"There is not a crime, there is not a dodge, there is not a trick, there is not a swindle, there is not a vice which does not love secrecy." Joseph Pulitzer

A/N: I don't own any of the Criminal Minds characters, plot, etc. all belong to CBS

Jade POV

I really am beginning to hate Mondays. Is this what adulthood is? Enjoying a few days off and then swearing to not go so overboard next weekend, you promise yourself you will get enough sleep and then make the exact same decisions next weekend? Until retirement? If so, fuck that. I rescind my adulthood. I hereby vow to remain an adolescent forever.

Last week, after returning from the Great Smoky Mountains, was at least bearable. We worked in the federal building and I got to chat with Garcia more and eat lunch with her at her favorite place. Then on Friday, I finally went to the gym and sparred with Derek. He actually helped me quite a bit, I look forward to training with him more the next few months. He is a great instructor, able to correct my form without me feeling so awful about not knowing what I am doing. My arms and hands were sore Saturday, but in a good way. I love the feeling of a good workout.

I also got to text Prentiss way more. I am not sure what we have going on but it is fun and flirty. I think that is what both of us want and need at this point in our lives. She admits to never have had much luck with relationships, and honestly neither have I, so we are specifically not labeling whatever this is. I am also specifically not telling anyone from the team what is going on. They are too nosy as it is, they don't need to know about this thing that will not be named, just enjoyed. Over the weekend, Emily and I did a weird face time and wine 'date' where we chatted and badly flirted with each other.

This morning, as I walked in and headed straight to Garcia's office, I didn't even glance to see if Spencer was here or not. I did talk to him a good bit Friday and it was pleasant, warm and even friendly. I am so glad he seems unaffected, or at least well adjusted. I know he doesn't let many people in, I was worried he might be withdrawn and hurt. JJ and I talked Sunday evening and she seems to think he is doing alright.

I ask Garcia what she thinks as we drink our steamy beverages in her office.

"Oh, you know Spencer, he doesn't let anything show. But it is a good sign that he is here at all. After Maeve it was weeks before he would leave his apartment. Or even acknowledge us. I mean, you aren't dead, but I say this is a marked improvement for our boy." Garcia babbles as we drink and lounge in her office.

"Thanks?" I ask, eyebrows furrowed as I try to unravel what she just said.

"No, I think its good, ending your relationship on mutually agreed terms. Looks like you guys are both grown and mature adults." She explains as she sets down her mug and logs onto her computer.

"It doesn't feel like it." I say and after a pause, deciding to go for it, "How can you tell if something is a rebound or if its legitimate?" I resolve to confide in Garcia, knowing she has the ability to be discrete and she isn't nearly as nosy as the rest of the team.

"Do you like him just for the sex or do you actually look forward to seeing him outside the bedroom?" Garcia asks with a bit of a giggle and she wiggles her eyebrows suggestively.

"Uh, her, and we mostly just kiss and flirt." I reveal, smoothing my lavender blouse as I look away. I don't know why I feel embarrassed, well, not embarrassed, vulnerable. Its a part of myself. I trust Garcia and she seems very accepting.

"Ooh sorry I didn't know you were bisexual." Garcia apologizes, making a bit of a face. "I didn't mean to assume you were straight, but you were just with Spencer and you didn't mention anyth-"

"Most people don't, don't worry about it Garcia." I cut her off, waving off her apology. She really would have no way to know.

"Well if you mostly just kiss, it probably isn't a rebound honey." Garcia answers, thinking about it for a minute.

"Thanks, Garcia, I love you, no homo." I reply, taking another sip of my latte.

"I love you too, my girl! Just keep on being awesome and I am sure this new lady will love you too sooner than we know it." Garcia gushes, smiling at me.

"I need more friends as open and accepting as you are." I reply, smiling and sitting back in the office chair as she goes through her emails.

"I'm always here if you need anything." Garcia informs me sincerely, before changing the conversational topic to work, "Oh and Hotch is going to want to see you stat, I guess that case about the homeless shelters is still relevant."

"Thanks Garcia, you are such a lifesaver. See ya in a few minutes in the conference room." I reply, standing up and heading out of her cozy office.

I leave Garcia and head directly to Hotch's more formal office, ready to collaborate and plan how we will present the case. It looks like a third homeless shelter has burnt to the ground, killing several of the homeless people in the process. This one is in a neighboring state, not far into Kentucky, but is about the same distance from the first two homeless shelters. Everything else about the case is the same, and we definitely have jurisdiction this time since it crosses state lines.

A few minutes later Hotch heads into the conference room while I round up everyone as I pick up Garcia and inform her that she will just need to manage the technology, as Hotch and I will be doing all of the talking.

The team slowly assembles, bleary eyed and barely awake, looking between Hotch, Garcia and myself as we present this unusual case. I describe the basic details of the case. Missing homeless people who turn up burnt to death in homeless shelters 2 counties away. Once it is a weird coincidence, twice unusual and three is definitely a pattern of disturbing arson and manslaughter. Garcia clicks through the crime scene photos and the burnt remains of the victims, making a face at how gruesome it is.

"I can practically smell it from here folks. Be prepared to never see a Memorial Day barbecue in the same way ever again." She quips with a frown.

Hotch joins in the presentation and describes the victims, how in the first arson the one gentleman was known to raise awareness to the plight of the homeless. How it looks to be a cover up of someone trying to silence a difficult homeless person. Local police are currently unsure if this same pattern holds true in either of the other two instances, but we and the local police are certainly working on it as a possibility. One of the missing and presumed dead homeless people is famous, or rather infamous, in the first town for stirring the pot and calling to attention the poor conditions for local homeless people. He has filed claims against the police department and mayor due to poor police coverage, very limited resources, slow or no response to 911 calls in the areas frequented by the homeless, no to little follow up with reported crimes, murders and rapes going unsolved and often uninvestigated.

Reid jumps in and rattles off some statistics about arson and the homeless, "Anywhere between 52 and 62% of arson cases are directly related to homelessness"

Morgan asks if they ever would have been in the homeless shelter 2 counties away or if the UNSUB is transporting them for a specific purpose.

"It is highly unlikely that a homeless person would have access to transportation to a homeless shelter so far away." Reid answers quickly and concisely.

"Also, it is quite unusual for homeless people to travel so far from their shelter, as all of their worldly belongings are kept there and they have very strict rules about returning each night." Rossi adds.

Morgan and I exchange a confused glance "Uh, past experience in a homeless shelter?" Morgan asks, thankfully so I don't have to.

"No, just know someone who has" the elder profiler replies, sitting back in his chair, relaxed and collected.

"By the way, this case has been brought to our attention via the Medical Examiner because one of the deceased homeless men was causing trouble and filed a case against the mayor of Nashville, citing his poor treatment of the homeless situation. We will have to tread carefully and diplomatically" I say, feeling that is an important detail for the team to know especially as we evaluate the possible unsubs. The team looks uneasy and I don't blame them. We never want to be caught between the facts of the case and local politics, but this case seems to throw us directly in the middle. I hope we don't end up regretting it.

"Wheels up in thirty" Hotch interrupts, and the rest of the team rises to grab the case files and we all head to our desks to grab our go bags.

Not long after we settle in to the jet, we begin examining the case file, looking at photos, witness statements, everything, trying to find a clue. Any connection between the three scenes.

Reid says "Guys, if you look here, here and here, each crime scene has a photograph with white or light gray residue directly across from a second story window. Is this how the UNSUB is starting the fires?" He asks, indicating to several of the photographs.

"You tell us boy wonder" Morgan replies with his trademark smirk.

"I'm not an arson expert, but I would be very interested in the source of this white or gray residue. I definitely think it is something to check on once we land." Reid answers after contemplating a moment, his brows pulled together in his expression of deep thought.

"Aren't you an arson expert?" JJ asks Morgan, tilting her head a bit and narrowing her eyes at him.

"Not quite. Explosives and arson aren't quite the same thing. I will go and make sure forensics takes a good look at it, and help them with their results, but I'm no arson expert JJ." He jests.

"My bad, I thought you were." She apologizes, shaking her head.

Later, Blake notices that in the second and third arson, all of the victims are young, none older than 35. In the first case the "instigator" was 53 but all the other victims were also young, in their 20s and 30s. "Is it a possible motive, tied to getting rid of young homeless?"

"That is certainly a possibility we will have to look into. It is hard to say without talking to the local police and the people involved." Hotch answers, nodding that he also finds it a good avenue to pursue.

We land in Nashville, Tennessee and head to the police department in our black SUVs. We get acquainted to the local police and settle into our makeshift office as they catch us up to speed. Admittedly, not a lot of headway has been made on any of the cases. It also appears that each police station is having trouble cooperating with each other, small town competitiveness getting in the way. The local chief expressed his hope that our involvement brings some cooperation within each of the other departments. Hotch leaves to make a few phone calls while we examine the data up close to make sure nothing was missed.

True to his word, Morgan heads to the forensics department with Blake to see what has been gathered from each of the arson sites. Reid and JJ drive off to interview the people managing each homeless shelter, while Rossi and Hotch head to the medical examiners office to check on his investigations. Hotch left me in our makeshift office with instructions to evaluate the case files and see if we missed anything, as well as take any calls relating to the case and relay everything to the team until they return. I feel flattered that he trusts me with such a task, but also overwhelmed by the responsibility of being here on my own. I suppose I have been here for several months now and he wouldn't have done if it I haven't been doing well already, showing my competence.

As I scan the files, looking for details we all missed, my mind begins to wander a bit. I think about the conversation Garcia and I had this morning. How she doesn't think what Emily and I have is a rebound. The thought makes me smile, this might be something real, if we weren't separated by the Atlantic Ocean. I look at the clock and try to figure out what time it is in London, to see if I have a minute to text Emily and see what she is up to...

"Hey, Jade, having a tough time with an analog clock? It's 11:15" Morgan jokes as he enters the office with Blake.

"No, I was just trying to figure out what the time difference was between here and London. Time zones always trip me up."

"London? Who do you know over there, Little Lady?" Morgan asks, using the nickname he has given me in our sparring sessions.

"A few of my friends from college are over there on a vacation." I reply, not entirely lying, a few of my friends are indeed over there, taking a tour of England. Completely irrelevant, but its the truth. Hopefully the two profilers buy the answer and half-truth. I adjust my light gray blazer and straighten the sleeves as I answer, not making eye contact.

"Kind of a rainy spot for a summer vacation, isn't it?" Morgan asks, pouring himself some coffee from the big decanter along the wall.

"I guess. I was going to check in with them before you guys got back, but I guess it'll wait until tonight." I reply, returning my cell phone into my back pocket.

"We have a little time before the rest of the team returns. London is 6 hours ahead of Nashville, so it would be 5:15pm over there, if you want to check in quickly." Blake replies, sitting next to me at the table with all the case files spread open. I look over and she gives me a warm, kind smile.

"Nah, I didn't have anything important to say, it can wait until tonight." I repeat before I ask "So what did you guys find out with forensics? Did they figure out what that white substance was?"

"No, but the forensics team agrees with Reid, that residue, or what left it behind, is likely how the fires started in each homeless shelter." Morgan answers sitting across from Blake and I.

We chat a bit while we wait for everyone else to return, Morgan shares a story about a cute date he managed to take Savannah on over the weekend. They seem to really make their busy schedules work and make the most out of every spare second. I comment about how cute they are as a couple, Morgan rolls his eyes but accepts the compliment.

Before we could talk about any other cute dating stories or anything more personal, Rossi and Hotch walk into our back office with news from the medical examiner.

"It looks like there are ligature marks on all the deceased homeless peoples wrists, which indicates they were tied before they burnt in the arsons. It looks like simple organic material was used as it burned in the fire, probably hemp or jute material. The Nashville ME found a few fibers that remained and is sending them over to forensics but we aren't expecting it to be anything unusual and probably won't help our search for the unsub. The fact that the victims were bound leads us from straight arson into manslaughter and premeditated murder. That makes a huge difference in the type of person we are looking for." Rossi tells us, sitting on my other side while Hotch sits next to Morgan and pulls some of the photos to him to reevaluate them with the new information gathered.

"When Reid and JJ return from interviewing the shelter managers, we will compile everything into a profile and present it to the media." Hotch states as he carefully examines the photos of the burned buildings.

"Do you think the unsub is after the attention? Perhaps we shouldn't bring it on the news just yet?" Morgan asks as he sits back in his folding chair.

"You do have a good point, arson, especially repeated arson, is often an act to seek power, revenge or notoriety. Perhaps we shall wait to make any news releases, but we should get each of the departments together and coordinate our search and deliver a preliminary profile to them." Hotch corrects himself and pulls another file to him.

"The forensics team is still working on identifying the white residue, its not any of the common fire starters and are having to do a more detailed analysis to find its chemical structure. They will inform us and Garcia immediately upon receiving those results." Blake adds in the information they gleaned from their trip to the forensics lab.

"And, in case you were wondering, no one called or made any reports while you were off doing important business so I familiarized myself with the case files. Ask me anything about them, I know it all. All the charred and gruesome details." I quip, feeling almost useless.

"Aren't you a busy little bee? Someone must want to make a good impression before the end of her internship, Tesoro* " Rossi chides, lightly bumping elbows with me, bringing up the nickname he hadn't used in weeks. I roll my eyes, sad that he brought it back up.

"Or maybe I just don't like to stand around looking at myself in the mirror when I don't have anything more pressing to do" I reply, finishing my now-cold coffee, the rest of the team chuckling at the subtle dig.

"Little Lady has some spunk! Good for you!" Morgan encourages me, big dimples flashing briefly.

"Anyway, I guess I'll call the other two stations and see if we can get the officers working the arson cases to meet us here when Reid and JJ return." I say, standing and walking to the desk by the door, with the phone and directory to surrounding departments.

I have no difficulty getting the department involved in the second arson to agree to meet here later this afternoon but the third department gives me a hard time, trying to get me to change the meeting to their department for several reasons which all sound like petty arguments from some past disagreement. I remind them they are working with the FBI and we are gently requesting their cooperation now, not the other department. The officer I was speaking to hung up on me. Sighing, I replace the phone on the receiver. I straighten my blazer again and take a deep breath.

"Trouble, Tesoro*?" Dave asks as I turn back around, nearly bumping into him.

"I hadn't heard you approaching. Yes, trouble. The third department does not want to meet here, apparently there was some squabble with jurisdiction a few years ago and the officer I spoke to was not ready to let bygones be bygones. I will call them back in a few minutes but right now I need a cup of coffee." I reply walking past him to the decanter along the wall.

I attempt to pour myself some coffee but the cup only comes about half full, the team has a coffee addiction and the decanter was empty. I put the decanter and my cup onto the counter again, mutter to myself "just my luck" and walk out of the office. I head to the chief and ask where the supplies were to make more coffee. He takes me to the small pantry room and we gather the necessary items and head into the makeshift office to brew the coffee.

"Any headway, guys? Anything we can be doing to help you out? Our department is currently not very busy, luckily, and pretty much all of my officers can be at your disposal." The chief offers as the smell of fresh coffee starts to fill the room. He appears genuine, friendly but weathered by many hard years on the job. I wouldn't be surprised if he worked his way up to his position the old fashioned way. No influential relative to give him a boost. I like this chief already.

"Right now we are still in the evidence gathering and profile building stages. We will let you and the rest of the department know if there is anything new. For the present moment, just continue investigating the arsons as usual." Hotch graciously replies.

"Thanks again, Hotchner, you and the rest of the BAU team are such a help. We have a relatively safe city and the whole area hasn't had to deal with much arson before, let alone serial arson." The chief replies as he heads back out the door and returns to his office.

I finally get my cup of coffee and sip the wonderful warm beverage before I head back to the phone and call the third department, praying a different officer answers the phone. My prayer is answered and a much warmer and kinder sounding officer answers the phone this time.

"Hello, Officer Jones. I am Jade Bennett from the Behavioral Analysis Unit with the FBI. My team and I are working on the arson cases, as I am sure you are well aware of." I introduce myself in my most professional and persuasive tone.

"Hello, yes I had heard the feds are joining the case. Can I ask of the nature of the phone call?" Officer Jones asks and I feel like this conversation is already going 100% better than the previous one.

"Yes, of course. The Bureau made arrangements to have my team and I centered in Nashville, since it is in the central location of the three current arsons, as well as the largest department with the most resources. I am asking if the officers in your department working on this case could join us shortly to combine our efforts and coordinate the future of the investigation." I ask, maintaining my professional tone and trying my best to emulate the persuasive, yet kind tone JJ seems to have when speaking with everyone while we are working.

"Oh most certainly, Ms Bennett. I will get our officers together and we will bring our case file with us. Is there a time we are meeting, ma'am?" Officer Jones asks, his warm voice sounding pleasant and not at all like the last person I spoke to.

I let out a small sigh of relief, glad this conversation is going so much better, before I reply. "We are trying to meet at 3:00, if that gives you enough time to gather the necessary information and meet us, Officer Jones?" I reply, trying to not sound bossy, but firm.

"That should give us more than enough time to get there. I look forward to working with you and the rest of the BAU. Thank you for the courteous phone call and I will be seeing you at 3:00" Officer Jones replies before disconnecting the phone.

I let my shoulders relax and I exhale as I slump into the desk chair for a minute, closing my eyes. I hadn't realized how tense I was about making the phone call.

"Better?" Dave asks softly, again behind me.

"What are you doing? Eavesdropping?" I ask not bothering to open my eyes as I feel him step closer.

"Since I can no longer stare into mirrors and ogle myself in my free time I realize I don't have anything better to do." He replies simply.

"I have some suggestions" I reply dryly, reaching up to pull my long hair back from my face and smooth it back again, eyes still closed as I rest for a moment.

Dave chuckles, surely thinking of something other than what I intended and I feel his hand trace along my shoulders and back, I finally open my eyes as he walks past me and leaves the office.

Shaking my head briefly, I stand and face the rest of the team who is conversing around the long table, looking over the files, trying to piece together something to go on. I walk over and sit back down in the folding chair I was occupying earlier.

"The other departments are on board, they will be meeting us here at 3:00. Hopefully Reid and JJ will return by then and we can give a more complete profile for them to go on." I tell the team.

"Look who I found wandering aimlessly about the town" Dave announces a minute later, walking back into our makeshift office, leading Reid and JJ.

"Hey guys, so, the people running the homeless shelters all seem to agree, this was some sort of targeted attack. The older gentleman at the Nashville homeless shelter, the one who was an activist for the homeless cause and fair treatment, was very involved in volunteering in the community as well. He has been long 'hated' or considered a nuisance to the mayor and other law-makers. He has filed several cases and petitions concerning the terrible treatment, poor conditions and negligible police coverage for homeless, not only in Nashville, but nationwide." JJ reports taking a seat at the table.

"The other victims all seem to be fairly random. Young, but nothing notable. No criminal records, no association with other activist or protesting activities, none of them knew the older gentleman beyond the association with him at the shelter. None of them were close or friendly with him" Reid adds as he also sits down and gets comfortable.

"As far as everyone can tell, the other homeless shelters were completely random and no one at those shelters had any association with the elder gentleman or any of the other victims from the Nashville shelter. And no one can tell why they were moved two counties away and burned in a different shelter." JJ continues, revealing more of their hard work.

"One interesting thing, the only thing that seems to be similar, each shelter received a call to evacuate the building citing a gas leak, dangerous carbon monoxide levels and a failed inspection revealing structural integrity issues. So the shelter was emptied of their own inhabitants before the arsonist brought the victims in." Spencer states. He seems to find the strangest things interesting. I suppose it is interesting but I wouldn't have presented it with as much enthusiasm as he. I look over to him and smile softly, which he returns. Good.

"That makes some sense. None of the victims resided in the shelters they were found in. Dave and I found out each of the victims had ligature marks on their wrists. They were bound tightly before they were burned. The arsonist took measures to not be identified, the rope fibers mostly burned and what remained looked like common natural fibers, extremely difficult to trace to a single source." Hotch fills them in.

We all take turns sharing our information, Spencer and Hotch take turns writing on the whiteboard, outlining the key details:

* Only 1 victim with any real enemies – Benjamin Miller -53

-Instigator

-Activist – homeless rights / unfair treatment

-Civil Case against Nashville Mayor

* Victims found 2 counties from residence

* Burned building received call to evacuate

* Rope ligature binding wrists

* White residue – uncommon

* Other victims – no family, no enemy, basically unanimous and random unknown

* Dental records confirm the identities

The team takes a brief break for lunch before we try to form a profile for the unsub. Morgan and Rossi wanted to press on and continue working, but Hotch insisted we cannot do our best work if we are hungry. Blake, JJ and I all loudly agreed with him, so we ordered in some pizza and took a half hour to relax a bit. We kept the conversation light and avoided all case related topics. JJ and Hotch told us all about the boys playing soccer and how they were doing riding bikes and swimming. I am so glad their children get along so well. At least they have each other to have fun with.

After our lunch break, we focused wholly on forming a profile and deciding what to present to the police at 3:00. Rossi and Morgan lead the conversation, having dealt with more arson cases than the rest of the team, as well as understanding the likely psychopathology behind such deviant actions. By the time the other police departments were supposed to arrive, the team was feeling pretty confident in their profile.

As the officers assembled in our office, the team grouped together and worked out how the presentation will go. Since it is a meeting between trained officers and the BAU agents, I would be acting in a minor role, introducing everyone, but allowing the team to present the profile. Hotch and Morgan will present the bulk of the case, with the others adding in anything they miss. After that they will field any questions and prepare to continue the investigation and hopefully narrow the field of unsubs.

"Hello everyone. Thank you for all joining us here in Nashville this afternoon. I am Jade Bennett and this is the BAU. We are gathered to present the profile we have formed and help guide our joint investigation. Now SSAs Aaron Hotchner and Derek Morgan will present to you the profile and help explain what it means to you." I say from the front of the team, hands clasped before me. As I finish, I step back between JJ and Reid, while Hotch and Morgan come forward a few steps to separate themselves from the rest of the team.

"Thank you, Jade, for the warm introduction. I am SSA Aaron Hotchner. This first piece of information is not easy to share, but we believe it is relevant to the case. Benjamin Miller, one of the victims in the first arson, was known to the local police department and mayor, as I am sure you are well aware, for his activism and harsh criticism of the way homeless people are treated, in his view. I am not here to criticize you or say the police are in any way responsible, but it remains relevant that he was a known figure in the community and perhaps someone wished to silence him. It is our belief that he was the main target and perhaps the initial arson triggered a previously unknown or suppressed interest in arson and pyromania.

Typically, arson is committed by white males between the ages of 30 and 45 of a middle or lower class upbringing. Arsonists, pyromaniacs and "arson for hire" are three very different groups. We are likely looking for an arsonist for hire, or someone who was paid to set fire to these shelters with the victims inside. The arsonist likely had no real connection to the victims and was only motivated by the payoff. Therefore, we are looking for a team, an arsonist and whomever is paying him to burn these shelters. Like I said, the arsonist himself is likely in his 30's or early 40's." Hotch informs the gathered officers, voice professional, stern and even, as his usual.

"And now comes the tricky part." Morgan steps in, taking over. "The person paying the arsonist. Who would have the capital required to convince someone to do something so heinous as burning a homeless shelter with people bound inside? Who would have such a motivation? We believe the person paying for these crimes is an influential member of the community. Not Mayor Shawn himself, that would be too obvious. We think it may be one of his advisors or perhaps someone from the Metropolitan Council. It is always difficult to target a prominent member of the community. No one wants to think their local leadership is bad. We understand this, but we would like to impress upon you how important it is to take this matter seriously. Sometimes the best of us struggle and make bad decisions in a moment of weakness. We ask you treat this matter seriously and consider any and all persons who might fit that description."

Hotch clears his throat and continues, "Of course that explains the case here in Nashville. You might be thinking how we know that the same person is involved in all three arsons. As you most likely know, the same white residue is found in the second floor of each of the homeless shelters. The same ligature marks have been found on the remains of the victims. Nearly identical calls were placed to clear the inhabitants and workers out of each shelter before the unsub brought his victims in. He ensured only the people he brought in and bound were burnt in the fires he set. Like I mentioned in my opening statement, the arsonist may have set the second and third fire on his own, the first having triggered his desire for the thrill arsonists often find. Or it may all be part of this teams plan to allay suspicion from them as they do not have any reason to burn these unrelated homeless shelters. This takes a very careful, cunning plan. Either the arsonist or his financial backer, or perhaps they worked together as a team, concocted this careful plan. The arsonist, while likely from a lower class or middle class background, is expected to be well educated. He is also, statistically more likely to work in the public service industry. He might even set these fires with the hopes for getting a call to come put out the fire himself, as many arsonists work or volunteer as firemen."

"While he may be well educated, that does not mean he is without mental illness. Arsonists and arsonists for hire often have narcissistic and anti-social personalities with an over abundance of confidence and reduced anxiety or capacity for guilt." Morgan replies, finishing the profile, and the two men step back. "We now welcome any questions you have about the profile we presented." He continues, gesturing to open the floor to the officers.

A few good questions come in, which the team handles easily, but it seems like the collected group of officers all seem to understand and agree with our assessment. The officers begin to talk among themselves and compare their investigations while the team chats about the profile delivery. We agree it went well and the departments got along better than we were lead to believe. Perhaps the idea of feds watching caused the three departments to get along, realizing we are all just trying to solve the same crime and catch the same bad guys.

Early the next morning we gather in the office and JJ and I brought good coffee for the team. Not that the coffee brewed in the decanter was bad, but it left a lot to be desired. I hand Rossi the double shot espresso I know he prefers and he thanks me with a wink.

"I didn't do it for you. I know you think extra foam vanilla lattes are a crime to be called coffee and JJ and I didn't want to hear you bitching all day about it. And no one should have to suffer through police department decanter coffee." I reply, rolling not only my eyes but my shoulders as well.

"Well, I am still appreciative, Tesoro*, you didn't have to. Even if it was for wholly selfish reasons." Dave replies with another wink as we collect around the table with the rest of the team.

"Good morning everyone. Today we are going to be helping the police interview a few of the Metropolitan Council members they identified as possible suspects." Hotch informed us, looking gruff and serious even as he sipped his vanilla latte. "We will be split up into groups with one police officer each. Reid and Morgan in one team, Blake and Rossi in a second, while JJ and I form the third group. Jade, you will be here to answer any phone calls as well as keeping Garcia informed with any information we gather on the Metropolitan Council. I have already passed on to her the list the Chief gave me this morning. She has been instructed to call you if she comes up with any leads on her end as well."

The team chats a few minutes before they all leave me to sit in the office alone, again. I have a feeling this part of the job might be the worst. Sitting and waiting for the team to need me. Maybe this is how Garcia feels, sitting in her office in DC, waiting for a call. At least she gets to sit in her familiar environment, she can order food from a restaurant or pick something up and know it will be good. She also can talk to other Bureau members if its a slow day. I just get to sit here in a makeshift office, by myself, and try to keep busy until someone needs me. I wonder if this is what prompted JJ to go back through the Academy to become a full-fledged agent. Not being able to participate fully in cases and sitting bored while the fun happens.

I sit for a few minutes and debate calling Prentiss on my cell. If anyone from the team would walk in on that conversation I'm sure I'd be embarrassed to death and I'd probably lose my internship in the final weeks. I have just over a month to go in the internship and it feels like I barely started. I guess time does fly when you're having fun. I do enjoy working with the BAU and I love all the great people I've met. To screw that up to have a flirty conversation with my sort-of long distance fling thing would be very irresponsible.

So I call Garcia instead.

"Garcia's House of Answers. Ask and you shall receive." She answers the phone on the first ring.

"Hey Garcia. If you aren't too busy I'd like to just chat a bit. The team is off doing official agent things and I'm stuck sitting in the office by myself, waiting for you or the team to give me something interesting to do, or to pass along messages." I reply, crossing my fingers that she has time to talk.

"Oh of course, honey, I always have time to talk with you! So you're bored waiting to be useful?" She asks and I can tell she is playing with the bright pom-pom on the end of one of her pens.

"Oh yeah, majorly bored. Like I almost considered calling my girl and talking to her instead." I admit.

"Why didn't you?"

"Well, if anyone from the team walked in, that would be embarrassing. At least if I'm talking to you we can pretend it was work related."

"Good point. So how is the case going?" She asks idly.

"Pretty good so far, I think. Like Hotch mentioned, they are interviewing the Metropolitan Council members who might be involved. I'm sure once they are identified the case will be pretty quick to wrap up." I tell her, I'm sure she already knew all of this.

"Good. I haven't had much luck so far. There doesn't seem to be too much dirt on those guys. Sure they may have taken a few tax dollars for personal use, but literally every politician does that. I think its in their contracts. I'm not done digging, though, so I'll keep you updated once I'm through. How are things with your girl?"

"Pretty good. We did chat a bit last night on the phone, but it just made me miss her more. Her sweet voice makes me melt. You know?" I ask, hoping Penelope takes it as a general question and doesn't think I was asking if she liked my girls voice.

"Ooh I know that phase. The overly smitten phase. Just a glance or quick phone call leaves you all gooey and wishing you could never leave their side." Garcia admits wistfully.

"Pretty much, yeah. Its the best phase of a new relationship, I think, every thought is about them or when you're gonna see them again. Its going well, though. She said she missed me too and couldn't wait til we could see each other again." I admit, which was true. Probably wouldn't be for a while, but Em and I did promise to see each other as soon as possible. "How long does this phase last?" I ask switching the phone to my other ear.

"Every relationship is different, honey, but usually a few months. Oh, hey! I just found something suspicious about one of the council members. Sara Henry. She has been having several very long phone conversations with one of the police sergeants and," she pauses as I hear the keyboard clicking wildly in the background, "several trips with this same sergeant. Not sure if that would be something relevant to the case but it sure is hinky." She tells me.

"Um yeah I'm not sure that is relevant but its the best we have to go on so far. I'll let the team know, Garcia. I'm sure I'll be talking to you soon." I reply.

"Bye honey! Have a great time and don't be too bored." Garcia says as she disconnects the phone.

"What might not be relevant?" Hotch asks as I put my cell phone onto the desk I was sitting at.

"I didn't hear you come in Sir, how long were you listening?" I ask, blushing slightly.

"I just got here, why, Jade? Never mind, just tell me what Garcia said." Hotch demands as JJ walks into the room behind him.

"Garcia said the Metro Councilwoman, Sarah Henry, has some sorta suspicious behaviors, but neither of us really think it would lead to arson or the targeting of homeless." I say, taking a breath and buttoning the center button of my blazer. I look to make sure none of the officers are standing too close to the doorway to overhear, "She said Henry has been having several very unusually long phone calls with one of the police sergeants and they have taken some trips alone. Not really anything, but it was all she could find. The council members are all very good people according to her digging. Some light abuse of tax payer moneys, but she said every single one did that."

"I see, thank you for passing it along. I do agree that is not likely the motive for offing the homeless, but it will help the interview processes if we know there is an affair being hidden." Hotch replies, making a face. He clearly does not approve of the idea of extramarital affairs and has lost some respect for the Councilwoman and Sergeant involved. "Did she mention the name of the Sergeant?" He asks perfunctorily.

"No, sorry Hotch, I didn't think to ask. Should I call her back?"

"Yes. And it is okay, Jade, you didn't do anything wrong. Its the only possible lead we have at the moment so I'll explore it as far as it takes to rule her out." Hotch replies.

"So how is the interview process going?" I ask

"About as well as you'd expect. We aren't really turning up anything. I wonder if it would be better to go in there just with the team, leave the locals out of the interview. Might be a bit of favoritism going on, even if its not a documented affair."

"I agree, Hotch. We aren't getting anything useful with the police sitting with us, watching our every move. I feel more on the spot than the council members we are interviewing." JJ says, grabbing another coffee.

They leave the office and I call Garcia back, "Hey Garcia! So, Hotch says their interviews are pretty much going nowhere, and he wants the Sergeants name and to investigate that angle for a bit."

"No problem" Garcia replies and types for a second before saying "Its Sergeant Thomas Pine Jr. Do you need his badge number? Cell? Address?"

"Sure, Garcia, it can't hurt. Send it to me and to Hotch. He can decide if the rest of the team needs the details. Keep digging," I answer before hanging up my phone.

Two days later, and many investigations, interviews and piecing things together surreptitiously, and we found out it was indeed Councilwoman Henry and her Sergeant Pine side-piece who were responsible for bankrolling the arson. The arsonist for hire was some minor criminal Pine had arrested several years ago for some misdemeanors. They fully admitted their guilt, giving Hotch and JJ a full confession.

The homeless activist, Benjamin Miller, was not only active in homelessness and equality, but he happened to witness their affair and threatened to go public in the upcoming election. In order to save her public image, the lovers planned the arson-murder plot. I guess she never planned to be caught and what that would do to her public image.

On the flight back to DC, we all sat around the table and chatted animatedly about our upcoming plans for Memorial Day weekend. Hotch is running in a half-marathon, JJ and Will are taking Henry to the zoo and then having a great picnic, and Morgan and Savannah are going to see some fireworks and "see if we can't make our own". Its not too often the BAU can enjoy a holiday weekend, and we all plan to make the best of it.

* Tesoro = treasure, sweetheart, darling

"[T]here is good and there is evil, and evil must be punished. Even in the face of Armageddon I shall not compromise in this." Rorschach from Alan Moore's Watchmen