Aria stood in her small but cozy living room, a sense of nervous excitement thrumming through her veins. At 27, her journey to this moment had been long and hard, and now, finally, she was about to start her first day at the BAU. She scanned her apartment, a space that she had turned into a sanctuary. The three-story, red-brick building was modest, but it was hers, a symbol of the progress she had fought tooth and nail to achieve.
The living room, though small, was a haven. The two-seater gray fabric couch sat against one wall, a simple wooden coffee table in front of it. She had found the bookshelf second-hand, but it was well-kept, filled with books on criminology and psychology—subjects that had captivated her mind and offered her a path forward. A few fiction novels were sprinkled in, remnants of her moments of escape.
Aria moved to the kitchen, the hum of the refrigerator a comforting backdrop. The kitchen was compact but efficiently organized, with white cabinets and a wooden countertop. She had a small dining table by the window, where she often sat to have her meals or read. This morning, she ate a quick breakfast, her mind already on the day ahead. The light from the window bathed the room in a soft glow, making everything feel a bit more hopeful.
Finishing her breakfast, she moved to her bedroom. The queen-sized bed was neatly made with white bedding, the walls adorned with framed photos of calm landscapes. She opened her closet, choosing an outfit that was professional yet comfortable, something that would help her feel confident on her first day. She glanced at the nightstand where a picture of her and Mason sat, a constant reminder of her motivation.
As she dressed, she thought about the opportunity ahead. Aaron Hotchner, the unit chief of the BAU, had reviewed her file and decided to give her a chance. Her background in criminology and psychology, coupled with her personal experiences, had made her an intriguing candidate. She knew this was her chance to prove herself, not just to the team, but to herself as well.
Aria moved to the small office nook in the corner of her living room. The desk was organized with her laptop, a desk lamp, and a few stationery items. The bulletin board above it was pinned with important notes and reminders. She grabbed her bag, ensuring she had everything she needed for the day. The living room's natural light, now stronger, cast a warm glow over the room, making her feel ready.
Before leaving, she took a moment to look around her apartment one last time. The space was simple, yet each piece of furniture had a purpose, reflecting her practical nature. The few personal touches, like the wood-scented candle in the bathroom and the framed diploma on the wall, told her story of resilience and strength. She had come a long way from the girl who had grown up in Stafford, Virginia, and now, she was stepping into a new chapter.
With a deep breath, she stepped out of her apartment and into the humid Virginia air. She boarded the bus, the familiar hum of the engine and the slight sway of the vehicle oddly comforting. Her thoughts drifted as the cityscape of Quantico moved past the windows, buildings and trees blurring together.
The bus ride was a short one, but it gave her enough time to mentally prepare for her day. Aria watched as commuters came and went, each absorbed in their own lives, unaware of the new chapter she was about to begin. She took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her past lift slightly with each exhale. The bus slowed as it approached her stop, and she gathered her bag, thanking the driver as she stepped onto the pavement.
Quantico's FBI headquarters appeared ahead, an imposing structure that exuded authority. The building's sleek, modern design contrasted with the surrounding greenery, a testament to its significance. Aria approached the entrance, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves.
Security at the front door was tight, a necessary measure for one of the most critical agencies in the country. Aria joined the line of employees and visitors waiting to pass through the metal detectors. The security personnel, dressed in crisp uniforms, were thorough yet efficient. She handed over her identification, and the guard scanned it before nodding and waving her through. Her bag went through the X-ray machine, and she stepped through the metal detector.
Inside, the lobby was bustling with activity. Agents and staff moved with purpose, their footsteps echoing off the polished floors. Aria checked her watch and saw that she had a few minutes to spare. She took a moment to absorb her surroundings, the reality of her new position sinking in. The BAU offices were located in a separate wing of the building, and she made her way there, her steps steady and determined.
Navigating the hallways, Aria found herself in front of the doors to the BAU. This was it. The beginning of her new career, a chance to make a real impact. She straightened her posture and pushed the doors open.
Inside the bullpen, agents moved around, their desks adorned with stacks of files and screens displaying intricate timelines and maps. Aria scanned the room, looking for someone who might be able to direct her to Aaron Hotchner's office. Her eyes landed on Derek Morgan, a seasoned agent she recognized from the team photos she had studied during her training.
Approaching him with a tentative smile, Aria spoke up, "Excuse me, could you tell me where I can find Aaron Hotchner?"
Derek glanced up, briefly assessing her. "He's in his office," he replied, gesturing towards the closed door behind him. "Just through there."
"Thank you," Aria nodded gratefully. She hesitated for a moment, meeting Morgan's gaze before heading towards Hotchner's office. She sensed Derek's eyes on her as she walked away, aware of his curiosity.
Aria approached Hotchner's office door, she knocked lightly, the sound echoing faintly.
"Come in." Hotchner's said. "Agent Aria," he greeted, standing up to shake her hand."Please, have a seat."
"Thank you, sir," Aria said, her voice steady despite the nervous flutter in her stomach. She settled into the chair opposite Hotchner's desk, folding her hands in her lap.
"Please call me Hotch." He said, studying her for a moment, his expression thoughtful. "First day jitters?"
Aria nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "A bit, but more excited than nervous, honestly."
"Good," Hotch nodded approvingly. "That's the spirit we need here."
Aria felt a hint of warmth at his encouragement, though she shifted uncomfortably under his praise. "Thank you. I'm eager to learn."
Hotch leaned back in his chair, his demeanor relaxed yet authoritative. "You've accomplished quite a lot at your age. Your background in criminology will serve you well here."
Aria blushed slightly, unused to such direct praise. "I've worked hard to get here."
"That much is clear," Hotch remarked. "Here at the BAU, we work as a team. We analyze behavioral patterns, investigate crime scenes, and travel at a moment's notice. It's demanding work, but it's also rewarding."
"I'm ready for the challenge," Aria replied with determination, thinking to herself, I already have a go-bag with me.
Hotch's gaze softened slightly, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Good to hear. Our cases can be intense, but the team is here to support each other."
As they continued their conversation, Aria became aware of movement outside Hotch's office window. Glancing over, she noticed several agents in the bullpen, their eyes occasionally flicking towards Hotch's office.
Throughout their discussion, Aria absorbed every word he said. This wasn't just a job; it was a chance to make a difference, to apply her skills in ways she had only imagined.
Out in the bullpen, Garcia leaned against Reid's desk, her expression slightly pensive. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm not a big fan of change," she admitted, twirling a pen between her fingers. "New agents always bring a wave of uncertainty. What if they don't fit in? What if they disrupt our rhythm?"
Derek Morgan chuckled, his voice carrying reassurance. "Come on, Garcia. Change is part of life. Besides, Aria's got a solid background," he remarked to the gathered agents. "Worked hard to get here. I heard she's sharp."
Emily Prentiss, who had been quietly observing from her desk, nodded thoughtfully. "JJ, you mentioned that she served in the military, too, right?"
"Yeah," JJ chimed in, glancing up from her paperwork. "My friend at the Academy told me Aria was one of the best sharpshooters they had."
Rossi, seated at his desk with a stack of case files, looked up with interest. "Impressive. That kind of training can come in handy."
Hotch was leading Aria towards the bullpen as he caught snippets of the conversation. He paused briefly, exchanging a knowing glance with Rossi before continuing. Hotch knew integrating a new member into their tight-knit team would take time.
As they approached the group, Hotch raised his voice slightly. "Team, I'd like to introduce you to Agent Aria. She'll be joining us starting today."
"Nice to officially meet you all," Aria greeted the team with a warm smile, her nerves settling as she faced the group of seasoned profilers. She shook hands with Emily, who offered a firm handshake.
"Welcome to the BAU, Aria," Emily said warmly. "I'm Emily Prentiss. You've already met Derek," she gestured towards Morgan, who flashed a charming grin.
"Hey there, Aria," Derek said with a wink. "I've heard good things about you. Excited to have you on board."
Aria chuckled softly, catching onto the flirtatious banter. "Thank you, Derek. It's good to be here."
JJ stepped forward next, extending her hand. "Jennifer Jareau, but everyone calls me JJ."
Rossi stood up from his desk, his demeanor welcoming. "David Rossi," he introduced himself with a nod. "Pleasure to have you join us, Aria. Your military background must bring an interesting perspective."
Aria nodded, feeling a surge of confidence from their welcoming words. "Thank you, Rossi. I hope to contribute as much as I can."
Garcia, who had been listening intently from Reid's desk, finally stepped forward, still holding her pen. "Penelope Garcia," she announced dramatically, extending her hand theatrically. "Welcome to the BAU, Aria. Brace yourself for my quirky charm and unparalleled tech wizardry."
Aria couldn't help but smile at Garcia's enthusiasm. "Thank you, Garcia. I'm looking forward to seeing that in action."
Just then, Spencer Reid emerged from behind a towering stack of books, his eyes bright with intellectual curiosity. "Spencer Reid," he introduced himself eagerly. "Pleasure to meet you, Aria."
"Likewise, Spencer. I've heard a lot about your expertise."
Hotch, who had been observing the introductions with a faint smile, spoke up again. "Aria, I'll show you to your desk." He guided Aria towards an empty desk nearby.
As they walked, Emily leaned towards Derek with a teasing smirk. "Careful there, Morgan. Don't scare off the new recruit with your charm."
Derek chuckled, glancing back at Aria. "Just making her feel welcome, Emily."
Aria overheard their exchange and couldn't help but laugh softly to herself. She already sensed the bond and humor among the team—a dynamic she looked forward to being a part of.
Aria settled into her desk as JJ stepped closer to Aria, her warm smile inviting. "So, Aria, besides your military background and sharpshooting skills, what else should we know about you?"
Aria hesitated for a moment, her gaze thoughtful. She appreciated JJ's friendly approach but wasn't quite ready to delve into personal details. "Well, JJ, I grew up not far from here, actually. Small town outside Quantico." She offered vaguely.
JJ nodded, sensing Aria's reluctance to share more. "Oh, I actually didn't know that you were from Virginia." She said, surprised.
Aria smiled gratefully, relieved by JJ not pushing for more personal information about her.
Derek, always eager to jump into the conversation, joined them with a smirk. "So, Aria, any hobbies or hidden talents we should know about?" His tone was light, teasing.
Aria glanced at Derek with a hint of amusement. "Well, Derek, I'm pretty good at shutting down overly charming FBI agents." She quipped, earning a chuckle from the rest of the team nearby.
Derek raised his hands in mock surrender, a wide grin on his face. "Touché, Aria. I'll take that as a challenge."
Emily, catching the exchange, chimed in with a playful smirk. "Careful, Derek. Looks like Aria's not easily swayed by your charm."
Aria chuckled, feeling more at ease with the banter.
As Garcia approached the group, she couldn't help but overhear the playful banter between Derek and Aria. She playfully nudged Derek's shoulder with her pen, giving him a mock disapproving look.
"Derek Morgan," Garcia started with a faux-serious tone, "I thought I was the only one allowed to receive your charm?"
Derek chuckled, his dimples showing. "Hey, Penelope, just spreading the love." He replied with a wink in Aria's direction.
Garcia raised an eyebrow, feigning jealousy. "Well, next time, warn me when you're planning to flirt with someone who's not me." She teased, casting a playful glance at Aria.
Aria laughed, appreciating Garcia's humor. "He's all yours."
Garcia grinned triumphantly. "Damn right he is!"
Hotch was observing the interaction with a faint smile before his voice echoed through the bullpen, commanding attention. "Team, conference room. Now."
The team filed in silently, each member taking their usual seat around the large oak table. Aria found herself between Reid and JJ, attentive and eager to absorb her first official case briefing.
Garcia stood confidently by the screen, the image of the small town of Riverview, Virginia projected behind her. "Alright, team," she began, her fingers poised to advance the slides. "We have a case in Riverview. Last night, 8-year-old Sarah Thompson was reported missing from her bedroom."
The screen flickered to a photo of a smiling, innocent girl with bright blue eyes and blonde hair. Garcia continued, her voice steady as she recounted the details. "Her parents put her to bed at 9 PM. When they went to check on her at 11 PM, she was gone. No signs of forced entry, no ransom note."
Hotch interjected with his characteristic calm. "Any recent incidents in Riverview?"
Reid, leaning forward with his hands clasped, responded first. "No recent kidnappings, but there have been a few petty thefts reported in the neighborhood."
JJ added, "Local PD is canvassing the area. No witnesses so far."
Emily chimed in, her tone analytical. "We should look into the family background. Any history of disputes? Custody battles?"
Aria listened intently, absorbing the rapid-fire exchange of ideas. She observed the dynamics, the way each member of the team contributed their unique insights. She hesitated, weighing her thoughts carefully before Aaron turned to her.
"What do you think, Aria?" Hotch's voice was measured, inviting her to share.
Aria took a breath, her mind racing with possibilities. "Given the lack of forced entry and no ransom demand, it's likely someone the family knows. Someone who knew Sarah's routine and could access the house without alerting anyone."
The team nodded, recognizing the logic in her assessment.
Hotch glanced at his watch. "Wheels up in 20 minutes. Rossi, Reid, I want background checks on everyone close to the family. Emily, JJ, check for any recent disputes or unusual behavior. Aria, you're with me. Let's head to Riverview."
Aria nodded, her heart pounding with a mix of nerves and determination. This was it—the first step in making a difference with her new team.