"Hotch, we found him. Stephen Jamison." Morgan called the rest of the team immediately after Isabel's revelation. On the other side of the line, Hotch agreed to come with backup ASAP. Morgan almost hung up, but Hotch continued speaking.

"Morgan, I want you be careful with Isabel. If she almost killed him once, she may want to do it again. Tell Reid to drive her back to the station." He hung up. Morgan turned to the other two and relayed Hotch's instructions. Spencer and Isabel both looked a little put out at being told to leave. Isabel was especially upset.

"I know this man; I can help!"

"I'm sorry, but Hotch thinks it would be best for you and Reid to go back to the station."

She was quiet for a moment. "I get it. It's because I'm 'crazy.'" She put so much hate and contempt into the last word that Spencer flinched, like it was a personal insult.

"Um, Morgan, maybe we could just wait in the car. You know, not being involved, but maybe it would be best if we were still, um, here."

Morgan stared at him. "Fine, but if Hotch asks, it was all your idea and I tried to stop you."

The local police force, the rest of the BAU, and a SWAT team arrived in ten minutes flat.

Inside the house, Stephen was pacing. Coming to the conclusion that he could neither run nor hide, he did the only sensible thing left.

"I have a bomb and a room full of guns!"

Back outside, everyone looked around to see where the voice came from. They figured that it came from the UnSub. Sharpshooters surrounded the house, and everyone with access to a bulletproof vest put one on.

…Then Hotch noticed Spencer and Isabel sitting in the car. "Why aren't you at the station?"

Reid stammered out an apology. "Sir, I take full responsibility. I just thought that it would be, um, for the best, if we, uh, stayed."

Hotch stared at Reid the same way that Morgan had not too long ago. "Can I talk to you over here for a minute? Isabel, put this vest on."

Reid got out of the car and walked to a nearby tree with Hotch.

"You defied my orders."

"Yes, I know I did, but Isabel thinks that she can help and so do I."

"Reid, she has a personal connection to this case and spent the last 19 years of her life in an asylum. She is already under penalty from breaking out of one, plus, she is still charged for the attempted murder she committed as a child."

"Yes, but I really do not believe that she is crazy. She was driven over the edge by her parents, which, I know, shouldn't be an excuse, but I can tell that she's sorry for it. She's not a bad person."

Hotch paused before speaking. "Listen, Reid. I don't want to have this conversation now, so you may stay and we'll discuss this later." Spencer opened his mouth to thank Hotch but was interrupted. "Reid, I know why you're fighting for her so much, but you have to realize that we can't help everyone. I know you identify with her, but you have to look past that and do your job. Now please go wait in the car with her." He walked away leaving Spencer feeling more alone than ever.

…

"Stephen Jamison, you're under arrest for the murders of Carl Warner, Michael Kensington, and Dennis Morrison. Come out with your hands up, or we come in after you! You're surrounded!" Morgan yelled into the UnSub's house.

"I'll say it again: I have a bomb and a roomful of guns. Make any move and I'll blow you all up!"

The people outside shuffled restlessly.

"I know that Isabel Morrison is out there. Send her in, and I'll come quietly."

"Not a chance." Morgan called to him. "You come out here, then maybe we'll let you see her."

"Send her in, or the bomb detonates."

Hotch was frustrated. "It looks like we have no choice." He called into Stephen: "She can come to your door, but that's it."

Now it was Morgan's turn to look frustrated. "Hotch, what are you doing?"

"It may be the only way." He walked back to the car where Reid and Isabel were still waiting. "He's asking for you."

"Me?" She whispered to herself, "I thought he would." Louder she added "Why?"

Hotch looked a little uncomfortable. "He wants to talk to you, but we don't know why. If you agree, we'll send you in with a gun and bulletproof vest. You will only stay in the doorway."

"Well, it looks as if the best of us must sometimes eat our words." She smiled. "I'll help you. Just tell me what to do."

The team spent the next five minutes briefing her on protocol and procedures. "And whatever you do, don't surrender your gun or vest, and don't walk fully into the house. We'll be in touch with you over a small earpiece. If we tell you to run, run." Emily added.

Isabel took a breath and walked to the front door. She knocked and called inside. Onlookers could only see a shadow of Stephen as he opened the door slightly and began to speak to her.

"Isabel Morrison. It's been so long since I've seen you."

"Well, it wouldn't be as long if you didn't get me locked up."

He smiled. "Your reaction wasn't my fault, and I wasn't the one to suggest that you get locked up. Want to know why I killed your father?"

She stared at him unblinkingly. "Why?"

"Because he locked you up. I would've killed your mother too, if I had gotten the chance. You see, I was only trying to make things right. I always knew that you were smart, but not crazy."

"Then why did you kill the others?"

He smiled again. "That has no simple answer. Why don't you come in, and we'll discuss it over tea?"

She glared at him. "Why would I want to share tea with you?"

"There you go with the 'whys' again. Here's a question: why are you so inquisitive?"

"Stop trying to fancy talk me. You're just as big an idiot as the day I almost killed you." She shook her head. "I should have killed you that day. I knew what you would become. If that teacher hadn't stopped me-."

"If she hadn't stopped you, then this wouldn't be happening now. And those three thick-headed idiots wouldn't be dead. And oh, how I wanted them dead. Now I'll ask you again, would you like to come in and discuss why I killed them?"

It was first grade all over again. Isabel did the one thing that she could do: she began to slow down her brain, just like before, and followed him inside.

…

Author's Note:

A thousand times I'm sorry for the long gap between updates. Hopefully this chapter was worth the wait, but the next one should be better. I promise that there won't be a very long wait for the next chapter. Please forgive me!

Love, Me