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Chapter 2

By 9:00 am the whole team was assembled in the conference room at the BAU.

"Penelope, before we get started I want to let you know that you can sit this one out if you need to. Everyone will understand," Hotch gently offered as he watched his computer tech take a seat at the table.

Taking a look at Derek for confirmation and then back to Hotch, Penelope replied, "Thanks Bossman, but I'm okay with this. As a matter of fact I need to be a part of this."

"We do have one request though, Hotch," Derek continued.

"Go ahead," Hotch prompted.

"I want her on the plane and on site with us for this one. I don't want her alone here at Quantico with that maniac running around," Derek demanded. "Not with what went down six months ago."

"I want that too, sir. I can set up a tech site at the hotel but I would feel safer if I was with the team on this one," Garcia finished looking expectantly at the stoic team leader.

"Actually, Garcia, that had already been decided on. I need Morgan's full attention on this case and I knew that wouldn't happen if we left you behind," Hotch explained. "Is your go-bag ready?"

"Yes, sir!" Penelope answered as she reached over and gave Derek's hand a squeeze.

"All right people, let's get down to business then, we have us an unsub to catch. JJ, tell us what we have," Hotch said as he turned the meeting over to the blonde media liaison.

Starting the video, JJ explained that the Cincinnati Police Department had requested help from the FBI on a series of five murders, all occurring over the last four months. Each victim had been female, blonde, and between the ages of 30 and 40. The first four victims had all been shot while the fifth had been strangled. Penelope shuttered involuntarily as pictures of each of the women were displayed on the screen.

"If there's been five murders, why are we just being called in now?" Emily inquired.

Freezing the video, JJ explained that while the first murder had occurred in the city limits, the next four had each taken place in a suburb of the city, one even taking place just across the Ohio River and state lines in a neighboring town in Kentucky.

"Different agencies were working the cases and they didn't realize that the murders were related until the fourth victim was found and one of the local cops ran the particulars through VICAP," JJ explained. "The fifth victim was found last night, after the Chief had contacted us."

"So how do we know for sure it's Averitt?" Derek asked.

"This," JJ pointed to the screen with the remote she held in her hand as a new image filled the screen. It was a split screen of all five victims' chests. Into each one an hourglass had been carved.

Penelope's hand instinctively went to her chest as the image flashed on the screen. Hearing Penelope's breath catch and seeing her reaction, Derek reached over and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Two things I don't understand," Rossi interjected. "One, why the strangulation? That's a new technique. And two, why Cincinnati? That's awfully close to Quantico relatively speaking. I would have thought he would have run much further, at least back to Chicago when he got away six months ago."

"JJ, what's the timing of the murders?" Hotch asked.

"The first took place about four months ago. The next three were each about a month apart and then, as I indicated earlier, the last victim was found last night." JJ informed the team.

"He's escalating" Emily chimed in. "If they found the last body last night it means it's only been a week since his last kill instead of the usual month."

"The strangulation is probably part of that escalation," Reid speculated. "It's a more personal, hands on approach. He's devolving and it's taking more and more stimulation for him to get satisfaction out of the kills."

"Damn, it's just like his brother all over again!" Derek said as he ran his hand over his head. "Bradley Averitt terrorized the women of Chicago for months before we caught him. Six women died at his hands."

"There is creedence to the theory that violence and serial killer tendencies can be genetic," Reid stated matter of factly.

"Yeah, but we also know there is more to this particular killer. I have a feeling part of the escalation may be part of a plan to get the BAU involved," Rossi interjected.

"He wants Derek…" Penelope said softly, finishing Rossi's thought.

"Well, he's going to get me!" Derek stated, his eyes flashing. "He better be careful what he asks for, he just might get it!"

"Derek, that's enough," Hotch stood, facing the rest of the team. "What we don't need right now is any hot-headed agents rushing in and someone getting hurt. I know this one is personal and I want Averitt as much as the rest of you but we are going to do this one by the book. Understood?"

Derek returned Hotch's stare but relented. He knew Hotch was right but he couldn't help feeling like he wanted to personally tear Averitt limb from limb for what he had done to Penelope. This one was personal, more so than anyone could imagine.

"All right let's focus," Hotch said. "This is a short plane ride so I'm giving out assignments now so we can hit the ground running. JJ, you and I will meet with the police chief. Derek, you take Penelope to the hotel and get her set up and then meet us back at the station. I don't want you at the crime scenes until we can get a location on Averitt. I can't have you being a target. Emily and Rossi, you need go to the latest crime scene and see what you can find out. Be careful, I don't need any of my other agents becoming targets either. We know Averitt isn't above using someone else to get back at Morgan. Reid, I want you working on victimology. See if you can find out how he's choosing the women, where he's meeting them. You can enlist Penelope's help once she's set up." Hotch started picking up files as he instructed, "Wheels up in 45 minutes."

As the team filed out of the room, Penelope held back and looked at the images on the TV screen.

Derek realized she wasn't with him as he got up to leave the room. "You okay, Mama?" he asked as he knelt down beside her chair.

"I think so," she sighed. "I guess the realization of it all didn't really hit me until I saw those photos. I just can't help feeling a little guilty that I survived and those women didn't."

Derek reached out and clasped Penelope's hands in his. "I thank God every day that you did, Baby Girl. You have no reason to feel guilty. You've always told me that everything happens for a reason, remember?"

"That's not fair, using my own words against me," Penelope said with a faint smile.

Derek chuckled and stood up, pulling Penelope up out of her chair with him. Pulling her close, he hugged her tight, wanting her to feel safe in his arms.

"C'mon Baby, let's go. You need to work your magic and help us save more women from this fate. That's your reason, you're still here because you have to help the others. We can't do this without you", Derek said as he gave her one last squeeze.

Penelope smiled as Derek took her by the hand and led her out of the conference room. He always knew what to say to make her feel better. She knew it would be a tough few days ahead, but he was right, they were all here for a reason and it was to do what they did best…Fight the good fight and prove that good does triumph over the evil in this world.

TBC

I hope you have enjoyed. Hopefully chapter 3 will be up soon. Please keep the reviews coming, they keep me and the muse motivated!