Chapter Text
The office was quiet. There were no active cases, no people running around screaming, no one pleading to find their loved ones. Rather, it was a simple paperwork day, one that was much needed after recent events. “Penelope heard that we are getting a new teammate.” JJ sat on the edge of his desk, much to Reid’s discomfort, his very carefully organized piles of paper scattered around her. The order around him was much needed. In the past few weeks, he needed some semblance of control, something to bite back the unwanted images of her bloody body.
“We don't need one. We are doing just fine.” He muttered bitterly.
“Spence…” JJ gently touched his shoulder. “We all miss her.” He didn't even want to look up, knowing there was only pity in her eyes.
He shook her off, the friendly gesture practically setting his skin on fire. “Whatever.” The small guilt at blowing off his friend felt like nothing compared to the grief he battled daily. How dare someone join his team, his family, so carelessly, so soon after her death? It was cruel.
“Excuse me.” They both looked up to see a pretty young woman with tan skin and curly blonde hair looking at them. For someone in a Federal Building, she was dressed very casually, in a white sweater and blue jeans. “Where is Agent Hotchner’s office?” She met each of their gazes briefly before scanning the room, slowly rocking back and forth on her feet. Her eyes were a startling grey, almost silver in the fluorescent light. Her hands fidgeted against her legs and Spencer could see pale white scars along her knuckles, the ones that were made by punching something so hard the skin broke.
Reid pursed his lips and deliberately turned back to his 2,000 unread emails. He was in no mood to talk to anyone, much less someone who could be replacing Emily. However, JJ didn't seem to share that sentiment because she smiled brightly at the young woman and pointed in the direction of Hotch’s office. “Right up there.” She said, brushing her straight blonde hair over her shoulder.
The woman smiled thinly and thanked her. She moved quickly and with purpose, like someone who had better places to be. Reid inwardly scoffed. “You think that's her?” JJ asked Spencer once the woman was out of earshot. She was curious, her bright blue eyes following the young woman’s figure as she knocked twice on Hotch’s office door.
Reid frowned. “With our luck?” He stood up and grabbed his bag. “Probably.”
JJ watched him walk away, her chest constricting in pain. Seeing her best friend like this, twisted with loss and knowing she could relieve it was almost enough to eat her alive. She turned her gaze away and steeled her nerves, determined. By betraying a friend, she was saving the life of another.
She had to hold onto that.
———
“This is SSA Annabeth Chase. She will be filling in the vacancy left by Agent Prentiss.” Hotch’s voice was painfully emotionless, drawing some annoyance from Spencer. He knew it was unfair, but seeing Hotch perfectly fine after such little time had passed made him want to explode. His hand clenched under the table as he attempted to get his emotions under control.
Reid grimaced and refused to look up from the files in front of him.
“Pleasure to meet you all.” She said stiffly, tapping her hand on her knee. She took a seat right next to him, her old blue jeans rustling as she sat down. Chase cataloged each team member's face but said nothing, simply reaching for her file and beginning to read.
With a scowl, Reid looked up and wasn’t surprised to see the pretty blonde woman from earlier. The others offered her their greetings but the pleasantries were cut short by the gorey crime scene photos on the board.
There was a shooting in a gun shop in Tampa, Florida and locals had requested their assistance. They shared preliminary theories before Hotch abruptly stood up and announced they would be leaving in 30 minutes.
The new agent quickly walked after him, ignoring the rest of the team. Once she was out of earshot the younger agents all turned to each other and spoke in hushed voices.
“She’s an odd one,” Derek muttered darkly. “Did you see how fidgety she was?” He was just as bitter as Spencer, maybe even more so. While Spencer hated people leaving, Derek was the one who was there firsthand.
JJ nodded. “You should see her file. Highest marks in the physical exam while also acing the written one, all though her handwriting is atrocious.”
“Wait really?” Garcia perked up, placing the clicker down on the table and moving to stand behind Derek. “How old is she?”
“You didn't look her up, baby girl?” Derek raised a disbelieving brow and the technical analyst shook her head sheepishly.
JJ rolled her eyes fondly, leaning back in her chair. “I asked her not to, we don't want to scare her off.” She evened out her papers and turned to Garcia. “She’s 27, one of our youngest.”
Derek reached over to ruffle Spencer’s hair. “Save for our Boy Genius here.” The young genius brushed off his friend's hand with a deep scowl.
Spencer felt the pit in his stomach deepen. He did not like Annabeth Chase.
She was standoffish for the entire case, only following orders and keeping her opinions to herself. She was a lone wolf who had no interest in working as a team. There was something different about her though. They could see she had theories about the case, but she purposefully kept them inside. However, once they found the unsub her face changed. It was some sort of fascination mixed with pity and understanding. Most of their new agents quit after their first case, terrified of the monsters that lived among humanity, but Annabeth was not one of those agents. Morgan had a feeling she’d be sticking around.
Spencer had scoffed at her when he saw her face, despite how often he felt the same pity for the unsubs. How often Emily felt the same. He refused to speak to her during the case, and the icy winds of the silent treatment chilled the entire team. Except for Chase, who seemed to be wearing a thick coat.
On the jet, JJ had gently tried to get the two to speak. Annabeth took one look at him and made an excuse, something about finishing a project. Reid not so convincingly feigned tiredness and pretended to fall asleep. JJ looked to Hotch for help, but the team leader simply shook his head. Reid wasn't going to budge, and Chase wasn't going to push. It was pointless.
Spencer heard Chase offer to do the case paperwork and the following cheers and thank you were passed around. Even Hotch seemed glad, able to go home to his son early tonight. He huffed and rolled over on the couch, turning away from the smiles and laughter.
Reid frowned at how soon the team seemed to warm up to her. How could they forget Emily so quickly?