My Beautiful Doll

Warning: Mentions of a dead body and some injuries

A/N: I am so sorry for the inactivity last week. I had a lot of uni work and stuff and just didn't have the time to sit down and write. I'm also not too happy with this chapter but I don't really know what to do with it and I really wanted to give you guys something, so I am so sorry if this chapter seems lack luster. Don't worry, it should be better in the next chapter. Also, another heads up, I'm most likely not going to update this story in the next 2 weeks (maybe, depending on if I get smacked in the face with inspiration or not). I have a more piles of homework due next week and my finals are on the week after that, so I'm going to be very busy (wish me luck!). Anyways, I'm sorry for a shitty chapter. Have a nice day!

Gary was driving down the streets of LA, his finger tapping on the steering wheel. Don Eppes hasn't contacted him in two days. Last they talked was in the FBI building on Monday in the morning. It's Wednesday morning now, and there was still no sign of the man. No calls, no texts, nothing. When he tried to call, all he got was silence. Gary understood that Don was most likely extremely busy, but a part of him was concerned. There was a nagging feeling on the back of his mind, one that only came with years of experience. He wasn't lying when he said that he didn't like this. Something about the case rubbed him the wrong way, and he had a feeling that Don was in the middle of everything.

Looking down at his phone, he contemplated whether it would be wise of him to contact someone on Don's team. But before he could make a decision, his cellphone rang. Gary parked his car on the side and pulled out his phone, frowning at the unfamiliar number. He was about to ignore it, but something in his gut told him that he should answer, just this once.

"Walker."

"Hello Lt. Walker" a smooth voice said over the line, "It's nice to hear from you".

"Who is this?" Gary asked suspiciously.

"I know we haven't met, but I believe you know me. After all, it was you who was the first to show up and admire my work."

Alarm bells were ringing in his head, "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Have you forgotten as well? And you law enforcement people are supposed to be intelligent" the man tutted, sounding disappointed.

"Cut the crap and tell me what the hell is going on before I hang up" Gary hissed, not in the mood to play games.

"Oh, you don't want to do that, especially when I'm here to show you my latest project" the man crooned. "After all, the look on your faces when you found that woman from the tech company was priceless. It makes running away from you people worth it".

"You're the one who killed her," Gary said simply.

"There you go! Point one for law enforcement", the man's voice had a sarcastic tone to it. "Now, since you people love my work so much, I'll give you the location of my next project, along with a little gift just for you Lieutenant. I hope you like it", then the call went dead.

Gary put his cell down, not liking the sound of that at all. The man's voice was unnerving, cheerful in a fake way that would send alarm bells to anyone who heard it. He's psychotic, Gary concluded. He didn't need a profiler to know that.

Suddenly a text message popped up. Opening it up, Gary could see an address listed on it. At first, he tried to call Don again, but the man still hadn't answered. Making up his mind, Gary grabbed his radio and called for backup. Then he drove to the address, his knuckles white due to the death grip he had on the steering wheel.

Arriving at the place, Gary could see a couple cars already in front, a SWAT team along with a few other officers were standing around, waiting for him and monitoring the situation. He stepped out, looking around the area. It was a quiet place, with more plant life than human life. The fact that a singular house was located in this area is a surprise in itself. The perfect hiding place he thought ruefully. One of the officers saw him and ran up.

"What's the situation?" Gary asked.

"No movement so far. The killer might've already run off" she replied.

"Alright. Get ready to breach". Everyone ran off to their designated areas, alert and ready for any danger that might come. He made sure to prepare himself, hooking the earpiece into his hear and strapping on the kevlar vest that was handed to him. Gary then stood in front of the front door, gun drawn. He looked at the team behind him and nodded. "Go, go, go" he shouted into the microphone. One of the SWAT members brought the door down and they all ran in, shouting "LAPD FREEZE!". They looked around, making sure that the entire place was empty.

As soon as they reached the living room, everyone stood frozen, almost in shock. Inside was a giant wooden cross with a man nailed on it. His chest was ripped open, similar to the first victim. The difference was the flowers sticking out of the cavity. The bright multi-coloured petals contrasted with the grisly scene in front of them. The man's eye sockets had roses stuck to them with blood dripping down from behind it, as if he was crying blood as the flowers sprouted from his body. There were also flowers stuck into the man's open mouth, now permanently fixed into a silent scream.

Gary could hear some of the men behind him drawing a sharp breath as soon as they saw the scene. Some even ran out, no doubt feeling ill. He tightened the grip on his gun, the only thing that was helping him stay grounded. Damnit! We missed him, he growled.

Suddenly, a voice called out to him. "Sir! You need to see this". Looking over to the direction of the voice, he could now see a crowd of people, all looking tense in front of a door. He stepped closer, wondering what the hell could this be now. One of the men handed him a piece of paper. Opening up, it said:

To Lieutenant Gary Walker,

Behind this door is a little gift I left for you. It will serve as a reminder and a warning to everyone who sees this.

I hope you like it.

The Artist

Gary's grip on the paper tightened, his stomach recoiling at what he read. This man is crazy. He had a feeling that whatever was behind the door would be worse than what they saw out here. "There is something behind this door. I want everyone to be alert. It could be anything". Bringing his gun up, he braced himself. "One…two…THREE!". The door came down with a loud crash. Gary ran in, gun drawn. What he saw almost made his heart stop all over again.

There on the bed was an injured and unconscious Special Agent Don Eppes.

"Shit!" he swore, running over to the downed agent, pressing a hand over his pulse. "He's alive" Gary breathed out, relieved to feel a steady rhythm. A sense of anger washed over him as he saw the state the agent was in. Don had blood dripping down from his head. His hands were behind his back and a gag was wrapped around his mouth. His legs were bound by duct tape. His shirt was unbuttoned and Gary could see the bite marks that littered across his right shoulder and neck. The worst injury though had to be the large letter "A" that was deeply carved into the man's chest, blood still pouring out of it. "I need something to staunch the wound!" he shouted. Soon, an officer came running up with a rag in hand. Gary grabbed it and pressed it over the injury, making sure Don doesn't lose any more blood. As soon as he did that, the agent groaned.

"Eppes!" He said, looking up. "Can you hear me?".

A single eye cracked open, revealing the brown iris underneath. Don let out a muffled grunt, the gag still on him. One of the officers went over and untied it. As soon as they did, Don spat something out onto the floor, a look of disgust on his face. "Ga…ry?" he slurred, looking exhausted.

"We got you" He said soothingly, but his grip on the rag tightened. It seems like Don felt it, as he looked down and drew a sharp breath.

"Shit…" he hissed, the sound of metal rattling when he jerked his body. Looking behind him, Gary could see the handcuffs along with the blood lining them. Scanning the area around him, his eyes zeroed in on the intact belt on the ground. Rummaging around the pouches, he found the handcuff keys.

Once Don's hands were freed, he weakly placed an arm on the rag too. "Wha's the…s'tuation?" he slurred out.

Gary clenched his jaw, "We got another victim".

"Damn" he whispered, then laid his head on the wall, eyes closed.

"Hey, no time to sleep now" Gary said, lightly shaking him. "C'mon man, where's that stubborn streak of yours?"

Don fixed him with an annoyed glare, but he did open both his eyes which was a win in Gary's book. He also looked to be a bit more alert, his eyes now clear and less glassy although they were still squinting a bit from the pain. Gary placed a hand on his right shoulder, looking straight at the younger agent. "Eppes, what is this?" he gestured towards Don's injured body.

Don closed his eyes and shuddered before speaking. "You know the Artist is obsessed with someone?"

"Yeah"

"Well…" Don chuckled ruefully, "Looks like that person was me all along."

Gary drew in a sharp inhale. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yeah. He kept calling me pet names and…" another full body shudder wracked the younger agent's frame, no doubt from the memories of whatever happened. Gary couldn't imagine the ordeal he went through. Although judging from the injuries, they were definitely less than pleasant. "He was pissed. Said I didn't wait for him. He also wanted to leave a mark, something that says I belong to him" he said coolly. But looking at the clenched jaw and white knuckled grip, Gary could tell that this calm was a false front.

Gary tensed. Looking around, the only thing he saw were personnel running around. There was no one else. He definitely already left Gary surmised. They were safe for now. Looking back at Don, he realized that the agent was now in danger.

"No," Don said simply.

"What?"

"I'm not letting this case go, and I'm sure as hell not going into protection!" he hissed, his eyes glinting fiercely.

Gary sighed. He knew the man, knew how persistent he could be. Stubbornness was both a blessing and a curse in law enforcement. Right now, he had a feeling that it's leaning towards more of a curse. But before he could say a word, the loud noise of the ambulance could be heard. "Looks like help has arrived" he muttered.

It wasn't long before the ambulance reached the house and the EMT's rolled in, stretcher in hand. "Don't worry Eppes, you're in good hands" he said soothingly. Then he nodded to the paramedics who were busy looking over Don. He watched over the entire thing, making sure that the man didn't get suddenly thrown into a flashback. But it seemed that Don was coherent enough to give them a calm look, answering questions as objectively as possible. After that was done, Don was placed on a stretcher. Gary walked over to one of the paramedics.

"Can I ride in the ambulance with him?"

She nodded, "It won't be a problem sir". Then they walked out. Gary gave out orders on the way, making sure that everyone had their tasks before he left. He gave his keys to one of the officers and told him to park it at the police station. Then, they all got into the ambulance.

He sat down and looked at Don whose face was paler than before. The movements probably jostled some injuries. Glancing at the man's now bandaged chest, he could still visualize the vivid blood red 'A' that was cruelly carved into him.

I swear, we're going to catch this crazy son of a bitch.

After all, Don Eppes wasn't the only stubborn law enforcement officer in LA.

A/N: Another one has joined the "Don Eppes Protection Squad" (they're mostly there to protect Don from his own sheer stupidity that pokes out once in a while). Don is one hell of an agent, but holy shit does this man have no self-preservation instincts whatsoever.