Hi All,

This will be my first ever attempt at writing for this so I hope it is alright and you all can enjoy it. I would really appreciate any feedback you have.

Of course, I do not own Criminal Minds, however I do own my character additions and plot lines.

Thank you!

Chapter 1: Beginning

'Deep breath, you can do it' I thought to myself…

It was about to be my first day at my new position at the BAU and to say I was terrified was an understatement. Sure I had been a part of the FBI for a few years now but that was in a tactical division where all I had to worry about was taking down my opponent in the most efficient way possible. This was something completely different, this was my version of walking into the lion's den.

I stepped off of the elevator, thinking to myself 'so it begins'.

"Pleasure to see you again Agent Paxton Harlow." Hotchner greeted her. "The team is anxious to meet you, however much of the meeting will happen on our way to the new case that just came it. If you will follow me, we can get you caught up."

As I walked into the room, I could immediately feel 5 pair of eyes staring at me. 'This isn't awkward at all...', but wait there is someone missing from the room I thought to myself as I went through the faces. Agent Rossi, Technical Analysis Garcia, Dr. Blake, Agent Jareau, and Agent Morgan were all present but wasn't there also a Dr. Reid? As the thought went through my mind the young doctor walked in the door. He apologized to Hotchner, I didn't catch the reason though because something was so distracting about him.

Agent Hotchner introduced me then. "Team, I would like you to meet our newest member, Agent Paxton Harlow. She is not new to the FBI, but she will now be joining us. She has recently completed her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology. She will be a great assist to the team, please help her get used to the new surroundings."

"Alright, not to distract from the getting to know you bit but we do have a new case. Please to meet you though Paxton" winked Garcia. "There has been a string of murders across the Jackson, Mississippi area. There have been four female bodies, all with a clean cut to the throat and found sitting on a park bench. The bodies were found two days apart, with no DNA evidence on them" Garcia indicated without looking at the gruesome photos.

"Wheels up in 30 minutes, we need to get ahead of this. We will discuss more on the plane" Hotchner said as he exited the room.

"Nice to meet you Paxton, I am Derek and this over here is Garcia. If you need anything just let us know. The first few days will be a little rough trying to fit in and find your place within the team but don't let that shake you" he said with a smile. Garcia just waved and they both headed out the door.

"Paxton Harlow correct?" Rossi asked curiously.

"Yes, that's right." I indicated back.

"I heard about you in the tactical division, you are quite the fighter if I have heard correctly. I wouldn't be surprised if you could give Morgan a run for his money, although he may just underestimate you by your size."

"That's part of my advantage, everyone underestimates me because of my size" I said chuckling.

With that Rossi smiled, laughed a bit, and said he would see me on the plane.

JJ and Blake were standing nearby and simply gave me a hello, and said they would speak more with me on the plane.

I looked up and saw that Dr. Spencer Reid was staring at me, I hadn't noticed he was before but I didn't have time to stop and talk to him. I had to get my go-bag and get to the plane, so instead I gave him a smile and with that left the room.

(Spencer's POV)

Why can I not stop staring at this girl, she is just like any other team member. Although, for some reason she wasn't registering in Spencer's mind like another team member but something else entirely. The only issue was he wasn't sure what that other thing was.

She was seemingly so small, how was she tactical division he thought to himself. He studied her more. She must be only 5'2" in height, maybe 115 in weight and if she was tactical that was mostly muscle. He went back up to her face, she looked young, younger than him. Maybe 26 years-old. She had delicate features overall, yet her cheekbones came out, giving her face a regale look and the purple under her eyes indicated she doesn't sleep much. Oh, and those eyes how unique they were with a grey look. It complimented her red hair, that hair which immediately caught his attention. She was something to behold and he did not know what he thought of her.

Just as he was for lack of a better word appraising her, she looked right at him. He could feel the heat slowly creeping up to him cheeks and then she smiled, exiting the room.

He let out a huge sigh of relief, that was a close one. Now, to go grab his go-bag and get to the plane. There was work to be done and he would no longer be distracted by his co-worker. 'How ridiculous', he thought.