No Time To Spare

Chapter 1: A New Beginning

*Nicolette's POV*

The phone was ringing from the living room while I was in the bedroom. I quickly jumped up and ran to answer the phone. I glanced at the caller ID and recognized the number immediately.
"Hello??" I said with a little too much excitement.

"Hello, is this Nicolette Torpey speaking? My name is Agent Hotchner, I'm from the FBI." I smiled, I noted his voice the last time I spoke to Agent Hotchner. I wonder if he always speaks in monotone.

"Yes sir, this is Nicolette speaking."

"I have called to inform you that we looked over your job application for the replacement..." His voice trailed off. Would they really call to tell you that they chose someone else? I doubt it!
"I'm happy to welcome you to our team! When's the soonest you can come in?" His voice, that seemed very stern all the time, seemed more uplifting than ever. "Oh my gosh, thank you! I can come in whenever, right now if you want, I'm not doing anything. Do I need to bring anything with me?" I say resting the phone on my shoulder while running to my closet and putting on my socks and shoes.
"No, that's not necessary. We'll give you everything you need. See you soon, Agent Torpey." And he hangs up.

            I can't believe I actually made it into the FBI. And on top of that, the BAU. It's been a dream of mine since I was a little girl. Ever since my parents were killed, I've been interested in criminal profiling. I guess it just really hits me hard to see people killed and not being able to do anything about it. So, a couple weeks ago, I decided to change that. I've actually had my degree for a very long time I just haven't found any agencies that have had job openings. Then, out of nowhere the FBI has a job opening. Oh gosh, I'm so lucky. I walk to my mirror and take a look at myself before I go. My brunette hair falls in waves around my shoulders, it makes my green eyes stand out. I close and lock the door to my house and run for the car, bouncing with excitment. I jump in and start the engine. I start driving, then decide to call my Aunt Jennifer to tell her the news. "Hey Aunt Jennifer, I have some news!" There's a shuffling of feet on the other line and then she answers. "What is it honey?" Her voice sounds concerned. "You know how I wrote my job application for the FBI, well I got accepted! I'm actually on my way to the BAU now. I'll call you back later! Love you!" And I hung up. I hope she didn't find that rude, but I really wasn't in the mood to talk.

            I arrived at the BAU headquarters about 15 minutes later. I walked in the doors and up the steps to the BAU. Well this is it. I take a deep breath and open the door. There's a bunch of cubicles, or little offices on the main floor. But leading up little steps there's actually real offices not little ones. I don't know who to talk to or ask for help. I look around, there's a group of people all huddled together whispering and looking in my direction. There's a girl with black hair that looks friendly. I slowly begin approach her. "Hi my name is Emily Prentiss, you can call me Prentiss, can I help you?" she asks. See, friendly.

 "Hey my name is Nicolette. I'm looking for Agent Hotchner?"

She smiles and points towards the office parallel to where I'm standing.
"Thanks." I say heading towards his office.
I knock on the door waiting for him to answer. I quickly look behind me and see everyone who was sitting at those tables staring at me. I breathe trying not to look intimated but I am. I think whoever I'm replacing was well known around here.
"Nicolette? Come in." Hotchner says gesturing for me to sit down.

"Yes sir, hello." I say sitting in the chair in front of his desk. He takes a seat at his desk and pulls out a file.
"I'm really glad you're on the team now. I think it will be a great addition. As you've probably deducted we've lost one of our members recently..." His voice trails off and he stares at his lap.
"I'm so sorry." I say feeling a little guilty for taking his spot.

"Oh no, we didn't lose him like that. He just... left. He had a close up experience with a killer and I guess it was just too much more him to handle. But he was like family. I'm sure you'll fit in here. Come on, I'll introduce you to the rest of the team." He says walking out and I follow him. Before we get to them he turns and whispers, "Do you really have an IQ of 196?" I get this question so often it makes me laugh every time. "Yes, everyone always asks me." I say laughing still. "You'll probably want to meet Agent Doctor Reid. He has an IQ of 187."

I smile, "Impressive."
"Guys, this is the newest member to the BAU. This is Agent Nicolette Torpey. Introduce yourselves please. I'm going to get our next case ready."

There's a little awkward silence, then a young man about 26 says,
"Hello, I'm Doctor Spencer Reid. Nice to meet you... Do you want me to call you Nicolette or Torpey? Most of us go by our last names here." He says very fast. He sounds just like a genius with an IQ of 187 to me. But I have an IQ of 196.
"Nice to meet you, and either is fine. Hotchner told me about you... You have an IQ of 187?" I ask.

An African American man steps up, "Hey I'm Derek Morgan, and yeah he's the main genius here." He says smiling and winking at Reid.
"Well 187 is impressive. But what would you say about 196?" I ask Reid.
His face changes. "You have an IQ of 196??" his excitement rising.
We all laugh. "You may have some competition Reid." Prentiss, the girl I met earlier, says. "No, don't think of me as competition. I'm just here to do what the rest of you guys do." Prentiss looks at me, we have a little eye contact. I knew it was coming. "What made you want to take this job?"
I look down at my shoes. I take a deep breath. I don't know if I should give myself away on the first day. "Well..." I try to explain myself.
"Everyone report to the conference room now!" Hotch exclaims. Everyone starts walking towards the biggest room at the end of the hallway. Prentiss catches up to me and stops me. "I'm sorry I asked so early, you don't have to tell me. Just wanted to let you know that you don't have to be scared that we won't like you. I do, Reid definitely will. You're welcome here." She says smiling and stepping into the conference room. "Thank you Emily." I say taking my seat next to her.

This lady dressed in a bright crazy colored dress walks into the room with lots of files in her hands and starts passing them out to everyone. "Hey, I'm Penelope Garcia. I'm the tech goddess, as some people call me." I laugh. "Hi, I'm Nicolette Torpey. I'm a genius according to my family and friends." She smiles and turns as Hotch walks in. "You guys might want to prepare yourself, this one's a doozy."