Hotch's next port of call was JJ. She had told him what she knew, he had to warn her. He made a beeline for her office, professionally waited outside her office until she was alone, then walked in and took a seat in front of the messily piled desk.

"You talk to Strauss?" she asked, licking an envelope.

"Yes."

"And?"

"I know you… please don't follow up on this…let me deal with it."

"Why?" JJ asked incredulously, though Hotch's look told her it would be best to do as she was told.

"It's dangerous, so just trust me?"

"Always…"

Hotch stood and walked out.

Months passed. Hotch and JJ never spoke of Kate. Not for the next five months. Through everything: the prospect of losing his hearing, Emily being beaten by Cyrus, Hotch doubting himself; hardly a word was spoken for pleasure rather then business. Nothing.

Cases came and went. On one particular day, JJ marched into the BAU round table room.

"Three weeks ago in Charlotte, North Carolina," she began, "three male friends had a night out on the town, two died, the other missing. A week later, the body turned up with two others who had been out with a third who was a female. The night before last, she was found with three other females... another woman's missing..."

"JJ," Hotch interrupted, "this came by my desk. The officers just wanted a consult... we aren't officially called in."

"I called them this morning... They want us."

"How did you get this file?"

JJ hesitated. "I... I found it.... Hotch, please, trust me on this. Please?" JJ hated begging to Aaron Hotchner... especially if it's for his own good.

Hotch sighed. "Alright... wheel's up in fifteen minutes." As the team filed out of the room, he turned to JJ. "I hope your right about this JJ."

"Oh, trust me... I am," JJ smiled. When she was alone, she took a deep breath. Plan perfectly set in motion, she thought as she left the room.

While JJ sat on the plane, she found it difficult to keep her smile off her face. No matter what she tried nothing worked. It didn't help that everyone was sitting in view of her.

Emily, who was sitting next to her, laughed. "What's got that smile on your face?"

JJ looked up. Everyone was looking at her. She shook her head. "I guess I'm just excited, is all." She sighed. "Don't we have a case to discuss?" she asked. The team all looked down at thei files, except Hotch. JJ could feel his eyes burning into her from across the table. She knew that if she looked at him, thoughts would fly into her head and she would burst. She bit her lip.

"So," Rossi began, "male or female?"

"Well, varied victims..." Morgan said.

"Could we be looking at someone who might be gay?" Emily asked. "Hates what he is, hates what he can't have."

"There are no signs of sexual abuse," Reid stated. "It could be that this is just one angry man."

"Oh, yeah, Dr. Reid. What are the figures for 'one angry man'? Emily asked smiling.

Rossi looked at Hotch, who was now deep in thought, looking at the pictures of the bloodied bodies. "You ok?"

Hotch looked up. "Wh- Yeah… Something's just… off."

"Ya think?" Morgan asked, not leaving out a trace of sarcasm.

Hotch glared. "Something's… familiar, that's all."

"An old killer trying to get back in the game?" Emily asked.

"Maybe."

"I will run a check on any and all similar murders that took place over the last… twenty years?" Garcia asked from the computer.

"Please," Hotch replied.

The pilot announced that they would soon be landing. Cleaning up the files and the game of snap that Morgan and Reid had been busy with before the discussion, the team settled into place. JJ started biting her finger to keep her excitement in as she stared at Hotch, unable to tear her eyes away. Unfortunately she was oblivious to the fact that both Morgan and Rossi were watching her curiously.