BAU Headquarters – Afternoon

Morgan pressed play and watched the video again. He saw his friends and former teammates lying motionless on a dingy floor in a dark windowless room. This was the second video that Unit Chief Cruz had received in the last three hours. Forty-eight hours had now dwindled to forty hours.

"Any idea who may be behind this?" Derek asked.

"None; whoever it is, has made sure to hide his face and disguise his voice," Cruz replied.

"Well, the first thing we'll need is an analyst."

"Lynch is on his way in now."

Morgan was never a fan of Kevin Lynch. He had dated Penelope for several years before Derek, and he'd taken the breakup hard. Things had always been awkward between them after that. Still, there weren't any other options and he needed someone on those computers because time was running out.

"I'm not sure I'm the one you want for this job," Derek began, "the bureau has shown me what they think of me."

"Look, I know what happened to you sucks and I wish I could tell you more, but I can't. I'm pleading with you to help me find Hotch and the others and afterwards, I'll do everything in my power to get you reinstated."

"I'll help you, but after this, I don't want to be reinstated, I just want to be left alone."

Cruz felt horrible, there was so much about what had landed Morgan here that he couldn't share. He was one of the best agents in the bureau; no one else had the combination of skills that he had but on their last case, things had gone terribly wrong, and the chief had made a decision that changed his best agent's life forever. It was a risk that Cruz hoped would be worth it in the end.

Morgan retreated to his old office. He began retracing what he knew about the team's last few days. Unfortunately, it would force him to relive the case that had gotten him suspended. They all had made more enemies than they could remember, and even those unsubs that they'd arrested had family and friends that could be out for retribution. As many enemies that were out there, there were motives and sick minded agendas that unless he got a break soon, would make it nearly impossible for him to find them all in time.

Kevin rushed off the elevator and bounced up the stairs; it was hard hiding the silly grin on his face. As he neared the conference room where he was instructed to meet Unit Chief Cruz, he replaced his grin with a look of concern. Things were going precisely as planned.

"Sir, I came as fast as I could!" Kevin began breathlessly.

"Thanks for coming in," Cruz responded, turning to face the odd man.

"I can't believe this! Who would have the nerve to kidnap the team?"

"The list of who wouldn't is a lot shorter, believe me," then handing Kevin a file, "I need you to start searching this list of names; I need to know their last locations, where they've been in the last week and anything else you can find out."

"Yes Sir, I'm on it!"

"And Lynch, I need it yesterday!"

Unknown Location –

"We need to figure a way out of this," Hotch began, "and we can't underestimate Kevin Lynch."

"What's his motive? Why would he do this?" Dave wondered.

"Whatever his motive, this took a lot of planning," Hotch answered.

"He used his access to us, so it was easier than we think," Reid added.

"It still doesn't answer the question, why." JJ added.

Then the team noticed that Garcia had distanced herself from them; choosing instead to sit on the opposite side of the room where it was still dim and where the sun from the lone window had not yet reached. Hotch nodded to JJ who, immediately stood and crossed the room to check on their friend. Penelope looked up sadly and wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"Why would Kevin do this, JJ?"

"I don't know but I'm sure we'll find out."

"Is this my fault?"

"What, why would you say that?"

"I don't know, it's just that he took our breakup really hard and he said some things that..."

"Listen to me and I need you to hear me; no matter the why, this is not your fault. Kevin decided to do this, not you!"

JJ slid down the wall taking the seat next to Penelope.

"So how far along are you?" She whispered.

"What?"

"How far along are you?" She repeated.

"How'd you know?"

"I have two kids and I'm a woman; I just know."

"Two months."

"Does Derek know?"

"No, I just found out myself just before everything blew up. He won't return my calls or text and now this."

"We'll get out of this," then grabbing her hands, "and when we do, you and Derek can talk, and you'll be able to tell him that he's doing to be a daddy."

"Do you think he'll be happy?"

"Are you kidding? Of course, he'll be happy."

JJ pulled Garcia against her and held her tight and for the next several minutes the two sat in silence.

"Do you really believe that Derek could have done what he's being accused of?" Penelope asked.

"No way; none of us do."

"Then why didn't anyone speak up for him? He was left hanging, alone and now the real killer may get away and Derek's life will be ruined."

"There's a lot you don't know; a lot none of us know. I need you to just trust the process. Things will work out."

JJ leaned her head against the wall and closed her eyes. She was angry; angry because she knew the truth and she was being forced to stay silent. Even worse, the bureau knew the truth, but they had launched a dangerous plan without regard to an agent's career or life. It was wrong but if any of them intervened it would mean Morgan's life. It was a shaky plan at best and if anything went wrong, none of them would be able to live with themselves.

"Do you think Garcia will ever forgive us when she finally learns the truth?" Reid asked.

"I'm not sure, but we don't have a choice. No matter what we think, Derek's life depends on us staying silent," Hotch warned.

"Yeah, but it sucks," Dave added, "but unfortunately, he's the only one of us strong enough to handle it."

"I just hope we don't lose him, because I'm not sure it will be worth it in the end," Hotch replied.

BAU Headquarters –

"Have you seen the videos?"

Kevin nearly jumped out of his skin. He turned around to see Derek in the doorway; he wasn't expecting company.

"Yes, agent I have," he answered nervously.

"So, what do you think?"

"Who me?"

"Yes, what does your technical eye see that us non-techies have missed?"

"I-I'm not sure. I can't get past seeing them like that."

"Well watch them again, keep watching. We need to know where they are, and the answers are in those videos."

"You think so, agent?"

"I know so, Lynch. Now, look again."

"Yes, sir."

Derek turned and headed back down the hallway. He never liked the man, but he was good at his job. Next to Garcia he was the best. He'd caused a lot of problems for him after his breakup with Penelope, but Derek believed that he still cared for her, and he hoped he would be able to set his feelings aside long enough to help find her and the team.

Kevin looked back at the doorway and back at his computer screens. He hated Derek; he'd taken the only thing that meant anything to him. He was tired of everyone taking him for granted and playing him for a fool. The super agents thought he was weak, but he wasn't, and he'd show them all, especially Derek Morgan.

"I don't need to watch the video, agent!" Kevin said under his breath, "I made the video and I know exactly where they are...and you will NEVER find them!"