CHAPTER ONE
BAU

When I was a small child, my parents were murdered by a serial killer who targeted families. He would kill the parents and leave the children alive. For four months, he went on a killing spree across New York, and the NYPD was utterly stumped. They couldn't find a single clue as to who the unsub could be, so they called in the BAU for assistance.

Agent Gideon led the team, and they had managed to piece together that my parents were likely next. They raced to our house, but they were too late. When they arrived, they found my parents dead, and me—crouched in a closet, terrified, trying to hide from the chaos.

My father, Agent Gideon, always felt guilty for arriving too late. I remember the moment the doors opened. For a second, I felt that same gut-wrenching fear that the killer had come back for me. But as soon as I saw his face, a sense of relief washed over me. He wasn't just another stranger—he was my father now. When he scooped me up into his arms, after hours of shaking and fear, I felt safe again.

I was placed into the foster care system, but Dad came to visit me every day, working on the case while never leaving my side. It wasn't long before he couldn't stand the thought of leaving me there.

He fostered me until he officially adopted me, and from then on, I was his daughter in every sense of the word. For the first time in my life, I felt like I belonged. Dad was brilliant—just like me—and he made sure I had the best education. I graduated high school at thirteen, and soon after, I received a full scholarship to MIT. My dad couldn't have been prouder.

After college, I joined the FBI, working in the IT department. But despite the prestige of the role, I never felt like I truly belonged there. I spent all my time on computers, but I never felt that I was helping people the way I longed to. That was all I wanted—to make a difference.

When I finally got the chance to join the BAU after Dad rejoined the team, I was ecstatic. The phone call came early one morning. My phone blared through the quiet darkness, and I groggily rolled over, squinting at the caller ID. It was Dad.

"Hey, Dad, what's up?" I asked, rubbing my eyes in an attempt to wake up.

"I know you're not supposed to start with the BAU for another week, but I need you on a case with me," he said. His voice sounded urgent.

A smile crept onto my face. "I'm up. What do you need?"

"I need you at the airstrip in twenty minutes," he replied, his tone sharp, but there was a touch of reassurance in it too.

I jumped out of bed, my heart racing. "I'll be there," I said, cutting off the call.

I scrambled into the bathroom, brushing my teeth and getting dressed as fast as I could. I didn't know how long I'd be gone, so I packed everything I might need into my bag, including a go-bag the FBI had issued me. After zipping it up, I grabbed my badge and gun from the bedside cabinet.

Tech specialists don't usually carry firearms, but when I first joined the FBI, Dad took me to the firing range and trained me until I was certified. He always said that I needed to be able to protect myself—after everything that had happened to me, he couldn't bear the thought of me being vulnerable.

In high school, he'd given me pepper spray and a rape alarm when I started staying home alone. And whenever he and Aaron Hotchner worked together on cases, I'd stay with Haley Hotchner, who had become a surrogate mother to me.

I holstered my gun and threw my bag over my shoulder before heading out of the apartment.

I still lived with Dad. I hated being alone, and he enjoyed the company—especially after a tough case.

I raced down the four flights of stairs, checking over my shoulder as I went. Dad had drilled into me the importance of being cautious, particularly because I'd been involved in putting so many dangerous people behind bars. I'd received threatening letters in the past, and he was always concerned for my safety.

Outside, I checked the car thoroughly—windows, under the vehicle—before unlocking it. I tossed my bag in the back seat, then flicked through radio stations until I found a song that calmed me. The streets were still quiet, the early morning dark, and I enjoyed the peaceful drive. I arrived at the airstrip in no time.

Parking the car, I showed my badge to the agent waiting by the entrance, then handed him my keys before passing through security. After a quick check, I was escorted to the plane. My stomach tightened as I climbed the steps. Nervousness began to creep in.

When I stepped inside, the entire team looked up. Their faces froze for a moment, then Agent Hotchner stood, walking over to me. He enveloped me in a tight hug, and I returned it, feeling a mix of guilt and warmth. I hadn't seen Hotch in a while, lost in my work, but he and my dad, along with Haley, had raised me.

"It's good to see you, Hotch," I said, pulling back and smiling.

"Everyone, this is Jane Gideon," Hotch said, introducing me with a proud smile. The rest of the team exchanged looks, their expressions shifting into recognition as they made the connection.

"This is Dr. Spencer Reid, Agent Morgan, Agent Jareau, and Agent Greenaway," Hotch continued, pointing to each of them in turn.

I nodded in greeting before sitting down next to Spencer. An agent handed me a file, and I immediately started scanning it, trying to catch up. Four women had gone missing in Seattle over the past four months, and the case was now ours.

I glanced at Dad after reading through the details. This was his first case since he'd retired. His last case had ended in tragedy, forcing him to leave the BAU for a time. I could see the toll it had taken on him, and I worried. Was he really ready for this?

End Of Chapter One