The New Girl

Juliette closed the door of Aaron Hotchner's office. The SSA was turned in his chair and speaking to someone on the phone.

    "Uh huh.......well they will just have to wait.........no, this is not up for negotiation.........listen, someone just came into my office.......keep me updated."

He hung up the phone and turned in his chair.

    "So this is what you're like at work."

Hotch smiled warmly and almost bounded out of his chair. He pulled her into a hug, instinctively she laid her head on his chest.

    "Jules, you have no idea how happy I am to see you. I am ecstatic that you decided to take this job." Hotch paused for a moment. "How's your dad?"

    "He's good." she said sitting in the chair in front of his desk. "Writing a new book."

Hotch cracked a smile and walked back to his chair. He straightened his tie and sat down.

    "I've been reading your file. You've been busy...well, since the last time I saw you. 2 doctorates, graduated top of your class. You might give Reid a run for his money."

Juliette smiled and leaned back in her chair.

    "It's been what.....8 years? I was already on the first doctorate when we met. I just....kind of fast tracked. By the way Hotch.....I.....I was so sorry to hear about Hailey. I wanted to call but, I figured I was the last person you needed to hear from then."

She watched his face. He glanced down at the papers on his desk and began to fidget with his tie.

    "Actually, you were the one person I wanted to hear from the most."

Juliette smiled and shook her head.

    "Come on now Hotch. We both know that wouldn't have turned out well. I mean, I would have been there for you like any friend but the way things happened between us....something else would have transpired. I was even surprised when I was offered this job."

Hotch stood up and came around to her side of the desk. He knelt down next to her. He was close. She could smell him. A smell that had always found a way to haunt her. His eyes were intense.

    " I offered you this job because my team is the best. With you, they will be even better. Whatever was between us, has nothing to do with this." He said putting his hand on her leg.

Juliette's heart jumped slightly at his touch. Suddenly JJ burst through the door.

    "Hotch, they are all in the meeting room like you asked. Oh, hello! I'm JJ, you must be Juliette. It's so nice to finally meet you! Your dad talked about you all the time."

Juliette smiled and shook her hand.

    "It's really nice to meet you JJ, but you can call me Julie. My dad told me a lot about you."

    "Well, shall we?" Hotch said making his way out of the room.

Juliette picked up her purse and followed behind, JJ falling in next to her.

    "Sorry for Hotch's brevity. He can be like that."

Juliette smiled and took a deep breath entering the meeting room.