Hello All. First Criminal Minds fic, but I am not new to the show. It's just taken me a long time to get my thoughts in order, and I have finally found a beta. Anyway. I hope you enjoy :)

"In. Out. In. Out," was the constant mantra running through her head.

Breathing may be involuntary, but right now, if she didn't keep repeating that, she would stop and die of asphyxiation right there in the elevator next to this other woman. Yeah, that would look good. Dying on her first day at the job she's been wanting for years at the FBI. Speaking of the other person confined with her in here, she was looking at her. Great, was she speaking out loud now too?

"Emily Prentiss," the black haired woman said.

"Allison Carter, but call me Ally," she said, her voice cracking a bit.

"First day?" Emily said, taking a sip of the coffee she was holding.

"How'd you know?" Ally said, laughing a little.

"I was the same way."

"Good to know I guess."

"What department are you working in?"

"The Behavioral Analysis Unit," Ally said, trying to mask her utter excitement at finally landing her dream job. Putting away scum-bags like her-

'Don't think about that.' she scolding herself.

The elevator dinged and the doors opened to the floor of interest for apparently both of them as Emily stepped forward, a smile on her face, "Welcome to the team then." Then she walked out. Ally was stunned for a second, but quickly followed after her, almost getting clipped by the elevator as the doors began to shut.

"Wait!" she called out, and Emily turned around. "You're on the BAU too?"

Emily nodded.

"Where can I find Aaron Hotchner?" Ally asked.

Emily turned and pointed to an office with a large window that looked out over the bull pen they were now standing in. "He's right up there. Probably waiting for you." She said, continuing on her way to her desk and sitting across from another agent that instantly caught Ally's eye.

An young man who was most likely around her age. He had longish brown hair, that most people would probably frown upon, but it suited him well. And most likely the nerdiest sense of fashion she had even seen. He had on a slightly wrinkled button up shirt with the top button undone, and a skinny tie that was loosened. But he was definitely cute from what she could see.

"No Ally. He looks like he's part of the team. No inter-team dating," She thought to herself, then headed for what Emily said was the Unit Chief's office. She felt eyes on her back as she walked up the three steps and knocked on the door.

"Come in," Said a voice from inside. Aaron Hotchner was on the phone, but quickly hung up and stood when Allison came in.

Allison had worked in the FBI headquarters in Quantico, Virginia for a little over two years now. At the age of 25 she had seen and experienced her fair share of terrifying things, and knew she was ready for the BAU. Strauss must have thought the same way. She also knew how to dress. Right now she was wearing a baby blue button up 3/4 sleeve blouse, black dress pants, and black moderate heels. Her dark brown hair was up in a half ponytail. It was the general look of any woman in the FBI. But this man made her feel severely under dressed. He was so clean cut, and well polished it wasn't even funny.

"Ah, there you are," he said, a trace of disapproval in his voice. "I've been waiting for you. You must be Allison Carter." he said, extending a hand.

"Yes sir, Agent Hotchner." she said, shaking it firmly. Had she already made a bad first impression by making him wait?

"Please, call me Hotch. Have a seat," he said, gesturing towards the chair behind her and sitting back down himself.

"It's a pleasure to have you on board Allison."

"Oh, no, please, the pleasure is all mine. I've always wanted to work here."

"Chief Strauss spoke very highly of you."

Ally felt a blush coming on. "She's too kind."

Hotch looked down at an open file on his desk. "Says here you passed every one of the tests with flying colors, including your guns qualification."

"That's correct sir."

"Yet you aren't wearing your weapon?" he asked.

"Oh. No sir, when in the office I don't normally keep it on my person."

"I see. It also says you specialized in violent crime, such as abuse?"

"Yes."

"If you don't mind me asking, why did you pick that area?"

Ally looked down for a second and took a deep breath. She knew they'd ask eventually. "I...I was a victim of it. My father. I think I've had every major bone broken at least once. Turns out my father was also a murder."

"Jack Carter."

She nodded. "That's him. I had the pleasure of arresting him last year. He's on death row now."

Hotch gave a curt nod. "Well I'm sure your...expertise will be very helpful to us. You're just in time for your first case." Ally could see a glimmer of something in his eyes about going out and catching the bad guy, but it was clear that this man rarely, if ever, smiled.

"But first I'll introduce you to the rest of the team."

"Sounds great," she said and followed him quickly out of the office.

"BAU team, meet in the conference room. JJ has a case for us," he said to the bull pen, and led Ally to a room further down the hall.

As soon as everyone arrived and was seated, Hotch spoke. "Before JJ briefs us, I would like to introduce the newest member of our team." he said, turning towards her. Ally immediately flushed red. She hated being the center of attention, and there was no doubt that everyone was in some way profiling her right then and there. "This is Agent Allison Carter. She's specialized in violent crime. Make her feel welcome." They all gave her a smile, and she sat down next to the very good looking African American agent, who winked at her.