"Y'know, I'm actually quite excited for this." Morgan hummed as he and Fleur drove to the school.

"I don't know, you've kinda lost yourself, Derek Morgan." Fleur joked.

"Wh- I don't know what you're talk about." Morgan shook his head.

"I've seen those sneaky cookies." She pointed.

"Hey, those are a treat. You're allowed treats." He shrugged.

"Don't worry, I love my treats too." Fleur hummed.

"Do know how hard it is watching you and Eli eating doughnuts in front of me?" Morgan asked.

"You gotta deal with it." Fleue chuckled.

"I don't want to." He sighed.

"We'll give you some later."

"I appreciate that."

"Is this the place?" Fleur asked while Morgan stopped.

"It is." Morgan nodded.

"Then let's go." Fleur hummed.

When the pair walked onto the school campus, Derek and his friend Irvine began running with the kids.

"Come on D. That all you have?" Irvine chuckled.

Fleur was with the kids, already meeting some of them.

"Aw, come on now, old man. What we doing? Come on, Hall of Fame." Morgan grinned.

"I'll show you hall of fame. Let's do it." Irvine smirked and sprinted off.

"Wait a minute- I was playing, Mike!" Morgan hurried after him.

Fleur laughed,"Come on boys." She threw a ball at them.

"Alright, alright." Morgan hummed as he caught it and the kids sat in front of them,"Okay listen, youngsters. If you want a shot at being in the NFL or the FBI, I need you to go out and play really hard and have a great sixty minutes everyday." Morgan pointed.

"That's gonna help you get healthy and strong." Fleur smiled.

"And don't forget, you have to eat right for greatness, on and off the field." Irvine added.

"Anybody knows about greatness, it's this man right here." Morgan pointed to Irvine,"Mr Micheal Irvine. Give it up."

Irvine looked away with a smile as the group of children all clapped for him.

"Go have some fun." Fleur hummed,"Let me see who's the fastest."

All the children quickly got up and ran off, leaving the adults alone.

"Look at 'em run, man." Irvine hummed.

"You got a great thing here." Morgan chuckled.

"Yeah, I appreciate you coming out to see my kids, D." He smiled.

"Come on, it's nothing, Mike. When I heard you were out here doing this, you know I had to be here. And bring Flo along." Morgan nodded.

Although, soon enough, Morgan's phone rang.

"I'll let you get that, buddy." Irvine hummed.

"Yeah." Morgan sighed and picked up his phone.

"But next time we're in town, let's catch another game, you and me."

"And I'll stay away, me and sports don't get along." Fleur chuckled.

Morgan smiled, hugging Irvine,"For sure."

"Good seeing you too." Irvine hummed.

"Good seeing you." Morgan nodded as he and Fleur walked off.

"Hey D, if my Cowboys don't make it to the Super Bowl, hopefully your Bears do." Irvine pointed.

"Mike, if you were still on the Cowboys, I might be worried." Morgan threw a ball at him.

"Come on." Fleur chuckled as she pulled him away.

"Ah, look at him, he's still got it." Morgan chuckled as he started walking.

"Hey Garcia, let me guess..We got a case?" Fleur took Morgans phone, answering it.

"You are correct. Please pass go and collect two hundred kisses from moi and Hotch wants to see us." Garcia hummed.

"For what?" Morgan asked.

"He didn't say. But I'm starting to get flashbacks to being in high school and getting sent to the principal's office." Garcia sighed.

"You are too cute. Just breathe, Mama." Morgan assured her.

"Okay." She nodded.

"We're coming in now." Morgan hung up.

*********************************

When Morgan and Fleur arrived at the BAU, Garcia was waiting for them and soon enough, Hotch walked out of the elevator as well.

"I got a call from the warden at ARX Florence, in Colorado. Giuseppe Montolo has refused our latest request to talk to him. He told the warden to tell us he's too busy." Hotch explained.

"He's a hitman in prison. How busy can he be?" Garcia questioned.

"He's playing us. The only leverage he has is a list of twelve potential victims targeted by a network of hitmen." Fleur scoffed.

"As long as he keeps this list of the dirty dozen close to his vest, he keeps us on the hook." Morgan sighed.

"Well, that may be. We still have to treat this as a dead end. Have you found anything to help us identify who the potential targets are?" Hotch turned to Garcia.

"Sir, I've been working all my channels 24/7, shaking every digital tree. Nothing yet." Garcia shook her head.

"Alright. Well, keep digging, we can't protect them until we know who they are." Hotch walked off.

"What?" Fleur turned to Garcia

"What's going on in that beautiful mind of yours?" Morgan tilted his head.

"I have been up every night thinking about how someone out there there are the lives of twelve strangers in my freakishly beautiful, doll like hands, and what if I don't get there in time and they're already dead or mostly-" Garcia ranted.

"Stop, stop, stop. Look at me." Morgan sighed softly,"You're going to find them."

"Right.. Of course I will." She nodded

"And when we get a break in the case, we're gonna put away all of the bad guys just like we always do." He told her.

"Because you said so." Garcia smiled softly and walked off.

Morgan and Fleur followed after her and joined the others in the Conference Room, Hotch walking in last.

"Okay, let's get started." He nodded.

"Okay, Savannah, Georgia. Known for it's charm and southern hospitality, though not so much for Brandy Green of Dover, Delamere, because three months ago, she came to town for a bachelorette party, and after a night of bar hopping with her bridesmaids, ended up in a dumpster in a back alley." Garcia explained.

"Cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head." Morgan nodded

"What's that wrapped around her face?" Rossi pointed.

"Oh, that would be a sash she was wearing all night that says 'Bride-to-be' embroidered on it." Garcia told him.

"The wrapping could be ritualistic, like a shroud of some sort." Fleur suggested.

"Or a sign of the killer's remorse." Elijah added.

"If this happened three months ago, why are we getting this now?" Morgan asked.

"Because two days ago, the body of Ashley Wilcox of Dayton, Ohio, was also found in an alley dumpster in Savanah." Hotch answered.

"And she also had blunt force tramua, but she was strangled to death with her bride to be sash." Garcia pointed.

"It's unlikely the work of the same jilted lover since the two women lived in different states hundreds of miles apart." Rossi shook his head.

"They could be surrogates. Any sign of sexual assault?" Tara looked up.

"None on Brandy, we don't know about Ashley yet." Garcia sighed.

"What's interesting is the UnSub doesn't care about hiding the bodies very well." Reid tilted his head.

"Well, he'd have to be physically fit to lift the bodies into the dumpsters." Morgan pointed out.

"He could be sending a message that to him that women are trash, disposable." Rossi suggested.

"No, this is about marriage. He's taking these brides on the eve of what should be the happiest day of their lives. He wants to crush that. Their weddings have become their wakes." Tara sighed.

*********************************

Once everyone was on the jet, Reid began to explain about where they were headed.

"Established in 1733, Savannah is the oldest city in Georgia and one of the Souths most popular wedding destinations." Reid hummed.

"Brandy and Ashley as both low-risk lifestyle victims bu their behavior the nights they were murdered is anything but." Morgan looked up from the file.

"Bar hopping, being intoxicated in public, getting separated from their friends, all of thar would have raised their risk levels, making them easy prey.. But I am not victim blaming here. It's entirely understandable that both women would have wanted to enjoy themselves during their last nights as single women." Tara sighed.

"And from the Unsub's point of view, the bars are a target-rich environment." Hotch shook his head.

"But why pick only brides to be?" Rossi wondered,"Why not choose women a little less high profile?"

"Wearing a 'Bride-to-be' sash must be like waving a red cape at a bull." Elijah sighed.

"Actually, bulls are color-blind. So it doesn't really matter what colour cape a matador waves, it's the capes movement that elicits an aggressive charge response." Reid explained, looking around at everyone who just stared,"..But Eli's metaphor still applies here."

"This is probably a man who had his own engagement broken off, so living in Savanah, surrounded by weddings and happy brides, it must be driving him crazy." Tara shook her head.

"Sir, we just got a report of a third bride to be has went missing." Garcia appeared on screen,"Madison Mills, twenty five, from Tampa, Florida was celebrating at a bar with her bridesmaids last night, when she disappeared, she's supposed to get married next Sunday."

"The first victim was three months ago, the second two days ago and now Madison." Reid pointed.

"He's accelerating." Hotch sighed.

"He may be a townie trolling bars to meet women." Rossi suggested.

What if he interacted with them and they turned down his advances?" Tara added.

"He could have felt emasculated, though triggering his rage." Elijah agreed.

"I'll see if there's any connection between the brides to be." Garcia nodded.

"And Garcia, look for men living in the area with violent criminal records." Morgan pointed.

"Also, any men who were recently engaged and any who've had the engagements broken off." Hotch added.

"Check for cold feet. Got it." Garcia hung up.

"So, how do we know Madison didn't hook up with a guy at a bar? I mean, she could still be sleeping it off and just didn't want to face her friends." Morgan explained.

"We should check in on that. In the meantime, Morgan, you, Deans and Lewis retrace the victim's last steps. Reid and Howards, go to the M.Ε And Dave and I will go to the PD and talk to the families." Hotch instructed.

*********************************

"Ashley Wilcox, cause of death, asphyxiation caused by strangulation. Her head was wrapped postmortem." The M.E pulled the sheet off of Wilcox.

"Were you able to get anything put of the sash?" Reid asked her.

"Some trace DNA. We're running it through CODIS." She nodded.

"The ligature marks show hesitation on the part of the killer." Reid leaned in.

"He pulled the sash tight across her neck and then released it several times before she died." Fleur read the file.

"It could be the Unsub's way of torturing his victims or he's reluctant to kill." Reid suggested before pointing,"This looks like it was cause by some sort of heavy object. I'm thinking a flashlight or a lead pipe, perhaps."

"That's what I was thinking." The M.E nodded.

"Any sign of sexual assault?" Fleur turned.

"No. The first victim, Brandy Green died instantly from the blow to her head, but the killer took more time with Ashley." She told them.

"The UnSub could be impotent, and choking his victims is how he satiates his urges." Reid pointed, leaning down, checking the hands.

"The press-on nails on that hand are missing, probably ripped off in the struggle." The M.E nodded.

"The nails have been bitten off." Fleur blinked.

"Maybe Ashley bit her nails before she was tortured? Nail-biting is an unsanitary habit, but pretty common." She suggested.

"True, but it's still considered an impulse control disorder. It's often associated with other body focus repetitive behaviours such as skin picking, skin biting and trichotillomania." Reid explained,"But in this case, I think there's more than that, because the nails haven't been bitten underneath the press on nails. Are you testing the saliva?"

"What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking the UnSub bit Ashley's nails." Fleur pointed.

"I've seen some freaky stuff in my day, but never this." The M.E shook her head.

"He most likely has some sort of mental disorder." Reid nodded.

"I'll say." She shook her head.

*********************************

Rossi and Elijah walked into the interrogation room after having a suspect, Karl.

"Sit down, Karl." Rossi instructed.

"Well, you've got quite the reputation here. Public intoxication, trespassing, harassing women.." Elijah hummed as he looked at the five,"You've been kicked out of most every bar in town, the latest being The Wolf and the Rose, last night."

"I wasn't bothering nobody. I was just being friendly." Karl scoffed.

"With a young woman named Madison Mills." Elijah slid her photo across the table,"She's getting married next week."

"That's my problem how?" Karl blinked.

"She went missing last night." Rossi told him.

"Wh-I don't know know nothing about that. Maybe the bitch changed her mind about the guy and took off." Karl shrugged.

"Like your former fiancé, Stacy?" Elijah raised a brow,"She left you three months before your wedding. Wow. That must have pissed you off."

"Nah. It's all good." Karl glared at him.

"Really? Because you violated a restraining order she took put against you." Rossi pointed.

"I went over there to get my ring back." He sighed.

"Where did you go last night after The Wolf and the Rose?" Elijah asked.

"Went out with some buddies." Karl shrugged.

"Where?" He questioned.

"To an all night diner on Bay Street. Check it out if you don't believe me." Karl scoffed.

"Oh, we will." Rossi told him as they stood up.

*********************************

Everyone stood infront of the local PD as they began to give the profile after finding another victim.

"We believe the unknown subject we're looking for is a white woman in her late twenties or early thirties." Hotch began.

"Because she was able to subdue, control transport and dispose of the three victims, she's most likely large and strong." Tara continued.

"But she comes across as non-threatening, allowing her to get close to her victims before attacking them." Reid added.

"We should be interviewing wedding vendors. They may have come in contact with this woman." Hotch told them.

"This list obviously includes caterers, florists, photographers, wedding planners, hotel managers, and bride shop workers." Reid listed.

"And even though brides to be seem to be the only targets right now, it's important that everyone takes precautions." Rossi pointed.

"We need you to pay attention. Be aware of your surroundings and do not go out alone. If you're in a group, stay in a group. And if you happen to be drinking, then be smart about it, let somebody else drive for you." Fleur sighed.

"Is she making a statement about the institution of marriage?" A cop asked.

"Because of her poor self image, as evidenced by the demeaning language and the nail biting, we believe she is angry with these brides to be because of some romantic frustration or disappointment in her own life. She's most likely lashing out over something or someone she feels she'll never have." Tara explained.

"She attacks with a level of violence that demonstrates this is personal. She may be jealous of her victims for having something that she desperately wants herself. Thank you." Hotch finished.

*********************************

Garcia quickly called the others after linking some things together in her head about their latest suspect, Nicole Seavers.

"You guys- Guys. Uh- Nicole Seavers inherited the flower shop from her mother, who died a year ago. Her older sister Dana Seavers also works there." She told them.

"So the mom left the shop to only the one daughter?" Rossi raised a brow.

"Well, that must've hurt Dana." Fleur blew a raspberry.

"Is the father in the picture?" Hotch asked.

"No. He left when they were little. This is the part of the story that is disturbing and sad at rhe same time. So, you know how Nicole and Ryan got engaged last night? Well, three months ago, Dana set up a wedding registry." Garcia explained.

"She must have known in advance about her sister getting engaged. Maybe the boyfriend enlisted her help." Reid nodded.

"No, the wedding registry isn't for Nicole and Ryan, it's for Dana and Ryan, and according to Dana's credit cards, she's been buying stuff off rhe wedding registry and sending them to herself."

"Okay, so she must be suffering from psychosis, confusing what is real with her own little fantasy world." Elijah crossed his arms.

"This isn't just psychosis. This is a psychotic delusion based on Ryan Becker." Reid realised.

"And then when another woman threatens that delusion, she suffers a psychotic break." Tara sighed.

"Dana's sister Nicole got engaged to Ryan, which means, Nicole is Dana's next victim." Rossi cursed.

"Garcia, we need addresses for the floral shop and both sisters." Hotch pointed.

"Dana and Nicole both live above the flower shop. Sending now." Garcia hung up.

*********************************

The team hurried off to where Dana and Nicole were, entering the greenhouse to see Ryan stood panicked, Dana with a knife in her hands and Nicole tied to a post.

"..You said this was the only way we could be together." Dana shook her head.

"Dana, put the knife down." Morgan pointed.

"Don't you see? She'll try to take him away from me." Dana shook her head.

"And Nicole now sees that that would be wrong. Don't you, Nicole?" Elijah looked to her.

"Yes." Nicole nodded,"Yes! I'm so sorry, Dana."

"Lower your weapons, everyone." Hotch looked around.

"But this is crazy. Dana tried-" Ryan began.

"No, no." Morgan stopped him.

"Dana, you love Ryan.. But you also love your sister." Elijah told her.

"We know you're sad, Dana but hurting Nicole is not gonna make that go away." Fleur shook her head.

"You're right... It won't." Dana raised the knife to her neck.

"Oh my god- Dana don't!" Nicole shook her head.

"Ryan, tell her you love her, right now." Elijah spoke quietly.

"Dana.. I love you." Ryan nodded,"I do."

"I knew it. You came back for me." Dana smiled.

"Yeah." He sighed.

"Nicole, I know you would never stand in the way of your sister's happiness, would you?" Tara asked.

"No.. Ryan, it's over between us. You love Dana and always have." Nicole turned to him.

"Yeah.." Ryan nodded slowly

"Dana.. You and Ryan can finally be together like you were meant to be." Fleur told her.

"Meant to be." Dana hummed as she dropped the knife.

Dana then slowly walked over to Ryan, hugging his side as everyone rushed over to Nicole to untie her. Hotch managed to get Dana away from Ryan and he lead her away, letting Nicole and Ryan hug one another.

*********************************

"Here you go." Morgan handed Tara a cup of coffee as he sat down.

"Thank you." Tara hummed as she took it.

Rossi took Tara's hand, looking towards her ring,"Oh, that's where the sun went. Nice rock."

"Thank you." She looked down at her ring.

"Uh oh. Trouble in paradise?" Fleur looked up.

"Uh, no. I love him. I really do. It's just, uh.. You know, this job makes things.." Tara trailed off.

"Complicated?' Morgan asked.

"What's complicated?" Reid turned to them.

"Relationships." Rossi chuckled,"You're not rhe only one Tara. So, Morgan, when are you and Flo walking down the aisle?"

"Hey, woah, woah, woah, baby steps. Baby steps." Morgan raised his hands.

"Wh- Hey." Fleur nudged him.

"The day Derek Morgan says 'I do' will be a national day of mourning for single women everywhere." Elijah smirked.

"Just don't elope." Rossi warned.

"Wow." Tara chuckled,"Sounds like there's a story there."

"Oh, there is." Hotch hummed.

"I married the third ex Mrs Rossi at a drive-in weddibg chapel on Las Vegas. I had an Elvis impersonater perform the ceremony." Rossi told her.

"You're kidding." Tara gasped.

"Wait for it." Elijah pointed.

"I'm playing 21. I've got a steak going, I can't lose even if I try..Krystall's the dealer. One thing leads to another..I should have known it wouldn't have last. Krystall spelled her name with a K and two L's. We sobered up the next morning, the divorce was just as quick. I will never make that mistake again." Rossi explained.

"What, get married, or have the King of Rock and Roll as your justice of the peace?" Morgan raised a brow.

"Both." Rossi leaned forward,"Thank you very much." He impersonated Elvis.