Hey, guys. Sorry it took so long for me to put this up. But I promise you, this chapter is EPIC. Seriously. :) (Well, I hope you agree.) Enjoy, and please review!

P.S. Did you all see the promo pictures of 7x14? OMG, finally. .com/ (Scroll down for "Closing Time.") ^_^

CHAPTER 11

"Nothing is easier than denouncing the evildoer. Nothing more difficult than understanding him." ~Dostoyevsky

The BAU jet skimmed above the landing strip. Its wheels gently touched the pavement below, and its tires squealed as it skidded to a complete stop.

*WHOOSH*

The jets' doors opened slowly, and five people emerged into the cold Maryland air.

Agent Aaron Hotchner led his team of federal agents. His brow was deeply furrowed, and a permanent frown was etched upon his face—this is it. Our moment. To prove that we truly are the best of the FBI. That good can triumph over evil. That we can save a friend against impossible odds. That we are a family.

Agent David Rossi followed, his eyes blazing with set determination—we've gotten this far; it's time to bring JJ home, back where she belongs. He glanced behind him, where the rest of the team was trailing out of the plane. Here we are, each of us with our own problems, our own reasons to do this job each and every day of our lives. But no matter what our personal struggles are and have been, we have never given up on each other.

Behind him, Agent Derek Morgan strode forward, his fists clenched, his teeth bared as he pictured JJ at the hands of that bastard who was holding her captive. You hold on, girl. We've got your back—always have. And now we know where you are. This son-of-a-fucking-bitch is going to pay for what he's done to you. Hell, JJ. He's put you through fucking hell.

Agent Emily Prentiss flanked her partner—Jayje, please. Stay alive; stay alive. We're almost there, so you just need to hold on a little bit longer. For seven years, you've kept this team strong. We owe you. So, when we crash that door down, you better still be alive. 'Cause I would give my life for you. Damn it, we all would. And you need to know that. …Please know that.

Doctor Spencer Reid stumbled after his teammates. This wasn't just some case. This wasn't just another victim. This was Jennifer Jareau. His mind flashed back repeatedly to his nightmare. I won't let that happen to you. Not you. Please, JJ. I need to hear your voice again. I need to see those beautiful, reassuring blue eyes. What am I going to do without my best friend? He swallowed back thick tears. Jennifer Jareau. Jennifer. JJ. Please. Don't let him take you away.

Two black sedans were parked alongside the track. Each agent silently donned a bulletproof FBI vest and wire and filed into the government vehicles. Hotch, Rossi, and Reid in one, Morgan and Prentiss in another. The entire team had been briefed, thanks to Garcia. She had discovered the empty cabin in the woods and the man who owned it. Jayne Adams. Priors for assault, robbery, and persistent aggravation. He was the man who was responsible for the murders here. He was the man who had taken one of their own. And now they knew where he had her.

"Hotch?" Morgan spoke into his earpiece. "Garcia just sent you the coordinates."

Hotch adjusted his seat and transitioned from "Park" to "Drive."

"I've got them. Trail us for now, but be ready for when I tell you to split up. I'm going to need you and Prentiss to find a back entrance in case the unsub tries to flee the scene."

"Yes, sir."

"And Morgan?"

"Yeah, Hotch?"

"We all need to be prepared for what we might find."

Morgan glanced over at Emily, who met his eyes with her own. She's terrified, too.

"I know. I'll have an ambulance on stand-by."

Without another word, Hotch pressed down on the gas pedal. The car lurched forward, and both vehicles sped off into the night. Let's go to work.

The Unsub's Cabin. Deep Creek Lake.

The moon rose above the trees, casting long shadows onto the earth below. The lake glistened with silver light, and tiny ripples spread across its glassy surface as a soft rain began to fall, its pace quickening as the moon reached its climax. A gentle breeze flicked droplets of water over the land and into a desolate clearing where a small cabin stood. *SMACK*—against a barred window. A slim beam of light contrasted with the small beads of rain, making them flicker and shine in the night. A crack in the window. Drip, drip, drip. Water trailed down the wall, onto the metal floor, where it mixed with red. A dim light hung from the ceiling, illuminating the horrific scene below. Rain, blood, cold, and sweat. Everywhere.

Jennifer Jareau sobbed as her captor stood over her.

And somewhere in the trees, out in the long distance, a lonely wolf howled for its pack.

Inside the house, Jayne Adams stared at his beautiful prize. The blonde hair, tear-streaked face, black and blue and red. Bitch. Too bad you won't change. For me. For us. If only—

"Y-you won't g-get a-away with t-this, you sick—"

He slapped her. Once, twice, a third time to make her shut up.

She did.

Her head lolled to the side, her lips parted open ever so slightly, her cheeks flushed a brilliant, bloody red.

That's better.

He tilted his head back and let out a pleasant sigh. It had been two hours since he'd revived the young agent. Two hours of additional torture. And this time, he found himself completely satisfied with the results of his work. Extra time. That's all I needed. He laughed out loud, relishing in the feeling of victory. I am invincible. Even the FBI couldn't beat me in the end. I've won. He chuckled deeply before wiping his nose with the back of his hand. This is it. The time has come.

He grabbed his favorite knife from the tool table on his left. He brought it up to his face and sniffed the glistening blade. Ahhh… He smiled and ran his tongue along its serrated edge. Solid steel, three inches thick, silver hilt. Hello, old friend. Jayne reached out with his free hand and brushed a single finger against his victim's cheek. She was colder than he'd like. Do it now.

He raised the knife above his head, and prepared himself for what was to come. He could feel it already. The plunge of the blade into soft, silky skin. Penetrating the flesh with solid strokes. Hot blood spilling from each cut, pooling at the base of his hilt. Her pained gasps as his release sends him tumbling into a spiral cloud of ecstasy. Yes. FEEL IT. Jayne closed his eyes and counted down slowly, his breath quickening in his chest, lighting his nerve endings on fire. He could barely contain himself anymore.

One.

The knife rose higher into the air.

Two.

It paused suddenly, suspended in his vice-like grip.

Thr—

*BOOM*

Jayne jerked out of his trance, the knife loosening in his hands.

What was that?

Still clutching the knife in his hands, he sprinted to the window and looked outside. There. Two black vehicles were parked outside the cabin, their headlights dimmed. They're here.

He cursed.

JJ groaned as she came to her senses—again. The pain she'd felt hours ago was nothing compared to the agony she felt now. She carefully shifted her body. Shit. Her inflamed wrists and ankles slid against the leather restraints, reopening multiple cuts. Blood trickled down her legs, and she hissed in pain as each movement caused her burned skin to flare up, the pus-filled blisters that lined her body leaking white fluid. Aw, hell… She opened her eyes and turned her head. Blue met dark brown, and she recoiled from the unsub's putrid breath.

The bastard held one finger to his mouth. "Shhh…"

What? Why—

"FBI!"

Oh my god.

They were here. They'd arrived. They came for me.

I'm saved…

Suddenly, she found herself on her feet. The unsub had ripped her off the table—ouch—and was now holding her in front of him as a shield. She bared her teeth against the searing pain as his strong hands gripped her shoulders. Get off me! She fought him, desperately trying to escape. Hotch! I'm here, please! I'm in he— She felt something cold press against her neck. Crap. The sharp blade bit into her skin, and she ceased her struggling.

"Jayne Adams, we know you're in here!"

Hotch…

Her captor tightened his hold on her as he backed away from the door. She felt his hot breath on her skin, his tongue tasting the blood that covered her whole body.

"Don't you dare try anything stupid, girl. There's only one way out of this mess."

That's what you think.

"Hotch! There's a basement!"

Morgan… Yes, c'mon. Almost there... Please…

She cried out as the unsub pulled her back farther. The blade cut deeper, sending tiny red droplets splattering the dirt-covered floor. Tears stung her eyes. God, this hurts. She blinked rapidly. No. Don't think about the pain. They're here; they're going to make everything better. Trust your team. Stay still, keep calm, and just listen. She closed her eyes and strained her ears.

A muted thud, quiet steps, a sudden creak.

There.

Someone was coming down the stairs…

*BANG*

The door shook on impact, dust rising up from floor.

*BANG*

JJ could just make out the muffled voices from outside the room.

"Prentiss, help me!"

*BANG*

*BANG*

C'mon, guys…

*CRASH*

The door fell in a heap of splintered wood and metal.

Yes.

The dust settled, and JJ found herself staring into the eyes of her friends.

30 Seconds Earlier.

Morgan slammed his shoulder into the door, one more time for good measure.

"Prentiss, help me!"

Emily was immediately at his side.

He looked into her eyes, a sort of understanding passing between them.

One.

Together, they kicked the door. It shuddered but didn't give.

Two.

Now it began to budge, slowly caving inward.

Three.

With a tremendous *CRASH* the wooden door fell.

The sight that met the two agents' eyes would forever haunt them. The unsub had his back to the far corner of the room, and he was holding something—someone—in front of him…like a shield…

In one glance, Emily took in her friend's pale face, the dripping blood and sweat that seemed to coat every inch of her body. Her clothes were ripped and torn, revealing purple-black bruises and blisters. The sickening smell of burned flesh hung in the air. The metal table in the middle of the room was covered with slick red—blood—and off to the side, a small table held an array of tools. Knives, pliers, lead sprinklers, thumbscrews, a cattle prod… Holy hell. Emily tore her eyes away from the weapons and met JJ's blue eyes, which were clouded over in pain. She was swaying in the unsub's arms, barely conscious.

"JJ!"

Hey, Em.

Emily seemed utterly horrified by JJ's appearance. Morgan just looked angry. Both their guns were trained on the man who was holding the blonde agent against his chest.

"I am never letting her go! Do you hear me? NEVER! She's mine, and I won't let you take her from me!" Jayne screamed at the agents.

Morgan glared at him. I swear to god I will make you—

"We know." A shaky voice interrupted his vicious thoughts.

What?

Morgan was shocked to see Emily slowly lower her weapon and place it on the ground in front of them.

"Prentiss?"

She held up her hand and threw him a quick glance.

"I've got this, Derek."

"Yeah, Derek. Leave it to Emily to get you out of this mess." The unsub sneered.

Shut up, you sick son-of-a-bitch.

"D-Derek…" Morgan was startled to hear JJ's voice. He refused to turn his gaze away from the unsub, but from what he could hear, she was in a considerable amount of pain. Her voice was shaky, strained, and hoarse, barely above a whisper. "P-please. L-let…let her—"

She screamed suddenly, her anguished cries causing both Emily and Morgan to flinch. The unsub had twisted her arm sharply to the side. And that's when they noticed the blade he held tightly to her neck. Every twist of her body pushed it deeper…

"Stop it!" Emily yelled. JJ was thrashing in the unsub's grip, and blood poured from old wounds. She can't take much more of this…

Jayne only laughed. "But she likes it so much…"

JJ sobbed, her head falling forward against her chest. Make it stop…just make it stop…

"Jayne Adams."

A new voice.

Jayne lifted his head and glared at the man who had just appeared behind the two agents. Hmm…could it be?

"Agent Hotchner." Jayne nodded his greeting.

The older agent stepped into the light, now flanked by his entire team. Each agent reacted differently to JJ's appearance. Rossi gritted his teeth and trained his gun on the unsub. Reid stood in shocked horror, unable to concentrate on the situation. He tore his eyes away from his friend and glared at Jayne, who grinned back mercilessly. Only Hotch remained still, but Jayne could see the hateful fire that churned deep below the glassy surface of his dark eyes.

Rossi, Reid, Prentiss, Morgan, Hotch. The unsub smirked. Welcome to my evil lair.

"Jayne, I know what you want."

"Oh, is that right?" Like hell you do.

"Yes."

Jayne stared into Hotch's eyes, daring him to continue.

"She's impure. She's evil. She needs to die."

A flicker of surprise. A twitch of his lower lip. That's right…

"It started with one woman. One, single woman who left you all alone. Who abandoned you. And all your life, you couldn't understand why. Why she did that to you. Why she would leave you. And so you took your anger out on other women. Women who fit her exact profile. You wanted to make her pay, and so you did. You made them all pay for her mistake."

The grin was fading now. Shut up.

"You had all the power. You would take these women, torture them for hours, and then strangle them to death. And it just felt so good, didn't it? Finally, you were proving her wrong. She shouldn't have left you, and now you were taking your revenge. She was evil, and you would make her conform. But they could never truly change in your eyes; am I right? Because of her, you've spent your entire life in a pointless cycle. Killing, killing, killing. No change. Only death. And you didn't really want them to die. But you couldn't bring them back. Each time they left you again and again, and that was infuriating. Why did they want to leave? Why couldn't you make them stay? Was it you? No. It was them."

Jayne felt the wall behind him as he moved farther back, still dragging the blonde agent. Shut up; I'm warning you.

"And you realized that if she left you, you'd have to leave them. No more abandonment. No more pain. You wanted it all to end, and now you knew how to make that happen. If you just killed yourself, you'd be abandoning them. You would win. Against her, and against them. But you wanted just one more victim. Someone important. Someone who would make you go out with a bang. So you watched and waited, hoping for that someone. And you found her. One day, you were sitting at home, wondering if it was worth the wait, or maybe the time was now. Suddenly, a person caught your eye. She was blonde—not your usual M.O.—but she was beautiful. Stunningly gorgeous. She was Jennifer Jareau, Agent and Communications Liaison for the BAU. The elite group of the FBI. And you realized how easy it would be to take her. To torment her team—the team that would sooner or later catch you. To make another woman pay. You made everyone see you. This was your grand finale."

"Shut up!" Jayne screamed at the man in front of him. "SHUT UP!" The agent in his arms gasped as he grabbed her tighter against his body. Hotch…

How do you know this? How did you—

Hotch continued. "So you took her. But you made one fatal mistake. You targeted her family. You made them watch as she suffered. And that is why you won't get your revenge. That is why you will not die today. You will let Agent Jareau go, and you will go to jail. No one in this room will put a bullet in your skull. No one."

Jayne looked at each of the agents, at their expressions, their eyes. For any signs, anything to prove their leader wrong. No… Not one of them moved. A broken silence filled the dank room. The only sound was JJ's faint breathing, the steady gasps triggered by her captor's jerky movements.

No!

Jayne growled. "I will kill her." He tilted JJ's head back to reveal the pale underside of her chin. He placed the knife above her jugular. "I will slit her throat." The blonde agent whimpered in fear.

The other agents barely flinched—only Agent Hotchner took a small step forward.

"No. You won't."

A challenge? Jayne threw back his head and laughed. Oh, sir, you amuse me.

"So sure, are you?" He pressed the blade down, slowly. A beaded line of blood appeared against the pallid skin.

"Go ahead." Hotch stood there, his face smooth, his expression deadly calm.

The fuck?

Jayne hesitated. Why—maybe—are they right? Suddenly, a revelation hit him. There's only one way out. Only one way to exact my revenge. He glanced down at the petrified agent in his grasps. Sorry, Agent Jareau. I wanted this to end better for both of us.

Across from the unsub, Hotch held his breath in anticipation. C'mon… Do it. You know it's for the best. You know it's your only available option…

His heart beat quickly in his chest as he struggled to control himself. Hold on, JJ. Her cries were tearing him apart, and he didn't know how much more of it he could take. C'mon, Jayne…

The unsub looked back over to the team, where each agent stood, seemingly calm and reserved. How—why don't they care? I thought they cared… Damn it! If they don't kill me…

Hotch knew the truth, though. Inside, Morgan was a turmoil of emotions. Anger, mostly. His hands gripped his gun with such ferocity, his knuckles were turning white. Rossi was only focused on the unsub, his hands on JJ, and the knife on her throat. He was seething with rage, his nostrils flaring. Reid was pale, his lips pursed, his forehead crinkled in concentration. He had his eyes on JJ and his gun trained on the man who held her. Emily was a mess, but she was struggling to compartmentalize this nightmare of a situation. Hotch could see the fear in her eyes and the blind fury that fueled the intensity of her gaze on the unsub. JJ was her best friend. JJ needed to get through this. So, not reacting to the bastard's threats? Hotch knew it was hurting them all. But the trick was to not let him see their pain. To let him think they were done. That they didn't care enough about the woman in his arms to put him out of his misery. No. He would have to do that for himself. And that was what Hotch was waiting for. Come on, you son-of-a-bitch. This is what you want. Just get it over with. 'Cause we sure as hell aren't going to do it for you.

Jayne Adams was cornered.

Shit.

The knife trembled in his hands.

Only one way out.

He looked back down at the agent in his arms and then again to her team. Back and forth.

One way.

He looked out the small window in the corner of the room, out into the night sky, which was spotted with millions of stars, bright and blazing against the Black. This is the world we live in…ain't all gone to pieces…

He closed his eyes.

An immediate calm washed over him.

Well, folks…

A gentle breeze bathed his grimy face, sending a spray of raindrops across his cheeks. He breathed in deep.

It was one hell of a show.

He spun Jennifer Jareau up and slashed his prized blade sideways.

The sharp edge ripped into soft skin, sending out a brilliant spray of red liquid. Hot, gurgling blood splattered the ground, and a body hit the hard floor with a hollow *THUD*.

JJ.

TO BE CONTINUED.