Chapter 1: New Agent
The raven-haired beauty sat across from SSA Aaron Hotchner. Her jet black, long hair matched her piercing blue eyes. Her dark, black hair was even blacker than Prentiss—and that was saying something.
"Agent Grace," Hotch said all buisness like, "your file is really impressive. You come to us three years in the Innocent Images Unit, and you are apparently a better shot than me." Grace laughed and said, "That's what they all say. But I don't believe it's true. You're like a sharpshooter or something!"
"Many years in the SWAT team do that to you," Hotch answered, "for a 28 year old, you are remarkably impressive. What makes you want to join the B.A.U?"
"Well, sir," Grace answered, "I spent five years hunting down pedophiles. I had to learn to profile because we used the chatrooms to catch them. I wanted to apply that knowledge to profiling serial killers. I want to catch them and stare down the worst of the worst. And, well, with my past, I know my fair share of 'worse.'"
"Your past," Hotch muttered.
"Is that going to be a problem, sir?" the prospective agent asked politely, "because I can transfer if-"
"Oh, no, no," Hotch said, "you are more than qualified for the job."
"It's just, that, well, being the daughter of George Foyet-"
"Relax," Hotch said sharply, "that won't be a problem. I give all my agents equal treatment."
Grace jumped.
"Sorry," Hotch apologized, "it's just that-"
"Hearing that name makes you jump," Grace finished, profiling him,"believe me, if I knew my mother, I'd change it. Guess I'm always gonna be Grace Foyet." She had an edge of bitterness in her tone.
"What happened to your mother?" Hotch asked.
"She died. I was told she died giving birth to me, but-" She stopped. The Unit Chief and the Reaper's daughter looked at each other. They both knew what Grace was thinking.
"I'd be more than happy to look at it," Hotch offered, "I can get the team on it."
"The team?" Agent Grace asked.
"The same team you're going to be a part of."
"You mean I get the job?!" Grace exclaimed. She had to restrain herself from jumping up and down.
"Yes. Agent Grace, you are more than qualified for the job. You can be our sexual offenses expert. And, with your...background, I think we could really get some fresh perspective."
"You mean, you're not apprehensive?" Grace asked.
"I'm not gonna lie. I am...a little nervous," the Unit Chief said, "but that's nothing against you. I don't hold it against you at all."
"Not even what happened to you? What did happen, by the way?" Grace asked.
"That's a story for another time, and you won't like it, Grace." She nodded. She didn't know everything, but she did know some of it. And, from the looks of it, it wasn't pretty.
"The team?" Grace asked, innocently, "do they know?"
"No, not yet," Hotch answered.
"I'd prefer we keep it that way as long as possible."
"Grace, they're bound to find out sooner or later. And if Garcia finds anything-" Grace gulped.
"Oh god," Grace shook her head.
"Let's go meet the team," Hotch said, "I'm sure they'll love you once they get to know you. And, if they say anything about the past, I'll deal with it. I plan to give my new agents a fair chance."
"Morning, mortals!" Garcia exclaimed.
"Whatcha excited about, babygirl? I hear there's a new profiler joining us," Morgan teased.
"I can't wait to meet her," Garcia said, "I love Prentiss and I do not like change. But, I wonder if she's nice."
"Well, you're about to find out," Hotch walked through the door with the mysterious woman.
"Penelope Garcia, this is Agent Grace F-Agent Grace," he said.
"Hi," Garcia said, "you look a lot like Prentiss."
Grace laughed.
"I've been told that a couple times."
"Grace, this is Morgan, JJ, Reid, and Rossi." Grace went around to shake hands.
"Okay, now that pleasantries have been made, let's get started," commanded Garcia, "three teenage girls have been found sexually assaulted and dead in the past two weeks in Mayfield."
"Two weeks?" Grace asked, "this unsub is moving rather quick."
"Yeah, here's the weird part," Garcia said, "their bodies were all found at the football stadium at the local high school. And the killings all coincided with high school football games."
"Maybe the unsub's trying to make a statement about small towns?" JJ asked, "High school sports are everything in small towns. Marcus Younger kidnapped three soccer players in North Mammon."
"Or, maybe this guy just has a penchant for teenage girls," Rossi quipped.
"We need to look at parents, teachers, and coaches," Grace said, "my guess is one of them is the unsub. Pedophiles look for jobs with easy access to kids." Everyone looked at Grace.
"I worked three years at the Innocent Images Unit," Grace explained. The team nodded. That explained how she knew so much about these cases.
"Well, the next football game is Saturday. It's Monday," Hotch said, "if the unsub is a teacher or coach, he's hiding among the crowd. Wheels up in thirty." As everyone gathered their go bags, Hotch stopped Grace.
"Hey, are you gonna be able to do this?" he asked.
"Why wouldn't I be able to?"
"You know, he was an ephebeophile?"
"Yes, I know," Grace said, "I'll be fine. Let's go catch this SOB."