New Hope

Chapter Seven

Zoraida and Spencer made their way to the first floor of the hotel the next morning for their continental breakfast. Their laughter and conversation drew many people's attention, including their team's who were all already there, except Morgan. The odd pair, Zoraida in her green cargo pants and tight, black top with a tall bun of hair on top and Reid in his suit pants with a navy cardigan, drew attention partly because they were so bubbly and cheerful. But, mainly due to the fact that they were speaking French while serving themselves eggs, hash browns, and fruit.

Agent Ashburn helped carry Reid's plate and drink, as he was still using crutches. The view of her effortlessly carrying two full plates, cups, and silverware sets spoke of a talent in and of itself. She carried the dishes as Reid walked next to her, carrying their conversation. Leaning on his crutches Spencer scooped the food onto plates held up by Zoraida. She was simply pointing to the fruit and breads she wanted and he would load up her plate. After filling two cups with juice they made their way over to the team.

They sat across from eachother next to the rest of the team, blissfully unaware of the odd looks they were receiving. Too distracted by the wafting aromas of the delicious food to do anything but dig right in.

The two youngest members had eaten half their plates before JJ interrupted the conversation, that was now taking place in Mandarin. "Good morning you two."

They turned to JJ and the others. "Morning." Spencer smiled.

Emily laughed. "What's going on here?" She motioned between the two with her fork.

"Oh." Reid put his fork down, excited to share new, fun facts with everyone. "Did you know that Zoraida is fluent in six different languages?"

"Really?" Rossi raised a brow.

Zoraida nodded, "Yup. Reid's trying to guess them all." She resting her chin in a hand, eyes smiling at Reid.

"English, obviously." He began counting them off on his fingers. "Korean, French, Mandarin, and Japanese. I just need to figure out the last one."

"You'll never get it." Zoraida smirked, popping a blueberry into her mouth.

Reid thought really hard as they continued to eat, starring at eachother. The team laughed at them and went back to their own food, even Hotch smiled.

Their peaceful breakfast was cut short when the former leader's phone rang. Hanging up, Hotch stood and the team followed. "Two more bodies were just found."

Hurriedly the team rushed out the front lobby to split into two cars. As she passed the front desk with one have Zoraida was throwing one her coat. With the other she grabbed a complimentary apple and water.

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Green park. Crime scene
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Phil "He cut the wires in the electrical boxes, killed all the lights."

Emily "So they couldn't see. He wanted to force them off the trail so he could hunt them in the dark."

Phil "If they couldn't see, he couldn't."

Emily "He probably used some kind of night vision aid, like a scope, something a hunter would use."

"A lot of this case reeks of hunting. Maybe our guy read The Most Dangerous Game one to many times." Zoraida crossed arms as she walked next to Hotchner. Stopping, he crouched next to the male victim, one of his eyes was sliced up.

Through her peripheral vision the stoic spy sees Morgan crouch over the female victim a ways off. He calls back to them, pulling up the sheet covering her. "Her carotid was severed, and her eyes are missing, just like the others."