Chapter 6: Words

A/N: Thanks ahowell1993 for the comment! Sue1313, thanks! I'm just so in love with the show that I write what pops up in my 19 year old mind.

Cate's POV

The last thing that anyone should ever say to Dr. Spencer Reid are the words "I don't understand." Because he would then launch into explanation in the hopes that you would understand…and usually, his lectures only confuse me even more. He is so brilliant that keeping up with him is essentially pointless. This was cemented by a conversation we had a while ago.

During one of our rare office days, Reid turned to me and asked me about how I used to choose what role I would take during my undercover cases. I told him that I usually look for weakness then try to take up a role that would expose that but when I was just starting, I usually jumped between roles until I figured out what was the best fit for me. That seemed to have satisfied him and he went back to his consult while I went back to my paperwork.

During our coffee break, I asked Reid about the consult and he told me that the killer was looking for a role to fill and that was why he was killing. Of handedly, I said, "I know the feeling." He tried to say something but I just smiled at him and shrugged it off. I finished my drink and went back to work.

At the end of the day as I was cleaning up my desk and was getting ready to go home, Reid called for my attention.

"Cate? I hope you know that you're here for a reason…" Taking a deep breath, I answered.

"I don't understand. These days, I wonder what that reason could possibly be. I kind of feel like a bench-warmer."

When he didn't answer, I thought he needed an explanation so I continued, "A bench-warmer is…"

"I know what a bench-warmer is Cate and I don't think of you that way. I know that we haven't exactly been that warm…"

"That isn't true Reid. All of you have been really nice to me and you all try to include me in what you guys are doing." But…

"But we have been more tolerant and courteous rather than welcoming. We include you but sometimes we forget to and I'm sorry for that. I'm sorry that sometimes we forget."

It's creepy, like he can hear my brain.

"Reid, it's not your fault and I haven't been here long enough. I get it. I'll take time and I'm more than willing to put in the work."

"You know that I know that you being new isn't a valid excuse. Cate, we are a team but more than that we are a family. I just hope that our actions hasn't lessened your belief in yourself. Cate, you're here because you can bring something to the team- something that we can 't. We don't have the experiences that you've had and we don't know that things that you did. You got the job because of your work, because of what you've done and because of who you are. I am confident that Hotch chose you out of everyone else because he saw something in you that might have been lacking from us. You are a valuable member of our team and our family and I hope that we never make you feel anything different. I just wanted you to know that."

Needless to say, I was speechless. It really did feel like he could ready my mind. I guess after a decade in the BAU, he could already read me like a book.

Smiling, I asked how he knew that I was…off.

He said, "It was the sparkle in your eyes. I met you first in the elevator, although we have all met at the karaoke, I was the first to see the excitement that you had- have for this job. Recently, I have seen that sparkle get dinner and I thought it would be nice to affirm to you why you are meant to be here. Besides, even a beauty queen needs to be told she is beautiful once in a while."

I had to smile. I didn't even know that my emotions were showing that much but what could I expect from myself? I have always been expressive.

"Reid, that was one time! How did you even find out about that?" I thought undercover secrets remained secrets.

"Garcia." Ah. The center of all that is to know.

After that, we walked out together and I left feeling lighter than ever. Maybe it isn't all that bad telling Reid that I don't understand…

A/N: Hope you guys liked this one! Please comment, suggest and request! Lots of love lovelies! P.S.: fishtrek, maybe we'll see if he is in this one too. seacat03, thanks! Tbookworm, thanks! Guest, it's nice of you to agree.