Monsters & Men • A Spencer Reid Fanfiction •

CHAPTER SEVEN

"Lies and secrets, they are like a cancer to the soul. They eat away what is good and leave only destruction behind."
Cassandra Clare

Phoebe was quiet since they got Julia Marshal into custody.

For someone who had been talking and contributing a lot to the mission, she was keeping everything else bottled up inside quite well. And that's what scared Reid.

She truly was amazing at guarding her feelings. Guarding her secrets.

The rest of the team gave her the space she clearly wanted. She didn't bother to make conversation in the car. She sat in the back while Reid and Morgan were in front. When they got to the plane, she headed for a seat near the captain's cabin. Like in the car, she just stared out the window, occupying herself with her thoughts. She was dressed in a simple tank top and jeans, but she bundled herself up in a long and thick cardigan as she hugged her legs, looking almost like she was trying to physically shield herself. To Reid, she appeared even younger than she was.

A part of him wanted to approach her, but he didn't know what to say. And he wasn't used to that feeling.

Instead, he took the couch and spread out on it, lying down to read one of the books he'd brought with him on the trip. But the words seemed to float off the pages, and all he could think about was strawberry-blonde hair and a pair of green eyes.

Phoebe couldn't wait to get home and shower. In the span of two days, she had managed to meet her new team, get to know them then push them all away. I used to be a better agent than this.

Maybe she was in way over her head. Then again, maybe this new assignment would've been easier if they'd provided better cover for her. Instead, they had redacted her case files, protected her background. Of course, Hotch would be suspicious.

Not even aware of it, her tumultuous thoughts led to an uneasy slumber as she fell asleep while overthinking everything that had happened.

Hotch couldn't help but watch Phoebe as she dozed off, curled up in her own corner. Rossi, who was sitting across from him, followed his line of vision. "I have to admit, despite her secrets and her classified background, she's been a real asset to this team."

"But how are we supposed to work with her if we can't trust her?" Hotch countered, turning his attention to his old friend.

Rossi shrugged, thinking back on all his years of experience. "Maybe we just have to learn. Or, maybe she will eventually open up. She is new to the team, Aaron. We can't expect her to share all her secrets."

Hotch shook his head. He knew Rossi had a point. Phoebe had no loyalty to them yet. She also wasn't comfortable being with them. Hotch thought it was the new job jitters at first, but now he knew it was more than that. She also didn't have a choice about being on the team, that's why she was uncomfortable. "I can't wait for something to happen before she decides to share."

After all that their team had been through, Rossi knew Hotch was just looking out for the team. Besides, Garcia almost always dug into new people that joined their team. She did the same when Seaver temporarily replaced JJ all those years ago. And Rossi had a feeling that, despite her helpfulness, Phoebe Storm was far more threatening than Seaver could be.

"You're thinking of something," Rossi noted, seeing the calculating look on Hotch's face and knowing a plan was forming "I just hope it doesn't make things worse."

You and me both, Hotch thought.

The office was empty.