Author's Note:

No comment on the saddening lateness of this update. My only excuse is school and the school play.

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012
Somewhere in the wooded foothills of the Appalachians, United States

Journal,

I cannot believe what Stan has done. Why in the world would he bring Dr. Reid here of all places? Why would he dare touch him when he was content with my being here? Is what I said true, and this was only a display of power? Or is he just trying to make me happy?

I have proof of the second option, however. The instant he saw me standing next to Dr. Reid, he flew into a rage, shoving me away from him and starting to beat him. I screamed, then began crying, shouting at Stan to stop. He didn't, but then finally I regained control over myself and begged Stan to stop, saying I'd take just about anything he would inflict on any of his hostages, myself included. Dr. Reid and Mrs. Meyes made their dismay audible, and Cameron's jaw flew open as his father's eyes widened in shock. I disregarded their reactions, just as Stan did, and proceeded to beg him to stop hurting people. Finally, I said, "Do what you do to others on me before you continue to do it, but always make sure they always get it half as bad as me." Instantly he dropped Dr. Reid and rushed over to me, pulling me to my feet and hugging me close, promising me he'd never hurt anyone again. So far I am satisfied that the love sessions seemed to have stopped altogether, and he hasn't kissed me in a while, but everything else stays the same, just for longer periods of time to compensate for the chunks of the schedule missing. I have not dared to wear any of the jewelry he has purchased for me, nor shall I ever.

Dr. Reid seems upset whenever he sees me dancing (Stan insists he watch since we don't have a full audience with three people-like we have a full audience with four!), and always comments on my singing, meaning he can hear it from down there.

No more. Already my tears have smeared some of the text, and only more are to come. I must set my pen down for today. Will write more once these dreadful tears have stopped.

Amy

Thursday, February 9th, 2012
Somewhere in the wooded foothills of the Appalachians, United States

Amy walked out of the dining room and into the music room, like Stan had asked her to. There, at the piano, was new music - just like he said there would be. Reluctantly, she sat down on the piano bench, pushed up the piano cover, and took the music book down. Instantly she froze when she saw that the cover had been made just for her: It read: Amy's Songs. She carefully set it back on the music stand, and opened the book to the marked pages. Instantly the songs that greeted her almost made her cry. She selected one her mother always had loved and knew the words by heart. Slowly, Amy's fingers found the keys the song called for, and began to play and sing Josh Groban's "To Where You Are."

After the first verse, the door she had so carefully closed opened, but Amy barely paid attention Stan's entrance until she noticed he was not alone. It was only then that she noticed that Cameron, Mrs. Meyes, Mr. Bronsky, and Dr. Reid had come in with him, and were being seated against the far wall away from the door. Stan soon walked over after closing the door, and turned the page back to the beginning.

"From the top, my dear," he said softly, and so Amy took a deep breath, moved her hands, and started playing and singing again, never noticing the camera Stan set up on a tripod recording her performance.

Reid knew Amy was not playing the piano and singing to her own pleasure. The song she might have selected, yes, but the performance itself must have been planned and run by Stan. Why else would he be recording her?

As Amy sang and played the piano, Reid couldn't get her fragile image from his mind, even when he closed his eyes. With the clothes she wore, and with what was exposed, he could see most of her bones protruding from the skin, especially her ribs, but from what he smelled, she most definitely was not malnourished on purpose. Her once-lush brown hair seemed a ghost of its former beauty, and her eyes were slightly sunken in as her cheekbones protruded inelegantly. Her face had thinned, yes, and there was a dark, old bruise on her right cheek and jaw. Reid could only guess how that had gotten there. Her brown eyes were tear-stained and red, surrounded by dark circles and puffy rings from crying and lack of sleep, no doubt.

Finally, the song ended, and Stan started clapping, then walked over to the camera to turn it off. That was when Amy noticed it, and her eyes widened. Reid could only guess what was to happen next, and even then he could be miles off.

Thursday, February 9th, 2012 10:34 AM
BAU Headquarters, Quantico, Virginia

Hotch sat at his desk with his head in his hands when Garcia, Morgan, and JJ walked in toting coffee cups, laptops, and files galore. Rossi sat next to Hotch, trying to console him for the hundreth time. Once everyone had been seated around a table that had been brought in at Hotch's insistance (everyone had argued that chairs and binders would suffice for the table, and that Hotch could still sit at his desk), Emily rushed in carrying more papers still warm from copiers and printers. She sat, and then Hotch began.

"So, it's been about forty-eight hours since Reid's been missing, and we still haven't gotten any leads?" he asked.

Garcia spoke up. "You're wrong. I've gotten plenty. He made a purchase on his credit card around eight o'clock the night he went missing, and he bought jewelry. Very nice jewelry at that."

"What store, and where?"

Garcia named the jewelers, then said, "And you won't believe where it's located."

"I'm sure we will," Hotch denied.

"North Carolina."

"What?!" Morgan exclaimed. "Since when has he had a girlfriend in the Carolinas?"

Emily shook her head. "I don't think this is about a girlfriend, Morgan."

Rossi's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

JJ answered for her. "Garcia dug up the footage after we talked to the workers on the floor that night, and found Reid with another man, just as the clerk that rung up his purchase stated."

"I'm still running his face through the data base, but will let you know when I get the answer," Garcia said.

Hotch nodded. "Good."

JJ looked at the table for a moment. "Hotch, there's a catch. The clerk that night stated that Reid seemed happy, and that he claimed he was marrying the man's daughter, and the two were looking for wedding gifts for her."

Garcia jumped when her laptop made a ding!ing noise. "Okay, well, the match came up, and I have more news on Reid, things he's only confided in me, which might be important for the case."

"What's the important things?" Hotch asked.

"And who's the man?" Rossi added.

Garcia sighed. "Sorry, Reid, but I have to. Okay, so Reid actually is engaged, but the thing is, it isn't to the daughter of this man. In fact, the so-called daughter of the man he was with is only thirteen."

"Who's the man?" Rossi repeated.

Garcia turned around her laptop. "The one-and-only Stan Fields."

Hotch collapsed back into his chair when the news sank in. "My God, the kid was right."

Emily suddenly spoke. "Hotch, there's something you should see. It's about Amy and probably Reid, too."

Hotch came around from his desk and walked over to where Garcia was pulling up a website. Instantly the older agent closed his eyes in realization. It was Stan's website, and it was Amy singing.

As Amy sang, JJ picked up the song as well, but only whispered the words. Once it ended, she said, "That was a Josh Groban song, wasn't it?"

"I don't know, was it?" Garcia asked.

"Yeah, it was. Amy had to have chosen that song, because I know what she was singing about," JJ said. "She told me before the trial that the song she'd love to sing in public was 'To Where You Are' by Josh Groban. That was it. She even sang it for me."

Everyone was silent for a few minutes, then Garcia said, "Why can't these kinds of people leave us alone?"

"Because without them we wouldn't have a job, now would we?" Hotch asked, then walked briskly from the room.

Okay, so I made up the engagement. Believe me, that was just a sudden idea I felt like throwing in. I don't know if it will make much of a difference in the story, except that she, too might have to help out on the case depending on how she ends up being. I don't even have a name for her yet! No, wait, I do. Nevermind.