Written for Challenge #23 - The Crossover Challenge

Crossover Character - John Munch, Law & Order : SVU

Assigned CM Character - Derek Morgan

Change Your Partner

Part I

"There's an assumption by many partners that no matter what happens . . ., they'll be partners forever." ~paraphrase of David Gibbs

The trip to New York City wasn't going to take long for the team, so Hotch didn't waste time getting down to details since the folders had been delivered to the plane immediately prior to takeoff. The team had been scrambled from their homes, so this was their first introduction to the facts of the case they were going to be consulting on.

"We've been requested to come in on a case that started three months ago by the mayor. We have four victims - so far, all murdered and they were all black females with ages varying from the youngest being nineteen to the oldest being 54."

"That's quite a spread of ages," Derek remarked as he shuffled through the crime scene pictures of the victims. "Are the local police sure there's a connection?"

Reid looked up from reviewing his own folder.

"Wait, am I reading correctly that all of the victims are also Jewish?"

Hotch nodded.

"That's why we've been called in so quickly. The odds of there being four black Jewish female victims in such a short period of time in the same area and the murders not being connected are rather extreme."

Reid didn't look up from his folder as he commented.

"Practically astronomical. I don't believe there are any firm statistics on it, but approximately only seven percent of American Jews are noted as being 'of color', but that percentage also includes Native Americans, Asians and Hispanics. Taking that into consideration as well as the fact that all were sexually assaulted post-mortem?"

His face showing his disgust, Rossi closed the folder.

"With that in common, I'd say we're bound to be looking at the same Unsub or group of Unsubs. I take it the media is all over this?"

"Very much so. The detectives of the Special Victims Unit working on the case are going on the assumption that it's a hate crime, but leads have been in short supply. Most of us will be stationed at the Precinct, but two of you are going to be teamed up with the detectives that have been with this case from the beginning. Dave, you're going to be with Detective Tutuola. Derek, you'll be with Detective Munch."

Looking back up from his folder, Derek shook his head.

"Munch? Seriously? Please tell me that's a nickname."

Reopening his folder briefly, Rossi smirked at Derek's comment.

"The name does exist. Somewhere between wife number one and two, I dated a lady named Gwen Munch. She's a New Yorker as well, come to think of it."

"We're be touching down in ten minutes, people.

Cragen looked over his people. They were all tired, but more than that, they were feeling - disrespected. Insulted even. They had been informed by the mayor - after the fact - that the FBI's assistance had been requested in the form of a visit by the Behavioral Analysis Unit. Even worse, the decision had already been made about breaking up Fin and Munch's partnership so that each man would be teamed with a BAU man. Neither man was happy - nor were Olivia and Elliot as they had been informed that they would be aiding the rest of the BAU in their precinct. As usual, it was Munch who said out loud what most were content to mumble under their breath.

"Kind of reminds me of my second wife. 'Oh hi, honey - you aren't good enough to screw, but we can't afford a motel room, so would you mind scooting over in bed far enough so Jon and I can screw on it?' Only she at least asked first."

Olivia turned around and gave Munch a long look.

"Your second wife had an affair with a guy with the same first name as you?"

Tilting his head back as if studying the ceiling stains for any new developments, Munch made a motion that somehow encompassed a shrug and a nod without really being either.

"He spelled it differently - I'm giving him the benefit of serious doubt in thinking he could actually spell, but yep. Pronounced the same. Made for a bit of awkwardness when it came to her shouting out during orgasms, but such life experiences have made me the well-adjusted individual that I am today."

Olivia neatly nailed Elliot on the forehead with a paper wad when her partner snorted at Munch. Despite his supposed fascination with the ceiling, Munch apparently noted Olivia's toss and smirked, giving her a thumb up for her accuracy. Cragen just stifled a groan.

"Can I ask for a little bit of an attention span, people? Anyway, we actually could use the help since this joker's decided to strike while Dr. Huang is out on medical leave. And since the doctor came to us from the FBI, it's not like we've not skipped down this path before."

"Merrily on our way to Grandmother's House. So when do we meet the wonderkids?"

The door opened before Munch got the last word out of his mouth. Hotch looked over the assembled group before stepping further in and letting the BAU team file in behind him.

"Assuming that you're referring to us, I suppose the answer is 'right now'."

Cragen shot a brief glare at a wholly unrepentant Munch as he walked past to greet the FBI agents.

"I'm Captain Donald Cragen. Sorry about that. We were just given word that you were coming this morning."

"Supervisory Special Agent Aaron Hotchner. I'm the Unit Chief. We aren't here to ruffle anyone's feathers - we're just here to help."

"These are my detectives - Elliot Stabler, Olivia Benson, John Munch and Odafin Tutuola."

"My agents with me - David Rossi, Jennifer Jareau, Derek Morgan and Dr. Spencer Reid."

Fin looked over the group then shook his head.

"You folks have an agenda or something with always sticking me with an older white partner?"

Munch just gave Fin a pat on his shoulder as he passed by his partner.

"If they'd stuck you with the young doctor, you'd be complaining that they always team you with a skinny white guy. Deal with with, Fin."

Stopping in front of Derek, Munch offered him a hand.

"I'm told that you're the one stuck with me. I'd warn you about my track record with partners, but this is a temporary assignment, so maybe that will exempt you from the side effects. Most of these bozos call me Munch. I will be your tour guide to the wonderful world of Yiddish and Gefilte fish."

"Just call me Morgan. Think we can start by going to where the last body was found?"

"A man that likes to dive straight in, eh? Sure. Why not? I haven't been in a germ encrusted alley for over an hour. I'm about to have withdrawals."

As Munch was heading to grab his coat and hat, Fin ignored the rest of the BAU team and headed straight for Derek himself. It was hard to tell if Cragen or Hotch was the most wary about that happening, but for the moment, neither man moved to intervene. Without any preamble or greeting, Fin gestured toward Munch while getting very close to Derek.

"That man there? I normally have his back. Now I've got to trust that you're going to watch it, so let me tell you this. I expect that scrawny white ass to be returned in the same condition you're seeing it in right now. We understand one another?"

Derek just straightened, eyes narrowing and not backing down a fraction of an inch from the scowling detective who was currently way too far into his personal zone.

"Yes."

"You'll learn to appreciate the over dramatic qualities of my partner here, Morgan. Assuming the two of you don't have a showdown on a dusty street out west. Quit playing cowboy with my temp, Fin."

Munch came back over, briefly putting a hand on Fin's shoulder. Fin backed slightly from Derek and returned the gesture.

"Watch your ass out there, John."

"I will. Getting shot there once was plenty. Play nice with your new partner and try not to mess up his nice shoes. They probably cost more than we clear a year."

"Get outta here."

Smirking at his partner before pushing his dark glasses back up his nose, Munch headed for the door with Derek shooting a 'what the hell have you gotten me into?' look over to Hotch.

Honestly? Hotch had no answer for him.