It started with coffee.
Friday afternoons with no active cases meant catching up on the paperwork that often piled up whilst the team was out in another state, performing in the field, doing the rather more action-orientated portion of their job.
Taking note of statements and summarizing the events and outcomes of cases doesn't bother you very much. You take a quiet sense of satisfaction from closing the completed file. It helps with finality. It encourages closure.
At least, it does for the ones that you solve.
It sure as hell beats the 'Self Assessment' evaluations you must fill in at the end of every month. Strauss, presumably just to add to the list of reasons to dislike the woman alongside the issue of her almost ruining your career, introduced them a while back according to the other members of your team. They've been a point of contention and ridicule ever since.
As well as laughing about the ridiculously vague, horribly worded questions and participating once or twice in a competition of 'Who can make the best paper airplane out of it in sixty seconds,' you also dread them.
How is one supposed to list one's thoughts and feelings on a flimsy piece of paper destined only to be glossed over by the powers that be and dumped in a filing cabinet?
So you write only what they want to hear.
How well do you believe you coped with recent active cases?
My performance in the field, as well as that of the entire unit, was to a high standard as is customary. Closing the 'Butcher' case in San Francisco was particularly satisfying, and has succeeded in boosting morale within the team and myself.
How well do you believe you were received by local police?
As well as can be expected in our unique occupation. Many were incredibly welcoming and helpful, others, less so. Overall, our presence has generally been very well received and appreciated.
How well do your associates and yourself react to dangerous situations?
With prior planning and a clear mind. We approach each situation with as much delicacy and information as is possible, which often results in a desirable outcome for all involved.
Are the dynamics of your team working efficiently?
Our particular unit operates admirably. Each individual member brings their own set of skills and experiences, thus we have the good fortune to have access to a wealth of knowledge which can be shared with the team as a whole and acted upon accordingly. We, as a collective unit, work efficiently due to out inherent appreciation and respect for one another.
Do you feel added counseling is necessary to cope with the hazards of your occupation?
It is my belief that unless requested by a member of the team, the counseling and support systems on offer at the moment are completely adequate. Individual needs are different, thus my reasoning that additional support should be requested, either by the individual or on his behalf.
How could you improve performance in the future?
Although, as previously stated, I believe my performance is wholly satisfactory, it is of course necessary to continue developing. Therefore, in the coming month, I intend to focus my attention particularly upon improving my overall sensitivity to civilians we may encounter during active case work.
You rotate between 'sensitivity' and 'target practice' and 'practical training' to draw whoever reads your file away from the fact everything is repetitive and standard.
And thus, you wonder if this is the reason a coffee appears on your desk whilst you are filling out the 'Self Assessment' section of your evaluation. You had been concentrating on it so diligently that you did not even notice the cup resting there, waiting for your attention, for a long moment.
By the time you look up, surprised and prepared to thank whoever had been kind enough to purchase it for you, everyone is seated and staring down at their desks, making it impossible to determine the culprit.
And then, a week later, another cup of coffee appears on your desk. Not just from the coffee machine in the corner that produces a good enough flavor, but sometimes ruins an innocent Agent's morning by spewing out bitter bile. Oh no. This was the good stuff, just the way you like it. With vanilla and cream.
You glance up sharply and find Doctor Spencer Reid smiling brightly down at you. With another, rather gentler smile, he turns and saunters over to Morgan's desk and hands him a cup from the tray perched expertly in his hand. This goes on until each Agent is seated happily with a warm cup of liquid gold.
Even Hotch, holed up in his office, welcomes the younger Agent in and accepts his with a hint of a rarely shown smile.
Next Friday, JJ hands over a coffee and tips you a wink with a quiet, "Excellent taste Alex," before she too moves away and distributes the cups with practiced ease.
If this ritual has been going on in the previous month whilst you settled into the team and your new role, it has escaped your attention.
But now, here it is.
You wonder if this is their way of professing acceptance. You wonder if perhaps they glanced over at you that previous Friday and noted the worry lines etched deep into your forehead as you pored over the self evaluation sheet.
The next week, after a grueling case down in Texas where young women had been found with their throats slit, you are finishing up the last file you need to complete before heading home.
A figure looms above you and you start slightly, looking up questioningly to be faced with a nervous looking Penelope Garcia. You smile, hoping to calm her a little. She is often like a skittish kitten around you, terrified of saying the wrong thing since you overheard her talking about you that first day. "We're going out for dinner after we're through here. Dinner and drinks. And uh…" She fiddles with a bright pink, feather and diamond studded pen and you chuckle inwardly. How very Penelope. "We were wondering, if you don't have any plans that is… If maybe you would uhm... Like to come with us? I mean uh, you're probably exhausted and sick of the sight of us all but we would really like you to be there…"
She breaks off. Probably because she has realised you're smiling.
"I would love to come."
The grin that explodes on her face makes everything worthwhile.
It started with coffee. And it finished with friendship.