Questions

Thank you for those who have stuck with this – would appreciate any feedback as I try to finish this off. Have a couple of cannon stories in the pipeline when this is finished.

Should this been my last Amy Garton or does she work as an OC? – you decide!

. . . . . . . . . .

Amy looked round the room. Was she the only person sat at the table who thought that a trap was a bad idea? She felt sick to the very pit of her stomach, so much so that she feared that if she opened her mouth to speak she may well vomit. Amy looked at Emily with pleading eyes begging her to object to this idea but she didn't, no-one did. They busied themselves getting ready for the operation ahead, while Amy froze, her blood running cold yet fever bit the essence of her.

"Amy what's the matter? You OK? You're really pale. Want to get some air?" Amy barely nodded her head in recognition of her best friend's words. Spence took her arm gently and lead her outside. "Are you ready to talk yet?" he asked quietly as the warm air hit them. Amy shook a silent no as she leaned against him fighting to control herself. As she started to gain her composure she had begun to stand on her own two feet. Spence could feel her gradually pulling away and knew that she was internally building the wall between herself and the outside world. He hated the way she did that, why could she not trust, even him?

"Am I ever going to know what is going on with you? I know this has something to do with your return to the States. Why won't you talk to me?" Amy could hear the anger in Spence's voice.

"It's a long story and this is not the time or the place. One day . . ." her voice disappeared into a barely audible whisper as she turned away from him. "We need to go back before we are missed. Thank you" with which Amy turned fully and walked back into the building. There were times when Spence truly hated Amy and this was one of those times.

. . . . . . . . . .

Hotch had given everyone except himself and Rossi the night off, with the strict order of sleep, sleep and more sleep. As manning this operation would be heavy going and they could be 24 hours they could be another week. He and Rossi were on their way to talking to the saviours so that they can persuade one of them to risk their life to capture the killers.

"You do believe this is the right course of action don't you?" Rossi questioned Hotch

"Yes or I wouldn't of sanctioned it." Hotch was still being a little curt with Rossi after their 'discussion' last week.

"Aaron we're grown men, can we get over this and move on?"

"What?" Hotch knew he was being petty but his was tired and in no mood for Rossi's smooth talking ways. It may work with the women but not him.

"If that's the way you want to play it, fine." Rossi knew the team needed a break and his wasn't going to fuel a petty argument purely for the sake of it.

. . . . . . . . . .

Tuesday morning's briefing was livelier than any they had recently attended. The team knew they were back on top of the game and doing what they do best – hunting down killers and dealing with them. Hotch outlined the plan, paired his team and given JJ the press briefing. Now they were on their way down to the locals to fill them in. Amy wondered if anyone else was worried about the risk they were taking. If this went wrong they were personally responsible for the torture and death of a currently perfectly safe woman.

After the briefing Hotch and Prentiss went to fetch Sarah Smithson and take her home. Once JJ released the FBI's statement to the press then the team begun the waiting game. Hoping that Zoe and Daniel would fall for the trap and another case would be solved.

Amy had Rossi as a partner. They made their way towards an unmarked local car so that they could take up position along the road from Sarah's house. Watching. Waiting.

. . . . . . . . . .

Garton and Rossi watched as Hotch pulled Sarah's Ford onto the drive. Sarah, Hotch and Prentiss got out and made their way into the house.

"And so the game begins."

"You called this a game." Garton spat back at Rossi, her composure was slipping, and sleepless nights were wearing her guard down.

"No offence intended. No I don't view this as a game it's a term of phrase. Sorry. However now we are stuck here with nothing better to do how about you practice the skill of talking to others rather than bottling it up inside. Trust me I won't be offended."

"Really. OK which sort of stupid bastard puts a civilian into a life threatening situation in the hope of catching a pair of serial killers?" Garton had reached boiling point and really no longer cared if she had a job at the end of this. All she knew is that she was certain no woman was going to have to face this on her watch.

"One that wants to catch a pair of killers set on their own revenge agenda."

"No matter what? No matter who gets hurt?"

"Yes it matters but I have faith in our team. We will not let Sarah down" Rossi chose his words carefully knowing Amy was struggling to trust anyone other than herself and Reid at a push. He knew where she was coming from; when he first joined the team he had had his own issues with the whole team ideal. Rossi hoped he could guide Garton into the right direction.

. . . . . . . . . .

Inside the house Prentiss was doing her best to help Sarah relax. "You will always have two FBI officers in the house with you. In addition we have several pairs and strategic local positions. We believe that Zoe will be the one to make contact as she knows you and will play on the fact that you know her. As soon as this happens the team will move in." Prentiss prayed that they did not change their MO.

Hotch was anxious he wanted this to end. He hoped that once JJ gave out the press release than the killers would be quick to make their move. It was a bold action the team was taking and he was more than aware that this could all blow up in their face. Right now he was praying for a miracle.