The next morning as the group at around the round table, full bottles of water placed in front of them, no one said a thing. Suddenly Kari looked up.

"I'm so sorry", Kari said.

"Stop that", Emily said. "This is not your fault. He's a serial rapist and murderer. You had no idea. None of us did."

"We don't blame you", Penelope said, hugging her close. "We just want our babies back."

"OK guys", Cruz said walking in. "I assume because you're the best, you know what I'm about to say. You're all too close to this; way too close for me to allow you to be on this case. With that said…" he closed the door and lowered his voice, "you are the best. You're the best there is and what I and the upper heads don't know, won't hurt us. This bastard has eluded us for years now and he's going down. Penelope, you're going to have to work with Lynch." Morgan started to protest. Cruz held up his hand.

"I know it isn't ideal", he said sympathetically, "but next to you, he's all we've got. He's been briefed and has gotten started, so I need to you to just get with him briefly and get his notes, and then finish it up. He's only here to help."

"OK", Penelope said.

"Morgan and Reid", Cruz said. "I'm wary to let you loose. Hotch as well. I know the girls will do OK, Penelope will be here, and Emily has shown herself able to be controlled, but…"

"It's our kids, Cruz", Morgan said. "Now I know I can be a bit explosive at times…", Morgan said.

The room collectively slightly laughed and then laughed louder.

"OK", Morgan said. "Really explosive."

"That felt good", Kari said.

"I haven't laughed since this happened", Penelope said.

"And it's OK to, Kitten", Rossi said. "Look, I know I'm not as close to this as you guys are, but that's me and Bella's granddaughter out there. Those two little boys with her are ours too. We're a family. And family means no one gets left behind."

"I thought that was 'Ohana'"? Reid said with a little smile.

Kari smiled. "We've seen Lilo and Stich way too much."

"This is good", Hotch said. "We need to keep living. This way we can focus on bringing our…" his speech was cut off the phone ringing in the conference room.

"Hotchner."

"Sir", Kevin said. "I have a call that demanded it put through. I'm tracing it now."

"Good. Go ahead."

"Kaarrriii", Kyle said in a sing song voice. Hotch hit the mute button.

"Do not let him rattle you Kari", Hotch said. "Be yourself. Don't yell and be very compliant. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I got it", Kari said. Hotch took the mute off. "I'm here."

"Ah Ms. Summers. My bad, I forgot, its Mrs. Reid now. I assume your husband is there beside you?"

Hotch held up a piece of paper telling Kari to ask about the children.

"How are the children?" Kari said, a little shakily.

"Good", Kyle said. "They're fine. You're a good mom. You asked about all the kids."

"Why did you take them?" Kari said.

"You sound scared, Kari. Are you scared? Well, you should be. You should be scared like my mother was when they arrested me. Be scared, Kari." Kyle started to snigger in the phone.

Kari's voice got very low and very steady. "What do you want, Kyle?"

"Simple Kari. You. I want you."

Reid stood up knocking over chairs and it took Hotch and Morgan to hold him back down.

Kyle laughed in the phone. "I see my earlier question is now answered. Hello, Dr. Reid."

Reid stayed silent and still restrained.

"It's very rude not to answer people, Dr. Reid", Kyle taunted. Hotch and Cruz nodded.

"Hello, Kyle", Reid seethed.

"Good that's more like it. Now, here's how this is going down. You, Kari, will meet me at the park by the river. Alone. There, we'll go over my payment."

"Payment?" Kari said.

"Payment, Kari." Kyle took a pause. "Did you think I was coming out this empty handed?"

"How much, you despicable…"Reid started.

"Ah, tut, tut, Dr. Reid", Kyle said. "You wouldn't want that temper to show, would you? You know that could be really bad for Arthur."

"How much?" Kari yelled.

"Now Kari, you know me better than that", Kyle said. "Money means nothing to me. You know what I want. I always get what I want." He laughed manically. "I'll be in touch with the time and place to come. And you already know. Come alone, or kiss those brats goodbye."

Kyle hung up and immediately Kari dropped in the seat.

"Me", she said quietly. "He wants me. To save my child, I have to give him me."