Scars

Chapter Two

"Nice to meet you. I'm-"

"Derek Morgan. Supervisory Special agent in the BAU," I blurted out. He started to laugh, and I blushed. "I might have done a bit of research." Was I being to forward and creepy?

"Dang mama. You really did." He kept smiling and took another drink from his coffee.

"I'm sorry. I just like to be prepared. I just know names and faces, I promise." The elevator dinged and stopped at the 6th floor. I took a deep breath at looked at my future.

"It's all good. I don't blame you." We started walking out of the elevator to the bullpen. "It makes sense to be prepared. But just remember," he opened the next door for me, "we are still FBI and you're already part of it. So welcome to the BAU. I'll introduce you to everyone." I smiled gratefully. I didn't realize how nervous I was. We walked over to a group of desks where 3 agents sat. I recognized them right away.

"Good morning guys. I found a straggler in the elevator. This is-" Derek started but was interrupted by the tall, lanky man sitting in the chair to my right.

"Sara Annabelle Michaels. You graduated from NYU with a degree in criminal justice with a 3.8 GPA at the age of 23. By the time you were 24, you already had a job at counter terrorism in the FBI." I smiled. Apparently, he had done his research on me.

"Dr. Spencer Walter Reid. Graduated high school in Las Vegas at the age of 12. You hold Ph.D.'s in Mathematics, Chemistry, and Engineering and B.A.'s in Psychology and Sociology and did I read that you were working on a B.A. in Philosophy?" I replied to him. He looked surprised that someone had spoken back to him like he spoke to people.

"Ok I know we just met but I officially love you," the dark haired woman to my right said. "I'm guessing you know who I am?" Her smile was kind and her eyes warm. She looked very friendly.

"Yes, I do. SSA Emily Prentiss. You can speak three languages: English, Spanish, and Arabic. You have a cat named Sergio who I would love to meet." She smiled and put up her hands.

"Hey, he's the only man in my life so you can't steal him from me." I smiled and knew we would get along. Next was the beautiful blonde. You could tell she was caring because of her kind eyes. She also looked about 7 months pregnant.

"Which mean this beautiful blonde is SSA Jennifer Jareau. Originally the Communications Liaison but promoted because you are so good at you job. You are married to Detective William LaMontagne Jr. and you have two sons together but looks like you're cooking a third?" She smiled and placed her hand on her belly.

"I am but please call me JJ. I like you a lot. It'll be nice having two Reid's around." I smiled and felt welcomed. I could tell they were like a family but a very caring family. My heart fluttered with the feeling of home.

We were talking and laughing as I drank my coffee. I snacked on my scone a little bit but Derek took most of it. Wow my first day and I'm already greeted with open arms.

"It's been great to meet you all, but I really should talk to the Unit Chief. Can you show me which office is his?" I asked them. Emily stood up and offered to show me. I glacially accepted and followed her across the bullpen to a set of stairs. There were a few offices up on a half floor that could overlook the bullpen. She walked me to the first door, and I paused when I saw the name printed on the door.

UNIT CHIEF SSA AARON HOTCHNER

Emily could tell something was wrong and paused too. I shook my head and walked forward. There's no way it's Hotch. There can't be. Emily opened the door for me and walked in before.

"Sir, I have the new member, Agent Michaels here for you. Sorry if we made her late," Emily said to Hotch. Without looking up from his paperwork, he replied.

"Thank you, Prentiss. I can take it from here." Emily nodded and walked back to the others. I stood frozen in his office. I could see pictures of Haley and Jack in his office. I saddened at the thought of Haley. I missed her and didn't make it out to the funeral. I sent a card from Turkey, where I was stationed. He finished whatever he was doing and looked up at me. How did I not know that Hotch was the one who lead this unit? When his eyes met mine, that young love reignited. I thought I had put it out forever. He put down his pen and sat straight up in his chair. I cleared my throat.

"Hi Hotch," I said quietly. I stood in the office awkwardly. I hadn't seen him in years. After we broke it off when I moved away and he met Haley, we hadn't really talked. Haley was really nice to me and we continued to talk until her untimely death. He cleared his throat and I could tell he didn't know how to react. "How you been?"

"Mikey?"