Hello again. With the support of Addicted Archangel, the wonderfully evil Sienna is about to make another appearance...
(Please be assured I will be working on my other fics as well...) Thanks to AA for the beta and the use of her character!
Disclaimer: Criminal Minds is not mine. It's not AA's either, darn it all...
A year had passed since the horrific events in Michigan.
Eight months had passed since Sienna Nolan had made her "midnight visit" to Reid's bedchamber. Even though Morgan had gotten there that night and had the place swept for absolutely everything that could be thought of while Gideon had come to personally check on Reid himself, Reid still couldn't shake the feeling that he was still being watched.
Right now, he was exhausted. Being out in the field for the better part of a week looking for a serial killer who preyed on unsuspecting college students would do that to anyone. The young agent wanted nothing more than to collapse underneath his thick covers and fall fast asleep. He was sincerely grateful that the team had been given the next two days off in order to rest.
Dropping his bags near the sofa, he half-dazedly made his way into the bathroom, where he stepped into the shower. He ran his fingers through the medium-length strands of hair that had managed to grow out of the mess he'd been forced to create on his scalp.
He stood underneath the warm water, letting the spray wash more than lingering ash and soot from his frame.
Once he finished, he grabbed the nearest towel off the rack and covered himself at once with it. Even though he was completely alone in his own apartment, he still didn't like the thought of being exposed, not for even a fraction of a second.
He stood in front of the mirror, staring at his own reflection. The same soft brown eyes stared back at him.
It's getting better, he thought.
There had been a point where Reid was afraid to leave the office at Quantico—it had taken Hotch assigning some extra security on both the young agent's home and person and Garcia's promise that she was combing the cyberverse looking for Sienna's whereabouts to convince him that he would not be left alone and vulnerable. The security had since been lifted, but Garcia had made it her personal mission to find "that completely deranged little hussy" that had hurt them so completely. Reid guessed that she had seen a few things she didn't want to during the search for him, and he never mentioned it in an attempt to spare her.
Once he was dry, Reid pulled on a large burgundy bathrobe—a remnant from when he had been in college, but it was still so thick and warm that he couldn't bear to part with it.
Finally making his way down the hall towards his waiting bed, the young man could smell the lingering scent of fabric softener that clung to his sheets. He was glad that he'd decided to change them the morning before the team left for Olympia.
Reid pulled on his fuzzy pajamas—the kind that felt like wearing a fleece blanket while a person slept—and slipped in between the covers, falling fast asleep.
The sun poured into the bedroom window the next morning, revealing a gorgeous early April day.
It's too early, Reid thought. Just a few more minutes…
The sun, however, was not as easily ignored. The young doctor finally pulled back the covers and slid into his slippers.
Were these slippers always this stiff? he wondered. Maybe I'm just imagining things…
Reid reached out for his bathrobe and pulled it on, making sure to tie the belt firmly around his thin waist.
It's my day off, he thought. I'm just going to sit around in my pajamas all day and maybe catch up on a little reading.
He threw open his bedroom door and made his way down the hall towards the kitchen.
I must really be tired, he decided. Those walls seem 'brighter' somehow…
Once he reached the kitchen, Reid made a beeline for his favorite cereal bowl—the red one with the matching spoon he'd gotten as a Christmas gift from Emily last year. Absentmindedly, he reached for the box of Cheerios, managing to knock it off its shelf and send the little pieces flying everywhere.
Damn. Good thing I'm not planning to go out today…
Reid walked over and grabbed his usual broom from behind the refrigerator.
That's strange. Where'd I leave the dustpan? It's usually right here attached to the broom…
Not letting it get to him, he managed to sweep the bits of cereal into an old piece of newspaper and tossed it out. Reid then ladled a generous amount of sugar on top of his Cheerios and sat down on the sofa. He sank into his usual position he liked on the soft cushions—except this time, for some reason, he didn't 'sink' like he normally did.
Did I have these cushions restuffed? he thought.
Reid then sat down his cereal bowl on the coffee table and took a closer look at his sofa. There just didn't seem to be something right about it…
Wait. This isn't right. My sofa is green. This sofa is blue. What the hell is going on here?
Now wide awake, the young agent waked over every inch of his apartment. Everything seemed…well, newer. More sound.
Like it had just been built…
That's impossible, Spencer. You're really losing it if you think that's the case.
As a way of 'proving' himself wrong, Reid walked toward the front door, putting his hands on the knob and twisting it. As he did, a loud siren blared, piercing the young agent's ears and startling him enough to drop his hand.
What is thathe thought to himself. That's definitely not my alarm system…
Just then, there was a soft rattling coming from the kitchen. Reid cautiously moved towards the unknown sound, hoping that he didn't suddenly have a mouse running loose in his place.
He turned the corner to see someone standing in his kitchen, filling the coffeemaker with a paper filter and six scoops of coffee grounds.
"Morning, Spencer," said an all-too-familiar voice. "Coffee?"
Reid dropped the coffee mug he'd picked up onto the floor. It landed with a violent crash, breaking into several large pieces.
"Now, that wasn't nice," said the voice. "I should get that…can't have you around sharp objects, now can we, Spencer? Or perhaps you like 'Dr. Reid' better…but, seeing as we know each other so well…"
"How…how did you…" the young agent stammered.
No. It can't be. It's impossible…
"Oh, this?" the voice asked, waving an agile hand around their surroundings. "You like? I had it custom made, just for you…"
Reid froze. "H-how did you get in here, Sienna?"