New Family, New Chances
Chapter 4
I don't own any recognizable characters.

"We did it," Reid said dully.

"But at what cost? Two more women, two more Fireside Girls, died. And we lost Emily," I responded, only a little more expression in my voice. "I still can't believe she's gone," I whispered, burying my head in my arms.

"None of us can Baby Boy," Garcia said, wrapping her arms around my shoulder.

"I just want to be home," I said, leaning into her.

"We will be soon."

...

"Team, this is your new member, make him feel welcome," Strauss said.

I kept my head down, listening as our new team member made his way to his new, Emily's old, desk between mine and JJ's.

There was quiet for a moment. JJ spoke first.

"Hi, I'm Jennifer, you can call me JJ."

"I'm Ben," the man said. His voice had a familiar rasp to it. As I puzzled over the man's voice, the other's introduced themselves.

With a sigh, I pushed myself up and stood next to JJ. "I'm..." I said, trailing off as I took in the man. "Buford?" I asked quietly.

The man, who had been looking enviously at Morgan and Reid, instantly turned to face me. "How do you know my name?" he hissed viciously.

I stepped forward slowly, "Buford, look at me," I said, letting my accent, which had faded a bit over the past six years, seep back into my voice.

"'Jeet?" he asked, his eyes growing wide. "Wha...what? How?"

I smiled sadly, "Heartbreak is the best motivator."

"I came by your house on Monday after you didn't show up for school. Figured you had a cold or something, but it was empty. I called your cell but it had been disconnected. All the e-mails I tried to send came back to me. You never called. What happened?"

"My parents found out. They canceled my phone, watched my every move. I tried to contact you, but they were everywhere," I said. Garcia put her hand on my shoulder and I smiled at her.

"But six years? After you turned 18 why didn't you come home?"

"I was distracted, first by school then by my job. FBI at 20 is a record. When we went to Danville for a case last month, no one knew where you'd gone."

"I couldn't stay. Every where I looked, there was something that reminded me of you. I had to leave."

I was quiet for a moment. Garcia took her hand off my shoulder, pushing me towards Buford. I heard the others scuffling behind me. I guess they were going to give us some privacy.

I stood awkwardly for a moment before it was quiet behind me. Buford stood up. He seemed even taller than the last time I had seen him. I reached out and put my hand softly on Buford's arm.

"You were gone 'Jeet. For six years. I thought something had happened to you. I...I thought you hated me," Buford said, looking close to tears.

"What made you think that? I could never hate you Buford. I love you," I said softly, wrapping my arms around his waist.

Buford instantly wrapped his arms around me in return. "I knew you did, but after the first few months...I began to wonder."

"I'm sorry, Buford. I'm so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. Can you ever forgive me?" I asked, looking up at Buford.

"I already did," Buford said smiling.

I grinned, "I love you Buford."

Buford's smile grew even bigger, "I love you too 'Jeet," he said, giving me a gentle kiss.