((I…am SO SORRY for being gone so long. Things went to hell but are finally settling down. I know the right thing to do would be slap a huge chapter on you guys BUT I am splitting this chapter in two parts so I can get something out to you and because it'll be a lot going on. Ahh!))

'What is that?'

Gabrielle shifted on the couch as a savory smell filled her nose. A small smile crept onto her face and her mouth watered at the wonderful scent. Opening her eyes she sat from the couch and stretched her arms in the same motion. She could her shuffling in the dining room that was in view from the living room.

"Something smells amazing." She said, her voice still sounding a little tired. She peaked over the back of the couch and spotted Reid setting plates down on the long dark wood of the dining table.

Reid smiled before looking over to her. "I thought I'd make breakfast before our day started."

Gabrielle's expression became quizzical as she stood from the couch, making her way to the table. "What's happening today?" She ran her fingers through her hair a couple of times trying to tame her loose curls. "I thought we were house bound?" Was that not the case?

Reid's body language became nervous which put her on edge. "There is actually something we were going to ask of you." He pulled her chair out and offered her a seat which she thanked him for quietly. "You can say no, of course." He walked around to the other side of the table and sat down, across from her.

Keeping her eyes on the food she spoke to him as calmly as she could. "What do you guys want?" She knew he was referring to the others on his team from the FBI. She slowly loaded her plate with food to keep herself distracted from the anxiety building in her chest.

Reid spoke carefully not wanting to upset her. "The unsub sai—"

"Unsub?" She didn't hide her confusion.

"Unknown subject," he informed before continuing. "He said he wouldn't move on until he got you back. However, that doesn't mean we can just keep you in hiding forever, you deserve your life back. That being the case, we need your help catching him."

"How can I help you with that?" She asked before taking a bite of bacon.

He really didn't want to be the one to ask her but he knew it made the most sense. It had only been a couple of days since she had escaped. "We think that even though he isn't abducting more women he may be looking for his next target regardless. If that is the case we are hoping he will be preying in the same area. That's where you would come in. If he is searching in the same place you may be able to point him out."

Gabrielle paused, staring down at her plate as she processed the weight of his request. She felt her heart beat slow, but hard in her chest. "You want me to go back to that place?" She peaked up at him. "…And look for him?"

Reid could hear the hesitation and anxiety in her voice. "It's asking a lot, we all know how hard it would be for you, but it would help."

The thought of seeing him again left her body trembling, but she tried to hide it. "And if I see him?" She spoke softly. It was a question more for herself than him. She had no idea what she would do if his eyes ever met hers again. She dropped her bacon and stood from the table as pain wracked her body. She felt jolts of terror pulse through her veins. She heard the scrap of wood against wood but she ignored it as she reached out for the wall.

"Gabrielle, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked." Reid snaked his arm under her arm and shifted her weight so she was leaning on him before grasping her with his other arm, embracing her securely. He could feel her body shaking lightly and guilt filled him. Against his better judgment he pulled her closer, hugging her. "I'm so sorry." He had tried to warn Hotch that she needed more time but at the same time he understood why he insisted.

Gabrielle clutched Reid tightly trying to keep herself grounded. His breath tickled her hair which soothed her for some reason. She remained in his grasp for a moment trying to calm down. She could feel his heart beat against her chest and she tried to count the beats but lost track getting lost in the sound of his breathing in her ear. It was rhythmic and soothing. "It's okay, I'm sorry. It wasn't you."

Pulling herself away from his embrace she held onto him briefly to make sure she had her balance back. Feeling stable she moved back to her seat, letting Reid guide her.

"Don't apologize. This request was too much to ask." He said making his way back to his seat hesitantly, feeling uneasy not being beside her in case she reacted again.

Silence filled the room and Gabrielle took the opportunity to eat and think about what he said. There were easily a million reasons she could and wanted to say no. She tried not to think of those reasons in depth though since they made her very core tremble. Glancing up at Reid she could see he was in deep thought but she spoke up anyway. "As much as I would like to say no, for the obvious…I think it would be incredibly selfish of me to let this happen to another girl, regardless of what the psychopath said about waiting for me." A part of her wanted to see him so she could see what it felt like to have her hands around his throat, but that thought scared her also, she didn't want to be like him.

Reid kept himself from getting excited. "Gabrielle, this is going to help us out tremendously if things go successfully."

Gabrielle tapped her fingers against her leg as nerves began to swarm her. "What will I have to do?"

Reid seemed to stiffen a little but maintained his composure. "Well actually, Agent Hotchner is the one who would give you the details about this if you'd be willing to come down to headquarters."

"I don't really have a choice if I'm agreeing. I can't go into this blindly." She finished her plate and sat back in her chair. "When are we supposed to head there?" She was trying to decide on how she was going to cope with the events that were going to take place. No one could be sure he would even be there so she was trying to focus on that. She wanted to do this for her sake and his past victims.

Reid glanced at his watch. "We should leave here in an hour. I'll need to call Hotch to let him know you said yes." He said standing from the table, grabbing their plates. "If you want to go and get ready I'll clean up."

"I can help you clean before I get dressed." She offered grabbing the milk and juice but Reid put his hand over hers to stop her. He smiled. "Let me take care of it."

She paused and looked into his eyes before smiling. "Um, alright, thank you for everything. It was amazing." She said tucking a strand of hair behind her ear nervously. Taking her hand off of the items she moved to leave the room. "I'll be quick."

Making her way to her bedroom she pulled her suitcase onto her bed and unzipped it. By the way the sun was peaking through her curtains she assumed it was going to be pretty warm out, but she was nervous to wear appropriate clothing. What if people saw the scars? She shook the thought from her head, she had to get past that. Picking up a t-shirt she bit her lip nervously before setting it back in the bag. "Another day…" She picked up a navy blue long sleeved shirt with a scoop neck and a pair of light destroyed jeans. "Please be a good day."

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