Thank you all so much for the reviews, I really appreciate them, you all help keep me motivated! I hope you enjoy this chapter, thank you all for reading! I had to do a lot of research for this chapter about the FBI and traveling and protocol so if something is unclear or needs explaining let me know. This part of my story is also inspired by some of the events that took place in "Taken 2" so you may see some similarities! Happy Reading
Hotch was in his room packing a suit case of only essential items. He couldn't move fast enough to get everything packed. Maybe time had already run out and his plans of trying to find her would be wasted, but he had to know for sure, that she wasn't dead.
Sleep had been non-existent since Emily was taken two days ago. Hotch couldn't help but blame himself for what happened. His thoughts questioned what he should have done differently. I should have stayed with her. I shouldn't have let her out of my sight, especially knowing that she was in so much danger. How could I be so stupid? Morgan shouldn't have left her outside, alone, but I probably would have done the same thing if she asked. Why does this freak want her anyways? It has to be more than just a workplace infatuation. I wonder if he had anything to do with the death of that undercover agent, no, I'm probably just over thinking it. If I had only been there, she would be safe at home, right now. His thoughts were overwhelming and he sat on the edge of his bed for moment. "Why Emily? Why you?" He said gently in an audible voice, to himself. "I love you. I can't lose you, again." He said even softer, listening to the sound of his own voice crack. Finally he had been able to admit to loving her and now she was gone. Don't lose it Aaron, you have to find her, you have to have that hope. He stood back up and was putting the last few items in his suitcase when he heard the doorbell. "I don't have time for this." He said, frustrated that someone was interrupting him, while he was in a rush to get packed and leave.
He opened the door and was surprised to find Rossi standing on the other side, "Dave, please come in." He said more calmly and now less frustrated than before.
Rossi walked inside and Hotch shut the door behind him. "So Aaron Hotchner turns vigilante." Rossi says.
"I don't have a choice, and I'm not just going to let someone take her, without at least trying to find her." Hotch says defending himself.
"What happened with Strauss?" Rossi asked.
"Nothing. I even tried going over her head and was basically told it was out of our hands and that we should just wait and see what happens?"
"Did you call the U.S. Embassy?"
"I called the U.S. Embassy and London's local government but their hands are tied. Our jurisdiction doesn't extend past an act of terrorism, and when I told them about the case, they said they would look into it, and as much as I tried to tell them we would be willing offer investigative or forensic assistance it was denied."
"So what you're saying is that if we let this go and do nothing, more than likely Emily will end up dead. Assuming she is in London."
"She has to be. He left that note for a reason; it's a hint to help us find Emily. It almost seems as if he wants us to come looking for her, I don't know I could be walking straight into a trap."
"How did you get the time off?" Rossi asked.
"Erin gave me a week off."
"And how do you plan on getting past security with your weapon?"
"I submitted an NLETS describing briefly the case Interpol is working, that Emily was involved with. It has been unresolved and I told them we were invited in my Emily Prentiss who runs London's Interpol office. I figured by flashing my credentials to the right people might help to."
"One other thing. How do you plan on finding her, and where do you plan on staying?"
"I booked a hotel on Expedia. I don't know how I'm going to find her, but I have to try and I have one week in which to do it. If I don't find her…" Hotch stopped, holding back his emotion.
"You love her don't you?"
Hotch looked up at Rossi and without saying a word, Rossi new by the look on his face and the tears he was holding back that he did.
"Well, there is one thing I do know and that is you can't find her by yourself." Hotch gave Rossi a funny look as to what he was up to. He watched as Rossi opened his front door and when he did he saw the rest of his team, including Garcia standing there. They were dressed business casual, and each of them were holding one go bag.
"No." Was Hotch's first response. "How did you get the time off? Nevermind, it doesn't matter none of you are going."
JJ smiled, "I hear Strauss is giving everyone a vacation."
"Emily Prentiss invited us in on a case, and last I heard we function as a team." Derek said.
"I hear London is pretty this time of year." Reid added.
Garcia lifted up her rolling go bag and set it in front of her. "With my genius, and this bag full of gadgets we will have a lot better chance of finding her, Sir."
"As much as I want your help, I can't let you come. It's too big of a risk. It's one thing if I lose my job but all of you."
"Were not asking for permission." Derek said.
"You need us Hotch. We only have one week." JJ said.
"So what do you say?" Rossi asked.
"I'm leaving on a plane at Midnight." Hotch said.
"Were ready when you are." Derek said.
"We go in as a team and we go out as a team." Hotch said.
"We wouldn't have it any other way." Rossi stated.
"Okay. Let me get my bag and we'll go." Hotch said. It was less than a minute before he was back by his front door and ready to leave. He set his alarm and stepped on the front porch. "Let's go find Emily and bring her home."
"That sounds like a good idea." JJ said.
Hotch led them off his front porch, feeling an overwhelming sense of pride; he was able to smile at the closeness and unbreakable bond this team had. No matter what happens, or how mad someone gets they are always able to stick together.
He looked behind him at the willingness and determination on their faces and in their body language as they followed him in what was sure to be one hell of an adventure, one in which they'd never seen before.
When Emily arrived in London, a bag was placed on her head in a dark alley, before being shoved in a black van and riding to an unknown destination. When they were at a secret location two men forcefully helped Emily out of the van and led her to a dark room with a single chair. They pushed her down in the chair, tying her as she struggled to get free. Once she was tied and still. Heavy footsteps could be heard as another person entered the room, moving closer to Emily, then he spoke, "You want to know who killed your undercover agent?" The man pulled the bag off Emily's head, along with a few strands of hair that stung as they were ripped from her scalp.
When the bag was pulled off her head she was looking into the eyes of Richard Halloway. "You?" She said.
"Yes me."
"So that means you are…"
He cut her off before she could finish, "You may know me as Jacob Lee, Richard Halloway, and most famously Liam Jackson, the man whom your agency has been trying to catch for quite some time now." He laughed out loud.
"What is so funny?" Emily said struggling.
"The best thing about this is that I'm Ian Doyle's cousin."
Emily's mouth dropped in horror. It couldn't be.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Let me know what you think, I love to hear what you have to say! Thanks for reading! You all make it worth writing the story!
