"I do not believe it to be in this office's best interest to keep you here…"
Crap…I was being fired. My hair was itching the back of my neck. If my hair being down is getting me fired, I'm going to be pissed!
"You went beyond what was requested of you and you failed to complete your duties at your office due to you being preoccupied by work that was not designated for you."
"Sir… you sent me to DC because I'd already gotten ahead in my work…so it was already completed…"
Oh no… I'm crossing the line. I tried not to be defensive but I was not going to let myself get fired for this!
"Ms. Scott-" Willington started, looking at a paper on his desk.
"Agent Scott," I corrected him. Oh shit… foot in mouth, just shut up already!
He looked up at me irritated.
"Agent Scott," he began again, "it is in this office's best interest, and yours, for you to be transferred immediately to another location."
I pursed my lips to keep from yelling. Willington was always a jerk, but to come down to this? I really underestimated him.
"I've looked into other positions for you and-"
"Agent Scott has already been reassigned," a voice came from the doorway.
I knew the voice so I dared not turn around. It was Hotchner. I wasn't sure were my loyalties should lie at the moment so I stayed where I was.
"Agent Scott has been transferred immediately. The paperwork will be coming to you as a copy. It has already been approved," he continued.
Willington glared at him behind me. I wasn't sure if Hotchner was helping him or me.
"What are you talking about?" Willington spat, "Her reassignment is coming from my office, it is under my control and approval."
"No, it's not," Hotchner said coolly, "It has already been taken care of, it is out of your control. You'll get the paperwork."
Willington turned a shade between red and purple. He was furious. Oh thank god my reassignment wasn't under his control.
"Scott," Hotchner commanded. I almost felt like a dog being called to follow it's master. Between Hotchner and Willington, however, I'd gladly pick Hotchner.
Without making eye contact with Willington, I followed Hotchner out.
In the hallway, I looked at him for an explanation. He continued to walk but did not make eye contact.
"After Myers was arrested, I spoke with Willington about the work you did with us and I wanted to make sure you were spoken of as highly as possible. Rather than appreciate the praise you were getting, he was bitter and preferred you to be reassigned. I believe he was angry that he was not asked to work on the case. Regardless, after our discussion, I called Quantico and ensured you a position there. It has already been approved."
"Oh…" I was stunned. Quantico? Where was I supposed to live? What was I going to be doing?
"I appreciate all the work you've done with us and the position you'll be entering should be quite suitable for you and your talents," Hotchner continued.
"Oh…" I was still speechless.
"This is a rare offer, Agent Scott. I suggest that you accept it and fulfill your role quickly," he said.
Crap! He thinks I'm being ungrateful!
"I understand, Agent Hotchner, thank you very much. I appreciate your concern during this situation… sir… what position am I assuming?" I asked hesitantly.
"Your position is at the Quantico office. It is an extension of the BAU. We cannot add agents into our field team but we need agents at the office who continue to work on our cases. We receive a lot of potential cases, some of which we take and some of which we cannot. JJ handles most of that and decides which are the ones we start on. That is becoming a job in itself. That is what you'll be doing."
My eyes lit up. Paperwork! Yes! Case files! Yes! Not having to go out and chase the bad guys! YES!
"You're pleased…" Agent Hotchner deduced.
"Yes, sir," I say, trying to quell my enthusiasm, "That sounds right up my alley."
Oh no… that was way too formal to say to Agent Hotchner. He seemed off guard and uncomfortable.
"Good. I expect you in DC within the week," he stated, marching off to find the team.
Oh god… I'm leaving Kansas City (thank goodness!). But I'm moving to DC? And working as "an extension" of the BAU? Double awesomeness!
I let myself have a big smile. My phone buzzed in my pocket. Garcia?
"Yes, Garcia? Did the team tell you what happened?"
"Yes, yes, but more importantly, I get to see your bright and shining face back here in a few days! Excitement aside, a great big WOOHOO, I've called a moving company and they're on the way to your apartment as we speak. Your neighbor has your keys and is letting them in. They'll be moving everything to DC as soon as possible. I checked the details on your apartment there and found you one here, close to the Metro, bigger, all the comforts of home, and for a cheaper price. Just tell me you love me!" she said brightly.
I was stunned…
"Say it!" she said more argumentatively.
"Oh Garcia… you are the master of all things. You could rule the world," I said, still unbelieving she was moving my whole life into boxes from states away.
"Tell me something I don't know," she purred contentedly.
"I won't be terrified that you somehow got all this information about me, as well even the keys to my home, but I'll instead be satisfied and happy that I don't have to do it myself!" I said, trying to be excited instead of horrified.
"All part of my charm," she said, "By the way, the team should be tackling you in 3, 2-"
"THERE SHE IS!" Morgan boomed behind me. My phone fell to the floor.
"Sorry, Garcia, you know how he gets," JJ said into my phone, picking it up.
The team surrounded me with high fives and pats on the back. I felt embarrassed and overwhelmed. I did not like being the center of attention.
"It'll be great to have you," Prentiss offered with a smile.
"Where's Reid?" Rossi asked, staying at the back of the crowd around me.
"He said he had to get something before we left," Morgan suggested, pulling his cell phone out to call him to check.
Hotchner calmed everyone down. I figured he was always like this.
As the team prepared to leave, they continued to remind me that they would be seeing me in a few days. They gathered their bags and started towards the jet. Walking into our make-shift command center, I started to pack away the files. Case closed, time to move on.
I heard a shuffle at the doorway. I lifted my head up and waves of hair fell across my face. I swooped my arm down and flung them back out of the way. It was Reid.
"Hey," he said, out of breath.
"Hey," I returned, smiling, "Your team is leaving."
"Yeah," he said, "kind've… I mean you're still here… I heard…congratulations!"
He smiled genuinely. I returned his expression again.
"Anyway, I know I'll see you in a few days, but I got you something. It's kind've like a welcome/thank you gift. Welcome to the almost team, welcome to DC, thank you for helping me… well… it's just… here," he said, stammering.
He held out a small white box, smaller than the palm of my hand. Reid looked uncomfortable and almost embarrassed. I wished he would stop doing that.
I smiled and took off the lid of the box carefully. Inside, nestled on a pad of white cotton was a keychain. It was a miniature picture of Botticelli's 'The Birth of Venus.'
I looked up at Reid, color filling my cheeks, his eyes warm and thankful that clearly I loved it. I looked down again, admiring. Reid was right… Venus did have long wavy hair.
"Reid, I love it," I started.
"It's for your new keys," he stated, having a confidence about him that I hadn't seen before, "and a reminder that it's okay to touch your hair sometimes."
I giggled under my breath, hearing Reid do the same. I kept staring at the key chain, running my fingers over it.
I turned it over and saw an engraving. Reid explained it.
"My mom used to tell me that 'in the wake of struggle comes purpose.' You didn't want to bring that envelope to us but then…well… you… you know…," Reid struggled to find the right words.
Reid's mother's words were engraved on the back of Botticelli's artwork, a constant reminder.
I lifted my head up and waves of hair fell across my face. Pushing them away, I smiled, laughing, and looked up into the warm eyes of Dr. Spencer Reid.
To be continued in "Into the Deep"