The tension in the air was almost palpable as you entered the BAU conference room, files tucked under your arm. It wasn’t unusual for you and Spencer to butt heads ; your styles were just too different. Reid was analytical, methodical, and prone to quoting obscure literature or statistics at a moment’s notice. You, on the other hand, relied heavily on intuition, gut feelings, and unconventional methods that sometimes made others question your approach.

The team was gathered around the table, discussing the latest case, when Reid made a pointed comment.

“While intuition has its place,” he said, without looking directly at you, “empirical evidence tends to lead to results that are more... reliable.”

You felt the jab land but kept your face neutral, even as your fingers tightened around the pen you held. “And yet,” you replied, voice calm but laced with just enough bite to make him glance up, “it was my ‘unreliable’ gut feeling that cracked the last case wide open, wasn’t it?”

The room went quiet, tension crackling like static. Emily shifted in her seat, giving you both a look that screamed please don’t do this here.

Reid adjusted his glasses and straightened in his chair, clearly ready to counter, but Hotch’s sharp tone cut through the brewing storm.

“Enough,” he said firmly. “Both of you bring valuable perspectives to the table. This isn’t a competition - it’s a team effort. Now, focus on the case.”

You leaned back in your chair, exchanging a fleeting glare with Reid. The rivalry wasn’t personal - at least, that’s what you told yourself. But every time he challenged you, it felt like a gauntlet being thrown down, and you weren’t the type to back down from a fight.