Disclaimer: I don't own CBS, Criminal Minds, or any of the original characters we know and love.

Author's Note:

Welcome back to the Fanfiction! It's been years since I have logged onto here. I am currently re-watching Criminal Minds for what feels like the millionth time.

I haven't even seen Season Two of Criminal Minds: Evolution yet because I am too busy re-watching the OG. I'm currently up to Season Six. I'll get to Evolution sometime soon.

In the meantime, welcome to my new Criminal Minds universe, it's set in the year 2049, our beloved characters are being replaced by the next generation. And, this is what I think it will look like…

Enjoy!

- Amber

Chapter One: 10:32am

Ashleigh held her head high, and sped her way through the foyer to scan her bag as quickly as possible. She bit her lip, and watched as her briefcase went through the security screening with a regular beep.

She knew there was nothing to be alarmed about, but, how embarrassing it would be to cause a stir on her very first day...

She grabbed her things, flashed her lanyard at a guard in a security uniform, and headed towards the elevators.

She could feel the stares glaring at the back of her head, and she looked at the floor to hide her slightly pink cheeks.

It was peak hour morning, and there were agents everywhere. It just as easily could have been her imagination that she heard someone whisper, "oh my gosh, is that her?".

She shook it off, and stepped out of the elevator, towards two big glass doors branded "Behavioural Analysis Unit".

Ashleigh wasn't normally a nervous person, but today she was shaking with anticipation of what future lay in front of her.

No day was as important as today.

Being a product of nepotism made her work twice as hard to get here, and she had a lot to prove.

The last thing she wanted was for others to assume she grew up with silver spoons in her mouth.

That was far from the truth...

She pondered who she should introduce herself to first, for she didn't quite know where the Unit Chief's office was.

The bullpen was very chaotic with the sound of tapping computer keys and hustle and bustle.

A gentleman nearly bumped into her while holding a cup of coffee. He mumbled a quick apology as he shuffled past her in a rush.

Ashleigh clenched her briefcase to her chest, so she wasn't in the way.

She was looking around quickly to get a sense of direction, when was approached by a brunette with a big smile and a newly purchased clipboard.

"Hi, I'm Olivia Merit. Are you Ashleigh by any chance?"

"Yes, hi" Ashleigh shook her hand firmly.

"First day, right?"

Ashleigh smiled and quickly wrangled the untied lace on one of her boots.

Her black hair was frizzy and unkept, even though she had brushed it in the car along her way. Her cheeks were still flushed from the embarrassment of rushing through the lobby downstairs.

She was not as prepared for today as she hoped, but she didn't want Olivia to know that...

"What gave me away?" she exhibited.

Olivia was very kind and smiled back, "Welcome to the BAU. But I am sure with your history you already know your way around".

"I really don't actually" Ashleigh confessed.

The last time she was in this exact bullpen was seventeen years ago, when she was nine, and her dad had ushered her away in a hurry.

It was the same day her parents split.

There was a lot going on that day.

The bullpen she was trying to familiarize herself with right now must have undergone some tedious renovations over the years. There was still a patch of carpet under a dozen desks that needed replacing.

Olivia pointed her way up the spiral staircase, "Unit Chief Goodwick's Office is up there, she is waiting for you".

"Thanks" Ashleigh hurried away.

Out of earshot, Olivia wished her a friendly good luck.

"Is that her?" another agent asked.

Olivia nodded.

"What do you think of her?"

"Too soon to tell" Olivia shrugged, "But we will know shortly".

-0-

Ashleigh never recalled seeing a spiral stairway when she was there as a kid.

It must have been a part of the new renovation, she guessed.

She reached the top of the stairs and knocked on the first office door she found, but it was empty.

The tag on the door said "Unit Chief Jill Goodwick".

She was definitely in the right place.

She looked around again hoping to see Agent Goodwick but she found a different friendly face instead.

"Oh my goodness, Jack, is that you?"

Jack Hotchner smiled and made his way over, before pulling Ashleigh in a small professional hug.

Jack was easily fifteen years older than her, but Ashleigh recognised him immediately.

Her family had thanksgiving dinner with the Hotchners once every three years.

They weren't super close, but Ashleigh was grateful to know somebody else in the room.

"It's a small world, Ashleigh" Jack told her.

"I thought you were in counter terrorism" Ashleigh admitted, "I had no idea you would be here; this is so great".

Jack smiled at her, and straightened his tie, "Yeah, I have been in BAU just over eight months now, I prefer it. Makes me feel closer to my dad, and my mom".

The story of Haley had been a very famous re-telling in Ashleigh's life.

Her parents always reminded her to be grateful for every single day, because it only took one monster to change everything.

She knew a lot about monsters. Her parents had taken down many of them.

"I am looking for Unit Chief Goodwick, do you know where she is?"

Jack checked his watch, which read 10:32am.

"She usually has meetings at this time, she should be in her office".

"You're late" said a voice behind them, "I expected you at 10:00am on the dot"

Ashleigh jumped, but Jack didn't flinch.

There, with folded arms and a firm gaze, stood Unit Chief Jill Goodwick.

"Please join me in my office, Agent" she gestured her arm out to Ashleigh.

"My emails definitely say I commenced today at 10:30am ma'am".

Jill blinked as if Ashleigh was damned to question her, "Office, now, please".

Jack looked at her apologetically, and turned to walk away.

"HJ, can you please finish the Armaguard files?"

Jack nodded, "Certainly. Good luck, Ash".

"Bye".

Ashleigh watched as Jack quickly joined the other agents in the bullpen.

They stood in a group as they looked up at her and Unit Chief Goodwick.

Ashleigh quickly took them all in:

There was the dark haired man who nearly spilled coffee on Ashleigh when she arrived. Next to him was a woman with colourful hair and pigtails, a blonde man in a suit tapping away on an iPad reading what looked like a newspaper, Olivia, and Jack.

This was her new team, her new family.

Jill started tapping her foot, "While we are still young, Agent"

Ashleigh swung her briefcase by her hip, and entered the office. Jill quickly followed and slammed the door shut behind them.

Author's Note: Thanks for reading! I have so many ideas of where I want this story to go… but feel free to give me your comments and suggestions too.

R and R, and see ya soon!

-Amber