Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds. All the characters are not mine, either. I'm simply writing fictional stories about my favorite show. I do not make any profit from them. The stories are only for those who also love this show and want to read different material. All rights of the show belong to CBS and the production company. Thank you and enjoy this story.
Author's Notes: As you can probably tell, I'm a huge fan of the show. I love all the characters/actors in the show. The storylines are amazing. I'm an English major and a writer in the making. I also happen to be a huge shipper of Elle/Derek Morgan. I think they have a great chemistry. They had some sparks in the episode, The Broken Mirror and other episodes as well. This is a romantic story that gives the readers a glimpse to who Elle really is and what happened to her in the past. I hope all of you guys enjoy my story. Please don't hesitate to post comments on it. Thank you.
EDIT: Sorry for the long delay. I've been working long hours the past two weeks. And sorry to mention this again but please do not make comments about the format in which this story is being written. It's in the script format. Because I'm a scriptwriter, I always write like this. If this really bothers you then please do not read the story. Thank you.
Previously on Unexpected Feelings…
Dr. Palmer: Elle? Elle, no one is going to kill you. You are not in danger. Let's try this again. I will count till five, and you will open your eyes. You are an FBI agent. You are no longer anyone's victim. You are strong. You are safe. One…two…three…four…five.
Chapter 11
Elle was finally able to open her eyes. Everyone in the room breathed a sign of relief. Elle still appeared to be in a state of confusion, though.
Dr. Palmer: That's very good, Elle. You're okay.
Elle: Um, what happened? I feel really dizzy.
Gideon: We thought we lost you there for a second.
Morgan: Yeah, you really scared us to death here, Elle.
Elle: I don't understand.
Dr. Palmer: I had trouble bringing you out of the trance, Ms. Greenaway. All of your friends were really worried. I don't even know what had happened myself. This has never happened before. Every patient that I've ever had was usually out of the trance a lot sooner than you came out.
JJ: We thought you might never come out. Are you feeling better now, Elle?
Elle: I think I'm all right. I just have this weird feeling in my stomach like I was just attacked.
Dr. Palmer: That's normal. You have just relieved your most painful experience. The feeling you have should go away in a few minutes. You need to rest right now, Ms. Greenaway.
Elle: No, we can't waste time. This creep still has Natalie.
Morgan: Look, Elle. Listen to Dr. Palmer. You should rest just a little bit. Maybe even half an hour of sleep would be good for you.
Elle: No, Morgan. I can't sleep knowing that this girl is still in danger. I need to know what I said during the hypnosis. Did I give you guys any clues as to who it is?
Gideon: You did great, Elle. You gave us a lot to go on.
Reid: Yeah, your descriptions of the perpetrator were very clear. You were able to remember small details.
Elle: Please can you elaborate on that? What exactly did I say?
Gideon: I think the most important clue was that you sounded like you recognized his voice. So it was probably someone you had prior contact with. You even noticed that he pronounced the letter s in a strange way. You said that his s sounds like th.
Elle: So that means I remembered who this man is? So we have his identity? Then what are we waiting for? Let's go and arrest this son of a bitch!
Morgan: Now, hold on a second. Even though you were able to give us some details about him, you weren't able to identify him.
Elle: Why not? I don't understand. You just said that I recognized his voice.
Dr. Palmer: I tried asking you a couple of times about his identity. But you just could not picture his face. We had to get you out of your trance.
Elle: No, you should have let the session last longer!
Morgan: You were shaking and screaming, Elle! We had to get you out of the trance. Otherwise, we would have lost you permanently.
Elle: So then we've got nothing! You mean to tell me that I went through all of this and still we don't have a suspect? I can't believe this! He is going to get away with everything again. Natalie is going to die!
Gideon: Elle, that's not true. You were able to provide us with vital information.
Elle: Oh, like the fact that he pronounces the letter s differently? How is that going to help? I don't remember ever knowing anyone like that! I don't.
Hotch: Maybe you just really need to focus. Try to think about your childhood. There must have been someone who had this speech problem.
Elle: I'm trying to remember, but nothing comes to mind.
Reid: Elle, you also said that he had brown eyes and dark black curly hair. And that he had a big scar on his chin. Do you know anyone like that?
Elle: He had a scar on his chin? What kind of a scar?
Reid: We're not really sure. All you were able to tell us was that it was a big scar.
Elle: Great. That still does not help me!
Morgan: It's going to be okay. I'm going to bring you a glass of water. And have you had anything to eat today?
Elle: I can't even remember the last time I ate, Morgan.
Morgan: Okay, then. I'm going to go in the kitchen and get you a sandwich. You want anything else, Elle?
Elle: A glass of water and a sandwich would be enough. Thanks, Derek.
Morgan: Yeah, well, it's the least we can do for you.
Hotch: Elle, listen, there were also other few things you've mentioned.
Elle: Like what?
Hotch: You said that he was wearing cologne that smelled like raspberries and that the thumb on his left hand had no nail on it. You said that it was completely disfigured. Anything ring a bell at all, Elle?
Elle: I remember what he smelled like? All of a sudden, I don't feel so good at all.
JJ: Look, why don't you try to rest just a little bit. We can go over everything you told us. Maybe we can come up with something.
Elle: No, I have to help you guys find her.
Hotch: JJ's right. You can't focus when you are so exhausted. A little rest will make your headache go away and then you can concentrate a lot better. You will have a clear head.
Gideon: Yeah, Elle. You did give us a lot to go on. While you rest, we can see if we can make some progress. The most important thing that we've learned is that you recognized his voice. So you knew him. That helps us a great deal. You also sounded sure that it was not a friend of the family.
Elle: Okay, I'm going to try to get some rest. But, before I do, was there anything else I might have mentioned?
Reid: Wait, there was something else. You said that he told you that you were sexy.
Elle: He told me that again when we were talking on the phone. It's weird. Every time I hear his voice, I have chills all over my body.
Reid: That's normal. This is the man that hurt you. You get chills because you remember the worst night of your life.
Elle: No, it's not just that. When I heard his voice on the phone yesterday, I knew that he was the man that raped me all those years ago. And yet, just now, you guys are telling me that during my trance I said that his voice was familiar and that I knew him from somewhere before the rape had happened. So then why can't I figure out who he is? I mean I just heard his voice again. I should be able to identify him. I mean if it is someone I knew from before, then why is it so hard for me to put a name to his voice?
Dr. Palmer: Perhaps it's too painful for you to identify this man. Even during your trance, your mind seemed to completely erase his identity. It's like you don't want to identify him. Maybe it's someone who you used to trust. Then he broke your trust and that was more painful for you than the act of the rape itself.
Elle: So what you're saying is that it could be someone very close to me? That's ridiculous. I would have no problem identifying that person if that were true!
Dr. Palmer: The identity of this person is deep inside you, Ms. Greenaway. But you're just not ready to accept who this person is. You know who he is. But you won't let yourself believe it's him. It's your defense mechanism.
Elle: Then what should I do, doctor? I don't understand.
Dr. Palmer: You need to really focus on your past. Remember the people that meant a great deal to you when you were seventeen years old. Try to remember a man that you really trusted. Focus on his speech problem and on the scar on his chin. I believe those crucial descriptions will help you figure out who he is. Did anyone in your past have any sort of scar at all?
Elle: No, I already told you that! No one had a scar. I would remember something like that.
Dr. Palmer: Perhaps, you paid no attention to the scar.
Elle: You're saying that I would not pay attention to a huge scar? I don't believe that!
Dr. Palmer: Maybe you noticed the scar but it was not a big deal to you. Perhaps you've spent a lot of time with this man. And the scar became invisible in some ways. You might have liked the kind of person he was rather than his physical appearance.
Elle: Oh, yeah, doctor. He must have been a saint!
Dr. Palmer: Like I mentioned before. Maybe he fooled you. He made you trust him. And then he broke that trust. This person knew that your parents went on vacation. How did he know that? Two choices. Either he stalked you from afar. Or he was someone you had close contact with.
Elle: Look, I'm beginning to feel like I'm going to faint. You're confusing me.
Dr. Palmer: Try to sleep. Everything will make more sense once you are rested. I've got to go. I have other patients that I need to see immediately. I hope you are able to save this girl. Good luck.
Elle: Thanks, doctor.
Hotch walked Dr. Palmer to the door. Meanwhile, Morgan came back from the kitchen with a turkey sandwich and a glass of water. He handed both to Elle.
Morgan: Here you go, Elle.
Elle: Thanks. I think I've forgotten what food tastes like.
Morgan: You all right?
Elle: Not really. I'm worried. Did you happen to hear what Dr. Palmer was telling me?
Morgan: Yeah, I might have heard most of the conversation. Most importantly, I heard him tell you to rest. So, Elle, after you eat this sandwich, try to get some sleep.
Elle: I wish everyone would stop saying that.
Morgan: We're all just worried about you. You're strong, Elle. But you're no Wonder Woman.
Elle had to smile at that comment. Morgan did have a way of making her feel better even when she felt like the world was falling apart.
Morgan: Elle, let me walk you over to Natalie's room. You can get your much-needed rest there.
Elle: I don't know, Morgan. I don't feel right about sleeping in Natalie's room. I mean I'm supposed to find her. That's my job. I feel weird about this.
JJ: Elle, Morgan is right. Natalie's room is peaceful and quiet. It's the only room in the house right now that isn't filled with agents.
Reid: Maybe it will even help you remember something. Being in the victim's room sometimes has a positive effect. Some people even say that you can get a better connection to the victim just by being in their room.
Elle: No offense, Reid. But I already have a strong connection with the victim. I was her years ago, remember?
Gideon: Still, Reid is right. I'm not one to believe in the supernatural or psychic powers. But needless to say, either way, you need to sleep. Her room is the best place for that. No one will bother you there, Elle. And who knows? Maybe just as Reid said, something might jog your memory there. You'll be even closer to Natalie. It might actually be a good thing.
Morgan walked Elle over to Natalie's room. As both agents entered the victim's room, they suddenly felt chilly. Perhaps Reid's talk about the supernatural spooked both Elle and Morgan just a little bit.
Morgan: Well, it's a bit cold here. Oh, never mind. It's just that the window is wide open.
Elle: Right.
Morgan: Oh come on, Elle. Don't listen to what Reid said about the psychic powers craziness. It's silly. We're agents. It's our job to get into the mind of killers. It's not our job to predict the future or to try to receive a psychic connection. You'll be okay here, Elle. Trust me. I would not leave you to sleep here if I didn't feel right about this.
Elle: Yeah, you know what, you're absolutely right. It's nonsense. I never did believe in ghosts or anything else supernatural.
Morgan: Good, I'm glad. Okay, well, if you need anything at all, you just let me know.
Elle: I know. Thanks again, Derek. You've really been there for me through all of this. And I just really appreciate that.
Morgan: Hey, you know that you can always count on me, right? Look, I've got your back.
Elle: Thanks. I've got your back, too. I hope you know that as well.
Morgan: I know that if I were in trouble, you'd be there for me as well, no matter what. So I'm going to go back downstairs, and hopefully, by the time, you wake up, we'll know this bastard's identity.
Elle: That seems a bit of a stretch, Morgan.
Morgan: Have a little faith. Sometimes, you have to trust in God. You've got to believe that everything will work out.
Elle: Wow…And you say that you don't believe in the supernatural.
Morgan: It's different with God. It's all about faith and believing in the higher power. It has nothing to do with psychic connection.
Elle: But it does. I mean ghosts are all connected to God. And faith is not something that can be scientifically proven. It's something you can't see. It just is.
Morgan: Elle, right now is really not the time to have a deep discussion about God. You need to sleep. So I'm going to give you some alone time. Just think positive. Always think with a positive outlook.
Elle: With what we do on a daily basis, it's hard to think with a positive outlook. We see things that no human should ever see. We catch people that should never even be born in the first place. Life is hard, Derek. It's definitely not a picnic.
Morgan: I know. But you've got to know that what we are doing is for the better good. Think about all the lives we are saving on a daily basis. Think about all the families that are safe. And think about all the bad guys that we put away. Those bastards are off the streets.
Elle: Yeah, but more and more criminals are born each day. Once we put away a bunch of killers, new ones come along. It's a non-ending cycle. It keeps going. And there is nothing we can do to stop it.
Morgan: We can do the best that we can. We're not immortal. We're only human. But I know we are making a big difference. And that's really all that matters to me. I don't have to wake up each morning and wonder if I'm doing something good for my society. I know that I am. And it gives me a sense of purpose.
Elle: You do have a way with words, Morgan. I don't know how you can be so positive when everything is against us.
Morgan: Not everything. The harder the struggle, the sweeter the outcome. We just have to fight. We cannot give up. We just can't. Sleep tight, Elle. I'm here. Don't ever forget that.
Elle: I won't.
Morgan helped Elle into Natalie's bed. He covered her with a warm blanket. And surprisingly, Elle was fast asleep. She must have been truly exhausted, thought Morgan. He gave her a kiss on her forehead and left.
Meanwhile, Elle was having a vivid dream. In her dream, she saw Natalie. There was this bright light surrounding Natalie. The dream was calm and peaceful. Elle felt safe. Natalie began speaking to Elle.
Natalie: Elle, only you can save me.
Elle: I'm trying, Natalie. But you have to give me something to go on. Tell me something that can help us find you.
Natalie: I wish I could. But you hold the key. You've got to look deep down inside of you. All the answers are there. You just have to look.
Elle: I can't remember anything about him. I've tried so hard. I even went through hypnosis. But nothing has worked. Who is he, Natalie? What is his name?
Natalie: I am not allowed to tell you anything. Don't you see? You have all the clues. They're everywhere. You just have to believe in yourself. Have a little faith, Elle. You know this man.
Elle: He had a huge scar. But I don't remember anyone having a huge scar. I'm loosing this fight.
Natalie: No, you're not. You're almost there. You just have to open your mind. Let your soul be finally free. Open your heart and seek the answer there. This man is deep inside of you. You buried him a long time ago, but he is still there. You just closed all the walls around him. You won't let him out. But he needs to come out. Or he will be forever inside of your soul. He'll have a permanent place in your heart. Don't do that to yourself. You deserve to be happy. I deserve to be happy, too. I have my whole life ahead of me, just like you do. Do not let him kill me. I'm begging you. Don't let him win this fight.
Elle: I want to save you. I want to help you so badly. But I just can't dig deeper.
Natalie: He will kill me unless you do something. Just try to remember. Your childhood is the key to everything. This man used to be someone you trusted with your life. You put so much faith into him. And then he crushed you. He hurt you so much that you closed yourself off from the world. But now is the time to let the past go. It's time to move on. My parents are terrified. I'm terrified. We need you. I don't want to die, Elle. I want to live. I want to get married and have lots of children. I want to grow old. I deserve that. And so do you. We are both his victims. Please end the cycle. We can both fight him. We can do it together.
Elle: How? How can we fight this war when you won't tell me who he is?
Natalie: Believe in yourself. So many people love you and believe in you. It's time you start believing in yourself. You're a lot stronger than you think. You're a fighter. The thumb on his left hand has no nail on it. It's completely disfigured. Think, Elle. Why did your mind remember this? You must have seen his hand from before the rape. Where could you have possibly seen his hand? And the way he pronounces the s sound. It's strange.
Elle: Um, I'm thinking. Oh god, I'm scared. I don't remember, Natalie. I'm really trying here. His hand. Where did I see his hand before? And the scar that he has on his chin. What about it? Why can't I recall where I saw that scar before? Oh god. Okay, I need to focus here. Um, he called me "sexy". Why? I mean I was seventeen years old. I think I even still had my braces on. And the clothes I used to wear were never tight and sexy. I never even wore short skirts or revealing shirts. Um, so then why did he think I was so sexy?
Natalie: You're doing great, Elle. Come on, you're getting warmer. You can do it. Just focus. Please just keep trying. I'm loosing hope here. I'm cold and I'm scared. And I just want my parents to hold me. I don't want to die.
Elle: You're not going to die. Please just hang on, Natalie. Anything else? Can you tell me something else?
Natalie: No, everything I've told you is all I'm allowed to say.
Elle: What do you mean by allowed? I don't understand. I'm dreaming, aren't I? You're just in my imagination. Right? Say something please. Okay, you're starting to really scare me here.
Natalie: Ever since I was a little girl, I've always had this psychic ability. But I can only truly connect with certain people. I tried making a connection with my parents, but I was never able to do that. You're the only one I am able to reach right now. No one else can hear me or see me. I've tried connecting to other members of your team, but I had no luck. You're my only link. You're my only hope.
Elle: Wait, so you're saying that you're actually talking to me while I'm asleep? That's impossible. This is just a dream. You're not real, Natalie. I'm imagining you.
Natalie: No, Elle. I'm as real as ever. I am not allowed to tell you anything else because I cannot change the future. I can't. Whether I live or die. That's up to you. My life is literally in your hands. Please don't let me die at the hands of this man.
Elle: Tell me what to do? What can I do to save you?
Natalie: Remember his identity, Elle. Once you know who he is, then you've won half the battle.
Elle: What do you mean by half the battle? There is more?
Natalie: Once you know who this man is, you've got to trust your heart. It will tell you what to do next. Trust yourself. Even if everyone else disagrees with your next moves, you still have to do what you must do. There is no other choice. Even if it is dangerous and risky, it's your only option.
Elle: I have no idea what you're talking about? What is so risky? What do I do after I figure out who this man is? I don't understand, Natalie. You have to tell me more.
Natalie: I wish I could. But I can't change my destiny. What is meant to be will be.
Elle: So then you do know how all of this will end?
Natalie: No, I don't have a clue. That's the truth. I don't know if I was destined to die at the hands of this killer or if I was destined to be saved by you. No one knows.
Elle: So then we are all powerless? So then I can't save you?
Natalie: Yes, you can. I truly believe that it's in your path to save me. I don't know for sure. But I have to have faith in God. I've got to believe that I'll be saved. It's the only hope I have. I don't want to think about my possible death.
Elle: All right, let's focus here. Can you tell me about your location? Where are you? Please just tell me. You have to help me save you. I cannot do this on my own. What about the killer? Did you see his face?
Natalie: Even if I did, I can't tell you. You know that. But if it makes you feel better, he never takes off his mask. So all that I've noticed about his physical appearance is everything you remembered in your hypnosis. I can't tell you more about his look than you already know. I do not know his name. And as for the location, I know that it's really cold here. It's dark. That's all I know. He grabbed me from behind and then he put a bag over my head. Then I woke up in this cold and dark room alone. I don't' know where he took me.
Elle:
But do you think that you know this man from somewhere? Does he sound
familiar?
Natalie: No, not at all. I have never met him before. I
would feel it if I did.
Elle: But then why did he choose you for his victim? Natalie? Wait I can't see you! Where are you? Natalie!
Natalie: He's hurting me, Elle! I cannot breathe!
Elle: Natalie! Fight him with everything you've got! Don't let him win!
Natalie: Our connection is breaking! Please tell my parents that I love them so much! Please save me, Elle! I'm begging you! Do not let me die! Have faith in yourself and in God. You'll know what to do! NO! Get away from me….
Elle: Natalie!
Suddenly, Elle woke up in a sweat. She was breathing heavily. She opened her eyes and looked around the room for Natalie.
Elle: Natalie? Are you here? What just happened? Did I actually have a psychic connection with Natalie? No, that can't be true. It just can't. It must have all been a dream. I'm okay. I just need to breathe. It was just a dream. It's all in my head. I mean there is no such a thing as psychic connections. Is there? I'm just really exhausted. I'm only seeing things. I've got to get some sleep otherwise I'll go crazy.
She laid down on Natalie's bed once again. Elle closed her eyes and was fast asleep. Only this time, she did not have a peaceful dream. This time, she had a nightmare. And this nightmare was vivid as well.
To be continued…
Coming Up… Do not miss the next chapter! This man's identity will finally be revealed, and it will shock you! Stay tuned.
