Criminal Minds: The Replacement

Chapter 1

--- Laura Evans Point of View ---

Present Day

It was raining outside. The heels of my leather boots splashed in the puddles from my car to the entrance of the FBI Quantico building. Today was my first day as an FBI agent at the BAU (Behavioral Analysis Unit). Unlike the first day at any of my previous jobs this one was a lot more stressful.

Before me five agents had been hired then either let go or eventually quit- none of which lasted longer than a couple months. The spot that I would be filling was of a profiler. From the start I have always been good at analyzing and reading further into people than just how they appear.

The profiling skills I (and all the the previous applicants) needed for this job however had to be good, better than good, because I was filling the shoes of Alex Blake, who had left the BAU on a personal case with not much more than a note explaining that she was leaving. 

I rode the elevator up to the BAU floor. A brunette stood next to me with a smile on her face. I wondered who she was. An agent maybe? We both got off at the same floor.

- - - - - - - - - - - 

"Y-you must be Agent Hotchner, my name is Laura Evans. We spoke on the phone?" I sounded nervous. Aaron Hotchner's face was expressionless, I could not tell if he remembered me or not. Or even profile is first impression.

"Of course. Why don't you follow me to my office, and then you can get settled," he said. Still no emotion. Alrighty then. "And by the way," Aaron Hotchner said over his shoulder, "Call me Hotch"

I nodded and followed him up the small staircase to a walkway that overlooked the bullpen. I could see the brunette from the elevator hugging and talking to a group of agents. Her gaze then met mine but moved to Hotch who was walking in front of me. 

Abruptly, Hotch stopped and I almost bumped into him. He then held his office door open for me, while watching the brunette from the elevator intensely.

I took off my coat and sat down as Agent Hotchner pulled out my file, looked at it briefly than put it down, and looked right at me.

"It's good to have you here Ms. Evans. As you may know we have been trying to fill this position, but its not a very easy one. I need to know that you are willing to put one-hundred percent effort into it, and are read to take on this large of a role."

"I most definitely am sir. I have worked hard all my life, and for the last couple years, worked very hard to get into the BAU and I cannot begin to explain how much of an honor it is to be here." This time my voice wasn't shaking, but that was because I was pinching my thigh under the desk. Damn, this was nerve racking.

"Alright, why don't you go meet the team, I'll show you the way," Hotch said standing up.

Once again I followed him. The of agents surrounding the elevator girl where talking and it wasn't until we descended the stairs that I realized that we were heading their way. All over them turned to look at me. I felt my cheeks turn red.

"This SSA Laura Evans, and she our newest member of our team. Please take some time to make her feel welcomed, then the briefing room in thirty." Hotch said. Once again emotionless.