A/N - thanks for the positive reaction to the return of this story, it wasn't an easy decision and I can't promise frequent updates but I am aiming for once a week...please read, review and enjoy!

Chapter 17 –

Hotch stifled a yawn as he crept into the house, unworried about waking Jack or Henry it was Amy who could wake at the drip of a tap and then wake the rest of the house up with her cries. Walking through to the home office quickly Hotch opened his safe and placed his gun inside, shedding his jacket onto the chair and kicked his shoes under the desk. Slowly he walked up the stairs, poking his head into Henry's room, then Jack's satisfied that both boys were sleeping soundly he walked towards the two bedrooms that were next to each other. Knowing that JJ would still be with Emily, Dave and Kate Hotch wanted to ensure that Alison, their regular child minder, was ok with Amy, as he stood in the doorway a frown crossed Hotch's face. There were two figures lying in the bed but the faint glow from the night light beside Amy's bed told him that it wasn't Alison, a second passed before the realisation hit him.

"Strauss?"

The word was whispered under his breath but seeing that Amy was asleep and had her arm draped over the older woman, Hotch knew better than to wake his daughter and he too desperately needed some sleep.

He couldn't stop the smile from creeping across his face, he hadn't hesitated in taking the assignment, ok the money had been welcome but it was the thrill of the kill that kept him going. The army had discarded him but they had trained him and he was just going to keep killing until the target was dead, yeah it was above and beyond the contract but he was enjoying himself too much. Glancing at the bag on the seat beside him the smile grew wider, it wasn't too big but it did contain enough equipment to finish the job, his favourite pieces that were sure to make the task even more enjoyable. Starting the engine of the newly stolen car his eyes cast down to his cell and the map that was showing the red dot, they would never see him coming.

Emily moved quickly and wrapped her arms around Kate, holding her tight as Kate collapsed into her body. Finding herself almost paralysed by Kate's words Emily looked over at JJ but then the sound of a door opening moved her gaze as Dave wandered out of the bedroom.

"Emily?"

A look of concern adorned Dave's face as he moved the short distance into the room but Emily found herself unable to speak. Quickly JJ stood up and guided Emily and Kate onto the sofa, swallowing hard JJ placed her hand on Dave's arm.

"Dave..."

"I heard what she said JJ."

The anger and frustration were evident in Dave's voice as he spoke, he looked over where Emily was still holding Kate, there were no tears, just paralysed shock.

"She's just angry Dave."

"We all are."

Dave shook his head as he stormed over to the kitchen, pouring himself a glass of water which he quickly drank before he grabbed his cell.

"Dave..."

"I can't sit around doing nothing JJ, not when some bastard is out there hunting my family, I'm going to stop this."

JJ shook her head as Dave stormed back into the bedroom, closing the door she could hear him talking on his cell a heavy sigh left her mouth as JJ picked up her own cell.

"Morgan?"

"Hey JJ, it's not even 7am yet what's happened?"

"I need you round at the safe house, Dave is about to leave and I don't want him going off on his own."

The tension was evident in JJ's voice and she could hear Morgan already starting the engine of his truck.

"Hold him there for ten minutes JJ."

"Thanks Morgan."

As soon as JJ finished the call her cell instantly rang, her finger quickly flicking to answer it before she even had a chance to see who was calling.

"Jen?"

"Aaron."

"I've just had Dave on the phone are you ok?"

"I'm not going to let him go, Morgan's on his way over."

"Good, I take it that things are not going well?"

"How are the kids?"

The quick change of subject told Hotch all he needed to know.

"They're fine, a heads up about the new babysitter would have been good."

"Hmm sorry about that, she turned up just after you called."

"I'll send Blake over to relieve you."

"No I'm needed here, Emily and Kate need me especially with Dave..."

"Just keep the security tight, don't let Dave go."

"Don't worry the CCTV is showing that Morgan has just arrived."

"I'll be in touch soon Jen."

"Got to go Aaron."

JJ quickly pocketed her cell as Dave walked out of the bedroom, taking a deep breath she moved in front of the door.

"JJ!"

"Morgan is just coming up, I'm not letting you go out alone Dave, do you really think that Emily and Kate could dope with any more tragedy!"

JJ stared hard at Dave who returned the glare before slowly nodding his head.

JJ locked the door firmly and watched the CCTV closely as Dave and Morgan left in Morgan's truck. She allowed herself a moment of relative peace as JJ stood in the kitchen and drank a glass of water, she knew that Emily and Kate had heard Dave leave, unfortunately neither of them had shown any emotion. Purposefully JJ strode over to the sofa before she pulled the small coffee table over and sat down on top of it, looking at Emily and Kate who had buried their heads into each other's shoulders.

"Ok you two I need you to look at me."

JJ used the tone she frequently took with her kids when they misbehaved, the firm steady voice had always given her results and it didn't disappoint as slowly Emily lifted her head and looked at her friend.

"Sorry Jen."

JJ waved her hand and dismissed the comment as she smiled, edging a little bit closer JJ reached out and placed her hand gently on top of Kate's, her voice softer this time as she spoke.

"Come on Kate, it's me JJ, I really need to speak to you."

Emily rubbed her daughter's back as Kate turned around and looked at JJ, her eyes red and puffy but there were no more tears.

"Thanks, right I guess you heard Dave leaving and I guess that you two don't fancy hanging around here either?"

JJ raised an eyebrow but Emily and Kate both shook their heads.

"Ok I suggest we go to the BAU and regroup with the others, Kate?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean that earlier."

"We know that sweetie and it's forgotten about right Emily?"

"Of course, it was just anger and grief Kate."

"Thanks mom, I love you, you too Aunt Jen."

Kate smiled and reached over and kissed Emily on the cheek before she quickly embraced JJ as Emily slowly stood up.

"Come on we all need to sit down and work out who this unsub is going to target next."