Chapter Three: A Dilemma at Hand

By the time Persephone and the team had arrived back at Quantico, she had begun to accept that she was not dreaming.

"Are you OK in terms of living arrangements?" Hotch asked after she entered his office. He wanted to smooth out a few final details before the next day.

"Yes sir. My hotel room lasts until the end of the week."

Hotch frowned "A hotel room?" he questioned

"Don't worry sir. It's near Quantico and I have a car, so I won't be late."

"No Ambrose, that's not what I meant. I mean that the hotel room isn't exactly appropriate for the long term."

Hotch read his agent's face. It was clear that she thought she was overstepping his mark by asking about it. Maybe he was but Persephone was on his team now, so it mattered to him. She was like Reid in the regard, she pulled out the protective instinct in him. Of course, he cared about each member of the team but both Persephone and Reid seemed to need more protection than the others.

"I didn't think I'd get the job. Hunting for a house or flat would be a bit presumptuous." Persephone retorted her tone showing a hint of disdain.

Hotch was about to comment on that but chose to allow the younger woman to speak.

"I will start hunting for a permanent place to live once the contract has been processed." She explained.

"Right. Well, let me know how that goes. I will see you here, tomorrow, at 10:00."

It was generally accepted that after a case and in the absence of an emergency the team did not start until 10. After all, it was important to rest and if the weekend was a few days away that didn't happen. So, by giving his agents a later starting time it meant that they not only physically but also emotionally and mentally rested.

Hotch watched as Persephone hesitated as if she were unsure as to whether she was being dismissed or not. It seemed as if she were waiting for his direct approval to leave. While the was a rule about profiling each other Hotch subconsciously analysed what that behaviour said about the newest recruit.

"You can go, Ambrose. After cases, we start at 10:00."

Persephone left. She had recognised Hotch's dismissal for what it was, but she wasn't completely certain about it. Every boss did things differently and she didn't want to get in his bad books or his bad side before she'd even officially started. She liked her new team so far, but she wasn't about to break Rule One. She couldn't trust them yet.

Hotch sighed. It was time he went home. Jack would already be in bed by now, but he liked to check in on him anyway. Besides he needed to relieve Jess. Even though he knew she liked looking after Jack it would not be fair to take advantage of her and the young women inevitably had things to do.

As he entered his car, he spotted the wrapper he'd failed to notice previously. It brought his mind back to the newest agent. There was clearly something more to her then he'd previously thought. She didn't seem to trust that her place on the team was guaranteed. It like she was preparing for it to end. It painted a rather bleak picture about her past if that was her default reaction.

'Well.' Hotch thought as he drove away. 'I'll guess I will just have to change that mentality.'

As it turned out Jack was wide awake when Hotch got home. He was tucked up in bed but when his dad opened his bedroom door the young boy had sat up and demanded hugs and a story. Hotch had only been too happy to oblige.

As usual, Persephone arrived at the BAU early. She had a few things she needed to get sorted and wanted to give a good impression of her work ethic. First, she needed to collect her badge and sign the papers that would make her placement on the team official. She would then have to speak to Agent Hotchner to arrange her psychological evaluation and gun qualification as required when changing jobs.

"Persephone!" Garcia called seeing the Brit.

"Miss Garcia. I see that I am not the only one who arrived here early." She greeted

"Oh, my Ginger Pumpkin I thought we agreed on Garcia or Penelope. Kevin, my boyfriend, got called in early so I decided to come in with him."

Garcia passed Persephone her badge, credentials and a bunch of papers. They were the ones that she was required to sign, and Persephone was grateful that she didn't have to hunt them down as she didn't quite know her way around just yet and so gave her thanks.

"I was going to hand these to Daria, the receptionist but then I saw you." Garcia explained "Hotch made a rush on it so even your creds are ready, but your ID badge will have to wait a bit. You know we don't start till 10, right? It's not yet 8:15."

"Early is on time. On-time is late. Late is unacceptable." Persephone quoted a mantra she'd heard many times.

She took the papers, credentials and badge before thanking Garcia again and following her to the bullpen.

"This is your desk. Feel free to personalise it. We tend to put pictures of our family and mine's full of lots of knick-knacks."

"Right. Yes. I'll do that." Persephone agreed with subtle sarcasm.

Garcia gave her a large hug and squealed in the way the Technical Analyst was known and loved for then she headed off to her lair.

Persephone set her bag down on her desk. It was opposite Reid and faced the window which gave her a lovely view of the car park. She settled down to work. The bullpen was gaining in volume as the many agents went about their day's work, walking to the photocopier, printing off work and so on. True she had been told by Hotch that she didn't need to come in until later but that was so the team could rest. The last case had been her first and as she had slept reasonably well despite a man who, abiding by Sod's Law, had not only had the room next to her but had probably been the loudest guest in the hotel. That meant she was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed; she didn't need the extra rest.

It hadn't taken her long to read through her contract and sign them. In fact, by the time she was finished, it had just gone 8:45. She would have time to start on her part of the team's paperwork before the bullpen started to boom with life. Of course, she wasn't on the case in any official capacity, so her stack of papers was by no means the biggest. Hotch though, would still require her statements on certain things including why she had joined them on the case and part of her work history at Interpol.

"You're making me look bad."

The voice had not been expected so Persephone jumped so high in her chair she nearly fell out of it. Her hand shot to her holster, her training as an Interpol Agent kicking in. She turned slightly to observe threat only to spot an apologetic and slightly abashed Dr Spencer Reid standing behind her.

"Sorry." He apologised sheepishly "I didn't mean to scare you."

"You didn't" Persephone insisted "You just startled me slightly."

Reid could have argued that the two were in fact synonyms but thought better of it.

Persephone smiled gently at the young genius. They hadn't had that much time getting to know each other. They were all tired last night and Hotch hadn't joined them for drinks citing his need to go home and check on Jack. Both Reid and Persephone had headed out early promising the group they would arrange for a longer gathering later. The time the two had had together though was enjoyable and the pair seemed to have a few things in common. He liked to read for one and those eyes they were… not important.

"What are you doing here this early?" Persephone asked.

"I could ask you the same question."

"You could. But you didn't. I have asked."

"I'm getting ahead of some work."

"Well, that makes two of us."

Reid chuckled. It seemed that Persephone was very much like himself. He couldn't explain it, a rare but not entirely foreign occurrence, but he found her charming. He went to the break room to pour himself a mug of sugar with a bit of coffee. When he got there, he noticed a new brand of tea and a new electric kettle. There was a handwritten note next to and Reid picked it up.

"What's that?"

Now it was Reid's turn to jump and Persephone's turn to apologise. Reid handed the note to her.

"Well, she got that right," Persephone admitted. She then placed a mug on the counter. Reid was excited to discover that once it had been filled with warm tea a picture of the TARDIS was revealed.

"You're a Whovian?"

"I'm British of course I am."

"Not every British person watches it."

"No, but a lot of them do. And any self-respecting Brit at least knows of it."

Reid smiled again. The more he heard about this woman the more he liked her.

Persephone grinned. Finally, she met someone in America who appreciated the fantastic art of Dr Who. She was beginning to think that they only existed online. The more she discovered about this man the more she liked him. They chattered about all things Whovian as they filled out their respective paperwork.

A weary Hotch strolled into his office at 9:15 where the Unit Chief had his personal coffee maker. Persephone observed his behaviour and decided to give him 15 minutes before approaching her boss. Once the self-allotted time had run out, she walked towards the stairs that led to his office and upon reaching the door knocked softly The voice that gave her entry was a tired one.

"Ambrose." Hotch gave her a welcoming smile. "What can I do for you?"

"I brought you the paperwork I filled out."

Hotch directed her to a chair and told her to sit down. He took the file that had been offered to him.

"So, what time did you get in?" Her boss asked knowing she must have arrived early to have everything ready for him.

"A little before 8:15."

Hotch chuckled "I see Reid isn't the only one who disregards the 10:00 rule,"

Persephone flashed an uncertain smile.

"Have you tried lavender?" She asked a bit randomly. Persephone could swear her mouth moved before her brain gave the OK.

"I'm sorry?" Hotch questioned.

"For the nightmares." She clarified. "I believe having the smell of lavender in the room has been shown to be effective in stopping nightmares and you can get lavender-scented teddies that you can heat up. They're great for kids."

"How did you know about them?"

"You had a book about nightmares in childhood. You obviously love your son judging by how many pictures there are of him, so I put 2+2 together. Dr Reid would know more about this then I do so I'm sorry if I've overstepped my mark and you'd rather ask him about it."

Hotch waved her apologies off and made a mental note to ask Reid about the lavender later. Jack had recently been having nightmares about Haley. He was going to see Garcia about finding the right therapist. He checked the file in silence. That was until he noticed that a section had been left blank.

"You've not filled out the next of kin section. This is probably the most important section. Our job is dangerous and if you get hurt or ill on a case, we need to contact next of kin. " 'Or heaven forbid someone kills you…'

"That might be an issue then sir."

"Why?"

"I don't really have anyone that could fit that criterion."

Hotch decided not to press the issue and tossed the file to one side.

"Well, I still need you to fill it out with someone. How about I give you till next week to pick two people from the team? Let me know who you pick, and I will sort it out on Monday. As for the evaluations does next Tuesday at 10:00 work for you?"

Persephone agreed to the arrangement. She was already considering asking Hotch to be one of the two: it just made sense. As her boss, he'd need to know about these things anyway.

As the week went on Persephone formed an opinion of each member of her team.

Morgan was smarter than Persephone had first pegged him for. It was clear that the team meant a lot to him and she hoped that she would earn his approval soon as it was obvious that he hadn't fully accepted her yet. He was friendly and polite enough, but she was a profiler after all and knew that he just wasn't as warm with her as he was with the rest of the team.

Prentiss was much more welcoming. She was well known and respected back at Interpol. The woman was a professional when the job required it but enjoyed playing around when the time and place allowed. Her excitement over Reid's 'Physics Magic' and her sense of humour was something Persephone appreciated. However, it would be a big mistake to underestimate her, She was certain Prentiss could easily take her in a fight so she wouldn't want to piss off her colleague.

JJ was kind and seemed to accept her as a new member immediately. She could hold her own as a profiler and agent. Persephone was also aware that she had a three-year-old son and she showed endless pride over him. JJ was very protective of her son and would fight until the end of the earth to keep him safe. Persephone respected that.

Persephone hadn't liked Rossi to begin with. She had read a few of his books and there was no doubting his skills, but he was also terribly arrogant. She respected the man's abilities and the fact that he had helped found the BAU, but she hadn't liked his attitude. Nevertheless, he'd shown her that he did respect Persephone's skills and the importance of teamwork. The Italian had complemented Persephone's insights and treated her kindly so she could forgive the arrogance that he sometimes displayed.

Hotch still scared her. He was the Unit Chief and highly regarded at the BAU, so he had the power to kick her out if he felt she wasn't worth the hassle. Despite this, Persephone couldn't help but like him. She knew that he cared about his team and knew when to cut them some slack. Whether that caring attitude extended towards her Persephone didn't know. She would just have to ensure that she never gave him a reason to fire her.

Garcia's personality was as colourful as her clothing. She'd already called her by a few pet names and offered her cupcakes whenever she entered her lair. She had noted Persephone's stiffness and brought it up in conversation. Being the classic Brit, Persephone had apologised profusely which Penelope had interrupted. She promised to help the Brit warm up to the team and told her they weren't a bad bunch. After spotting a Dalek on her desk the pair engaged in a discussion about Doctor Who.

Spencer Reid was the smartest person Persephone had had the pleasure of meeting. She liked listening to the resident genius ramble on about random things that appeared to have very little relevance to the current conversation. He still held a child-like innocence and enjoyment over some things, something Persephone had both envied and long since abandoned. Yet you'd be wrong if you mistook that innocence he had for naivety. Reid knew that the world could be a cruel place and his eyes portrayed the look of someone who had been through a lot.

Out of all the team members, Persephone felt that she related to Reid the most. Two of them had gotten on like a house on fire. In fact, if someone were to ask her when she was in a particularly brave mood, she'd say Reid was a friend of hers. She was not quite ready to say it aloud or to call him her best friend though she didn't have any others.

That weekend, Persephone decided to take a walk in the local park. She had a dilemma at hand. On Monday Hotch wanted to know who she wanted to put for as her next of kin. When she lived in London, she often went to Hyde Park to think. While Quantico Park was nothing compared to Hyde Park it would have to do.

She was observing the ducks when a young boy, maybe three-years-old came careering around the corner. Persephone had just enough time to get out of the boy's way before he whizzed past her. She then noticed that he was about to run into a tree, so she reached forward and gently but firmly took hold of the boy's arm to steady him.

"Henry!" A woman's voice called causing Persephone to curse inwardly. She hadn't wanted the boy to hurt himself but now she would have to explain herself to the boy's irate mother.

Persephone had never been gladder that she had remembered to bring her badge and credentials along with her gun. She needn't have worried however because when she appeared a few seconds later she realised the boy's mother was JJ.

"JJ?" Persephone greeted, the surprising situation causing her to forgo her usual formality.

"Persephone. I see you've met Henry."

"Sorry. I wouldn't have grabbed him, but he was going to run into that tree." Persephone explained.

"Don't apologise. I'm thankful. And, you mister. Don't go running off."

Though she scolded her son there wasn't a hint of anger in her voice.

"Sowwy Mommy." Henry apologised.

"Henry this is Agent Ambrose. She works with me."

"He can call me Persephone. if you don't mind." Persephone offered and JJ agreed.

"So, Henry are you enjoying the park?" Persephone asked.

"Yes! I going to feed the ducks." He declared.

"Are you?"

"Yeah! Pwersephie come with?"

Henry started pulling on her hand, trying to tug Persephone along. JJ was about to object but she stopped when Persephone shook her head to show she wasn't bothered by it. She then knelt to Henry's level and gently removed the small hand that was still trying to tug her along.

"I'd love to feed the ducks with you."

"No bwead. It bad for ducks."

"Oh really?" Persephone's tone was animated. "I didn't know that. What should we feed them instead?"

"Unca Spenca Mix!" he yelled excitedly.

JJ smiled and explained what he meant.

"Reid told us not to feed the ducks bread because it is bad for them, so he helped Henry make some proper feed for them. He calls it 'Unca Spenca Mix'.

"You're Uncle Spencer sounds very clever."

"Unca Spenca know evewything!" Henry nodded eagerly.

"Does he? Well, you will have to show me how to feed the ducks because I don't know. Do you think you can help me?"

"Yes!" Henry answered before turning to his mum. "Feed ducks now?"

"Of course, sweetie but you have to hold onto the stroller or Persephone's hand. OK?"

Henry ran to the buggy and placed a hand on it. He couldn't wait to teach his new friend how to feed the ducks. He was going to be like his Uncle Spencer!

Both Persephone and Henry had enjoyed feeding the ducks. She listened attentively to Henry's instructions and smiled when he said, 'good job'. That was clearly something he heard often.

Now the young boy was playing on the playground under the watchful eye of them both though JJ was closely following him. While Persephone watched from a distance as JJ tickled him, she felt herself being pulled into a memory.

"Ignatius! Cassiopeia!"

Giggling could be heard from behind the bathroom door. Persephone smiled at the sound of it.

"Oh, where can Natius and Opie be?" She asked loudly. "Are they hiding behind the curtains? No. They're not hiding behind the curtains."

"Are they hiding under the sink? No, they're not hiding under the sink."

She pretended to creep to the sofa and leap behind it.

"Oh dear. I thought that for sure they were hiding behind the sofa but they're not hiding behind the sofa."

She went to the fridge and took out the cake she had put there earlier.

"It seems that I cannot find Ignatius or Cassiopeia anywhere. What a pity! I suppose I will have to eat this delicious chocolate cake all by myself."

That did it.

The bathroom door swung open and a girl and boy both with ginger hair and green eyes thundered into the open-planned kitchen/diner. They giggled even louder and ran into Persephone's arms.

"NO! NO! We want cake too!" They shouted in unison.

Persephone sighed.

"Ok. I suppose you can have some. But first… I got to tickle you!" And she started her attack as the tickle monster until the three of them had had enough.

"Come on." She said pulling them up, gently. Let's have some cake."

"Raaa!" Henry yelled as loud as a three-year-old could, imitating a lion.

Persephone jumped having not expecting the sudden noise. It had not helped that he had jumped right in front of her. While the Henry was far from a threat, her instincts were nearly brought out in her.

"Henry!" JJ Scolded gently "Be careful."

"Oh, don't worry about it." Persephone insisted and stared down at the little boy fondly. She could hardly be angry at a young boy who was only playing.

"Hey, Henry." She greeted, crouching down to the boy's level "Have you heard a lion anywhere?"

Henry grinned and nodded.

"You have?" Persephone leaned in a bit. "Where?"

"Here!" He yelled and roared loudly.

"Ahh! A lion! Help!"

Persephone let Henry chase her, listening to the shrieks that the boy made. JJ joined in and the three of them enjoyed a game of chase. Of course, the two profilers limited their pace to one a three-year-old could keep with, so Henry caught them a few times. Henry could probably go on for hours, the way a three-year-old can but both JJ and Persephone had to call it quits and take a breather.

JJ looked towards Persephone.

"Henry seems to like you a lot. You're very good with kids. Do you have any experience with them?"

"You could say that." Persephone replied cryptically.

"Well, I am glad we bumped into you." JJ told her.

"Mommy I hungry." Henry announced and his stomach rumbled.

"Oh, are you? I guess we'd better feed the lion then." JJ ticked her son's tummy before picking them up.

"We're going home and to get some lunch for this hungry boy. Would you like to join us?" JJ asked.

Henry interrupted before Persephone could answer.

"Please Pwersephie come to my house!" Henry begged

"Henry." Warned JJ "Persephone might be busy."

"No, I'm free and I would love to come to lunch."

"Would you like that Henry?"

"Yes! She my friend. Unca Spenca too!"

"You want Uncle Spencer to come too?"

Henry nodded vehemently.

"Well I can call but Uncle Spencer might say no."

Uncle Spencer A.K.A Reid was not busy and happily joined them for lunch. Persephone enjoyed their company. Will, JJ's husband, had come home just as it was time for Henry's nap and the two of them took him upstairs to bed. This left Reid and Persephone time to chat.

"Dr Reid, may I ask you to do something?"

"Persephone, I consider you my friend. Call me Reid or even Spencer. Ask away."

"Spencer." Persephone tried it out on her tongue. It sounded right so she continued.

"I need someone to put down as next of kin. I've already got Agent Hotchner if he agrees but I need a first. Would you mind doing that?"

If Reid wondered why she needed to find someone to put as her next of kin, he didn't ask. Persephone was thankful for that. She definitely wasn't ready to go into that topic yet.

"I'd love to!" Reid responded smiling to show Persephone he meant it.

On Monday she would give Hotch her answer. Did that feeling she kept having meant she was starting to trust Spencer? She hoped not. Trusting people only led to hurt and disappointment. She'd have to be careful. Now was not the time to start knocking down her walls. They were there for her protection and that was a good thing, right?