The friend from Uni.

Remembering.

I walked into work without Ash since she needed another day off.
"Is Ashley ok?" Penelope asked once they all saw me.
"She is. She just needed to take another day off."
"Was all that stuff true that she said to the unsub?" Jj asked
"She just wants to forget that the case never happened." I stated as I dropped my things off at my desk and sat down.
"Why didn't she tell us earlier?" Morgan questioned.
"Ash is a private person. It's just who she is."

(Ash p.o.v)

I was laying in the bath hoping it helped me relax from the last case, and so far it was working.

(Memory)

"So this is where you've been staying for the past few months." She told making me turn around to see Aunty.
"Hey Aunty. What's up?"
"We need to talk."
"How about some lunch? I know a great place." I told grabbing my jacket and leaving with her out of the office.

"So why'd you wanna talk?" I asked before having a chip.
"I want you to join the team."
"I've told you. I don't like the government."
"You can do good with this team."
"I do good here. Been solving cases with Shawn and Gus. I also work the police here."
"You trust police now?"
"No I still don't trust any police or government officials. I just met a few people there and they are alright. I'm meant to catch up with Karen after this."
"You've got skills that this team can use. Your known for being not only a great private investigator but also one of the only people to find things that people want hidden."
"I know your just trying to butter my ego. Why are you trying to recruit me?"
"Gideon left."
"Bound to happen. He had ptsd from the Boston Shrapnel Bomber."
"I want you to work with them."
"What does that have to do with Jason?"
"He wanted you to join. Says you know a certain genius on the team and that he misses you." She told putting a file down in front of me.
"Don't know what he's on about."
"He said in this letter to me. That even if it's just for two years at least, you'd be an asset to the team. One they've needed for awhile."
"I'm sure they are doing fine."
"The youngest team member, he got kidnapped by an unsub and was drugged by him. If you were on the team they probably would have found him sooner."
"Shut up." I told as I held back tears.
"Makes me wonder. Maybe because of your mother going MIA, you created a talent. Imagine what families you can give closer that you may never get. What if that agent that was taken was your mother or your siblings?"
"That's a low blow even for you Aunty." I told before getting up and throwing some cash on the table.

"What do you want?" I asked as she stood in front of the door to my house.
"Just look at the file and tell me, they couldn't use your talents."
"No."
"Ashley."
"I'm saying no because you don't need to convince me anymore. I'm still not happy with the stunt you pulled. But I have a debt to pay and I can do that working with you."
"What debt?"
"One to a friend. I should have been there for them for that, but I wasn't. So I'm gonna pay it off this way."
"Wonderful. Here's the contract you need to sign." She told handing it to me.
"Come in I guess." I told as I walked over to the counter where Shawn and Gus were.
"That the contract?" Shawn asked.
"Yep..... 5 years?"
"At least."
"Can we make it 3 1/2? I have a house here and what not 5 is just too long for me."
"Ok. As long as you work for us that's all I care about."
"Do you know about my other job I gotta do?"
"Yes. As long as you are able to balance the two then it's not a problem." She told as I finished reading through it.
"Alright." I told before signing it.
"Excellent."
"Just so you know. I have a possible case coming up soon, I gotta help this one at least."
"After that case is done, you will be an official agent. Also get a phone."
"Make no promises."
"Also. Here's the file on your team. What you need to know." She stated holding it out for me.
I grabbed it and opened the first page to see a photo of the whole team, making me smile at the face I saw.
"I'll get to know my team."

"Ash!" Shawn exclaimed as him and Gus walked into the bathroom, with Gus looking straight at the ceiling as I used the curtain to keep me covered.
"Jesus Shawn! Same rules back home apply to here as well. Bath time is me time."
"Told you she'd be mad Shawn."
"I'm just curious on when Oak is meant to be fed."
"In an hour at least. Is that all and why the fuck did Gus walk in as well?"
"He forced me to."
"Gus!"
I grabbed the water gun I kept next to the bath and began to fire it at the two.
"Out! Or I'll break your wrists!" I told as they both rushed out and shut the door behind them before I put the gun back into its place. "Strange boys."
'Man my body is aching so much today.'