Scarlet Rose

4

In the following weeks that passed (the weeks turning into a month), I had grown a little more comfortable with having the others around at the apartment at all hours of the day. The only person who refused to show up was Aaron.

It was a rainy day outside, thunder rumbling loudly outside and lightning flashing, lighting up the apartment just as the lights went out, and so did the power.

" Hey, Reid—oh. You are not Reid." I said when I saw Garcia sitting on the couch.

"Nope. Just me." she replied, standing up. "Hotch still hasn't visited?"

"No. Honestly, I don't blame him for not visiting." I replied with a sigh, looking around. "Are the others here?"

"Reid went out to get Chinese, Emily and Rossi went out to get wine, and JJ and Morgan are trying to convince Hotch to come over." she replied,

"Party?"

"Yup!"

"Why?"

"To celebrate your first month at the BAU, of course." She replied, looking at my plain blue jeans and green shirt. "Let's get you into something more party-like for the event." She said, pushing me back towards the bedroom and closing the door once we were both in.

She walked over to the closet and opened it up, seeing my clothes hanging on the right side while Reid's hung on the left side; taking down a casual black knee-length dress, she turned to me with a smile.

"What do you think?" she asked.

"Maybe. Got anything else?"

"Uh, have you met me?" She set the dress on the bed and pulled out black leggings and a red blouse, smiling in satisfaction and handing them to me.

"There. Perfect for you. Not too dressy, but not too casual." she said, picking the dress back up and hanging it up. "I'm gonna be outside. Show me what it looks like once you're changed, okay?"

"Okay," I said and watched as she left the room, the door closing.

I changed out of my old clothes and into the new ones, throwing my old clothes in the hamper before heading over to the mirror by the door and braiding my dark hair over one shoulder, opening the door and heading out.

Garcia saw me and smiled, clapping her hands together. "You look so beautiful!!!"

I chuckled softly. "Yeah, okay. This is just for today. I don't usually dress up unless I have to."

"Got it. Don't get used to this." she said, taking out her phone. "Picture time when the team gets here!"

"If you want."

"Oh, come on. You know you want one." she said.

The door handle jiggled and Reid came in with the others, shutting the door. Everyone set their stuff on the kitchen counter and saw me and Garcia.

"Hey, Vanessa. Garcia help you choose that?" JJ asked.

"You think is wear this willingly?" I asked.

"Well, you did choose it." Reid said, smiling at me. "You should wear it more often. You look good in it. Red really does suit you."

"Yeah, when it's not the blood of her victims." Aaron snapped, walking into the apartment and sending me an annoyed look.

I frowned at him and crossed my arms. "Surprised you came. Thought you hated me."

"I do. Just came by to give you this." He tossed me a small wrapped box. "Happy late birthday." he said and left.

There was an awkward silence before Morgan broke it. "At least he gave you a gift. He's coming around."