Chapter 21 –

Dave smiled as he walked into his office, the was just about breaking through and glimmers of light began to burst through the gaps in the blinds as Dave crept in and gently placed the warm food on the table, he was then wandering around to his desk as he heard the first sound.

"Ummm."

Kate stirred slightly and stretched out her arms, waking her mom up in the process.

"Oh are you alright sweetie?"

Emily rubbed her eyes as she sat up but the whiff of the food soon caught her attention.

"Oh!"

"Hi dad!"

Emily and Kate both opened their eyes wide, catching sight of the food before looking over and seeing Dave sitting behind his desk grinning at this wife and daughter.

"Morning you two, I thought that you could both do with some food, did you sleep ok?"

Kate screwed up her face a little as she picked up a coffee but it was Emily that spoke.

"Not too bad considering."

Dave nodded his head before he got up and walked over and sat down next to Kate, grabbing a bagel as he did. The three of them sat quietly, eating as their tired bodies slowly woke up.

Mary opened her eyes and instantly a wince of pain left her mouth, her body hurt, she couldn't pinpoint exactly where as her whole body ached. The memories of what had happened last night quickly came flooding back and Mary sat up, gauging her surroundings as her breathing became faster.

"Don't move."

Mary quickly looked around the cramped space, finally realising that she was in a tiny dark room with nobody else and there seemed no obvious place where the sound was coming from. Terrified Mary stood still, her legs were hurting but she somehow managed not to move.

"Now there's a good girl, I wouldn't want all my hard work to go 'boom' before I am good and ready!"

Mary's eyes opened wide as she realised that the voice was coming from inside her head, or more precisely her right ear. Instinctively her hand flew up but as she fumbled around her head was full of evil laughter.

"Stop, stop!"

Mary cried out as she slumped to the floor, as she did she felt something press against her chest.

"Oh careful now little one, that packs a nasty punch!"

Mary's frightened eyes flew down and as soon as she caught sight of the device and the tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Now you just sit nice and still, I'm not quite ready for you yet."

Mary's hands flew up and over her ears but it made no difference as he cackle rang around in her head.

Alex knocked softly on the door, waiting a moment before she opened it, smiling as she saw Kate sitting in between Emily and Dave.

"Morning, Hotch is gathering everyone in the conference room."

"Ok thanks Alex."

Emily returned the smile as Alex nodded and closed the door once again.

"What's going on?"

"We've come to a decision that we can't sit here hiding away."

Emily looked carefully at her daughter as she spoke, Kate looked down at her hands for a moment before she looked up at Emily.

"You're going to draw him out?"

"That's the plan."

"No I mean you mom, you're the one he was after originally so you're going to be his target aren't you?"

Emily managed a weary smile before she wrapped her arms around Kate.

"You're too clever sweetie."

"Just stay safe mom."

Emily kissed Kate on the top of her head.

"Come on let's get this done."

There was a steely resolve to Dave's voice, he winked at Kate before they left her alone in the office.

Erin didn't bother to knock, she just walked into the room, the noise of her heels on the floor quickly causing Kate to turn around from the window she was staring out of.

"What's happened?"

"Nothing yet, they've only just left I just wanted you to know I'm next door with Henry, Jack and Amy if you want to join us."

Kate shook her head.

"Ok well you know where I'll be."

"Thanks Erin."

Kate stood and watched the older woman leave, giving it a couple more minutes before she crept out of her dad's office and headed down to someone who knew exactly what was happening.

Mary's body shook as she saw the door open and at the same time the voice sounded in her head and in the room.

"Stand up, we're leaving."

All the fight had left Mary, she obeyed him and followed the man out to a car, he sat her in the passenger seat and gave her a photo.

"I want you to go to the mall and find this lady, once you're with her I'll give you further instructions."

Mary nodded her head as he drove off, before he pulled over at a bus stop and gave her some money.

"Remember no funny stuff or you and a lot of other people will go boom!"

Kate gently opened the door, her heart sunk a little as she saw Alex sitting close to Garcia, forgetting that the agent was still injured and unable to take part in field operations, Kate thought about leaving but the concern about her family was too strong.

"Uh guys?"

Kate's voice was a whisper but quickly Garcia and Alex turned around.

"Oh hello sweetie."

Garcia had a wide smile on her face as Kate moved slowly into the room.

"Can I stay, I promise I won't interfere."

Garcia looked over at Alex as Kate spoke, the older woman thought for a moment before she gestured for Kate to pull up a chair next to her.

"Thanks, I couldn't bear staying upstairs not knowing what is going on."

Garcia concentrated on the screen before she pulled up the CCTV footage of the local mall and quickly found Emily.

"The others are all close by as well as other agents, if he's there we'll find him and take him down before he gets close to Emily."

Mary got off the bus and stood outside the entrance to the mall, the sweat was pouring down her back.

"Don't even think about it you little whore, just keep moving."

Mary closed her eyes for a moment as the voice reverberated around in her head before she swallowed hard and entered the mall, she knew that she looked suspicious as she scanned around looking for any sign of the woman.

"Keep moving bitch, I know that she is there, go to the Starbucks, she likes her coffee."

Mary walked over to the map and located the food court, her heart beat increasing as she finally found who she was looking for.

"Ah there she is, now get real close and tell her you've got a message for her."

Mary gulped as she walked over to the tall thin brunette woman, her body shaking as she stood next to her.

"I've got a message for you."

There was no disguising the panic as Mary spoke, Emily quickly looked at the terrified girl.

"What is it sweetheart, are you ok?"

Mary didn't reply she just moved her coat slightly so that the device strapped to her was visible.

"Ok sweetie, just stay still for me. Garcia I've got a situation here, you need to jam all cell signals now."

"That will take our communication down Em."

"Do it Pen!"

Emily looked at the girl and saw the bruises on her face.

"Keep still and let me have a look."

"I'm sorry!"

Mary's voice broke as she turned and started to sprint towards the exit.

"Crap!"

Emily turned and fled after her, knowing that she had no communication with the rest of her team and no backup if she was being led into a trap.