Chapter 3: Questions & Answers

"I know this has been a lot to digest." Agent Harding finished as she watched the team studying their folders, continuing to analyze the character sketches and town information they had received.

"I want you all to study the information you've been given, and start deciding what arrangements need to be made during your absences and whatever assistance you may require from the agency. Agents Hotchner and Jareau this includes making decisions regarding your children. We will all reconvene tomorrow where the work on your new identities will begin. This will include the process of starting to provide equipment, taking cover photo's, dispensing identification, finances, getting everyone clear on their backstories, practicing maintaining your covers and so on. This can take only one or two sessions, or several depending on the complexity of your cover, any questions?"

"Won't they be suspicious of so many newcomers at one time in a town that size?" Morgan shared the question that had been on his mind since they had begun the briefing.

"We have considered that, so your arrivals will be staggered, also we will begin gathering some information from each of you individually after you arrive to make sure things seem safe before another agent comes in." Agent Harding nodded approvingly at the question. "Agent Rossi will be the first agent arriving next week, about a week later he will be followed by Agent Morgan who will be arriving at the halfway house which shouldn't raise much attention in the general community. After he is settled then Agents Hotchner and Jareau can drive in to the house we have already arranged for them to live in. while Agent Reid will likely need to make a couple of preparatory visits to the school, but will not need to settle into the area for almost a month when the school session formally begins. Considering she is an outsider Agent Prentiss will soon be starting her position as a reporter at the nearby major newspaper for that portion of the state, going through orientation, training and establishing herself as a reporter before she tries to cover stories that are actually in the town. But as an established reporter her arrival timing should not matter as much either." Agent Harding laid out the basic schedule that had already been tentatively arranged. "Does that answer your question Agent Morgan?" She asked, not unkindly but wanting to make sure she was covering all her bases.

"Yes ma'am, thank you." Morgan agreed easily, able to see that it had been thought through. With his approval the visiting unit chief commenced with her presentation again.

"We would like everyone to get in and comfortably maintain their covers for at least a month before a concentrated focus on information gathering begins. These people are apparently very tight knit, they will become suspicious if people come in and begin asking questions. So your first task is simply to blend in and see what you learn. It is by working to become one of them that you will learn the most. As soon as you identify any potentially violent members, outside agents will move in and execute a quick takedown. Then when things have settled back down you can all start trickling out unharmed. Your main challenge will be interacting with each other in the established roles we've given you. For example Agent Hotchner you may be asked to arrest Agent Morgan or detain Agent Prentiss. Agent Rossi you will need to treat everyone as strangers when they arrive at your restaurant." She tried to help them see the challenges they would be up against and was pleasantly surprised that no one seemed to have any issue with this so far. "Agent Prentiss may interview one of you as part of her research, you never know in what situation your paths may suddenly cross." She paused as she watched the agents looking at each other soberly as they digested that information, trying to imagine how they might respond to each other in different settings.

"Technical analyst Garcia will be your central link, she will remain here and stay in touch with you all through the use of the electronic notepads you will all carry. She will be the conduit for any information you may exchange not only among yourselves but in maintaining communication with the FBI. She will also be watching the Independence computer systems and monitoring any searches or communications to the outside that would indicate a problem with your covers. They don't appear to be very technologically advanced but we will pay close attention to their actions to alert as to any problems that may appear. You will each be equipped with the notepad being set up under your cover names and if anyone chances to look at it they will not be able to find anything. However there will be a disguised fingerprint scanner on the back that you can use to log on to the portal we have established for you. There you can post and access daily reports to keep up with each other's progress and report your own, as well as communicate with the FBI regarding any concerns. I expect everyone to try and check in daily." Agent Harding paused and watched the agents continue to process everything they had been told and was happy to see that they seemed to be focusing on how to assimilate the information into how they would proceed with their roles.

"I have another question," Rossi said slowly, having debated the possible complication that had come to mind while he was scanning his own folder. He didn't want to sound narcissistic but he felt the risk was worth bringing it up. "Have you considered the possibility of one of us being recognized? I've written books with my picture on the back covers, we've held press conferences, been on the news, isn't it a risk that one of us will have our cover blown simply by being recognized from the media?"

"That is a very good question," Agent Harding again acknowledged, "I can't say that it's not a possibility but we find it to be remote, let me explain why. First this community has long tended to be more focused on building themselves up to be self-sustaining. While they have televisions and contact with the outside world, by our standards they tend to be more remote and less focused on media events. Secondly we're anticipating that being so far outside your usual roles people are not apt to make the connection. For example who would expect a renowned true crime author to be serving them pizza?" Agent Harding said with a smile as she watched them consider her words. "Furthermore we can take into account that your appearances will be different than on television, Agent Hotchner for example will typically be in either a police uniform or casual wear such as jeans and t-shirts, there will be no suits going with any of you, this is a semi-rural small town in Montana so everyone expect to dress fairly casually. Agent Jareau will be seen with children and in more matronly wear as opposed to business outfits, but also everyone is free to alter your hairstyles or appearances as you wish." Agent Harding continued not missing JJ's nose wrinkling in disgust at the description of her wardrobe.

"I'll be wearing an apron and hat of some sort most of the time, maybe I could shave," Rossi added as he mulled over her reasoning nodding as he felt it to be based on fairly sound deductions.

"One more thing," the petite agent said while letting the meeting move towards a conclusion. This is where profiling and your people reading skills will come in very useful. If at any time you have the feeling that someone has recognized you, or if they point out that you resemble who you really are, you will report back to us immediately. And as a reminder Garcia will be watching closely and if any searches are done from any devices in not only Independence but the surrounding area on any of your real names, the FBI, or even book titles by Agent Rossi it will be quickly tracked. If found to be a potential threat to your covers you will be notified immediately and measures will be taken to get you out as quickly as possible, along with any other agents if we feel the covers are compromised. Your safety here is paramount to us, don't doubt that." Agent Harding stressed to assure the agents as much as she could.

As the visiting unit chief drew her part of the meeting to a rapid close, most of the agents quickly expressed gratitude for the time she had taken with them before they began gathering their folders to disperse and continue poring over the material they had been given. While Rossi, Morgan, Prentiss, Reid and Garcia had all left fairly quickly as soon as Agent Harding had made her own exit, and they were officially dismissed, JJ and Hotch remained behind, soon being the only ones left in the previously crowded conference room.

"I guess we should go over these together." Hotch finally said, his voice somewhat stilted as he tried to imagine them playing a married couple. The senior profiler wasn't sure if it was his imagination or not but it felt like his heart had started beating just a little faster as he considered the future implications of the roles they would be taking.

"We also need to make a decision about the boys." JJ added softly, as she forced herself to meet his eyes, already experiencing the conflict of such a huge decision about her son, on top of still processing the thoughts of pretending to be married to the man standing before her. "I can pick up Henry and come to your place, or you and Jack are welcome to come to my apartment." She offered as she watched his guarded expression for some indication of his thoughts.

"Jack and I will come to your place, then you don't have to get out late and drive home when we finish." Hotch finally declared chivalrously after a thoughtful pause, "would you like for us to bring a pizza?" He offered trying to be helpful in what he knew would be an awkward evening for them all.

"Sure that would be great, thank you," JJ replied as she tried to sound casual despite the anxious feeling that was creeping in on her as she considered the experience of having the unit chief and his son in her small apartment. She was also grateful that she would have a little time to straighten up before Hotch arrived. While she was comfortable around him in a work setting she was unused to having fellow agents in her own private domain and had certainly not planned for this when her morning had started.

As Hotch pulled out his cellphone to call Jessica regarding his plans to pick up Jack, JJ excused herself with a nod as she quickly exited and began thinking of what awaited her when she returned home. She began mentally ticking off the things she would need to do as it had been a particularly hectic morning causing her to leave breakfast dishes in the sink, a laundry basket sitting on the sofa in addition to not picking up all of Henry's toys in the living room. Staying preoccupied with her sudden planning she didn't notice Hotch's eyes steadily following her as she hastily left the room clutching her folder.

AN: Thanks to the following reviewers. Andi, jltmysterylover, Whiteswan (thanks so much for pointing out the possibility of recognition), Jekkah (I hope you enjoy the way it continues to play out,) and deeda (I love your enthusiasm, lol). And thanks to the anonymous reviewer as well. Every review and story alert is certainly motivation keep going with this story. I have finally made it through the more tedious setup chapters so soon the fun can begin *evil grin*