A/N: Sorry I've left this for so long, but I needed to be in certain mindset to get the ideas down. Thanks KyannaLashae for kicking my bottom and asking about this fic!

trtlsoup2001: Thank you. I'm definitely continuing this and I'm glad you've been enjoying it.

Lyra Verse: Good ol' Lori lol and I know what you mean about not wanting to see things from her perspective; I always find it weird writing her for that reason. I do want to understand her though, even if I feel she's always been there so that we can view Rick in a certain way.

Soul93: Thank you so much. Crossovers are not the easiest stories to write, especially with two completely different shows, so I appreciate your vote of confidence.

Recap: The BAU have given the profile of the killer; Hotch is entertaining the idea that Duane's abduction may not be linked to the other children; and Lori is pissed at Rick and currently at the Station. Oh, and we finally get a peek into the life of the killer.

Warning: strong adult content; implied violence against children

Lori's annoyance rose while she watched her seemingly unresponsive husband draw nearer as she sat at his desk with their daughter. He was walking with her, with Michonne. They were smiling at each other as if there were nothing wrong; as if they had not a care in the world. Rick's happy visage fell away when he noticed his wife.

Lori stood from where she was seated and strolled toward Rick and Michonne and was met with a cordial hello from her husband; she did not answer. Michonne, picking up on the tension, looked around awkwardly before her eyes fell on Derek Morgan. She excused herself and walked toward the Agent quickly; Lori threw her a look of disdain before meeting Rick's eyes once more.

"What are you doin' here?"

Rick queried, somewhat surprised to find his wife at his workplace. It was not that she had never visited before, because she had; but rather, that she was seeking him out for something. Their relationship had become so strained that neither went out of their way for the other in recent times. They only tried to be civil with one another when the children were present; at other times Rick was absent. He was always busy with work, and now, to Lori, it seemed there was another reason he spent so much time at the station.

"It's like you're deliberately tryin' you piss me off, Rick." She said in hushed tones, throwing Michonne a stern look.

"What are ya talkin' about now?" He replied with uncertainty, then following his wife's gaze to where Michonne and the Agent stood speaking to one another.

"I brought your phone, which you left at home…"

"Thanks." He interjected.

"Oh, don't bother thanking me. You don't have time to do that. You don't have time for me or your kids, but I see you have time to be out the back of the station takin' little breaks. Glad to see you're doin' you best to find that missing kid, Rick." She said mockingly, her voice getting louder.

Rick finally knew what she was implying; his wife had seen him smiling with Michonne and got the wrong impression.

"Lori, I don't have time to argue with you right now; this really ain't the time or place."

"Well when is the right time, Rick?" She asked, somewhat louder than before.

"Hey." He started. "Can you please keep your voice down?"

Lori rolled her eyes and then threw the phone in his direction, he caught it against his chest; by the time he looked up, his wife was walking away with their daughter.

"Lori? Where are you goin' now?" Rick asked quietly, aware of the eyes that were on them and the ears that had tuned into their exchange.

She looked back at him.

"I'm goin' home, Rick. Remember where that is?" She said before turning and heading straight for the exit.

Rick sighed, closed his eyes and shook his head; he did not go after her.

Rick avoided speaking with anyone for some time after Lori had left; he went back to his desk and combed through the stack of files. Everyone around him seemed to be moving slowly and their voices were muffled. He noticed that Michonne had gone and the pounding in his head was returning. He dropped his head and kept reading over the document he had in his grasp.

"Deputy?" Came a voice from next to Rick; it was SSA Hotchner.

Rick placed the file down that he was holding and looked up to where Hotch stood.

"Yeah, what's goin' on?" Rick asked, gesturing for the Agent to take a seat; Hotch unbuttoned his suit jacket, took a seat and then began to speak to Rick.

"Would it be too much trouble if I asked you and one of my Agents to go and speak to some of the people from the religious sector of the community?" He asked evenly, with an air of authority that was not condescending.

"Are we gonna follow leads within the church?" Rick asked in reply.

"Yes. Given the nature of the writing we found, we need to look at the church community. Now, while we don't think the unsub will be overtly religious, there is a link to religion there. I've had to reshuffle some of my Agents, and I don't want Reid going to do the interviews alone. Would you mind taking the lead with the church community for now?" Hotch queried.

"That's no trouble at all." Rick answered. "What will we be lookin' for?"

Unknown location, some time ago…

The small room was painfully bare, save for the tiny bed, rickety chair standing purposelessly in the corner and the plain, wooden crucifix that hung on the wall, slanted crookedly to the right. The Man had woken early that morning, while the sun itself still slumbered out of the sight of humanity; he was drenched in a sheen of sweat and the light pounding in his head subsided only when the sharp ringing in his ears caused it to yield. Dreams. His sleep was filled with dreams and visions; none of which he could decipher while amidst the hazy spectacle. But now, as he sat on the edge of his single bed, it became clear; he was chosen.

The Man had always been a law abiding citizen within his home community; he had always tried to be righteous within his church community. Yet, just when he needed those around him to do right by him; just when he needed some justice of his own, he was forsaken. He was left to weather the storm of his own demise alone. At least, that is what he thought he was left to do, until he realized that those who had spoken with deceitful tongues were not his friends at all. They were sent to test him; to test his faith; and he would not shy away from them. Even though his heart was weighed down from a profoundly heavy sadness, a sadness that caused his tears to flow seemingly without reason; a sadness that caused his chest to tighten and his breath to escape weakly; even though he was sad, he would face the world still. For he was chosen.

If the Lord had brought forth the ones who spoke with forked-tongues and set about to use their talents to beguile those of weak will, he would not falter. For now, in the dim light of the early morning, all had become clear. He knew what he must do. The words echoed inside of his mind loudly, as if there were no other thoughts in there that could counter the resounding and firm order:

For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice…

He had chosen him and confirmed his righteousness for all to see; He had spoken the command into his dreams and it filtered down into his chest and drove itself into his very soul; He had given his clarity and a guiding light. His children and his household would keep the way of the Lord, they would transcend their Earthly barriers and be at His right hand to carry the teachings to a new era; righteousness and justice would prevail. His Lord had given his only Son so that man could have salvation and eternal life; now he would send the sons of men to meet their True Father.

A/N: Thanks for reading!

Sorry it was short; now that's out of the way, we can focus on the case more (although there's bound to be more Richonne moments and Lorick drama).

Do you think their investigation is headed in the right direction? Should Rick be slowing down a bit before he burns out? Should Michonne stay away from Rick for a while? One thing is certain, in my mind's eye, Hotch is wearing the Hell outta his suit!

More to come…