From the Author: Okay, so I know this has been done like a hundred times. But I really, really wanted to do one, too. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you for reading.


The BAU briefing was scheduled to start at 9:00 A.M. sharp, but it was now 9:05 and the Unit Chief was still behind closed doors with Director Strauss.

"This can't be good," predicted Agent Morgan with a characteristic humph. The team gathered around his desk in the bullpen and turned their gaze towards the boss' office upstairs.

"Why? What do you know?" inquired Dr. Spencer Reid.

"The same thing you do: Hotch is never late to a briefing."

"That's true," commented J.J. "And he knows we have a case. I wonder what's going on."

"We'll soon find out, kids," replied Agent Rossi, but his eyes glued to the office window revealed that his curiosity was equal to, if not greater than, theirs.

Morgan noticed Emily's silent contemplation and asked, "Any thoughts, Princess?"

"I'm not sure," she responded. "But I think I saw my FBI picture in Director Strauss' files just now."

"Maybe you'll make the Most Wanted," laughed Morgan but then he grew serious when he noticed that no one else was amused.

"Or maybe I'm getting transferred," she worried.

"What?"

"Transferred?"

"Where?"

"No way!" assured Penelope. "I mean, like, no possible way! I would have known it. I pride myself in keeping tabs on that kind of information."

"Oh, is that what you call it? Keeping tabs? It's more like making it disappear," joked Morgan and Penelope poked him in the ribs.

"Why else would she have my picture?" asked Emily.

"Let's not speculate, okay. That'll just worry us more," started Rossi, but he stopped talking when the door finally opened and Director Strauss walked out. Hotch poked his head out and summoned the team.

"Ma'am," they greeted as they crossed paths with her.

"Agents," she responded, and Emily noticed Director Strauss's inquisitive eye scrutinizing her.

"Hotch, what's going on?" asked Derek as soon as he entered.

Hotch took his place at the round table as the others shuffled around him. "Apparently, it's that time of year again when we have to make our contribution to Counter Terrorism."

The team groaned and J.J. complained, "You know, we work just as hard as they do, and I don't see any of them helping us to round up a serial killer."

"And we risk our lives just as much as any of them do," added Morgan.

"Nevertheless, it is what it is," sighed Hotch. "Fortunately, this time they just need two of us. Prentiss, it's you and me."

"Me, sir?" So that would explain the photograph.

"Yes, we have to report immediately. The rest of you will have to tackle the case."

"With two agents short?" asked Morgan.

"Yes," said Hotch. "And you take point on this one, Morgan, if it's okay with Dave."

"Fine by me," said Rossi who more than welcomed Morgan's ambition because it meant less paperwork for himself.

"Okay, so be safe and come back to me in one piece! Prentiss, let's go."

He walked out and Emily hurried after him.

"Sir, isn't it this way?" she pointed to the east wing.

"Nope." He turned around to observe her reaction when he said, "Not this CTU. We're going to the Counter-terrorism Center, in Langley."

"The CIA?" she drawled wide-eyed.

"That's right. Interested now?"

"Hell, yeah!"

On the drive to Langley, Hotch had just enough time to communicate the basics to an eager Agent Prentiss. It was a sting operation right here in Washington, D.C. They would be working in the field under Carrie Mathews.

"The Carrie Mathews?" asked Emily in awe. "I can't believe it! The woman is my idol, Hotch."

Hotch smiled at her enthusiasm.

"And what's the job?" she asked.

He nervously cleared his throat and said, "Oh, look. We're here."

"God! This is so awesome. You know, to finally get noticed. I mean they picked me! Surely my work at Interpol must have really recommended me to them."

"Um, I'm not sure that's why they're using you," he said nonchalantly. "Come on, we don't want to be late."

Emily kept her cool as she walked into the CIA building, hiding her excitement behind her professional mask. She was oblivious to the male agents turning their heads to look at her as she walked by.

Hotch and Emily were greeted by the CIA Station Chief, Carrie Matthews, just outside the conference room. Hotch made the introductions, "Agent Matthews, this is Agent Prentiss."

The women shook hands and Emily started, "Ma'am, it is such a pleasure to meet you! You have no idea…"

Agent Matthews cut her off and told Hotch, "Yes, she'll do perfectly. Please come in and get seated."

Emily's face went blank and she looked at Hotch. His gesture said, "I have no idea what that was about."

They entered the conference room and Agent Matthews presented them as "The BAU agents that are lending a hand." Emily noticed a few agents nodding their approval.

"Okay," continued Matthews as Emily and Hotch sat down. There were about twenty people in the room. "Can someone get the lights, please?"

The room went dark and a face was projected on the screen.

"Everyone meet 21-year-old Awais Younis, also known as Sundullah "Sunny" Ghalzai. He is an American citizen currently studying at Georgetown Law School. Our intelligence has identified him as the leader of a terrorist cell with at least six known associates." Six more faces filled the screen as Agent Matthews read their names.

"We have identified their headquarters at this facility, D.C. Paintball Club. It's a legitimate business used as a terrorist training camp. We have a window of opportunity: they're recruiting someone to manage the legitimate paintball business. And that's where you two come in. Our asset has successfully scheduled an interview for the two of you. You're going undercover as Hotch and Emily Tanner."

Hotch immediately turned to Emily to gauge her reaction. Little did she realize that she had stopped breathing.

"Are there any questions so far?"

"Yes," said Emily raising her hand.

"Go ahead, Agent Prentiss."

"What makes you think we'll get the job? This is an interview, right? What if we don't get the job?"

"Weren't you briefed? Let's look alive, here, Agent Prentiss." Matthews projected two pictures side by side. One was Emily's FBI photograph and the other was of a woman with an uncanny resemblance to her. "This is Awais Younis' mother, who recently passed away. We believe hands down, you'll get the job. Are there any other questions? No? Then let's get to work, people."

Emily pulled Hotch aside and said, "Can I have a word, Agent Hotchner?"

"Here it comes," thought Hotch.

They found a private spot in the hallway and then she said, "You have got to be kidding me! You mean to tell me that they only chose me for my looks?"

"No, not entirely," he responded, surprised that this was her only worry.

"Hotch, she doesn't know anything about me! She just knows that I look like a terrorist's mother. Why didn't you tell me anything?"

"Because I knew you would react like this. Look, Emily," soothed Hotch. "It's not like they recruited you at a modeling agency. You are a member of the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit. I'd like to think that that weighed into the decision as well. Besides..."

"Besides, what?"

"Don't you think there's something else you should be worrying about?"

"Like what?" she asked.

"We have to pose as husband and wife. We're going under cover as a couple."

"Oh, crap, that's right!" she cried in apprehension. But then a stray thought crossed her mind. "This could be very interesting!"


From the author: That's what I meant when I said that this has been done. But I invite you to join me on this new Hotch-Prentiss journey. I think it will be fun!

BTW: My purpose here is to entertain, Homeland and 24 style, not to disseminate political or religious views. So please keep that in mind when writing your reviews. (And reviews are very, very much wanted!)