Age: 'Tis Only A Number

Chapter One: Introduction

Short AN: This story takes place in season 3. Also, this story is not stolen (in case anyone was wondering) - I transferred it from one of my accounts on another site to this one. The first few chapters of this are already done with, and I'm not going to change them save for some minor editing - so when I actually pick it up where it left off, my writing may be different. I apologize in advance. :)

WARNING: This story is not marked 'Mature' as of yet. That being said, it contains things that are typical of Criminal Minds episodes (mentions of rape, torture, blood, swearing, murder, dead bodies, etc.) that may make this become a 'Mature' story. If you're not comfortable with that or if it's triggering to you, please do not read. Thank you.

Chapter One: Introduction

The team gathered around in the bullpen, waiting for the details on their new case. JJ and Hotchner stood under their gaze, eyeing each one in return. There were eight people in the room: Jennifer "JJ" Jareau, the team's spokesperson; Aaron Hotchner "Hotch", the team leader; Emily Prentiss, the newest addition to the team (though that had been some time ago); Derek Morgan, a muscled black man; Spencer Reid, the youngest on the team (and also the smartest); and David Rossi, one of the greatest and most successful profilers ever.

"So, JJ, Hotch, you two gonna tell us what's up?" Derek Morgan leaned forward in his chair, elbows resting on his knees as he folded his hands.

"Well, as you all may have heard," JJ began. "There was a lot of talk about a new member – one who hasn't graduated from training yet." JJ opened her mouth to speak again, but was quickly cut off by Reid.

"What? I haven't heard anything about this. Did any of you hear about this?" Spencer Reid turned to his associates, who looked slightly guilty. "Why don't you guys ever tell me stuff like this?"

"Because you, my pretty, refuse to go and get drinks with us!"

The group turned to see a plump woman with dyed red hair standing in the door way.

"Ah, Penelope Garcia," Morgan smiled at the woman. "What are you doing here, Baby Girl?"

"Oh, Derek, you flatter me often – but the man for me at this moment in time is Hotch! You have to love the leader." Garcia winked at Morgan, who simply rolled his eyes.

"But I really do need you, Hotch. You have a visitor. She's really pretty, too. Any idea on who she is?" Garcia walked into the room, grabbed Hotch and dragged him out into the hall, closing the door to the bullpen before the others could see out of it.

"Garcia, you can let go of me now." Hotch attempted to get the brilliant woman off of his arm (and successfully change the subject), but it took him several moments before he was released. This, of course, gave Garcia several moments to remember what they were talking about.

"You never answered me. Who is she? She looks really familiar but I can't tell from where," Garcia led the way back into her own office filled with computers. She opened the door to reveal a girl – twenty at the most – dressed in a blue shirt, a black jacket, dark blue jeans that clung to her legs (but weren't tight enough to be skinny jeans), and a simple pair of blue converse that were lightly beat up. She pulled off the innocent yet rebellious teenager look, but any glance at her dark brown eyes would tell you that she had many hidden secrets. This was the part that greatly bothered Garcia.

Hotch smiled at the young woman, who immediately pulled him into a hug. Garcia stepped to the side, silently staring at the two. This girl was really familiar, but she still couldn't think of where she had seen her. Hotch turned back to Garcia, an arm resting lightly on the young girl's shoulders.

"Garcia, I'd like you to meet Jade. She's my niece."

In the Bullpen After Hotch Leaves:

"Well, that was weird," Emily noted as she glanced from the door to her friends.

"Yeah, Hotch hardly ever has visitors." Spencer leaned back in his chair, taking a slightly more relaxed position.

"As I was saying," JJ caught their attention, "There will be a new member. She will –"

"So, it's a she? The same she that's here to visit Hotch?" Morgan looked back at the door (part of him hoping that it had opened and he could see the new member).

"Yes, more than likely, it's her. Now, please stop interrupting until I've finished. She hasn't graduated yet. She's still in college, but she's the second best. The top five people in her class get to work with an actual profiler's team. This was the one that she got. So, she won't have experience, but from what I've read about her files, she's really smart and very quick witted. Now, any more questions?"

JJ looked at all of her friends, silently gaging their reactions. They were all quiet. Morgan looked thrilled at the prospect of a new member; Rossi looked bored (he had already been informed of the situation); Emily looked like she didn't really like the idea; and Spencer was frowning (JJ knew this meant he was thinking hard).

Finally, after several silent moments, Reid broke the silence.

"What's her name?"

JJ jumped slightly, the noise sounding foreign in the previously silent room.

"Jade. Her name is Jade Hotchner."