Disclaimed!

I think my uncertainty about the Seaver character might have influenced this chapter a little bit.

Let me know what you think!

...

Looking down into the bullpen, JJ watched as Reid, Seaver and Morgan were deep in conversation around Reid's desk space, with files in their hands and frowns on their faces.

The sun had just set, and the temporary supervisor had spent most of the day fielding calls and writing up reports. After dividing up the case files, JJ picked up one pile and opened her office door. Her three colleagues glanced up to the balcony and met JJ's warm gaze. "Guys, start thinking about packing up for the night and get some rest. We had a long day yesterday."

Watching them nod and slowly move to their own desks, JJ moved towards Rossi's office door and tapped lightly before walking in. "Hey Rossi, here's your consults you need to sign off on."

"Thanks." Rossi took the files off the blonde and retook his seat behind his desk. "How you doing, kiddo?"

"I'm fine Dave although, I find being called kiddo a little patronizing." JJ smirked as she rested her hand on the back of the guest chair.

Chuckling, the experienced agent nodded apologetically. "Sorry."

"It's okay." JJ bit her lower lip hesitantly as they continued their eye contact. "Are you okay with me being here?"

"Of course I am. We all are. It's just a big change." Rossi admitted gruffly.

JJ tilted her head slightly. "Of course it is."

"But you're doing a great job. As always." Rossi complimented.

JJ paused slightly as he raised his eyes in wonder as to why she wasn't moving. "The only reason Hotch didn't ask you to take the position was because he didn't think you wanted it."

"I wouldn't have. I also know that Morgan isn't in the right mind frame to take on the responsibilities again." Rossi stated knowingly.

JJ nodded through a shrug. "Things have changed around here."

Rossi slanted his head at the blonde's distant gaze. "Everyone seems to be coping."

"I talked to Seaver earlier." JJ began sensitively. "She's a little... green."

"You don't like Seaver?" Rossi asked with a quirked eyebrow.

"I like her fine, I just feel sorry for her. You guys kind of threw her into the deep end." JJ explained diplomatically.

Rossi scoffed dryly. "Hotch wouldn't have signed off on it..."

"If he didn't have too." JJ concluded softly. "I think she has the potential to become a great profiler, I just think she's being put in a position that would usually take years to achieve."

"She's a fast learner." Rossi added with a shrug.

"Maybe she should have had experience elsewhere first." The Pennsylvanian suggested delicately.

"Did you?"

JJ bit her lower lip and took a seat opposite the profiler. "I had two and half years with one of the bureau's most high profile division's during a period of intense scrutiny by the media after several years working in the press while accumulating two degrees before I was asked to join one of the most elite teams in the FBI for seven years after the death of six agents. Seaver has a degree and her graduate training. I'm not saying she's incompetent or not meant to be here, I'm just worried about her coping in such a stressful environment."

"She's a good agent. She wants to be a good profiler, where better than to learn than here. Beside's Reid came straight from graduating." Rossi assessed as he watched the blonde cock her head in thought.

"You and I both know Reid was an exception but that doesn't mean he should have just jumped straight into things. Maybe he would have excelled in the field sooner as much as he excels in academia, if he was given an opportunity to work in a predominantly field work team and gain better interpersonal skills rather than being instated here." JJ remarked sincerely.

Rossi smirked. "You honestly believe that?"

"The team has been through so much Rossi. I don't want Seaver to rush into BAU life and burnout." JJ stressed as she stood.

Rossi cleared his throat, stopping the blonde from leaving the office. "I'm keeping tabs on her."

"Because of her father?" JJ raised an eye as she rested against the door.

Rossi ginned smugly. "This team is full of agents with Daddy issues."

"True, but not everyone on the team has a serial killer as a father." JJ countered as Rossi dumped the files she just handed him onto another pile of papers.

The greying profiler met the younger woman's concerned expression determinedly. "Her history makes her a unique asset to the team."

"If anything that makes her a liability." JJ pursed her lips as she saw the change in her friend's demeanour.

Rossi stiffened in his seat as he replied. "Are you gunning for her to fail?"

JJ took a breath and took a step further into the room. "No, Dave of course not, I just want the team to be able to gain the strength we used to have."

Shaking his head, Rossi stood, scrubbing his beard in frustration. "No offence JJ, but you haven't be around here to deal with all of the changes."

"You're right, I haven't but I'm here now and I don't want to let Hotch down by letting the team down." JJ smiled solemnly before opening the door.

The acclaimed author sighed assertively. "You couldn't."

JJ's smile widened when she called back as she moved through the doorway. "I'm just next door, if you ever need to talk."

Chuckling at his younger counterpart's concern, Rossi shook his head mockingly. "I have the scotch, if you need it."

...

Thanks for reviewing; Everleigh, jjprentiss, egoofy34 and mummacass!