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The Return of an Old Friend

Morgan shut his phone just as Hotch entered the conference room.

"Boss, we might have a connection between all the victims."

Hotch took his seat without acknowledging JJ, who sat with her arms crossed over her chest. She, in turn was ignoring Detective Drake.

"What did Garcia find?"

"All the girls have ancestry that goes back to the Mayflower. They all have progenitors that were here in Salem at the time of the witch trials."

"I would think that's true of many people in this city," Hotch pointed out.

"Maybe one of their ancestors pissed off someone else's great, great, great, whatever grandfather," JJ smirked.

"And, is out for revenge three hundred years later," Blake retorted. "I doubt that very much. We're looking for someone that has a definite type. Just because all the victims have common ancestry doesn't mean anything.

JJ chuckled. "Maybe you should open your mind a little."

"JJ," Hotch snapped.

"Oh, sorry, boss man," she saluted him and refolded her arms over her chest.

"We shouldn't discount the connection just because it might seem to indicate a motive," Reid said.

JJ favored him with a look that had Morgan scowling. He opened his mouth and Rossi cut him off. "I agree. It's the only connection we have. Who knows what could have happened in families that have lived together in the same place for the last three hundred years. It doesn't mean that it's revenge from the trials. Something could have happened in the last twenty years, the last five, or even the last six months."

"Garcia's on it," Morgan said as he watched JJ and Reid, his eyes moved between them like a metronome.

"Let's talk about the other lead we have," Hotch said. "Detective, has Sherman Jarvis's arraignment been set for tomorrow morning."

"Yes," the detective said shortly. "He's still on the hook for assault with a deadly. Even though he was here when our latest victim disappeared, we should talk to him again. He obviously knows something."

"I agree…" Hotch said. "He definitely didn't want to talk to us yesterday. I want to know what he saw. I'd like you to sit in on the interview and I like you, Reid, to take point. You made a connection with him and I think he might open up to you.

JJ snorted.

"Is there something on your mind, JJ?"

"No sir. You made it clear that the team doesn't want to hear what I have to say."

"I never said you shouldn't speak your mind. I want you to show some respect, that's all."

"Permission to speak freely," JJ said so snidely that Blake opened her mouth, then shut it when Hotch sent her a look.

"Of course."

The room grew silent again. Everyone, except for Reid was staring intently at JJ, the detective, or Hotch."

"I want to know why you're showing Reid more respect than me."

"JJ," Reid squeaked. "Hotch -"

"Can't you talk without that damn squeak?"

Reid flinched and Morgan growled. "Stay out it, Morgan," JJ snapped.

"JJ, I told you -"

She turned her wrath on Hotch. Her blue eyes snapped and her face was very pink. "You seem to think that Reid can do no wrong."

"This isn't about Reid."

"Yes it is. He has a "rapport," JJ said making quotes with her fingers, "and suddenly he's the golden child."

"You're irrational," Hotch said. "Go to your hotel room, now."

"Oh that's just great. You take his side once again."

"This isn't about sides," Hotch said. "This is about your attitude."

"Whatever," she huffed and pushed back her chair. It shot across the floor behind her and she slammed out the door.

"Hotch, what the hell?"

"I don't know what's wrong with her. If I didn't know better, I'd say she's having some sort of a breakdown."

"Maybe she is," said Detective Drake."

"Hey, man," Derek, growled. "Watch it."

"You don't frighten me. I call them as I see them."

"I'll go talk to her," Blake said as she began to get up from his chair.

"No."

"But, Hotch, obviously there's something wrong. When was the last time you heard her talk to anyone that way?"

"She has no problem talking to me that way," Reid interjected.

"This isn't about you."

"Isn't it, Morgan?" Reid challenged. "She's been punishing me ever since Emily came back and you know it. I called her on lying to me and she's been angry ever since."

"Enough," Hotch snapped. "Get back to work. We're here for the victims of these horrible crimes and to find Amber Findley before she suffers the same fate."

"I agree," Detective Drake said. "I don't want to have to tell Susan and Kelly that their daughter's dead."

"Detective Drake, I want to apologize for my agent."

"Look," he said and he gave them a little smile. "I'm not happy with her attitude because I believe that professionalism is more important than anything, but I also feel that we need you to find out what the hell is going on in my town."

"Let's get back to work," Hotch said.

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Reid stopped at one corner of the bullpen where someone had set up a coffee station. He poured out a cup, added enough sugar to make Detective Drake smile for the first time in an hour, and gingerly took a sip.

Drake laughed when Reid's eyes went round with surprise. "Not what you're used to, I see."

"No, this is wonderful," he said in a tone that most people reserve for church.

"You're lucky that Detective Castillo is on duty."

He pointed across the room to another plainclothes detective, who was deep in conversation with a woman wearing a very short red leather skirt and a black tank with black boots and heavy makeup. He glanced up at them and gave them a tired smile and wink.

"He made the coffee."

"Yep, everyone gets mighty depressed around here when he goes on a long undercover, or has the day off."

"I can see why."

"Listen, about Agent Jareau…"

Reid took another sip of his coffee, and wondered how long he could make this cup last.

"You don't have to say anything. Normally, she's fairly easy going. It's just been in the last couple of years, well ever since she became a profiler that she's changed. I don't know what happened. She used to be so kind, and compassionate, especially with the families of victims. Now, all she wants to do is chase psychos and take them down by any means necessary."

"Have you known her long?"

"Yeah, about nine years; I've never seen her act this irrational, if it's any comfort. She usually a little more even tempered."

Drake nodded. "Look, I'm not saying I'm happy about what she said, but I have to admit that you guys are great at what you do. I'm happy to have you on my side."

Reid sipped at his coffee. "The most difficult thing about working for the FBI is working with different LEOs around the country. We get the gamut of reactions. I'm just glad you didn't challenge her to a fight."

Drake chuckled. "Afraid I'd hurt her."

Reid smiled, but it wasn't a happy smile. "How should I phrase this? It's not that I doubt your ability, but I think she'd wipe the floor with you."

Drake choked on his coffee. "I hope we never have to find out. My mother told me never to hit girls."

Reid opened his mouth, but at that precise moment, his phone rang against his hip. "Reid," he said briskly.

"You still sound so official."

"Emily," he squeaked.

"Yeah, its me. Reid, what the hell is up with JJ?"

"I don't know. She's been on the rampage since we started work this morning."

"I talked to her last night about the Sanderson family and she seemed fine to me. Then, this morning she hung up on me."

"She did?"

"Yeah, what's going on?"

"I don't know."

"I'm sorry, Reid. I didn't mean to be so demanding. How are you? I haven't talked to you for a long time."

"I'm better," he said evasively. "How are you?"

She was so silent for so long, he said. "Emily, are you there?"

"I'm here, but I wish I were there. I'm worried about you, Spencer."

"I'm really okay," he assured her while keeping one eye on Detective Drake who selected a doughnut and was eating it with relish.

"I really want to talk to you when things aren't so rushed. Have you got plans for Halloween?"

"No, I only hope we're finished with this case by then."

"Well, just be available in the morning."

"Why?'

"You'll see. Now," she cut him off before he could protest. "I have news for you about the Sanderson family whereabouts."

"Where are they?"

"They're here in Switzerland. It took a little finesse, but I was able to get an appointment to see them."

"You don't have to go personally," Reid squeaked.

"Yes, I do, I was a profiler for five years. Just have Garcia send me everything you have and I'll talk to them. I find that people have a, shall we say, better attitude if Interpol knocks at their door rather than the locals, especially Americans."

"What are you going to do?"

"Don't sound so suspicious, Reid. I promise no browbeating will be involved."

"Emily," he began.

"Trust me," she said and hung up on him.

He sighed, put his phone in his pocket and signaled to Drake. "I have news for the team that you'll want to hear, too."

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JJ stood in front of her mirror and stared at her eyes. They didn't look like her eyes. There was something wrong with them, oh, not with the color or the shape, but there was something in them that she didn't recognize.

"What are you doing?"

Her heart began to beat faster in her chest. She'd had some kind of blackout. She should be with the rest of the team. She reached for her phone and screamed when something appeared in the mirror behind her.

"Don't be afraid," the voice from her dream said. "I've made you stronger, Jennifer. You must embrace it. Do as I say and you will be rewarded.

"No," she shook her head. "I - this isn't real. Help me."

Hands, black as coal, reached out of the mirror and grabbed her by the shoulders. "You cannot fight me. I'm inside you."

"You can't," she wheezed out as her breath had suddenly become like syrup in her lungs.

"It's too late to fight, Jennifer. You've already let me in."

"I didn't let you in. This isn't real."

The face behind her leaned forward and passed through the glass as though made of smoke. Red eyes and a mouth full of razor sharp teeth filled her vision. She screamed again and gagged on the overwhelming smell of sulfur on the thing's breath.

"You're mine, Jennifer, now and forever. You can't fight it, but you will help me stop your former friends."

"No, I won't help you."

The thing tightened its claw-like hands on her arms and pulled her screaming into the mirror.