Chapter 16

The next time JJ slowly opened her eyes, she found herself laying on a couch with an ice pack on the back of her head. Grimacing, she tried to sit up, but a pair of hands gently eased her back down on the sofa.

"Take it easy, JJ," a familiar voice said. "You have a slight concussion."

"I'm all right," The blond forced herself up into a sitting position, grimacing as she did so. A wave of dizziness stopped her as she tried to stand up, so she remained seated. She held the ice bag in one hand, touched the lump on the back of her head with the other, and looked at her fingers. The bleeding had stopped, but she winced when her fingers had touched the lump. Now that her eyesight had cleared, she recognized Derek Morgan seated beside her on the couch. She looked around the room anxiously. "Where's Hotch?"

"I'm hoping you can tell me. When you were found unconscious in the alleyway, I also found one of Hotch's Glocks, and his cell phone nearby."

JJ's eyes widened. "Derek, he has Hotch. The Unsub. He attacked me and took Hotch."

Derek's eyes narrowed. "You sure?"

"Yes. Somebody struck me from behind and dragged me into the alley. I don't remember much after that except I recall hearing Hotch's voice. Then I recall somebody approaching him while his back was turned. Next thing I knew, I had one of Hotch's weapons in my hand. I tried to shoot, but with my blurred vision I didn't want to risk it. I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Did you get any kind of look at the guy?"

"I didn't get a really good look at him. I wish…"

Before she finished, the door of the conference room opened, and in walked Prentiss, Reid and Rossi, all looking concerned.

"We got here as quick as possible," Rossi explained. "What's happened?"

"The Unsub took Hotch," said Morgan. The others all stood with mouths hanging open in shock.

"How? When?" asked Rossi, anxious.

Morgan explained what happened to JJ and how Hotch went to find her. He concluded how he found JJ alone in the alley, and Hotch missing except for one of his two guns, and cell phone.

"Are you all right?" Prentiss asked putting a hand on JJ's shoulder.

"I'm all right. I'm just worried about Hotch."

"Why would Brandt take Hotch if he sent Morgan a letter?" asked Reid with narrowed eyes. It was a question that was on the minds of the others as well.

"Possibly because Hotch showed up alone outside and Brandt decided to abduct him instead," suggested Prentiss.

"Or…" Reid looked at the group. "Maybe Hotch was the intended target from the beginning."

"How do you figure that, kid?" asked Morgan.

"We were led to believe Morgan was the intended target, and we went on that belief," Reid continued. "But the fact that he took Hotch says that he was the intended target and getting us to believe Morgan was the target, was simply a smokescreen. Brandt set the perfect plan in motion to throw us off track by sending that letter to Morgan."

"But why target Hotch?" asked JJ placing the ice pack back on the lump on the back of her head again.

"That's the part I haven't figured out yet," Reid admitted.

"Well, whatever the reason," said Rossi. "We have to find it out before Hotch ends up like the others."

"I'm the only one who at least got a look at the guy who took Hotch," JJ said. She looked at Morgan. "Can we do a cognitive interview? It might give us a lead. Or at least trigger something."

"JJ, you have a mild concussion," Morgan explained. "You're in no condition to do a cognitive interview right now. Maybe in an hour or so we can try."

The blond bit her lower lip. "And how much time might Hotch have left?" she asked. "Morgan, you know what Brandt has done to his other victims. You want to give him more time with Hotch before he kills him?" She noticed Morgan's hesitation and understood. "I can do this. So if you're worried, don't be."

Morgan rubbed his palms together. "Let's do it," he said getting to his feet.

JJ got to her feet at the same time and swayed a bit. Both Morgan and Emily were at her side quickly to steady her. The blond rubbed her forehead as the pounding in her head continued.

"This might not be a good idea," Emily said, conflicted. She knew JJ might be the best chance they had to save Hotch, but she clearly saw the media liaison was not in the best condition at the moment.

"I'm fine," JJ insisted as she steadied herself. "I just got up too quickly is all." She looked at Prentiss. "Em, Hotch is depending on us to save him, and we can't afford to wait. I know I should wait a few more hours, but we all know Hotch may not have a few more hours. If we're going to do this, we need to do it now while it's still fresh in my mind."

Morgan gently gripped JJ's arm and led the blond in the direction of a door leading to a smaller room where a snack machine, table, and two chairs were. The others watched through the Plexiglass window in the door.

Morgan and JJ sat facing each other. He studied the young woman. "You still seem a little out of it. You sure you're up to this?"

"Absolutely."

"Okay. Take a deep breath and close your eyes. Try and relax." JJ did as instructed. When the blond looked relaxed, Morgan continued. "Tell me what happened when you went outside."

"I got the information from the Meadows' family and the cab company as Hotch had requested. I started to get a headache. I needed a breath of air if only to help with the growing headache. Once outside, I walked around allowing myself to enjoy the cool evening air. After a few minutes, I doubled back to the edge of the precinct, leaned against the building, and looked up at the clear night sky." She let out a deep breath. "A sudden pain in the back of my head told me somebody had hit me. My legs buckled and I started to fall. That's when somebody caught me before I hit the ground. Then he dragged me further into the alleyway before laying me gently down on the ground." Morgan reached out and took her hand in both of his.

"Just relax. You're doing great. What did you see after Hotch found you?" JJ's eyes narrowed as the memory became clearer.

"I remember Hotch call out my name. I tried to move but I was so dizzy and nauseous. I remember Hotch beside me, asking who had done this to me."

JJ's body suddenly stiffened which did not escape Morgan's eyes. He squeezed her hand.

"A figure, it appeared to be a man, quietly approached Hotch while his back was turned. He held something in his hand, but I couldn't make out what it was. I tried to warn Hotch but wasn't able to get the words out. Suddenly Hotch got this look on his face like he sensed danger behind him. He reached for his gun and started to turn. But before he did, the man touched the back of his neck with what he had in his hand. I heard a crackling noise, and Hotch passed out across my legs. I think it was a taser."

"What did the man do after Hotch was unconscious?"

"I saw him roll Hotch onto his back. I was too dizzy to help. He removed Hotch's weapon from his waist holster and took it. He then removed his back-up piece and threw it and the cell phone away. I yelled at him to leave Hotch alone but he wouldn't listen. He dragged Hotch out of the alley toward his vehicle."

"What type of vehicle?"

JJ, eyes still closed, tilted her head a bit to the side as she tried to keep her concentration. "My vision was still fuzzy, but I could make out what looked like a van or a truck. It was dark in color; either black or blue. I couldn't make out the license plate. The man got Hotch inside the back of his vehicle and climbed in behind him. I think he was restraining him somehow. He only stayed with him for a few minutes, and then got out. I managed to find Hotch's discarded weapon and grabbed it. I then proceeded to drag myself toward the entrance of the alley to try and help Hotch. I tried to take a shot to stop the abductor, but I didn't trust myself because my vision was blurry."

"Can you describe the Unsub?"

JJ reached into the deep recesses of her brain before she spoke. Her headache got worse, but she ignored it. "He was about six feet, one inch tall, maybe 180 to 185 pounds. White with blond hair and blue eyes. He was wearing jeans, sneakers, a dark turtleneck sweater, and a dark windbreaker."

Morgan smiled widely and looked at JJ. "JJ, you did great." The blond opened her yes and looked at her friend.

"I did?"

"Yeah. Now, I have one more favor to ask of you."

"What?"

"I'm gonna get a sketch artist in here so we can get a likeness of this guy. Once that's done, I want you to lay down and rest. We'll handle the rest from here. Are you up to giving a description to the sketch artist?"

JJ smiled. "My head aches and I'm tired, but I can do it."

Aaron Hotchner moaned as he fought to regain consciousness. He winced as he moved his head before he decided it best to keep still. It was the only way to lessen the pain in his head. He tried to open his eyes but couldn't get his eyes to obey his brain. So, he squeezed his eyes shut before trying again. This time he managed to open his eyes just a bit but found his vision a bit blurred. Slowly his vision began to clear. Hotch found he could not move his arms or legs. And he was cold. Why did he feel so cold? And where was he?

Despite the throbbing pain in his head, Hotch raised his head, wincing from the effort. That was when he discovered he lay on a metal table. His arms were straight out from his body and tied painfully to the table with wire. His legs were spread-eagled with wire securing his ankles as well. And to his horror, he was stark naked which explained why he felt so cold.

Hotch struggled against his restraints but had no luck in freeing himself. If anything, the wires bit into his wrists and ankles causing them to sting and bleed a bit. He let out a deep breath, and laid his aching head back on the table. He was a prisoner of the Unsub he and his team had been hunting.

He tried to remember how he ended up in this current position, but the memories weren't exactly clear to him, his mind still too fuzzy. He turned his head and looked around the room. He hoped he'd see something which might tell him where he was. The first thing he noticed is what looked like a closed circuit television set facing him, but wasn't sure. There was an aluminum table near the television on which sat a taser, a crowbar, a carving knife, and a machete. There were other things on the table which he had no idea what they were for, but suspected it couldn't be good. He swallowed the growing lump in his throat. He took in and let out a deep breath as he struggled to get control of himself so he could face his captor. He refused to show Brandt any fear no matter what he planned to do to him.

They had practically nothing on Brandt and no idea where he was hiding. Hell, Hotch didn't even have any idea where he himself was. His only hope is that his team would find him before it was too late. But he also had to face reality. This might be the end for him and that his luck had run out.

Hotch allowed himself to think about Jack. Never again might he see his son's beautiful smiling, laughing face, or get to tell him how much he loved him. He would never see Jack grow up into a fine young man. But Haley would make sure Jack would be okay, and remind him how much his daddy loved him.

Haley. The love of his life since high school. Right now he would give anything to hold her in his arms and make passionate love to her one last time. And his team. They would mourn his passing, and he only hoped his death wouldn't break them apart. He had to believe they would be all right in the end. Hotch's lower lip trembled as he thought about his team. The two he worried about the most were Reid and Garcia. Reid with his abandonment issues, and Garcia who was so protective of him and the others. She would take his death the hardest. But Rossi, Morgan, and the others would help her through her grief.

Hotch suddenly felt somebody's eyes on him, and suspected he was no longer alone. He had been so involved with his thoughts he must not have heard the door open. The sound of footsteps coming closer made Hotch turn his head and face the man.

"You!" he hissed, anger showing on his face.

"Hello, Aaron," the familiar voice said sarcastically. "I've waited a long time for this moment."

Hotch found himself looking into the dark, cold, sadistic eyes of Jason Armitage.

"I should have known it was you from the blocked lettering on the envelope you sent to Morgan," Hotch hissed. "Where's your friend, Ronald Brandt?"

Armitage chuckled. "Ronald Brandt is one of my aliases. Not that this information will do you any good." A smirk appeared as he leaned over Hotch, bringing his mouth close to his ear. "I plan on taking my time with you, Aaron. I am going to do things to you even you can't imagine. And I am going to enjoy every moment before I put you out of your misery." He straightened. "But first, I will leave you for an hour to think about your fate while I take care of a few things upstairs. After I'm finished with you, I will leave here never to be seen again. And I want everything ready for my departure. I'll be back in an hour, Aaron, and then we will get started having fun."