Chapter 1
The Reagans had been setting up in preparation for Bailey's return. Bailey was the youngest Reagan sibling and she had joined the Marines right out of high school. After some time she was put into special forces, which she would admit, was a little too much for her to handle. Bailey normally came home on leave for only a short amount of time, but this time was different, this time she was staying home to finish her education. Frank couldn't have been happier, he was proud of her, but he wanted her home, where he knew she was safe. The front door opened and Bailey walked in with Danny, who was carrying her luggage. The family welcomed her and made some room around the table.
"How was your flight?" Linda wondered.
"It was fine, I'm a little jet lagged." Bailey told her.
"Well you can get some rest after dinner." Frank told her and she nodded. After dinner she retreated to her and Erin's old bedroom. Bailey hadn't been entirely truthful with her family. She had come home to finish her education, but that wasn't the only reason. The last mission she had been on hadn't gone according to plan and she had gotten pretty freaked out. Bailey sat on her bed replaying the mission in her head when there was a knock on her door.
"Come in." She said and her older brother, Jamie, walked in with a slice of pie.
"You left before dessert and I know it's your favorite." He offered it to her and sat down on the edge of the bed.
"Thanks." She said and took the plate.
"Are you ok?" He questioned.
"Yeah, it's just going to take me awhile to adjust." She sighed. Jamie scooted closer and wrapped an arm around her.
"If you ever need me, I'm just a phone call away." He told her and rubbed her arm gently.
"I know." Jamie gave her a tight squeeze and kissed her temple.
"I'm so glad you're home sis." That night as she slept memories of her last mission flashed through her mind. Images of the POW they were rescuing, the man attacked her, Kit, and Rick with supernatural strength. She could have sworn that when he attacked she felt something go down her throat, but she dismissed it as a lump from being nervous. Bailey woke with a start and went downstairs to get a glass of water, she was so thirsty. She winced as she felt an odd twinge inside of her. When she reached the kitchen she saw that her dad was there, looking over some papers.
"Dad, it's nearly one in the morning, have you gone to bed yet?" She asked and he shook his head.
"I never do on your first night of leave, nor did I with Danny." Frank told her as she got a glass down from the cabinet.
"Is there something on your mind?" He questioned as she turned on the tap and filled the glass to the brim. She gulped down half of it before answering.
"Dad… have you ever seen something that you couldn't explain?" She wondered.
"Well as a cop I've seen a lot of horrible things that I don't understand… but you can't let those things get to you… there is still a lot of good in the world." He reassured his daughter. The next day Bailey looked at different colleges and programs, trying to get her mind off of the things she had seen. Her phone buzzed and she recognized the number as Cole's, Cole was a friend she had met back when she was in training.
"Hello?" She answered.
"Hey B, I heard you just got home. How are you?" He asked, his voice full of concern.
"I'm fine, just a little overwhelmed, trying to distract myself with college stuff." She confessed with a sigh.
"Just keep busy, that helps. You're seeing a therapist right?" He questioned.
"Yeah, why do you ask?" Bailey wondered, Cole wasn't usually this inquisitive about these types of personal matters, that just wasn't who he was.
"You haven't heard about Rick?" He asked and her heart started the thrum loudly in her chest.
"No, what about Rick?" She questioned as she fidgeted with the crucifix that adorned her slim neck.
"Rick killed a woman, drained her blood, then he lit himself on fire." Cole explained, his voice cracking. Tears gathered in Bailey's eyes as she tried to make sense of what Cole was saying. At that moment Bailey noticed that Jamie had slipped in through the back door.
"No, I hadn't heard that….. thanks for checking up on me...Cole can I call you back?..."
"Yeah, if you need anything I'm here." He told her before she hung up. Jamie had picked up on the distress in his baby sister's eyes and he went to comfort her.
"What's wrong?"
"One of the guys in my unit killed a civilian and then himself." She cried and Jamie took her into his arms.
"I'm so sorry sis." Jamie said and rubbed her shoulder lightly.
"God sis… what happened over there?" He questioned, though he knew she wasn't allowed to answer that. They talked and she drank her 10th glass of water.
"Are you feeling ok?" He asked. "You've been drinking a lot and you're skin is really dry." Jamie observed.
"Yeah I'm alright." She sighed.
"I think you should let Linda take a look at you, just to be safe." He suggested and she agreed. Linda came over that night and checked on Bailey in her old bedroom.
"You're really dehydrated, but you said you've been chugging water all day." Linda said and Bailey nodded.
"When was the last time you had to urinate and how much?" Linda questioned and Bailey thought.
"Some time this morning, and not very much." Bailey told her.
"I'm taking you to the hospital and having them hook you up to an IV." Linda said and Bailey went with her.