This is only my second fanfiction story and my first Criminal Minds. I had this story in mind for a while, but didn't have the courage to write it. The timing of the story is during Evolution, but I didn't believe I knew all the characters in Evolution enough to do them justice, so not all of them are here. Please feel free to leave a comment or review at the end. I will try to publish a chapter a week unless something unexpected happens.

Chapter 1

He looked at his phone, trying hard to catch his breath. Could he really be this out of shape? But then again he never was a runner. He knew he only had a few seconds to say what he needed. Turning on his camera, he took a couple of deep breaths, then whispered: "Rossi,(pant, pant) it's me. (pant, pant) I'm in real trouble. Can't trust anyone, not even my team. If I don't make it back, please take care of my mom. There's a letter in the bedside table" - He heard a noise and tried to hurry - "They found me again. Gotta go. ZugZwain!" He took off running again.

FBI Headquarters

David Rossi couldn't believe it was Monday already. The weekend had gone too quickly. He had spent his time weeding the flower bed his wife Krystall had loved so much and spent Sunday reading to her at the cemetery.

He walked into his office and sat down hard in his chair. He didn't want to be here today. He was getting too old for this shit.

JJ poked her head in. "And another weekend bites the dust. It was way too short."

Rossi looked over to her and grunted. "Just wait till to get to my age. It flies by." JJ left when she heard his phone ring.

"Rossi", he answered.

"This is Bob down at the front desk. I have a lady down here who says she just has to talk to you. Face to Face. She has an envelope to give you."

"It better not be another fan with another manuscript. Ask her what she wants."

The guard turned to the young lady waiting impatiently. "Can I ask what this is about?"

"Just tell him ZugZwain."

"What's that mean?"

"Just tell him"

"She said to tell you ZugZwain."

"Look, I don't have time for this. Tell her thank you and send her on her way."

"OK." He turned to the woman standing in front of him and politely told her that if she left her name and number, with a small message, he would make sure Rossi got it. She nodded a thank you, but didn't leave. She sat down in one of the chairs for visitors and quietly waited.

The words sounded familiar. Where had he heard that before? Then it suddenly hit him. Spencer Reid had repeated that phrase when his girlfriend was killed. It basically meant someone was in big trouble. He quickly dialed the front desk.

"Bob, is that girl still there by chance?"

"Ya, she's been sitting in a chair, like she's waiting for something."

"Or somebody. Send her up." He called JJ's office."Hey, the front desk is bringing up someone to see me. Can you bring her to my office when she gets here?"

JJ sighed. "Sure" and hung up the phone. As she left her office she whispered "Now I'm the maid."

When the elevator door opened, JJ took over. "Thanks Bob, I'll take it from here." He nodded and pushed the button to return to his desk. JJ looked her over. She was young, maybe 19 or 20, short dark hair, blue shirt and jeans. "Is there something I can help you with? Are you here to see SSA Rossi?"

"I have to talk to him. I have something to give him. I can only give it to him, no one else."

Now JJ was intrigued. "Right this way. I think he's expecting you." She lead the way up the stairs and turned right, stopping at his door. She knocked twice and opened the door. "Someone here to see you."

Rossi rose from his seat and approached them. "I'm SSA David Rossi. How can I help you?"

" Can I come inside?" she asked as she walked past Rossi and sat down in a chair near his desk.

"Please do" he answered to himself. He gestured to JJ to follow.

The woman looked at the manila envelope in her hand and back at Rossi. "I hate to sound strange, but I was told I needed proof. Can I see your badge?"

Rossi shrugged and pulled it out of his jacket pocket. He opened it up and held it next to his face, so she could compare his picture and verify it was really him. "Satisfied?"

"I was told to give this to you, and only you.' She looked at JJ. "You are to open this only when you are alone."

Rossi thought the whole thing was a bit on the strange side. "Who put you up to this?"

"He never gave me his name. He paid me two hundred bucks to bring this to you, and said I should wait. He said you would give me another two hundred after."

"Oh, he did, did he? What else did "he" say?"

"He said he was sorry about Krystall."

At the sound of his dead wife's name, Rossi quickly turned to JJ. "Please find a place where..." he hesitated, not knowing her name.

"Sarah, I'm Sarah Lang."

"Where Sarah Lang can wait and maybe get some coffee or something?"

Sarah held out the manila envelope to Rossi. "I hope this will help you."

He took the envelope and Sarah and JJ headed for the door. "JJ, when you get a second, I need your signature on some papers." It didn't take a genius to know this was "come back right away" code. She nodded and lead Sarah to a small break room and helped her fix a cup of coffee. "You can wait here. I just have to make a few phone calls and I'll be back. Help yourself to more coffee and there are some doughnuts in that box over there."

"Thanks, I will." JJ turned and left and hustled back up to Rossi's office.

He was right where she left him. Sitting at his desk, staring at the envelope.

"Well, aren't you going to open it up? I'm dying to know what's inside."

"I was sort of waiting for you. You remember the phrase ZugZwain?"

JJ got quiet. "It's that chess phrase Reid told us that Mauve's killer said. What brought that up?"

"Sarah used it to get up here. When was the last time you spoke to Reid?"

"Not for a long time, maybe 2 months or so. He's been working on special assignments, but it's not like him to not call me or Henry. I've been very worried about him. You think this is from him?"

"Let's find out." He carefully opened the envelope and let the contents slide out. It was a cell phone and a hastily written note. He read the note out loud:

"Nothing is as it seems.

Trust no one.

Tell no one.

The Cat is on the run.

Happy Birthday."

He looked up at JJ and shrugged.

"That's it? Oh that's not cryptic at all!" she complained.

He flipped open the phone but was at a loss when he found it was locked.

He stood up and started for the door. He looked back over his shoulder and said "We need Garcia" and kept on walking.