AN: Just want to put this warning out there at the beginning of this story. Later chapters will contain mention of child rape though I do not go into details on it, but more concentrate on the feelings and emotions as a consequence of it. If that subject is going to bother you then I suggest you don't start reading the story.

This story is the third in the Amber/Reid saga, following "Careless Man's Careful Daughter" and "Cause You're All I Need". Title is taken from Diamond Rio's "Finish What We Started"

August 2008, en route to Colorado, before "Minimal Loss":

SSA Spencer Reid looked at the chess board before him contemplating the moves open to him. Though he was currently winning the game, his opponent was close to turning the control of the game to their favor. Since Gideon had left, it wasn't a position he was used to being in. Prentiss was a good player but on any given day he should easily be able to beat her. Today though, his mind just wasn't on the game.

Reid picked up his rook and moved it toward the middle of the board, poising it to take one of her knights. As he let go of the piece he realized that by doing so he had left his queen open to attack from one of her bishops. Silently regretting the move, Reid tried to keep his face passive with the hope that Prentiss would not realize his mistake. It wasn't to be, as she moved the bishop to take his queen, thus sacrificing her bishop.

"Everything okay, Reid?" Prentiss asked, as she placed his white queen on the table next to the chess board.

"Yeah, fine. Why?" Reid asked, taking out the knight he had set himself up to take. Even with the loss of the queen it was his best move.

"You just don't seem to be concentrating on the game," Prentiss commented as she surveyed the board trying to decide on her next move.

Reid shrugged his shoulders. She was right but he wasn't ready to admit that out loud. He had other things on his mind other than the chess game.

"Thinking about the situation at the ranch?" Prentiss asked, referring to the case they were heading to, as she moved her knight to a new position, unknowingly leaving an opening for Reid to put her King in check.

"In a way, I guess," Reid replied, as he moved his bishop to a new square. "Check," he told her, to which Prentiss sighed realizing her mistake. "Guess I was just thinking about how religion seems to complicate a lot of things."

Prentiss took her eyes off the chess board and looked across the table at her fellow agent, trying to figure out what he meant by that comment. Though Reid could quote the Bible word for word, Prentiss had always felt that he looked at it and religion in general from an academic vantage point. It didn't surprise her any, given his intelligence and the three subjects he had chosen for his doctorates. Reid had an analytical mind and a true religious belief had very little to do with facts and figures with which he was comfortable.

"What do you mean?" Prentiss asked.

Reid looked up to see Prentiss looking across the chess board at him. He shrugged, not sure how to put into words what he was feeling.

"Did you and Amber have a fight over religion?" Prentiss asked, knowing that Reid's fiancee was the complete opposite of him when it came to religious faith. One of the things that Prentiss had learned about Amber in the nine months that she had known her was that it was her religious belief that she pulled strength from.

"No!" Reid replied quickly. So quickly, in fact, that Prentiss found herself wondering about the accuracy of the answer. Reid noticed the disbelieving look his teammate was shooting him. "Really," he told her. "Yes the subject has come up but we both know how each other feel about the topic and we respect each other's opinions and beliefs."

"I hear you've been going to church with Amber and Dave," Prentiss commented, having overheard a comment made by Agent Rossi to that effect. "Does that mean that your views on religion are changing?"

Reid shrugged his shoulders not sure how to reply to that question. Yes, he had started attending church service with Amber and her dad. Amber went three Sundays out of the month, the required Sunday that she had to put in on the base being the only time she didn't make it. Amber had only ever made one mention of him attending with her, and that had been right after Christmas, when she had told him that should he ever feel like joining her, the invitation was always opened. It hadn't been until May that he had ever taken her up on that invitation.

Reid had been thinking about it for a while. He wasn't sure how to explain some of the things that he was feeling inside, even though he had made a few attempts to talk to Amber. ~She's been a great source of support, ~ Reid reminded himself, as he thought about how Amber always seemed to be there even when he didn't realize himself that he needed her. ~I don't think I would have made it this far without her strength. Never would have made it to the ten-month milestone, much less earn my year medallion, ~ he thought, as he remembered the medallion that was tucked safely within a pocket of his messenger bag, having returned John's medallion the same night that he had gotten his. Amber had been there that night, in the back of the room, his ever present source of strength. The NA meetings had been her idea. One he had fought at first but in retrospect realized just how right she had been about it being what he needed.

They had been laying in bed early one morning, both trying to fall asleep after another nightmare had woke them both up. After he had confessed to her that he had thought about using the Dilaudid several times over the last week or so.

"Spencer, perhaps you should consider going to NA meetings," she had suggested that night.

Spencer had found himself shaking his head, even though Amber couldn't see the gesture in the darkness. "I've looked into the program. I know what the program is about. I don't think it's for me."

"Why not?"

"Well, you know I don't do well at talking in front of groups."

"You can when you need to."

"It seems to be targeted more toward people who are leaning toward some kind of religious faith," Reid had told her, thinking of the list of steps he had found that mentioned God. "That's not me, despite you grandmother's attempts last weekend at her birthday party."

Isabella Rossi, Agent Dave Rossi's mother, had celebrated her seventy-fifth birthday. The family celebration had been a huge deal and also marked the first time that she had met her granddaughter's fiancee. Isabella had taken a liking to the young doctor, though she had been reluctant to show that. A woman possessing a devout Catholic faith, she wasn't happy about her only son's daughter spending her life with a nonbeliever. The thing that scared her the most was that he would try to pull her granddaughter away from her faith. Forbid her to go to church. She had already watched that happen to her eldest daughter and wasn't going to idly watch it happen to her granddaughter. Isabella had spent much of the evening peppering Spencer with questions, taking a small comfort in the fact that "at least his soul isn't completely closed off" as she had whispered to Amber as they had said their goodbyes. Still, an open blessing on their union had not been offered but neither had the elderly Rossi made Spencer feel unwelcome.

"A religious faith is not a requirement," Amber told him. "You could still benefit from it. Benefit from being with people who have been through what you're dealing with. Who have felt what you're feeling. I try to understand, Spencer, but I haven't been there."

He hadn't replied to that comment and Amber had spoken again.

"I looked into area programs. There is one that is targeted just for law enforcement personnel - Beltway Clean Cops. Will you at least consider going to a meeting?"

Spencer had told her he would. A week later he had been at his first meeting which had been interrupted by the case coming in. The meeting he had met John at.

"The meeting isn't over yet, is it?" Amber had questioned, as he climbed into the passenger seat of her pick-up after his conversation with John. She put a book mark in the book she had been reading, and tucked it beside her seat.

"No. A case came in. I need to go in," he had replied, looking down at the medallion he still held in his hand.

"What's that?" Amber asked, as she turned the key in the ignition, having noticed the medallion.

"Help from someone who has been where I am," Spencer had replied, still not completely understanding why John had given it to him, but touched by the gesture. He looked over at her. "Thanks."

Amber nodded, a knowing smile on her face, before she looked over her shoulder and started backing the truck out of the parking space.

A couple of weeks later he had asked Amber if he could accompany her to church. Amber had simply told him she would be glad to have his company, not questioning his action. He had appreciated that fact, as he knew he would never be able to put into words what was compelling him to go. He wasn't even sure why he was going himself, but something inside him was compelling him to go. For once in his life, he didn't feel like questioning it. Since then, he had gone a few more times with Amber, listening intently as the priest stood at the front of the church and gave his sermon.

Figuring the shrug of the shoulders was the only answer she was going to get from her co-worker, Prentiss looked back down at the chess board. The fact that she was in check limited her options of possible moves as whatever move she made had to put her king out of harm's way. As she made her move, Reid spoke again.

"I'm not really sure," Reid ventured. " I guess at this point I'm just trying to stay open but like I said it just seems like religion complicates a lot of things. That a lot of conflicts have a religious element to them."

"Be careful not to blend religion with the people who choose to pervert it," Prentiss cautioned, as she watched Reid contemplate his next move.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, for the most part most religions teach about acceptance of others and forgiveness. It's individuals who twist those principals to justify their own views. Like this situation we're heading into. I'm not completely up on all the religious views of this sect, but somehow I doubt the abuse of children is anywhere in there."

Reid nodded, seeing the logic and truth in the dark-haired agent's words. Picking up his knight, he moved it to the left three spaces, lining it up with her King. "Checkmate," Reid replied simply, leaning back in the seat.

Prentiss looked down at the board, quickly checking all her open moves. There were none she could make that would save her King. "Okay, getting beat three times is quite enough," she said, as she started picking up the pieces. "Reid, whatever decision you make, do it for you and not because you're trying to please someone else," she ventured, not entirely sure how her younger teammate would take the unasked for advice, but feeling compelled to give it anyway. "And if you ever want someone to talk to or just need a sounding board, I'm here."

Reid nodded, thankful for the offer but not comfortable with opening up further to his teammate at this point. Though he had apologized to her for the times he had snapped at her while he was using, and she had accepted that apology without question, there was still a certain tension between the two of them. A tension that Reid wondered if they would ever get past.

Station Washington, Washington, D.C. around 2 p.m. Eastern Time . . .

Lt. Amber Rossi was at her desk, paperwork spread out in front of her. They had spent the morning running drills out in the Potomac, and now, as the most senior officer involved in those drills, she had all the paperwork to fill out. The only plus of having to complete the paperwork involved was that she got to enjoy the air conditioning instead of being back outside in the heat and humidity on the routine patrol the others were running.

Her telephone rang, and without looking up from the report she was filling out, Lt. Rossi picked up the phone.

"Station Washington, Lt. Rossi speaking," she said, in a business like tone. She wasn't sure what type of call she was expecting but she hadn't been anticipating hearing her father's voice.

"Amber, have you seen the news reports?" Agent Rossi asked, without even a hello. Amber knew something was wrong immediately.

"No. I've been busy all day," Amber replied. "What's going on?"

"Are you sitting down?"

"Yes," she replied, her thoughts immediately going to her fiancee, Spencer. He had headed out to Colorado that morning with his one teammate to investigate allegations of child abuse. Had something gone wrong? "Dad, what is it?"

"There has been a break out of hostilities at the ranch where Reid and Prentiss were headed. Apparently the Colorado State Police went to serve a warrant at the ranch and a gun battle broke out. The news is reporting three Child Services members are trapped within the compound."

"Are there any casualties?" Amber asked, bracing herself to hear bad news.

"A police officer is dead. So far, that's the only one that is being reported."

Amber felt a glimmer of hope at the reply. As long as no deaths within the compound were reported then she could still cling to the hope that Emily and Reid were okay. She recalled the good-bye she had said to Spencer that morning. It was only suppose to be for a few days.

~Now that kiss might have been our last.~

The thought went through her mind unwillingly. ~Think positively, ~ she told herself, fighting back the emotions that were building up inside of her. The last thing she wanted to do was break down here at the base where her co-workers could see her. She had worked hard to earn respect among the mostly male Coasties that manned Station Washington and she wasn't about to let even this ruin that. She would be strong for now. ~Falling apart isn't going to help anything, ~ she told herself.

"Sweetie, we don't have a lot of information right now, but I wanted you to hear this from me and not somewhere else. The team is heading out there now. We're getting ready to board the plane right now. Someone will call you as soon as we know more," he told her.

"Okay," Amber replied. "And Dad, stay safe," she said, worried for her father's safety as well as Spencer's and the rest of the team. Her Dad. Fiancee. A man who had been like an uncle to her for many years and though the others may have started out as Spencer's friends that had changed over the months since she came to D.C.

"I love you," she added, not wanting to later regret not saying the words if the worse should happen.

"I love you too, Sweetie," Dave replied, before ending the call.

Lt. Amber Rossi placed the receiver in its place and stared down at the paperwork not really seeing it at all. Her thoughts were in Colorado, wondering how Spencer was. Was he hurt? Had his and Emily's cover been blown? How did an interview with the children of the Separatarian ranch turn into this?

"Everything okay, Lieutenant?"

Lt. Rossi looked up to see Lt. Commander Hines, commanding officer for Station Washington, standing in front of her. Momentarily she entertained the thought of dismissing the question. Of telling her superior that everything was fine. The genuine concern she saw on his face though kept her from doing so. Instead, Lt. Rossi told Hines what was going on.

"If you need to take the rest of the day off, we can get along without you," Lt. Commander Hines told her.

"No," Lt. Rossi answered quickly, which earned her a disapproving look from her commanding officer. "I need to stay. I need something to keep my mind from thinking up all kinds of worst case scenarios."

"Okay," Hines replied, understanding where she was coming from. "I want you to stick close to base though. Keep yourself occupied with paperwork and if you change your mind or you need someone to talk to, you know where my office is at."

"Thank-you, sir," Lt. Rossi replied, grateful that she wouldn't have to head home and wear a path in the living room carpet from pacing. ~At least not yet, ~ she told herself, as Hines continued to his office and Lt. Rossi looked back down at the report she had been working on before the phone call from her father.

The airport . . .

Agent David Rossi disconnected the call to his daughter, and tucked the phone away in the inside pocket of his suit jacket. Ahead of him, most of the team had reached the jet and were starting to ascend the steps. Midway between him and the jet, Rossi saw that Hotch had paused and was waiting for him. Picking his go-bag up off the ground and slinging the strap over one shoulder, Rossi headed for the waiting jet. As he reached him, Hotch fell in step with his old friend.

"How did she take it?" Hotch asked.

"About how you would expect her to," Rossi replied. He glanced over at his friend and saw the concern and understanding there. "She'll be fine for now," Rossi said confidently. "Amber is at work, and as long as she's got that to concentrate on she'll be fine. It's later this evening that I'm worried about."

"JJ has already called Will to get him to pick Amber up when she leaves the base. It's probably better if she doesn't drive and she might want the company later tonight."

"Good thinking," Rossi said, grateful for his friend's foresight. The idea of having someone pick Amber up had crossed his mind, and he had even considered having one of the other agents in the office do just that but had decided against it. He didn't think his daughter would take to well to some random agent showing up to escort her home. Granted, she didn't know Will well, the former New Orleans detective having just recently moved to the city to be with JJ now that the two were expecting a child, but he had a feeling Amber would take to him better than one of the bureau's agents. Having formed friendships with all his team members, Amber would accept Will's presence as a friend looking out for another friend. Not to mention, as the former police officer dealt with JJ on a regular basis, Amber would be hard put to frighten Will off. "I should have thought of that myself."

"You were more preoccupied with making sure Amber heard the news from someone she knew rather than through the media. As her honorary uncle, it's my job to think about what came after that," Hotch said, resting a hand briefly on Rossi's shoulder as the two reached the steps to the jet.

Rossi simply nodded before starting up the steps and onto the jet. JJ and Morgan had already stowed their bags and were settled in seats. Morgan was pulling a lap top out of it's carrying case. Rossi and Hotch both stored their own bags, and as Hotch headed up front to tell the pilots they were ready to go, Rossi slid into a window seat on the opposite side of the table at which Morgan was sitting.

It wasn't long before Hotch was sliding into the seat beside Rossi. Shortly after, the agents of the BAU felt the plane start to move. They were on their way out to Colorado to the aid of their two co-workers and friends. By the time they were in the air, the lap top had booted up and Morgan wasted no time finding the breaking news coverage on the situation they were heading into. Until they got to Colorado, there wasn't much they could do except keep up to date on the situation out there so they were ready to hit the ground running when they reached Liberty Ranch. This time, it wasn't only people whom they didn't know that they were rushing to save but two of their own.