*Wipes away tears.* Morgan talked to Reid! Yes!

There's still some distance between them, but they have to start somewhere. It's better than not getting anywhere.

There's progress being made in the case. They have their eyes on a possible suspect.

Meanwhile, Gideon has a word with Hudson. He has been told to not see Reid as a threat, but it doesn't seem to sink in until Gideon says so. However, it seems though the Hudson will struggle trying to see past what he sees.

I may not have been saying these past few reviews, but do know that they're still written beautifully and I enjoy each and every one of them! I'm moving on to the next chapter!

Spencer sounded so genuine, sweet, loving and caring in his letter to his mother. Or actually the postcard. I love the idea of him sending postcards of where he has and will be from the cases the team takes on. Also, he tries his best to not cause any reason for his mom to worry for him.

Okay, so perhaps I was mistaken. Reid is not handling things so well after going to the crime scene and having seen Hudson and Morgan gathered and talking, assuming the worse, and imagining the worse. Just his mind is racing. I can very much understand. It's not easy, I'm sure for him having gone through what has gone through. On top of that, he feels pressure of trying to do his best is weighing on him, but Reid feels that he failing in that area.

What I really love about this is that Hotch spoke to Reid first. Really drive his words through carefully but thoroughly. He said some very inspiring and encouraging words. Something for Reid to mull over during the case.

I'm really glad that Morgan is keen on now starting to be more friendly to Reid! I'm super excited to see them get along and soon!

Aw! That hurt! To see Reid get mad, but it's something I think needed to happen anyway. Morgan must understand the Reid is human and he is just like him and anybody else. That goes for Hudson too. Now, sadly, Reid did miss where Morgan was only teasing and not making fun of him completely.

Covering both Morgan and Hudson's experiences when it comes to either their first or just a crime scene in general is enough to show them that Reid's reaction is natural, and that he didn't let that stop him from doing his job is the main point of it all.

Morgan tried though to be friendly with Reid. Things didn't go well in the end. I'm glad Morgan is not backing down either.

It's like Nichols is taking Reid in as a part of the family which is really nice. A good father and a good friend, giving Reid the encouragement he really needs.

I love how you demonstrated Reid as being a teacher and a good teacher at that. That is capable to help someone like Tara learn, understand and enjoy while at it. The bonus that they got her project done.

A new case. 5 murders. All women and blonde. Different MOs. But one signature.

Reid is being Reid. Poor dear can't pick up on social cues. Morgan is trying to take it easy on him while Hudson is still being Hudson.

Hotch took Reid to his first crime scene and with Hudson tagging along, (I assume something like getting them to work together finally on the field.) It was good of Hotch to do that - to get it over with. It helped Reid determine if he made the right choice in joining the BAU. Reid is strong though and he has worked really hard to get where he was - so it's great to see he is not turning back or walking away from that.

Despite that Reid prove that he's a capable agent and that he's worthy of being on the team in the previous chapters, he still has some ways to go in earning complete trust from Hudson. Though, I see that he's somewhat growing on Morgan. :D

Hudson was bogus for doing what he did with the bartender, but Morgan was willing to be there for Reid during the little confrontation with the guy - just only Hotch beat him to it.

Thank you Jenkins for also defending Reid. Hudson needed to be brought down a peg or two whenever he is being a douche.

I appreciate Nichols and Hotch in trying to give Reid room in trying to be comfortable being around them and their families. I enjoyed reading further backstory about Nichols and his family. He has struggles but he has a great family on his hands.

Yay! The team won! They worked very well together! After how well Reid has been doing so far into the match, he's earned respect from Morgan and Hudson, even though for Hudson it's begrudgingly. There were some smart plays here. Reid telling Hudson to take the flag so that it gives them the element of a surprise an advantage. I'm happy and proud of everyone - and I truly appreciate Reid's outlook into their victory - that he didn't need complete recognition. I like the ending part of this chapter very much!

Teamwork! Teamwork! Teamwork! Teamwork!

Hotch gets dibs on catching Morgan first with paintballs, but at least Morgan gets revenge. And how? How can Gideon get hit first the next round lol! I agree though; if it was worth them bonding over.. :D

I love how well Hotch worked with Reid as they were going for their targets. Such as smart move on Reid's part in getting Morgan to shoot Hudson instead of him.

That's right Hudson and Morgan. Don't let's Reid timidness fool you. ;)

Overall, your writing of the strategy in how they cleared the building and just watching each other's back was spectacular! You have such skill - it kills me!

So we're delving into how the team is getting along with the new addition. Hotch and Gideon are there for Reid when needed. Hudson is still being mean. Have a heart Hudson. Morgan is in-between. I give him credit for wanting to come to Reid's defense against their fellow employees, but he did snap at Reid though for his ranting. (How can anyone get upset with our lovely Reid) (But. I guess in this case, it's understandable.)

There's a bit of a backstory for Nichols. It shows his excellence hehe, and he saves Morgan some technical trouble at least. Yep! Had Morgan and Hudson been more nice to Reid, they wouldn't facing their surprise for the next day!

I really like Morgan, Hudson, and Nichols are at each other in a sibling kind of way. Which was so endearing about the show to begin with for me, and you've captured it perfectly through these chapters thus far.

YES! AT LAST! THEY MEET!

Gotta keep an eye on the situation indeed. Hudson needs to stop being a jerk, and he needs to understand that he's just as an important team member as Reid. I have to admit, I love Morgan and Reid interactions, and even though Reid doesn't feel safe around him, I can see the essence of their interaction similar to the show. You bring the essence of the show with Hudson and Nichols too, along with Gideon.

... Oh sweet nostalgia...

Look at Hudson in action. Nailed Marley right where he wanted him. Gideon was right. Marley made a mistake and sure was gonna make another one. Patience and calmness awarded them much answers, but a specific one. He is the guy. The families will be able to get the closure they needed and they will be able to finally wrap up the case.

Aw! My heart! It was so sweet and heart warming to see Reid and his mother meeting and talking to each other. I love Jane Lynch's portrayal as Diane Reid, and I must say, you got her down-pack here. She does not mess around when it comes to her son well-being. Hotch and Diane - such headstrong characters, but you the way how you wrote their interaction - it was written incredibly and believably well! I'm glad Hotch showed that he can be the support the Reid lacks ever so much. Reid - you adorable boy. I really feel for him and guilt and other emotions that I may not able to fathom any more completely than he can. It's a start for him though. It is a start.

Your writing continues to leave me in absolute awe, my friend. Absolute awe.

The UnSub is caught perhaps? It appears he's the guy though. Morgan did well holding his own like I expected he would.
Marley didn't anticipate going against him. I guess I'll find out if he really is the guy in the next chapter.

I can close my eyes and hear Hotch through and through. Maintaining professionalism and remaining firm. Jensen sensed correctly about Hotch's stance. Good that he kept quiet. While I can understand Jensen's position, Reid did well in following Hotch and repeating his words, though Reid's feels uncertain about packing up and leaving. Hotch's voice of reason was good enough for Reid to accept (even me.) It makes me have a greater appreciation for Hotch as a person and in his role. No one can do it better than he can. To further add to his beautiful character, he managed to get Reid to open up in regards to his mom. Poor Reid. His hesitance cuts at my heart. Now, perhaps Reid won't have to worry about carrying so much for the burden alone.

I swear, you just don't know, how I can see all this as if I'm literally watching this as an episode of CM. We've hit the juicy part. Everyone is just about closing in on the UnSub. I can feel the anticipation building up that their chance in finally catching him is presented to them.

Also, my inner Reid love is stirring. lol. I love how your wrote in perspective of Reid thinking to himself at first about all the things he and Hotch learned from Jensen and then speaking to Hotch about it. I just imagine a camera angled on him directly, and you cut to the next scene like the actual show.

The other characters in general were awesomely written here. You had Hotch step in at the right times, especially when Reid wasn't so perceptive of his blurting out to Jensen of possibly being a target.

Hudson is being such a pain about Reid. I can't help but feel defensive for Reid. (No messing with my babe). While he makes sound points about how Reid is not like anyone else in the field, his set-on beliefs of Reid is like - wow - come on, man. Lol. However, Hudson can do his job and do his job well when he's not thinking about their new team mate.

I appreciate that Morgan considers giving Reid a chance, even though he doesn't fully trust him. It is more that he trust his superiors, and it's really cool how you portray that.

Even though comparisons can be drawn between Nichols and Garcia, I just love how you add a unique flare to him where it's easy to just distinguish him from her.

And of course Gideon is being Gideon. :D

Hudson is ticked off already and he hasn't met Reid in person lol. Now we're getting somewhere. So the dynamics of the team are showing. Morgan finds himself in the middle. He's not for Reid, but he's not so against him like Hudson is. I've mentioned to you before about how I felt about Hudson, and now that I'm older, I've gotten a better understanding psychology, and thus, I've gotten a better understanding for Hudson as a character. There's just depth to him as well as the other characters. I appreciate how much thought went into this chapter alone just as much as the story in itself. I see that Gideon is trying to keep in line along with not trying to push Hudson where he feels that being sought out unjustly.

Man, I need to take a notes from you on how you write crime - because you nail it. I need to take notes from you in general. The puzzle pieces are coming together and the team is making progress. Wow - I'm just wowed and excited to see where this goes (again.) I don't remember entirely what has happened after this point... but as I continue reading the chapters, I would remember more.

So we get to see Reid meeting Nichols for the first time. It's fascinating to see them interact, and how Hotch is keeping an eye on Reid as he is gradually being brought in on the case. Reid's eidetic memory is the best! He remembers and knows of the case relating to the one the team is working on. I absolutely love that Nichols calls Reid Junior. (Why couldn't Nichols really exist in the show.)

They really do need a media liaison. The struggle they must go through to play peacemaker with officers and do their own jobs. Mm mm. It just occurred to me that you wrote this story without JJ and with a media liaison in general, and you've done such a wonderful job in capturing the downsides to it, and I love how you're playing on this idea and that you're drawing it out through the this story and the sequel.

You know you have a good story on your hands when you can achieve a reader's level of appreciation for a story that takes place before the canon setting and have readers grow to love the original characters you have in 's creativity and talent.

I love that bit with Hotch and Haley. I can understand his concerns in regards to the team's functionality. I can only imagine what the original team was like, and I may be interested in reading further about them if you ever decide to expand on them in another story, since you're such an incredible writer.

Love that Haley wants to be there for Reid because even though she doesn't know Reid on a personal level, she can sense that he needs more people to support him, particularly family.

And reading this after knowing what happens in the show, I really love and appreciate the display of love between Hotch and Haley here.

So it begins. Mm. Now I feel sick after reading the last part. I know it's not overly described. I think I'm just more sensitive than I was a few years ago. Anyway. This chapter was really-well constructed in terms of getting into crime aspect of the show. The side characters were written realistically, and I felt Gideon's frustration with "politics" lol.

Even though, especially at the time when I first read this, I really wanted Reid to meet the team right away, it's very good that you had held off. That you eased him in. Reid will need all thing easing that he can get.