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Chapter Forty:
Rayburn took a deep breath as she stood before the Director and several department heads. It was now or never. Her product of endless hours of work was about to make its debut.
"Ladies and gentlemen," she said. "The following is the newest recruitment tool for the FBI. I'll let the video speak for itself from this point on. Thank you."
Spencer Reid appeared on screen in a single-room shack.
"Hi, name is Dr. Spencer Reid. For nearly three days, I was tortured in a structure similar to this while working on a case as a profiler in Georgia. I was pumped with a narcotic and became a drug addict as a result. I looked into a pit of despair and nearly let it engulf me. But what pulled me back was my team of compassionate agents.
You're going to meet a variety of agents in this video pushing for you to join the FBI in some capacity. What I would like to urge you to consider is, that should you pursue a career with the FBI you may face many terrible dangers along the way, but you are never alone. I love the people I worked with and I guarantee that you if come in with an open mind, you will do the same. I hope you find the video useful as you continue your journey in discovering who you are and maybe find a reason to believe you belong with the FBI."
The video continued on to discuss the various departments and careers. Rayburn was literally working up to the last twenty minutes, editing and adjusting Reid's segment. She thought it worked out perfectly.
There was a smattering of applause at the end.
"I'll take any questions if you have them," Rayburn said.
"Why did you choose Dr. Reid to present at the beginning?" a department head asked.
"Initially, I had chosen section chief Jareau to represent the BAU and the more I talked with her the more I realized how integral a role Dr. Reid played in her development as agent and a leader. I have crossed paths with him before and found him to be a very engaging speaker. His openness about his addiction appealed to me as I believe this audience wants someone who is relatable."
"Thank you," the department head said.
"I have a question about the White-Collar segment," another head said, and Rayburn mentally sighed in relief. The segment worked as she had hoped.
"Thank you, Dr. Rayburn," the Director. "I'll get back to you with my formal analysis in three days' time."
"Thank you," she said.
…
Reid and Jenna went to the cemetery with flowers.
"I'm beginning to forget her voice," Jenna said.
"So am I," Reid said. "I can't remember voices as well."
"Dad," she said slowly. "What do you think mom would think of the women you've dated?"
"I think, she would have told me Felicia was a mistake and that Addison is who I should have stayed with from the beginning. I didn't give that relationship enough of a chance."
"Really?"
"Really."
Jenna looked at Jane's headstone. Reid looked to Jenna.
"No one is ever going to measure up to your mother Jenna. I had to make peace with that in order to move on. She will always be perfect in her own way and no one can touch that."
Jenna hugged him.
"You're a good father, dad," she said. "Mom would be proud."
He hugged her back.
"You're a good daughter, Jenna. You're fierce and strong and everything a father and mother could want in a daughter."
"Even when I'm being a bully?"
"Even when you're showing anger you don't know how to control yet."
"I love you dad," she said.
"I love you too, Jenna."
…
Stephanie hopped into Rayburn's car after school.
"So, how'd it go?" she asked.
"Since when do you keep track of my work progress?"
"Since you sent me to cousin Anne in the middle of the night to shoot some last-minute changes. There's a smile in your voice. I can tell it went well."
Rayburn turned to face her daughter.
"He said it was the best video he had ever seen to come out of the recruitment department," she said beaming.
"That's awesome mom!" Stephanie said. "Did he say anything about Mr. Reid's section?"
"He said it was the highlight of the video."
"Wow, mom that is great!" she said. "Are we going to celebrate?"
"Yes, I made reservations at an Indian food place."
"You don't usually go for Indian food," she said. "Does Mr. Reid like it?"
…
"Mom hated Indian food," Reid said. "She tried making it when she found out she was having you and nearly gagged on it."
"I didn't think mom hated anything," Jenna said.
"She also hated spider and bees even as I explained the environmental benefits."
Jenna saw Rayburn and her daughter approaching their table. Stephanie looked thrilled about something while and her mother was trying not to smile.
"So, are we going to fight?" Stephanie asked as she grinned.
"You know I could beat you without breaking a nail," she said.
"I dare you too," Stephanie said trying not to laugh.
"Bring it."
"Girls!" Reid and Rayburn said together.
Both girls burst out laughing. Once they stopped Stephanie held out her hand.
"Truce?"
Jenna put her hand forward.
"Friends."
Rayburn sighed. "Who wants to hear about my video?"
"It was a hit because of you Mr. Reid!" Stephanie said.
"Steph let me tell the story. You were the highlight of the video. Those were the director's direct words."
Jenna a hugged Reid.
"I'm proud of you, dad," she said.
"I couldn't have done without you, Jenna," he said.
"What a lovely family," the hostess said.
"Um, we're not a family," Rayburn said. "Just friends."
"For now," Jenna said.