Chapter Seven: Bullies are Cowards and Vice Versa

"Spen! Wait up!" As Reid headed to his desk he heard Persephone's voice and turned his face towards her. She had just come from the lift and was holding two cups.

Persephone ran up to Reid and handed him a coffee. Reid smiled and took to the cup from her... The coffee was welcome. The weather was terrible. The rain lashed down unforgivingly, and the wind was just as harsh.

"Ahh, you're brilliant! I could kiss you." Reid thanked her gratefully. He blushed when he realised what he said. Persephone decided to bail him out by ignoring the later proclamation.

"The weather's a bit miserable this morning. It rivals our lovely British summer. Luckily I always have an umbrella with me and a pack up umbrella." She observed.

Reid chuckled. "You know that London only has 6 rainy days each year and receives a total of 22.976 millimetres of rain annually. It isn't as rainy as people think."

"Yeah but what else would we Brits have to talk about otherwise?" Persephone asked him. She gulped the hot milky tea and smacked her lips satisfyingly. She let it warm her up and take in the full benefits of a well-made brew.

"I thought that there was a distinct lack of good tea in this country."

"Oh, there is but luckily for me that little place you're so fond of also sells some somewhat decent tea. The owner owes me a favour and so she supplies it."

Persephone settled down to work. They weren't on a case but there was plenty of paperwork to be getting on with. Reid was much quicker than her at filling out the paperwork but then he was quicker than everyone. As any Whovian will tell you, time is a strict progression from cause to effect but a big ball of wibbly-wobbly timey wimey stuff. That might explain why it moved so slowly now that Persephone was doing something like so mind-numbingly boring as paperwork.

"Anyone else had enough of paperwork?" Morgan asked after finishing yet another file.

"I had enough about five files ago." Prentiss mentioned

"I'd take a load off you, but I've already got double the files you lot have." Reid replied apologetically.

"Don't worry about it Reid. We can all do our own work." Persephone reassured.

"How is it only 11?" Morgan looked at the clock on the wall and shook his head.

"I can give you an in-depth analysis of how time works and different theories behind it, but I expect that's not what you want." Reid replied.

Morgan snorted likely surprised that Reid had realised that the overload in information was not wanted.

"Anyone else want a break? I'm going off to the gun range." Prentiss asked

"Hell yeah!" Morgan jumped at the suggestion

"Wanna make this interesting? I bet you $40 I can outshoot you." Prentiss offered

"Sure, I could take that payment." Morgan agreed.

Prentiss turned to Persephone. They knew that Reid wouldn't want to join them the gun range was too loud, and Reid didn't spend any longer in that place than he had to. Persephone however might enjoy the reprieve from work, and it would be fun to see how her shooting matched up. He hadn't fired her weapon yet, but she was obviously good enough to be licenced to carry but other than that her skills were unknown.

"You wanna join us, Ambrose? Or be ref?"

It was a tempting offer. While she didn't like having to use her weapon any more than she had to, judging a competition between two co-workers were certainly more fun than paperwork. While she had grown closer with her team since the New Mexico case she wasn't quite ready to start breaking the rules with them. Anyway, the files for the aforementioned case were important and while they could wait, Persephone did not want to risk getting into trouble for delaying them. Besides she had been pretty integral to the last case and it meant that Hotch would require that information sooner.

"I'll have to pass for now. I'm not sure Agent Hotchner will be impressed if he sees me slacking off."

Morgan frowned "We're not slacking off. A break is sometimes needed but we'll get everything done for when Hotch needs it."

"Oh no! I'm sorry I didn't mean to imply that you were! But Agent Hotchner knows about my work ethic just yet and so may infer a few negativities at my absence."

"Hotch won't mind you know. When are you going to stop worrying about being fired?" Prentiss asked.

Persephone sighed. The truth was she didn't know. It wasn't that she had a total lack of confidence in her abilities. You didn't get to be part of the BAU or have such a long career in Interpol without being skilful. No, Persephone knew she was good at her job but sometimes that didn't mean a damn thing. If the higher-ups or your boss decided you weren't worth the hassle then it didn't matter if you were the best at what you did. They would get rid of you. Yes, employee laws forbade unfair dismal but when you were dealing with the power-hunger sharks that Persephone did that they always found a way to do exactly what they wanted. Unfair dismal was a bugger to prove anyway especially in the states. She loved this job. She wasn't about to do anything to risk that. She wouldn't do anything to rock the boat. If that meant staying behind when were co-workers had fun then that is exactly what she would do.

"The only certainty in life is death so my job isn't secure." Persephone reminded them.

"Thanks for that cheery statement, Ambrose. You're a real barrel of laughs. Come on Prentiss bet you $50 I can outshoot you."

Prentiss and Morgan left after that leaving Reid and Persephone in the bullpen. Of course, there were other agents. Persephone knew the names of each person as a matter of politeness but other than that they were unknown to her. It was a while before either of them said anything, Reid seemed to be realised that she wanted to get on with her work. He also wanted to make sure that she was alright.

"Persephone. Look at me."

Persephone wanted nothing more than to ignore Reid, but she couldn't. It would be rude. Not only that but Persephone liked Reid. Even more than that she respected him. He deserved her attention and her eye contact. So, she gave it.

Reid flashed a reassuring smile.

"Hotch is a good man. He wouldn't fire you unless he had to."

"I know. It's not just Hotch I worry about. The higher-ups, the ones with power have ulterior motives. Their outlook is political which means this job is political. So, it doesn't really matter about how good I am at this job or how good Hotch is at his."

"Hotch would fit for any one of us. That means something." Reid argued not wanting Hotch to be considered anything less than a good and loyal man that stood up for his employees. He would fight through hell for every and all of them. He needed her to understand that.

"I'm sure that's true but I haven't earned that protection just yet."

Reid just sighed. At the end of the day, Persephone's skittishness around Hotch and fear of being fired came down to her abandonment issues and other trouble stemming from her childhood. Persephone might think that she was good at hiding things, but they were the best profilers in the FBI for a reason. The rule on inter-team profiling was one that each of them was guilty of breaking. Profiling just wasn't a skill you could just turn off.

"Trust me. You have earned it." Reid answered.

"Thanks, Spen." Persephone acknowledged. She wasn't sure she agreed with him, but Reid had said it with such irrefutable confidence that she knew that he believed it. Reid usually right about well everything.

By the time Prentiss and Morgan had returned it was time to get some lunch. Persephone excused herself to go and prepare her lunch for the day. After heating up the leftovers of the previous night's curry she poured herself a lemonade (the British kind not the American) and settled down to enjoy her lunch break.

Once she had finished she made quick work of the washing up and cleaned the kitchen area up, so it no longer resembled a biohazard. While it wasn't her favourite use of her pastimes it was somewhat therapeutic and as such was a welcome distraction from the monotony of paperwork.

After the impromptu cleaning session, she returned to her desk. The break had done her well as it had refreshed her mind. She greeted Morgan and Prentiss who were bent over their respective files.

"Hey. Who won the shoot-out?" She asked them. Persephone noticed the way Morgan's back straightened and Prentiss smirked to herself. It was obvious who won but it would serve as an olive branch for previous coldness.

"I did." Prentiss confirmed.

"Only by a single shot Prentiss!" Morgan pointed out.

"And I only won $50." Prentiss reminded him holding a small wad of notes in her hand.

"Congrats Prentiss. Commiserations Morgan." Persephone said. She high fived Prentiss before sitting back down. After a few minutes, she spoke again deciding that she needed to apologise for her previous behaviour.

"Look, I'm sorry I was a bit prickly earlier."

"A bit? I'm thinking of calling you Cactus." Morgan joked.

Persephone raised her hands in a placating action. "Ok, I was a lot prickly. I'm sorry. Honestly."

Prentiss and Morgan smiled at her.

"It's fine Ambrose. I get it."

"Don't worry about it Cactus." Morgan eased.

It seemed the nickname had stuck. Well, there were worse nicknames Persephone supposed. The more she heard it the less she hated it. It would properly grow on her. Anyway, she needed to get back to work. Persephone finished another piece of paperwork. She went to file it away but realised that she didn't have the right colour file for it.

"Where do we keep the blue files?" She asked realising that she didn't actually know.

"Err they should be in the stationery closet next to the conference room. You might want to ask Isaac for help though. He's the intern that stocks up that cupboard but is the only one that knows how to navigate it." Reid supplied.

"Yeah, I know who Isaac is." Persephone confirmed "We've spoken briefly but he seems nice."

There were a few nods at this. Isaac was one of the more memorable interns. He was friendly and had a strong moral code. He was a good kid and one day he'd make a brilliant agent.

Persephone got up from her desk and moved towards the stationery cupboard. She looked but there was no sign of Isaac. She imagined that he was likely busy running odd jobs. Persephone saw no point in wasting his time or making him any busier by tracking him down. She was an FBI agent she should be able to find a file by herself.

Ok. Some maybe Reid had a point. It seemed that Isaac's filing system was either chaotic or only made sense to him. Either way, she had been looking for a blue file for ten minutes and found that she couldn't find them. Finally, she spotted them sandwiched between a stack of cardboard boxes and plastic ones. She took half a dozen, filled out the form stuck on the door and shut it.

"I'm sorry sir but that just isn't possible."

Persephone perked up at the sound of Isaac's voice. She turned to face the direction the voice was coming from. He was standing near the door that led to the stairwell. He seemed scared. A quick look at who the intern was talking to showed why. It was Special Agent Sebastian Lester. He stepped towards the intern threateningly. Persephone itched to go over there and sort him out but Hotch's order echoed in her head.

"What do you mean it's not possible boy? All I want is access to some files. Files you are in charge of. I am sure you can give them to me if you put your mind to it!"

"As I've said sir that any request to see the files of a separate floor requires written permission from the Unit Chief of that floor. Once you have this I will be happy to help. I suggest you speak to Agent Hotchner." Props had to be given to Isaac. While it was obvious he was scared he was sticking to his guns.

"You do not suggest anything to me boy! It seems you are far more stupid than I first had you pegged. Now give me what I need, or I will have you fired. Believe me, boy the Academy would be very interested to hear that and would never accept an application from you after that." Lester growled at him. He stepped forward and grabbed the younger man's arm roughly. That was it for Persephone. She could see that he was faltering, and the young man reminded her so much of Ignatius…

He wasn't Ignatius but that didn't mean she couldn't do anything this time. Before she knew it her feet were moving.

"Hey!" Persephone snapped.

Isaac jumped. Persephone took some satisfaction from the fact that despite his training, her voice elicited the same reaction in the agent. It wasn't a surprise. Bullies were cowards and vice-versa. Well not always vice-versa but it was true the majority of the time.

"Are you alright Mr Bolton?" Persephone asked him.

"Yeah, I'm fine thank you, Agent Ambrose." Isaac thanked her. His eyes shifted to Lester the situation with the man still at the forefront of his mind.

"What's going on?" She asked him. She was trying to calm him by offering a distraction.

"What's going on is that Ivan is going to be fired for insubordination."

"His name is Isaac. You will address him as Mr Bolton unless he says otherwise, and I wasn't talking to you so shut it." Persephone turned to Isaac. Lester thankfully decided to be quiet.

"Agent Lester is asking for files regarding case number #4562. Unfortunately, he is not an agent of this floor and as such protocol requires written and signed permission from Agent Hotchner. He does not have this and therefore I am not allowed to comply with his request." Isaac explained.

"It seems to me that it is pretty simple Agent," Persephone concluded.

"I am a Special Agent! He is just an intern! He has to do what I say."

"He is not just an intern. And if we're pulling rank here, I am a Supervisory Special Agent. That means I outrank you which means that when I tell you to piss off you will do just that." Persephone snapped.

Lester bristled under the order that was given. Or that fact that Persephone gave it. Or both. He didn't comply with the order.

"I said piss off Lester. And leave Mr Bolton alone. If you need those files you will go through the proper channels or I will write you up. I do not like bullies Agent Lester. They have no place in the FBI. If I find you bullying or intimidating anyone, I will make you regret it. Are we understood?"

Lester looked away. Persephone could be wonderfully intimidating when she wanted to be. Right now, she wanted to be. She didn't like bullies and she wasn't going to stand around and watch one be unleashed in the FBI.

"Understood." Lester muttered.

"Good. Now get your cowardly self out of my sight."

Lester showed that he did have some brain cells by getting the hell away from the ginger. Persephone smirked as she saw him. She was right. Bullies are cowards and one showdown from someone stronger than them send them running from the hills.

"Are you sure you're alright Mr Bolton? He didn't hurt you did he?"

"No, he didn't Agent Ambrose thank you."

"Call me Persephone Mr Bolton. I am glad you're ok."

"If I'm to call you Persephone, you should call me Isaac."

Persephone smiled and clapped a hand on the young man's shoulder.

"I've taken six blue files from your cupboard. Don't worry I have filled out the sheet on the door."

Isaac smiled.

"I'm glad. People don't really care about it, but it helps me to know what we need to order and when."

"Well if it's one thing I understand it's systems. Look if Lester or anyone else for that matter gives you any trouble you can come and tell me or another one of us."

"Can I extend that to everyone else?" Isaac asked.

"Of course. If anyone's being bothered we'll step in and help out. Why do you know anyone that has any issues?"

"No-one in particular, I just know that Agent Lester has bothered quite a few people."

Persephone nodded. She had a feeling that Agent Lester had bothered quite a few people. If it was up to her Lester would be on the first plane out of here. He'd be lucky to get a job as a security guard. It wasn't up to her of course though.

"Well, you can always come to me if you need any help. Pass me your phone I'll put my number in and you can call me to hang out or to talk. As a friend." Persephone offered.

Isaac handed her his phone and she put her number in.

"Thank you for helping me. Not many agents would do this much to help an intern."

"Then I fear for the future of the FBI. Any agent that would pass helping someone who needs it is not a good one in my book. Providing that the help is legal of course. Besides I'd like to think are friends. And I help my friends."

"Yeah. I'd say we're friends too." Isaac agreed.

"Well we can't stand here all-day chin-wagging, can we? I'm sure you have lots of work to do – the busy life of an intern. I won't keep you from your work any longer. Remember what I said."

Persephone left after that. Isaac wasn't the only person that had work to do. She did too and the pile of paperwork wouldn't get done any sooner.

Isaac watched Persephone leave. She was a good fit for the BAU. He knew nothing about profiling – well not nothing but that was beside the point – but he knew what made a good agent. The personalities were similar to being a good person. Persephone didn't think she was better than he was because of their jobs. She didn't think her work was more important than his. In her mind, he was her equal and she treated him with the same respect he gave her. It was the same for all the members of the BAU though for Persephone it was at a different level. She really did seem to value him as a person. Isaac was certain of one thing: Persephone belonged in the BAU. It might not count for anything, but she had earned his loyalty. He'd pass the word on. Persephone Ambrose was one of the good guys.

"Is everything ok Ambrose? You were ages. Did you find Narnia or something?" Morgan asked when Persephone returned to her desk.

She shook her head and continued to work as she chattered. It was strange. Her pile had gotten mysteriously smaller since she last was at her desk. She looked at Reid suspiciously and noticed that he still had a few files left despite having been nearly finished the last time she saw him.

"You didn't have to do that Spen."

Reid looked like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth and blinked innocently.

"Do what?" He asked

"Take on some of my files. It's much appreciated so thank you."

Reid shrugged his shoulders before going back to work. Persephone supposed that was all the reaction she was going to get and turned back to Morgan.

"Sadly, I did not locate Narnia though I would like to meet Aslan sometime. I did however locate an arsehole named Lester."

"I take it your run in Lester was far from pleasant." Prentiss replied.

"You should be a profiler Prentiss you'd be great at it."

Persephone then proceeded to tell them about Lester and his bullying of Isaac. It didn't go down well. They were FBI agents who hunted down serial killers and helped people on the worse day of their lives. It was their job to protect people. Anyway, they all had a soft spot for Isaac. He was hard working and still had that wide eye awe that people did when they were young. He reminded Morgan of Reid in that respect. In their eyes, Isaac was one of them and if someone was messing with one of their own they messed with them all.

"Well, I'm glad you sent him away with a flea in his ear." Morgan commented when she had finished her tale.

"I would have sent him away with more than a flea if I could." Persephone admitted.

Morgan looked like he wanted to have his own conversation with Lester himself and had she not dealt with him already, Persephone had a feeling that that conversation would be happening sooner rather than later.

"Didn't Hotch order you to stay away from Lester?" Reid asked her, remembering overhearing a previous conversation between the Unit Chief and Persephone.

"Well yeah, technically he did." Persephone acknowledged.

"So technically you disobeyed a director order from a superior." Reid pointed out.

"Hotch is not going to like that!" Morgan whistled.

"What Agent Hotchner doesn't know won't hurt him." Persephone stated though she didn't really believe it herself.

"Tell that to any cancer patient." Reid argued.

"Yeah, and Hotch has a way of finding these things out. He's is the Unit Chief of the Behavioural Analysis Unit." Prentiss reminded her.

Persephone rubbed her face regretfully. Should she go to Hotch and tell him what happened? It might be better coming from her but if he never found out that would have been even better. She could not get fired. She'd barely been at the BAU six months if she got kicked out this early she'd be a laughingstock.

"Oh god. He's going to fire me." Persephone muttered.

"Look, Ambrose. It won't be as bad as you think. We've all disobeyed orders and we're all here to tell the tale. Your order wasn't even given in the field." Morgan comforted.

"Yeah I mean don't get me wrong, he'll properly chew you out, but he won't fire you." Prentiss agreed.

Persephone nodded. She hoped they were right. Her job meant everything to her. She was even starting to get close to her team – Reid especially. Even if it did cost her job she didn't regret defending Isaac. He deserved to be protected and then and at that moment that's what he needed. Lester was threatening him, and she was certain that if she hadn't stepped in it would have gotten physical.

She didn't have time to dwell on the what-ifs and what might happens. There was a whole load of paperwork to get through and she was nearly done. If she was going to get fired then she wanted to make sure that she had everything done on this case first. Persephone Ambrose always tried to finish what she started. That's what made her a good detective and agent. It also made her a pain in the ass but that was just an occupational hazard.