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"THERE WILL COME A TIME WHEN YOU BELIEVE EVERYTHING IS FINISHED. THAT WILL BE THE BEGINNING."
•
The evening drizzle washed a wave of relaxation over Natalia. She always loved the sound of rain, the plopping of raindrops hitting a surface. She stood outside of the building, with her arms hugging her body to protect herself from the cold. She watched the rain fall to the ground, and her breath started to fog in the air.
"You're going to get sick if you stay out here."
She swung her head around to see Spencer Reid walking up toward her with his coat in his hand.
"I'm just watching the rain." Natalia looked at her feet and shivered from the cool breeze.
"Everything ok?"
"Fine."
There was a short moment of silence before Reid decided to talk again. "I, uh, heard you took the job."
"Yeah."
"Why don't you come inside and meet everyone?"
"I already have."
Spencer sighed and gave her a knowing look.
"Alright. Fine." She removed her arms from her sides and gestured to the door. "After you."
•
Reid led Natalia through the halls. The evening turned to nightfall, and most of the agents left.
"Why are you still here?" She asked, glancing at the multiple office doors they passed.
"It's not just me. The whole team is here. We've just completed a case, and we're finishing up the paper work."
"Paperwork?" Natalia crinkled up her nose in disgust. She hated paperwork.
"Yep. Oh, turn right here." Reid led the way as they passed through the corridor and reached a closed door. "Hey, Garcia?" He called out. There was a slight shuffling, and then the door opened.
"Oh my god.." Natalia mumbled under her breath. She was amazed at how many computers there were on the desk and wall. There were vibrant colors throughout the room, and standing in the middle of it was a blonde woman.
"Oh!" The woman smiled. "You must be the new girl! I'm Penelope."
"Oh, yeah. I'm, uh.. I'm Natalia."
•
"Are you sure you can walk there?"
Reid was following Natalia out of the building. She had just gotten the keys to her new apartment from Hotch, like he'd promised. It was only a few blocks away from the BAU building, and she insisted that she could walk until she could get ahold of a car.
"Spencer, I'm fine."
"It's pouring rain outside, how do you plan on getting there without an umbrella?"
"It's just rain. I'll live. Do you want me to text you when I get there?"
He sighed and put his coat on over his shoulders. "Just let me know if you get there ok."
"I will. Thank you." She gave him a small smile and turned to step out of the building. As soon as she walked out from under the awning, she felt the rain start to pour over her.
The walk back was calm. Occasionally there would be a squirrel that jumped out from the sidewalk bushes, or a car horn echoing through the streets. It wasn't long before she reached her destination. When she got to her apartment building, she jogged to the entrance. She pushed past the glass doors and into the lobby, her shoes sounding off on the marble.
"Excuse me, miss?"
Natalia turned her head to the right. A woman no older than 23 stood behind the counter. She was waving over in her direction.
"Are you Ms. Boone?"
"Yes..." Natalia tilted her head and wandered over to the woman.
"Your boyfriend said he wanted to let you know that he was upstairs. He said you two had a some things to talk about."
Natalia felt the floor disappear from under her feet. "My... boyfriend?"
