Flashback…

Home of Derek Morgan

Derek and the boys were having a blast; they'd played at least four rounds of Hide-and-Go-Seek and eaten more junk food than any of them would admit to. His house was a wreck but he didn't mind and he didn't regret making the offer to watch the boys for the evening. Truth be told he thought he probably had more fun than Jack and Henry and he was seriously considering making it a standing Friday night thing although he wasn't sure how Savannah would take it.

The boys had fallen asleep in the homemade tent the three had made in front of the television, and he had cleaned up erasing all signs of their evening when there was a knock on the door. He looked at the clock, 10:45, much too late for unannounced visitors, he thought as he looked through the peephole.

She couldn't have been more than twenty; there she stood trembling crying and pounding furiously on his door. He opened his door and the hysterical girl pushed past him into his home. Surprised he turned to follow her shocked at her gall and intrusion.

"What are you doing?" He began as she took a seat on his couch. "I didn't invite you in!"

Ignoring him she rocked back and forth, back and forth not saying a word.

"Did you hear me? What are you doing? You can't be here! I'll call for help but…"

A stinging pain to the back of his head sent him spiraling to the floor dazed. Quickly turning on his back to face his advisory he stared into the black dead eyes of a very large man. Before he could move four other men entered the room faces and bodies hidden behind masks and dark clothing.

"Get the kids!" The first man ordered.

Two of the men rushed toward the sound of the television. Morgan jumped to his feet and began fighting but he was outnumbered still dazed and three large men to one. The girl who was only seconds ago a hysterical basket case, was watching calmly from the couch. Morgan had managed to knock one of the men unconscious but a kick to his midsection sent him to his knees. The more he fought the more he felt his body losing but his mind was focused on Jack and Henry he'd promised Hotch, JJ and Will that he'd take care of them until they returned. Another man dropped like a thud to the floor and now it was just him and the leader of the intruders. He wasn't going to let these men take the boys even if it meant his life.

He'd felt a surge of strength as he got the upper hand with his arm wrapped around the burly man's neck he held on tight. His back was to the girl now and he didn't see her didn't realize she had left her place on the couch and when he did it was too late. He felt a sharp sting in his neck felt the drug cursing through his body and felt his strength quickly wane as he fell into a deep dark sleep.

BAU Headquarters – 12 hours missing –

The team sat around the conference table still trying to make sense of the last twelve hours. The tabletop was covered with boxes of old cases and they were determined to study each one until they found a lead. The mood was solemn and everyone was deep in thought walls up, angry and silent.

Garcia watched her friends she saw what this was doing to them as individuals and as a group. They were breaking apart and she feared that if Morgan and the boys weren't found alive it would destroy them all. This was her family, she needed them and depended on them and she couldn't imagine her life without them all.

"This…this is useless! Where are they? They've been gone twelve hours!" JJ screamed.

Will pulled his wife into an embrace as she cried against his chest. Hotch stood and began pacing the floor while Rossi, and Reid looked up from their files in worried silence.

"We all know the statistics. The first twenty-four hours are crucial. After that…"

He couldn't finish his son was all he had left; all he had left of Haley. Now the clock was ticking he had to find his son and soon.

The door opened and then the room was brightly illuminated so brightly that he had to squint. He heard the light tap of her heels on the concrete floor felt her presence as she passed and stood in front of him. When he opened his eyes he noticed the glass window on the opposite side of the room. He strained to look around the woman and what he saw made his heart stop. Jack and Henry were in the next room huddled in the corner holding onto each other for dear life; they'd probably cried themselves to sleep.

The woman was the same one who'd brought the intruders to his home last night. The same woman who'd drugged him and brought him and the boys here.

"I didn't think those two would ever fall asleep." She smirked.

"Listen to me! Let them go I'll stay just let them go home to their parents!"

"I'm sorry I can't do that."

She began pacing circles around him periodically touching him…his shoulders, his neck and the side of his face. He saw the syringe in her hand and he braced himself against what was to come. He shuddered not wanting her hands on him but being bound to the chair made his wants meaningless.

"Who are you?"

"Me? I'm Miranda. Miranda Flowers but that's not important."

"Look Miranda, I need to see the boys, to talk to them to make sure they're not afraid."

"I'll see what I can do but first you'll have to do something for me."

BAU Headquarters –

"I just received something!" Garcia announced as she stood in the doorway.

"What is it Garcia?" Hotch asked.

She looked terrified as she pushed a button on the remote in her hand and the screen on the wall lit up.

"Aaron Hotchner, Chester Barker here. I'm sure you probably don't remember me but I remember you and your team."

The team exchanged looks as they all recalled the Montrell Gibson case. Gibson, a family annihilator terrorized the Baltimore area five years ago. Barker's family was the last victims. Barker had blamed them for not closing the case sooner and he had been very vocal about it. None of them expected this.

"I have someone who wants to talk to you."

Barker stepped aside and the team collectively gasped at the sight on the screen.

"Hotch, JJ, Will, I'm so sorry…I tried…I know you'll never forgive me and I deserve that."

His speech was slurred and he looked defeated. They had secretly blamed him for the last twelve hours as if he hadn't done everything possible to save their children. He had been through a battle they could see the bruises and the anger in his eyes.

"I messed up…but I promise I'll protect Jack and Henry…I'll get them home…I promise!"

He then dropped his head and closed his eyes as the full affect of the drugs took over. Barker stepped forward again with a sadistic smile on his face.

"Your children have twelve hours to live. Since Agent Morgan is the one on your team that screwed up and allowed my family to die, he is the only one who can save your children now. I'll be in touch!"

The screen went black as the video ended.

They all sat silently staring not believing what they had just seen and feeling guilty for their misplaced anger against their friend. Garcia wiped the tears from her eyes and looked around the room as her family began to fall apart before her.