Are You Profiling Me?

-14-

THIS CHAPTER IS REALLY LONG

You got in your car and headed straight into the BAU. You could see the team through the blinds. You held your hat in your hands as you walked up the steps. You pushed open the door and you first noticed Morgan. His lips were parted.

"Danielle. Jesus." Emily said. You smiled.

"Good to see you too." You laughed.

"Um excuse me, when did this happen?" JJ said, motioning to the uniform. Hotch pulled up a chair.

"Sit, please." He said. You conceded almost immediately. You knew he saw how bad you looked. You had cuts everywhere and bruising visibly on the side of your face. One eye slightly bloodshot.

"What. You didn't know I was in the military?" You said as a joke. No one laughed. "Kidding. I was in the service before I joined the BAU." You admitted.

"You are 28. How long?" Spencer asked with his eyebrows furrowed. You weren't sure what your age had to do with anything but okay.

"I joined when I turned twenty. I graduated undergraduate a year early in criminal justice and went straight into the service."

"Mi amor, I am so proud. Just like me." Rossi smiled. You nodded.

"Just like Papi Rossi." You joked. Everyone was still too stunned to speak. Hotch hadn't said anything and you bet he was wishing he made Pen look into your file.

"Are you okay?" Derek asked, taking the seat next to you and leaning his elbows on his knees.

"Yes. Just superficial wounds." You reassured him. He brought you into a hug and sat back down.

"Are you leaving the BAU?" Spencer said. He looked like a kicked puppy. Hotch tensed up.

"No. Not at all. I was drafted back for a mission but I did my part. I'm not going anywhere." You told him. You could see Hotch let out a breath of air.

"What are you allowed to tell us?" JJ asked.

"Colonel Winters said I was allowed to talk about the mission but no names were given. He trusts me to keep the information between us and you are all Federal Agents."

"So you're in the army. Should we even be calling you Agent?" Emily joked.

"Haha. Colonel got a kick out of it that I never shared this information with you. He was shocked I didn't go as First Lieutenant Lindsey. He said it's a respect thing or something." You joked.

"No, Danielle. During cases you should address yourself as such. Agent does not do it justice. You served your country and you have earned the title." Hotch said. You locked eyes. That meant a lot coming from him. You nodded.

"First Lieutenant? That's so impressive. You should have told us." Spencer listened.

"Well you can come to the capital when I get pinned in two weeks." You said.

"Pinned. You got a new rank? You haven't been in the field in three years." Morgan said. You nodded.

"You must have done some hell of a mission if you were promoted to Captain." JJ said. You laughed.

"I was hoping you would pin me, Rossi." You looked over. His expression softened.

"Dani. I would be so honored. That means so much to me, you have no idea." His expression was serious. He looked like a proud father. He got up and gave you two kisses on the cheek.

"I think we deserve a round of drinks!" Morgan said. Everyone agreed. They grabbed their things and we agreed to meet at the bar in two hours. You stayed back with Hotch and headed to his office. When he closed the door he immediately went in for a hug.