Unveiling Hearts: a love beyond duty

PART 8

SOFIA

Once we landed me and the team went back to the headquarters to fill out all the paperwork needed. Once we all entered the glass doors of the unit i followed Hotch to his office. 

"Thank you so much for this opportunity, Sir. If there is any necessity my hand is lent" i said with a smile. 

"You did an excellent work, Sofia. This is the paperwork you need to fill in for tomorrow, if it's possible. You can head back to your lab. Thank you for saving my team's lives the other day."

"No problem, Sir. I'll bring them in tomorrow." I gave him one last smile before reaching for the door. I was moving, heading for my lab when my feet just stopped and turned around. 

"I'll have the paperwork handed in by tomorrow. It was an honor to work with you, I hope to meet again under better circumstances." I blurted out before almost running away. While I was talking my eye landed on Reid's. His hazel eyes staring mine. 

I finally arrived at the tenth floor, Janet sitting at her desk.

"Hey, Janet. How ya doing?"

I met Janet on my first day of work at the lab. She was quite rude, to be honest, but as the days passed on we started to become good friends to the point where we have a sleep-over once a week since we're both lonely at home. Even though I'm not exactly lonely. I have Olive, my cat. Thinking about it, going home I need to buy some more kibble. When she looked up from her computer, and saw me, she hopped from the chair and came to hug me. 

"Sofiaaaaa! I missed you, so, so, so much. You have no idea how boring this job is without our chats and lunch breaks. I was loosing my sanity. How did it go? Met any cute guy?" She asked me with her usual grin. She would be good friends with Garcia. 

"You remember that guy that came over to get the BAU files? That Smart Ass?"

"Yea. He was lowkey hot. Tall, brunette, slightly long hair, tall. Yea, definitely hot. What about him?"

"We had to work together. We practically had to live next to each other. Such a show off. So irritating."

"No, way. What else, I wanna know it all!" she was jumping around like a child. 

I chuckled before opening mouth. "How about over dinner, tomorrow? I would have said tonight but I have to see my uncle." There was no escaping David Rossi and his questions. Rather do it with a margarita in my hands. 

"Perfect. Tomorrow it is. Oh, before you go, Tress left a few thing for you to go through. See ya!"

"Bey, Janet!" and I head to my lab. The day went on with me analyzing some mushrooms, fun ain't it? I decided to compile the paperwork at home so as the clock hit five I was already on the streets. As i promised myself I got Olive's kibble, and a cute toy he would probably ignore, and went home. 

I had just moved to an apartment closer to work and to my zio's mansion, never address it a house. I still had boxes lying round pleading to be emptied out. I entered the complex to be hit by a smell of freshly baked cookies. 

"Hey, Dr. Martini. Was your trip fun?" Called a voice from my right. Mason, the usher. 

"Please, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Sofia. The trip was...interesting. Thank you very much. Any mail?" I surely couldn't say that chasing down a serial killer was fun.

"Indeed." he tucked his hand under the counter and extracted a few envelopes. "Here you go. Oh, one last thing. Yesterday evening a man Named Stefano Martini came by and asked for your apartment. I obviously didn't tell him but invited him to come in about an hour today." 

A stupid smile formed on my face. "Thank you. If he comes by send him up. You can also add him to my guest list. Thanks, Mason." 

With that jogged up to the third floor, to my apartment. I took a really long steaming shower and the instant I stepped out i heard a knock on the door. I quickly wrapped a towel around my hair and wore some slippers and went to the door. I knew who was knocking, but i wanted to make sure.

"Ciaoo [Hii]" I screamed hugging him. "Why are you here? Why didn't you call me?" 

"Nice to see you too. I have a meeting here in Quantico and i thought to surprise you. I came yesterday morning but you weren't here. Neither at headquarters. Neither yesterday night. You got a boyfriend you need to tell me 'bout?" ha asked half serious half joking. 

"Come on in, you arrived just in time. I was going to grab dinner with Zio David. You coming along. And there is no need to tell you that you are sleeping here right? Guest room is yours." 

"I know. Thanks for the hospitality, sis." he paused a second "Two things. one: Are you coming to dinner with the bathrobe or are you changing?"

"Changing, next question."

"Not a question. An observation. Nice slippers, you look like a clown."

I furrowed my eyebrows and checked the slippers. Shit. These aren't mine. They are Reid's. They are obviously too big for me, matching with the red flannel pants he had on the other night. 

"I'll change and we can head out. Feed Olive. Food on the counter." I wore the the first few thing i had within reach, and the next thin I know is that we are in front of the restaurant, David already sat, waiting for us. 

"Look at this. Both my nephews? What are you doing here? It's fantastic to see you." He said hugging Stefano and later gesturing for us to sit.

"I'm here for a case. Interpol sent me to talk to Aaron Hotchner about a profile he did years ago. Since I had to talk to your boss, zio, I was hoping to see you. But luckily i intruded at his dinner.  I'll stick around until tomorrow." 

"I think that there isn't a better moment to share the news than with you here Stefano." added Rossi.

"News? What news?"I asked.

"Sofia." he started, handing me a file. "Due to your exemplary work on the field. The BAU is honored to offer you a job." he finished. Smile on both his and Stefano's face. 

"W-What? You-You want me?"

"I offered myself to tell you. What do you say? Isn't this what you always dreamed of?"

My heart skipped  beat. I worked all my life. Worked my ass off for years to get accepted with David at the BAU. They wanted me, not just chose me out of a pile. Helping that family had released a feeling that i never felt, but surely didn't want that to be the last time. Wow. I made it.

"I accept the offer. I'm speechless. I-I have to call mom and tell-" I stopped on my words. She wasn't even going to answer. Why did we always end u here. At her? 

"Non ti risponde? Le avevo parlato, Sofy. Anche a Papà, ma non mi ascoltano mai. [Doesn't she answer you? I spoke to her, Sofy. Even to Dad, but they never listen to me.]" Stefano spoke angrily, but couldn't do much about it. 

"How long has it been? Since you last talked to them." Rossi asked.

"4127 days. It's been eleven years and slightly more. I almost never call them. I know they won't pick up, but, they are my family. I always hope, but it ends always the same. Before any of you ask. No, I haven't received any letter, message or other form contact from him. Objects included. I don't want to talk about this. We have to celebrate that from tomorrow, zio, I'll continue our family inheritance. Congratulations, to me!"