Disclaimer: I do not own anything, but my own character! Everything else belongs to Thomas Harris & Bryan Fuller.

A/N: I had to change a few little facts so that it would fit, but other than that it pretty much follows the storyline of the episodes. I didn't change a couple lines because they were just too good to change, so don't freak out if you notice direct similarities! Enjoy, dearies! Reviews are encouraged!


Jack Crawford used his elbows to lean forward slightly on his desk, his fingers steepled. His dark eyes studied the young woman sitting in one of the spare chairs on the other side of his desk, her bright green eyes studying him in return. She tilted her head slightly, her wavy chin length dark blonde hair brushing against her cheek at the motion.

"Is there something on my face, Crawford?" she asked with a widening smile and Crawford chuckled in reply.

"No, no. I just haven't seen you since you were in the academy, Ava. You look...different." he answered, smiling. She laughed, shaking her head slightly.

"You mean I'm not chubby anymore and I cut my hair."

"I wasn't going to comment on your weight since I was too afraid you'd yell at me."

Ava Black laughed, a light and slightly hoarse sound. Crawford returned it with his own chuckling and they fell into a moment of silence. She knew that he hadn't called her to his office for idle chit-chat, but she knew she couldn't push him for information if he wasn't willing to give it to her. She'd have to wait until Crawford was ready to explain why he had called her here from D.C.

"I know you're wondering why I called you here, Ava, and I'm not sure you'll like why." Crawford said seriously, his smile falling away.

"Don't dance around it. That annoys me more than anything else." she retorted and he nodded.

"Of course. I'm sure you've heard on the news about the Minnesota Shrike and that I've called in Will Graham to give us some insight into the killer's mind."

Ava nodded, her interest sudden peaked. She had heard of the case, especially in the capital, and she found it rather...intriguing to the point of twisted fascination. The fact that Will Graham was also working on the case had also peaked her interest.

"Graham's a good choice, Crawford, but I still don't understand what this has to do with me."

"Well, there's only so far that Graham can go into the killer's mind before he loses himself and he starts retreating back into his cave. That's where you come in, Ava."

"You know I don't have a degree in psychology and I'm not a therapist. I'm just a simple FBI agent."

"Who has the uncanny ability to slip in and out of the minds of killers with ease and won't get disoriented like Graham."

An eerie smirk danced across Ava's lips, her eyes darkening slightly. Oh, Jack, if only you knew the truth. "So you'd like me to join Graham on the manhunt and take a look into the mind of your shrike?" she asked, her tone calm and almost holding no emotion. It surprised Crawford.

"Yes. Think you can get time off to meet Graham and Dr. Hannibal Lecter?"

"Oh, I think I can manage something."


"I don't understand why you need to bring in another FBI agent, Jack."

Hannibal Lecter's eyes watched Will Graham closely as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat and Crawford exhaled softly. Hannibal glanced at the older agent, wondering the same thing. He thought Will was doing a rather impressive job on the case, despite his nightmares and anti-social behavior. Besides, Hannibal didn't want another agent getting in the way of him studying Will. He was far too fascinating.

"I think you're going to have to learn to share your shovel and bucket in the sandbox, Mr. Graham."

All three men turned their attention towards the door at the sound of the woman's voice. The woman standing in the doorway was rather petite with chin length wavy dark blonde hair and the greenest eyes that Hannibal and Will had ever seen. They were like emeralds sitting among eyeliner, thick lashes, dark freckles and fair skin. She was dressed in tight jeans that were tucked into almost knee-high brown leather boots and a red silk blouse underneath a black blazer jacket. Strapped to her belt was her standard issue Glock, FBI badge, and what the men guessed was a multi-tool.

"Ah, Ava. I'm glad you could join us." Crawford greeted her cheerfully, standing up as she walked further into his office.

She shook his hand while Hannibal and Will studied her. When she stepped passed them, Hannibal caught her peculiar scent of vanilla, bonfire smoke, and the woods after a heavy rain. She smelled like she had spent a significant time in the woods. He glanced at her boots, noticing she had tried to wipe away mud. Perhaps she was at a crime scene? That still didn't answer the question of the bonfire smoke. Hannibal's interest was slightly peaked by the female agent.

"I want you to meet Will Graham and Dr. Hannibal Lecter." Crawford nodded towards the other two men and Ava gave them a warm smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "This is Special Agent Ava Black and she's the one who will be joining the investigation."

"Maybe you can explain why it's necessary for you to join us, Agent Black." Will growled through clenched teeth, avoiding eye contact. She sat down in the chair to his side, opposite of Hannibal. Crawford settled back into his own chair.

Ava shot Crawford a glare. "Ava will do, Mr. Graham. I thought Crawford would have explained it to you previous to my arrival. Looks like I was clearly mistaken. I'm not here to step on your toes, Mr. Graham, but I am here to help get into the mind of your killer." she explained softly, glancing at Hannibal when he shifted in his seat. He was watching her with the most intense eyes she had ever seen.

He was broad in the chest and shoulders, built like a solid brick wall with sharp features. Calm seemed to radiate off him, not like his nervous, more wiry counterpart. Dressed in a formal suit, he was very handsome. A shiver ran down Ava's spine, like a shock to her system that she hadn't felt in a long time.

"What qualifies you to get into the mind of the killer? Do you work in the BAU or have any sort of psychological training?" Will asked and Ava tore her eyes away from the doctor.

"No, I don't work in the BAU and the only psychological training I have came from living with a serial killer for nearly fourteen years." Now, she definitely had their attention.

Will's eyes rose from his lap to her face. "H-How?"

Crawford leaned back in his chair, knowing he needed to let Ava explain, but he watched everyone closely. He knew just how distrustful Will could be towards people, especially those who kept secrets. Even Hannibal seemed to be intrigued.

"My mother killed at least 30 people over a span of fourteen years. No one caught on because she generally spaced her victims out, managed to travel to states surrounding Nevada, and used the desert to her advantage. Besides, there's not really a profile on female serial killers." Ava shrugged easily, as if she were stating the weather or stock market prices. There were no fleeting emotions in her eyes, no sense of sorrow or betrayal.

The bit of information that Ava decided to keep to herself was the fact that she was the one who finally stopped her mother. Only 14-years-old, 120 pounds soaking wet and yet, she was still able to take down her mature mother who was use to killing victims larger than herself. Knowing that Will would be too distracted by her admission, Ava's eyes shifted towards Hannibal. He hadn't reacted like Will or even Crawford after the first time she had told him. Instead of being shocked or even horrified, the doctor was still studying her. Studying her like he was trying to decide something. It reminded Ava of the look her mother use to cast upon everyone she met, trying to decide whether or not they were worth her time or if she should just simply kill them. Could he be...?

"Do I qualify?" Ava asked, turning her eyes back to Will. His body was stiff, cautious. Perhaps he was worried that her mother had shared her taste for killing with Ava?

She would have never been able to join the FBI if she were like her mother; Will's mind quickly supplied him, easing his tension. "Yes...I think you qualify." he muttered softly and a smirk tugged on her glossy pink lips.

"Wonderful. Why don't you take a look at Elise Nickles' body? We've already performed an autopsy, but I'd still like your imput." Crawford suggested and Ava once again shrugged easily.

"Why not? Couldn't hurt."