be the one ⇢ s. reid

xxvi.

Melanie broke away her attention from the two men in front of her to look at the dogs chasing one another which made her giggle softly. She was having lunch at Luke's along with a long-time friend of her brother's from the Fugitive Task Force and military, Phil Brooks.

"I'm glad you came over, man." Luke said as he rested back against his chair. "It's been awhile." 

"Well, you should have called earlier." Phil joked, smirking. "I would have helped with the move."

"Oh, well that's what sister's are for." Luke took a glance at his sister who just rolled her eyes at her. "It was just last couple of things." 

"Hm. Classic Luke Alvez - willing to go at it alone." Phil stated. "And also using his sister for his own profit."

The comment made both of the Alvez siblings chuckle. 

"Oh you should have seen him with the bed frame at my place when I first moved into the city." Melanie started off saying. "He kept saying 'Don't worry, Mels. Just stand back." 

"'I got this!'" Both Melanie and Phil quoted together. They both were the ones to laugh this time with Luke just shaking his head.

"You two are the worst!" Luke commented, laughing. He looked over at Phil. "Okay, that's exactly why I didn't invite you to help." 

Melanie grinned at Luke and took at drink from her coffee. "So Phil, how is the new job?" 

When Luke and Phil were in the Fugitive Task Force together, they were partners and were tasked with apprehending a serial killer named  Daniel Cullen. During the manhunt, they couldn't get a positive ID on Cullen so Phil had gone undercover to draw him out. Even though the operation was successful (and eventually Cullen getting arrested), Cullen managed to abduct Phil and torture him. 

This left Phil unable to to walk and doctors thought he never would again. However after a year of physical therapy made him regain feeling in his feet and was able to take a few steps. 

This story is one Luke had kept to himself. He never told a soul due to him being traumatized by that case.

"I'm still thankful to be back at the FBI. I mean - even if it is behind a desk." Phil shrugged. "What about you? I haven't seen you since what seems like New York. Luke told me you know work with him in the BAU. How's it going?" 

"Oh uh -" 

The female had made the hard decision to leave the BAU and focus on herself. Emily had told her that her spot would always be available if she ever decided to return. She has been doing a lot of freelance work and working on a book of her experiences working in crime.

"That doesn't sound good." Phil stated, chuckling.

"No, no! It's good. Well - it was good. I actually left about a couple weeks ago. I loved being able to help the team catch criminals and using all the resources I can to but it became much. I could never see myself doing it long term like you and Luke." Melanie stated. She did miss seeing everyone though - that she had to admit. 

"It is a lot to handle, I agree with you there." Phil nodded. "But you got to experience what a lot of people don't." His attention now went back to Luke. "And now we turn to the great communicator, Luke Alvez." 

Melanie giggled while Luke had to roll his eyes once more. Having his sister and best friend in the room was almost a mistake. Whenever were both with him, they grilled and roasted him like no tomorrow. 

"What's up with the BAU, Luke?" Phil questioned. 

Luke was taking a drink from his own coffee as Phil asked his question. The male then shrugged as his question as he put his mug down.