A/N 1: Well I tried to get this up on Sunday but there was some sort of technical issue with logging in. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed and/or subscribed to this story. I have been enjoying reading the other stories that pair Hotch and Emily. I agree that they make a good couple, so I have decided to pair them together in this story. Enjoy your reading!!

Upon hearing that the SWAT teams were ready, the members of the BAU made their way downstairs to depart for their assigned warehouses in hopes that they would find their friends, their family unharmed. They were met by the three SWAT Team Leaders – Javier Gomez, Linda Johnson and Steven Jacobs. "Morgan, Greenaway you are being accompanied by SWAT Team III – led by Jacobs. Johnson will lead Team II with Gideon and Reid. Gomez, you're with me and Rossi. "Remember to call if you spot them," Hotch ordered. He knew that he didn't have to remind them. They all were aware of the plan, but he just felt better reminding them, as if that was the right thing for a Unit Chief to tell his team.

Strauss looked out the window as the caravan made its way towards the gates of the FBI grounds. The vehicles alternated between a black SUV and a SWAT truck. She watched as the first two cars went straight, the next two turned left and the last two turned right. It's true that she is not the favorite person of the BAU and she doesn't always agree with some of their decisions, but she still admired them as the people they are. She stood there and silently prayed that the women will all be found soon and safely as the last car drove out of sight.

Morgan looked over at Elle, "This means a lot, you coming to help us with this."

She looked over at him and smiled. "Just because I couldn't handle the BAU doesn't mean that I do not care for you all."

"You have a weird way of showing it. Come on Elle, you switch departments without a word, and the day we expected you to be showing at work after your medical leave we see Prentiss instead of you."

"After getting shot, I just couldn't handle being here anymore. I shut myself off from everyone. When Strauss offered to transfer me to another department instead of accepting my resignation I took it. Besides, from the reports that I have read, Agent Prentiss has been an amazing addition."

Morgan smiled, "Yes, she has."

He seemed to drift off after he made that statement. Lost in his thoughts, Elle tried to comfort her friend who was visibly hurt. "Derek, we're going to find them. They are all going to be alright."

He gripped the steering wheel tightly. "Elle they are like sisters to me. The thought of something bad happening to them . . ." He shook his head unable to finish his sentence as Elle placed her hand on his arm.

"They are going to be alright," she repeated again as Morgan's cell phone rang interrupting their discussion.

-----

Gideon and Reid drove in silence as they made their way to their assigned warehouse. Reid finally spoke up, "Do you miss being out in the field?"

"Sometimes, but after Sarah and that case with those college kids, I started lose confidence. I'm getting it back now a little at a time. Teaching is helping."

"Is that why you agreed to come when Hotch called?"

"No," he looked at Reid with a stern look on his face. "This is personal, as it was with Henkel. There our family members and there is nothing any of us would not do to ensure their safety. That's why Elle came to help."

"She doesn't know Emily."

"True, but she is very close with JJ and Garcia. She didn't think twice about coming and helping when I called her."

Their conversation ended when Reid's cell phone rang.

-----

David Rossi looked over at his friend. He seemed to always know what Hotch was thinking. "It's not your fault."

"It never crossed my mind to check the family history."

"I'm sure Garcia had checked it already. There is no indication that they would resort to kidnapping." "They are all strong women. They will survive this. Emily is one of the best in-the-moment-profiler's the bureau has. She will find out the best way to handle these guys. We're going to get them out of there safely."

"I hope you are right."

"Have faith, Hotch."

"I'm worried about her, Dave."

"Emily?"

Hotch nodded in reply. "We have been seeing each other."

"I know." Hotch looked over at Rossi. "Come on Aaron, you work with profilers. Did you honestly think that no one would figure it out?"

"Everyone knows?"

Rossi nodded, "I suspected it about two months ago. The entire team has known for the past month. She is strong and will survive this."

Lynch initiated a conference call with Hotch, Morgan and Reid. Once they were all connected he filled him in on the information he was able to gather on each of the warehouses. "The center warehouse has five floors. There is also a basement that serves as a receiving area and a small underground parking lot. Agent Reid your warehouse is one floor, no basement. Agent Morgan yours has three floors the top level is all offices."

"We've just pulled up," announced Hotch.

"What about you guys?"

"Five minutes away," said Morgan.

"Pulling up now," replied Reid.

"Agents Hotchner, Morgan and Reid I have programmed each of your phones to instantly start a conference call as soon as you call one of your phones," advised Lynch. "Once you are aware of the warehouse that they are in I will call for EMS to get there."

"Thank you. Okay, let the SWAT team confirm if they are in there. They have infrared cameras with them. Nobody moves into that building without my go."

"You got it, Hotch," said Gideon.

"Understood," replied Morgan. "We just pulled up."

Throughout the night, Garcia and JJ took turns sleeping while they kept an eye on Emily. She had yet to wake up from the last electric shock she received. It is morning now, and the sun is once again bringing its light into the room.

JJ woke up from her sleep and looked over at Garcia, "Has she woken up yet?"

"No," Garcia sadly replied. "Why do you think they shocked her more?"

"I don't know," replied JJ. "Maybe . . ."

JJ's reply was interrupted when they heard a slight groan coming from Emily. She called out in her sleep, "Aaron."

"She's calling for Hotch," said Garcia.

Emily started to regain consciousness. She lifted her head and slowly opened her eyes. "Em? You ok?" asked JJ.

"My head hurts and my muscles ache all over. How long have I been out?"

"Hours," said Garcia. "You were calling for Hotch."

"I was? That's odd," Emily tried to cover it up, wishing to keep her relationship with their Unit Chief a secret.

"Em, you don't have to pretend anymore. We've known about you two for a month," said JJ.

"You have?" Emil asked.

"Hun, you work with profilers. How long did you think it would stay a secret?"

Emily smiled at her friends, "It's been three months. The guys know?"

Garcia nodded, "Em, do you remember what happened last night?"

Emily considered her answer for a second. She was a little confused and she tried to remember what had happened. "I remember machines being placed behind us." She thought some more. "Electricity."

"Yes," replied JJ. "It was some sort of electric shock interrogation or torture depending on how you looked at it."

"They asked us questions about the Milwaukee case," replied Garcia. "I-If they didn't like the answer they sent a shock through us."

"You were shocked the most, and you passed out from it," added JJ.

Emily nodded her head. "They blame me." Seeing the confused look on her friend's faces she continued. "I stopped Joseph Smith from killing his next victim. In their opinion I am the one that is responsible for getting him arrested. It only makes sense that I would be targeted. Look at the way the chairs are set-up, you two sitting across from me. This is their version of torture. They physically hurt me while they make you two watch."

"They'll be back," said Garcia.

"They are going to kill us," said JJ.

"No, they won't," said Emily. "They want us to admit that we set him up, that their brother is innocent. If we do that, then they will kill us. Keep telling the truth, it is the only way to keep us safe enough until help arrives."

"Safe?" questioned Garcia. "Emily, we keep doing that and, if you are right, they will keep hurting you more."

"I know," said Emily. "It will be okay."

Garcia was about to object further but she was cut off by JJ, "Pen, she's right."

"JJ . . ."

"I don't want her hurt either," said JJ. "Em is right. The only reason why we are still alive is because we have not admitted to what these guys think the truth is. We can't give them what they want."

The door to the room opened and the brothers stepped in. Paul and Tim took their places behind JJ and Garcia, while Brad stepped in front of Emily. "I see that you are awake, Agent Prentiss. Shall we continue with the interrogation?"

JJ and Garcia both looked at Emily with concern on their faces. Emily looked Brad in the eyes. "The truth has not changed from last night. Your brother was guilty of murdering those women." They all braced themselves expecting an electric shock to go through someone's body.

Instead Brad connected the back of his hand with Emily's right cheek. "I am tired of your lies," yelled Brad. "You made up those lies and forced your way into my brother's home. You interrupted a personal moment he was having with his girlfriend. You told my nephew a lie about being my brother's friend. ADMIT IT."

"I told your nephew that I was a friend of his father," admitted Emily. She looked at both Garcia and JJ.

JJ realized what Emily was about to do and tried to stop her, "Emily don't. . . "

Emily continued anyway with a determined look in her face staring into Brad's cold eyes. "I did not make up any lies about your brother. She was not his girlfriend. He was about to kill her."

Brad replied with backhanding Emily's left cheek harder than the other one. Her lip started to bleed and bruises were now becoming visible on both cheeks. JJ and Garcia both flinched at the second hit. Brad walked behind Emily. "You can both stop this. Just admit to everything."

"It was a clean arrest," Emily stated again. A violent wave of electricity went through her body.

Reid and Gideon joined the SWAT team at the back of their truck and looked on as the infrared scan was taken of the warehouse. Two SWAT officers were also searching the area around the warehouse for any sign that there had been activity there. "Anybody have anything?" Johnson asked her team members through their communication devices."

She was answered with a chorus of "Negative" from her team. "I am sorry but the infrared scan is negative also. They are not here."

Reid immediately dialed Hotch's phone. "Hotch they're not here."

"Okay, start towards the center warehouse. We'll let you know what we find."

-----

Morgan and Elle made their way to the SWAT team. The team leader sent six of his members inside two members for each floor. One carried a protective shield ready to return fire if they were attacked as the other followed closely behind with the infrared camera. The remaining member searched the grounds. In the back of the truck, Morgan and Elle watched the computer screen with Jacobs as the scans began.

"Sir, the grounds are clear," announced one of the members that were searching the outside.

"Sir, we have visual of a body in one of the rooms" came the voice of the SWAT member on the first floor.

Morgan's phone rang. Reid had initiated the conference calling explaining that his warehouse was clear

"Hotch SWAT located a body on the first floor," announced Morgan. Hotch, Rossi, Reid and Gideon all tensed as they heard the news.

"Who is it?" asked Rossi.

"Can you confirm if it is one of the Agents?" asked Jacobs.

"Negative we need to actually go into the room. All we can see is that whoever it is has brown hair," his officer replied.

"Second Floor is clear," announced another officer.

"Move down to the First and complete the scan of that floor while Sanchez and Jones check on the person they found," Jacobs ordered.

"Yes, Sir."

"We don't know who it is. Hotch," stated Morgan over the phone.

Elle placed a comforting hand on his shoulder continuing the explanation, "There is no heat source on the infrared scan. The only description they can get from the distance they are at is brown hair. The SWAT crew checking the second floor is on their way to the first floor to back them up so that they can get closer to the body."

"Sanchez, Jones, enter the room with extreme caution," warned Jacobs.

"Yes, Sir."

"Third Floor is clear," announced the officers checking the third floor.

"Head down towards the First Floor in case your assistance is needed."

"Yes Sir."

Sanchez and Jones entered the room moving cautiously towards the person lying on the floor. Upon looking closer, they saw that it was a man. "Sir we have a negative confirmation on the Agents. The unconscious body is male. Most likely OD'd on something."

"The rest of the First Floor is clear."

"Okay, everyone move out they must be at the center warehouse," announced Jacobs.

"It's not one of them," said Morgan relieved as he felt the tension leave his body. "We are on the way to you. They have to be there."

Brad looked down at an unconscious Emily and laughed. "Don't worry she's okay."

"Please she can't possibly take much more of this," pleaded Garcia.

"Don't worry it will all be over soon," Tim whispered into Garcia's ear. Garcia turned and looked at JJ with fear in her eyes.

Tim's cell phone rang. "Hello? . . . FBI?" He looked up at his brothers. "Are they still there? . . . I'm sure that they were given some wrong information. . . No, I can't make it there today. If they come to you looking for me just tell them that I am out of town."

JJ looked up at Tim as he mentioned FBI. She knew that it was no mistake that they were searching. Help was on the way. Her eyes met Garcia's with a hopeful glance.

"What's going on Tim?" asked Paul.

"The FBI is at my warehouse now. They are searching it."

"They figured it out," said Paul.

"You said so yourself," said Garcia. "They are the best profilers in the country. Did you honestly think it would take them longer to find out who you are?"

Brad nodded to Tim who pressed the button sending a shock through Garcia. When she recovered, Brad walked in front of her. The fear reappeared in Garcia's eyes as Brad spoke, "I'm sure that by now you've guessed that Agent is the main target for our torture, but that doesn't mean that we won't turn on either of you as well." He looked over at JJ and then at Paul. "Give a call to your security guy and see if they had their visit yet."

Gomez assigned a team of three officers to start the infrared scan from the fifth down. He instructed the remaining members to check out the area surrounding the warehouse. "Be aware of movement on the floor directly below you, and wait for my orders to move to the next floor." He sent them off to start their search.

Hotch held his breath when he heard that the dead body had brown hair. It seemed like it took forever to receive word that it was not Emily that was laying there. Hotch let out a sigh of relief as he hung up his phone. He walked with Rossi towards the back of the SWAT truck to join the SWAT team. "They have to be here," he told them.

"Fifth Floor is clear, Sir."

"Proceed to the Fourth Floor," said Gomez.

"We found tire tracks leading into the basement. There is no way to tell if it is delivery trucks, warehouse workers or the suspects."

"Stand down. Wait for further orders."

"Yes, Sir."

"Fourth Floor is clear, Sir."

"Proceed to the Third Floor."

Reid and Gideon rushed over to the back of the SWAT truck joining Hotch and Rossi. "Anything?" asked Reid.

"Top two floors are clear," answered Hotch.

"They found tire tracks but at this point we don't know if they are from deliveries or our Unsubs," added Rossi.

"Third Floor is clear, Sir."

"They will probably be on the first floor or in the basement. We know that Prentiss and Garcia were unconscious when they were abducted. If they pulled into the basement parking lot, they would have them somewhere close," said Gideon.

Gomez nodded his head in understanding. "Stand down and wait for further orders."

"Yes, Sir."

Morgan and Elle pull up to the warehouse and rushed over to them. "The top three floors are cleared," said Hotch. "We are all going to go in and search the remaining floors at the same time. Same orders as reported before. Do not engage unless you feel that their lives are in immediate danger." They all nodded their understanding.

Hotch called the BAU, "Lynch, get EMS to the center warehouse. We do not know for sure if they are here. Dispatch them anyway. Make sure that they ride in with no sirens. We do not want the Unsubs getting spooked." Satisfied by his answer Hotch hung up the phone.

Hotch turned back to his team. "Team I is waiting to check the second floor. Gomez will come up with Dave and I to the second floor. You guys take the First Floor and Basement four SWAT members to a floor. The other SWAT members surround the grounds to make sure the Unsubs do not escape. Cover every exit."

"We'll take the basement," said Morgan. Gideon and Reid nodded at Morgan.

"Everyone get into position. We start the search on my go." They all nodded as they moved into position.

Hotch and Rossi left Gideon and Reid at the first floor as they continued to the second floor and joined the SWAT team. Once they arrived, Hotched called. "Everyone set?"

"We're in position," answered Elle.

"We're ready," said Gideon.

"Slowly and quietly as possible start your search."

A/N 2: I know!! I know!! I'm EVIL to leave it there. What can I say – I enjoy cliffhangers it keeps everyone interested. Questions to ask yourself: Are the ladies even being held at the center warehouse? If they are, what will happen when the Brothers realize that their time has run out? Will the girls make it out alive?

You won't have to wait too long the next chapter will be up tomorrow.