Perfection Chapter 8: Bait, a criminal minds fanfic

Perfection

Chapter Eight: Bait

By Ann Parker (Music)

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"We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey." – Kenji Miyazawa

After a few minutes of silence, Sarah realized that she was causing the team to lose focus, something they couldn't afford. She glanced behind her and noticed a map of the area on the board. She stood up and walked over to the map, studying it.

"We were trying to plot out where he's most likely hiding, taking into account where the murders took place," commented JJ. Sarah picked up a pin and poked it through the map at the site of her attack.

"You forgot where is all started," she stated, sighing slightly. "He grew up hunting and fishing up in the mountains so he knows the terrain well."

"Do you think there is any place in particular you think he might hide out?" asked Hotch. Sarah shook her head.

"Not that I can think of off the top of my head," she replied. "He might tried to go back there," she gestured to the pin she had just added, "but I had it torn down a few years back since I retained his property."

"What type of animals did he hunt?" Reid asked.

"Mainly deer, why?" Sarah was intrigued where he was going with this.

"If we figure out where the highest populations of the deer are, we might be able to narrow down where he's most comfortable hiding out since that's what hunters seek out," he replied. Without a word, Morgan flipped open his phone.

"Go," answered Garcia, ready to help.

"Hey mama, I need you find out population patterns for deer in the Appalachian Mountains in Augusta county," he replied.

"You have got to be kidding me," she replied, typing away. That had to be one of the oddest requests she'd ever had.

"Would I every lie to you, dear?" Morgan teased.

"Oh baby, just you shut your mouth," retorted Garcia as the answer to the question popped up on her screen. "Okay, got it. You ready?" Morgan walked over to the map and picked up a marker.

"Fire away." Morgan traced out a few areas on the map. "Thanks sugar." Sarah suddenly grabbed the phone from him.

"Hey, before you hang up, can you check to make sure there are no other Sarah Levines in the area? We need to make sure they are protected." The group watched her as she waited for the answer. "Are you sure?" Reid noticed her posture relax slightly. "Thanks." She closed Morgan's phone and tossed it back at him. "Sorry."

"Don't worry about it, what did she say?" he asked for everyone.

"There are no other Sarah Levines in the area so he's either going to change his MO or make his move and come after me," she replied. "I'm sure his source at the prison has notified him that we're here," she added, glancing up at Gideon.

"That's an almost certainty," Gideon sighed. Sarah sat back down by Reid.

"Well, I'm your bait. What kind of trap do we want to set?" she asked, closing her eyes. She waited for that question to sink in. She knew they probably weren't going to let her do that, but right now all she really wanted was for this to be over with.

"What? No," exclaimed Reid, "you are not being used as bait." Why would she even suggest that?

"Why not? I'm the one he wants, just let him try," she countered. "I think our guns outnumber his knife."

"You don't know that he doesn't have other weapons," he argued. "Hotch, Gideon, help me out here."

"He's right, Sarah," added Gideon. "We can't leave you open to an attack." He also didn't know what she would do when she saw him again, particularly with a gun on her hip. Although they were completely different people, he'd be damned if he let what happened to Elle happen to her. Glancing over at Hotch, he could tell he was thinking the same thing. In fact, it appeared to be on the minds of the entire team, excluding Emily, who didn't know anything about it, and Sarah.

Sarah glanced around the room. Reid had told her briefly one night about Elle so she knew enough to profile the team and figure it out. She also knew her idea wasn't rational, she just wanted to get out of this town with Levine either behind bars again or in the morgue. "Okay, okay, dumb idea," she stated, breaking the tension. "Then what do we do? We can't just sit around and wait."

"We search these areas," replied Hotch, gesturing to the map. "Tomorrow morning. We can't give him the advantage of darkness." The rest nodded.

"We need to go over the personal files of the prison to find out who are leak is as well. They might be able narrow down the search area even farther," added Emily.

"I can do that," Sarah stated, stifling a yawn.

"No, you can go get some rest," countered Gideon. Sarah opened her mouth to protest. "Don't start. You're exhausted and if anyone needs to be on their toes tomorrow, it's you. Now take Reid and get some sleep at the hotel."

Sarah smirked. "You mean we get to have a co-ed sleepover on assignment?" she teased, making the team laugh a little.

"Yes," smiled Gideon, glad to see she was coping by using her humor to keep her sane. Reid and Sarah rose from their seats and headed to the door. Just before exiting, Reid stopped.

"Um, Hotch," he started. The older man just nodded.

"Already covered," Hotch replied. Neither man saw Sarah roll her eyes, knowing they were talking about extra security for her. Reid nodded, conveying his silent thanks as they left the room.