Eight Lives, One Heart

Eight Lives, One Heart 4❤️

Alexis ended her long, exhausting day by slipping into her bed, her loyal dog curling up beside her. She knelt down next to her bed, clasped her hands together, and whispered a quiet prayer. She asked for strength to keep pushing forward, for guidance to handle the challenges in her life, and for her family to stay safe and healthy. When she finished, she gave her dog a gentle pat and climbed into bed, the day's stress slowly fading as sleep overtook her.

The next morning, her alarm buzzed, and Alexis sat up, ready to face another day. She pulled her brown hair into a half-up, half-down style, carefully applied her makeup, and slipped into her work clothes for the BAU. After feeding her dog, she grabbed a quick breakfast, knowing she didn't have much time before the bus arrived. She ate in silence, mentally preparing herself for another packed day.

Soon enough, she was on the bus, heading to the BAU. She stared out the window, her mind drifting between the cases she might face and her family at home. When she arrived, she walked into the bullpen, greeted by the bustling activity of her team getting ready for the day.

Alexis spotted Spencer Reid at his desk, sipping coffee while flipping through a file. She walked over with a small smile. "Hey, Spencer. How's your arm from the flu shot yesterday?" she asked.

Spencer glanced up, a faint grin spreading across his face. "Oh, it's fine. Barely even noticed it, actually. You've got a light touch," he said, pushing his glasses up his nose.

Before Alexis could respond, Derek Morgan walked in, flashing his trademark grin. "Well, well, if it isn't Barbie herself. Miss 'I can do anything.' Hey, kiddo!" he teased.

Alexis rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. "Hey, Derek," she said, her tone playful. "I see you're in top form this morning."

"Always," Derek replied, winking. "You ready for another crazy day, or do you need a coffee refill to keep up?"

"I'm good, thanks," Alexis replied, shaking her head with a chuckle. "But I'll keep that in mind when you're the one needing a break later."

Derek laughed, clearly amused. "You've got jokes, huh? Alright, we'll see who's asking for help first."

The lighthearted banter helped Alexis feel a bit more at ease, even as she braced herself for whatever challenges the day would bring. Alexis knocked lightly on the open door of Gideon's office before stepping inside, a small smile on her face. "Hey, I just wanted to see how my favorite boss is doing," she said playfully, leaning against the doorframe.

Gideon glanced up from the papers spread across his desk, his sharp eyes softening when he saw her. "Favorite boss, huh? I must be doing something right," he replied with a rare smile. "Come on in, Alexis."

She walked in and took a seat across from him, studying his expression. "You look better than you did at Grey Sloan. Stress levels back to manageable, I hope?" she asked, a teasing lilt to her voice but genuine concern in her eyes.

Gideon chuckled quietly, shaking his head. "I'm fine, Alexis. Just trying to stay on top of everything. You know how it is around here—never a dull moment."

"Tell me about it," Alexis said, crossing her arms with a knowing smile. "But seriously, you've got to take care of yourself. We can't have the best profiler burning out on us."

Gideon leaned back in his chair, regarding her with a mix of pride and something deeper—an unspoken connection he hadn't yet revealed. "I'll try to keep that in mind," he said softly. "What about you? Handling everything okay? Eight jobs, a family to take care of... that's a lot for anyone."