"Anything, you know that." She tried to ignore the panic in his voice.

Elle had been away for over eight years but she still had resources and eyes inside; Derek was one of them. He had made it a point to keep in contact with her and for that she was grateful. Hotch had allowed her to leave without revealing the truth about her departure. She had killed an UnSub in cold blood. She couldn't deny it even though she had refused to admit her guilt to anyone even herself. The look in Hotch's eyes, accusing, knowing made it impossible to ignore and so she did the only thing she could do, run. She often wondered why he hadn't hunted her down and prosecuted her, he had the resources and the know-how, but instead he let her walk away free. In the end she realized that once you crossed the line, you were never really free.

Morgan filled her in on the details and again they renewed their vow of secrecy. Morgan knew that this time he would have to cross the lines of protocol, and procedure and he was willing to make those choices when the time came. His friend, Elle was all too familiar with the blurring of lines.

"Elle, we've got to get them back! Kirkwood is a maniac…I've seen what he can do!"

"Morgan, we will. Call me when you can."

Mabel had compiled a list of possible locations within a five-mile radius. Most of the locations were old abandoned warehouses or property that had been deserted by the owners when the real estate marked bottomed out. He felt a sense of hopelessness when he looked at nearly twenty-three locations.

"Mabel, this list…it's too long."

"Last I checked you have a room full of FBI agents downstairs, let them help you."

"Kirkwood was very specific…no one but me. If he sees anyone else he's going to kill my team."

Mabel stopped typing and turned to face the distraught man. The look in his eyes betrayed him he wanted to show strength but his eyes, dark, and angry told the truth. His friends were going to die if he couldn't get to them before time ran out.

"I've heard a lot about you and everybody says you're the best at what you do. I wouldn't want to be the guy who is holding your partners, that's for sure." She sounded like his mother.

Morgan knew that he couldn't fail he looked at the list again and then at his watch and finally at Mabel's waiting face.

"You know this is a test, right?"

"A test?"

"Yes."

"What kind of test?"

"When you figure that out, then, and only then will you find your friends."

She turned back to her computers and began typing again while Morgan looked puzzled and even more confused than when this whole nightmare had begun. He turned and without another word left the room and headed toward the conference room to brief Cruz.

"Do you think he got the message?" JJ asked a bruised Reid.

"Knowing Morgan, he got the message."

"Now we wait." Hotch added.

Kirkwood was getting itchy time was passing too slowly for him and he needed some entertainment. He wondered how Morgan would enjoy watching him play with his friends. Boredom always made his mind wander and so he headed toward the room that held his guests.

The door swung open and all eyes were now focused on the three men. Hotch wanted desperately to smash the smile off of Kirkwood's' face and watch his eyes bug out in surprise. But he couldn't the guns strapped to their captors' bodies meant they were outnumbered, three guns to none.

With a motion of his head, the two other men moved toward Alex grabbing and yanking her to her feet. Stone-faced she refused to show any fear. She and the others had already figured out that this man thrived on fear and she wasn't going to give him that easily. Hotch and Rossi moved slightly to her defense but thought differently when the men flashed their weapons.

"Where are you taking her?" JJ yelled.

"You can come too if you want." Kirkwood chuckled. "The more the merrier."

JJ sat back in silence as the men pulled Alex out the door. Hotch leaned his head against the wall and closed his eyes. He hoped that Reid was correct and Morgan had gotten his message.

BAU –

Morgan and Cruz stood in front of a large map of the area. Each location on the list was marked with a red stickpin. With twenty-three potential hiding places, the task before him was daunting. Even so, he couldn't help but feel as though something was missing.

"Something's not right, Cruz."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know. Something Reid said on his video."

Morgan replayed the video for Cruz. He knew Reid was trying to send him a message and he was surprised that he didn't see anything on the list that matched anything he'd said.

"Reid kept talking about movies…making Hollywood movies. None of these locations have anything to do with movies…wait…"

Morgan dialed Mabel there was another location he was certain the locations on the map had nothing to do with locating his team.

"What you need gorgeous?"

This woman reminded him of a much older version of Penelope and he couldn't shake it.

"I think we're missing something. Can you get me an address for a, "Monarch Film Academy?"

"No problem, I'll send it to you in a sec."

"What are you thinking, Morgan?" Cruz asked.

"I used to date this model who wanted to be an actress and she took classes at this film school. I used to tease her about trying to break into acting from a little school in Virginia."

"So, you think they might be there?"

"I do. The school went belly up about five years ago and I'd be willing to bet the place is still empty."

"Mabel can you find out if anyone is occupying that building now?"

"Sure thing."

Mabel quickly learned that the building had been empty until about six months ago.

"According to city records, the building was purchased by Andrew Kirkwood."

"Thanks Mabel, you're a doll."

"Who told you?" She joked and then ended the call.

Cruz looked at the map as Morgan pointed out its location. It was odd to him that it was not on the original list.

"Morgan…"

"Yeah?"

"Why wasn't this place on the original list?"

"Hmm…I don't know maybe she just missed it."

"Would Garcia have missed it?"

"There's only one Garcia…she doesn't miss anything."

Mabel was quite impressed with the agent. It was true what she'd heard about him. No wonder he was selected to be a part of this unit. He wasn't supposed to figure it out until much later. She hadn't missed it, in fact it came up first on her search but it wasn't time yet. He was nowhere near the deadline. Perhaps her nephew had under estimated Agent Derek Morgan. At any rate, she had to make a phone call to warn him that he was coming.

The phone rang four times before he picked up slightly irritated. He was just about to have fun with the dark haired agent. She was a little older than what he usually liked but she would serve his purposes. He had already forced her to undress down to her underwear and he had just unpacked his knives when the piercing ring tone stopped him.

"What!"

"It looks like I may be interrupting?"

"This better be important! You know not to call me from the FBI building! We've gone over this a thousand times, Aunt Mabel!"

"Yeah, yeah, keep your pants on or should I say, put your knives away…Anyway I got an update for you."

Andrew exhaled and set the knife down on the table next to him.

"What is it?"

"He's on his way."

"What? You were supposed to stall him!"

"I tried! He's smart! He figured it out. I'm not sure how but he did."

"Damn! Damn! Damn!"

He was distracted, Alex saw the knives and his back was to them. He was so busy throwing a temper tantrum that he'd forgotten all about her. She moved toward the table and reached for the knife. She had almost made it but he turned just before her hand reached the handle of the knife.

"NO!" He yelled dropping the phone.

Andrew rushed toward Alex back-handing her across the face sending her sprawling on the floor.

"Bitch! What do you think you're doing?"

He grabbed her roughly by the hair and pulled her to her feet. She looked at him anger flooding her face. She no longer cared that he saw her emotions she just wanted to grab a knife and plunge it into his body but that wasn't going to happen. He slammed her against the wall pinning her there with his large hand around her neck.

"You're not going to get away with this! Morgan is on his way and he's going to kill you!" She choked out struggling for air."

He looked at her face then at her body nearly naked struggling for breath before him. How he wanted to slice her up and cut her up in tiny pieces and send the video of his acts to Morgan but he was out of time. He pressed harder against her neck he could feel her bones giving under the pressure and he liked it. He felt an odd high watching her fight for air.

"Well, you won't be alive to see it!"

She began to lose consciousness. Suddenly he let her go and her body slid limply to the floor. He turned his back and walked toward the table. Alex coughed and tried to inhale and gather her strength for one more try at getting her hand on one of the knives. Maybe it was the lack of oxygen, fatigue or anger; she didn't see that he had grabbed a knife and began running his hand lightly across the blade. She assumed he was being arrogant and because he had nearly strangled her, no longer perceived her as a threat. Struggling to her feet she took a step toward him then another. Suddenly he turned with an evil smile and as she lunged her body toward him he plunged the knife into her stomach. He loved the shocked look in her eyes. He felt exhilarated as her blood ran over his hand. Pulling her weakening body to him he held her tightly against his body and breathed in the scent of her hair.

It had been a while since he felt the pure joy of death on his hands and heard the last guttural sound of that last breath. After she was gone he let her go and watched her body hit the floor with a thud.

"Hello! Hello? Andrew are you still there?" Mabel shouted on the other end of the phone.

Andrew wiped the blood on his trousers and picked up the phone that had fallen on the floor.

"Yeah, I'm here." He said trying to catch his breath. Murder always left him breathless.

"You better get ready. He's comin' for you!"

Andrew angrily ended the call took one final glanced at the dead woman's body and left the room.

BAU Quantico, VA

Derek had notified Elle and he was arming himself and putting on his vest. He had instructed Cruz to have his men stay out of view until he signaled for them to come in. It was important that Kirkwood only see him he knew he'd be watching the building's entrances.

Cruz was nervous; this could end with the entire team losing their lives. For all he knew Hotch and the others were already dead. He didn't dare mention that to Morgan, however he simply remained silent as he adjusted his own vest.

Without any more words Morgan headed toward the elevator. It was time to bring his family home…alive and safe.

Mabel began shutting down the computers in Garcia's office. She took special care to leave everything exactly as she found it. In fact, she grabbed a few of the wet wipes that sat in the corner of the desk and wiped the keyboard and the screens and anything else she may have come in contact with. She hated germs and believed firmly in cleaning up after herself. After she was finished she poked her head out the door, seeing that everyone was preoccupied with other things she quietly slipped out of the office.