A/N: Hey everyone, I have returned to you. I am currently almost caught up with the wonderful show that is Criminal Minds; so naturally, I had the inspiration for a fic. Please be aware that I have not finished Season 9 at the moment, so anything I write that is not entirely accurate, I would love your forgiveness. That being said, I have had this idea for a while. I absolutely adore these characters and I am so excited to give writing them myself a try.

I do not own Criminal Minds; I am not even an FBI Agent or anything badass like that.

Enjoy x

Penelope bounded through the hallways of the BAU, her purple and green, anything but sensible heels, clicking away with ease. She held this morning's case closely to her side in a manila envelope, while simultaneously tossing her curly blonde locks to the side. She pushed through the clear doors leading to the conference room, smiling to herself.

Morgan, catching her mischievous smirk, looked at her, perplexed, "What are you so happy about this early, baby girl?"

She raised her eyebrows, trying to remain coy, "Hm?"

Morgan, never being too fond of secrets, got up out of his chair and walked towards her.

"Aw, come on now, don't be like that. I got up at the break of dawn to come here to hear you present a depressing case. What's the giddiness all about?"

Garcia playfully looked away, "You know, just because we are soul mates doesn't mean that I have to tell you every little detail of my life, Derek."

Derek returned her remark with a humorous glance, them both well aware that they told each other anything and everything, even if it was better left unsaid.

"Okay, okay! I surrender to your chocolate charm," Penelope said.

"Now that's what I like to hear. Go on, spill it," Derek pressed.

"A little Italian birdie, or should I say, stallion, told me that someone is returning to our family today," she said.

Suddenly, all of Morgan's focus changed into one serious, quizzical glare.

"You're kidding."

"Oh, honey, I only play nice this early in the morning."

She swiftly turned away from him, beginning to set up the file on the table.

Morgan, left to contemplate, remained standing, as more members of the team filtered into the room.

"Henry is beginning to think that if Mommy gets up at four in the morning, it's automatically time for pancakes," JJ said, rubbing her eyes.

Spencer walked beside her, "Actually, the average American sits down for breakfast at around 7:31am on the weekdays. So, he's only about three and a half hours off," Reid stated.

JJ, taking a big sip from her coffee cup and sitting down replied, "Well would you look at that, I gave birth to a near genius," she said with a smile.

Reid noticed that there was an empty seat next to him.

"Hey, Morgan, are you presenting with Garcia today? Let me just warn you, the remote is a little touchy. But I think if Hotch had given me just two more seconds to figure it out when I presented -," Reid started.

"Uh, no kid. I've been standing up here because, apparently, Penelope doesn't want to share with the class. Isn't that right, Garcia?"

"Share what with the class? The case? Well, I saw Rossi in the break room, and Hotch in his office, so we should be able to start any minute," JJ said.

"The case will be shared my minions, but you'll have to sit tight for the surprise," Penelope said, matter-of-factly.

"See what I'm talking about?" Derek asked the other members.

"I've never been one for surprises," Reid said.

"Hey! You seemed happily surprised when we forgot your birthday and then remembered it with a surprise party," JJ challenged.

"People find it very hard to live with guilt, such as the guilt as forgetting an important date having to do with a loved one. I knew you guys would never live it down, so I was only slightly caught off guard," he retorted with confidence.

JJ gave him a playful, "thanks," nudge on the arm.

"Anyway - this one might catch you by surprise, Reid. Come on, sugar, spill to them what you told me," Derek said.

Garcia threw her papers down on the desk, and smoothed her lilac skirt down in frustration.

"Since you all, and by you all I mean, Derek, have been so persistent with me, I will unleash the secret that I was instructed by Agent Rossi to keep. Buckle your seat belts. Hear ye, hear ye! At sometime this morning, an old team member will greet us. And they will be taking their respective seat at this round table, for however long they desire to stay with us."

"Well, who is it? I mean, Rossi told you who it was, right?" Spencer asked eagerly.

"Come on, Spence, there are only a small handful of possibilities here. There's obviously Emily, then there's Elle, by a long shot -," said JJ.

"God, I hope it's Prentiss," Morgan said, returning to his seat.

Garcia looked down at the remote for the conference room screen and quietly said, "Oh, I hope so too."

"But how could it be? Last thing we heard was how great she was doing over in Europe. I doubt she would backtrack after everything that happened with Ian," JJ stated, trying not to get her hopes up.

Reid stepped in, "Yeah, but we're her family. You always come back to family in the end, right?"

JJ offered a light smile to Reid, "In the end, yes, but Prentiss is just getting started."

"Okay. So let's say it's not Prentiss. Are we thinking it's Elle? After all of these years?" Derek inquired.

Garcia shook her head, "No. No, she would never come back. At least not the Elle we all knew. That girl was tough and adamant - she's not going to come back to the place where she nearly died."

"Honestly..we've all sort of had a rather impressive near-death count, if you think about it," Spencer said.

"Kid's got a point, and here we all are. Alright, my money's on Elle. But my fingers are crossed for Prentiss," Derek said.

"Are we seriously placing bets right now, guys?" JJ asked, rolling her eyes.

"Wait. We're forgetting someone, I know we are," Reid said.

JJ raised her eyebrows, and then caught on.

"When I left...there was someone else, wasn't there?"

"You don't think it's -," Garcia began.

"Hang on, hang on...I got it!" Morgan said triumphantly.

At the moment of his epiphany, a series of footsteps entered the conference room.

"Good morning, everyone. Today, Rossi and I would like to welcome a past team member back on board," Hotch said as he gestured behind him.

"And she is very happy to be back - this time as an officially trained FBI Agent," Rossi commented.

Behind the two men, stood a familiar blonde with a delicate smile.

"Ashley," Reid said awkwardly, completing Derek's epiphany for him.

You might see where I am going with this, and if you were a fan of it, I would love it if you stuck around and maybe even dropped a review! I have a rough outline for the case that will be featured in the story so don't worry - I will try to make it as traditional as possible (although I am always better at relationships and character conflict).

Until the next update x