Rossi heard the voices of Derek and Emily from outside the cabin. They were close, but from what he knew about Sarah Callahan's killer, he wouldn't let him and Penelope go without a fight. He stepped closer to the door.

"Morgan! Emily! Don't get any closer! If you come in blind, we're all dead. Beckett's not going down without a fight."

Morgan shouted back. "Then what do you suggest? Because we aren't leaving you alone!"

Garcia struggled in Beckett's grasp, gasping as the metal of the blade bit into her skin just enough to warn her.

"You planned for this, didn't you?"

He smirked. "I don't plan for anything."

"Then why don't you just kill me? I think you're scared. You know my team is the best, and you're afraid of what will happen when they find you."

Beckett's grip on her tightened.

"You talk too much."

The voices above grew louder. Garcia wondered if they would find the entrance. This time, JJ called out.

"Garcia! Rossi!"

Beckett pulled her further away from the ladder, further away from Eric, who lay dead or dying on the ground.

Rossi gripped his knife tighter. He could hear Prentiss and Morgan outside, but if they came without knowing what they were walking into, they could get all three of them killed. He had to buy time. He didn't know if anyone was listening, but he picked up the walkie-talkie.

"Beckett," he said, "This is over. You know it is. Eric, son, if you're there, talk to me. We can work something out only if you let my friend go."

A dry chuckle echoed. "Oh, David, how you think your team can do anything here is adorable. As you already know, there are consequences for those who don't follow the rules."

"We still have time to make a deal. You want me, right? This was always about me. We can make a deal. Me for her."

The walkie crackled, and he could hear Garcia whimpering on the other end.

"That's where you're wrong, David. I never cared for you that much. Playing with you is fun, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hoping to collect one of your female colleagues with you. I've always had a thing for blondes. Oh, I think I hear the other one calling for you."

"Letting her go is your only chance of leaving here alive. If you kill her, one of us will find you and put you down like the dog you are."

Rossi jumped at the sound of Garcia's voice. "David! He killed Eric! He's panicking! I'm-"

Garcia screamed as something made contact with her.

"I told you no talking!"

Rossi barely had time to react before the sound of a struggle crackled through, and the walkie-talkie went dead.

"Garcia! Penelope, talk to me."

Silence.

Rossi ran to the door.

"Morgan! Prentiss! He's got Garcia underground; she's with Beckett! He says he hears JJ, so she must be close! Radio them. There's probably another way in wherever they are!"

Morgan pressed his earpiece. "JJ, Reid, we have Rossi. Beckett has Garcia underground. He says he hears you, so you must be close.

JJ's voice crackled. "We're on the west side of the property. There's an old shed, but the door's chained shut.

Reid cut in. "This could be a way in. Beckett used a storm cellar in his abductions."

Hotch's voice cut through. "Morgan, Prentiss, get Rossi out of there."

"He said not to," Prentiss said, "He says Beckett probably has a trap set."

"Reid," Hotch said, "You said Beckett used storm shelters. There's probably another way into the cabin. He wouldn't trap himself without a way to escape."

JJ's voice came through. "There's a crawlspace in the back of the shed."

"The three of us will see where it leads. Prentiss and Morgan, hold your positions and tell Rossi to keep Beckett talking."

"Beckett," Rossi said, "Let's talk. I know why Eric was upset with me, but why you? There were lots of people investigating you."

"You were the reason I had to skip town. Because of you, I had to put my life's work on hold for twenty years."

Garcia's voice broke through. "Rossi, just get yourself and the team out of here! I can take it."

There was a sharp sound, and then Garcia whimpered.

"Enough," Beckett snapped, "The men are talking."

Rossi gripped the knife. "Don't talk to her like that. She's brilliant. She's twice as strong as you are, and all you are is a coward who thinks hurting women makes him powerful."

Beckett laughed. "I have all the power. I'm just waiting for you all to realize."

"Then prove it. Let Garcia go and come face me like a man."

There was silence for a moment; Beckett's voice was low and amused. "Tempting, but I'll have more fun watching her suffer."

There was silence, and then Garcia screamed.

"Beckett, If you lay another hand on her, I'll-"

But Rossi knew it was useless. When he pressed the button on the walkie-talkie, he heard the distorted sound of Garcia screaming, and when he released it, it was loud and clear.

Eventually, the screaming stopped, and Beckett spoke. "You'll what? What will you do, Rossi?"

Rossi stood and approached the window.

"Prentiss, Morgan, go! Find Garcia! He's hurting her! I'll keep him talking. Just go!"

Morgan ran without hesitation, and Prentiss stayed. Rossi wanted to tell her again to go, but he needed to keep Beckett talking.

"I think you're losing your touch, Beckett," Rossi said, "Sarah Callahan? That was years ago. You were young and sharp. You kept her for a week before killing her, and no one caught you. You could have gotten away with it if you had never met Eric. Why did you need a partner? And you couldn't even keep him in line because he's not your preference, so the only reason I can think that you would kill him would be if you had to because he turned on you. You didn't plan for that, did you?"

The silence was long enough that Rossi knew he struck a nerve.

"That boy was weak. He let his emotions get in the way."

"You mean he realized what you are."

There was another silence, and then Garcia screamed.

"Penelope!"

A moment later, he heard her voice. It was shaky, but he was relieved she could speak. "I'm okay. It's not that bad."

"Keep talking agent Rossi," Beckett said, "I'm having fun."

Rossi went back to the window.

"Prentiss, go! I'll be fine!"

"I'm not leaving." she said, "Garcia has four people who will stop at nothing to find her. They don't need me.