6x21 The Stranger

Sara wasn't sure how or why she had ended up in the semi-crowded theater. She was almost certain that the reason she was there had something to do with Garcia bursting into her room with Derek Morgan in tow, filled with demands of attention from "their Pixie/their Glasses/ their Baby Reid." She honestly wasn't sure which of the two had used the most nick names throughout the course of this speech. The reason could also come down to promises of popcorn and candy. Maybe something Garcia had said about Seaver thinking that Sara didn't like her, and that her feelings would be hurt if Sara didn't go with them.

Whatever the reason that Sara had allowed herself to be carried off to the movies with Spencer, Seaver, Morgan and Garcia on a work night probably wouldn't become clear to her, no matter how many times she ran through it in her head. At present she was comfortably seated between Morgan and Seaver, a pail of popcorn balanced on her knee, a pretty good guess at what the twist ending would be, and wondering whether or not Spencer was going to stop messing with his hands and put an arm around Seaver already. Based on the number of times that 'brother' and 'revenge' had been said in various context without much reason, she was fairly certain her guess was accurate. Based on the number of times Sara had seen Spencer watching Seaver in the bull-pen, she was extremely certain he had a thing for her. Not that she'd been able to observe lately.

"It's unnecessary! There's too much blood, and gore, and ugh!" Garcia insisted as the five strolled away from the theater, the technical analyst not having enjoyed the film one iota.

"Garcia, it's a slasher-film, how do you do a slasher-film without violence?" Spencer asked, scarf billowing behind him in the slight breeze.

"You imply it!" Garcia firmly exclaimed.

Morgan sighed, "Baby, the movie is called Slice-6, what were you expecting?"He asked, linking arms with Garcia.

"A… refreshing beverage with a twist of comedy. I'm gonna have nightmares for weeks," she cried.

"With everything we do and see on a daily basis: that got to you?" Seaver asked, glancing over at Spencer.

"Listen, noob. You may be all Sigourney Weaver-ass kicking-tough, which is awesome, but the mystical mavens of innocence, like myself, jump at things that go bump in the night!" Garcia answered.

"Why are you worried? I'm sure that Morgan will protect you; as long as he's not jumping out of his seat like a prepubescent school girl." Spencer said, exchanging another glance with Seaver. He shot a look over his shoulder at Sara, who trailed just behind the group and had not yet joined the conversation.

"The only reason I jumped is because you guys woke me up." Morgan said defensively.

"How could you sleep during that?" Garcia laughed, nudging Morgan in the ribs as they walked.

"Easy! You drag me out after a 12 hour work day. And what, you're telling me that girl didn't know that the unsub was waiting for her upstairs? Come on now."

"Villain," Spencer corrected him.

"What?"

"In movies, the unsubs are called villains," Sara called from behind them.

Morgan grinned and glanced back at the girl. "My bad."

Spencer shot another look at his sister and gestured for her to keep up with the group. "You wanna know why horror movies are so successful?"

"Why is that, genius?" Derek asked teasingly.

Without missing a beat, "They prey on our instinctual need to survive. In tribal days a woman's scream would signal danger and the men would return from hunting to protect their pack. That's why it's always the women and not the men that fall victim to the boogie man," Spencer explained.

"Really? I don't know, Spence. Ingrained need to survive, sure, but it's not like the sound of screaming women provides a lot of positive feedback. People want horror for the adrenaline rush, just like roller coasters and bungee jumping. They want to be scared but in a way they can control, ride the thrill without the negative consequences. We scare ourselves to feel alive," Sara said, now walking alongside Morgan and Garcia. "Besides, I've seen plenty on slasher flicks with male victims. The reason it's almost always a female victim is because for some reason it's easiest for film makers, and viewers, to see women as the helpless ones."

"Fair points on both sides, Reids; leave it to you two to break it down to science. My favorite thing about horror movies is the suspense factor," Seaver jumped in, grinning at Spencer.

"Ah, the ticking clock!"

"The helpless victim walks through the dark, shadows reaching out to get her."

"A sudden noise draws her attention. Is someone there? Or is it just in her head?" Spencer said, making a spooky, far off voice.

"Still, it's totally unrealistic; no one should be walking though a dark alley by themselves at night," Garcia interjected. The slight smile that had found its way to Sara's face faded then, unnoticed by her companions.

Morgan coughed, "Hello?" he said, gesturing around at the alley they were now passing through.

"No one should be walking though a dark alley without a Derek Morgan." Garcia corrected herself

"But the best part of a horror movie is you never know when the end is going to come."

-x-X-x-

Sara Reid looked over her shoulder once more as she made her way to the cemetery later that night. Sara wasn't sure why she was extra cautious tonight as she made her way silently though the dark streets. Maybe it was the wind, adding new sounds to the usually quiet neighborhood. Maybe it was the cool air that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. Perhaps it was that stupid movie, or what Spencer and Seaver had said while walking home. And maybe there was someone lurking out there in the dark, Sara would never know.

Maybe it was just the movie that had gotten to her nerves, but Sara moved a little more quickly on her nightly errand than she usually would. Checked over her shoulder a few extra times. Clutched the Glock 17 in her coat pocket a little tighter. Whatever the reason her heart sped a little faster, Sara didn't mind. The racing heart, the sweating palms, and the sounds she was sure that she'd imagined may not have been pleasant feelings, but they were feelings none the less. Sara knew the consequences and she knew the risks, but she felt alive; alone out there in the dark.