Hello all,

this is my first attempt at a Criminal Minds story but the idea was too compelling not to develop and share.

Please let me know what you think.

Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds, the characters from the show, etc. I am not making any money off the writing of this story.

I believe people are in our lives for a reason. We're here to learn from each other.

-Gillian Anderson

Taithleach had thought she was done with the BAU but Fate was once again not on her side. She had helped them as part of her training. Now she needed a favour from their lead and the last (or first when she was willing to be honest with herself) person she wanted to see was the one that looked up when she stepped through the door.

Dr. Reid was working on the paperwork his colleagues had slipped him. They thought he didn't know they did it. He did. He knew exactly how much and how often each did it; but he was ok with helping where and how he could. Reid saw her walk hurriedly to the stairs leading toward Hotch and Rossi's offices. Taithleach was dressed differently than when he'd last seen her some months ago. Normally dressed in tailored, professional clothes - when not in her academy uniform - she wore loose fitting jeans and what looked like an old flannel shirt. He knew she liked to dress that way when she was completing her weekend chores but would never set foot in the place she hoped to find her career in that outfit.

They had met when she interned as part of her initial experiences with the FBI. She knew she wanted to work for the FBI but wasn't sure where would be the best fit for her, so she helped out in various departments hoping one would catch her interest and vice versa. As part of one of the newer mandates to make every move count, she was to introduce new forms and a new filing system. Explaining how it tied into a more user friendly database of cases, criminals, identifying characteristics, and other miscellaneous clues to aid agents across the various departments was over half the assignment. Garcia, the BAU's tech expert, was dealing with her own upgrade and the pitfalls inherent in it. Trying to explain why a trainee was there speaking to senior agents and not their own tech made her so incredibly nervous. The team ended up adopting techniques normally used to get suspects talking to help calm her down. She had the presentation all set up, but could barely squeak that first meeting. As time seemed to drag on, Tai became more and more comfortable with the team. By the end of her tenure, the training had been successful and as much as such an insulated team could welcome a non-member, she was.

Thanking Fate's small mercy, Hotch's office door was open. She knocked tentatively and tried to control her shaking hands.

'Tai, good to see you again, come in.' Hotch called with a smile when he looked up. Truthfully, he was grateful for almost any interruption, paperwork was always a very long day, no matter when he left for home.

Taithleach gave a small smile at the nickname almost everyone used; her full name was such a mouthful.

'Agent Hotchner, sorry to interrupt and I won't take long. I need your signature on a few documents pertaining to my training and time with the BAU' Tai held out the file folder, willing her hands to remain steady.

Hotch took the folder and opened it, his curiosity piqued. He thought all the paperwork had been completed back when she finished with the BAU months ago.

'This is an application to postpone your training for…' Hotch glanced down and read from the paperwork, 'personal reasons. What changed? You couldn't wait to find a spot for yourself and make a career of the FBI when you worked with us.'

Tai inwardly groaned and couldn't believe she ever thought this would be simple to get the signatures she needed. 'Sir, with all due respect, it says personal reasons. If I wanted the reason broadcast, it would say more.'

Hotch eyed Tai suspiciously. She was never very good at keeping secrets when pressed but thought better of doing this alone. 'You need Agent Morgan's signature on this as well. I'll call him over and save you the trip.'

'Please, I appreciate the thought but you don't…' Tai's free hand went to cover her stomach. It was never very happy with her when she was nervous and had only gotten worse.

Hotch didn't even acknowledge that she had spoken but called Morgan and asked him to come over right away. Derek Morgan walked from his office to Hotch's aware all eyes of the BAU team were watching carefully. After he had closed the door, the team below all looked at one another with curiosity.

JJ walked over to between Prentiss and Reid's desks a puzzled look on her face, 'any idea why Tai would be meeting with Hotch and Morgan?'

Prentiss looked just as puzzled, 'none, I thought she finished with us, paperwork and all months ago. Shouldn't she be in combat training by now?'

'It's unlikely it would be about a case, she's just a trainee and not authorized to work on files yet.' Reid pointed out. He tried to keep his breathing steady and not start to blush as no one was supposed to figure out what happened those months ago. It was never easy to hide much from the other profilers.

In the office, Tai wanted nothing more than to find a hole to crawl into, or a tunnel that would miraculously end outside this building with her paperwork filed. She attempted to control her fidgeting, knowing full well she was being profiled by two of the best.

'Care to explain to us why you're leaving a promising career.' Hotch more stated than asked.

'Personal reasons, please just sign the forms and I'll be on my way. Please.'

'I'll sign if you answer one question truthfully,' Morgan bargained. He was sure he knew why she was leaving but wanted to hear it from her. Hotch hid his smile, it had been a very good idea to bring Morgan into this meeting. Tai nodded mutely, her tongue too thick to speak.

'How far along are you?'

Tai blanched and began to faint. 'Breathe, Tai Breathe!' she heard Hotch say from a long way away.

'Close… close the blinds, please' she managed to gasp. She looked up once the bull pen was hidden from view. 'How?' she managed to croak.

Morgan shrugged in his way, 'simple enough, you were so eager to have a career with the FBI that it would take something drastic to change your mind. Since the permission is for a postponement, it's safe to say you haven't given up the dream, just have to put it on hold. Second, you're not dressed as you normally do for work and since these clothes are looser than the others it's a far easier thing to hide the fact that you've started to show. I'm guessing just a couple of weeks ago the bump became noticeable. Lastly, you've had a hand on your abdomen since before I walked in the door.'

Tai sighed and dropped her head, 'the doctor said I couldn't train anymore, particularly since we're starting combat training, hand to hand. A simple throw could really hurt the baby if I landed wrong, plus my balance is starting to go off.'

Hotch looked sympathetic, 'do you know who the father is?' He asked more out of a need to place the facts than expecting an answer.

Tai's head snapped up and her eyes blazed with hurt and anger. 'Are you implying I sleep around, Agent Hotchner?' she asked tightly.

Morgan tried to calm the distraught woman. 'He was just trying to find out if the father is in the picture. We don't think you would sleep with just anyone.'

'He doesn't want me. Who would want a dirty girl? He was so sweet and… and… it couldn't work. Not if it meant his career, it's all he has.' Tai muttered and stared blankly at the front of Hotch's desk. There was the sound of papers being shuffled and pen scratching. The folder has placed back into her hands. She looked up at Hotch, then at Morgan.

'Whoever he is, he should have a chance to know his child.' Hotch said softly. 'Come back and finish your training when you're able to after the baby arrives. Will you let us know?'

Tai gave a small smile, 'I'll put you guys on the e-mail list. Thanks.'

She rose to leave, managed to shake both Hotch and Morgan's hands and let herself out of the office. Hotch turned to Morgan and said, 'how do you think he'll take it?'

For the meaning of life differs from man to man, from day to day and from hour to hour.

What matters, therefore, is not the meaning of life in general but rather the specific meaning of a person's life at a given moment.

-Victor Frankl

Again, please take a moment to let me know what you think. Quotes can be found at quoteland. com (just remove the space)

Thanks for reading,

DragonRlrDmn