CHAPTER SEVEN: RELATIONSHIP DEFINITELY HURTLING TOWARDS SOMETHING

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THE FLIGHT BACK to Quantico felt empty, with almost three team members remaining in Vegas to assist Reid. Derek and Rossi had decided to stay and support Reid in his quest to uncover the memories he was trying to recall. She and Hotchner permitted it, having noticed Spencer's distressed state, a matter Beatrice had brought up the day before.

As the analyst balanced a tray of cups in one hand, her mind wandered back to the events in Vegas. She still couldn't believe that Rossi had caught her leaving Hotch's hotel room in the morning. Now, she was certain he wouldn't let go of the idea that she and their boss might be dating, which terrified Beatrice because that was an awful idea. Dating someone in the same workplace or team was never a good idea.

Beatrice's attention was snatched elsewhere, and as she looked up, she came face to face with a familiar face "Beatrice Sterling? Is that you?" the young dark-skinned woman asked.

"That's me. Hi!"

"Oh, my god! Hello! I'm Agent Todd from XTS. Do you remember?" The woman approached her, embracing her.

The woman tried to recall where she knew Todd from and finally, it clicked. "Ah, yeah! I remember you! Jordan Todd from Craig's team, right?"

JJ inquired, "You two know each other?"

"Well, I just know her because her team frequently liaises with ITOS," the female explained. "God, it's been what, three months since I last saw you in Counterterrorism?"

"Yeah. Well, I was really busy in C3S," Beatrice shrugged. "and then I was transferred here to the BAU a few weeks ago, that's why I couldn't pay a visit to the fifteenth floor. You? What are you doing here?"

"I'll be shadowing JJ," revealed the other woman. "For the next couple of weeks."

"Big shoes to fill."

"Big ankles, at least," JJ pouted, glancing down at her feet.

Emily reassured her. "Come on, you look great."

"That's what I keep telling her," Todd chimed in, turning to Emily. "Do you have kids, too? Or. . ."

"Ah, no. I think JJ may have snared the last viable donor," teased the raven haired agent.

"I agree. JJ picked the best out there. I think it'll take years for me to find the second best donor," joked the analyst, joining the banter.

"Tell me about it."

"Donor for what?" Hotch's deep voice suddenly interrupted, causing Beatrice to jump a little. She turned to see him standing close by, composing herself with a chirpy response, "Nothing."

"Good to see you again, SSA Hotchner," Todd said, extending her hand for a handshake.

As Beatrice observed Todd addressing Hotchner as "Hotch," she couldn't help but feel a pang of curiosity. It seemed that Todd had earned the privilege to use the nickname immediately, while it had taken her weeks to do the same. She furrowed her eyebrows slightly, wondering why there was such a difference in treatment. Was it a matter of different personalities, or did Hotchner really dislike her that much before?

Shaking off the thought, Bea reminded herself that she shouldn't let such minor things bother her. After all, she had other things to focus on, like the ongoing case and Reid's troubling situation.

"So, where's the rest of the team?"

"Oh, another case came up while we were in Las Vegas, and they stayed behind to look into it."

Beatrice winced internally as she recalled the conversation she had with Hotch before heading out to buy drinks for the team. He had asked for her permission to let the team in Vegas pursue another case, and she had agreed without much thought. But she never expected that the case would hit so close to home for Reid. He was now suspecting his own father to be the killer of a boy he had been seeing in his dreams.

As if that wasn't troubling enough, Derek found a disturbing case involving the brutal murder of a six-year-old boy named Riley Jenkins. The location of the crime was near Spencer's house, making Spencer believe it might be connected to what he was seeing in his dreams.

The blonde felt a sense of unease settle in her stomach. She knew how determined Reid could be when it came to uncovering the truth, and she feared that he might go to great lengths to bring his father to justice if he was guilty. The whole situation left her with mixed emotions and an underlying sense of dread. She couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to get much more complicated and intense for the team in Vegas.

"I thought you worked cases together."

"This one's different," Hotch replied, his expression serious.

"Please tell me you brought me something very interesting, Bea," Emily commented, slipping her hands into her pockets.

Bea couldn't help but grin at her friend's excitement. "Of course, I did! This drink is what I call a 'poof drink' because whenever I have it, my hangover goes 'poof.'" She handed the drink over to Emily. "It's my go-to after a night of clubbing. Trust me, it works like magic."

Emily raised an eyebrow and gave the drink a curious sniff before taking a cautious sip. Her face scrunched up for a moment, but then she surprisingly beamed. "Wow, this tastes good! I've never had any hangover drink as delicious as this," she said, sounding genuinely impressed. "You could seriously turn this into a business."

The analyst chuckled, pleased by her fellow agent's reaction. "Well, you never know. Maybe I'll start selling my 'poof drinks' one day. It could be the next big thing,"

Emily chuckled as well. "I wouldn't be surprised. This is really good."

As Beatrice chuckled, she handed JJ her tea and offered her own drink to Todd, who politely declined. Clearing her throat, she spun around just in time to spot their team leader heading toward his office. Determined to catch up with him, she quickened her pace and managed to hand him the last cup of coffee from her tray.

"Hotch! This is for you. I got you some black coffee."

Her heart raced as she watched him take notice of the blue sticky note she had attached to the cup earlier, the words written in her neat handwriting. She hoped her gesture would bring a moment of happiness to her stoic boss.

Thank you, sir. :)

Hotch took a quick glance at her note, and a small nod indicated his acknowledgment of it. "Thank you, Sterling."

Returning to the group of women, Beatrice found Emily's amused expression almost comical. Her lips curved into a smirk, "You called him Hotch. Did we miss something in Vegas?"

Beatrice rolled her eyes playfully, not wanting to fuel any rumors or speculations. She decided to deflect the attention from herself and Jordan's newfound familiarity with their boss. "No, no. Jordan called him Hotch, and I thought, why not give it a try too?"

JJ raised an eyebrow. "Uh-huh, sure," she said, her tone teasing.

Emily chimed in, "Well, it's about time you guys warm up to each other. We were getting tired of you guys being so formal and passive all the time."

Bea shook her head, realizing that her attempt to avoid speculation may soon backfire. She knew her team meant well, but she hoped they wouldn't read too much into her growing friendship with Hotch. After all, the last thing she needed was workplace gossip interfering with their important work at the BAU.

Just then, the glass doors of the BAU burst open, and a group of people that Beatrice knew all too well stormed into the bullpen. "Alright, boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen, where is Beatrice Sterling?" A familiar voice echoed through the room. It was Max Wagner, one of her former teammates back in C3S.

The analyst couldn't contain her excitement, and a gasp escaped her lips. "Oh, my god! Guys! I'm here!"

"There she is! Boss!" Ethan exclaimed, engulfing her in a bear hug and lifting her off the ground, spinning her around. Beatrice laughed, playfully slapping his shoulder. "Put me down, Ethan!"

He set her down but then enveloped her in another tight hug as the rest of her team members approached. "We missed you!" he said, speaking for the entire group.

Beatrice didn't expect her former team to visit her at the BAU, knowing they were all busy with their cases. She had already planned to visit them herself once she found the time. The unexpected reunion warmed her heart, and she realized just how much she had missed her team of three years.

"I missed all of you too!" She hugged each one of them. "What are you guys doing here?"

"Well, we have some free time after closing a case in Florida," explained Max. "And we wanted to see how you were doing here, boss."

Beatrice's heart swelled with gratitude. "Thank you, guys. It's so good to see all of you again."

"We still can't believe you were suddenly requested to transfer here," Megan added, slightly pouting.

Beatrice understood their shock. Her transfer to the BAU had been unexpected and left her former team with little time to adjust. Sebastian's prison escape had prompted the urgent move to ensure her safety, as they knew he would come for her.

She locked eyes with Ethan, her replacement as the team leader, and lightly rubbed his arm in a reassuring gesture. "How is Ethan handling things as your new leader?" she asked.

"He's doing okay," Ravi replied with a quip. "You taught us well, and while we never thought a time would come when you wouldn't be around, I think you always prepared us for it."

"Good," Beatrice said, a sense of pride and relief washing over her. She had always cared deeply for her team, and knowing they were in capable hands made the transition a little easier.

"Bee, I already left the profile of Chris Thompson on your. . ." Beatrice spun around as soon as she heard Penelope's voice behind her trail off. "table. Hi!"

"Bonjour, mon amour!" Max moved forward to introduce himself, clearing his throat. "We are the C3S unit one. My name is Max Wagner, and that is Ethan, our new leader, Juliette, Megan, and Ravi. We are just here to visit our boss who we expect should be returned to her proper kingdom, the C3S, in a few weeks."

"Bonjour. . . je m'appelle Penelope Garcia," Penelope slowly introduced herself as if entranced by Max, extending her hand for a shake. "You are incredibly. . . good-looking."

Beatrice couldn't help but chuckle at Penelope's flattery. She knew Max was quite the charmer. "Penelope Garcia, very beautiful name," Max replied, lifting her hand to his lips to kiss her knuckles. The woman exchanged a knowing glance with her teammates. Among them all, it was Max who was the flirtiest. There was no doubt Maximillian Wagner and Derek Morgan would get along well.

"Guys, these are Agents Prentiss, Jareau, Garcia, and Todd of the BAU," she said with a warm smile, gesturing to each of her new colleagues. "Agents, this is my former team in C3S." As she introduced her former C3S team to the BAU agents, she felt a sense of pride and excitement. These were two worlds colliding, and she couldn't help but wonder how they would all get along.

Ethan greeted them with genuine warmth, his smile putting everyone at ease. "We hope Beatrice isn't having a hard time here," he said, expressing his concern.

Juliette added her signature mix of jest and seriousness, making everyone chuckle. "If she is, we'll come knocking at your door, and trust me, we're worse than the grim reaper himself," she declared, her team backing her up with nods of agreement.

Beatrice laughed, feeling grateful for their unwavering support. "Guys, I'm doing great here,"

Penelope scooted closer to Beatrice, whispering in her ear, "You didn't tell me you had such hot friends."

The blonde couldn't help but laugh, her eyes gleaming mischievously. "Ah, yes. I've got an eye for talent."

Emily asked. "How did you gather your team, Bea?"

"We were on a watchlist and she tracked us all down. Made us an offer we couldn't refuse. I mean, who would refuse earning thousands of dollars catching cyber criminals?" Megan replied with a nonchalant shrug.

Max leaned in, his expression smirking. "I actually decided to challenge her to a one-on-one cyber duel. Needless to say, I lost miserably. I learned then that you don't mess with Yellowjacket."

The analyst smiled as she recalled that amusing cyber duel with Max. It had been shortly after she recruited Megan and Ravi into her team when she received the daring email from him. He playfully challenged her to cyber warfare, teasingly threatening to hack into highly sensitive government databases and bring the entire network down for a day. Amused and always up for a challenge, she accepted and with a few expert clicks, Beatrice effortlessly crafted a virus from scratch that disabled Max's computer and completely cut off his access to the internet. She made sure to keep things lighthearted, ensuring there would be no lasting damage. She couldn't help but chuckle as she remembered the look of surprise on Max's face when he realized she had outsmarted him.

Just as the conversation flowed, Penelope's phone chimed with a new text. "It's Reid. He needs us to. . ." She hesitated, as if realizing she was in a public area. "do something for him."

Ethan chimed in, giving them a thumbs-up. "Of course! We'll be off as well. Call us if you need anything, Bea, alright? We're free the whole day."

"Au revoir, mon amour. 'Til we see each other again," Max said with a flirtatious wink to Penelope, causing her cheeks to tint pink.

"God, I knew there was a reason I didn't want to call in sick today. You have such attractive friends! You sure you didn't date any of them?" the technical analyst mentioned with a grin.

Beatrice felt a flutter of amusement as she shook her head, dismissing the absurd notion that had never even grazed her mind. Ethan, her companion, was undeniably an integral part of her life, but the idea of romance between them seemed as preposterous as trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. They were just an incredible duo, the best of friends who reveled in each other's company. Yet, Beatrice could not help but secretly relish the bafflement of those who speculated about their potential love story. The truth was far more intriguing-Juliette and Megan, oh, they were undoubtedly an item, their blossoming love apparent to all, though not yet officially declared. And then there was Max. Charismatic, flirtatious Max who effortlessly captivated those around him. A true ladies' man.

"Maybe they also want to request a transfer here in the BAU? I could definitely help them out," mused Penelope. "We could use more hands in our small office."

Beatrice chuckled, wrapping her arm around her friend's shoulder. "Come on, Pen. Our boy needs us."

"Okay, fine. But let's not rule out the possibility of adding more eye candy around here," Penelope quipped, following behind as they made their way back to their office.

ACCORDING TO ERIN Strauss, Aaron Hotchner and Beatrice Sterling will now be sharing the same duties of a Unit Chief.

Minutes after they contacted the team in Vegas, providing crucial information about William Reid's background, transactions, connections, Bea found herself summoned to the section chief's office and in a clear and concise manner, her new responsibilities were laid out before her.

While Hotchner retained his position as Unit Chief, a significant shift in power was to take place. Beatrice would now be sharing the burden of leadership with him. Her role involved closely monitoring the team's performance, evaluating their actions and paperwork, and contributing to critical decisions when necessary.

In simpler terms, she was the BAU unit two's babysitter.

Strauss explained the shift was necessary to alleviate Aaron Hotchner's overwhelming workload. From her perspective, Hotchner's dedication to his role as Unit Chief often led him to shoulder more than one person could handle, significantly impacting his decision-making abilities. Believing that sharing the responsibilities with Beatrice would bring balance to the leadership and ease the burden on his shoulders, she was confident it would allow him to focus more clearly and make well-considered decisions.

The cyber analyst, however, initially questioned her suitability for such a role. She felt uncertain, considering her lack of formal profiling training and temporary status within the team. Nonetheless, the section chief saw her past experiences as a team leader and cyber threat analyst as invaluable assets that could complement Hotchner's expertise. Strauss remained convinced that Beatrice would bring a fresh perspective and enrich the team's dynamics.

But, Beatrice was no fool.

While Erin Strauss tried to present the opportunity as a compliment to her abilities, she saw through the charade. It was evident that Strauss aimed to exploit the Bea's connection, her influential uncle in the Bureau and place her as the eyes and ears within Hotchner's unit, possibly to use her as a means to get rid of the unit chief himself.

Maintaining a composed demeanor in front of Strauss, knew there were two critical aspects that Strauss hadn't considered.

One, she was smart. Two, she was fiercely loyal.

She would protect Hotchner and support the team in every way possible, using the very power given to her.

A long sigh escaped her lips as she returned to the bullpen. The new role meant longer office hours, and although she was accustomed to handling an additional workload, she had never anticipated getting such a position in the BAU. As she entered the quaint office, she was greeted by the sight of Garcia, JJ, and Jordan working together to gather information about the case.

Taking a seat in her chair, Beatrice barely had a moment to settle when the door burst open, and in came a young child with golden locks, ocean eyes, and a beaming smile. "Mommy!"

The woman's lips curled into a bright smile, embracing the child affectionately. "Chia! Baby! Hi!"

As the child's voice rang through the room, Penelope was the first to react, swiveling around in her chair with wide-eyed surprise. "Mommy? You have a kid?"

Beatrice faced her colleagues with a mixture of pride and affection, carefully placing the little girl on her lap. She noticed the tall brunette standing by the doorway, her uncle's secretary, and exchanged a knowing glance. "Everyone, meet my niece, Chiara," she introduced warmly, feeling a rush of joy to introduce her little one to her friends and workmates. "Chiara, these are my new friends and colleagues. Say hi to them, sweetheart."

Chiara's shyness emerged as she almost hid herself, her small voice sweetly chiming in, "Hi! My name is. . . Chiara Sterling. I am turning four this July."

Penelope couldn't resist cooing, "Aw, she's so cute! She's also the same age as Hotch's son."

Bea planted a gentle peck on her little girl's cheek, her heart warmed by Chiara's presence. "What are you doing here, by the way? Weren't you supposed to be with Auntie Marjorie?"

"Hmm, Auntie is busy, so, so Uncle brought me here to stay. . . in his office," Chiara explained with a hint of excitement in her voice. Her eyes sparkled with delight as she continued, "Oh, and mommy, Barbie's in Uncle Seb's office!"

"Barbie?"

The bundle of energy nodded vigorously, her enthusiasm contagious. "Yeah! I asked her if she was Barbie, and she said yes! She looks like you and my doll at home, mommy!" The little girl touched her hair thoughtfully. "She was. . . we-wearing pink all over! Pink shoes, pink clothes!" Chiara turned to the others in the room, singling out JJ and Garcia. "Oh, she looks like them too!"

The analyst often talked with Chiara using proper grammar and real words at a higher pitch and a slower speed to boost her language development.

Beatrice glanced up to Rachel, her uncle's secretary, who was standing by the doorway. Rachel mouthed the name "Selena Hayes," and they exchanged subtle nods. The blonde's memory flickered back to a previous encounter with Selena during an international cyber conflict in London and Selena's older brother sought her assistance back then. Beatrice couldn't help but wonder what had brought Selena to the FBI headquarters and what she was discussing with her uncle.

"Wow! You must've been so happy to see her!"

"Yeah!"

"So, how did you know I was here, baby?" she asked Chiara, curious about how her niece had found her in the bustling headquarters.

"Rachel said you were here and then. . . and then, when I got here, I asked that scary-looking man who was talking to this lady, and he said you were here,"

A slight pang of amusement and suspicion tugged at Beatrice's thoughts as she tried to picture who the "scary-looking man" might be. She prodded gently, "Scary-looking man? Did you get his name?"

Her niece shook her head, her golden curls bouncing with the movement. "No."

Beatrice had a feeling it was Hotch.

Just as she was about to ponder further, Rachel's voice called for her attention. "Agent Sterling? Can Chiara stay here with you for a while? I have to get back to Director Sterling right now as he is asking for some files."

Beatrice smiled warmly at her niece and then turned to Rachel, replying with utmost assurance, "It's okay, it's okay! I can handle her. Tell the director she'll stay with me the whole day. He doesn't need to worry."

"Thank you so much, Agent."

As the analyst settled back into her chair, Chia by her side, she couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. It had been a while since she had spent quality time with her beloved niece, whom she treated like her own daughter. Chiara's presence always reminded her of her older sister, Olivia, and being around the little girl brought back cherished memories. She was grateful for the opportunity to have Chiara with her, making the BAU a bit brighter and warmer amidst the intensity of their work.

As the computer emitted a beep, Jordan's voice broke the momentary silence. "We got Gary Michaels."

Beatrice swiftly gave them an order. "Call Derek."

"Talk to me, Garcia."

Garcia turned her attention back to the computer, clicking away on the keys. Bea positioned herself behind her associate, keeping an eye on the situation. With Chiara nearby, she reminded her niece to behave as they delved into the investigation. "So, this Gary Michaels you asked me to track down seems to have disappeared from the grid," Garcia reported.

"What did he do? Skip town?"

"Feels like it. It's as if he took on a new identity as well. Everything in his name lapsed from non-use after the Riley Jenkins murder,"

"Maybe he didn't want to stick around for the investigation."

"In addition to the. . . indecent exposure charge," Garcia whispered, conscious of Chiara's presence. "he also had some lewd behavior and trespassing,"

"Trespassing?" Derek asked, lowering his voice in response. "And why are you whispering?"

"Bea's niece is here with us," Garcia replied. "Anyways, your guy trespassed a nursery school. It's surprising the cops never considered him as a suspect."

"Any other leads to find him?"

"You betcha. They swabbed him in '85 for the exposure charge, so I'm sending up balloons through VICAP and CODIS."

"If he's committed offenses under a different name over the past twenty years. . ."

"Which, considering his type, he probably has. . ."

Beatrice leaned in to catch a glimpse of Gary Michaels's file. Between him and Spencer's father, she couldn't shake the feeling that he was more likely to be the murderer based on the earlier profile they had constructed.

JJ finished the thought. "He will pop up somewhere."

"All right. Keep me in the loop."

"Later," Garcia responded, ending the call and removing her headset. Beatrice turned her gaze towards Jordan, folding her arms as she instructed, "Print everything we have on Gary Michaels and submit it to—" Her attention wavered as she noticed a hint of golden hair near a vacant computer, accompanied by small hands hovering above the keyboard. "Ah, ah, what's our rule when mommy's working?"

The little girl pulled back her hand slowly, acknowledging her mistake. "Don't touch anything without telling mommy," Chiara replied, pointing towards a small purple toy that caught her eye. "Can I touch that?"

"Go ask Penelope if it's okay with her," suggested Beatrice, allowing Chiara to interact with her colleagues.

"Oh, it's okay with me, sweetie. Just take care of it, okay? This is one of my favorite toys," Penelope kindly permitted, her smile radiant as she stood up and knelt in front of Chiara to hand over the little stuffed toy.

Chiara accepted it, then sweetly placed a hand on the side of the technical analyst's face. "You're very pretty."

Garcia gasped, pinching Chiara's cheeks affectionately. "Aww, you're so sweet! I love her, Bee!" Penelope hugged the little girl warmly. "Kids don't lie and so I'm keeping you around here, little cutie pie. Come, sit down with me, and I will teach you how to code."

"Ah, Pen, don't you think she's too young to—" JJ's sudden wince and groan interrupted the moment, catching Bea's attention. She immediately hovered over her teammate. "JJ, you okay?"

Penelope settled down in her chair, with Chiara sitting next to her, still concerned about JJ's wincing. "What's with the wincing?"

"Did I. . . Did I hurt you?" Chia inquired, her worry evident as she looked at JJ. "Mommy. . .?"

"No, no, sweetie. I'm okay, I'm fine."

Jordan interjected, sharing her observation. "I noticed this earlier."

"Earlier? How often?"

"Uh, in the last hour, I'd say every ten minutes," admitted the other blonde, wincing once more.

"Oh, my god," Beatrice gasped, a flash of realization hitting her. Memories of her sister Olivia describing her contractions during labor flooded her mind. "You're in labor! Why didn't you tell anyone here?"

"Because I am not due for another three weeks!"

"Newsflash! You're in labor!" Garcia chimed in with excitement.

Beatrice urged, "We need to get you to a hospital right now. Penelope, can you-"

"Right, on it!"

"No, no, no!" JJ protested, firmly remaining seated. "Because Reid needs us right now."

Beatrice shook her head, determined to prioritize her friend's well-being. "JJ, you need you, right now. Come on, get up. We'll figure out a way to handle everything. Your health and the baby's safety are what matter most."

Beatrice and Garcia gently supported JJ as they made their way out of the office, with Todd and Chiara following closely behind. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm not a doctor. I don't even play one on TV, but I believe young JJ's going into labor!" As they stepped into the bullpen, Garcia announced the situation with her signature enthusiasm, alerting the team to JJ's condition.

Emily immediately sprang into action. "Are you okay?"

Hotchner took charge, decisively stating, "I'll get the car."

"And I will stay and hold the fort down," Beatrice said, resolved to fulfill her responsibilities.

"No, please! I'd appreciate it if you and Chiara would be with us on the way to the hospital!" JJ implored, wincing again in pain. "Please!"

Beatrice's mind raced as she tried to manage the rapidly unfolding situation. She found herself torn between her duty to the case and her deep concern for JJ, who was now clearly in labor. JJ's pleading expression and the pain evident in her eyes tugged at Beatrice's heart, and she couldn't bear to deny her colleague the support she needed.

"Okay, okay." she agreed. "I'm going to text my former team to handle the office for the day. Is that okay with you, Hotch?" Swiftly scooping Chia into her arms, she quickly sent a text to her former team, requesting their assistance, and then focused on supporting JJ.

"I need to call Will."

"From the car, honey. Breathe and walk. Breathe and walk," Garcia advised, guiding JJ's steps with a calming presence.

Emily turned to Jordan, "Agent Todd, I hope you're ready because your job starts right now,"

AS BEATRICE SLOWLY stirred from her slumber, she became aware of the faint murmur of voices and the soft shuffling of feet around her. Her eyelids felt heavy as she blinked, trying to adjust to the bright light that greeted her. She winced at the sudden intrusion of brightness, feeling momentarily disoriented from her nap in the waiting area.

Rubbing her eyes gently, she glanced around, trying to reorient herself. The memories of waiting for an update about JJ flooded back, and she remembered how exhaustion had finally taken its toll, lulling her into a peaceful sleep.

As she sat up, she instinctively reached out, only to realize that her niece, Chiara, was no longer in her arms. A sudden jolt of panic coursed through her veins. Her eyes shot open, and she frantically looked around. Her mind replayed the moments before she dozed off, remembering how she and Chiara had fallen asleep together in the metal bench.

Her heart raced as she scanned the area, searching desperately for any sign of her niece. The bustling hospital seemed to blur around her as people and patients passed by, oblivious to her growing anxiety. Fear gripped her chest, and her mind raced with worry. How could she have fallen asleep and let her niece—her daughter wander off on her own?

She called out for her colleagues, but there was no response. It seemed that they were all momentarily absent, leaving Beatrice feeling alone in her distress. She began to search each corner of the waiting area, her eyes darting from person to person, hoping to catch a glimpse of her niece's golden locks. "Chiara! Chiara!"

Her heart sank as the worst-case scenarios played out in her mind. What if Chiara had wandered out of the hospital? With each passing moment, the fear within her grew, and she felt a wave of guilt for letting her guard down, even for a moment.

What if he kidnapped her? She thought. What if A—no, stop panicking and think, Bea.

Maintaining her composure, Beatrice forced herself to think logically. Like a switch, her panic was replaced with resolve, and she swiftly reached for her cellphone, dialing Penelope's number. Her mind worked like a well-oiled machine, listing the steps she needed to approach this situation. Maybe Penelope had seen her niece, or perhaps someone else had spotted Chiara during her momentary lapse. She felt worried, but she knew she needed to act swiftly and methodically. If no one in her team had seen her niece, she was going to take immediate action, alerting the hospital security and initiating a lockdown. Desperation to find Chiara fueled her determination as she planned to report the incident and track her niece through the hospital's security cameras.

Just as Penelope answered the call and Beatrice's fear had reached its peak, she spotted a familiar figure in the distance. Relief washed over her as she saw Hotchner walking back towards the waiting area, holding Chiara's hand. Her heart swelled with gratitude as she hurried over to them.

"Chia! Oh, thank god, you're safe," the woman exclaimed, scooping her niece up in her arms. "I was so worried. Are you okay?"

Chiara looked up at her with innocent eyes, not fully understanding the gravity of the situation. "I'm fine, mommy. I woke up and I was really. . . hungry, but I didn't want to wake you."

Bea's worry softened into understanding as she gently stroked the girl's hair. "It's okay, sweetheart. I'm just glad you're safe," she said, feeling a mix of relief and love for her niece.

She watched as her niece turned to Hotchner, her eyes wide with innocence and curiosity. "Mommy, mommy! This is the scary-looking man I met in the office," she said, pointing at him. "His name is. . . Aaron!"

Beatrice chuckled, entertained by Chia's introduction. She was right about him being the scary-looking guy her daughter met earlier. She was even amused at how her niece called her boss by his first name.

"Scary-looking? Well, I hope I'm not that scary anymore," Hotch responded, raising an amused eyebrow.

Chia beamed up, her trust in him evident in her sparkling eyes. "No, not anymore! He's really nice, mommy!" she declared, her tiny hand reaching out to Hotchner. "Aaron bought me a-a juice, a sandwich, and a cookie! See!"

The analyst felt her heart swell with gratitude for her boss's kindness towards her niece. She placed a tender kiss on her forehead. "Thank you, sir."

He returned the gesture, holding Chiara's hand gently. "I'm sorry for making you worry. She woke up while you were taking a nap, and was hungry, so I brought her to the cafeteria. I planned to return her to you immediately, but she wanted to eat already."

Beatrice couldn't help but smile at the adorable exchange between Chiara and Hotchner. "It's okay, sir. I'm just glad she's safe and she was with you. I'll pay you back whatever she asked you to buy. My wallet's just in the office—"

"No, no, it's okay. You don't have to. Your daughter's a wonderful kid. I enjoyed spending time with her. You raised her well."

As Chiara innocently asked Hotch, "Aaron, do you like my mommy?" Beatrice felt a faint flutter in her stomach. She watched the interaction between her niece and her colleague, curious about how he would respond.

"Hm, I do like her."

"Isn't she pretty?"

His gaze flickered to her, and for a moment, there was something in his eyes, something she couldn't quite decipher. "Yes, she is very pretty," affirmed Hotch.

"He said you're very pretty," Chiara gleefully informed her.

"Why, thank you, Hotch."

The girl corrected her, "His name is Aaron, mommy, not. . . Hotch."

Beatrice let out a light laugh. "Oh, yeah, right. Thank you, Aaron," she said, using his first name instead of "Hotch," the shift in addressing him feeling unexpectedly intimate.

"Will Aaron visit us in our house, mommy? I want to show him my robots!"

"She loves creating clocks and robots out of hard drives and optical disc drive lasers I have at home," the woman shared with a chuckle, proud of Chiara's creative spirit.

"I wonder where she got that," mused Hotchner, his voice carrying a touch of amusement.

Beatrice flashed him a cheeky smile.

"I will try to see if I can visit one time," he replied, and Chiara clapped her hands in joy at the prospect.

Seeing her niece's excitement, it was evident that Chiara adored her boss, and Beatrice couldn't help but be grateful for the fondness she seemed to have with him. Chiara was usually reserved and cautious around new people, but with Hotchner, she felt at ease, as if she had known him forever.

"Hey, guys!" A high-pitched voice broke their attention, and all three of them turned to see Garcia approaching with paper bags full of treats. "Chia!" She beamed, setting aside the bags and pulling out a small item from one of them. "Look, darling, I got you this pretty hairpin!"

"Wow!"

Her friend gently attached the hairpin to Chia's hair, and Bea was grateful for the genuine care and affection her colleagues showed towards her niece. She guided her bundle of joy to sit down on the bench. "What do you say to Penelope?"

"Thank you!"

"Aww, you're welcome!" Penelope's radiant presence never failed to bring comfort and cheer to everyone in the team. Her office, filled with colorful figurines and decorations, provided a safe haven for them after witnessing the darkest aspects of humanity. Beatrice admired how her kindness and optimism could brighten even the gloomiest days. Her friend's curiosity got the better of her as she leaned in and whispered, "So, why does your niece call you mommy?"

Beatrice appreciated her associate's genuine interest and decided to share a glimpse of her personal life. "My older sister passed away when Chiara turned two. I stepped in to raise her, and she grew up recognizing me as her mother."

"Oh, I'm so sorry. Gosh, I feel like I shouldn't have asked! I—"

"Hey, Pen, it's okay. It's been years. I'm okay."

Penelope took Beatrice's hand, giving it a soft squeeze. "Chiara is lucky to have you, a strong and loving figure in her life."

"Thank you. I try my best."

"But, does she—"

"—know am I not her mother?" Bea finished the question for her, and Penelope nodded in understanding. "Yes, she does, but she seems not to care about it."

"Oh, I see," Garcia replied, her compassion evident in her eyes. "Can I take her to see how JJ is doing?"

"Of course, thank you, Pen. I know she'll be in good hands with you."

Penelope beamed, taking Chia's hand and leading her towards JJ's room. "Don't worry, I'll take good care of her."

With a smile, Garcia gently took her daughter's hand and led her towards JJ's room. Beatrice watched them go, feeling a deep sense of appreciation for her new team. Just then, they turned to hear Spencer's voice reverberate through the corridor. "Guys! How's JJ?"

"We don't know yet, but Garcia's already checking," replied Beatrice, grateful for Spencer's concern.

"Hey, boss!" Another voice sounded from behind them. "We're here!"

The cyber analyst turned to see Ethan and the rest of her former team approaching, greeting them with a smile. "Hey, guys! Thank you so much for assisting my team," she said, giving them all a quick high-five.

"No problemo!"

Megan asked, curiosity evident in her gaze as she surveyed the three men. "Hey, who do you have with you?"

"Ah, everyone, meet the FBI eye-candies. McDreamy, McSteamy, and. . . McFrowny." she teased, pointing at Reid, Derek, and Hotch, respectively, with a mischievous grin. "I'm kidding. They're Dr. Reid, and Agents Morgan, and Hotchner. This is my C3S team."

"Oh, who do we have here?"

Just then, Rossi entered the scene, and Beatrice wasted no time in introducing him as well. "And this is David Rossi."

Max's eyes widened with excitement. "Oh my god! The granddaddy of the BAU in the flesh!" Max exclaimed dramatically, dramatically shaking Rossi's hand as if meeting a celebrity. "I'm starstruck, sir! I've read all of your books! I even have an unsub—I mean, a small space dedicated to your most notorious unsubs!"

"Oh boy, a whole wall? I hope I don't take up too much space," joked Rossi, pretending to look flattered and slightly concerned.

"Oh, trust me, it's like a Rossi shrine in there! You're practically an honorary member of my family!"

Rossi turned to Beatrice, his expression one of confusion mixed with a hint of concern.

Juliette joked. "He McDaddy?"

The woman burst into laughter. "McDaddy, yeah! That works."

"So, Reid. . . Morgan, huh? You were the guys on the phone earlier. The ones Bea told us to assist," the dark skinned woman said, introducing herself with a friendly smile.

"You were the one on the other end of the call, right? I recognize your voice," stated Reid, his memory working its magic.

"Yeah, that's me, and this is Ethan, Megan, and Max. Ravi's at the office, doing work stuff. He's a workaholic."

"Nice meeting you all." Beatrice felt a warm sense of camaraderie as Ethan wrapped his arm around her shoulder, standing tall with a playful smirk. "We're just letting you guys all know. You're just borrowing our boss for a couple of weeks. We'll take her back once she's done."

Rossi held a glimmer of amusement in his eyes, adding, "Of course, but we might just try to convince her to stay a bit longer."

Juliette's phone interrupted their moment, and she quickly answered the call, leaving Ethan with a look of urgency. "Ethan, ITOS needs us to report right now," she informed, and he nodded.

"And that's our cue to leave!" The C3S leader said with a wink, releasing his arm from around her. "We'll see you around again, boss. "Call us if you need anything, like. . . hacking satellites," He leaned over and planted a playful peck on her hair, which made her holler.

"Guys! The nurse said we can now visit JJ!" Garcia's cheerful voice rang out from behind them, signaling the long-awaited news.

Rossi remarked with a hint of admiration, "You've got a great team. They assembled all the information we needed in just seconds."

"I trained them well."

Derek chimed in with a smile, "They also love you."

Beatrice laughed, sharing a playful glance with Derek and Hotch before shrugging nonchalantly. "Who doesn't?"

Her response was light-hearted, and deep down, she felt a warmth in her heart, knowing that she was surrounded by people who cared for her as much as she cared for them.

—————

ah, so this is me just introducing some other characters AND ALSO YES HOTCHBEA PROGRESS WITH THAT COFFEE! while this chapter doesn't really further the plot (i think not every chapter should hehe), we see some development. i see you little matchmaker chiara, i see you. ALSO SELENA HAYES IS FROM MY BESTIE @/CELESTIELS SPENCER REID FIC, ANTI-HERO! go check it out! the plot is divine!