Garcia ran into Morgan's office. "So did your hear?"

"Hear what?" He looked up from his paperwork.

"Someone is coming to take over JJ's office."

"Oh yeah, I know about that." Morgan shrugged it off.

Garcia's mouth hung open. "How can you know something like this and not tell me? This is going to have an impact on our team, and you know how I don't like change. What if I don't like this person? What if we don't get along? What if..."

"Calm down, it will be just fine. She is not joining the team, she will have her own duties to attend to."

"She's a researcher. She supposed to assist me with cases. How could no one talk to me about this? The mucky mucks think they can just wave their magic wands and mess up my flow?"

"I need you to relax. I know how you get when someone comes in and disrupts your energy. But just give her a chance. Will you do that for me?"

Garcia conceded. "Just because you asked me to."

"Hey, if it will make you feel better, I will go talk to Hotch and see if we can make some kind of deal, okay?"

She got excited? "You would do that for me?"

"I'll see what I can do." He kissed her forehead. "Now scurry your little butt back into your office and don't worry."


Morgan walked down the hallway to Hotch's office, knocked on the door and went in.

"Hey, Morgan, come on in." Hotch waved him forward. "What can I do for you?"

"I just wanted to talk to you about this new researcher that is coming in. She kinda has Garcia a little freaked out. You know how she doesn't like change. I just wanted to see if there was anything that could be done if things didn't mesh well between them after a while if she wouldn't have to stay here."

Hotch dropped his pen on top of the report he was writing in. "When I had a conversation with the Director about adding a researcher onsite to assist with cases, and that included working with our analyst. I made sure that I was the one who got to pick this person, and on the condition that they would also work well with Garcia. If they did not, then I would be searching for a replacement."

"Sometimes Hotch, you surprise me." Morgan admitted. "So who is she?"

"Her name is Agent Jo Pierce. I've read over her file, and I've met with her. I think that she will be a good fit for this team, and that includes Garcia. I wouldn't worry about it."

"Thanks Hotch." Morgan nodded and left the office.


The next day, Hotch entered the BAU carrying a cardboard file box in his hands followed by a young lady carrying two paper to-go cups from a coffee shop. She was in professional attire and trailed behind Hotch like a little puppy. She hardly went unnoticed.

Hotch walked into JJ's old office and placed the box on top of the empty desk. "Here you go." He looked around the bare space. "Just let me know if there is anything that you need. But I am sure you will be able to make this place feel like home in no time."

"Thank you sir." She put down the cups and extended her hand to her boss, they shook hands, and she grabbed one of the cups. "Here, this is for you. Coffee. Black."

He smiled. "Thank you, but you didn't have to."

"Oh, it was no trouble sir. Just a little token of appreciation."

"Okay, well I will let you get settled."

"Thank you, sir." Hotch left her alone in her new office.

She looked around and then opened the box that he gently set on her desk. She heard tapping on her door and turned around. "Oh, hi." She said with a smile on her face.

Garcia stood in the doorway and looked her up and down. "So, you are my new researcher, huh?"

"I guess so." She walked forward to shake hands. "I am Jo Pierce, and you must be Penelope Garcia. I must say it is a great pleasure to work with you! Everyone wanted this position so badly because they would get to work with you." She said honestly.

Garcia was taken aback. "Oh? I did not know I had that kind of a reputation."

Jo smiled. "Yes, you do. When I heard about this spot opening, I knew I had to do whatever it took to get it. Oh!" She exclaimed and turned around and went into the box. She pulled out a plastic tray of cupcakes. "Here, please have one. They're red velvet." She pointed to the tops. "With cream cheese frosting."

Garcia took one. "Thank you." She took a bite. "Oh my goodness. These are like heaven. Where did you get them from?"

"Oh, I made them."

"You made these?" She remarked with her mouth full. "You are like a baker god!" She smiled. "Okay, that is a point in your favor. I must go back to my office now. I will be seeing you later."


Jo spent most of her day alone, arranging her office and going through the case files she brought with her. Part of her job was to read over past or cold cases, organize notes and information, and make sure it was properly inputted into the new electronic system.

The Deputy Director had already made sure she had a stack of cases to get started on. Jo didn't like to let things build up, she started her work immediately.

The team sat in the bullpen, occasionally looking up at the window, wondering what she was like. Yet they had their own work to do and were too busy to go spy on the new girl.

Garcia walked out of her office with an empty coffee mug in her hand. She walked directly towards Jo's office and knocked on her door. "I am off for a coffee run, I wanted to know if you would like to come with me, and we can take a few moments to meet a few members of the team."

Jo smiled up at Garcia from her desk, "I would like that, thank you." She got up, grabbed the tray of cupcakes and followed Garcia down the stairs, and toward the group.

Garcia took Jo's hand as she approached some of the team. "Hey you guys, this is Jo Pierce, and she is the new researcher who will be working with us, and this is JJ, Emily, and Morgan." They shook hands as they introduced themselves.

Jo held out the tray of cupcakes. "Here, they are red velvet, with cream cheese frosting. Help yourselves."

They each grabbed a treat and took their bites.

"She made them herself… from scratch. Including the frosting!" Garcia announced.

The moans of enjoyment soon followed from the group as they enjoyed the soft and fluffy cake.

"Oh, wow." JJ proclaimed. "If you continue to bring things like this, I will gain ten pounds in no time."

"Tell me about it." Emily agreed.

"So," Morgan started, "have you met with Hotch and Rossi, yet?"

"Yes, I met with them before my transfer. To be honest with you, Agent Hotchner is kind of intimidating." The group laughed at her statement.

"Don't worry." Morgan said reassuringly. "If you do your job you will fine."

"So, how are you liking my old office? I am glad it's finally being put to good use, it was becoming a storage closet there for a moment" JJ laughed.

"I am getting settled in. It is kind of bare for my tastes, but I am sure after a while it will be just like home." JJ saw Reid walking toward the small group with his hands in his pockets and a messenger bag strapped across his chest. "Oh look, here's Spence." She waved him over.

Jo turned around and came face to face with Spencer. "Reiding Rainbow?!" She exclaimed

"GI JO?!" His eyes beamed at the sight of her. He reached for her and gave her a long, tight hug. "Oh, it is so good to see you! Why didn't you tell me you were coming to the BAU?"

"I didn't really know myself until yesterday. And even then, I wasn't sure if I was even going to be able to see you."

"Okay, you two." Morgan interrupted. "You need to catch us up. How do you know each other?"

Reid turned to the group. "Jo and I lived down the street from each other in Las Vegas."

"He used to tutor me." She admitted

"And she used to beat up my bullies." He snickered. "We used to play capture the flag, where I would draw up these detailed maps and plans of attack and Jo would go in and get that flag… every time."

"I would love to stay and get to know you all better, but I do have work I need to finish." Jo turned to Reid. "I'll catch up with you later, Spencer."

They all decided that was the right time to break up and get back to work.


A couple of hours later, JJ and Emily popped their heads into Jo's office.

"You wouldn't happen to have any more of those cupcakes laying around, would you?" JJ asked.

Jo smiled and pointed to the top of her filing cabinet. "Of course, right over there, help yourself."

The ladies practically darted for them. Emily swooped some of the frosting off the cake with her finger and stuck it in her mouth. "You know, we are going out tonight, sort of a ladies night, would you like to join us?"

Jo dropped the file she was reading on her desk. "Yes, that sounds like fun."

The bar was smoky and loud, but the four ladies were still able to hear each other as they sat at the small table drinking their beers.

"So when was the last time you saw Spence?" JJ asked.

"Actually, it's been a while. I think it was right after I finished the Olympics."

Garcia spit out her beer. "You were in the Olympics?" She was in shock.

"Yes, I was on the sharp-shooting team. I didn't actually compete, mind you, I was an alternate."

"But still," Emily started, "that is still remarkable."

"So why the FBI?" JJ took a drink from her beer.

"It was Spencer who influenced that. We kept in touch after he was away at school and then when he went into the FBI. He would write to me about what he was doing and learning and it sounded so fun and exciting, that I wanted to join."

Emily patted Jo's knee. "Well we are going to want to probe you all about our Reid. But now is not the time for that. It is ladies night and time for us to have fun." The four ladies cheered and drank their beers.

The next day, Emily met up with Derek for lunch on their day off. Emily leaned over the table resting her forehead onto her hand, still wearing her sunglasses.

"Whoa, how much did you have to drink?"

"I lost count. We were playing I Never. Turns out, I've done a lot of stuff."

Morgan chuckled. "Now why does that not surprise me? You still want to eat? You should get something into your system."

"Could you feed it to me intravenously? Because when I chew, it makes my toes hurt."

"What did you end up drinking?"

"I remember we started with beer, and then I think we ended the night doing Irish Car Bombs."

"Yeah, that'll do it." Morgan looked over the menu. "So what's this Jo girl like?"

Emily sat up. "Oh my god. She is awesome. Did you know that she was a sharp shooter on the Olympics team?"

"Seriously? So what is she doing at a desk job being a researcher?"

Emily's eyebrows scrunched together. "I don't know, I didn't ask." Emily shook her head. "And it's none of our business, Morgan."

"I know, but can't a man be curious?"