Disclaimer: Love the show, but I don't own it. Sigh.

Pain

Police Station

Freehold, New Jersey

"Where did you get coffee, Pretty Boy?" Morgan tousled Reid's hair as he passed.

"Detective Joy went to Dunkin Donuts."

"Not Starbucks?"

Detective Scott laughed. "Our local DD gives us free coffee."

Joy entered the room with another file box. "Agents, I also brought back a Box of Joe, about fifteen minutes ago. It's better than what was brewed here."

"Bless you," Morgan poured himself a cup.

"Uncle Craig!"

"Buddy!"

Scott scooped Tyler up, swinging him over his head.

Joy smiled and set down the box. "Did you find anything?"

Rossi sat down. "The Unsub always dragged the victim to the nearest light source. Matthews was dragged a decent distance, while Kline's car must have been right under a light."

"Does that mean anything? Craig, take him out of here," Joy said.

"Come on, Buddy. Let's set up your cars at Mama's desk."

She watched them go, then turned her attention back to Rossi.

"I was hoping you could tell us."

"The distances have varied. I don't know if it was because these victims were the only available or if they are chosen."

"Has anyone read the writing?" Reid asked, squinting at the photos.

"Agent Reid, someone typed up the stories on another sheet in the file."

"Thank you." He began to pin the stories next to the victims.

Morgan swung back and forth in his chair, his view shifting from the board to Tyler and Detective Scott at the desk, playing with cars. The biracial boy happily jumped cars over pens, pencils and a stapler.

His mother was a cop, just like Morgan's father had been.

"Agent Morgan?"

His gaze jerked back to Detective Marriott. "Sorry, what?"

She smiled. "I asked if you needed anything."

"I have black coffee. I'm good."

"All right. Ask for Detective Scott or Chief Marriott if you need anything. I'll see everyone tomorrow."

His eyes followed Marriott as she left the conference room and gathered up her little boy. She kissed his cheek as he put away his toys and hugged Detective Scott, pointing to the conference room and nodding. Scott hugged her tightly and let her go.

"Morgan, call Garcia. See if she has anything for us," Hotch ordered.

"On it."


Joy Marriott's Apartment

Freehold, New Jersey

Joy rubbed Tyler's fuzzy curls as he giggled and wiggled in the towel.

"Mama!"

"Stand still, Silly!"

She yanked the towel away and he ran down the hallway, leaving the slightly flooded bathroom. Joy dropped the towel and chased after him.

"Mr. Reid is so cool! He made those pens vanish!"

"I hope no one needed them."

"I borrowed some of yours."

"Thank you, Tyler."

He jumped on his bed, sending his pajamas flying to the floor.

"Tyler Joseph, put those pjs on."

He bounced on his butt and jumped to the floor, pulling on the shirt. She smiled and got out clothes for the next day.

"One looked like me."

"What, Baby?"

"The man looked like me."

Agent Morgan. She nodded.

"Yes. Agent Morgan looks like you."

"The others look like you."

Turning to her son, Joy crouched down to his level. "Yes."

"Why don't I look like you, Mama?"

"God made people with all different colors." She stroked Tyler's cheek. "I think you are my beautiful baby boy."

"I'm not a baby."

"You will always be my baby. Just like I'm Grandma's baby."

"I suppose…" He giggled when she picked him up and dropped him on the bed.

"What story tonight?"

"Mama, where's my Daddy?"

"Tyler…" Joy closed her eyes. "Daddy isn't here."

"But where?"

"Another time, Baby. Another time." She kissed his forehead. "What story?"

He sighed and lay down. "Don't want one."

"Are you sure?"

He nodded and crawled under the covers.

"I love you, Tyler."

"Love you, Mama."

She dimmed the lights and shut his door before going into the kitchen, where her file from the Mall Killer waited. With a sigh, she sat at her kitchen table, staring at the photos.

How did she tell a three-year-old that Daddy was in jail for hurting Mama?

"Crap."

She got up and made herself a cup of tea. She had been out with friends. Someone slipped her something; she blurrily remembered passing out in the bathroom and waking up and knowing someone had raped her.

The DNA evidence had put him behind bars. Particularly when she found out she was pregnant.

She didn't know how to tell Tyler he was born because she was raped. She would never regret him, but it was tough sometimes. After all, he shared his father's coloring.

But he had her eyes.

She smiled and turned back to her crime scenes.