NOTE: I do not own any of Criminal Minds characters! Enjoy :)
It had been a few months since Lady X's mission at Berkely Hospital. Hotch had ordered Serena to take time off, despite her complaints. The entire team told her it was for the best. But as Serena's dad told her many years ago, when someone says it's for the best, it's probably for the worst.
She turned off her phone, staying in her apartment most of the day. The team tried visiting her, only to get no response at the door. Garcia dropped off gift baskets, and Reid brought books. After a few months, it was clear Serena was in no shape to come back. It wasn't long before Section Chief Strauss called Hotch into her office.
"You asked to see me?"
"Sit down." She said flatly. "It is clear Special Agent Serena Chen will not be able to make it back to the team."
"She needs time." Hotch countered. Strauss scoffed.
"She's had plenty of time. She was supposed to get back in the field three weeks ago. I hope she has an explanation."
"What she went through was traumatic." Hotch replied calmly. "She had Lady X have history. It isn't a thing you can cure right away."
"Has she contacted you in any way?"
"No, but I'll make a meeting with her tonight." Hotch offered. Strauss seemed skeptical, but stood up.
"Fine. But tell her if she doesn't return soon, her post will be replaced."
"There aren't any applicants, though."
"Oh, I'll take care of that."
"Well I hope it doesn't go down to that."
Serena's apartment
Ring. Ring. Ring. The phone. Again. This was the seventh time. First three were Reid, the next two was Morgan, and the final two were Garcia. Serena set down her beer and walked over to the phone. She was a little drunk and had pulled an all nighter. Alright, she was plenty drunk.
"Hotch? That's odd." She said to herself. Hotch had never called her during her time off.
"Hello?" She answered.
"It's me, Hotch."
"Mm. I know."
"You're drunk, aren't you?" He asked. This wasn't good.
"Hm? So what?"
"So, I'm worried about you. You haven't answered any of the team's calls, and you haven't opened the door. You were supposed to be back in the field three weeks ago. You didn't show. Strauss is already thinking of replacing you."
"Mmm. Let her do it. I don't really care much anyways." She replied, chuckling at the end.
"Well I do, and so does everyone else on the team."
"Hm."
"I'll let you sober up. Meet you at three o'clock." He said flatly, and hung up. Serena dropped her phone, and laid down on her bed.
Hotch's house
"Daddy, can you help with my science project?"
Hotch looked down, to see his son Jack standing near him. He was covered in dirt, head to toe.
"Jack, what happened?" He asked.
"We have to plant something. So I went to get some dirt."
"What do you want to plant?"
"Yellow roses. Mommy liked them, didn't she? I can't really remember if it was roses." The young boy smiled.
"No, you remembered correctly. Your mom loved yellow roses. Let's get you clean up, first." Hotch said, and led the boy upstairs.
Streets of NYC
"W-where am I?" The girl lifted her head. Her hands were tied behind her back and she was sitting on a wooden chair. A man and woman faced her. The man was smoking.
"Where did she go." The woman said. It wasn't a question, more like a demand.
"Wha-who's she?"
"You know who I'm talking about." The woman replied. This was stupid.
"No, I don't! What do you fucking want?! Untie me!"
"She's fesity. Don't you think it would be easier to take the other one?" The man asked.
"No, this one is weaker." The woman argued.
"WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU?!" The girl yelled.
"Oh, I thought you knew." The woman said, sighing. "Here, sugar." And she showed the girl her tattoo. A heart with an X in the middle.
"You bitch…"
"Nice to see you again, Kylee."
Serena's apartment
Serena woke to rapid knocking on her door. She slowly got up and answered it. It was Hotch, standing there with a full suit and tie. He looked as professional as ever. She suddenly felt very exposed. Hotch wasn't exactly the type of person she'd let into her apartment and personal space. He seemed to have noticed her being uncomfortable.
"I'll wait out here." He said.
"So, Strauss wants to replace me, huh?" Serena asked. The two were walking in awkward silence for a few minutes, and Serena couldn't stand it.
"Yes. She says if you're not back in the field by Monday, she's going to find someone to replace you." Hotch replied grimly.
"Hmph."
"Nobody on the team expected you to bounce back, Serena. What you went through-"
"Ugh, please Hotch!" Serena grumbled in frustration. "Please, stop treating me like a victim. I mean, technically I was but-"
"Fine."
They continued the walk in silence. Serena knew Hotch was using this opportunity to profile her. She hated it when he did that. When they reached her apartment, she looked him square in the eye and said,
"Don't you dare share that little profile you made of me with the team." And she slammed the door in his face.
What the fuck, Serena? 'Don't you dare-' HE'S HOTCH FOR GOD'S SAKE AREN'T YOU SCARED?! What were you thinking? Slamming the door in your boss' face? Great, now Strauss might actually have to replace you. Stupid, stupid! Get it together!
NYC
"Ugh!" Kylee was bleeding now. She was sweaty too, her long hair plastered to her back as she endured each blow.
"You said she was weak!" The man yelled.
"And she is, Don't worry, she'll crack up eventually." Merissa said calmly.
"I-I don't know where she is!" Kylee yelled desperately. Tears welled up in her eyes.
"Wow. Kylee Ivanova crying. I didn't think I'd live to see the miracle." Merissa taunted.
"Shut the fuck up." Kylee spat.
"Mind your manners! You wouldn't want your mommy and daddy to see you cuss, right?"
"What-"
"I have them. Your parents. And if you don't tell me where my Serena sugar is, something might happen to them." She held out a long knife.
"Don't you fucking touch them!" Kylee yelled.
"You know, I always pitied you, Ky Ky."
"DON'T CALL ME THAT!"
"Daddy left. He was a big drunk, wasn't he? But your mommy loved him, so when he left, she went insane. She went crazy."
"How do you-"
"So she left you on the streets with nothing but a note, saying to take this child if you wanted. Luckily a couple found you, and took you to America."
"I-"
"Pity life, huh?"
"How the hell do you know this-"
"I did some digging. Wasn't too hard to find. After all, your parents told me plenty of information."
She took out a cell phone. There was a black and white videofeed on the screen. It showed a small room, with two figures.
"YOU LET MY PARENTS GO!" Kylee roared. Merissa just laughed.
"Tell me where she is, and I will."
"She-she works at Quantico, Virginia. Behavioral Analysis...Unit." Kylee said slowly.
"FBI! I should have known. Well, that changes things." She turned to face Kylee. "Serena's flaw is that she's too stubborn. You, however...give up too easily."
A third figure stepped into view of the camera, and pointed a gun at Kylee's dad. Two shots rang out. However, they were drowned out by Kylee's screams.
Author's note: Hi hi sorry sorry. For those who celebrate, did yall have a nice thanksgiving? Uh so, how do you like Lady X hehe. She's kinda inspired by Cat Adams. Kind of. Anyways, rip Kylee ;-;
Sorry was that like too sad lmao
Also imagine your boss just showing up to your door and taking a walk with you. That would be awkward as hell... Anyways, please leave a review if you have time and thanks for reading!