A/N: So, here's the next part. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I hope your day goes better than mine has today. I've got a busy couple of days/week coming up, so I'm not sure when I'll be able to get more writing done or post again, but I'll do what I can. Reviews will help motivate me to get more writing done during the next few weeks, just for the record. Anyway, enjoy!

Disclaimer: The only character that belongs to me is Sam, all the rest belong to people with a lot more money than me.

XVI.

The BAU members split off with the officers from the day before. Reid and Gideon went off to look at the generators and Hotch and Morgan went to speak with more families. JJ and Emily stayed back at the station. Emily wanted to spend more time going over the victims and the actual crimes while JJ was debating the idea of a press conference with Sam.

"We can't do it JJ. In a village of 3,000 people – we've got two ways it'll turn out. One- everyone gets super paranoid and people get hurt. Villagers will think they know who it is and resort to vigilante justice. Innocents will get hurt. Option two, the population will think we're wrong; it couldn't possibly be one of them. Everyone will relax and let themselves feel safe. It'll be easier than ever for the Unsub to get to his victims and the attacks will escalate."

"There's got to be something we can do."

Neither woman noticed that Emily had stopped examining the photos in front of her and was simply watching the blondes' conversation. A smile rose unbidden to her lips. Tilting back in her chair she watched the two volley ideas back and forth. Finally, Emily jumped into the conversation, "What about a vague warning?"

JJ looked up at the brunette, a twinkle in her eye, "How vague?"

It was Sam's turn to lean back and watch the conversation.

Emily smiled at JJ, locking eyes briefly, "We acknowledge that there have been a series of connected murders and they are being investigated. But until we find answers we strongly suggest people stay in their homes during future blackouts and not let anyone in or out."

The shorter detective pulled herself from her musings to offer an opinion, "I'm not sure how well the villagers will take a warning from the FBI."

JJ nodded, "I grew up in a small town, I get that 'big city officials' aren't always trusted."

Sam smiled, "Around here, outsiders aren't always trusted or taken seriously. The villagers aren't opposed to help from other people, but they might not take the warning seriously if it comes from you Jayje."

JJ's heart warmed at the comfortable way that Sam addressed her, "Who will it be then?"

Emily let her eyes rove over the detective slowly, a smirk playing across her features, "How about Sam?"

"Me?" JJ chuckled at the nervousness in Sam's voice in just one word. "Yeah babe. why not?"

"Wouldn't the Chief be a better option?" Sam saw the glance that passed between the other two, "You're worried about how closely he fits the profile?"

Emily nodded, "He is in a position of power. He's respected and dedicated to the village. And-" Sam finished the sentence, "He's involved in the investigation."

JJ stood, moving to rest a hand on Sam's shoulder. "We don't think it's him Sam. But if we release the profile, others might. And we don't want him in such a central position if that happens."

Sam looked up, losing herself in JJ's eyes, "You know- technically, aside from being a woman, I fit the profile too."

Emily moved to take the seat next to Sam, taking the detectives hand beneath the table. Sam's eyes stayed on JJ, but she squeezed Emily's hand.

The press liaison quirked an eyebrow at her detective, her thumb tracing delicate patterns on Sam's neck, "But we know it wasn't you."

Emily smiled at the way the blondes slipped into an easy banter. JJ leaned down, as if to whisper a secret to Sam, "See, I kissed you. I don't kiss murderers, therefore you aren't a murderer."

"Would that hold up in court Agent?"

"I don't know Detective. Maybe you should consult with a lawyer."

Sam smiled and picked up her phone to make a call, "Lucas Stewart please?"… "Samantha Stewart – I'm his sister. Thank you."

Emily grinned at JJ, "I think she's getting that legal advice you asked for."

Sam nodded and grinned, "Hey Luke! – I know, I miss you too. Tell Sarah and the girls I miss them." She paused, listening, while her eyes traveled the forms of JJ and Emily, "I know Luke – I'll come visit soon. Anyway, I've got a legal query for you.' She chuckled, "I promise you'll be amused. – Ready? Okay, so if a gorgeous FBI agent says you can't possibly be a murderer because she doesn't kiss murderers and she kissed you… will that hold up in court? – Nope, not exactly a hypothetical question." JJ began to blush, sitting on the edge of the table and watching Sam. "Luke, I promise I'll tell you about them later." She paused, shifting to hold her phone between her shoulder and her ear, freeing up her hand so she could rest her palm lightly on JJ's knee. "Yes, I'm pretty sure I said them. Luke- the question? You're sure? Thanks. I've got to go, I'm supposed to be working on a case. Yeah, bastard killed kids this time. I'll call later this week, I promise. Love you too big brother, kiss the girls for me. Bye."

Sam hung up at smiled at Emily with a saucy wink before turning to JJ, "Nope. My attorney says it won't hold up."

JJ took Sam's hand in hers, looking down quietly.

Emily and Sam shared a look before Emily spoke up, "Jayje?"

JJ looked at Emily, catching an overwhelming torrent of emotions in her eyes. The liaison knew the profiler understood.

Sam looked between the two before understanding what had changed between them, "I mentioned you to my brother." JJ nodded. Sam looked down thoughtfully, "It took me six months to tell him about Tasha, when he already knew I was gay. And I already mentioned you – both of you."

Emily nodded and squeezed the detectives hand. Sam shook her head and pulled away from the other two, standing she moved across the room to stare at the wall of photos. "So when and where do you want to do this press conference?" JJ hopped off the table, resting her hand on Sam's shoulder, "Sam…"

'I'm not ignoring it JJ, but I need to think. And let's face it, this isn't exactly a work conversation.'

JJ stepped by and gave Sam her space, "Why don't we talk with Hotch and the Chief when they get back?"

Emily agreed, "If we can just keep building at this profile we might not need to give one."

"It's likely he lives alone."

Emily looked at the detective, intrigued by the sudden addition of information, "How do you figure?"

Sam turned to face Emily again, her face and emotions more closed off than the others were used to seeing her, "He's been out during all of the murders. During all the blackouts. If he lived with someone they would have noticed, possibly even voiced concern. They probably would have called us for help, or for fear. I'm just saying, it's a possibility."

A smile tugged at Emily's heart, "You're right. But it's possible that he has a job that requires long hours, late nights. A job where no one would think anything was amiss if he left the house at odd hours to go to work."

JJ settled in at the table, listening to the women share their ideas. Pulling out a notebook, she began work on a list of thing to be included in the potential press conference.

"So," Sam started, "We need to ask the public for two pieces of information," JJ looked up- waiting for information to include in the statement, "We need to ask for information on anyone who might not have been home during any of the blackouts – or for individuals who may have been out around the town – work, volunteering. Whatever people might have been doing."

Emily focused on the photos as she spoke, "It's possible someone saw the Unsub and didn't realize it. There have to be witnesses out there, someone knows something, they just don't realize how important what they know is."

JJ stopped writing her notes, "Do we want to emphasize that we're looking for a witness, not a murderer?"

Emily nodded, "We need to be cautious. This guy won't scare easily. We won't intimidate him. He's used to power, he's used to getting his way. He likely won't see us as a threat until we actually get close. But we don't to run the risk of looking like a threat before we get close."

"It's still possible though-" Sam paused, a deep look of concern expressed on her face, "It's still possible that he might try to chase you off, just to be on the safe side."

Emily cursed under her breathe, "Or he just might escalate, killing faster and killing more."

Sam paled, 'Emily- if he believes loyalty is one of the key characteristics of a villager… I mean you heard what I said earlier about trusting outsiders. Villagers tend to stick together, and if they help us, help you, he might see them as betraying him, and betraying the village."

The room fell into silence as all three women buried themselves in their work, hoping against hope to find a way to protect the citizens of Yellow Springs.

When the others returned they had gathered decidedly less information then they had hoped for.

Reid and Gideon had pictures of the devices that had been installed on the generators. They had discovered that they were remotely controlled, so the Unsub could activate them at the same time he took down the rest of the power in the town.

Morgan and Hotch came up with a lot more of links that showed victims as possibly not being right fits for the village – but other than that they had a whole lot of nothing.

Before anyone realized it, it was once again 10 p.m. and Sam suggested calling it a night, but not before asking Emily and JJ to have lunch with her the following day. The request itself was timid and unsure, something neither agent was used to witnessing in the diminutive detective. They knew they needed to talk, that there were issues to be discussed, but it was generally agreed upon that it was a conversation best had after a good night's sleep.

XVII.

Emily and JJ rode with the rest of the team back to the Bed and Breakfast, both women almost entirely caught up in their own thoughts. Emily had managed to turn her thoughts away from the immediate case related issues to worry about the toll it was taking on the blonde detective. She'd done her best not to profile Sam, unfortunately, Emily was a very good profiler and her abilities weren't always that easy to compartmentalize. Though compartmentalizing hadn't been high on her list of priorities recently. Maybe if it had been she wouldn't be facing the emotional ties that had grown from the current case. Though in all reality Emily was glad for the way Sam and JJ had both managed to wriggle their way into her heart. Which brought Emily back to her concern over Sam. Since the phone call to her brother earlier, Sam had seemed closed off and distant. Logically, Emily knew Sam was just taking the time to process and analyze her thoughts and feelings. But Emily was still concerned – a serial killer in your town, your best friend dead – and falling in love with two women pretty much at first sight – it was all enough to rattle anyone.

JJ knew better than most how dark and cruel the world was. As a result she let her thoughts wander to happier ideas. She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to fully try and date both women. She'd know the instant she met them both that she needed them. But only now was she trying to imagine what fully needing them might mean.

It wasn't hard for JJ to picture coming home to the women. She could easily see curling up together for movie nights, special occasions out together and quiet dinners at home as a trio. It wasn't hard for JJ to imagine making the trips back and forth from DC to Ohio just to spend some time together. That thought alone told JJ how easily her heart committed to the idea.

Both women were brought out of their thoughts by their arrival at the Bed and Breakfast. It was a quaint little building that fit in perfectly with its surroundings. Despite the late hour the team was greeted at the door by Mr. and Mrs. LeSalle. The elderly couple had run their little business for years, always taking delight in new guests and acquaintances. Emily couldn't help but like the elderly couple when the offered the team cookies and milk as a snack before bed. Afterwards, Emily and JJ were shown to their room and wished pleasant dreams by Mr. LeSalle.

Inside, JJ couldn't help the smile that crossed her features, realizing she and Emily would be sharing a bed again. The room was cozy and well lit, but obviously intended for visitors wishing a more romantic get-away. JJ crossed the room, sitting on the edge of the bed and bouncing gently, testing the quality of the mattress. Emily smiled, watching the blonde and feeling her tension ease away bit by bit.

Emily was brought out of her silent contemplation by JJ's voice, "How would your family feel about it? The three of us?"

"I don't really know. My mother wouldn't understand. – But she generally doesn't understand me anyway. My father's more the silent observer. He'll watch and see how we interact, how we behave together, what we might give away without realizing it. Once he's watched long enough to make him happy, he'll form his own opinion. We've never been especially close, so I don't really know what his opinion will be. I mean, they do know that I tend to prefer women, but still… I just don't know."

Emily let her gaze travel JJ's face and form slowly, seeking a connection that she needed, "What about your family?"

JJ smiled when Emily sat on the bed next to her, the liaison stretched out her hand, entwining her fingers with the profiler's. "I've never displayed a lot of interest in men, and I know the fact that I'm falling for two women at once won't surprise them. At least that it's women. The two of you? Well, my mom always said I was a very loving person." Emily couldn't help the chuckle that slipped past her lips. "But in all honesty, my family loves me, they always will, even if I do what they don't expect, or if I do something completely crazy – like starting a relationship with two other women. And really, I think if they get to meet the both of you – they'll understand."

Emily smiled, 'I'd like to meet them – eventually."

Brushing a strand of hair out of Emily's eyes, JJ leaned forward and brushed her lips against the other woman's gently. The kiss deepened slowly, as the women leaned into each other, hands and hearts intertwined.

XVIII.

Sam had just finally allowed sleep to claim her. It had been difficult, after just one night sharing her bed with Emily and JJ, Sam was already accustomed to the weight of them against her. But she fell asleep, finally, wishing for a peaceful slumber framed with dreams of two treasured faces.

When Sam was woken by her phone ringing at 3 a.m. it was obvious someone had other plans.

"Hello?"

"Stewart – get up." The usually calming voice of the Yellow Springs Police Chief was shaking and bitter, "It's a black out Sam. And the Bed and Breakfast is on fire."

Sam dropped her phone with a clatter, only picking it up again once she'd pulled on a pair of jeans and shoes. Grabbing her badge and gun she was out the door in less than 10 minutes.

Her heart pounded in her ears as her jeep muscled it's away through the darkness, the flashing beacon on her dashboard barely cut into the depth of the night. Still she pushed, and in her panicked mind, Sam felt the lick of the flames against her skin and the burn of the smoke consuming her lungs. It wasn't until the jeep skidded around that final corner before the Bed and Breakfast that Sam finally felt her breathing begin to even out. She mentally acknowledged that the B&B was well on its way to being a pile of charred wood and ashes, but emotionally she just knew that Emily and JJ were standing in front of her.

Sam hopped out of the jeep and quickly made her way to where Emily and JJ were standing. Despite the noise of the fire, the sirens and the shouts surrounding them, Sam momentarily lost herself in drinking in the presence of the two women and mentally assuring herself that they were there, that they were alive. Her eyes traveled in their forms quickly, taking in their disheveled appearances, the dirt on their faces, and the faintest glimmers of tears on their cheeks. "Did everyone make it out?" Emily turned to face the detective, a glimmer of something unspoken danced in her eyes, before returning to the stoic presence she'd been fighting to control, "We don't know about the LeSalles."

Panic registered briefly on Sam's face, before nodding and racing off in the direction of the fire chief, Emily watched as a quick conversation passed between the two before turning to look at the blonde standing next to her, by the time Emily turned back to look for Sam, the blonde detective had disappeared into fire gear and was heading into the Bed and Breakfast. "What the,-" Emily started, but was interrupted by Chief Jacobs approach.

"Agent Prentiss, Agent Jareau," Jacobs greeted them, offering each woman a blanket he had carried over with him, as the women wrapped the blankets around themselves, he turned to watch the commotion around them. "We've not been able to find the LeSalles, I imagine that's where Sam took off too." JJ looked up sharing the same look of confusion that Emily had worn moments before. The chief smiled sadly, "We're a small town. A lot of us serve different positions as needed. Me, I drive a school bus when necessary. Sam volunteers with the YSFD, among other things."

Emily and JJ nodded, before turning back to watch the fire, to watch for Sam.

Thanks for reading. (I'm sure I made some mistakes, but I'll try and get them fixed here soon, when I can keep my eyes open)