Hotch, Rossi, Reid and JJ watched as the young man was led to one of the interrogation rooms. The officers that had witnessed the scene were obviously still shaken as they stood talking among themselves while watching in disbelief the rookie who'd they'd grown to know over the last year.

"Now what?"

JJ broke the silence between them. The agents felt even more like outsiders now. Not everyone had welcomed their presence and with this recent development Det. Grant and his men would surely rally to protect their own and more importantly, the reputation of the force.

"He's our only lead to Buford's daughter. We'll need to convince him of the importance of cooperating with us."

Tara waited impatiently for his call. She'd checked her watch a dozen times in the last fifteen minutes. She was confident that he'd come through for her she was certain that she'd left an impression on the young man. Still, she couldn't shake the nagging feeling of dread. Then her phone rang.

"You're late."

"Yeah, uh…sorry about that but he wasn't alone."

"So what happened?"

"I took care of it. I think he got the message."

"Good!" She sighed in relief. "Now, I'm going to take care of you."

He could almost hear her smile on the other end of the phone. Nothing was funny about the situation he now found himself in. He wanted to believe that there was something real between them. He'd never been lucky with the girls but since he'd joined the force women seemed to notice the skinny guy in uniform. Tara was a woman that would have normally been out of his league, in or out of his blues. So when she seemed to connect with him the other night he was overjoyed.

"Um, Tara…"

"Yeah Baby, what is it?"

"You didn't have anything to do with that woman getting shot did you?"

"Of course not! I know we don't know each other very well but, I would never hurt anyone, especially Penelope."

Packard looked up into the eyes of his superior before continuing.

"That's what I wanted to hear. When can I see you again?"

Potomac General Hospital –

"Where am I?"

Melody quickly placed her chart on the side table and rushed to Penelope's side. It was normal for patients to be disoriented after being in a coma. She didn't know the woman but she couldn't help but feel empathy for her.

"It's okay, Miss Garcia."

Penelope looked up into the stranger's face confused and afraid.

"You're safe now."

"Derek?"

"Is that you're boyfriend?"

"Yes! Where is he?"

"Shh…please you've got to stay calm, okay?"

"Derek? Where's Derek?"

Penelope tried to lift herself from the bed and the warnings on the monitors began to beep.

"Don't worry, he can't hurt you anymore…"

Melody pressed the call button she realized she was going to need some help because her patient was getting more and more agitated.

"No! He didn't…I need…Derek!"

"Okay, okay, hold on… the doctor's coming…"

Tara ended her call and slipped her phone into her side pocket. Things were progressing nicely but she couldn't get comfortable yet. There'd sure to be questions about the assault on a federal agent in police custody. She wasn't sure if her new love struck friend would be able to hold up against intense questioning should they find out his role in the attack. Taking a long sip from the hot steaming cup she strolled down the busy corridor. She saw several doctors and nurses entering Penelope's room and the guards outside standing alert and looking intently into the room. Could it mean that her friend was awake? Death had it's own signs and sounds and without the cry of, "Cold Blue," ringing over the intercom, Tara was certain her time was running out.

Tara had crafted a plan B in the event her initial plans hit a snag. She was perfectly fine with either plan just as long as Derek Morgan suffered before she finally ended his life. Besides, he needed to know who'd been responsible for the pain, the suffering and the utter losses in his life. Her father would have been so proud of her. She missed him so much and once and for all she would prove that she was truly her father's daughter. She watched the activity at the end of the hall and smiled to herself and without hesitation she turned and headed toward the hospital exit. She had a date and she didn't want to be late.

Police Department –

Hotch, Rossi, JJ and Reid stood watching as a tech fitted the listening device on the officer's body. It was obvious that he wasn't excited about being forced to be a part of their plan. He'd messed up, sure but he cared about the woman whom he'd just met less than forty-eight hours ago. Beads of sweat sat prominently on his forehead and he couldn't help but fidget as he was instructed on how to get the best use of the equipment.

"Look, I'm not sure about this…"

"It's either this or a jail cell. You choose."

Det. Grant looked at the young man in disgust. JJ's phone rang drawing her away from the scene. Hotch glanced over at her hoping to overhear something, anything…hoping for good news.

JJ pocketed her phone and the smile on her face as she rejoined them gave Hotch a hint that maybe he'd gotten his wish.

"Garcia's awake!"

The news temporarily took them away from the antsy rookie and the team exhaled and smiled for the first time since this nightmare had begun.

"That's good news but that just pushed up our timetable."

Hotch glanced down at his watch.

"You can guarantee if we know she's awake it won't be long before our UnSub finds out." Rossi added.

"JJ, Reid…"

"On it! We'll call you when we get there."

The two headed out toward the hospital as the others continued to get Officer Packard ready for his very important date.

"Okay, we're set to go." The tech said looking up at the senior detective.

The other's attention was pulled back toward the nervous officer in front of them. Plans had been made for Packard to meet Tara at a nearby deli; one that was frequented by local law enforcement. The agents weren't sure the young wayward cop would be able to convince the woman of his desire to continue to help her. He was sweating bullets and he was in a lot of trouble and that wasn't a combination that made any of them comfortable. It was their best chance to bring this nightmare to an end before this woman hell bent on revenge did anything out of desperation.

"I've gotta pee!"

"Now?" Grant asked.

"Yes, please! I've gotta pee, now!"

The group looked at each other silently doubting their plans. The rookie looked as if he were in pain looking to each one of them searching for an ally.

"Are we sure this is a good idea? He looks like he's going to pass out before he gets out the front door!" Reid asked.

"I can do this! I just need to use the head before I leave."

"Fine! But make it quick!" Grant barked.

The squeamish man jumped from his seat and rushed out of the room toward the Men's Room quickly pushing the door open. Fumbling with his belt buckle careful not to disturb the tech's recent work, he then stepped into an empty stall and closed the door behind him.

Tara quietly entered the room sliding the lock in its place. Stifling a giggle she placed her hand over her mouth when she heard the man sigh as he relieved himself. She was nothing if not patient. Calmly she ran her hand over the knife in her pocket and felt a surge of adrenalin rush through her body.

His eyes grew wide with surprise when her smile greeted him. Quickly she pulled him away from the open stall door silencing him with her lips. He stiffened in her closeness; conflicting emotions making it hard to think or make a logical decision. He allowed her to roughly push him against the wall as she forced her tongue in his mouth. He loved her taste and he felt his body relax and his hands began to roam her body. Then just as quickly as her assault had begun it ended as she pulled away from him to breathe. He wanted to speak but he was breathless too and before he could regain his senses she placed a firm finger across his lips and a hand firmly on the crotch of his pants. His eyes searched her face for instructions and she smiled as her hand filled with confirmation that he was now under her control.

"Miss me lover?"

He just stood there her finger still preventing him from speaking and her hand telling him he didn't need to. She again kissed him holding him in place as he opened his mouth to her.

Then the sharp pain in his gut caused a gasp to escape past her probing tongue. His eyes widened again this time in a confirmation that he had been an utter fool. The pain increased as the woman pressed her body against him moving enough to send him over the edge of darkness but not before he got a glimpse of his own blood pooling around his feet staining the black and white tile of the precinct's bathroom.

She threw her head back in exhilaration as the life left the young man's body. Then without another thought she took one step back pulling the knife from his body and watched as his limp body fell to the floor. Turning she caught her reflection in the mirror and she realized how easy this killing thing was getting…she inhaled as the warm water ran over her hands; she was mesmerized at the sight of the bright crimson stream as it made its way down the drain…there was still so much more to do…glancing in the mirror then back at the dead body on the floor, Tara exited the small dingy room.