Alexis woke up to the dim light streaming through her bedroom window, the faint hum of the morning city outside. With a sigh, she reached for her hair tie on the nightstand and pulled her brown hair into a ponytail, tying it tightly. As she caught her reflection in the mirror, she began her usual routine: concealer to hide the weariness under her eyes, a touch of mascara to frame her striking blue eyes, eyes that held more stories than anyone realized.
At 25 years old, Alexis's life was a chaotic whirlwind. She juggled three jobs: working as a legal assistant at SVU, helping in the bustling emergency department at House MD Hospital, and assisting at Grey's Hospital. And now, she was taking on a new challenge—joining the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). It wasn't for ambition or excitement but necessity. Her stepfather's debt had cast a long shadow over her family, and Alexis was determined to help, even if it meant stretching herself impossibly thin.
Downstairs, the familiar sound of raised voices reached her ears. Her mother, Tonya, and her stepfather were arguing again, their voices sharp and accusatory. Her younger half-sister, only 12, had already left for school, escaping the tension that filled the house. Alexis hesitated, steeling herself before heading downstairs.
As she entered the kitchen, the argument came to an abrupt halt. Tonya's face was pale, her eyes red-rimmed, while her stepfather's expression was stormy. Without a word, Tonya retreated to her room, leaving Alexis alone with him. A chill ran down her spine as he turned his gaze to her. He said nothing but stepped closer. Alexis froze, her heart pounding in her chest, fear gripping her as he...
She didn't want to think about it.
Minutes later, Alexis was out the door, her bag slung over her shoulder and her injured leg protesting with every step. She limped to the bus stop, desperate to escape the house and the memories that clawed at her. She hadn't told anyone about the bruises, the pain, the fear that lingered in the corners of her mind. It was a secret she bore alone, like so many others.
By the time the bus pulled up to the BAU headquarters, Alexis had managed to compose herself, masking the turmoil inside. She entered the building, her leg throbbing but her posture steady. The sight of familiar faces greeted her: her uncle, Aaron Hotchner, stood with her godfather, David Rossi, deep in conversation with a young man about her age. The young man had brown hair and warm brown eyes, but there was something in his gaze that resonated with Alexis. He carried a quiet intensity, an understanding that felt unspoken but mutual.
Alexis recognized him instantly. Spencer Reid. She'd heard of his brilliance, his eidetic memory, and his uncanny ability to see connections others missed. As their eyes met, Alexis felt an odd kinship, a sense that he, too, understood what it was like to carry the weight of unseen struggles.
From the corner of the room, Jason Gideon watched silently. His presence was steady but unintrusive, his expression unreadable. Alexis had no idea who he really was—her biological father, a truth he had never revealed. He studied her carefully, noting the slight limp in her step, the tension in her shoulders, and the guarded look in her eyes.
Finally, Gideon spoke, his voice calm and measured. "What happened to your leg?"
Alexis hesitated, her blue eyes flickering with a mix of emotions. She glanced down, as if seeing the injury for the first time, and shrugged lightly. "Just... an accident," she said, her voice quieter than she intended.
The room fell silent for a moment. Hotch and Rossi exchanged a glance, concern etched on their faces. Spencer's brow furrowed slightly, his analytical mind already piecing together clues from her body language. Gideon didn't press her further, but the question lingered, heavy and unresolved.
Alexis knew she was stepping into a new chapter of her life at the BAU, one that would demand strength she wasn't sure she had. But for now, she focused on the present, determined to keep her secrets buried and her family safe—even if it meant sacrificing pieces of herself in the process. Aaron Hotchner glanced around the room, his gaze settling on the curious and slightly bewildered faces of his team. With a small but warm smile, he gestured toward the young woman standing beside him.
