Man this is so utterly redundant, but here we go. The disclaimer can be found in the first chapter. As previously stated I've been dancing around the whole un-sub issue... I don't really know if this helps the issue,... or not. In any case, I hope that you enjoy it (As I think it goes from bad to worse)...


"What do you suggest the department do?" Henderson inquires from his doorway. Hotchner and Gideon both pause and turn to face him.

"At this point it becomes a matter of whether or not the un-sub strikes again." Hotchner replies with a shrug.

"Sarah is in custody, so in theory the murders should end." He tilts his head in thought. "Our un-sub, however, cannot stop. She has to fulfil the pattern of behaviour."

"So what you're saying is she's still out there?" both Gideon and Hotchner nod in unison. "I suppose we ought to beef up security in the area."

"You have the working profile." Hotchner adds.

"Hang on a minute. The media haven't connected the dots so the un-sub, providing it isn't Sarah's sister, doesn't know that we have Sarah in custody. Perhaps holding a press conference is in order."

"Gideon?" Hotchner raises an eyebrow.

"If this un-sub is anything like her male counterpart, then finding out that the police have made an arrest might draw her out. It might even cause her to break her pattern."

"Which might give us exactly what we need." Hotchner smiles, following Gideon's logic. "I'll have J.J. present the facts as we see fit. It should make this evenings news." He adds rushing off.

"I don't know." Henderson shakes his head.

"It's a method that has brought us quite a bit of success in the past." Gideon says quietly. "Hopefully it will help us in this case as well." He adds turning on his heel, he meets the rest of the team in the parking lot.

The moment the elevator doors part, Hotchner steps off and heads straight to J.J.'s office. He knows that she usually isn't there. However, with their current case brewing, he figures it's as safe a bet as any. Looking up from one of the many files cluttering her desk, she shakes her head with a smile.

"Connecting to dots is the easy part." She begins.

"What's the hard part?" he inquires sitting himself in the chair in front of her desk.

"Convincing the media that firstly, we have established a pattern they hadn't considered and secondly, that the murderer isn't male."

"They eat this stuff up. It's just another story to cover. You know as well as I do that they will sensationalise this as much as any other." He motions for her brief notes. Glancing over them, he nods his approval. "I'd say you have a handle on the proper amount of information to provide them with."

"You doubted me?" she asks, her expression changing slightly.

"Of course not, we just want to be sure that we don't offer them the whole buffet." He hands her back her notes. "I know that you are capable of handling the media. I suppose it's my negative experience with the press that somehow stays with me." His eyes go dark for a moment.

"Hotchner, any DA in your position and having to work on a case so closely followed and scrutinised by the media would have your perspective." She sighs adding a few points. "Hotchner, I followed the case just as closely. You are more media savvy than you think." She adds with a wink.

"Thanks. Oh and J.J.?"

"Yes?" her hair falls from behind her ear, and she quickly tucks it back in place.

"Good luck tonight." She nods with one of her usual bright smiles and watches as he walks to the media room in wait for her media appearance. Most of the team have already assembled in wait, fingers crossed that Gideon's read on their un-sub is correct and they will be able to put the case to bed. Hotchner turns on one of the many televisions in the room and they collectively hold their breath in anticipation.

"Breaking news this evening begins with another mysterious murder. Bruce Bennett was found dead in his apartment early this morning. Virginia police and the FBI have been working together to make the arrest." The news anchor states sifting through the pages he holds in his hands. "We now go to Pauline Drake at the Virginia Police Department where Special Agent Jennifer Jareau is addressing the media."

"The behavioural analysis unit has put together a working profile, from which Virginia PD have made an arrest in connection with the murder of Bruce Bennett. Local police have connected his murder with a slew of others that began in early February. I am sure that you have many questions, most of which I hope to address at this time."

"How is it that this has been going on for so long and no one has made the connection until now?" the voice comes from somewhere within the muddle of media.

"Virginia PD had no reason to connect the crimes. Until recently, there had been no physical evidence that could link their suspect to the crime scene. I should point out that the media has indeed had access and reported on the cases." She adds looking into one of the cameras.

"That's our J.J." Morgan says under his breath. Elle's attention is drawn towards Gideon, who seems to be sitting under a dark cloud.

"Aren't you going to tell us who has been arrested for the murders?" another reporter calls.

"At this time I cannot say. Once we have completed our investigation, a press package will be circulated." She replies simply. Hotchner turns off the television and the team sigh in relief.

"The un-sub will see that and I'm sure will come out and play." He puts the remote on the table and sits back in his seat.

"This could also adversely affect the un-sub, possibly encouraging her to remain concealed." Reid's eyebrows furrow and he sighs quietly.

"I suppose, however, I highly doubt that." Gideon appears confident of another murder. "I only hope that we can prevent that from occurring." He tilts his head in thought for a moment. "We've stepped up plain clothed officers in and around the un-subs hunting grounds." He rests his elbows on the high back of Elle's chair.

"How long will we have to wait?" Morgan says in an impatient tone. Gideon nearly rolls his eyes.

"Patience is a virtue. As is time, both of which we're running out of. Like you, I am not waiting for our next crime scene." He runs his hand down his face and cradles his head in his hand for a moment. "I know it's hard to wait." He adds with a sigh and nods towards Hotchner before heading out of the room to his office.

"Hey Reid, want to come to the Vixen for drinks and meet some ladies?" Morgan inquires with his caddish grin. Reid looks away for a moment before opening his mouth to say something. "Why be shy? Just come and have some fun." He stands and makes his way out of the conference room. Elle has slipped out and Reid springs to his feet.

"Sounds like a plan." He seems to enjoy the shock on Morgan's face.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously." Reid stops at his desk, collects a few papers, puts others in his desk drawer, locking it, he hooks his messenger bag across his lean torso.

"Shall we?" Morgan's eyes reveal a bit of mischief as he closes and locks his desk drawers. "Coming Elle?"

"Not tonight. I have a few things to take care of." She replies, opening another file, she cocks her head. "Have a good time though." She winks at the young profiler. He looks down at his feet for a moment then follows Morgan to the elevators.

Closing yet another volume, Elle sighs and stretches her long back. Hardly realising the time, that she ought to have gone home hours ago, she heads to the break room for some coffee, just enough to tie her over until she gets through the last of the many reports that clutter her desk. Paperwork always feels like a never-ending aspect of the job. Standing in front of the coffee machine, she waits, mulling over the facts of their recent case.

"Still here?" she recognises his voice, rich and kind. She turns to face him.

"Well I had a lot to do before the weekend." She pours the freshly brewed coffee into two mugs and holds one out towards him.

"Thanks, how did you know?" he inquires watching her pour milk into hers. She doesn't answer, doesn't want him to know that she knew he would still be here.

"I don't know. I Just had a feeling." She replies stirring. They walk towards his office and he sits behind his desk while she occupies one of the only free chairs before it. "I've always liked your office." She says after taking a sip.

"Sometimes I think I see more of it than my home." His chuckle is throaty and as warm as the expression in both his face and reflected in his eyes. She looks around briefly. The only light in the office casts a soft glow upon his features. Sitting back in his seat, he takes another sip of coffee.

"Gideon, do you think it's possible that someone has orchestrated this whole situation?"

"I don't see why someone would do such a thing." His eyebrows furrow in thought.

"Well, I know it seems odd, but Sarah's sister seemed to know too much. From what Hotch told me, she's somewhat strange."

"Jane claims that she observed the murders through the eyes of the murderer."

"Yes, but you told me yourself that she pinned these murders on her own sister." She leans forward, placing the mug on his desk and resting her elbows on her thighs. "If I thought my sister had done something like that, I wouldn't turn her in. I would."

"Do whatever you could to protect her." He finishes her thought and she nods her agreement. "Sarah works for forensics. She would have the kind of knowledge necessary to clean the crime scene."

"True enough, however, I'm still not totally convinced that she is our un-sub." Elle sighs and rubs her stiff neck. "Has forensics come back on the kiss?"

"Last I spoke with Henderson, he said that they were able to pick up trace evidence from the hot pink lipstick found on the victim's forehead."

"I asked Reid if there where any themes or patterns and he had said that they didn't have anything definitive. Except that the crime scenes were all cleaned. This information might actually assist Virginia PD apprehending their suspect." She shakes her head.

"So why didn't you go out with Reid and Morgan after shift?" he inquires, changing the subject.

"Had some paperwork to finish up before the weekend." She looks down. "I wanted to start next week fresh. Besides, it's really not my scene."

"I suppose it isn't." he pauses, tilting his head. "I'd have to say that you're more apt to go out to a nice restaurant and maybe some dancing?" he adds and she nods with a smile.

"There's really only one problem with your assessment." She sits back in the chair.

"Oh?"

"Time has become a luxury that I seem to have less and less of. My social life has literally plummeted to the point where I cannot help but wonder why I do what I am doing." She runs her fingers through her hair and plays with a soft curl. "Back in Seattle, I remember spending my weekends with friends. There was this fantastic restaurant on the coast where we would eat and dance the night away." Her lips curl at the memory. "I miss those days. I miss the days when I could just be."

"Free?" his features warm under the desk lamp. "Elle, you're still young, you still have so many experiences, both good and bad to encounter and enjoy." He grins and his expression changes for a moment as though recalling his own youth.

"I suppose; however, I highly doubt that freedom is usually accompanied by fear." Looking away, then down at her lap. She hears him shift in his seat before he stands.

"Elle, I know that what you have been through hasn't been easy for you. I have made it more than perfectly clear that my ear is available should you need it." He says softly and she can feel his comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's been a very long day and I don't know about you, but I'm starving. How would you feel about joining me for dinner?" the words leave his lips without much thought, but then again the moment presented itself.

"Dinner sounds like a good idea." She leans over and picks up her mug, stands and takes his as well. "I'll meet you in the bullpen?"

"In a few minutes." He says going back to his desk and begins closing some of the many files that clutter its top.

Elle stands in the ill-lit break room washing out their mugs. Putting them back in the cupboard, she sighs contently before making her way to the bullpen and her desk. Gathering a few files, she happily puts the rest away. Grabbing her purse, she pushes her chair in as Gideon arrives at the top of the steps.


"This case continues to get curiouser and curiouser." Reid states under his breath with a smirk as they arrive at yet another crime scene. "The un-sub has to have regressed." He stands beside Morgan and they view the scene.

"Elle and Gideon aren't coming." Hotchner says from behind them and the three continue to observe as the crime scene investigators and the coroner do their thing.

"Why not?" Morgan inquires as one of the photographers shoos them out of the way and the loud pop of yet another flash can be heard.

"They are working on another angle." He stops for a moment. "Be sure to check the lipstick." He adds before gesturing for another photographer to take a photo of the shredded sheet. "We need as many photographs as you can provide us with."

"Of course." He replies joining another forensic officer.

"I suppose there really isn't much more that we can do here." Raid turns to go.

"There seems to be a bit more in terms of physical evidence. Not only was this murder unplanned, I would hedge a bet that it was a copy cat."

"Why would you come to that conclusion? We have a quote, unquote suspect in the case. Would that not draw out the actual suspect."

"Yes, however, in this case I disagree with the whole 'other' concept." Hotchner says rolling his eyes.

"Oh, okay." Reid follows the others out and they head back to Quantico.

"Good morning." Elle says from her desk. Morgan stars at her for a long moment.

"Morning Elle. Why weren't you at the latest crime scene?"

"As far as I know, Gideon knew that the three of you could handle it."

"What's up with you?" he inquires with one of his cad glances.

"Nothing. Just got eight solid hours of sleep last night is all."

"I'm sure that once we wrap up this case, some serious vacation time will be in order." Morgan grins as Hotchner descends the short flight of stairs into the bullpen.

"Elle, you and Gideon were right."

To be continued...