I hated writing this chapter but it's a means to an end. I'm not a criminal psychologist so the facts may not be right but I needed it to work for the story.

Title: An Honourable Man

Pairing: Emily Prentiss/?

Rating: M for now, but not sure where it might end up.

Summary: It was just another case, just another broken resolution, that brought them to this.

Spoilers: I've only seen up to series four episode four so anything up to there is fair game.

Author's Notes: I've never written Criminal Minds Fan fiction before I have loved the show since the first episode. I've written 'Waking the Dead' and 'West Wing' fan fiction before so this seems like a natural progression. I tend to write a few chapters then post one so it may take time to update but it also means I can take on suggestions along the way.

Part Six

David Rossi was beginning to wonder if it would ever stop raining. He'd awoken to thunder at six am and the downpour still hadn't ceased, if anything the rain was falling heavier. He turned with a sigh from the window and returned his attention to the small squad room. There was an air of anticipation that engulfed the room with the troopers all expecting to hear a profile that would identify the killer within hours. Unfortunately he knew that would be replaced with frustration as soon as they realised there wasn't some kind of miracle resolution.

"We have a preliminary profile for you," Hotch announced, positioning himself in front of the white board. "I stress that it's only preliminary, based on the evidence we have so far. As more information comes in it may adapt but hopefully it will help to rule out possibles." He glanced around the room, his eyes briefly pausing on each officer. "We're looking for a team. Based on victimology one is probably in their forties or fifties and more than likely white. The sadistic nature of these killings would also indicate that he'll have a record for assault or battery in his youth. Chances are it was early enough in his youth to be sealed."

Morgan unfolded his arms, ready to take over. "He's middle class, white collar and office based, probably unsuccessful in his job, you'll find he's missed out on promotions, maybe has some anger issues. More than likely he has moved around from job to job a lot."

"This doesn't mean he's a loner. Anger-excitation killers are often married with families and are social butterflies," Rossi interjected. "Think Ted Bundy. It's someone who people feel comfortable enough with to talk to or even go with. We don't know exactly how our three victims went missing but there are no indications that they were abducted publically or initially went unwillingly."

"The second unsub is young, in his twenties, certainly no older than thirty, and white. When you find him there will be a connection to the older one, whether it be family, or a mentor. The connection means that he'll do anything to prove himself to the older one," Emily continued, her body posture matching that of the four men around her."

"Generally in these killing teams there is one dominant partner and one subservient. The two people meet and develop a chemistry that moves them to torture, rape, murder," Reid explained, his hands moving through the air in time with his words. "With each kill the subservient subject is honing his method, learning how to please the dominant partner and how to get satisfaction from his own kills." He paused briefly to allow his words to catch up with his brain before deliberately continuing, "He's learning how to improve his kill but the problem is with each kill they need another because the satisfaction decreases not increases."

There was a momentary silence as the group acknowledged the sentiment behind the words.

"This killing team may be newly formed or it may have been successfully operating for a while but they are organised," Rossi announced, taking a step forward and commanding the room, his tone emotionless as he profiled the two nameless, faceless men who he was sure would kill again sooner rather than later. "They are not selecting random victims. Each is followed, their routine memorized and the appropriate time selected. Each of these men has disappeared and the people around them barely noticed."

Emily positioned herself against the desk and waited for him to pause. "Not to mention that there have been no reports of the abductions. The location was chosen to lure these men with little fuss and to lead them into a false sense of security."

"Once they have their victim they torture them and prolong the agony. All the while telling them what they are going to do. For the anger-excitation killer it is the torture which brings the satisfaction and the look of fear in their victim's eyes. Finally it no longer does it for them and that's when they kill them."

"In the case of these three victims it is a slow painful kill, maximising the derogation. Five days may not seem a lot but I can assure you in the case of what is happening to these men it is a lifetime," Hotch said, only too aware himself of how a short time can feel like an eternity. He'd painfully experienced the abduction of his own team members on too many occasions. "When it becomes time to dump the bodies the disposal site is already selected. Chosen because of their location, remoteness and the lack of connection to our unsubs. This team also have somewhere safe to torture and kill their prey without fear of being discovered but it's somewhere they can get to everyday because they need to be present and witness the full extent of what their inflicting."

"They are leaving no forensics so either they are experienced at this or have learnt pretty quickly," J.J. offered before returning to her note making. The profile was not part of her remit instead she was busy working on preparation for her press conference.

Morgan dug his hands in his pockets as the cadence of the profiling continued. "The time that passes between kills will decrease because with each kill the excitement level is lower. The team will always need another victim. So we're looking at more abductions."

"What about the media?" someone asked finally after the voices of the team had been the only sounds for nearly an hour.

J.J. tucked her phone back into the pocket of her pants suit. "I'm going to hold a press conference later today. Let them know that we're working on the principle that these three deaths are linked and that we're looking for one or more perpetrators. It may also serve to warn potential victims." She glanced hesitantly at Hotch, hoping he wasn't going to change his mind about her proposal. "We want to give out a tip line number."

"There may be victims out there who haven't come forward. Men who have been approached but walked away. It might jog their memory. There are no certainties with these things and you will get lots of false leads but we have gotten results this way," Hotch elaborated, drawing the briefing to a close. "My team is going to give the same profile to the metro police and sheriffs offices later today."

"And then we what? . . . Wait?" Trooper Newstead asked, already knowing the answer.

Hotch nodded silently, not willing to give the worst case scenario - that they waited until another victim was found.

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