Setting: Monday, May 12, 1997; Chicago:

Slipping the lid onto the box, clearly marked Taylor, Magnolia 04-1998, Derek let the local investigator take the box away. He watched regretfully, a surge of frustration welling inside at their failure. A month and a half into the investigation and they still hadn't located the missing infant.

Turning to the frowning man watching from the doorway, Derek offered a regretful sigh. "This doesn't mean the Chicgo guys are stopping, Lieutenant. We've done the profile and are being reassigned." Jason had already explained to the grieving parents why the pair couldn't continue to aid in the kidnapping case, but Derek still felt like he let the pair down.

Mac Taylor, the grieving father, shook his head and stepped over to Derek. "We understand, Derek. We really do." He held out a hand to the training profiler. "Both Claire and I are law enforcement. We know people get reassigned. You and Gideon did your jobs, and I think you. Now it's up to the Chicago FBI unit." He shook Derek's hand. "You've made this a bit easier for Claire, and I really appreciate that."

As if summoned by her name, Mac's wife, Claire, walked into the room. She had only been released from the hospital a week before and still seemed pale and tired. Her eyes, however, shone with bright intelligence. Offering a sad smile, Claire asked, "all changed over, Chocolate Honey?"

Derek offered Claire a smile in return, walking over and giving her a welcome hug. She didn't disappoint, hugging in return under the approving eye of her ex-military husband. "Everything's been turned over to the FBI. Jason's just finishing up the verbal runthrough right now."

Nodding, Claire stepped back and said, "thank you for everything. Now, we let the FBI do their jobs. We're sure to get Maggie back." She had retained enough hope that Maggie hadn't been outright killed; after all, most infant abductions happened so the baby could be sold into a family. And if the profile held true, the kidnapper in this case had actually wanted to raise Maggie specifically. That brought the young mother hope that her baby remained healthy and cared for.

Gideon stopped in the doorway of the room and took in the three people inside. He turned to his former commander. "What are you going to do now? You mentioned moving?" He had predicted Claire to be in danger by the UNSUB, but so far nothing untoward had happened to her. That didn't mean the threat was any less - - a newborn took a lot of energy to raise, possibly distracting the UNSUB for the time being.

"I've received a job offer for the crime lab in New York. Claire's already looking into a transfer to Port Authority in Manhattan. We're moving, Gideon." Mac clasped hands with his friend. "Chicago PD and the Feds have already arranged to keep in touch with us there." He paused then said, "it might force the UNSUB to move as well."

Nodding, knowing he'd been the one to advise the move initially to protect Claire, Jason shook hands firmly with Mac. "And you can keep in contact with me. I'll look into the case with any fresh profiling breakthroughs that come up."

Nodding, stepping back to his wife's side and slipping an arm around her waist, Mac said, "thank you again for coming so quickly. If you ever need help from New York, let me know. And thank you, Derek."

Derek Morgan nodded and picked up a thick folder filled with reports, including their profile. He offered it to Mac. "THis is a duplicate of our file. Maybe someone in New York can add to it."

Mac let a brief, grim smile flit over his face and nodded, accepting the file. That file would remain on the edge of his desk until he retired or found his daughter. It would be the start of a stack of cold cases Mac would look into over the years.