Hi everyone! Sorry it took me so long for this update. I had a hard time deciding some of the aspects in this part of my story. This is the chapter that begins to tie it all together. I hope you enjoy.

Thanks again for all of the follows, and reviews. Each one motivates this story. Hopefully my next update won't take so long.

Rated M for violent tems!

Unfortunately I still own nothing.


Tracy Welch sat stock still on the edge of her sofa. Once she had made the discovery outside her front door, she had immediately called the police. Lieutenant Nicholas was supposed to be there in 20 minutes... For Tracy that was far too long, she decided to call Ann from across the street. She did not want to be alone until the police arrived.

Ann was at the door in under five minutes. The older lady appeared groggy. Her yoga pants, and t-shirt gave true testimate to her concern. Never had she seen the woman in public with so much as a hair out of place.

Neither spoke a word. Ann walked quietly into the kitchen to make some coffee. She was exhausted, and Tracy was so distraught, she thought the warmth might do her good.

Taking Tracy a cup of the steaming hot liquid, she took a seat next her.

Softly Ann spoke, "honey, tell me exactly what is going on." Tracy filled her in on all the details of that morning, and then showed her the unwelcomed presents that had been left on her doorstep. Ann's response was unnerving silence.

Ann's mind was moving ninty-miles an hour... "Why would someone be terrorizing, sweet Tracy?" She shook her head with sadness. The young woman had already been through so much. This was the last thing she needed right now. Having no other family, she was already grieving alone. That was why Ann, and Tony had stepped in. They had known Tracy her entire life, and had loved her parents dearly. Silent tears ran down her face, as she quietly pondered the horrifying plight.

Tracy's voice shook Ann from her deep thoughts. "Who would do such a thing? I have no friends, and have met few people... It just doesn't make sense." Ann took her hand and stroked it soothingly, as she let Tracy cry on her shoulder. "I do not know honey, but we will get to the bottom of this."

The sudden knock at the door took both women by surprise. Ann held Tracy in her seat, and quickly walked to the door. "Your parents may not be here, but I certainly am, and I have no intention of leaving."

Lieutenant Nicholas was tall, with slight graying, black hair. His physique was toned, and he was a giant. Especially standing next to Ann's small frame. She extended her hand to the man, still eyeing him suspiciously. Then he spoke "I am Lt. Nicholas, but please call me Tim."

He knew body language, and this small woman was in full protect-mode. "Got to be the mother", he thought to himself.

Ann lead him from the foyer, to the sitting room where Tracy was deathly silent. She barely even acknowledged their presence.

Tim walked quickly into the room, and took a seat in the recliner next to the sofa. Again, he extended his hand, and introduced himself.

"My partner is outside combing your yard, and the area surrounding your home. I know this is difficult, but I am going to need you to answer some questions for me."

Taking his notepad from his pocket, he began asking basic questions. "What is your full name, please?" She gave a monotonic response, "Tracy Lynn Welch". "How old are you?" "32." "Where are you from?" "Here." "Where are you employed?" "I have no full-time job, but I am working for Ann, at their market part-time."

His next question was asked before she had even finished speaking, "Ann is not your mother?" Tracy's response was almost inaudible, "no, she is a close friend of the family's."

The questions drug on for what seemed like an eternity. Each one more personal than the last. "Do you have a boyfriend?" "No." "Have you had any relationship in the past, end badly?" "No." "Do you have any history of abuse?" "No!"

Ann had, had enough of his intrusive questioning. "Tim, I know you are only doing your job, but this is quite enough! She has been through so much lately, and now this."

Instantly, the seasoned policeman picked up on her words, "what has she been through?" Ann took a deep, conceding breath, and then proceeded to fill Tim in on Tracy's parents, and her recent relocation back to Virginia.

The Lieutenant took detailed notes as she spoke. Then he inqired about the items left by the perpetrator. Ann stood abruptly, and retrieved the items from the table. Everything was put in a small plastic bag, that Tim took from his pocket. "I will need fingerprints from both of you, so the lab can decipher them from the evidence."

All three looked up from their seats when Tim's partner entered the room. "Hi, my name is Deputy Jay Parks, but please feel free to call me Jay."

He was much younger than his partner, but juding by his eyes, was wise beyond his years."

Tim's voice was soft, but authoritative when he spoke. "Did you find anything?" Jay nodded his head. "There are footprints all over the yard, next to the drive, and in the flower beds. I took photos and measurements of the cleanest prints."

Tim stood, tucking his notepad back into his pocket, and handed the plastic evidence bag to his partner. He then turned his attention to the visibly shaken women. "I think this is all we need for now, but we will be in touch. There may be additional questions later."

After both men handed each of them their business cards, they turned to leave.

Jay turned on his heel speaking kindly, "Tracy, you might want to consider staying with your neighbors for a few days. I am sure it would help you rest. If either of you see, or hear anything suspisous, please do not hesitate to call us."

Ann thanked both men, following them to the door. Once they were on the front porch she locked both deadbolts, before finding her way back to Tracy.

She reached for her hand once more, and said "you will stay with Tony, and I for at least tonight. If you want to stay longer, you know you are welcome." Tracy silently nodded her head, and abruptly stood taking Ann into her arms. Her sobbing was so intense, it was making it difficult to breath.

Ann rubbed her back attempting to sooth the young woman. "There, there, you know I would rather die than ever let anything happen to you."

Once Lieutenant Nicholas, and Deputy Parks were seated in their cruiser, they silently gave each other appraising glances.

Jay was the first to speak, "so what do you think?" Tim silently shook his head. "I think she's in danger, far more danger than she realizes." The deputy gave him a questioning look, "why would you think that? This could be a joke." Tim only shook his head in disagreement.

"I heard about a case, in another local district. The woman was brutalized, raped, and then viciously murdered." Jay still looked unconvinced, "okay so what does that have to do with this?"

"There are a lot of similarities in what happened prior to her homicide." Now the deputy looked pained, "what do you suggest?"

"We need to get in touch with Sergeant McFaye at Vine Hill Police Department, as soon as we get back to the station. Virginia has a problem, a big problem."

"Once we talk to them I am recommending them call an old friend of mine, Aaron Hotchner, with the FBI."

Jay's eyebrows shot into his hairline, "that's a profiler, do you think this is a serial attacker?" Tim just eyed his partner grimly, "I don't think, I know."

Everything had been so quiet at the BAU no one had wanted to jinx it. But it came as no surprise when everyone saw JJ hurrying through the bull pen. "Conference room in twenty."

Prentiss looked at Morgan, and commented dryly, "I was beginning to wonder if the lunatics were on strike."

Everyone quickly got to their feet, and found their way into the conference room.

After the team was seated, JJ quickly began, "this is a local case, and there is only one confirmed homicide at this time." Hotch asked quickly, "why are we already being invited in?" "Because there is a distinct signature, and no forensic evidence was discovered."

Rossi chimed in, "well that is highly unusal, and it is doubtful this is his first victim." Reid interjected, "the odds of a murderer perfecting his kill the first time are extremely minuscule."

The pictures JJ opened on the projector caused Penelope's breath to seize in her throat. "Oh god Jayje, please! You know I hate crime scene photos." The blond winced, and just mumbled a quick apology to the highly sensitive tech.

Once everyone had their files open, JJ began filling them in on all the details of the case.

"Her name is Sarah Mason, she was 32 years old, and a veteran RN in the emergency room at Cherry Oak General Hospital. She owned her own home in Vine Hill, VA. In the weeks leading up to her murder, she received correspondences and photos from a stalker. Also, numerous items were left at her home."

"There is no current boyfriend, and she lived alone. The homicide took place in her residence. There were numerous defensive wounds, bruises, and lacerations covering her entire body. From the latest information I received, the medical examiner has already confirmed several violent sexual assaults, spanning what would appear to be several hours. Her throat was slit, and the cause of death is a severed carotid artery."

Hotch spoke abruptly, "what are the specifics of the signature?" JJ quickly switched to a close up photo, taken of Sarah Mason's throat.

"If you look below the open wound, there is a very unique white gold locket around her neck. The clasp is not closed, and it appears to be laid across her. Both her parents, and coworkers have attested to never seeing her wear such a necklace."

The room was silent as everyone took in the information. Morgan was the first one to speak, "you are definately looking for someone with a large amount of anger, this was extreme overkill. Odds are the violence is triggering a sexual response in the UNSUB. This is definitely the work of a sexual sadist. "

Hotch then added, "to take this much time, and have no witnesses in broad daylight, would take an enormous amount of planning." Reid interjected once again, "he watched her, and knew her routines. There is no other way to accomplish such a task."

Then JJ began again, "I should advise you, we have been made aware of a possible second victim." The room looked at her questioningly.

"This victim is actually still alive, her name is Tracy Welch. She is 32, has no boyfriend, and lives alone in Waltersville, VA. Due to family matters, she recently relocated back to Virginia from Arizona. This morning she received a small bunch of flowers, with a photo clip out of her eye. Given the uniqueness of the items, the local authorities in Waltersville made the connection to the case in Vine Hill. We have no confirmation that the cases are related, but it is highly possible. The locations of the women's homes are within 20 minutes of each other."

Prentiss cleared her throat, "it is very likely Tracy is meant to be his second victim. While they have different body types, there are a large amount of similarities between the two. Not to mention the age is the same, and both women live alone."

Hotch got to his feet and began giving instructions to his team.

"Garcia, put together a list of sexual assaults occuring in Virginia in the last two years. Cross check that with anyone in the area who has recently been released from a penitentiary, with similar charges."

"JJ, you call Sergeant McFaye at the Vine Hill police department, and let him know we will arrive in about two hours. You will also need to find out who the lead detective is on the Waltersville case. Everyone else, meet downstairs in twenty minutes."

Everyone got to their feet, and quickly adhered to Hotch's orders, with the exception of Morgan. He stood there staring at the projectile photos of the two women, something was bothering him, but he couldn't quite place it.

Prentiss appeared in the doorway, "Morgan come on, we haven't got much time." Reluctantly he turned, and left the room.