I so appreciate the patience on this story. I apologize for letting it sit untouched for so long. I really hope to be able to hold onto the muse and finish it. Thank you for reading and hope I haven't lost all my readers!

Happy reading!

Aaron forced a thin smile and shook Officer Torres hand before he broke away and headed to the house to see what the scene looked like. Torres had not much to offer him. They had done a routine sweep and were about to call in their report when Parker had appeared with Sharon in his clutches and at gunpoint. Without blinking he shot Richards in the leg and with it the tables turned. All they could do from their binds and muzzled mouths was listen to the attack on Detective Mills and Prentiss.

Aaron looked to the open garage and vacant space but kept walking eyes pointed forward. He knew what it meant and didn't need to see it. Parker had Emily. Even with the BOLO and roadblocks he was ahead of them. He nodded to Spencer who was speaking to a visibly shaken Sharon. Hotch didn't stop to hear her version, he'd get it from Spencer eventually. His focus was on the gaping door and the story the scene had to tell him of what happened and hopefully give clues to where Emily was.

People swarmed, documenting and analyzing. Before he fully entered the house he paused at the doorframe. With a detailed eye he took in what he saw. He noted Detective Mills' body and the smear of blood from being moved. He also saw the boot scuffs along the wood floor towards the kitchen. He followed it and politely asked for the room to be cleared so he could look it for himself. No one protested and hurried from the small kitchen. Once vacated Aaron slowly entered.

He looked to the small dining table by window. One chair had been tucked in, while the other had been pulled out and faced the hall. Remnants of duct tape were still attached to the legs. A kitchen knife teetered on the edge of the table. With his hands behind his back Aaron bent down and examined the serrated edge. To his expectation bits of adhesive remained. Being eyelevel with the smooth wood table crumbs from bread clustered near the tucked in chair caught his attention. The house was in order and kitchen clean. Curiously he looked over to the counter and approached the sink. There sat a dirty plate with hardening remnants of egg yolk and crusts of toasted bread. A used and unclean pan along with a half full coffee mug sat in the sink. The dishes made him more curious. Torres had said they were planning on ordering in food when their replacements arrived. Aaron straightened and turned when Spencer's voice interrupted his thorough examination of the room.

"Sharon said Parker had her before she even realized. She woke up in the trunk. She knew it was her car and was able to open the trunk by the emergency release."

Hotch crossed his arms and tilted his head curiously. "I'm surprised he hadn't taken care of the release."

"Overconfidence maybe?"

"Maybe." Aaron replied then nodded to the dirty dishes beside him. "He felt so confident he made himself a meal. He ate it in front of Prentiss." He said pointing to the crumbs on the table.

"How do you know the food was Parker's?"

"Sharon was in the trunk and Torres and Richards in the room. One plate, one mug."

"He wasn't in a rush until Sharon got away." Spencer agreed and moved to the chair that had restrained Emily. He examined the shredded tape and then something caught his eyes. With a glove between his fingers he reached out and picked up a syringe. As he stood he lifted it up to show Hotch. He was about to speak but suddenly his face fell and arms dropped.

"What is it?"

"None of this tells us where he took Emily, just that he has her."

"I know, but any information is more than we had before."

Spencer nodded but it was clear it did little to ease his concerns. "What about Sharon's car?"

"Nothing yet."

Spencer shook his head. The desperation for answers clearly painted on his face.

Aaron felt the same, but knew it wouldn't bring Emily back. He had to stay strong and focused. To not to let his knowledge of how abductions play out cloud his judgment. Or more importantly that the person taken was one he cared deeply for.

He instead spoke to solving the puzzle. "I don't think he'd take her somewhere new. He had plans for the cabin, and now he doesn't have it anymore."

"You think he'd go back to what's comfortable?"

Aaron nodded.

"But, we never found his secondary location."

"So we look harder." Aaron spoke in stride as he headed to the door. They were a step behind Parker and blind to his movement. He would hold onto the fact Emily was a fighter and they wouldn't stop until Parker was.

Agony and confusion tunneled through Emily's temples. She attempted to raise her head, but sank back down when dizziness over took the pain. She hastily swallowed a moan that tried to escape. She opted to only open her eyes. It did little when she was greeted with darkness. Her muscles felt on the verge of cramping and there was a constant twinge in her neck muscles. She moved to rub the soreness but couldn't.

Emily jerked her arms in a panic. With the shot of pain that flowed through her shoulders she realized the cuffs cinched tightly around her wrists. A sliver of clarity returned as she felt the rumbling vibration beyond the worn carpet below her. The smell of oil, and exhaust filled her sense. Reality sank in; Parker was relocating her. She had no clue to where, or even how long they had been driving. They were moving swiftly and the road was moderately smooth. They had to be on the highway. This also meant he had been able to avoid any roadblocks or had switched cars at some point. He was calculated and detail oriented, he'd have contingency plans. Her lack of knowledge to time frames or possible destinations frustrated her. All she really had was her will to live. It was up to her to get out of it alive. With that thought her heart sank. She didn't want her mind to go there but she couldn't stop it. Her chest constricted. She wished she could at least find solace that her family had survived and was safe, but all she had was a grainy video and fear crossing the face of those she held dear as they tried to escape something. The ache that began to over take her triggered the tears she had been fighting to erupt.

The slowing of the car and sudden turn had her sucking up her grief and regaining focus. As she tumbled freely around the cramped space she realized that her legs hadn't been bound. She could take advantage of his mistake. In his hast he must have counted on the drug to last the journey and didn't restrain her as he should. Sharon getting away had him frantic and she had to use that. She drew in a breath and forced her arms to relax. She moved her fingers to get blood flowing. She straightened her spine the best she could to stretch her body and cramping muscles. She filled her lungs with another jagged breath to clear her mind from distractions and try to form a reasonable plan to fight back.

The car slowed to a stop and Emily listened. There was a quiet. No passing cars or telltale signs of where they could be. The car shook from Parker getting out, but a door never shut. Through the silence muffled talking floated towards her. Emily strained to try and make out the conversation. It was too far to decipher the words and it sounded one sided. Footsteps grew close and Emily froze as the trunk creaked open. She sensed him close, and the sound of his breathing confirmed his presence. With her back turned she continued to play possum.

She let out a slow quiet breath to not flinch and give her consciousness away when he reached in and grabbed her. She went limp as he threw her over his shoulder. The violent movement caused her head to spin but she rode the nausea through. It quickly subsided and she opened her eyes. She watched dirt bounce under her and used a quick count to time the exact moment for her attack. With his slowing stride she began to buck and struggle against his hold. Emily's jerking and kicking caught Parker off guard. His balance was hindered and caused him to sway sideways. In his attempt to remain up right she was released. Her reaction to the sudden collision with the ground hadn't been a factor of her hastily put together plan. The unforgiving ground jarred her body and stole her breath briefly, but her reaction and training kicked in. Parker had recovered immediately and turned to retrieve her. As he approached within range she coiled and released all her energy through her legs and into his abdomen. She heard the whoosh of air forced from his lung and he immediately stumbled back from the impact. With adrenaline freely flowing through her Emily popped up to continue her charge. That was when she saw the gun being pulled from behind his back. With a roundhouse kick she connected with his wrist and sent the gun flying from his grasp. He danced to the right anticipating her next move. He sidestepped further with intentions to retrieve the gun that had settled in the dust and needles. She didn't hesitate to send a solid boot to the back of his knee. His legs folded beneath him and landed on all fours. The quick motions had caused a sudden dizziness that tried to take over Emily's fight. She clenched her jaw and focused on stopping him so she could get her arms freed to the front and then the gun. She stepped forward and kicked him in the midsection before a final blow to the head took him out. With one eye on Parker she looked behind her to the two cars parked side by side, both trunks open. Seconds to make her next move was all she had. He was her biggest threat and needed to stay on the offensive. She quickly scrunched her body and ran her arms along her back and down her legs and passed her ankles to bring them to the front. Parker began to curse and stir. Once fully free Emily lunged towards the gun. She was just within inches of it when she felt his hand circle her ankle and pull her down and back towards him. She twisted her body to face him and release his grip from her. With her other leg circling around she managed to get him in the side of his head.

He grabbed his head and curse. "Damn bitch!"

Emily looked back to the gun just out of reach and back to him once again moving towards her. A sudden high-pitched scream for help broke through the air. The unexpected outcry startled Emily and she spun her head to look for the source. She saw nothing at first until a small movement in the other trunk caught her attention. This new situation made the urgency to have the gun higher. Emily looked to Parker who smiled curiously at her before a handful of pine needles and dirt was hurled at her.

Emily tried to block her face and close her eyes but not before the particles assaulted her. She blinked and sputtered as the dirt and sharp needles blinded her. The burning pain consumed her and she had no defense to his second counter attack that sent her flat on the ground.

He laughed as Emily writhed helplessly trying to rub the grim and grit from her eyes and regain her breath. With a strong hand Parker linked her arms and lifted her to a standing position. The gun dug deeply into her ribs.

"Enough is enough. Let's go."

Emily managed to blink the last of the grit away and recovered a slow focus to her surroundings. Parker led her forward towards the trunk. As they stepped closer the sight caused Emily's heart to pound relentlessly against her chest. There in front of her was the source of the scream. A young woman hogtied in the trunk. Fear had forced her eyes as wide as they could go. Her mouth was open. Breaths sawed in and out, her expression was one of desperation. She had managed to work the tape from her mouth by rubbing it in one direction against the carpet.

"Please." She begged again and looked from Parker to Emily.

"What the hell are you doing? There is no need to hurt anyone else." Emily pleaded.

He ignored her and quickly resealed the girls mouth with fresh tape.

He straightened and turned to Emily. With a small gesture of the gun motioned her towards the open space. "Get in or I kill her, right now."

Emily fought all logic, she really was in no position to fight, and couldn't live with an innocent life on her hands. With a numbed mind she found herself propelled forward, but paused. The girl needed her to do something other than give in and accept defeat. She wasn't about to. She wanted to tell the young woman that. She never accepted defeat, but knew the game. To ensure survival she had to play along to an extent. The cold metal of the gun was pressed firmly against her bruised temple. She flinched at the sudden pain and side eyed Parker.

"Get in. Now." He ordered again turning the gun towards the girl.

Emily closed her eyes and lifted her leg over the bumper. She eased into the trunk's interior. She tried to be mindful of the other occupant, but the space was already cramped. Parker didn't waste time to get her secured.

"You're really making this harder on you." His sharp voice made the tape he was tightening around her ankles feel more confining. "When will you realize you have no cards to play?"

"You obviously don't know me very well."

Parker leaned close but not close enough for Emily to do anything. A smug chuckle rumbled from his throat. He tugged at a lock of her hair and twirled it playfully between his fingers before he pulled a handful into a tight grip that caused her to tense and clench against the sudden pain.

"Nor you me."

Thank you for reading! A huge thank you to radioactive460 for the push and being a patient sounding board for all my crazy ideas.

I would love to hear from you lovely readers! Until next time!