Author's Note: Too all of you that reviewed the first chapter, thank you! Each are greatly appreciated! Now you get to meet my new main character!
This chapter is dedicated to all of my Hotchateer sisters at the CM Rev site. A special shout out goes to TN and the Monkster!
Chapter 2 – A Beginning
As Hotch made his way to the Georgetown University campus, he went over what Dave had told him about the class he was about to be a part of. Georgetown, long renowned for its Psychology Department, it's "star" was the Criminal Psychology studies. Every year, Dave attended a class of senior criminal psychology students that, as he said, "basically pick your brain. They'll want to hear about specific cases. And Aaron, these kids are good. Don't underestimate them."
While Hotch had done his share of recruiting sessions on college campuses, he felt a pang of nervousness at the prospect of facing these students. And he had to admit, their professor as well. Having read all of Dave's books, he knew that Dr. Caitlyn Barkley had been his criminal psychology consultant on the last three. It was Dr. Barkley alone that had made the criminal psychology studies at the prestigious school into one of the best in the country. In that Dave was correct. It was a great recruiting opportunity.
As Hotch followed the directions that Dave had gave him, he parked the Bureau SUV in the designated spot, made his way into the building and up to the fourth floor and the Psychology Department office. As he entered, he was greeted by perky young receptionist that had to be a student. "Good morning sir. May I help you?"
"Good morning. I'm Aaron Hotchner. I'm meeting with Dr. Barkley."
"One moment please. I'll let her know you're here," as she got up from her chair and made her way to one of the offices to the back. She tapped lightly on the door with the Associate Department Head nameplate.
Returning a few seconds later, she stated, "Dr. Barkley will be right with you."
As Hotch got out his thank you with his rare smile, he noticed the woman emerging from the office. Through the years, he had learned never to form a mental picture of any people. But the woman coming towards him was certainly not what he expected.
The willowy, obviously athletic, wavy long dark-haired early 40's female that extended her hand to him looked nothing like a college professor, far less one that had her reputation. "Agent Hotchner, I'm Caitlyn Barkley. It's a pleasure to meet you." Hotch noticed the receptionist/student swivel in her chair at the word "agent".
"The honor is mine Dr. Barkley," Hotch replied, shaking the firmed-grip hand. "I'm sorry I took Dave away from you and your students. I know how much all of you look forward to him being here. He does as well. I simply got out-ranked."
"No apology needed Agent Hotchner. Please come in," Dr. Barkley motioned to her office as she continued. "Dave called me and told me what happened. He said you got caught in the middle. I'm just very grateful that you took time out of your busy schedule to fill in for him. Please," as she waved to one of the two chairs in front of her desk and closed the door, "Have a seat. I'll take your overcoat."
Handing her the coat, Hotch simply replied "Thank you" as he did his profiler scan of Dr. Barkley's office while he sat. It was a continuation of going against what he expected. While the windows at the back of the office were framed by the usual degrees and recognitions expected of a Doctor of Psychology, the wall to Hotch's left had a beautiful painting of ranch scene in a valley, while the wall to his right held a large mosaic of swimming competitions. And as Hotch entered the office he had noticed the filing cabinets on the back wall. Four across by five high.
"Dave also said he filled you in on what is going to happen," she said as she sat behind the neatly organized desk, another misnomer in Hotch's view of college professorship. "The big thing is these students are bright and dedicated. And while I can lecture about the nuances of the psychology of the criminal mind until the cows come home, only when they hear real stories of those minds does it finally click in their heads what I've been trying to teach them. That is why it's so important that they hear someone like Dave, or you, bring that to fruition."
"I hope you understand that I'm not the prolific public speaker that Dave is," Hotch warned. "To be honest, I'll tell you what I told Dave when I offered to come. I'm just trying not to get my boss and my best friend mad at the same time."
Dr. Barkley let out a small laugh. "Agent Hotchner, Dave told me you're trying not to get your ass chewed by your boss as well as him being the pain in the ass that he can be."
That got Dr. Caitlyn Barkley one of the rarest of broad smiles from Aaron Hotchner. "You know our mutual friend too well. And please, call me Aaron."
"Thank you Aaron," she simply replied. "Please know I don't expect you to share every gruesome detail with the students. To that point you can talk in generalities. You know the criminal mind and the buzz words. Just take those buzz words, and talk about a case that fits. You'll be fine," glancing at her watch as she rose from her chair.
"Agent, I mean Aaron, I should warn you about one thing. The receptionist you met, Michelle, is one of the students in the class. And well, she's different," as they made their way out into the corridor. "First off, she prefers to be called 'Mikey' and she is relentless." Hotch noticed that Mikey had been replaced another student.
Hotch let his own small laugh out. "I work with profilers. I know relentless. And I also know 'different' Dr. Barkley."
"Please, I'll meet you on the first name. I'm Cait. And the 'different' would be Garcia?"
Hotch looked Cait in the eye as she led him through the back halls of the building. "How much has Dave really told you about my team?"
Cait laughed as she ushered him into a small hallway with a door that was open to the floor level of a medium size lecture hall. "More than you want to know," as she walked out and motioned Hotch to stand at her right.
"Hey let's bring it down in here," Dr. Barkley intoned as she got her students full attention. Hotch noticed the second she opened her mouth, the room full of energetic college kids went into heads down mode. All eyes were focused on her. "There's been a small change of plans. Agent Rossi was called away to lecture at the FBI Academy. However, I believe that our substitute guest will fill that void. It is my pleasure to present to all of you the Supervisory Agent in Charge of the FBI's Behavior Analysis Unit, Agent Aaron Hotchner."
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