Present day.
It wasn't often that our team got time off, so when Strauss announced that we were being flown up to the Hamptons for a conference, Hotch fought her for a paid week off for the team. When he finally got the time, Rossi and I decided to split the cost and treat the team to a five-star resort hotel instead of a lame FBI covered motel. The conference was on Tuesday afternoon, and we were heading up early Monday morning.
I volunteered to drive one car and Hotch volunteered for the other. I picked up JJ, Garcia, and Morgan at 5am. Hotch got Rossi and Reid, and we met at a café to grab some coffee before we headed on the six-hour drive.
When we finally arrived a little after 12pm, I checked everyone in and handed their keys out. All our rooms were on the same floor, all across or beside each other. The team thanked us profusely when Rossi told them that we went ahead and paid for the expensive hotel. We got situated in our rooms before meeting downstairs in the restaurant for lunch. The waiter asked if we would like to start with drinks, and the others order beer or a glass of wine. I went straight for a bottle and smiled at JJ.
"Alright, let's get smashed." JJ joked with a laugh, Garcia and Morgan joining her. I thanked the waiter as he gave me a chilled bottle of white wine and a glass. Instead of filling the glass, I opened the bottle and drank straight from it.
"Classy." Hotch shook his head.
"We have the week off, don't we? Why not make the most of it?" I raised my eyebrows at him.
"We have a conference tomorrow."
"Yeah, but I never participate in those, I just sit there and look pretty." These conferences never taught us anything new. The others laughed as our meals were brought out and we fell into light conversation as we ate.
After eating, we headed back upstairs and we all changed before heading down to the adult's area swimming pool. I sought out a group of lounger seats and sat down with JJ and Garcia right behind me as the guys grabbed drinks from the bar at the other side of the pool.
It didn't take long for Morgan, JJ, and Garcia to end up in the pool. I listened as the almost begged Reid to join them, and he eventually gave in and took his shirt off. I wasn't expecting the light protrusion of abs and I raised my eyebrows at JJ as I pushed my sunglasses down momentarily. She laughed as I positioned them back properly and looked at Rossi and Hotch as they laughed. "Why aren't you swimming? You're not even wearing a swimsuit." Rossi observed as he focussed on the lack of string around my neck. I brushed off his questions with a shrug of my shoulders and then got up to go back to the bar to get everyone more drinks.
After an hour and many attempts to get me into the water, the others came back to sit with us and JJ watched me suspiciously.
"…What?"
"They're not going to care about your scars, you know that right?"
I scoffed as I tried to think of anything to say that could deter the conversation away from the scars that Doyle left permanently marked on my skin. "It's not about that, I don't care about that. I just don't want to swim."
"Why not?"
"I washed my hair last night."
"So wash your hair again tonight."
"Oh look, empty," I turned my glass upside down, "I'll be back." I stood and walked away quickly. I knew that if I was to get changed into a bikini and be in front of the guys, that they would stare at those scars. The one they were bound to know I had on my abdomen, and the brand they didn't know about on my chest. JJ knew, of course - Morgan did too - but I hadn't told anyone else and I made sure it was always hidden, whether by clothing or makeup.
When I returned with a man following behind me with a tray of drinks, it was Morgan who spoke first. "If it's not about your scars then how about you go put a swimsuit on, and then come back and sit. You don't have to swim, but it is hot. Wearing a swimsuit will keep you cooler." I glared at him and saw the others all staring at me. I let out a defeated breath and stood, grabbing my room key and excusing myself.
I put the red bikini on and stared at myself in the mirror. The scars were hideous; I wished I had been able to get them removed. When I saw a specialist, they said they could try but the scars would never fully disappear, just lighten. I decided to just leave it, considering they were going to be visible either way. I took a deep breath and threw a shirt and shorts back on and then made my way back down. As soon as I got back to the team, Morgan shook his head. "Clothes off. Prove you don't care about it."
I shook my head to myself and removed my shirt quickly, sitting down and becoming overly interested in my drink. I head gasps from Garcia and Reid, and I felt them all looking at me.
"He branded you?" Reid asked quietly, sadness evident in his voice. I almost flinched and ignored his question. I stood and pulled JJ up with me, making her come to the pools edge and get into the water with me. I didn't want to deal with this now; this was supposed to be our week off. No troubles, just fun. I decided I would stay in here long enough for them to discuss it between them, and then I would get out and put my shirt back on.
With a mild hangover and a migraine, I made my way down to the restaurant where the rest of the team sat. There was already a coffee waiting where I was to sit, so I said a thank you to no one in particular and popped two painkillers quickly. I saw the curious faces of the team on me. "Migraine." I explained quietly, sipping at my coffee again.
After eating a small breakfast with the team, I headed back up to my room and threw on some leggings and my FBI t-shirt. I went down to the hotel's gym and decided that sweating out the toxins would help me get over the hangover before the conference this afternoon. After about an hour, I was joined by Morgan and we challenged each other and laughed for another hour and a half before I went back up to shower. I found the others around the pool again, although not swimming. We sat around and drank coffee, making easy conversation, only mildly picking on Reid and making fun of Morgan once he had joined us.
Then we went to the conference, where I stayed true to my word and sat silently up the back, distracting myself by scribbling across the notebook resting on my legs. The rest of the team was to my left, and they all looked extremely bored, with the exception of Reid. He was taking notes vigorously, a small smile gracing his lips. I wasn't sure what he was writing; we all already knew this stuff.
Eventually, after what seemed like forever, the conference finished and we headed out of the venue. We drove back to the hotel, and Garcia ordered us all to get changed again and go back down to the pool where we would get drunk and have fun. I changed into a one-piece swimsuit this time, covering the scare of my abdomen, but not quite hiding the brand. I let my hair fall over my left shoulder, hoping it would cover it enough.
I was on my fourth drink when I felt the presence of someone behind me, and I saw the others looking behind me. I didn't turn, just waited. "When someone saves your life and then you sleep with them, it's polite to call them back." I heard his thick accent in his words and closed my eyes. Mick Rawson, speaking loud enough for the whole team to hear.
"You liar! You said you didn't sleep with him!" JJ sat up and shook her head at me.
"That was two years ago, let's move on." I rolled my eyes and turned to look at him over my shoulder, "When someone doesn't call you back, you should take the hint. What are you even doing here?"
"Attending the same conference as you. Sam got us the rest of the week off, and we're staying here."
"I will give you any amount of money if you stay at a different hotel." I spoke as I moved my eyes to Sam, Gina, and Prophet as they approached us.
"You know, you were a lot nicer when I was between your legs." He smirked. I felt my face turned crimson and I heard Garcia and Morgan muffling laughter.
"Come, sit!" Garcia invited keenly as she stood and pulled another few chairs over so they could join us. I groaned to myself and glared at her. "Oh, thank you!" She smiled widely at the waiter as he placed a tray of drinks down.
I picked up my mojito and held a large bill out to the waiter, "Keep 'em coming." He took it with a smile and a "yes ma'am" before going back towards the bar.
"Don't get too drunk, or you may end up fucking—"
I cut Mick off quickly, "You know, you are not as charming as you think you are. You are an arrogant, oversexed, egotistical arsehole who—"
"None of that seemed to bother you two years ago." He cut me off.
"She is into that anyways. She's always had a thing for bad guys." JJ added nonchalantly.
I looked at her quizzically, "I do not."
"Clyde Easter." Garcia started.
"Mark Williamson." JJ joined.
"Jason Delmonico." Garcia continued.
"Ian Doyle," JJ spoke again before her eyes widened, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."
I glared at her as I felt the Red Cells watching me. "…You're the agent that was with Doyle?" Gina asked quietly.
"Sounds like it." I stood up and excused myself, heading quickly away from them and towards the bathroom.
I woke with a throbbing head and a sick feeling in my stomach. I stood and made my way to the bathroom, quickening my pace as I felt the bile rising in my throat. I vomited up the contents of my stomach and groaned to myself as I wiped my mouth with toilet paper. I flushed it and washed my hands, rinsing my mouth out and gargling some mouth wash to rid the taste. When I walked back out of the bathroom, I stopped in my tracks. This wasn't my room. I looked to the bed and saw Mick Rawson, asleep and as far as I could see, shirtless. I looked down and realised I was completely naked, and I closed my eyes as I cursed to myself. I collected my clothes quickly and threw them on as I headed to the door. I made sure I had my room key before leaving and heading to the next floor up to my room.
When I got to my room, the door was open and JJ and Garcia were in there. "What are you doing?"
"We came to wake you for breakfast, but you weren't here which means you were with Mick and I want to hear everything." Garcia smiled and bounced excitedly, her voice raising a pitch by the end of her sentence.
"Yes, do tell." I heard Morgan behind me and turned to see the four guys enter.
"Sometimes I forget that I'm not 25 anymore and drink too much, and now I am suffering a terrible hangover and the last thing I want to do is talk about a night that I don't even remember with a guy that I despise."
The team dismissed the conversation, hearing the irritation in my voice. I had a quick shower and got dressed while they talked and laughed in my room, and then we headed downstairs for breakfast again. Garcia and Reid led the way to a large table where the Red Cells already sat. I took a deep breath and sat down between Hotch and Reid, directly across from Mick. I avoided his eyes and read the menu more intently then needed.
"So are you going to ignore my calls again?" Mick spoke quickly.
I dropped the menu and looked at him with a glare, "I swear to god." I shook my head and he laughed to himself. Prophet's laugh broke through and joined him, although he abruptly stopped when he met my eyes and saw the anger in them.
"She is one terrifying woman." I heard Prophet speak as I stood and went to get coffee.