Disclaimer: See my profile.

Warning for mild profanity. (My friend Diana always used to say God's last name was not damn it!)

A/N: Slight rewrite and repost early Sunday April 4, 2010.

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'A Force of Nature: Part II'

Chapter Four

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"So, what do you think, honey? Is it cool or what?"

"Penelope, I never thought I would ever be on 'America's Most Wanted'. My mother loves John Walsh. She'll want to meet him somehow."

Reid laughed. "At least you'll be on the show for the right reasons. You helped capture a fugitive instead of becoming one."

"Oh, that's funny, Spencer!"

"Well, as much as I'd love to hang around here I have to get to work today. I'll call you later, Daniel, and see how you're doing." She turned to Reid. "What about you, Reid? Will you be here all day?"

"Hotch is sending Morgan by in a couple hours. I'll be coming back tonight, though."

"What about you, Penelope?"

"I'll come see you after work and bring some dinner. I'm sure it will be better than hospital food. Hotch says I won't be staying, though." She patted Reid on the head. "I guess that means you get the couch tonight." She hugged him and then went over to Daniel and kissed him on the cheek before carefully hugging him. "See you later, sweetheart."

Approximately fifteen minutes after Garcia left Daniel's cell phone rang while he was in the bathroom. "Is that my phone? Can you answer it, please?" Daniel called.

Reid looked at the caller I.D. and almost laughed. It indicated 'Baby Bro' was calling. "Hello?"

"Um, I'm sorry, I was looking for Daniel. I must have dialed the wrong number."

"No, no, you didn't. He's in the bathroom. Is this Mark?"

"Yes, this Mark. I'm his brother. Who is this please?"

"My name is Spencer Reid. I'm a friend of Daniel's."

"Oh, you're the F.B.I. guy he told me about. You probably know something about why I'm calling then."

"I don't think I do, actually. Wait, here's Daniel." He handed Daniel the phone. "It's 'Baby Bro' calling," he grinned.

"Hey Mark, what's up?"

"You tell me, Danny."

"Mark, you know I hate being called 'Danny'. Why do you insist on irritating me like that? Is something wrong?"

"I just saw a segment about you on TMZ. They had a report stating that 2010 Olympic Silver Medalist Daniel Meier had been the victim of a stabbing in Washington, D.C. I almost had a heart attack, but when I called mom she said she had just talked to you last night…"

"Oh, no! You told mom what TMZ said?"

"No, I asked her if you were okay, and when she said she had talked to you I knew something was funky, so I didn't say anything else about what TMZ said."

"Mark, listen to me. Do not say anything else to mom or dad about this. I'm okay, and I will talk to them about this before they hear anything about it from somewhere else. Do you understand me?"

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes, Mark. I swear. I'll call you back later." Daniel hung up the phone. 'God damn TMZ! I hate those jerks!" He turned to Reid. "I'm in big trouble, Spencer."

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"Dr. Pierce, I need to get out of here now. I have to explain to my parents."

"Mr. Meier, you just came in here yesterday with seven stab wounds and significant blood loss. There is no way I can let you walk out of here this soon."

"You don't understand, Doctor. I cannot have my parents find out from a press conference, or from some reporter calling them up and asking them what they think about it. I have to go talk to them in person!"

"I can't authorize a release for you this soon, Mr. Meier. It just would not be medically safe for you."

"Dr. Pierce, what about tomorrow? Could he possibly be released tomorrow morning?" Reid asked.

"I'm not in favor of release for at least two to three more days, preferably three." He looked at Daniel, who was now sitting down with his head in his hands. "Agent Reid, you'll be getting into a car and driving 150 miles for what is sure to be an emotional discussion, and I just don't feel it's good for Mr. Meier right now." He sighed. "I'll go ahead and authorize a release for tomorrow morning, but no sooner. I don't like it, but I understand the problem, so I'll do it. If you have any problems at all once you leave here, go to the closest emergency room and see a doctor immediately."

"Thank you, Dr. Pierce," Reid said.

Once the doctor had left Daniel looked at Reid and said, "Don't say it, Spencer. I know this is my fault for not having told them right away." He reached for his cell phone. "I better call them and tell them we'll be coming by tomorrow to talk to them. Hopefully they won't see anything about this before we get there."

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"I'm not looking forward to this at all," Daniel sighed as Hotch pulled the SUV up in front of his parents' house. "I usually can't wait to get here; today, I would rather not have come."

"I'm sure you're overreacting," Hotch said.

"I don't think so."

Reid climbed out of the back seat and opened the passenger side door for Daniel as Hotch climbed out the driver's side. Daniel sighed. "Let's get this over with."

The three men walked up to the front door and Daniel knocked. In a couple of minutes the door was opened by his father. "Daniel, why don't you just use your key? Please come in. Good to see you again, Spencer." He looked at Hotch.

"Hotch, this is my father Alex Meier. Uh, dad, this is SSA Aaron Hotchner. He's Spencer's boss."

"Oh," Alex said, as he shook Hotch's hand. "This must be important if you came along. Daniel didn't really tell us what this was all about, just that he needed to talk to us."

"Was that Daniel at the door?" Caroline said, coming down the hall from the bedroom. "I'm sorry, but I barely just got home from work, and I wanted to change my clothes before you got here." She hugged Daniel who visibly grimaced with pain as he hugged his mother back.

"Mom, of course you know Spencer. This is SSA Aaron Hotchner. Like I told dad, he's Spencer's boss. Hotch, this is my mother Caroline Meier."

"Nice to meet you Agent Hotchner." Caroline looked over at her husband, and then they both looked at the three men. "Is something wrong here?"

"Mom, I think we all should sit down."

"That sounds rather ominous," Alex said as the five of them sat down at the kitchen table. "Okay, what's going on here?"

"In a couple of hours our team's media liaison SA Jennifer Jareau will be conducting a press conference. This press conference will be in response to some reports that have come to light in the media," Hotch paused and looked at Daniel. "It will be regarding an attack on your son, Mr. Meier."

"What do you mean by attack? He told us someone tried to steal his wallet and cell phone."

"Dad, I didn't exactly tell you the whole truth."

"In what way?"

"You remember how you told me to start keeping the letters I was getting?" Alex nodded. "Well, when Spencer and Derek came to talk to me originally about the Carriol case Derek asked Spencer to look at the letters. He started separating the letters into three piles right away."

"Why three piles?" Caroline asked.

"I decided based on the language, the writing style, and the tone used there were at least three people contacting Daniel. One is really just an enthusiastic fan; the second a more zealous fan who appears to believe they have some sort of personal relationship with him; and the third…" Reid hesitated.

"What about the third?"

"They were threats. The letters are all mailed from zip code 60611, which is Chicago. The letters did everything to suggest a physical threat aside from using the actual words. A few days later Daniel received an actual death threat from the same zip code. A few days ago he received another threat he didn't inform us of, and the day before yesterday he was attacked."

"Daniel, you never told me any of those letters were death threats," Alex said in shock.

"I ignored them at first. In fact that's why I didn't know the letter from Carriol was a threat. I read the first line and then filed it with the others. I didn't take any of the letters seriously until Spencer and Derek looked at them."

"What exactly happened the other day, Daniel?"

Daniel looked down at the table and didn't answer for a couple minutes. "I was attacked as I left a CVS drug store. There were two attackers, a man and a woman. The woman said it was 'payback time'. I was stabbed seven times, and it might have been worse if someone else hadn't come walking along and scared them off." Alex and Caroline sat in stunned silence as Daniel continued to look down at the table.

Caroline looked at Reid. "Spencer, you called us the other night and said you were with Daniel at the hospital. You didn't tell us anything about this. Why? How could you have lied to us? Our son was stabbed seven times and you didn't tell us! How could you do that to us?"

"I'm sorry, Caroline."

"Mom, don't blame Spencer. I wouldn't let him tell you the truth. He even suggested it would do me good to come and spend a few days with you, but I told him I didn't want to put you in any danger. I wouldn't let the police call you or anything with what really happened. I even asked Hotch for help keeping it out of the press so you wouldn't find out."

"What the hell would you do that for?" Alex demanded.

"I was worried about you. I was concerned you would drop everything and come running to D.C. and that it would be too much for either of you, especially with your heart, dad. I didn't want you to worry about me. I was trying to protect you."

"I can't believe you lied to us, Daniel. I can't believe you didn't trust us enough to tell us the truth."

"I'm sorry dad," Daniel said, tears welling in his eyes.

"The only reason you're telling us now is because some reports are coming out in the press? What if you hadn't made it? Is that how you wanted us to find out? From the press? From strangers?"

"No dad! I'm sorry! Mark called me from Arizona yesterday. He had seen something on TMZ about it. I convinced him I was okay and to not say anything else to you until I had a chance to talk to you first. The hospital didn't want to let me leave yet, but they allowed me to be released early so I could come and talk to you. Hotch won't let me go anywhere without Spencer or another agent along for protection; and under the circumstances he felt he should come along today to help explain what's going to happen next."

"Protection?" Caroline said, her voice rising. "Where were you all when this happened?"

"Mom, don't! It isn't their fault! They were with me night and day since I received the death threat; but after Carriol was caught I just decided I didn't want to deal with it anymore. I basically kicked everyone out and told them I didn't want them anymore. Hotch, Derek and Spencer, they all tried six ways from Sunday to convince me I was doing the wrong thing, but I didn't listen. It's all on me, mom; not Spencer, not Hotch, not the F.B.I."

There was another silence. Alex spoke first. "Agent Hotchner, what exactly is going to happen next?"

"Agent Jareau will hold a press conference with details of the attack on Daniel. She will be showing four sketches of the suspects; two of the female suspect and two of the male. Daniel worked with the police and the F.B.I. on the sketches. So far they have only been circulated amongst law enforcement agencies; however this will put them out there for the public to see. We need their help. Agent Jareau will also be giving the profile Agent Reid originally created for the stalker. We have DNA from the envelopes, but it doesn't match anything in our databases. However, when we catch the suspects it will help to implicate them. Daniel is back under twenty four hour protection whether he wants to be or not. I've told him he doesn't have a choice about it. The police will also be continuing their patrols past your house each half hour. We don't believe you are in any danger, but we refuse to take any chances."

"Will Daniel be appearing at the press conference?"

Hotch shook his head. "No. Agent Jareau will give a statement and the profile; show the sketches and give a description of the suspects. She will then take a few questions."

"And someone will be with Daniel all the time?"

"Yes, we'll be with him at home, and wherever he goes; and once he is able to go back to the rink in a few days we will be accompanying him there as well. This will continue for the time being until the suspects are caught."

"Is this happening because Daniel is an Olympic medalist? Because he's a celebrity?"

Reid spoke up. "The stalker may have originally seen him on television competing or in a skating show somewhere and become fixated on him; however, statistically more than eighty-five percent of stalking victims are not celebrities, but ordinary everyday people."

Caroline spoke next. "I think we need to speak to Daniel in private."

"Of course. Agent Reid and I will wait outside."

"No, don't be silly. You'll wait right here. The three of us will go into the office and talk." She and Alex stood up. "You must be thirsty from the drive. Spencer, you know where things are. Please get yourself and Agent Hotchner something to drink. Help yourself to some cookies, if you like." She pulled the cover off a plate sitting on the table. "I actually made these knowing you were coming; but under the circumstances they were sort of forgotten." Daniel stood up and followed his parents into their home office and shut the door behind them.

"That was a little rough," Hotch said after they had left.

Reid nodded his head in agreement before standing up to pour himself and Hotch a coke. "I'd try those if I were you. Caroline bakes excellent cookies." He placed their drinks on the table and sat back down. "I'm worried this is going to be too much for all of them, Hotch. They might not recover."

Nearly an hour later the door to the office opened and Daniel and his parents emerged. Reid and Hotch closed the file folders they had been looking at while the three were gone. Caroline appeared to have been crying and Daniel was carrying the long-sleeved sweatshirt he had been wearing over his arm. The bandages on each of his arms were clearly visible with the short sleeved tee shirt he was wearing. In addition the shirt was untucked from his jeans. Neither he nor his father looked happy. Reid and Hotch looked at each other, clearly uncomfortable with the situation. Caroline wiped her eyes with a tissue before sitting back down at the table.

"Mom, there are a couple things I wanted to pick up and take with me if that's okay."

"Go get them. You know where your stuff is," Caroline responded without looking at him.

Daniel walked down the hall and into his old bedroom. He returned a few minutes later carrying a paper bag with handles. "I'm ready to go now, Hotch," he said quietly, looking down at the floor.

Hotch and Reid stood up. "I'm sorry for everything that has happened, Mrs. Meier. Thank you for your hospitality."

Caroline looked up and smiled weakly. "My name is Caroline, and my husband's name is Alex."

A small smile came to Hotch's face. "Alex and Caroline. Of course! I'll remember that."

Alex reached for a small box sitting on the kitchen counter. "Caroline would like for you to have these brownies, Agent Hotchner."

"Uh, thank you. Thank you very much," he said, taking the box. He and Reid shook hands once more with both Alex and Caroline, and then headed for the front door with Daniel.

"Wait!" Caroline called, standing up from the table. She rushed over and hugged Daniel tightly. Alex then joined in hugging him as well. Reid could see Daniel grimace in pain, but hug his parents back anyway. Caroline looked at Hotch and Reid. "Please take care of my baby!"

"We'll do our best, Caroline," Hotch said.

"I thought Mark was your baby, mom," Daniel said in an attempt to joke.

"You know you both are my babies!"

"I'm so sorry, mom!" Daniel said, wiping tears from his face.

"It's okay, Daniel," Alex said. "Please, just stay safe!"

A few minutes later Hotch was handing the keys to the SUV to Reid. "You want me to drive?" Reid said, surprised.

"Why not? You have before. Besides, you know the way."

Daniel climbed into the back seat, exhausted. Reid started the car and then turned around to look at him. "You looked like you were in pain back there, Daniel. Are you okay?"

"I'll be okay. It wasn't that bad physically. It passes. I can handle it. It's the emotional part that's difficult." He shook his head. "I have never seen my parents so upset. I think it was even worse than I thought it would be. In the office they wanted to see what happened, so I took off my sweatshirt and showed them the bandages on my arms and on my chest." He shook his head. "My father actually cried. The last time I saw him cry was when grandpa died and he had to deliver his eulogy."He shook his head as if he were trying to clear it before laying his head back against the seat. "I'm very tired. I'm going to take a nap on the way home."

Reid turned back around, put the SUV in gear and pulled away from the curb. "Hotch, we won't make it back in time for the press conference."

"I know. JJ and Rossi can handle it."

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Approximately an hour later, while Reid, Hotch and Daniel were still on their way back to Quantico, JJ and Rossi began the press conference. JJ stated that two days prior 2010 Olympic Men's Figure Skating Silver Medalist Daniel Robert Meier had been attacked by a long-time stalker and her unknown male partner. He had been stabbed seven times; twice on his left arm, once on his right arm, and four times to his chest and torso. No vital organs had been hit, but the wounds to his chest had required stitches to close. He was now under federal protection due to the Interstate nature of the letters that had been sent to him from the Chicago area. She then held up the sketches of the two suspects, and asked for public vigilance in helping to catch them. At that point Rossi read the profile Reid had originally created for Daniel's stalker. She was a white female, age twenty-five to thirty-five, intelligent, but would have difficulty holding a job because of her tendency to become obsessively fixated on certain people around her. She had begun sending letters to Daniel professing her love for him, and when he had not responded her letters had become progressively angrier until she had sent a death threat and planned a physical attack on him. Reid's profile had indicated at some point she would physically approach or attack Daniel in some way. She had planned a confrontation and waited to carry out her plan, spending a great deal of time and money doing so; and the only thing not in Reid's original profile was her male companion. At that point JJ indicated she would take a few questions.

"Is the stalker case connected to the Carriol case?"

"No, the stalking case goes back to well before Mr. Meier's trip to Bermuda. However it has only been within the last few weeks death threats were made."

"Is there any DNA or other forensic evidence in this case?"

"We do have a DNA profile for an unidentified female from the envelopes used to send the letters to Mr. Meier. However, there is no match in any of the national databases."

"Do you believe the suspects are still in the D.C. area?"

"It's possible. However, at this point we're not sure."

"How is Mr. Meier dealing with the attack at this point in time?"

"About as well as could be expected. That's all for now. Thank you very much."

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A/N: Slight rewrite and repost early Sunday April 4, 2010.

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