner of the dimly lit bar and as they slid into the booth a tall buxom waitress quickly came over and took their drink order.

"I know, I know I was wrong back there." Morgan began. "I just don't understand why we can't use an experienced agent instead of Garcia."

The waitress came back with their drinks and with a nod retreated quickly out of sight.

"You're worried, I get it; we all get it but we have a job to do and the sooner we get it done, the sooner we can all go home."

"What if she panics? What if she can't do this?"

"Then we pull her out. But she's not the one I'm worried about."

"What are you talking about, Rossi?"

"Maybe you're the one we need to pull from this case? I've never seen you this…"

"What?"

"Distracted."

"I'm not distracted."

"You're distracted and if you don't get your head in the game, you'll be the one that gets her killed! Are you ready to carry that around for the rest of your life?"

Morgan felt as if he'd been hit in the gut. He was distracted and he hadn't been himself since finding out about the case and Hotch's plans to bring this unsub to justice. His feelings were all over the place, out of control and raw. He'd long ago realized that Garcia was more to him than a friend. He'd avoided the conversation about, them, and he'd watched her date other men without so much as a hint of protest. He wanted her to be happy and always encouraged her to follow her heart.

He hadn't set idly on the sidelines either dating so many women that they'd all become nothing more than a blur. Even now, she was with a nice guy, Sam and he was with Savannah who'd he'd recently begun living with. Still he couldn't deny the fact that he loved Penelope, he was in love with Penelope. He was tired of pretending that their friendship was enough and tired of seeing her with Sam. He felt guilty every time he came home to Savannah, she was a good person who deserved more than what he could give. This case made him realize that he could very well lose it all without ever taking the risk of telling his best friend how he really felt. Silence and fear was threatening everything that he held dear.

Rossi drained his glass and motioned for the waitress to return. Morgan was right behind him finishing off his drink as well.

"So, have you told her yet?"

"Excuse me?"

"Have you told Garcia that you're in love with her?"

"Rossi, Garcia and I are just friends. Besides, she can do a whole lot better than me."

"It's been how many years now? Going on eleven?"

"Rossi…"

"You know I think the reason this case has gotten under your skin is not that Garcia is going undercover it's that it's forcing you to think about some things."

"Look old man, you don't know what you're talking about."

"She's in love with you too by the way."

"Rossi, trust me, Garcia is not in love with me!"

"Would it be so bad?"

Morgan was grateful to see the waitress arrive with their second round giving him a moment's reprieve.

"I can't believe I've let so much time pass. It's probably too late, she seems really happy with Sam."

"So are you saying you do love her?"

Morgan drained his glass before looking at his friend.

"Okay, yeah I love her. I love Garcia, are you happy now?"

Rossi smiled as he watched his troubled friend signal the waitress for another round.

Crystal's –

The night air felt good against her tear stained face. JJ and Penelope walked the two blocks to Crystal's safely cloaked by their remaining team members and at least a dozen plain-clothes detectives from the local police department. Once inside they both were happy that they had made reservations following the hostess as they waded through the dozen or so tourist waiting for a table.

"I've heard a lot about this place." Penelope began as she took the menu from the petite dark-haired woman. "They're supposed to have the best smothered pork chops this side of the Mississippi."

"Yeah too bad you're a vegetarian." JJ chuckled.

JJ took the menu and nodded her thanks. She'd volunteered to take Morgan's place in hopes of getting Garcia's mind off the case.

"I might just order a nice juicy steak just in case this is my last supper."

"Garcia, c'mon, you and Morgan need to relax and focus on this case or we'll never catch this guy. We need your head in the game and you've got to keep Morgan focused too. You know how he gets when it comes to you."

"I just don't understand why you geniuses couldn't have figured something else out."

"Garcia..."

"What?"

"The other victims…"

"What? What about them?"

"They looked just like you! I mean if you didn't know better, you'd swear you all were sisters!"

JJ watched as the color drained from her friend's face.

"Oh. Does Derek know that?"

"Not yet but I'm sure Rossi will fill him in."

"I'm worried about him JJ. If something happens…"

"Nothing is going to happen."

"You don't know that for sure. You guys are the best and I feel safe with all of you but still, if something happens it will destroy Derek."

She was right and JJ knew it. Derek would never forgive them if something happened but most of all he wouldn't forgive himself.

"So, have you told him?"

"Excuse me?"

"Have you told him?"

"Told him what?"

"That you're in love with him."