Quantico’s training room buzzed with the low hum of conversation and the rhythmic thud of sparring gloves against mats. The next generation of recruits—fresh faces, sharp suits, and unearned confidence—milled about in clusters, exchanging quiet jokes while pretending to pay attention. The rest of the BAU team watched from the sidelines: Hotch with his arms crossed, Emily and JJ sharing knowing glances, Derek smirking slightly, Rossi leaning back with mild amusement. And Spencer… Spencer watched you.

He’d seen that flicker behind your eyes—the one that always appeared right before you lost your patience.

“You want to run that again?” one of the recruits drawled, tone smug as he adjusted his jacket. “No offense, ma’am, but I’ve been in the field before. I think I know how to run an interrogation.”

You felt your jaw tighten. “Then show me,” you said evenly, motioning toward the mock room. “Let’s see if you can get the unsub to crack without contaminating your own case file.”

Five minutes later, the recruit came out red-faced and stammering, having completely fallen for every psychological trap you set. The others snickered—but not out of respect. You could hear it in their tone: patronizing, dismissive, the same undercurrent of arrogance that had been grating on you all week.

Emily raised a brow from across the room, clearly sensing what was about to happen. Spencer shifted, leaning forward slightly, eyes flicking toward you. He knew that look.

You exhaled sharply, tossing the folder onto the table with a slap that silenced the room.

“Alright, listen up,” you snapped, voice slicing through the air. “You think this is a joke? That you can walk into the BAU and coast because you’ve read a few textbooks and think you’re smarter than the person standing in front of you?”

Your gaze swept the room—cold, sharp, commanding.

“I am the highest-ranking officer anywhere I fucking go. I earned it. So unless you want to spend the next six months cleaning the bullpen coffee machine and running evidence samples like interns, you better start fucking acting like it!”

The silence that followed was deafening. One of the recruits swallowed hard. Another dropped their gaze to the floor.

From the corner, Derek muttered with a grin, “Damn. Remind me not to get on her bad side.”

Hotch’s lips twitched—his version of approval. JJ looked proud. And Spencer… he couldn’t help it. He was half in awe, half terrified, and completely smitten. His voice was low, meant just for you when you stalked past him to grab your notes.

“Remind me never to argue with you again.”

You shot him a sidelong glance, the hint of a smile ghosting over your lips. “Smartest thing you’ve said all day, Doctor.”