Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds. Catherine Jareau is mine, along with any other characters you do not recognize.

Meeting Kate Callahan

But tell me, did the wind sweep you off your feet?
Did you finally get the chance to dance along the light of day
And head back to the Milky Way?
And tell me, did Venus blow your mind?
Was it everything you wanted to find?
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there?

- Drops of Jupiter, Train

December 23, 2014

4:30 pm

I watch through the glass doors as Spencer crosses the bullpen to the kitchenette. I smile to myself; he's run out of coffee again.

I open the door, slip in and close it very carefully, so as not to make a single sound.

I can see Spencer pouring sugar packet after sugar packet into his empty mug.

I move silently across the room. "Aren't you going to be late for dinner?" I say once I'm standing a few feet behind him.

Spencer whirls around, narrowly avoiding knocking his mug off the counter.

I can see his shock before it turns into a face splitting grin. He wraps his arms around my waist and spins me in a circle. "You said you wouldn't be home for Christmas!" He kisses me with a silly grin on his face and sets me down on the counter next to his coffee.

I beam at him, "I wasn't going to be. I was supposed to go to a conference earlier this week with Mr. Dubois at The Hauge but he sent his deputy, Stephanison, in his place and he took Marie-Pierre. So we flew to New York and then Washington instead of them. We're finished working now and I've been released from duty until Monday though I have to fly back to Lyon on Saturday evening.

Spencer frowns, "You even didn't tell me that you were back in the country."

I wrap my arms around myself, "Please don't be cross Spence. Everyone was away on a case and I didn't know we were coming to Washington or that I might have a few days off to spend with you."

Spencer cups my face with his hands, "I'm not angry, I'm delighted to see you."

I laugh.

He beams and kisses me tenderly again.

I kiss him back, eagerly.

"Reid!" An unknown female voice exclaims, "What are you doing?"

Spencer jumps back and spins around only to freeze in place.

The unknown woman half shouts, "Is that JJ?"

Spencer turns white and then red and starts spluttering.

I give him a gentle push forwards and hop down off the counter. I take a step out from behind him and get my first good look at the woman. She is shorter than my sister but taller than I am. She's got dark hair and pale skin.

"Oh," She murmurs, "You're not JJ."

I smile uncertainly, "Hello."

Spencer is still spluttering and I rest my hand on his arm, "Spencer, you've forgotten your social manners, again."

He looks blankly over at me.

I raise an eyebrow, "I have no idea who she is and I don't think she knows who I am either."

He blinks.

I sigh, "You're supposed to introduce us."

The woman smothers a laugh.

"Oh. Yes. Well. Um," He mumbles.

Kate laughs, "No one has caught you making out before have they."

I can feel my cheeks getting warm.

Spencer blushes and speaks awkwardly, "Catherine this is Kate Callahan she's- um well, she's replacing Alex... Callahan," Spencer steps behind me and wraps one arm around my waist he continues smoothly, "This is my fiancée Dr. Catherine Jareau."

Her jaw drops, "Fiancée?"

I revel in the moment, it's not often that Spencer has the chance to introduce me as his fiancée and the novelty has yet to wear off. I smile, "It's nice to meet you. Please call me Catherine."

"Call me Kate, please," She says and holds out her hand.

Reluctantly I step forwards and shake her hand before stepping back into the comfort of Spencer's arms.

Kate turns a hard look on Spencer, "Reid you never told me you were engaged." She frowns, "Actually I'm not sure I knew JJ has a younger sister, though I know she had an older one."

I flinch.

Spencer tightens his hold on me and cocks his head to the right, "I didn't tell you? I'm sure you were around when JJ and I were talking about Christmas dinner and that Catherine would be absent."

I lean my head back against his chest, "Spence, she might not have been paying attention to what one would assume to be a private conversation."

Spencer sighs and looks at his watch. "We're going to be late and JJ is going to kill us."

I frown, "Aren't we going to Dave's house? He's hosted the last 3 Christmas dinners."

He nods, "Yes, but JJ is helping him cook and she set the time for dinner."

I stand on my tiptoes and kiss his cheek, "She's going to be upset that the two of you are late. Jen won't be mad at me, she doesn't know I'm here."

Kate frowns, "You didn't tell JJ?"

"It's a surprise," I tell her, "I didn't think I'd be able to get the time off work."

She nods, comprehension dawning in her eyes.

"Catherine," Spencer says hesitantly as he leads me over to his desk.

"Yeah Spence?" I ask as I go through my purse.

He pulls on his coat, "JJ might still be a little upset…"

My shoulders slump, "It's been months and she still won't take my phone calls. I was hoping coming home might make things better, I miss her."

He sighs, "I know and I'm sure she'll be happy to see you, but…" he trails off.

I wrap my arms around myself.

"What's wrong?" Kate asks, looking up from packing her own bag.

Spencer bites his lip, "JJ was a little upset with Catherine's internship."

She frowns, "Oh? Why?"

I rewrap my scarf, "It's in France."

Her jaw drops slightly and she studies me with a practiced eye.

I put my hat on, "With Interpol."

She smiles sadly, "Catherine, I'm sure JJ will still be thrilled to have her sister home for Christmas."

"Mademoiselle Jareau!" A male voice calls out sharply across the bullpen.

I jump and spin around. "Monsieur Dubois," I greet him with a smile and cross the room quickly. I continue in French "Is there a problem?"

He smiles at me, "No, no. I just wanted to ensure you were being taken care of; I wish to meet your fiancé. I understand that he works in this particular department."

I blink at him for a few seconds before switching to English, "Mr. Dubois this is my fiancé Dr. Spencer Reid."

Spencer crosses the bullpen, already in his winter coat, with his bag hung over his shoulder and thankfully holding and not wearing the adorable penguin hat Henry and I picked out for him last Christmas. "Hello Mr. Dubois," He waves slightly, "It is a pleasure to meet you. I hope you'll have a pleasant Christmas."

Mr. Dubois smiles widely, "I am going home to spend Christmas with my family. It will indeed be wonderful." He looks closely at Spencer's face, "You will take good care of Mademoiselle Jareau, yes?"

Spencer takes my hand, "Yes."

Mr. Dubois nods approvingly, "I must go. The plane will be leaving in just over an hour. I will see you on Monday Mademoiselle Jareau. Joyeux Noël!"

"Joyeux Noël," I echo back as he bustles away.

"He seems nice," Kate says from behind me.

I smile, "He usually is."

"Are you ready to go?" Spencer asks, squeezing my hand.

I nod.

"Oh, just let me grab my travel mug!" Kate says and hurries back to her desk.

Spencer and I walk slowly to the elevator.

"Do you need to see anything before we leave?" He asks while looking pointedly at Jen's old office.

I shake my head and push the button, "There's nothing to see on this floor. Though I do need to collect my bag from Bobby."

Spencer frowns, "Who?"

I raise an eyebrow, "The female night guard at the front door. She was kind enough to hold on to my go bag. She's been working here for longer than you Spencer."

Recognition lights up his eyes, "You mean Stevens?"

I snort, "Her first name is Roberta."

Spencer shrugs and enters the elevator.

We hold the door for Kate and she pushes the lobby button.

I look down at Spencer feet and see boots, not shoes. A mildly distressing thought occurs to me, "Spence?" I ask quietly.

From the corner of my eye I can see Kate half smile at the nickname.

He looks over at me, "Yes?"

I bite my lip, "Did you drive to work today?"

Spencer's shoulders sag, "I took the subway."

I shiver.

"Is there a problem?" Kate asks.

I sigh, "Did you leave your car at home or at the tube station?"

Spencer snorts, "I see you've been spending time with Emily and Maura."

I scowl.

Spencer chucks me under the chin. "It's not a bad thing. I think it's sweet."
We exit the elevator and walk towards the doors.

I exhale, "The car Spence, where did you leave the car?"

"At home," He sighs, "I'm sorry sweetheart. We can call a taxi."

Kate frowns, "Is something wrong?"
"Catherine doesn't like taking public transportation in the winter," Spencer's lips twitch.

She cocks her head, "Oh, why?"

I flush.

He shrugs, "Too many people not enough space."

I glare at him. "Spencer," I growl forebodingly.

Spencer amends his answer, "And there was that one time she was almost run over by a bus because the driver couldn't see her."

"That happened twice," I grumble as we stop by the doors.

Spencer nods and answers sagely, "Yes, the second time the bus slipped on some ice."

Kate frowns, "Haven't you been using public transportation to get to work?"

I shake my head and my cheeks darken further, "Marie-Pierre and I have an apartment near the University in Lyon, which is next to the Interpol office, so that we can ride bikes to work or walk when we feel like it, instead of having to take public transit."

She smiles indulgently at my answer. "I can drop you off somewhere if you need to change or you can come to Rossi's house with my husband and my niece Meg. They're meeting me outside."

I look away.

Spencer moves into place to block Kate from my sight and whispers, "Would you like to tell Kate the revised rules?"

I shake my head.

He tries again, "Shall I?"

I shrug.

He sighs, "Go get your bag from Stevens. Callahan and I will talk outside."

I nod and walk away.

Reid opens the door for Callahan to exit first. She does and they wait next to the door.

Reid sighs, "My apologies Callahan, Kate, I didn't think you would meet Catherine for several months yet or I would have spoken with you sooner." He frowns, "I was going to surprise her for New Year's but realistically I wasn't expecting her home until the end of May."

"Reid?" Callahan asks with a worried tone of voice.

He continues, "Catherine is JJ's little sister."

She nods, still appearing concerned.

He frowns, "JJ and Catherine's parents were killed in an automobile accident. Catherine, 14 at the time, was in the car."

Callahan inhales sharply.

Reid grimaces, "So I'm sure you can understand why Catherine isn't particularly fond of cars." He pauses, "Though that has been marginally improved since she got her license and is markedly better when she doesn't see any trucks."

Callahan nods.

Reid pulls on his penguin hat, "There were concessions made when JJ took custody of Catherine."

She raises an eyebrow inquiringly.

He smiles slightly, "The team is a family and when not at work we, the team, are to refer to each other by our first names."

Kate smiles back, "I'd noticed, though JJ is still JJ."

Spencer nods, "Yeah, it's usually only Catherine and Emily call her Jennifer or a variation on the name." He glances over his shoulder at Catherine who is still talking with the guard, Stevens, "Catherine was abducted as a young child."

Callahan gasps.

"She was found six months later but it left scars, both physical and psychological …" He trails off. "If you plan to look her up, don't. Talk to Hotch instead. Do not, under any circumstances speak to JJ about Catherine's abduction."

Callahan nods, "I understand."

Spencer continues, "Catherine does not like to be touched."

Kate's lips purse, "Yeah, I got that from the handshake. Though she seems fine with you."

Spencer nods, "Contact she initiates is generally fine, though let go immediately if she starts to panic. I trust you'll be able to recognize the signs."

"Yes," She whispers.

He fiddles with the strap of his bag, "Please don't treat her as a victim. It causes unnecessary anxiety and reminds everyone around her what happened."

She nods.

Spencer sighs, "Do you have any questions?"

"I want to hug her, but after what you just said I know that it is a terrible idea." Kate frowns, "How is she around men? I mean I saw her speak with Mr. Dubois and she appears fine with the guards over there but she obviously knows them."

Spencer sighs, "I have yet to met your husband but no matter what you or I do, Catherine is going to be afraid of him. She was terrified of Hotch and Morgan and Rossi at first, so it's nothing personal, just…" He trails off.

"Instinct," She nods, "And what about you? Was she afraid of you as well?"

Spencer blushes, "No. I've since been informed that Catherine decided to keep me around at the end of the first day I spent with her and JJ."

Kate smiles, "What about kids?"

Spencer smiles, "She likes kids. Catherine has been babysitting Jack and Henry since they were babies."

Kate smiles, "And teenagers?"

Spencer frowns, "I'm not sure I've ever seen Catherine interact with a teenager since she became an adult. I mean she must have, she was a teaching assistant for Alex Blake for a couple of years." He shrugs, "I don't know."

"All right." Kate smiles, "The offer of a ride still stands."

Spencer looks grateful, "Thank you, we'll take you up on a ride to our condo if you don't mind. I can't guarantee anything more than that since I don't know how tired Catherine is. Exhaustion-"

Kate cuts him off, "Makes everything worse."

"Yeah," he mumbles.

Kate looks over his shoulder and panic churns in her stomach, "Quick Reid, tell me something nice about her."

He blinks, "What?"

She sighs, "Tell me something nice about Catherine so that when she comes back in a few seconds I won't only be thinking about all the terrible things that have happened to her."

He frowns, "Well you won't care that she thinks cream cheese icing is disgusting. Oh, I know!" He smiles, "She loves to read, mainly fiction, and she loves pancakes, but only if they have blueberries."

Kate beams at him, "Thank you."

AN: Thank you for reading, please review if you have something to say.