Darling- A Spencer Reid Fanfiction

Chapter One: The Briefing

Jade's POV

My knuckles turned white as I tightly gripped the steering wheel as I drove toward Quantico. The beginning of the drive was easier, as I still had a ways to go. But as I neared the entry gate and as the sun slowly rose that spring morning, I began to feel more and more anxious. The radio was playing some new pop song that I didn't like, and the AC was blasting in my face. I tried to focus on the road, but all I could think about was entering that conference room. I huffed and angrily switched off the radio and slammed the AC vent closed.

I tried to take a deep breath, but my breath caught. The green road sign ahead of me read "Quantico: Next Exit." I got that feeling in my stomach like when you're strapped into a rollercoaster and you want to get off, but you're already heading up the incline and it's too late. Nothing in my life had ever made me more nervous. And that's saying a lot, considering I'd been in the field for two years. The BAU was more elite than that, though. I was surprised I got the job at all. There were so many people vying for the position I could barely find my name on the list of applicants. But I was the one who made it. I was considered a better candidate than everyone else. So why was I so nervous? My turn signal blinked as I took the exit to Quantico. My hands started to shake as I turned. I showed the security officer my new and updated FBI profiler badge, and the gate was lifted. I parked and got ready to head inside.

After multiple security check-in points, I was directed to the second floor. I found my desk and sat my things down. I seemed to be the first one there. My name plaque on my desk made me smile a bit, easing the nervousness. "SSA Jade Adams." The "SSA" in front of my name reminded me why I was there. I let out a long breath. The desk chair let out a small squeak as I sat down. The smell of fresh coffee from the other offices flooded my nose. I could hear the bustle of the rest of Quantico as I sat in the empty profiling office. The small clock on my desk read 6:05. I was instructed to come an hour early so my boss, Agent Hotchner, could brief me on some things about the office.

The doors opened, letting in some cool air from the hall. It whisked over my face, and I glanced over. A man with stern features walked in, his head resting barely below the top of the door frame. His very pristine suit seemed to fit him perfectly as if it had been tailored to fit his exact measurements. He had short, jet black hair. I could smell an expensive cologne as he neared me. His appearance was extremely well put together. You would not question this man's authority. His brows furrowed as he spotted me.

"Are you Jade Adams?" He asked, in a firm voice, walking up to me.

I stood up and he gripped my hand to shake it. "Yes, I'm here for the briefing. It's so great to finally meet you," I said in as calm a voice as I could muster.

"Well, Ms. Adams, I'm Agent Hotchner. You can just call me Hotch, though."

"Just Jade is fine." I had trouble even managing to say that. He was certainly intimidating at first.

He nodded his head. "It's great to have you here. I'm surprised you got here before me. Punctual," He added, his eyebrows perking and the corners of his mouth turning up ever so slightly.

He showed me some regular things around the office, walking briskly. He then led me to the conference room. He told me about the cases and what I'd be doing, although I already knew. As he concluded the briefing, I noticed some other agents coming in. The first, though, was a pretty woman dressed in bright colors and vivid accessories. She walked to a room down the hallway, though, not seeing me. Hotch noticed my gaze.

"That's our technical analyst, Penelope Garcia. You'll get well acquainted with her later. She's a character," He spoke, smiling a bit. I could tell he was fond of her, but not in a romantic way. Like someone who lit up the whole office. She certainly seemed like the type.