Disclaimed!
So here's the first chapter of the sequel. I read some of the comments from 'Talking is overrated' and I'll try and add some of those thought into this fic. I don't think there will be any pairings but please feel free to read into anything you want :D
Enjoy!
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The elevator doors slipped open on the ground floor. A couple of agents stepped out, ignoring the tall man waiting for the small compartment to reach his floor.
Grateful that the elevator was empty on its return up the building, once the steel doors closed, Hotch rested against the cool mirror and took a deep breath.
The former agent was uncharacteristically casual. Still dressed in one of his statement suits, the blue shirt underneath the black suit jacket was opened at the neck, and he wore no tie.
It had been four days since he called JJ from his ex parent's in-law house after receiving an unusual phone call.
Hotch blinked a few times, attempting to control the surge of nerves as he began to silently fret over his return to the Virginian office and seeing his somewhat estranged team once again.
Since his BAU team had been disbanded thirteen months prior, Hotch's life had changed dramatically. The once again prosecutor had packed up his life in DC and moved his young son to New York, forged a new career and had even gone on a few disastrous dates.
The suburbs of DC held memories for the lawyer, some good, but all clouded by the memory of his dead ex wife and his team that had combusted into flames, destroying the family they once had. After Strauss had made the decision to revamp the BAU over a year ago, Hotch had felt helpless. He was no longer in control and by moving he was regaining some sense of balance in his life.
His brother was in New York and Jack had instantly thrived in the new environment. The sight of his father moving on, helped the little boy to realise he could be happy too.
JJ was a big help. The blonde was going through the same motions, moving with her son to a new place without the security of the BAU and through the Pennsylvanian, he got back into law.
JJ got him in touch with a friend of hers who was a former DA and owned his own legal practice, and somehow the profiler re found his love of practicing law, even if he missed profiling.
JJ was also his link to the team.
A team that was no longer his, instead Morgan held the reigns of the first BAU team.
Hotch had been in contact with Morgan in the beginning. Giving friendly advice and showing his support for the younger man's new position.
Then life continued and the phone calls decreased.
Garcia called regularly, but only because she had heard from JJ what he'd been up to and the eccentric analyst wanted to keep Hotch up to date with the rest of the team's shenanigans.
Rossi usually phoned once a month to check in, whereas Prentiss and Reid would email their previous supervisor once in a blue moon.
Then four days ago, came the phone call.
The elevator doors parted slowly and with hesitance, he turned left down the corridor. The dark haired man froze at the sight of a few of his colleagues in the waiting area.
Rossi and Prentiss were in deep conversation as they sat on the black leather chair's that were pressed against the greying walls.
Morgan and Garcia were laughing at one of the names on a portrait of a former Bureau director that hung on the wall opposite the row of chairs in the narrow corridor, while Reid distanced himself from the rest of the group as he cradled his phone to his ear, finding solace away from the inevitable small talk.
Feeling a hand pressed against his shoulder. Hotch turned slightly, a smile twitched his lips as JJ came to stand beside him securely holding a coffee cup in her perfectly manicured hands. "Thank god you're finally here."
"I'm the last one?" Hotch asked as he kissed the blonde's cheek.
JJ nodded grimly. "You used to hate tardiness if I remember correctly."
"Where's Henry?" Hotch stepped into stride with the blonde as they continued down the corridor towards the rest of their former colleagues.
JJ lowered her voice not to warn everyone of their presence. "Will came to Portland to babysit."
"Really?" Hotch raised an eye, knowing JJ's family life had fallen to the curse of many FBI agents before her.
"Henry comes first." JJ replied warmly. "How's Jack?"
Before the suited man could respond, the technical analyst made everyone jump as she let out a short squeal at the sight of her former unit chief walking towards them. "Hotch! You're here."
The eccentric blonde still continuously attempted to pick up the pieces created by the last case they all worked together as a team, as any good Fairy Godmother would, but she had been vocally dissatisfied by the small progress her group of friends had made in twelve months.
Garcia told Hotch about Rossi's retirement and new book contract, Morgan heard from his baby girl that Prentiss was going on sabbatical and wanted to travel. She called Rossi one late night to tell the veteran agent about Reid's new team in DC and often got in touch with JJ, usually just for plain old gossip or, more often than not, wanting updates from the previous BAU liaison on Hotch's personal life, that he wasn't comfortable giving others, such as his venture back into the legal system.
The blondes face broke out into a wide grin as she collided with the much taller professional and dragged him into a lung piercing hug. "Garcia. Everyone."
Hotch nodded to the rest of the congregated former colleagues but only shook Morgan's hand as the younger man, and successor, moved forward to greet him. "Have you all been here long?"
"Feels like forever." JJ muttered under her breath in a smirk, as the rest of the team shook their heads politely.
An uncomfortable silence took over the group as everyone stood awkwardly in the middle of the corridor.
A few moments later, everyone's eyes widened after the sound of a door opening revealed a memorable face.
Dr Lauder, the man who suggested the original team should be disbanded, smiled at the unenthused faces.
His thick Texan accent, sounded more amused than anything else, as he signalled for the motionless men and women to follow him. "Shall we get started?"
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Let me know what you think!