A/N: Heh, it's been INSANE around here but how about this? The new chapter is good to go. Hooray…?

First, of course! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for you reviews and support! (HUGS) You guys will never know just how precious you are to me. So thank you!

(takes a breath and gulps) It's go-time, isn't it? 'Hope you'll find this ride a good one, folks.

The Thrill of a Good Chase

/ While his work was anything but, Spencer's personal life was usually rather uneventful. Once upon a time. When Aaron announced that the team would have a well deserved day off Spencer decided to make the most of it. He had a thesis to write, a new doctorate to reach out for and a book he wanted to spend longer than ten minutes with. Before getting to any of that, however, he decided that he needed some coffee. Sometimes it's the most innocent of our decisions that change our lives forever.

When Spencer walked into his favorite café the first person who saw him was Anton Silas. The contract killer's eyebrow bounced up while he watched the tall, slender man with the liveliest eyes Anton had ever seen. The stranger walked quickly – like someone used to being in a hurry all the time – never once taking a look around him. Such innocence and insecurity, yet something in those eyes told a very different story. Gave a promise that there was something far more interesting hiding underneath.

Anton watched. Devoured. And decided that this target was something he wanted to pursue without anyone paying for it. Something like this creature was one in a million.

By the time the stranger had paid for his purchase and walked out of the café Anton was already there, like the good predator he was. A pair of hazel eyes widened upon discovering him. It was a surprise, really, that no coffee was spilled. "Got any light?" Anton inquired.

The younger man blinked once, then shook his head, coming out of the stupor. "No. I try to avoid unhealthy habits."

Anton tilted his head with a grin. There was a twirl inside of him as the beast was aroused. "There are many… unhealthy things in life that are very much worth exploring, pretty boy." Briefly, so fast that it could've been a trick of imagination, his hand brushed a certain spot on the other's well formed body. Sending a suggestion, a call, a dare.

It was impossible to tell what went through the young man's head. For a moment those eyes appeared genuinely confused while a "Oh?" escaped. That was when Anton noticed the gun, hiding right beside where another bulge was appearing. It only added the temptation, the lust.

Anton had always played it with risk. He decided to be no coward today. The other's lips were soft and warm, probably much unlike his, when he crashed his own demandingly against them. Greedily taking absolutely everything that was granted to him. At first the brunet was too stunned to react. But then the younger man's lips moved as well, at first cautiously, then with a gradually growing amount of force. At some point the man's coffee fell, staining both their shoes. Neither paid much attention.

"I… I don't usually do… things like this", the other breathed against his lips. There was a loud gulp that only added the appeal. "Actually, I… I never do stuff like… this."

Anton smirked. He'd caught his prey, now. "Well, it's high time you learn." The second kiss was even more heated than the first one. His lips tingled pleasantly when he broke apart and breathed against the other's neck. "Your place or mine?"

Oh, those hazel eyes most certainly weren't perfectly innocent anymore. "Mine. Now."

The following morning Spencer woke up alone. There was a mug of fresh, steaming hot coffee on his nightstand. That, along with a call card that had nothing but a phone number and 'X' written on it. His nightly companion had added in a flawlessly neat handwriting.

'X marks the spot, pretty boy.'

Spencer didn't know what possessed him. He managed to defy the urge for the two days his team was on a case, although he fidgeted like during the pitchblack days of withdrawal. As soon as he made it home he dialed the mystery man's number. Like a moth drawn to a flame. /

It wasn't once or twice someone had called Spencer paranoid over his life. The two weeks following the arrival of the flowers, however, were pure hell. Tore his very sanity.

Whenever Spencer slept he dreamt of finding Aaron and Jack dead. Dreamt of his BAU-family facing the most horrible of deaths. Dreamt of Anton's smirking face, heard the man's voice so clearly that it was almost impossible to believe that it was a dream.

/ "Now, do you see what you've done?" /

In the end Spencer decided not to sleep. It was the simplest that way, really. He kept himself awake, kept a careful eye on every possible shadow following those he cared about. Kept watch, all the while knowing what was coming.

As it often happens, the bomb finally dropped on a very mundane day.

Spencer was sitting on the living room floor feeding Lucia, Aaron seated on a couch directly above him, so close that they could feel each other's warmth. Nothing much was said while Aaron focused on a book and Spencer on his daughter. They were content with the quiet. Somehow that very moment was the most normal one Spencer had had in a very long time. He savoured those precious, stolen moments for the rest of his life because they were numbered.

"Daddy!" They both looked up when Jack walked into the room. The boy seemed excited. "A police car just passed by our house real slow!"

The adults exchanged a quick glance that spoke a lot. Guilt formed a tight ball into Spencer's stomach. It was his fault that this threat and monitoring were now a part of Jack and Aaron's life. That Aaron's eyes looked just like they did during the Foyet nightmare.

Fortunately something far more pleasant pulled Spencer's thoughts elsewhere. In his arms Lucia was obviously done eating. Her arms were flailing determinedly, reaching out towards Jack. He couldn't restrain a tiny chuckle. "It looks like she wants you, Jack."

The boy's eyes lit up with excitement. "Can I hold her? For real?"

Spencer nodded. "Uh huh."

"Just be extra careful, buddy", Aaron cautioned in a tone Spencer didn't think he'd heard before. "She's still very small."

Jack nodded obediently, sitting down right next to Spencer. "Okay." True to his word the child's motions were nothing but careful and gentle when he took the baby, who immediately snuggled closer to him. At first Jack seemed too stunned to speak. Then uttered the about last words the adults had expected. "She looks just like me in those baby photos."

Spencer could practically feel how Aaron's heart jumped towards throat – probably because his did the same. Once more he was almost relieved to have a distraction. There was a single knock on the house's door, no more.

While Jack was still occupied by Lucia (and an attempt to make the baby smile or laugh) Aaron gave Spencer a loudly speaking look. Spencer shook his head, already getting up. He'd take care of this one himself.

Grabbing a knife on his way towards the door, trying to create a feeble illusion of security, Spencer took a deep breath, then opened. He saw no one. A quick inspection revealed that the whole street was practically abandoned. Only a couple of cars parked here and there. Then his eyes fell on the large envelope dropped to the doorsteps.

Spencer knew that it was a bad idea from the moment he moved but couldn't stop himself. He grabbed the envelope to see 'Spencer' written on the back. For a moment he stared, then ripped the envelope open. And wished that he hadn't the minute he saw the contents.

When Spencer didn't come back inside in five minutes Aaron knew that something was wrong. Gently prying Lucia from Jack's arms and placing her gently to a crib he made sure that Jack was busy with other things, then half dashed towards the door. Hoping that there wouldn't be a disaster waiting. He shouldn't have bothered to hope.

Spencer was practically hyperventilating while leaning heavily against the wall, unshed tears filling the man's eyes. The man's face appeared dangerously pale. One hand was covering the genius' lips, as though it was the only thing keeping the vomit from coming.

The other hand squeezed a huge envelope so hard that knuckles had turned white.

Aaron frowned, not quite daring to approach. As though he could've made the situation any worse even if he tried. "Reid? What's wrong?"

Spencer took a couple of gasping breaths before managing to utter words. "It's… It's Anton." The genius didn't dare to meet his eyes. It took a massive gulp before words came. "We've gotta call in the others and meet them. We've gotta warn them."

There were a million things Aaron would've wanted to ask but he knew that now wasn't the time. He nodded stiffly, reaching out towards his pocket for a cell phone. "I'm calling Jessica over to keep an eye on Jack and Lucia."

To both their stun Spencer shook his head. Finally their eyes met. "We'll take Lucia along." The genius' eyes were torn, almost scared. "I… I can't put it off any longer. It's time for them to meet her. For her safety." Just in case I won't be there to protect her anymore, was much too loudly present.

Aaron had no idea what to say to that.

By the time Spencer and Aaron entered the conference room, with Lucia safely in Spencer's arms and his head in a state of chaos, the genius discovered that the team was already waiting for them. They noticed Lucia in an instant. The time of hiding had come to an end.

Spencer swallowed, appearing more nervous than ever before. "There's… something I haven't told you guys. I kept stalling, waiting for the right time, but…" He trailed off, obviously having no idea of what to say. Until finally, after a tiny eternity, the words came. "This… This is Lucia. My daughter."

'Chaos' is the only word able to describe what followed. In an instant Penelope and JJ were hovering above the slightly startled looking baby, the former demanding how in the world he could keep something that adorable from them. To JJ nothing else but the tiny girl seemed to exist. David approached with unexpected caution, a priceless look appearing to his face when Lucia began to whimper the second the older man touched her head. (David Rossi had never backed away like that before, not even during the many fights with his ex-wives.) Emily grinned and took a step closer to the child. It looked like she wanted to touch but didn't quite dare to. There was a bizarre look on her face, like her mind had been somewhere else entirely.

And Derek… remained absolutely still. As though shocked. The man couldn't seem to stop staring at Lucia. There was no telling what was going through the older agent's head.

Spencer gulped. He should've known that Derek wouldn't take this lightly. Sure enough they were both extremely secretive but they'd also always had a special bond of sorts. They'd shared a lot of things no one else knew. Having a secret like this between them caused a crack on that bond. "Morgan…"

Derek, however, wasn't in the mood to listen. There was a look that chilled Spencer a little bit in the man's eyes. "Who's the mother?"

Spencer shivered, not wanting to share his deepest and most sensitive secret all over again. Aaron was quick to save him. "It doesn't matter who the other parent is. Right now we need to focus on keeping Silas away from them."

"Away from us all", Spencer interjected quickly. A fire lit up inside his chest while the will to fight rose once more. A million memories traveled through his head when he went on. "Anton… He knows where I am. It's only a matter of time before he comes after me. And he's willing to do whatever he can to have his way." Deciding that hiding had already cost him too much he pulled out the envelope he received earlier. There, right before the others' confused eyes, he laid out everything there was inside.

All the pictures. Of him. Of Lucia. Of the rest of them and their families.

Seeing a picture of Henry JJ brought a hand to her lips, her face falling deathly pale. She wrapped one arm tightly around herself. "Oh my god…!"

David looked at him. Those eyes demanded an explanation long before the words were voiced. "Reid, what is this?"

Spencer felt sick to his stomach. He couldn't tear his eyes from the pictures, no matter how hard he tried. "This is his warning. No one's safe – he's found you all. He'll tear down each and every single one of you if that's what it takes to smoke me out." He gulped, unable to shed to rotten taste. "I just talked to… some associates. Like I've told you you've been on special observation almost since the day I returned but as from today you or your families won't go anywhere unguarded. Not until Anton's been taken care of. All those people you care about will be kept an eye on, just in case. You won't be handed new cases – it's not safe for you to travel. It might be the safest if you'd spend as much time as possible here in the bureau. Anton's not insane or reckless. He won't risk an attempt against this fortress. But he will find all of your weak spots. You need to be prepared for that."

"Jesus Christ, Reid…!" Emily's eyes were wide and he could've sworn that she shivered. "What… What the hell is this guy?"

Spencer took a deep breath. The tightness around his ribcage only intensified. "The worst we've ever met." He sighed, feeling very tired all of a sudden. It was exhausting to revisit all these dark memories. "He's been running from the CIA, Interpol and FBI for over three years. Maybe we can help them catch him."

Aaron's eyebrow bounced up. For once those eyes couldn't conceal a single emotion. "And if we can't?"

Spencer met the older man's eyes. It was terrifying, in a way he'd never experienced before, to stand so very close to losing absolutely everything. "Then it's time to use his weakest spot against him."

Meanwhile Anton Silas sat in the first class of a airplane, his eyes cast towards the clouds gathered outside. Just like before every good hunt his skin tingled with anticipation. It was finally time to move. Time to step out of the shadows. As much as he enjoyed the stalking, waiting, this was his favorite part.

"Excuse me, sir?" The young, ginger haired and blue eyed flight attendant serving him gave a bright, far from coy smile. Her perfume was too strong. "Would you care for something to drink? Or anything else?" The suggestion wasn't exactly hidden between the lines.

Anton smiled as well, trying not to appear as irritated as he felt. Under different circumstances… "No thank you, dear."

Not appearing the slightest bit discouraged the woman kept smiling and nodded. "Are you traveling fur business or pleasure?"

Deciding to play along a bit, just for the heck of it, Anton replied. "A little bit of both, actually." He even winked, fighting back a snort at the blush on her face. "Mostly pleasure, though."

"I see." Someone must've sent her a signal that she was crossing a line for all of a sudden she appeared embarrassed. "We'll be landing in fifteen minutes. Have a good time."

With a glimpse that took a microsecond Anton studied her nametag. The smile on his face made him look like a shark. "I'm sure I will, Tasha."

Once the plane landed Anton didn't hurry. At this point of his chase there was no particular hurry. Outside in fresh air he breathed his lungs full, letting his eyes wander. He was quick to spot the car waiting for him. A smirk appeared to his face.

So she's on time, for once.

With slow, almost lazy steps he made his way to the vehicle. The driver didn't even look towards him when he opened the door and sat down. "Is this choice of a location your idea of a bad joke?" she growled.

Anton sighed inwardly. So she was in one of those moods… "I'm afraid that this is a necessity, Elle. There are… some things that I need to take care of."

She shrugged. "Well, as long as you don't get me absorbed into that fucked up shit do whatever the hell you want. We've got a clear deal of what I've been paid for, remember?" With those words Elle Greenaway lit up a cigarette.

They drove on in a silence. The sky above them was tinged with red.

/ Anton's head was tilted slightly as he watched Spencer's naked form, letting his eyes rest on the bruises here and there. They were his marks. The token of exactly how deep his bond with Spencer was.

Spencer's eyes flickered his way, sharp and unreadable. They made him want to punch the young genius as much as they made him want to fuck the other man senseless. "You're staring."

Anton shrugged, unfazed. "I have every right to look at what's mine", he pointed out. No need to add any drama into it.

Spencer, obviously, didn't feel that way. For a moment he was sure that the suddenly ferocious creature would attack him. "I don't belong to anyone", the younger man hissed in a voice that carried a loud threat.

Sure of himself as always Anton moved slowly, seeing no point in hurrying. His hand held no hesitation while he slid it down the most private and sensitive of all parts. Felt them all react to him. Felt the other's pulse rise where the fingers of his free hand were brought to a delicate throat. A smirk appeared to his face. "But of course you do", he murmured. "You'd never let anyone else do this to you." Without any further warning he bit down, right through the place where a little bit of hair covered the tender skin of Spencer's neck. Bit down hard enough to leave a mark.

Spencer hissed loudly, more out of rage than pain, and stiffened completely. Then, slowly, the man relaxed once more. Anton's teeth didn't let go until Spencer was completely relaxed. He could taste blood. It was his turn to be stiff.

"I hate you", Spencer growled through tightly gritted teeth.

Anton didn't smile to anyone the way he did right then. On the spur of the moment he kissed Spencer's hair. "I know that you do", he mused out loud, enjoying the way his breath made the hair in the back of the other man's neck rise. "But I still don't see you walking away."

Spencer snorted. "Would I even have the choice to, if I tried?"

Not asking for a permission Anton pushed Spencer roughly against the wall, trapping the man from wrists and squeezing tightly, possessively. He inhaled the genius' scent sharply, closing his eyes to imprint every fragment. "If you ever betray me, love… it'll be the death of you." /

TBC

A/N: So the truth of Lucia is finally out. And not a moment too soon, with Anton already marching in. And what's this with Elle? A mess is about to come down, that's for sure. (shudders)

Please, leave a note, yeah? I've been typing like crazy and my head's a mess, so it'd feel unbelievably good to hear your opinion. (gives puppy's eyes) Pwease…? Remember that the elves are watching.

Until next time, ya all! 'Hope I'll see you all then.

Be good!

novrov: Hey, welcome aboard, then! (grins) I'm truly happy that you've had a good time thus far. 'Hope the next one's just as satisfying.

Huge thank yous for the review!

Guest1: I'm glad to hear that you've joined in, and even happier that you've enjoyed your journey! (beams) 'Hope that you're as pleased with the next one.

Gigantic thank yous for the review!

Guest2: Let's hope that they'll get one, especially Reid after everything he's gone through. (winces)

Thank you so much for the review!

Anon: I'm SUPER happy to hear that you enjoyed it so! (sighs with joy)

Those four make an amazing little family, don't they? And their children are clearly more than happy with the situation. ('Glad to hear you liked the little smex there.) (smirks) Let's hope that they'll get to stay together through this turmoil.

I REALLY hope that you'll be as satisfied with what's to come.

Colossal thank yous for the review!