The morning breeze that blew through New York City was brisk and biting. The chilly air was something detective Olivia Benson was quite used to. She pulled her parka a little tighter around her as she made her way the short walk from the traffic jam her cab had wound itself into, to the precinct. Happily, she'd left a little earlier then usual. Today, the 16th precinct was to receive the elite profilers from the FBI's Behavioral Anylasis Unit in Quantico, Virginia to help with an ongoing investigation.
In the past year, a large string of serial killings had sprung up in the Manhattan Burrough, rapes involved. Only recently were all the killings linked upon the discovery that every single one of the victims was some how part of the gothic underground community and were new inductee's of le Culte du Sang, a religious group centered around the idea of vampirism. The detectives had met their match. No consistent murder weapon, no motive, nothing at all to suggest a pattern. After the twenty sixth victim was connected to the others, the SVU preformed a hail marry and called the Feds.
When Olivia stepped out of the elevator and turned the corner, she found she wasn't the only one early for work. Detective John Munch stood, eyes fixed through the windows of the closed double doors to the squad room, arms crossed. He seemed, quite frankly, pissed off. He didn't even glance over when his coworker walked up next to him, his mouth pursed in the way it did when he wanted to give you his most disapproving look. She noticed he hadn't yet removed his leather gloves. "Are you seeing this crap?" he asked her, voice like a knife, finger pointing through the glass.
Benson's gazed through the window. Inside was quite a sight. Four of the desks, and I'm sure you can guess whose, had been pushed together and cleaned of all of their amenities, which were now in boxes by Cragen's office. The case files and images of all of the crime scenes were spread across them. A young man was rearranging them while a older agent was placing specific images on a glass board. A little ways away, a black gentleman was fiddling with the coffee maker and chatting with a black haired women, presumably about the low quality of the machine. "They didn't waste anytime settling in." Benson commented bitterly.
"It's one thing to take over my desk, but the coffee maker? That coffee maker is our coffee maker, Liv."
Benson shook her head smiling. Leave it to Munch to make it trivial. "I haven't even met any of them and already I want them gone." he mumbled.
"Lets just let um do their job and get this over with." she responded, shrugging.
"Yeah, right, sure." John grumbled, sliping his gloves of with a little more relish then usual.
As he stuffed them angrily into his pockets, Elliot and Odafin strolled up, joining the small congregation. "Whats up, John? You look pissed." Fin asked, the smile he'd been sporting dropped "Did they prove the moon landing?"
"Look at those government insects." Munch began, cranking his jaw in between words "Making their little nest of bureaucratic filth in our office. Desecrating our work spaces, soiling our foutain of youthful vigor."
"John, you wrok for the damn government." Fin reminded him, chortling.
"So you're messed up over the coffee maker?" Stabler chuckled, but then he peered inside and saw the state of his desk "What in the hell did they do to my desk?"
"Whose laughing now, hmm?" Munch glared over the top rim of his glasses.
"Does someone wanna tell me why my detectives are standing around while there's work to be done?"
All four shields whipped around. The booming voice of the captain left them at a lose for words as he stood there eyeing each of them. Next to him, a slightly shorter man with just a little more hair was ringing his hands gently. The detectives looked between each other, sizing each other up, silently deciding who should answer. "I'm waiting." Cragen stated firmly.
Giving up, Benson spoke up. "Sorry captain we were just a little confused."
"Save it." he returned, contradicting his original question "I'd like to introduce you to special agent Jason Gideon of the Quantico Behavioral Anylasis Unit."
The man raised a hand in kind gesture. "These are supposed to be my top detectives." Cragen introduced "Detectives Olivia Benson, Elliot Stabler, John Munch, and Odafin Tutuola."
Gideon extended a hand to each of the detectives. Fin shook his hand quickly, Elliot firmly, Benson politely, and Munch reluctantly. "It's a pleasure to meet you all." He said, after finishing greeting them "I wish it could be under better circumstances."
He stretched his arms out before bringing his hands together. "Now, if you four are done making asses of yourselves," Cragen began, his eyes on the floor before meeting Munch's leers "the agents are ready to meet you all."
Munch let out a tch before turning and pushing the door open.
"The coffee around this place is terrible." Morgan commented, making a face at his mug " I mean, I've had some bad joe but this is somethin' else."
Prentiss laughed "He's right, this is pretty bad java."
"Aye, Reid!" Derek called to his friend "Wanna make a Starbucks run before the New York's 'finest' show up?"
Spencer didn't respond. He was busying himself with the arrangement of the crime scene photos. Periodically, he'd hand a photo to Hotchner, explaining the connection to one of the photos on the board. Hotch was sticking the photos to the glass and then drawing lines between them in various colored markers and making small notes.
"This crime scene is similar to the Morrison's. Arnold Shayland, blunt force trauma, but the position the body was lain in is similar. These sights also appeared to be dump jobs."
The doctor handed the image to his fellow agent. "Could mean they were dumped by the same person, not necessarily murdered."
Prentiss was watching them work over her coffee. "I don't think this is any kind of normal group." she spoke up "I know we discussed church groups or opposing religious groups, but maybe its something more along the lines of a neighborhood watch gone bad."
"Could also have be some sort of frat like college initiation." Morgan tossed out "Like a club or party situation."
"Captain Cragen seems nice." Reid blurted suddenly.
Hotch turned and eyed the doctor. "Particularly so considering the kind of unit he has to run." he complimented the SVU's leader "Detectives in this unit usually only last two years before transferring."
"Didn't you say the detectives we'll be working with have been in this unit for more then three each?" Reid asked curiously.
"Besides Detective Tutuola, yes." Hotchner corrected "He's just coming up on his second full year. He was previously narcotics."
"Right." Reid began a long winded speech "Did you know there was actually a writer named Amos Tutuola? He wrote the book, The Palm Wine Drinkard, which was a sort of collection of folktales from the Yoruba tribe. An odafin was a title given to spiritual leaders of a village which is used in the book. The name literally translates to "establisher of law" and Tutuola means-"
"The gentle one. Thanks for the lesson."
The profilers turned their attention towards the doors of the squad room. Six people were entering the room, one of which was Gideon. "Agents, these are the detectives of the special victims unit." Gideon presented the four individuals, one of whom had a scowl plastered across his face.
"I think it's only fair your agents introduce themselves to us considering they've already made themselves at home." the eldest, and most disgusted, of the four interjected, voice dripping in sarcasm.
The agents glanced at each other. It was Hotchner who stepped forward, taking the lead as usual. "I'm special agent Aaron Hotchner." he offered his introduction before feeding them the others "These are agents Derek Morgan, Emily Printiss, and Doctor Spencer Reid."
Reid waved and smiled sheepishly. "Doctor?" the black detective questioned "He barely looks nineteen."
"I'm twenty five actually." Reid responded defensively "I graduated highschool at twelve, I have an eidatic memory and can read 20,000 words per minute."
The detectives stared blankly "Yes, I'm a genius."
The smile was now nervous as he rocked back and forth on his heels. "Great, a wise ass." Munch grumbled.
There was only room for one smart mouth around here and it wasn't gonna be a book worm. Cragen took over "I apologize for my detectives rudeness." he said, his glares focused on Munch "These are Detectives Elliot Stabler, Olivia Benson, Odafin Tutuola, and the jack ass with a bad mouth is our esteemed Detective John Munch."
Munch rolled his eyes. Benson tried to shot the agents a welcoming smile. Fin and Elliot were sizing them up. Suddenly, Elliot extended a hand to Hotchner. "Welcome to the sleepless city, Agents." he greeted, grinning the toothy grin he saved just for perps.
Cautiously, Hotchner took the firm grip of the detective. For a moment, the two stared each other down, piercing eyes, searching for information. Investigating. The grips broke.
"Shall we get started then?" Hotchner asked the detectives.
"By all means." Stabler responded, gesturing to the desks.
The BAU feds turned and circled the left side of the desks, the detectives stepped forward and circled the right. Before anyone spoke, Cragen gestured for Gideon to come with him to his office. Gideon looked about at his agents before spinning round to follow the captain.
After the two had closed the door behind them, a silence fell over the group. Standing across from each other, they could see the similarities in the congregation. Each team had a strong young women, a black gentleman with unique sense of justice, a father who had probably been doing the job longer then he should, and a genius who saw things differently then the rest.
"We're able to give a preliminary profile of your group." Hotch informed the Detectives.
"Wait, I'm sorry, did you say group?" Benson spoke, sounding concerned.
"You didn't think this was a single unsub, did you?" Morgan asked, sounding disappointed and amused.
"Unsub?" she returned.
"Unidentified subject." he explained "It's how we refer to the killer."
"Around here, we call them the perp or the doer." Munch's voice was barely safe from his wit "I guess we're just simpler folk."
Morgan turned his entire upper body, arms crossed, to give Hotch a look as if to say "is this guy serious?" before finishing his original statement "You're actually looking for a group of 'doers.' We've identified at least eight individual profiles."
"Yeah well," Fin interjected "We tried the group angle. Turns out DNA doesn't lie and the cults clean."
"That's because you're looking for a different kind of group." Doctor Reid stepped in "The killings appear disorganized and untraceable because we know it to be a singular unsu-uhm...'doer' who is leading a group of followers to rape and murder these people."
He pointed out a specific set of photos which had been placed on the glass with blue and red lines splaying to other images. "We believe these four killings were done by the groups leader. He's a serious aggressor who enjoys torturing and prolonging his victims torture. We've seen that he attacks young women with dyed hair, possibly connecting the victims to a women who over powers him in his life. He likes control over his victims, its why he uses the belt. He's also reckless and believes he is uncatchable. He doesn't use a condom knowing his DNA will not be matched in the system."
The young doctor was gesturing with a pen towards each of the images. Prentiss picked up where Reid had stopped.
"He'll be in his late 30's early 40's, likely white. He has no priors and holds an office job where he is well liked and respected. He has a problem with female authority. He either works under a women he doesn't care for or has controlling female in his life."
"Okay, so if he's the ring leader, what kind of group are we looking for?" Stabler asked, taking on the role of voicing the teams opinions.
"We aren't quite sure yet." Hotchner answered.
"Yeah, great, thanks." Munch commented, unable to control his outbursts "So all you've managed to do is give us more perps? Yeah, that's great."
"At least we had enough of a brain to realize this wasn't one disorganized killer but several with individual patterns." Morgan stabbed, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm sorry, did you just call me stupid?" Munch turned, one hand finding the desk, the other his hip.
The cocky younger agent turned to Hotch again. He shot him a warning look. "No, Detective, I wasn't implying you were mentally deficient, just that you needed an extra few pairs of differently trained eyes."
He thought it was a nice save, however the grinding of Munch's teeth was almost audible. "Easy, John." Fin warned, but narrowed his eyes "So what else can you tell us about the group we'll be looking for?"
Reid looked to Hotch, receiving a nod to continue. "We know the group is none discriminating. We've identified one pattern that suggests a women was the perpetrator."
He pointed out another three images that had been arranged on the glass. "The victims, all male, were chosen without discrimination of race or age. They had what appeared to be consensual sex with a condom before she killed them with a single gun shot to the head. No signs of any kind of fight had occurred other then the killing blow. She covered the body, showing signs of guilt and remorse."
Benson was taking notes. She had never encountered anything like this before. "Are these the only patterns you were able to find?" she asked, the first of her squad to show genuine interest "We're their any other indicators?"
Seeing that finally, one of the detectives was starting to realize why they were here, Morgan answered "The only other pattern we've been able to discover is these."
He gestured to two photos. One was an older man who had been beaten to death before being anally raped, the other was their most recent victim, Henry Burkhart. "They were both dump jobs done by the same person. Bodies were lain in the same fashion, on their backs, gently."
The detectives chewed on this information for a moment. Munch spoke "So we're looking for a psycho with a hatred for the macabre and his gang of merry raping homicidal maniacs?"
"Why are they attacking members of the Cult?" Stabler questioned "Could it be a church congregation?"
"That's what we haven't figured out yet." Hotchner admitted, hands pushing his jacket back to rest on his hips.
"So what exactly is the plan here then?" Fin asked "If its a group, its not like researching the victims pasts and families is gonna help."
"Right. It's doubtful that the victims knew their attackers." Reid explained "Maybe someone they had passed on the street or seen once in their nightclub bars."
"Then how do we track them down?" Stabler's voice was beginning to show signs of frustration.
"Son of a bitch."
The detectives turned their heads to Munch. "You expect us to go undercover?!" he hissed, jabbing a finger straight at Hotchner.
Fin's head snapped back around towards Hotchner. "Look, sir, I'm the only one in this unit with deep cover training. I don't-"
But it was Morgan who spoke next. "I thought you said it was only a possibility?"
Hotchner took a moment to speak. "We...can't risk the lives of anymore civilians." he said simply "Too many have already been lost."
"So you want us to try and get into the group?" Benson sounded less curious and more angered "How do we do that if we don't even know what type of group we're looking for."
"We won't be trying to infiltrate the killers group." Munch spat "These agents expect us to set ourselves up as possible targets by joining la Culte du Sang and masquerading as Dracula."
"You're very perceptive, detective." Hotch complimented.
"Really? Because I usually hear that I'm..." he feigned ignorance "Oh whats that word Fin?"
"Crazy." He responded, rolling his eyes at his partner.
Munch held a hand towards Fin, giving the agents his famous over the top of his glasses matter-o-fact look.
"You want us to go undercover as goths?" Stabler's eyes went from the left side of the room to meet Hotchner's stern gaze.
"The idea is that one of us be set up as an owner of a night club that will cater strictly to the industrial underground." The seasoned Agent explained "Others will be given identities as various members of the community. We'll figure out what covers you'll use based on each of our strengths."
"Woah, hold on." Stabler raised his hands "How long do you expect us to play dress up? I have a family with four kids."
"We think we'll be under for a minimum of two months."
"Excuse me?" Benson exclaimed, fingers resting on her side.
"We know this is a big thing we're asking."
"You think?" Stabler spat.
He was starting to see why Munch hated the government. "I'm not doing it." he objected.
"You are if you wanna keep your job." Cragen spoke, having left the office.
All of the cops and feds gazes fell on the Captain. "We have a group of killers somewhere in Manhattan. You said your selves you need help. This is the solution Agent Gideon and Hotchner came to."
The detectives AND agents raised a voice to object but Gideon threw up his hands. "We know this is not a convient solution-"
"Convient? Understatment of the century." Munch mumbled.
"I've about had it with you today." Cragen snapped "You got a better idea? Because I sure would love to hear it."
Munch raised both of his hands and turned away. "Both of our units are giving up our best men and women to accomplish this." Gideon spoke again "But we have been left with no other options. Twenty six people have been murdered and we can't afford that number to rise."
"I have a family." Stabler repeated.
"You aren't the only one, Detective Stabler." Hotchner inserted, his tone much more stern "We all have to make sacrifices."
The room was silent for another moment. It was Munch who broke the silence. "Well, I think the dent in my couch cushion will live with out me for awhile."
He shrugged and slapped a hand on to Fin's shoulder. "You ready to become a creature of the night, my friend?"
"Actually, John," Cragen looked up at his detective "We've decided you'll get the staring role in this little operation."
Munch raised an eyebrow "What? Stuffy over there not bonned up on Bram Stroker?" he pointed a thumb at Hotchner.
"No, 'Stuffy' is going to be running the operation from behind the scenes." Gideon infomed the inquiring Conspirist.
"Oh no John." Cragen slapped a hand to Munch's back "We need someone with a little bit more...flash."
Munch's lips pursed as he realized that he wasn't getting out of this one. "Doctor Reid." Cragen turned to the young boy "I'm sorry to inform you but you'll be playing John's son."
Ried looked a bit fearful. "Don't worry, kid, his bark is worse then his bite." Stabler comforted.
"Oh, that'll change real quick." Cragen laughed "I think the look they have planned for you had fangs."
Munch's eyes widened and fixed on Fin. "Oh man I can't wait to see this." Fin laughed.
Benson had to cover her mouth. "Gee Munch, I never pegged you as the blood drinking type."
"Oh haha, Olivia."
"Really cause I never pegged him as the child rearing type." Even Stabler had to make a joke.
Munch stepped around the table towards Doctor Reid "Oh come on now," he said, reaching an arm around to grasp Reid's shoulder "Can't you see the family resemblance?"
Reid tried to wiggle free. "Please, detective, I don't like to be touched."
Munch let go "Sorry kid."
"We'll figure out what roles the rest of you will play when detective Fargise arrives." Cragen informed "He'll be in charge of your identities and training you for your cover. He'll have a small team that will help you create and mantain these identites."
"We'd like to see full cooperation between all of you." Gideon added "We'll be setting you up in fake homes, brand new jobs, so on."
They all looked around at each other. "Well I guess we don't really have much of a choice do we?"
Cragen looked to the floor before meeting her gaze."No you don't."
Prentiss spoke "Then I guess we'd all better start getting to know each other."
"We'll leave you to that then." Gideon clasped his hands together "I will be returning to Quantico to pick up two of our other agents. When I get back, I'd like to see what you've come up with."
"You four behave." Cragen commanded, pointing specifically at Munch.
The two older men left the squad room. Silence fell over the room yet again. No one was particularly happy with this arrangment. Being stuck together for two months playing the rolls of characters out of an Anne Rice novel wasn't anyones ideal way to spend their time.
Hotchner was once again the one to speak. "I guess now would be as good a time as any to allow you detectives to start making preperations."
"What the hell am I supposed to tell my wife?" Stabler asked, fury on the tip of his voice.
"Tell her you've been asked to particapate in a special training course of some kind." Morgan tossed out, shrugging.
"Don't worry, Stabler, Cathy will understand." Fin offered.
Stabler sighed. "It'll be fine El." Liv placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Drink from me and live forever."
Everyone turned to look at Reid. He looked around at everyone. "It's one of the most quoted vampire phrases. Its also the manifesto of la Culte du Sang."
No one said anything. "Just tryin to get into character." he said, his mouth forming into a line.
Munch shook his head "This is gonna be a nightmare."
"Nah, I think thats what you'll be dressed as, Dracula." Fin joked.
Morgan cracked a smile. "Gotta admit, this might be more enjoyable then I expected."
They all looked at each other. These eight government officials were about to become a rag tag crew of Rocky Horror riff raff in an attempt to bring down a modern day bunch of van Hellsings. For the next two months, the BAU and the SVU were going to be closer then any group of mistrusting individuals ever didn't want to be.
As Olivia Benson left the squad room, she thought about the guy she'd just managed to nab a date with. She thought about all of the victims of these miserable crimes. She thought about the BAU agents...
How had they all wound up in this mess?
And here we have the first meeting! This was a lot harder to write then I thought. I'm planning to try and focus more on Printiss and Benson as well as the others since I skipped over them a little. But I hope you're all enjoying! Thanks for reading!
~Sven
PS I have gone back and corrected my spelling of Prentiss, reworked a few oddities and did a general spelling and grammar run through!
