The Element of Surprise

Identity - Part 1

An earthly kingdom cannot exist Without inequality of persons. Some must be free, some serfs, some rulers, some subjects - Martin Luther

"A popular theory among leading astrophysicists estimates that the hyper matter reactor would need about ten to the thirty-two jewels of energy to destroy a planet the size of earth."

My Monday starts with Spencer bombarding Derek, Emily and I with the recent matter that has him obsessed. Honestly, my mind wasn't present nor prepared for his intellectual rambling this early in the morning. Exhibit A; my half-full coffee mug in my hand. Penelope and Emily are so far the only two individuals who figured out not to approach me with topics that needed brain work before I at least had one mug of coffee in my system.

Letting my eyes travel to Emily and Derek, I can tell they're both equally as unprepared, even going as far as uninterested, in Spencer's rambling. Emily at least try to seem engaged by what he's saying, nodding her head and smiling along, while Derek's gaze keeps shifting to the painters entering and leaving Agent Gideon's old office. Over the weekend, Rossi had arranged for the office to be repainted. It's obvious it doesn't sit right with the team. They're still adapting to Gideon's unexpected retirement and for someone to take his place and renovate his office didn't sit quite right with them. Derek was especially pissed, much like he's looking now.

"Now, Lucas said it took nineteen years to build the first Death Star, right?" Is Spencer talking about Star Wars? Hell, how did I miss that? "But if you look at the new essential chronology, there's a testbed prototype for a super laser that spans..." Derek gets up from his chair and brushes past the doctor, who calls after him, "Where are you going?"

"Taking back the last five minutes of my life," Derek says as he marches towards the senior agent's office.

Spencer is quick to follow him, "You can't go in there."

"Don't you want to know about this guy?"

"I do," Emily rolls back her chair and grabs my arms to pull me up, "Stella too."

"Hey, leave me out of this," I try to worm out of her grip but she hardly budges. I'm dragged up the steps like a child sentenced for a timeout.

"Oh, sush," Prentiss waves off my protest, "Of course, you want to know more about this guy, I know you do. You basically profiled him the moment he came into the office."

"I profiled all of you when you came into the office," I point out bluntly, "How else am I supposed to know what moods you are in - especially Hotch, although it's pointless profiling him with that broody face of his. Besides, I know enough about Rossi, I read his books."

"Yeah," Derek raises a brow, "Books that have sold over a million copies?"

"And your point is?"

"That's a million reasons not to come back, if you know what I'm saying?" He rubs his thumb against his fingers to indicate he's referring to money.

I keep my mouth shut about what I overheard Rossi saying to Hotch the other night, something about unfinished business. Having nothing left to defend the senior agent with, I reluctantly allow Emily to drag me into the unfurnished office, leaving Spencer to trail behind us for the sole reason of not being left out.

My senses are instantly hit with the strong, overwhelming smell of wet paint. The blinds on the windows are closed, leaving the room dark and glum.

"Huh, taupe walls," Emily comments after observing the walls, "That's a negative color, cold, distant. What else, Stella?"

Sighing, I give in and voice my thoughts, "Emotionally, taupe is lined to loneliness and the desire to escape from the world." From the corner of my eye, I notice Spencer is sticking to the doorway, too cautious to come inside in case we get in trouble.