"We need to talk," Laurel announced to the group gathered in the family room. It was several weeks after Paige and Jade's trip to Boston to work with the choreographer. Joan and Jade had returned to Chicago, accompanied by Jack, who was ostensibly there to prepare for his first year of college, and Laurel had gathered Hotch, Paige, Rossi, and Ian to have a discussion. To anyone who knew her, it was obvious that she was feeling much better and was anxious to get back to her normal routine.

"What is it?" Hotch asked. He suspected that Ian and Rossi already knew what was going on, but he had been busy tying up loose ends at the BAU and prepping Morgan to take over as team leader.

"I got a call this morning from the USFSA," Laurel told the group. "And, they want to know whether Paige would be interested in competing in the World Juniors Championship Competition again this year."

"Technically, she's not a Junior, but eligibility for this competition is based on age," Ian explained. "And, going by that, Paige does qualify."

"I have my new long program," Paige said excitedly. "And, we can take what I learned in Boston and use it to update my short program."

"When and where is this competition?" Rossi asked practically.

"In about eight weeks in Seoul, South Korea," Laurel told him. "And the USFSA needs an answer ASAP so they can submit the skaters' names to the ISU."

"That's quite a trip," Hotch observed. "And we would probably need to take Sophia along with us. She's old enough now that she would realize if she was being left behind."

"Would I be back in time for Regionals?" Paige worried. "If I can't skate in them, that means I won't be able to qualify for Nationals."

"If you decide to compete, you would get a Bye so you could go straight to Nationals," Laurel explained. "I already verified that."

"However," she continued. "Your father would have to put off attending that refresher course from the Virginia Bar Association that he has scheduled, and Jack probably wouldn't be able to come with us because of his classes."

"I can reschedule," Hotch quickly assured her. "And, I think that Garcia would be able to set up a live streaming feed so Jack, along with Jade and Joan, can watch."

"Do you think Paige could be ready in eight weeks?" Hotch turned to ask Ian. "I can't see traveling all that way if she's not ready."

"Paige can be ready," Ian replied slowly. "She has made a lot of progress since she came back with her new program."

"However," he gave Paige a stern look. "She will have to continue working hard, and I mean really hard. She is going to be competing against some skaters who have international experience at the Senior level. Remember what we saw at World Juniors last year."

"I can handle it," Paige asserted. "I know I need to work on my artistic as well as my technical, and I can do it!"

"Well," Laurel smiled at the group. "I think that settles it – We are headed to Seoul."

"Let me call my travel agent," Rossi smiled. "I have a feeling she is going to love this one!"

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

"I need to talk with you for a few minutes." It was a week later and Phil Hughes had called Laurel from Colorado Springs. "Is this a good time?"

"As good as any," Laurel replied cautiously.

"It isn't anything really bad," was the assurance. "I just wanted to let you know that Michelle Decker has filed a complaint with the USFSA against you and Paige. She claims that you have accepted funding from us that you weren't entitled to."

"Phil, we have never accepted any funding," Laurel exclaimed. "We have been offered funding, the same as all the other skaters, but we have always turned it down. We really don't need it and I know that there are other skaters out there who do."

"I know that and you know that," was the reply. "However, her complaint has to be formally reviewed and an official response formulated. It shouldn't affect anything Paige may do in the future, but I thought you should know."

"I would like to make one suggestion, though," he continued.

"And that is?" Laurel was breathing a sigh of relief.

"The charity you and your business partner set up in Houston – With the stuffed animals for the children in distress," Phil began. "Is it still running?"

"Oh, Yes!" Laurel assured him enthusiastically. "The group that oversees it also works with raising funds for the police K-9 unit. Once a year, Allison sponsors a luncheon for the volunteers, at which they honor both an outstanding volunteer and an officer who has done something meaningful, either with the dogs or with some of the children. Last year's honoree and his wife adopted three children he originally met on the job when he gave them stuffed animals."

"Has Paige ever attended one of these luncheons?" Phil asked. "I know you have worked hard to keep her out of that particular spotlight, but it might be time to bend that rule a bit. Good public relations, you know."

"You do have a point," Laurel replied thoughtfully. "Let me talk with JJ and Allison, and Paige, too, of course. Maybe it is time to let people know that she is the 'Unidentified Child', while we can still do it on our terms."