A/N: It took a while, but here we go. I hope you'll enjoy!


Chapter 9

"Lovelies, I have good new, I just got a trace on our victim's cellphone, it's being used at the MGM Grand right now," Garcia spoke through their Skype connection, meanwhile showing a map with a bright red dot on it.

The team let out a collective sigh, this seemed like the case was going to be easy after all. "Alright, let's inform the local police and head out there," Hotch said as he looked around at his team members.

"What's the plan exactly? We have no idea what this woman looks like, we have to lure her out somehow," Reid questioned as he looked up at his Unit Chief. "Just going in there with a large group of cops is bound to alarm her and she'll be out before we know who she is.

"She'll most likely drop her phone as well, she's bound to figure out it's what we used to find her," Tara added in agreement. "We need to use someone as a bait."

Hotch nodded, "I can do that," he said.

Rossi couldn't help but snort out a laugh at which Hotch frowned. "Sorry Aaron, but you've got cop written all over you, besides, you don't look like a tourist."

Hotch nodded a bit and looked around the rest of the team, "Who do you suggest?"

"Me," Rossi replied matter-of-factly. "I mean, I can pass as an Italian tourist, I'll use my best accent, draw some attention around a few tables," he started, "I'll be obvious with spending money so she'll be lured out, she won't be able to resist. Once we know who she is… you guys can move in."

"I'll go and find a wire for you," JJ said as she headed out the door to grab the equipment Rossi would need as well as the rest of the team to be able to stay in touch as they'd take their hiding spots throughout the hotel casino. Garcia would be able to keep them up to date if their suspect were to move.


"Has everybody got eyes on me?" Rossi asked as he sat down at one of the many fruit machines. When he got affirmations from Hotch, Tara, JJ and Reid he nodded a bit to himself. "I'm going to move to the poker table," he said softly and stood up, grabbing his scotch.

He stood watching for a little before a spot opened up. "Mind if I join?" He asked. The people around the table nodded and waited for him to sit down.

"Are you familiar with the game?" A tall man asked, a frown of worry on his face as he looked at the seemingly tipsy Italian.

"Oh il mio uomo, back in my town I play this every week," Rossi grinned as he scooted some chips to the middle of the table. "I raise you two thousand."

"I've got eyes on a redhead, she's been watching the table for a while now," JJ said as she slowly walked a little closer, to see if she could see the woman looking at Rossi directly.

She met eyes with Tara for a moment before looking at the woman again, who was now moving over to the table Rossi was at.

"Hi there," the redhead spoke huskily as she placed a hand on Rossi's shoulder.

Rossi turned and flashed her one of his charming smiles. "Well hello there bellezza," he said and shifted a little so she could stand closer. "Can I get you anything to drink?" He asked.

The woman nodded and bit her lower lip seductively. She leaned in to whisper in his ear, "I'd love a martini," she said.

"Coming up," Rossi grinned as he stepped out to the bar, giving the rest of the team time to move in.

Hotch was the first to move, grabbing the woman's arm and pressing it behind her back, "Ma'am, we need you to come with us," he said calmly bit firmly as he started leading her away from the table.

"What the hell is going on, who are you?" The woman asked, yelling, as she tried to free herself from the grasp Hotch had on her.

"FBI," Hotch all but growled as he managed to get her outside and into one of the cars that was waiting. "I'll meet you at the station," he told the others as he got into the SUV with a local policeman.

Reid turned to Rossi, "Good job," he said and looked over at JJ, seeing relief on her face. This case seemed to be coming to an end. He had an inkling it wasn't, but he wasn't about to share that with the others, still hoping his feeling wasn't right.


It was, however, as it turned out less than an hour later. Garcia reported the GPS tracker was moving around a suburb of Las Vegas, while the woman they thought was their UnSub was in custody.

"But she still could have given the phone to someone else," Tara suggested, not ready to accept that they had the wrong woman.

Hotch let out a deep sigh as he shook his head, "Miss McCain has an alibi for two other murders," he sighed. "I guess she was just genuinely flirting with Dave," he said. "Garcia will keep track of the GPS, let's call it a night for now," he suggested.

Back at the hotel Reid knew he wanted to talk to JJ. He grabbed his phone to shoot her a short message. 'Meet me in the lobby?'

His phone beeped almost immediately as her response came through, 'on my way'.

He excused himself and headed down, seeing JJ in a faraway corner on one of the couches. He smiled as he approached her, sitting next to her. "Hey," he whispered, feeling shy all of a sudden.

"Hi," JJ whispered in return, a small blush on her cheeks.

"I uhm… I think I'm done keeping my distance," Reid spoke softly, even though he knew he hadn't kept that much distance. "It's not fair when I'm upset over missing months and then staying away even longer on my own accord," he said.

JJ shook her head, "That's different Spence, you can take all the time you need," she said gently as she grabbed his hand.

"I know, but I don't want to. I don't want to miss one more day of his life," Reid said and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. He wanted to say more, but was interrupted by JJ.

"How are we going to go about that though?" She asked, "I mean, you're always welcome, you know that, but you won't be there all the time…"

"Why not?" Reid asked as he let out a nervous chuckle, "I know this might sound completely nuts, but my lease is almost up… I… I want to move in," he admitted, not daring to look up into her eyes. He knew it was fast, but he could only hope she wouldn't think so.

JJ felt her eyes widen slightly, "Move in?" She asked, stuttering slightly. "I uhm… are you sure you'd be ready for that?" She asked, not thinking about herself for a moment. "You love being on your own, you need your space," she whispered.

"I'm sure I'll manage," Reid shrugged, "JJ I want to be there to bring him to bed, read him stories. I want to be there when he wakes up in the middle of the night, I want to go and wake him up, take him to the park… I want to be there for him, for them," he said, turning on the couch to face her, grabbing both of her hands.

JJ couldn't help but smile at his sweet words, a few tears burning in her eyes as she nodded. "Let's do it then," she whispered, smiling at him. "Move in with me."

Reid couldn't help but match her smile, leaning in and capturing her lips. "I love you JJ," he whispered. "Granted I'm still upset, but I love you and I know the hurt will fade in time."

JJ swallowed the lump in her throat, hearing he was still hurt pained her, but she couldn't blame him. "I know, I love you too Spence, so very much," she whispered and kissed him again. "We'll make it work, I know we will."

"We will," Reid agreed, "because that's the thing about constants, they're always going to be there."


TBC