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“You and Strauss got some history?” It was an innocent enough question from Morgan, but Alex’s reply was the understatement of the century. The conversation about tea with Penelope was a welcome distraction but after the bubbly analyst left, Alex couldn’t help but remember the woman who introduced her to “her brand”. Except it will never be *her* brand. It’s Erin’s.
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First day at a new job is never easy. But being assigned to give the tour to some lady on her first day? Much worse. That’s what Alex would’ve told you if you asked when she was leaving the house although by the time she met the new recruit? Suddenly the day is looking up.
“Agent Blake?” A blonde, seemingly pretty composed but possibly trying too hard to give that impression comes up to Alex, eyes flicking better the agent and her paper to make sure she’s got the right person.
“Doctor.” Alex corrects without missing a beat, more out of habit than anything.
“Hm?” The still mysterious blonde meets Alex’s eyes and suddenly Alex couldn’t care less how the woman addresses her but she’d never let on. “Oh it’s Doctor Blake.” When she sees the other woman open her mouth to start apologising, she simply cuts her off. “Don’t worry. It’s a mistake a lot of people make I only got my PhD last year and the Bureau is yet to update the paperwork so whilst I appreciate the apology, it really isn’t necessary.” That was a lot of words, Even for a linguist—she thinks to herself—so decides to shut up and let the other woman introduce herself.
“Agent Strauss, Erin.” She introduces with a smile, extending a hand for Alex to shake which in an attempt to “play it cool”, the linguist ignores and starts the tour. Realising whilst lying in bed that night there’s a line between cool and bitchy. And she definitely fell onto the wrong side.
The days go by and Erin seems to stick close to the Doctor even in the field leading the Unit Chief at the time, Agent Skinner, to pair them up in most assignments despite Alex’s attempts to seem nonchalant. They quickly fall into habits around each other without realising which works well until Erin picks up the wrong drink when she comes back after a drinks run on a paperwork night with Alex and nearly chokes on the bitter coffee, earning the rookie her first genuine laugh from Alex “you one of those people who puts a little coffee in her sugary milk?” Alex asks with a grin, taking the coffee off the newbie who instantly corrects her “I drink tea. Coffee heightens my anxiety and I have enough issues sleeping as it is-“ Alex’s expression softens at that, a hint of understanding before the hole in her walls is quickly patched with a joke “how the hell do you stay awake if you don’t do coffee though?-“ Erin just shrugs and opens a draw of her desk nodding inside
“You said we could use these draws for whatever, right?” Upon leaning over the desk Alex sees it neatly organised with all kinds of teas and sugary snacks which makes her laugh again “touché. That’s…that’s definitely one way of staying up.” The two agents just softly laugh together and it’s like the ice has finally cracked between them as Erin notices her lipgloss merged with Alex’s soft pink lipstick on the rim of the coffee mug and decides it’s time to stop playing shy. “You should try it. The tea. It’s good.” Alex gazes at Erin’s cup with a cautious look so Erin adds “it’s all natural ingredients- it’s good I promise. You not a fan of new things”
Alex laughs softly “I usually live by ‘I know what I like’ but…pass it here.” She takes the cup and cautiously sips, before passing it back to Erin, not wanting to seem too interested so shrugs “yeah. It’s fine.”
Alex quickly learns she’s no match for the rookie when Erin responds with a tiny grin and wink “help yourself, you know where I keep the teabags. It’s our little secret brand.”