Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds. The occasional scenes from episodes of Criminal Minds in this story belongs to the writers of Criminal Minds and CBS. No copyright infringement intended.

A/N: Hello again, everyone!

Again, sorry for the delay!

My apologies if I had made any mistakes but do enjoy the chapter!

Also, I would like to credit ahowell1993 for helping me with this chapter.

Reid was just putting his purple scarf when Élise walks out of the bedroom bathroom, already dressed in a charcoal pants suit and kitten heels.

"I can't believe today's the day of Haley's funeral," Élise said as she was brushing her hair.

"Yeah," Reid said as he put on his coat. "Seems so soon that Hotch and Jack already found a new apartment."

"I told them he and Jack could stay here as long as they wanted to," Élise said, putting her hairbrush away. "They're not burdens."

"I know, but maybe it's their way of trying to cope and for Hotch to be committed to Jack."

Élise took a heavy sigh, "Yeah." Going through her small jewelry box, she pulls out a gold necklace with three golden loops.

"Oh," Reid exclaimed. "Where'd you get that?"

"Haley gave it to me," Élise softly answered. "She gave it to me when she and I hung out together when we were with Jack. She said that we are forever united."

Reid smiled. "Well, that was nice. May I?" Reid helped Élise put on her unity necklace.

"Perfect." Élise smiled before kissing Reid's lips.

"I'm going to check on Jack and Hotch."

Élise sighed weightily before she walked into Hotch and Jack's bedroom and sees Hotch fixing up Jack's tie.

"Hey, Hotch." Élise gently said.

"Lise!" Jack greets Élise.

"Hotch, we'll be leaving in a few."

"Okay." Hotch quietly said.

Élise looks back to them before walking out. With Reid standing outside of the bedroom, wrapping his arms around her, comforting her.

Reid, Élise, and the rest of the team, along with Jack, Haley's sister, Jessica, Will, Strauss, Anderson, Kevin Lynch, Gina Sharp, and other family members and friends gathered around Haley's coffin and Hotch as he gave a speech.

The grieving team placed white roses on Haley's coffin before walking away. Élise placed her hand over her wobbling mouth as Reid wraps his arm around her, comforting her. They both looked back and saw Hotch picking up Jack for him to place a white rose and blow a kiss.

This made more tears fall from Reid and Élise's eyes.

Later that evening…

As Reid and Élise sat at a table with Morgan, Prentiss, JJ, and Will, Garcia and Kevin, they watched Rossi and Hotch go outside.

"What do we do?" Prentiss asked with worry.

"There's nothing we can do. We just gotta wait him out.

"You think he'll ever come back?" Reid wonders.

JJ replies, "Would you?"

"I don't know if I would." Élise softly said.

"He'll come back," Morgan said. "I just don't know what he's gonna look like when he does."

"We just need to be there for him when he's ready," JJ said.

"Agree." Élise nodded her head as JJ and Morgan's cell phone rings.

"They can't be calling us in, not tonight."

"I'm on it."

"We can't go," Prentiss said.

"We have to." Morgan said before getting up, I'll get Rossi."

"Talk to Strauss," Reid insisted. "Tell her to send another team."

There's no other team available." JJ said. "Nashville's calling us in. The second body in 2 weeks, both killed on consecutive Friday nights. They realize they're up against the clock and they're hoping we might find something they didn't."

Knowing they had no other choice, they headed out but not before Élise and Reid gave each other a quick kiss.

Back at the police station.

"Find anything?" Rossi asked JJ who was on her laptop as Reid was steadily behind him.

Several people had access to each home. JJ answered. "Housekeeper, gardener, pool cleaner, dog walker, Each with their own key and an alibi to match."

Rossi asked again, "Any cross-over?"

"None. We even vetted delivery people And utility workers."

"Garcia, do you have anything?" Reid asked.

"There's no hits on the prints at all, But I did what Sir Derek there asked And I created a paper trail. There's no cross-over between the two victims themselves In the weeks leading up to their murders, but they did run in similar circles."

"How do you mean?" Rossi questioned.

Garcia explained, "They both have country club memberships, Though to different clubs. They went to upscale restaurants, Private concert venues, posh hotels. They enjoyed a high-class, highfalutin lifestyle, An expensive one."

"A lifestyle he'd fit right into," Prentiss concluded. "This guy is educated, intelligent, Proper."

"He's a downright gentleman," Morgan added. "The rose petals sent a pretty specific message. He's romancing them whether they want it or not. He's got the social skills to back it up."

"Hey, Garcia, take a look at dating services And social networking sites. Look for working professionals And privileged elite." Reid suggested.

"Check, check, and checkers. Back in a smidge." Garcia said before logging off.

"We need more," Morgan said.

Rossi pondered. "Have we figured out how he's getting into these homes?"

"No sign of forced entry anywhere," Morgan said before continuing. "Yet he's still gaining access to their homes Long before the victims ever get home from work. I mean, this guy needs time to cook and set up his scene. He's either got a key or he can move through walls."

"We need fresh eyes." Rossi figured.

"All right listen up. I want everybody to go back to the hotel and try to get some rest. We're gonna have to pick this up again in the morning." Morgan said.

"We're giving up?" Prentiss asked, sounded almost offensive.

"No. we're gonna take a break. We have to give the profile at morning roll And none of us has slept since the funeral. Once Garcia can get us a paper trail, Then we can expand our canvass. Till then there's really not a lot we can do."

"Evening, baby."

"Hey there, you." Élise pleasantly answers. "How's the case?"

"People being invaded in their homes…"

"I know. I tripled-checked the place and Opal's sleeping in her pen."

Reid soon asked, "How's your day?"

"It went well; I did mostly paperwork today." Élise sighed before continuing. "I'll admit, I could barely concentrate since Haley's funeral and…I couldn't visit Jack and Hotch. I just wanted to give them some space."

"That's understandable."

"I'll try and visit them tomorrow."

"Okay. I hate to say this, sweetie, but I have to get some sleep. We're delivering the profile in the morning."

"Okay. I'll see you in my dream."

"I love you."

"I love you times pi."

"Hotch! Hey there, Jessica." Élise waved.

"Élise." Hotch was surprised to see Élise with Opal. "Come on in."

As Élise walks in Hotch's new apartment place with Opal on her leash,

"How've you been?"

"Hanging in there."

"Jessica!" Élise offers Jessica a hug, which she accepts. "And…I am…so, so sorry."

"Thank you, Élise."

"And if there's anything I can do, I'll do. In fact, if you ever need a break from watching Jack, I'm your girl."

Jessica was touched, having her hand on her heart, "Élise, that would be great. And thank you."

"Lise!" Jack runs and hugs Élise once he saw her.

"Hey, Apple Jacks!" Élise hugs Jack back with all her might. "How've you been?"

"I'm good. We're having pancakes for dinner!"

Élise gasps, "Great! But you know we have to wash our hands, right?"

"Yup." As Jack runs to the bathroom,

"Might if I help him out?" Élise asked.

"Of course."

Élise opened the bathroom door for him and closed it behind her, "Hey, Jackie H." Washing her hands with Jack. "How would you like it if I watched you every once in a while when your father's out of town. Would you like that?"

"Yeah!" Jack shook his head in excitement before playing Opal's ears, "And may I play with Opal, please?"

"Of course." As she rambles through her bag, "And maybe, if you're good, after dinner," She pulls out a plastic container that had,

"Brownies!"

As Reid was just finishing up on Ulysses, Élise had just walked in the bedroom and was getting into bed,

"Okay. I tripled checked the doors and windows and the security alarms on the doggie door. Opal's in her pen, resting."

"Don't worry, sweetheart," Reid assured her. "I have an FBI badge and a revolver, and I won't be afraid to use it."

Élise giggles, "They should be afraid of you. I can't imagine someone breaking into your own home. You lose your rightful sense of security and safety and it's almost like trust and respect; it takes a long time to gain it back."

"Yeah. You know, Rossi said something before we left: "Scars remind us where we've been. They don't have to dictate where we're going.""

"Yeah." Élise quietly agrees. "I saw Hotch, Jack, and Haley's sister, Jessica. And I offered to look after Jack if Jessica ever needed a break."

"Well, I think that'll be a great idea." Reid kisses Élise on the lips.