Summary: They never tell you or show you what it was like when Reid first joined the BAU. So this is my take on Reid coming into the BAU at the young age of 22 and how everyone took to it. There will be a character that I made up for the purpose of this story. Plus we really don't know who was on the team when Reid first joined so why not.

Chapter 1

Morgan was sitting at his desk down in the bullpen. He was trying to focus on his paperwork, but that never really went well when he and Agent Jordan were together. They were really close some would say best friends. They had understood each other and had a bond between them that no one would deny was there. Both Agent Morgan and Agent Jordan had been police officers in the past before becoming a Fed. Morgan was in Chicago his home city and Jordon was in New York his home city so they even grew up near each other. Both came from bad neighborhoods and lost their father at an early age. They two had a lot in common so it only made sense that they became close very quickly. Morgan was on the team just a month before Jordan came into the picture. Morgan was relieved when his supervisor Agent Hotchner had informed them that they were getting a new member. He was even more relieved when he saw that Jordan was a 6'2 built like an ox white guy that could easily tackle an UnSub. For the most part of the month he had been there it really had been his job. Agent Hotchner was an older man in his late thirties early forties so he was a little past his prime. His boss was Agent Gideon and he was even older so he wasn't about to kick down doors and tackle anyone. Which Morgan honestly didn't mind both his superiors were very good at what they did and had great minds. The other member of the team was a media liaison named Jennifer they all called her JJ though she wasn't a profiler she didn't deal with UnSubs she dealt with the press and the media outlets she also would help interview grieving families. So needless to say Morgan was happy when another built younger man like himself came onto the team. It helped make his job easier plus it was nice to know someone else could give a good fight in case he got in trouble.

Today Morgan was having an even harder time focusing on his paperwork for today they were set to get a new agent. Who the agent was he didn't know Gideon had kept it a secret even from Hotch. Which to Morgan was odd, because those two always talked about everything regarding work. So for Gideon to keep this new agent a secret must mean there's something he doesn't want them to know about. Morgan was brought out of his thoughts by Jordan speaking to him.

"Hey man do you know who this new agent is supposed to be?"

"Naw and it's really weird that even Hotch doesn't know. I mean what is Gideon hiding about this new agent. We don't even know if it's a guy or a girl."

"Well if it's a girl I hope she's smoking hot that would definitely make the paperwork more interesting. Not to mention if we have to share hotel rooms."

"Ya because I'm so sure Gideon would allow that to happen."

"I can dream can't I?"

"That's all you'll be doing."

"Well in any sense I just hope it's not someone useless. Like some wet behind the ears rookie that's no good for being in the field. We need someone we know can handle having our backs not someone that can't handle a few dead bodies."

"The BAU is hard man not everyone can cut it, but I understand what you mean. We need more people that are able to take down an UnSub and stand a chance in a fight. I mean no offense to Gideon or Hotch but they are getting a little up there to be going toe to toe with someone."

"No doubt."

With that Hotch and Gideon came out of their offices and headed towards the conference room.

"BAU team conference room now." Hotch said from the balcony as he headed down the hall to the conference room. Morgan and Jordan made their way up the stairs as JJ walked down the hall from her office into the conference room. Once there they all took a seat as Gideon stood at the front to address them all.

"As you know today we will be getting a new agent. One that I am very excited about getting. He will be here momentarily and we will also be heading out for a case once he does arrive for the briefing. His name is Dr. Spencer Reid. He has three PHDs…"

"So wait he's a doctor, doctor, doctor?" Jordan joked

"Yes technically he is. He has doctorates in Engineering, Mathematics and Chemistry as well as two B.A's one in philosophy and the other in psychiatry."

"What is this guy like fifty?" Jordan once again cut off Gideon before he could get any further.

"No he is a genius and from what I have seen in him at the academy he will be extremely helpful to us. He is the best at geographical profiling as well as linguistics and puzzles. His mind is truly extraordinary and you'll never find someone else like him. All of the ABC agencies have approached him with offers as well as several universities and government labs throughout the country but he has chosen to work here. "

"Ok I still can't get over that he must be in his fifties to have three PHDs plus the Bas" Jordan said who was clearly not impressed with the new agent.

"Ya no offense Gideon but how old is he like seriously it takes what seven years roughly to get a doctorate little lone three of them that's close to twenty one years in school alone." Morgan added.

"That's why I am telling you about him before I tell you his age. As I was saying he has an IQ of 187, he has an eidetic memory which means everything he reads he remembers on the first time around plus he can also remember almost everything he hears. He can read 20,000 words per minute he is very much so the definition of a genius."

"What's his field experience like?" Hotch asked noticing how Gideon was more focused on the agent's mind. Hotch needed to know that this new agent will be helpful in the field.

"He doesn't have field experience yet. In fact in order for him to graduate they had to make a few exceptions with the physical aspects. He can't do hand to hand fighting or shot a gun for that matter."

"Are you kidding me?" Jordan couldn't believe this they were getting some walking computer that couldn't shoot.

"Jason I really don't think this is a good idea. How can he not have field experience?" Hotch said

"Ya that doesn't make sense you have to have at least three years of being in the FBI to even apply for this job. You're telling me in three years he hasn't ever been in the field." Morgan stated

"He has never been in the field, because he just graduated the academy yesterday."

No one knew what to say no one could believe that this was happening. They had all wanted a new field agent they were all excited and anxious to meet the new guy at the office and here they find out that it's a completely pure agent. No field experience, can't fight, can't shoot a gun can't be in the field basically. What they got was some know it all walking talking computer.

"Jason" Hotch started to speak when Gideon cut him off.

"No listen to me. Yes he's brand new out of the academy. Physically he won't be any help and with some teaching he can learn to shoot a gun it just takes him some time. However, mentally he can run circles around us and the UnSub's that's his strength. He has a higher IQ then all of us his mind thinks differently which is exactly what we need. We need someone who can understand and get in the mind of an UnSub and he can do that. He's different."

"Ok Jason stop avoiding the question how old is he?" Hotch asked fearing the worst.

"He's twenty-two."

There was an eerie silence that filled the room. No one knew what to say or what to even think. There was no way that a twenty-two year old would be that highly educated it wasn't possible. JJ couldn't believe it there was no way she was just twenty-two in college still playing soccer. How was it possible for someone that young to have that many degrees. Morgan and Jordan were both pissed off if this was a joke it wasn't funny. There's no way they were going to accept and tolerate someone that young and inexperienced. Hotch didn't know what to think for a moment he thought that Jason had lost his mind for thinking this would be a good idea. Thankfully JJ was the one that broke the tension filled silence.

"Are you serious?"

"I am very much serious."

"This has got to be some kind of joke. There's no way you or anyone would ever like some young naive kid in the BAU." Morgan said he was starting to get angry this whole idea was ridiculous.

"I'm not joking and he's not a kid. I assure you he's been an adult longer then you have."

"Longer then me I'm ten years older than him!"

"Then you won't have an issue helping him learn the ropes then."

"Teach him? I'll teach him a few good life lessons. First one will be not to play with the adults and go back to the sandbox." Jordan said

"Jordan that's enough Jason come out in the hall." Hotch said as he stood up.

He knew that this would be an issue the second he mentioned that this Reid person wasn't a physical individual. Personally Hotch didn't care he knew that to be a profiler you needed more brains then bronze but that wouldn't make Morgan and Jordan accept him any easier. It got worse when they all found out he was just a twenty- two year old. Hotch had to see where Jason's head was at. Jason followed Hotch out into the hallway he knew he would have to fight for Reid to be on the team but he wouldn't stop fighting. He believed in his heart that Reid belonged here on the team.

"Jason you can't be serious about bringing in a twenty- two year old to this job."

"Aaron I am confident that he will be alright. Yes he's not a field agent that will come with time though. He's beyond intelligent he will figure it out quicker than you think. His mind belongs here."

"Jason you obviously have an interest in this young man. Don't let that cloud your judgement. I'm not going to deny that what he has accomplished at his age isn't amazing and I am curious to meet him. I'm sure his mind is amazing but are you willing to risk his mind for this job? Think about it Jason he has an eidetic memory every case file he reads every crime scene he goes to. He will always remember every single ounce of it. He won't able to forget you know that. His mind isn't like ours or theirs he can't forget and at such a young age do you really think this is the best for him?"

"Yes he can't forget but he's not naïve either Aaron he knows that we see horrific things every day. I know he can handle it and even if that means we slowly introduce him to crime scenes. He can stay in the station and work the profile and what he's good at he doesn't need to be in the field you know that. There's more than just field work to be a profiler I believe in him and I trust him I need you to believe and trust me on this one. Or at least hold your judgements until you see what he can do just like you would with any other agent that comes onto this team."

"So you want me to just completely ignore his age?"

"Yes give him the same chance that you would anyone else."

"You do know that Morgan and Jordan won't be so accepting even if he proves himself. Not to mention the local police we deal with all the time. People will see him as a kid and that will make it hard for anyone to respect him."

"Which is why when being introduced he will be Doctor Reid."

Hotch let out a sigh. He had to agree with some points that Jason had said if he had been older he wouldn't have questioned his choice. He was only questioning it because the kid was still very much young. Yes he shouldn't be calling him a kid he was twenty- two and had a higher IQ then he did but still at that age and compared to the rest of them he was a kid. There were so many dangers out there with this job he would be an easy target for someone to grab him. On the other hand if he is as good as Jason says he is then how could he say no to such a brilliant mind that would be a great asset to the team.

"Alright I'll withhold my judgement."

"Thank you."

"JJ will be easier to accept this Morgan and Jordan won't be. You know how they are especially Jordan they won't take to him very well."

"I know but I'm hoping to help with that."

Gideon said as he walked back into the conference room with Hotch following behind him. He was interested in how he was going to win over Morgana and Jordan. Hotch sat back down and Gideon continued to stand in front of them.

"Before he gets here I want to make this very clear to all of you especially you two." Gideon said as he looked directly at Morgan and Jordan.

"Spencer has Aspenberg syndrome it's high autism meaning he has some quirks. He's socially awkward and doesn't understand what we would consider normal interaction. He doesn't shake hands or has physical contact with anyone. He also doesn't tend to make eye contact either and he speaks with his hands a lot. "

"Come on this is ridiculous Hotch man, are you actually letting this happen?" Jordan asked

"I trust Jason and his judgement on people. Besides if this Doctor Reid is as good as Jason says he is then he will be invaluable to this team."

"Invaluable? He's a walking encyclopedia that is socially retarded how is that invaluable?"

"I'm going to make this very clear I will not tolerate any disrespect or bullying of Doctor Reid there will be serious consequences."

Gideon made sure he said that looking at Jordaan and Morgan. He knew they would cause the most trouble for Reid. No one else had a chance to say anything as there was a knock on the conference room door. Everyone turned to see a tall skinny awkward looking man at the door. Everyone knew that this must be the new agent. Gideon definitely got it right when he said he was an awkward individual his eyes kept looking all around the room.

"Spencer did you find you way all right?" Gideon asked

"Um yes."

"Good come sit down and get introduced."

Reid walked over to an empty seat that was beside Morgan and Hotch he sat down and watched as Gideon introduced each person.

"This is SSA Hotchner, This is Agent Morgan, Agent Jordan and Agent Jareau."

"Call me JJ I'm the media liaison for the team I deal with the press and media outlets so you guys don't have to."

Reid just gave a nod to that he didn't know what to say to her or to any of them. He wasn't good with social talking it was different with Gideon for some reason being around him didn't bother him at all. Hotch looked over at Gideon he couldn't believe that Reid was this socially challenged to the point where he couldn't seem to have conversations with people. He gave Gideon a look that said 'seriously' Gideon just put his hand up slightly so only Hotch could see it to say just wait.

"We actually have a case that we will be going on. JJ goes through the cases and the ones that she feels need our immediate attention we brief them together then head out." Gideon said

With that Gideon sat down beside Hotch and JJ got up to hand out the files to everyone. She handed Reid her file and just worked off the board. Reid took the file and began to read it everyone, but Gideon couldn't help but look at Reid as he flipped the pages as he read at his blinding speed. Gideon just smiled to himself and then cleared his throat to get JJ back on task.

"Ok so we are heading to Jacksonville Florida where women varying from age ranges as young as thirty to as old as fifty are being tortured and killed. So far seven men have been killed and their bodies dumped in alleys."

"Where were they taken from?" Morgan asked

"Various locations one was from her car another from a parking garage one was on the street. There doesn't seem to be any pattern or a set victimology yet. What they do have is the same riddle being left at each dump site. That's the only connection each victim has with each other so far. What the locals have been able to dig up on each victim is that they all work in different fields. None have any children or in a relationship."

"How far apart are the killings?" Jordan asked

"Three days." JJ said

"Jacksonville this UnSub has what a million potential victims." Jordan said

"1,345,596 people live in Jacksonville the city has a total area of 874.3 square miles making Jacksonville the largest city in land area in the United States; of this, 86.66% is land and ; 13.34% is water."

Reid said but his eyes never left the brown file in front of him he wasn't comfortable around people especially people he doesn't know. Morgan and Jordan couldn't help the look of shock on their face. Hotch's face was expressionless like always; however, he was slightly impressed that Reid just said that without even having to think about it the words just came right out.

"Who do you know that?" Morgan asked

"I read" was Reid's simple reply, though you could hear the confusion in his voice. You could tell that Reid didn't really understand the question.

"What do you just sit at home reading National Geographic all day long." Jordan half joked.

"The National Geographic is the official journal of the National Geographic Society. It published its first issue in 1888, just nine months after the Society itself was founded. There are 12 monthly issues of the National Geographic per year, plus additional map supplements. It contains articles about geography, popular science, history, culture, current events, and photography. It wouldn't be very much help for populations of cities that's what the census journal is for it keeps an updated population of each city country wide every six months a new journal is issued."

"See what do you even say to that?" Jordan said

"How do you remember all of that?" Morgan asked

"I have an eidetic memory I remember everything I read and see right down to the small and the tiniest detail."

"So you can read something once and you remember it?" JJ asked she had to admit this Doctor Reid was peeking her interest.

"Correct."

"Ok let's continue." Hotch said trying to get everyone back on track. He could tell that Reid was getting uncomfortable with the way he was fidgeting. He was socially awkward so having strangers looking at him wasn't going to help.

"Right as I was saying each kill has been three days apart they now have seven victims. The locals didn't want to bring us in but they were finally forced to by the mayor. So we can expect them to not be happy about it." JJ said

"The riddle isn't in the files." Gideon stated

"Ya the lead detective wouldn't give me the riddle. He said they had already solved it and there was no point to it. Honestly I think he just doesn't want someone to tell him he's wrong. Apparently they cracked it but it made no sense."

"Alright wheels up in thirty. Reid I would like a word with you and Jason in my office please."

Reid looked over at Gideon as the others made their way out the door to the bullpen.

"What did I do?"

Gideon couldn't help but smile it was natural for Reid to think he did something wrong whenever someone wanted to talk to him in private.

"Nothing he just wants to talk to you."

"Why?"

"Because he's your superior and he wants to know you. I promise this will get easier."

Gideon and Reid walked beside each other down to Hotch's office just down the hall. Reid was nervous he didn't like being spoken to in someone's office that could very well end your career. Gideon said that he just wanted to talk and get to know him but people don't ever want to get to know him, with the exception of Gideon. Not only that Gideon kept telling him that it would get easier but he had been saying that for two years now, and so far it hasn't. They walked into Hotch's office to find him leaning against the front of his desk. Hotch immediately noticed how Reid's eyes never met his they focused more on the ground.

"Reid I just wanted to speak with you for a moment about what's going to happen. I don't like just throwing agents into the field. I prefer to ease them into it. We see a lot of horrific things that people do to each other. Not everyone can handle seeing it and there's nothing wrong with that. So with you for a little while you'll be spending most of your time in the police station working on connections the victims may have and the profile. I don't want you to be nervous or worried someone will always be with you for a little while until you feel comfortable alone. When you do go into the field because you don't have a weapon you just need to be with someone in case something happens. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir"

"Good why don't you head down with the others. I just need a word with Jason for a moment."

Reid gave a nod and then headed out the door to head down where the others were waiting and getting ready. Once he was outside the door Hotch turned to Gideon, but before Hotch could say anything Gideon beat him to it.

"He gets better I promise. He's improved in the two years I've known him just give him some time to get use to the different people on the team."

"He's socially awkward you weren't kidding about that. He has no confidence which I have to say is surprising considering everything he has accomplished. He doesn't make eye contact at all barely to you. That much of a low self-esteem isn't a side effect from Aspenberg syndrome. For him to be that low of a self-confidence he would have had to have been bullied."

"He graduated a public Las Vegas high school at the age of twelve. He's been bullied his whole life including University. He's never told me about any of the events, but as you can see for yourself he would have been tormented for him to get that self-conscious."

"You are aware of how Morgan and Jordan will handle him until he proves himself. They both will make jokes and say things that Reid won't understand especially Jordan he won't hold back."

"I know I'm hoping they will see that he isn't confident in himself and they won't tease him. However, I'm not going to risk that, that's why for now I'll be staying with him on cases. I've known him for two years and in that time he has gotten better and more confident, but he's still nowhere near confident in himself."

"Alright well I'll keep an eye on him and make sure that if Morgan and Jordan start to tease him to put an end to it."

"Thank you. He really will be invaluable to this team Aaron. Just give him time he'll prove that."

"I'm not going to deny that I'm intrigued. The way he gave the information in the briefing he didn't even think before he said it the words just came out. The statistics he knows could very well be helpful to the profile."

"Statistics are something he is very talented at he's been reading anything and everything since he was three years old. On those cases that we get where an UnSub leaves clues and we can't solve them until it's too late. Reid can solve them his mind works differently he sees a puzzle and he can solve it in his head. The way his mind works is unbelievable."

"Well we will see with this riddle that the UnSub leaves maybe he can make sense of it. Let's head out to the jet we can discuss the case more when we're in the air."

Down In The Bullpen

Morgan, Jordan and JJ were down in the bullpen waiting for the rest of the team to be ready so they could head over to the jet. Of course they weren't discussing the case they were discussing the newest member of their team.

"He won't last a week." Jordan said

"Maybe but he did make it through the academy and that isn't an easy thing to do" JJ said trying to defend Reid.

"JJ he passed because they had to make exceptions for him. He couldn't do the physical requirements for this job. Not to mention how weird he is." Morgan said

"He's a little know it all he probably thinks he better then all of us because he's so smart. The kid's a freak I already can't stand him and I sure as hell ain't teaching him anything." Jordan said

"For someone who thinks he's better than us he sure doesn't have much confidence then. I think he could be helpful and he's not a freak he's just gifted." JJ said. She didn't like Morgan and Jordan talking badly about Reid. He was still a young guy and you could tell he wasn't comfortable around people she didn't want him to feel even less comfortable on the team.

"He doesn't have to have confidence to think he's better than all of us, because he's so smart. The kid is weird and a freak and I can't believe that Hotch would even entertain the idea of him being on this team. He's just going to be a pain and we all have to keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn't get killed." Jordan said

"Come on JJ you can't tell me that the local police that we deal with all the time will respect and accept him as an agent. Half those detectives have children older than him." Morgan said

JJ was going to comment on that but they all heard Hotch's office door open and saw Reid coming down to them. His eyes seemed to be scanning the room looking at his surroundings memorizing them and everyone in the room. He walked over to them and stood off to the side not really near them but not far enough away for him not to be able to hear them. JJ could tell that he was uncomfortable and feeling out of place. She felt like that to when she first joined them. It wasn't easy for her being a woman and not a field agent. Her job was to be a liaison and deal with the press not go chasing after UnSubs and working the profile. Reid was just like she was when she started feeling awkward and out of place. JJ was going to do her best to try and help him become more comfortable especially with how Morgan and Jordan were talking about him.

"So Spence where are you from?"

"Space" Jordan joked and Morgan smiled. JJ sent them both a dirty look she didn't find this at all funny.

"Las Vegas."

Reid answered not even bothering to make a comment to Jordan or Morgan for that space comment. It wasn't anything he hadn't heard before after all.

"Really wow I'm from this small little down in Pittsburg I couldn't imagine how amazing it would be to grow up in Vegas. Did you like living there?"

"It's loud too loud I prefer the quiet, but the lights are nice to look at."

"I bet it's beautiful at night. Did you ever go to a casino?"

"I have not anymore. And it is beautiful at night with all of the fluorescent lights off of the strip."

"Why don't you go to the casinos anymore or is that just because you're here now."

"Partly the other part is that I am banned from all casinos in Las Vegas."

"You're banned how did you get banned?" Morgan couldn't help but asking the kid was only twenty-two he was just starting to be allowed to gamble.

"I got banned from the casinos at fourteen when they discovered I was counting cards."

"You can count cards?" Morgan asked he was surprised but at the same time he really didn't know why that would surprise him.

"It's a basic mathematical equation all you need to do is plug in the variables and keep reevaluating every time a card is turned. Combine that with basic odds of possible hands available if done correctly you can win 95.67% of the time."

"You really expect us to believe that at fourteen you were banned from the casinos how the hell did you even get in to bet." Jordan said

"I use to play poker in underground and illegal casinos word got out that I was card counting and very good at it. From there I was banned from the underground casinos as well as all the other legitimate casinos. Though I can still play in Atlanta city just have no reason to go."

"If you're that good at poker why aren't you counting card and doing tournaments and getting rich." Jordan said

"Why would I do that?"

"Why would you want to work when you can just make money all day sitting playing cards that's why idiot." Jordan said he was really getting annoyed with this kid.

"Then my life would have no meaning. Riches only take a person so far if your life is empty then why continue to live just for riches."

"What are you a fortune cookie now?" Jordan joked

JJ was getting really annoyed with how Jordan was acting and treating Reid. It was like he completely forgot that he was the new guy just a month ago and here he was treating Reid this way. So what if he was different and brilliant Gideon obviously knew that Reid would be an asset to the team otherwise he wouldn't have brought him into it. They just needed to accept that Reid was here and try to make the best of it. Before anyone could even reply to what Jordan had to say Hotch's door opened once again and Hotch and Gideon walked out. It was time to head out to the jet and get ready for this case. All JJ could do was hope that Morgan and Jordan grew up and focused on this case and not on Reid. Hotch and Gideon walked over to them.

"You all ready?" Hotch asked

They all nodded their heads and they all headed down the elevator and to the SUV's.