A/N: Thank you for all the amazing reviews. I'm glad you though Olivia was in character cause that was my main concern. Okay here is the next chapter so please rate and review!
Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds or Scandal in any way, shape, form, or fashion.
Olivia pope exited Aaron Hotchner's office with him following closely behind almost too closely for it to be considered strictly professional.
Everyone from Pope and Associates watched as the duo exited. Hotch led her to the bullpen where the entire team was gathered.
"This is Olivia Pope." Hotch introduced and Olivia flashed them a friendly smile. "She and her associates will be assisting us on the case."
The profilers were momentarily confused. They were usually the ones who did the assisting but they knew Hotch would explain later.
"Hello." Olivia greeted. "This is my team, Abby, Huck, Stephen, Harrison, and Quinn." They all nodded when their name was called well except for Huck.
"This is SSA Rossi, Prentiss, Morgan, Jareau, Dr. Reid and Technical analyst Penelope Garcia." Hotch introduced. If they seemed impressed by the titles of the agents they didn't let on. In fact, Hotch had a feeling they were used to skirting around the law on many occasions.
"So what exactly are you assisting us with?" Emily asked.
"We are a crisis management firm." Stephen said as if that explained everything. The profilers noted his accent and the power shift within the group.
"We basically make sure scandals are kept behind closed doors." Abby added after seeing the group's confusion.
"Okay…" Morgan trailed off still confused. "What exactly is the crisis?"
"Why don't we discuss it in the conference room?" Hotch said. Everyone seemed to comply. After everyone was seated, J.J. moved to the front to begin her presentation.
"Okay so we have three men killed in the last two weeks. All three victims were all in their early forties and found stabbed multiple times and shot execution style in the head."
The team of "lawyers" wasn't perturbed by the bloody images on display in the slightest, which didn't get unnoticed by the profilers.
"First tortured then killed quickly and efficiently." Huck noted. "Impressive."
Olivia nodded in agreement and the profilers stared.
"Were the victims found in their own homes or in secondary locations?" Reid asked reading through a case file in record speed.
"They were all found in their own homes." J.J answered grimly. "According to the M.E. all three men were tortured for hours before they were finally killed."
"Okay so clearly we're dealing with a sadist and by the looks of it, one with a lot of rage." Morgan said leafing through another file.
"If he does have rage it would have to be highly controlled to prolong the torture for hours. We're looking for someone incredibly disciplined." Emily added.
"Perhaps the torture was simply means to get something he needs." Abby offered. The profilers all turned to look at her expectantly.
"Yeah," Harrison agreed following his co-workers train if thought. "Maybe the real motive wasn't murder at all."
"Then what was?" Dave asked.
"Information." Olivia answered without hesitation.
"Garcia I want you to run background checks on every victim since birth. See if you can find any enemies I have a feeling this is personal." Hotch ordered the blonde tech.
"I am on it sir." Garcia promised, quickly exiting the room.
"Rossi and Prentiss go to the first crime scene, Morgan and J.J head to the second and Reid and I will go to the third." The Unit chief ordered his subordinates who nodded and turned to go.
"Stephen I want you to with agents Rossi and Prentiss, Abby with Agents Morgan and Jareau, and Quinn go with Agent Hotchner and Dr. Reid."
Everyone quickly departed leaving only Olivia, Harrison, and Huck.
"Harrison I want you to go talk to the victim's families. I need dirt. It'll be difficult, they'll be in mourning but I really need to know everything." Harrison nodded and exited.
"Looks like it's just you and me Huck." Olivia noted and Huck allowed a small sliver of a smile to pass over his features before it was gone. Huck definitely felt most comfortable around just Olivia. There was something about her that made you want to open up to her.
"Huck I need you to find out who the last people to see them alive were and their last calls."
Huck nodded and took out his laptop, opening it and quickly typing. A phone ringing disrupted the companionable silence that had settled in the room.
"Pope." Olivia answered in a businesslike manner, after a brief conversation she hung up.
"Wish me luck Huck." Olivia sighed as she removed herself from her chair and walking the short distance to Strauss's office. She fought back a shudder as she knocked in the door, for some reason she felt like she was being summoned to the principal's office. Once being granted permission, the problem solver entered the office.
Erin Strauss was sitting at her desk watching Olivia Pope's every move.
"Good Morning Chief Strauss." Olivia greeted the woman who continued to stare at her with cold calculating eyes. She gestured for Olivia to sit and the fixer complied.
"Ms. Pope, I see your team has quite a track record." Strauss said, leafing through a file.
"We get the job done." Olivia agreed feeling slightly uneasy but not showing it.
"And how is the case going?"
"Everyone besides me and my colleague are out in the field." Olivia informed. "They're doing background checks on all of the victims and going over crime scenes as we speak."
Strauss nodded seemingly satisfied with the answer. "And the press?"
"So far there has been no mention of this in the press. While I'm positive murders in this quick of succession will get media attention unless the white house makes an official statement, no one would be aware two of the victims worked for the secret service." Olivia informed the section chief noting how the women's facial expression didn't change.
"With all due respect ma'am, why do you need my team?" Olivia asked bluntly.
"Excuse me?" Strauss said looking slightly surprised.
"The BAU has quite a track record on its own and its own communication liaison that seems quite capable."
Strauss smiled slightly and for some reason Olivia felt a chill. "The higher-ups want people to focus on reelection not murder. I agree, my team is quite competent but their personal beliefs tend to get in the way. I needed at team who understood the importance of keeping this under wraps."
Olivia nodded reading between the lines. Strauss wanted a team as heartless as she was. A team that had no problem blatantly lying to the American people but not for the greater good, for their own personal gain. Olivia wanted to tell her that her team didn't operate that way, that they actually cared about their clients, not just the end result.
Instead she put on her most convincing smile.
"Then my team is perfect."
A/N: Well this is the latest chapter, please rate and review!
