A/N: Sorry it took me awhile. Busy is me. Uploading between classes. Hope you enjoy this one =)

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Cake, more specifically a triple chocolate cake, sat on Reid's desk staring at him, so he stared back. He wasn't sure how it had gotten there, or who had put it there. He did know it had a card, but he was also aware that he wasn't sure if he wanted to read it.

So, Reid stood next to his desk, glaring at a cake as if it had wronged him terribly by existing.

"Hey, Reid, what's up?" Prentiss greeted as she shrugged off her coat.

The young genius didn't say anything. Instead, he raised a hand and pointed at the cake accusingly.

"Wow, that looks delicious." Prentiss' mouth watered, and she came around her desk to stand next to Reid. The look on his face reminded her of a lost puppy. "Why do you look so distressed over cake, Reid?"

"It has a card. There's a cake on my desk, in a box, and there's a card. It's sitting on my files, and it's a cake in a box with a card." Reid told her.

Prentiss smiled at him bemused. "Here, let's see what the card says. That's always a good first step where there are cards involved." She grabbed the card off the cake and Reid glared at her.

"I've decided that the only way you'll ever know how sweet you are, is if you could taste it." Prentiss began to feel a tug on her lips. "I don't think anything could be as sweet as you, but I'm pretty sure I got it close. I hope this brightens your day, beautiful." Prentiss finished reading and pursed her lips to keep herself from busting up into laughter.

Reid's face wasn't helping Prentiss keeping her composure. His eyebrows were screwed up, one arched, and one furrowing. His eyes had grown as wide as quarters, filled with a slight horror, and slight confusion. His mouth hung slightly open and his whole face had gone red.

The combination of the words in the card and Reid's face only allowed Prentiss twenty seconds of leashed composure before she doubled up with howling laughter. She bent over and grabbed her sides, laughing at her shoes.

"Oh my gosh, Reid. Someone's got a major crush on you! I hope you're as sweet as this cake!" Prentiss howled some more and Reid's face turned furious.

"Shut up." Reid spat at her and moved the cake over to get at his files. It had been a very pleasant, yet corny, card. He wasn't sure if he liked it or not. On one hand, someone expressed interest in him in a very cordial way. On the other hand, he was in love with someone else, and the sender of the cake had just successfully humiliated him, and it was probably going to continue through the rest of the day.

As if on cue, a dark skinned, cocky agent strolled into the bullpen. Reid flicked open a file and began to get busy, as if his work had ever stopped Morgan from bothering him before.

"Of course, he just had to look over here." Reid grumbled at the file and felt one of his fists clenching, ready for the teasing to start.

"What's this? Cake?" Morgan leaned over and opened the box. "Damn, that looks good." Reid had to admit he agreed it looked delicious. "Where'd this come from?"

"Reid has an admirer." Prentiss sniggered and before Reid knew it she had swiped the card he had stuffed in his pocket. Reid cried indignantly and jumped to his feet, but it was too late. The mushy card already lay in the hands of Derek Morgan.

The chocolate skinned man read it, his eyebrows doing a funny dance of emotions as he did.

"That's some cheesy shit." He shrugged and handed the card back to Reid who watched him wearily through the corner of his glaring eyes, waiting for the teasing to begin. "Kinda nice though, right?"

The young genius didn't know how to respond to that. Had Morgan been body snatched? He stared down at the card and flipped it between his fingers. "Yeah, I guess."

"And, I'm sorry Reid, but a little hilarious." Morgan chuckled.

"I was expecting you to howl like a hyena like Ms. Nosey over here." Reid motioned his head towards Prentiss who made a who me face.

"Are you going to try it?" Morgan stared at Reid intently, but the younger agent wasn't paying attention, too caught up staring at the card again.

"Um, yeah. Yeah, I think I will." Reid decided. What could it hurt? It looked delectable, and he couldn't very well throw away a whole cake just because he didn't want to return this person's feelings. That would be a waste of a good cake. "Why don't we all have some?" He glanced around and smiled weakly. Everyone having some would make it less personal, he hoped.

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Colorful cupcakes rested on the side of Hotch's desk. He had somehow managed to forget them when he'd left in a hurry the night before for dinner with Beth. After waiting through a whole work day and kicking himself all night for forgetting them, he was having a hard time resisting them. He glared at the file and then up at his closed office door, and then the open blinds. He couldn't very well close them to enjoy the baked treats, but how much crap would he get if his agents witnessed him enjoying a pretty pink cupcake?

He opened the lid and began to look at which cupcake would look the least silly. Garcia's baking was always superb, and the temptation was too great. He leaned closer and raised his eyebrows at the different designs she had drawn with icing. There was one with a dog, a flower, a heart, a sun, and…boobs? Hotch smiled slightly and picked the boobs.

A knock on his door interrupted his balanced breakfast and he voiced around his baked treat, "come in."

"We've got a case," JJ announced and set the file in front of him. "Have you tried the chocolate cream filled ones yet?"

"There's chocolate cream filled ones?" Hotch peered eagerly into his container. "How can you tell which ones?"

JJ raised her eyebrows with wide eyes and walked stiffly out the door, choosing not to poke fun at Hotch's strange behavior.

"Round table ago!" JJ spoke from the balcony down to the members of the bullpen before gathering Morgan from his office.

"How bad is it?" Morgan inquired, his voice unusually light.

"As good or bad as serial murders can get." JJ said, "what's got you in a good mood?"

"I love cake!" Morgan replied with zest, and raised his arm forward and up into the air, palm to the sky. "Seriously, you should've had a piece of lover boys cake, so good." He nodded to JJ and she shook her head with a smile. She had come to join the crew and read the card as well, but was much more excited than jeering unlike most of their friends had been.

Reid was racing towards them before sliding to a halt in front of the round table room. "Now, you must answer these questions three-"

"And cut." Rossi smirked and budged in front of them.

"You are seriously lacking in the fundamental attitude of enjoyment in the work place." Reid replied as he sat in his usual spot.

"I'd double check why those fraternization rules were implemented if you think I'm no fun at work." Rossi winked and Reid shuddered before averting his eyes to the desk.

"Okay team, here's the low down." Garcia clicked a button on her remote and a couple of pictures appeared on the television screen. "Reid has received a cake with a very cheesy, lovely, card-"

"Garcia." Hotch scowled.

The bubbly tech kitten gave him an apologetic smile. "Fine. No romance, straight to the horror, such as is our job. Two bodies in one week, all died of asphyxiation. One still missing."

"They were suffocated with food?" Prentiss asked, and looked up from her tablet.

"Yes, autopsy showed that they were forced to eat a massive amount of food. They were found with food stuffed in their mouths."

"So when they got too full, he attempted to stuff it down their throat, but ended up choking them." Morgan commented.

"That's a new one." Reid's brow furrowed. They all looked to him to see if he had any ideas, but he was focused on the file, rereading it for the third time.

"We'll have to figure out the connection with food if we're going to figure anything out." JJ inputted and the team all nodded.

"Wheels up in 30, be ready to exchange ideas about the signature on the jet." Hotch stood and they all disbursed in the all too familiar routine.

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"What're you thinking Reid?" JJ inquired as she moved through the information on her tablet.

"Well…All the victims were unreasonably skinny. Do we know how much they weighed before the abduction and after?" Reid's face held an expression of curiosity.

"There wasn't a lot of time between abduction and the dumping of the bodies." Hotch replied.

"So they were underweight when they were kidnapped. That's gotta be a part of victimology." Morgan said, he couldn't help but let his eyes wander to Reid's face, and he found himself staring at the beautiful angles and how adorable he looked when his eyebrows knitted closer together and his eyes narrowed, as he burrowed himself into concentration.

"Um, what's up?" Reid's voice was unsure and Morgan grinned.

"I'm trying my hand at mind reading." The dark skinned man wiggled his fingers in Reid's face.

"Yeeaah. So, death by eating? Could it be sexual?" Prentiss interjected.

"Ooo, you like the kink, eh?" The jab came easily to Morgan and Prentiss shot him a glare, while Reid raised his eyebrows.

Hotch's glare cut off the verbal jabs, "JJ, Reid, I want you to go to the coroner. Go over the autopsy reports in detail with him. Rossi, Prentiss. I want you to go to the dump sites, Morgan and I will go to the abduction sites."

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"There's some ante mortem bruising on the wrists of all three bodies. The angle suggests that they were tied behind their back. There was also bruising on the inside of the upper arm."

"Like they were tied to a chair?" Reid asked.

"Yes, it definitely could be caused by that. There was also a large wound to the back of both of their heads, but other than that the only other injury was tearing to the stomach from the amount of food forced in such a short period of time, and the asphyxiation." The coroner finished.

"Blitz attack for sure," JJ commented, and the two thanked the man before they turned to leave.

Sunlight wrapped itself invitingly around the two agents as they stepped out of the office, and Reid hummed happily at the sensation. He hated the cold climate of the morgue and was glad to feel the rays of sun rippling over his skin.

"Not to say I'm not happy about the mood change, but you've been dragging your chin on the ground for like a month, what's got springs on your shoes?" JJ asked, and climbed into the driver's side of the SUV. .

"Did you know that smiling releases endorphins and makes you feel better, even if it's a fake smile?"

"Are you saying your faking happiness?"

"Maybe, yes, no. Lets just say I'm done feeling sorry for myself and I'm trying to move on with life."

"What were you feeling sorry for yourself about?" JJ growled, a protective glint flashing in her eyes.

"It's not important Jayje. I'm okay, really." Reid gave her one of his gentle, soft, smiles, and her heart melted a little.

"Fine, but I'm watching you." She pointed at her eyes and then at him before putting the car into gear.

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"I could use another cupcake…" Hotch grumbled under his breath.

"What?" Morgan grinned, but Hotch shook his head and the darker agent dropped it.

"So, these were the last places the victims were reported being seen." Morgan started, "the first two were near inpatient centers, but there's not one around here." Morgan spread his arms as if he could demonstrate his statement.

"Besides the seclusion, there isn't really a commonality yet." Hotch agreed, "we'll need to have Garcia pull up what's in the areas."

"Well, JJ said that it was definitely a blitz attack. So, he's either not physically built, or he's got a handicap." Morgan began, "he came up behind right here and brought her down. He must have been parked nearby. Twenty feet each way and it isn't so secluded anymore."

"Why would she come so close to a parked car in a secluded area at night?" Hotch put the question into the air.

"Maybe, she knew the guy?"

"Or, she didn't view her as a threat."

"You think we've got a female unsub?"

"I know it doesn't happen a lot, but issues with food and body image are more prevalent to females than males."

Morgan agreed and the two made their way back to the SUV, it was time to reconvene with the team.

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By the time the agents had made it to their hotel it was nearly midnight. That didn't stop the agents from staying up just a little later, for various different reasons.

Hotch had the room to himself for awhile since Rossi had gone to a 24 hour diner down the road for some "real food". Hotch ended up on the phone in a very sexy conversation with Beth, which he knew was very unprofessional, but no worse than what his agents were probably doing. His hypothesis was true seeing as Prentiss and JJ, although they knew it was not allowed on cases, had a few drinks from the mini bar in their room and watched a chick flick until they passed out.

In the room at the end of the hall Morgan was stripped down to a tee and briefs, mindlessly focused on the television, and Reid sat fully clothed on the floor with his case file strewn about on the floor around him.

Risking it, Morgan turned his head to watch Reid work. He couldn't believe the man had only loosened his tie and taken off his shoes. What he couldn't fathom more was how Reid did this every night they were on a case. Morgan wasn't sure Reid ever turned his brain off. He was probably going over the file in his dreams.

"Reid, you should really just relax. It'll help."

"It helps you, Morgan. It doesn't help me." Reid replied in monotone, not looking up from the words and pictures around him.

"Please, Reid. It cannot be healthy that you do this every time."

"And it cannot be healthy for you to pester me every time I do it." Reid's face didn't break out of the concentration it was set in.

It was true, Morgan tried to get Reid to stop reviewing the case file into the night every case they shared a room, and always to no avail. It was probably time for a different approach.

With a lopsided smile Morgan hoisted himself off his bed and came over to sit next to Reid. "So, what can I help you with then?"

Reid leaned backwards and looked at Morgan incredulously. "Excuse me?"

"If you're not going to stop and hang out with me over there, then I'm going to come hang out with you over here and help you out."

"I'm sure this is just another attempt to further test my decreasing sanity." Reid grumbled and shifted some of the papers, trying to ignore the way Morgan's scent sent his heart racing.

With a frown Morgan picked up one of the papers and began to read it over. Apparently the younger of the two had accepted Morgan wasn't moving, because he continued to stare at one of the pictures.

It was 2:30 in the morning when Reid was finally satisfied with the progress they'd made. Reid couldn't help the warm feeling crawling in his gut at how patient and helpful Morgan had been. He hadn't even poked fun at him about his cake. He gave a stifling yawn and clambered into his bed without taking off his day clothes.

Morgan turned the bathroom light on and left the door open a crack for Reid. He was climbing into his own bed when he heard Reid's voice, small and shy.

"Thank you, Morgan."

"Your welcome, Pretty Boy."

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"Alright, are you ready?" Reid held out his hands palm downwards to his team and they all nodded. "Okay, so each one of the dump sites is in a suburban neighborhood." He began, and pointed out the three blue pins in his geographical profile. "And all three abduction sites have been in the city. Garcia and I got together and there is not one commonality between the three of them business wise, buuut…" He paused.

"Get on with it Reid," Morgan laughed, even though he knew where Reid was going from their previous late night.

"Dramatic effect." Reid whispered and the team couldn't help but smile, even Hotch's lip quivered. The site of a energetic Reid warmed everyone's hearts.

"The first two abduction sites were near inpatient clinics for eating disorders. We can gather that either she had an eating disorder, or someone close to her did." Reid licked his lips and continued, "so Garcia and I looked up other things dealing with eating disorders in the third area."

"Like what?" Prentiss interrupted and Reid glowered at her.

"I'm getting there, tsk tsk." Reid took in a breath, "buffets are very popular for bulimics because they binge, then purge. Also drug stores because some eating disorders are accompanied by a insane amount of diet pills. Lastly, there was a morgue in the area, so we clued that in since eating disorders can lead to death."

"Okaaay," JJ stood from her chair and made her way to the board, observing the different colored push pins. "So, her story begins with in patient, and her trigger has something to do with the last abduction site."

"Yes!" Reid exclaimed just as the phone began to ring in the middle of the table. Hotch pushed speaker and Garcia's voice filled the room.

"Alright my hot, amygdala using, overly attractive agents! You have asked the fountain of knowledge for answers, and answers you shall receive!" Garcia paused, and Hotch cleared his throat. "Sorry, sir, dramatic effect."

"Seems to be a common theme of the day." Hotch replied, and Reid smiled apologetically.

"Well, I cross referenced the drug stores, the morgue and the buffets of the last abduction site. The buffets didn't really clue in anywhere, but a common patron of the drug store down the street, was also a unlucky patron of the morgue. She died of a heart attack. Her autopsy showed malnourishment, and an over usage of diet pills. They think that the diet pills were what finally did her in."

"Name, siblings, parents?" Hotch demanded.

"Yes, sir. She was, Abigail Thompson. She was an only child. It looks like her High School was greatly concerned about her weight, but her Dad always steadfastly refused to do anything about it. According to that same High School her Mom, Barbara Thompson, was overbearingly affectionate and protective. Abigail was taken into state custody after social services were called in because of her Dad's refusal to admit her to treatment. Her Mom has been on anti-depressants ever since, until two weeks ago, the anniversary of Abigail's death."

"She probably blames everyone for her death…The state was supposed to help her." JJ spoke softly.

"Address Garcia." Hotch demanded, his patience wearing thin.

"8721 Jacksonville Road North." Garcia replied quickly before Hotch ended the call.

"Alright everyone, let's go." Hotch lead his team to the SUV's, and they all began the process of gearing up for the raid.

Morgan stared at Reid through the rearview mirror as often as he could as he dodged through traffic. He wasn't using his sirens, only his lights, so they wouldn't alert the unsub.

"Morgan, JJ, Rossi, take the front. Reid, Prentiss and I will take the back." Hotch instructed as the SUV pulled up to the house, and all the agents immediately moved into action, guns drawn. Morgan glanced anxiously at Reid as the tall man disappeared around the side of the house, but snapped his head back into focus as they came up onto the front door.

The front team waited until they heard Prentiss' voice through their ear pieces, "in position. Go." Prentiss and Morgan kicked in the doors simultaneously and the agents stormed the house.

Reid felt his heart thrumming as he watched Hotch and JJ head upstairs to clear it, Rossi and Prentiss cleared the base level, which left Morgan and Reid to take the basement, which as Reid figured it, was the most probable place to find their unsub.

Neither of them were surprised to find a middle aged woman in the middle of the room. She stood behind a dining room chair, a girl tied to it, knife to her throat, a dining room table in front of her, with the most extensive spread of food Reid had seen in a long while laid out upon it.

"Ms. Thompson, drop the knife." Morgan demanded quietly, subconsciously shielding Reid with his body. Reid watched as Barbara's arm twitched and he sucked in a breath.

"Barbara…" Reid shifted so she could see him. "I know you were trying to help those other girls, and I know you're trying to help her too." Reid spoke gently and quietly, like he would talk to his mother, he smiled at the thought of her.

"You…You understand?" Barbara's arm shook and Morgan tightened his aim.

"Yes, yes. I understand." Reid kept his tone gentle. "You just wanted to help them be free, and healthy, like your daughter." He could hear the rest of the team at the top of the stairs, they couldn't interject without startling the woman. Reid took a cautious step down another stair.

The woman's clench on the knife tightened and she threaded her finger's through the girl's hair. "Come any closer and I will slit her throat."

Reid cursed himself mentally, he shouldn't have taken another step down those stairs until Barbara had dropped the knife. He slowly retreated back up a step, and kept his gun trained on the deranged lady.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

"You're trying to take her away, and you're not going to help her at all! She'll be worse! I'm taking care of her!" She screamed at the two agents, and Reid knew this was the last stretch.

"Her parent's want to care for her. Her Mom wants to take care of her. Maybe you could help her do that?" Reid felt a pang of regret and guilt in his gut for giving the woman false hope, but if it would get her to step away and save two lives, he knew it had to be done.

Barbara stared at him for a long moment, before her face softened and she dropped the knife and held up her hands in surrender. Morgan moved down the steps to cuff her, and then Reid saw it. Barbara's stark blue eyes widened, she reached down…

"Morgan!" Reid yelled, but Morgan's gun was holstered. A shot rang out through the small basement. Barbara dropped to the floor. The elder agent turned wide eyes to Spencer, who stood, gun still outstretched, his breath even. His eyes held such a great sorrow Morgan wanted to wrap him up in his arms right then and there, but couldn't.

"She didn't trust you…She didn't expect you to come closer, she went for the knife…" Reid explained softly, Prentiss and Hotch rushed down the stairs now that the confrontation was over, untied the girl and helped her back passed Reid and Morgan.

"Pretty Boy, you had to do it."

"It's hard, but I know that."

"I know…" Morgan said softly and watched Reid climb the stairs with his head bowed to stare at his feet.