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Chapter Three: Eliot Spencer
I had dug out my old sweats and one of my brother's FBI tees. That was one of the few things I had left of his. I had one shirt that smelled like him, and therefore I refused to wash it. That might be weird, but I wanted to remember him. After I was dressed in my old ratty clothes I once again did a side fishtail braid. I slipped into my Hello Kitty slippers and went out to the kitchen. I opened a box in the middle of what was to be the living room and pulled out a pan, skillet and pot to cook the spaghetti.
I started banging around the kitchen, getting the water boiling, getting out the beef, sauce, butter and salt. I preheated the oven, to cook the meatballs. As the water was boiling I rolled the beef into little balls and placed them in the pan. "You want any help?" Spence asked coming into the kitchen still toweling his hair dry.
"No thanks," I said trying to keep my pain out of my voice, but I knew whether I did or not he would know, being a profiler. He moved to stand behind me and raised his hands up to rest them on my shoulders.
"Sabrina," he said in a soft voice. I moved away from him before he could rest his hands on my shoulders. "Sabrina, let me help you. You helped me earlier today." I knew he had turned to face me.
"Spence, I'm used to dealing with everything on my own. You're going to have to give me a lot time to be able to open up to someone. After what I've been through I don't trust many with my past, I can count on one hand who I trust with it. Even then I almost never tell them everything." I moved to put the spaghetti into the boiling water.
I heard a sigh come from behind me. I turned to see Spence leaning back against the counter top, his arms extending behind him, holding him up. He was looking at the ground, making it hard for me to read his face. Before I could say anything he spoke up. "I once did drugs too, a long time ago but I still crave them. I was kidnapped and held hostage for almost two days. I was beaten and forced to shoot up. The whole time I was tortured, so I can understand some of what you have been through. You can talk to me that promise you made me should go both ways."
I agreed with him, but wasn't sure I was ready to talk, after all today was the first time that we had spoken since he was 12 and he was now almost 32. We hadn't seen each other in more than 10 years and I was just supposed to trust him as though no time had passed? We hadn't even been friends exactly in high school. I had protected him in high school and after what the football team did to him I made him a promise, one that I wasn't sure he would remember me making.
"I do agree with you on that Spence, but we haven't seen each other in more than 10 years and we weren't exactly the best of friends in high school. It is going to take time for me to learn to open up to you, and I hope you will wait for me to do that, because I don't want you to give on me being open with you. I'm just not ready to talk yet." I slid past him, "excuse me," I whispered so I could get to the meatballs and put them in the oven.
"I would never give up on you Sabrina. For the first time today I have hope, hope that my pain will get better. I have to repay you for that."
I moved to the sink with the spaghetti and drained the water, "you owe me nothing." I avoided eye contact, I knew they would betray me and show how much pain I was in. I didn't want anyone's pity. I was the leader of my pack, if I let my emotions take control of me now, my dogs would take control, then someone could get hurt.
"I just want to help," Spence said.
"I know that, but if I lose control of my emotions with my dogs in the room you could get hurt, I could, and they could even hurt each other. I am the pack leader! I have to give off a strong energy! Not just for my safety but everyone around me. I can't do this now," I said coming back over to the stove to put some butter into the skillet, heating it up.
"Okay, I can understand that, but that doesn't mean you need to be strong all the time, it isn't healthy."
"Just stop, please. I don't want to start yelling at you," I said opening the jar of sauce and pouring it into the skillet, heating up the sauce and adding the spaghetti.
"I'm sorry." I shook my head trying to convey that it was all right as I pulled the meatballs out of the oven as the timer went off. I too dumped them into the skillet mixing everything up. Once I had it to my satisfaction I went back into the living room to another box and pulled out two plates, two coffee mugs, two forks, and two knives.
I put everything down on the counter and served up the food and went to the coffee pot and filled one of the cups and put some sugar in. The other cup I put milk in. I then proceeded to set the table, which was a card table in the middle of my kitchen. I pulled out two folding chairs from between my fridge and the wall. "Sorry about the crappy furniture, I'm still waiting for most of it to get here from New York."
We both then fell into a comfortable silence while we ate. We sat there for about a half an hour in the metal folding chairs, at the little yellow folding card table that had slots between the wood slats. I was the first to finish and I went over to the sink and started washing off the dishes I had used so I could put it into the dishwasher. Spence then stepped up beside me handing me his dishes so I could too rinse those off.
"It's still early evening, you want to do anything?" Spence asked.
"Unpack a few of these boxes, at least get my dishes put away, and the pots and pans. That will make meals easier." After I put his dishes into the wash I put the chairs away and went to grab a box. I walked into the living room and grabbed a large cardboard box labeled 'DISHES' and walked into the kitchen placing the box on the table. I pulled out some of my plain white ceramic dishes and took a stack of small plates over to a cabinet. I placed them on the lowest shelf on the left hand side. I placed the bowls next to them which were an assortment of colors and glass and ceramic. Fortunately they were all the same size.
My large plates were the same as the bowls, an assortment of colors and materials that they were made of. They were placed on the far right, placing the bowls in the middle. "Hey Spence could you please start bringing coffee cups over here? They are in the box labeled 'COFFEE CUPS' next to the couch."
"Yeah sure," Spence replied heading into the living room and picking up the box. I heard him place the box on the table shortly before I heard footsteps coming toward me. "Here," he said passing me two coffee cups.
"Thanks," I said taking them from him and placing them on the second shelf and directly above the big plates. My coffee cups had various quotes, pictures, and were various colors. All of them very large, but short. For the next five minutes Spence brought me coffee cups and I placed them on the shelf, before moving onto glasses to put them next to the coffee cups. Before I went to grab that box though I collapsed the other two and put them by my trash so I could put them in the recycling in the morning.
Two hours later it was eleven at night and 90% of my kitchen had been unpacked with six boxes collapsed sitting by my trash can. "Well I need to go to bed, if you want to stay up later be my guest, but I have to be up by four, so good night." I walked out of the kitchen and down the hallway heading for my room.
"Good night," Spence called after me. As soon as I was in my room I closed the door and locked it. I leaned against the door for a few minutes before taking a breath. I really hoped Spence wouldn't be listening to me; I would be talking to my brother. I went over to my bed and pulled out my phone. I sat cross legged on my bed and opened my contacts and hit Colby's name. Placing the Samsung S4 to my ear I listened to his phone ring and ring until it went to voice mail.
"Hey Colby, it's me again. My day was like any other Monday today but it was hard. I met I guess a friend of mine today while at work. He's been through a lot. I would tell you if I had his permission, but I don't so I won't say anything. Today I had to talk about my scar to my friend, and a little bit about you." At that a sob broke through my chest, "I miss you Colby. If there was something that I could have done to prevent what happened I would. I wish I could change the past Colby, I wish I could see you again." For the next hour I talked to my brother going on about my day and what I was feeling.
After I had cried myself to the point where I could no longer stay awake I hung up and went to bed. Before I knew it my alarm went off. I rolled over and groaned. I did not want to get up; I had had about four hours of sleep. Grumbling I got up and turned off my alarm. I went into the bathroom to brush and rebraid my hair, brush my teeth and wash my face. I then went to do my thirty minutes of yoga. After doing yoga positions that would cause most people pain I went out into the main room of the house calling my dogs Simba and Jackson to me.
I had to take them on a thirty minute walk so they could take care of their business and stretch their legs. To my surprise Spence was in the kitchen with a cup of coffee. "Hey, I'm going for a walk, I'll be right back." I grabbed the leash and a couple of plastic bags. I went out the door before Spence could say anything. I just needed a minute on my own and I could out run him in a heartbeat.
As soon as I was out the door and I took off at nearly top speed, gaining speed as I went. Within 90 seconds I was running at full speed. I passed by a bakery, a book store, a couple grocery stores and markets, a video rental, and a computer repair store. After 15 minutes I doubled back so I could get something to eat and go to work.
I came back through the door of my house, going to feed the dogs after unclipping them from the leash. "You're back awfully soon."
"I'm fast and I have to be at work in 30, you?" I asked.
"Six, I'll go with you. I love the coffee there." I nodded grateful that he had not brought up last night. I knew he listened. I walked to my room to put clothes on, today I choose a pair of black skinny jeans and a graphic tee and my jacket. I came back out with my purse and came out into the kitchen to grab my water and something for breakfast and lunch. "Is that all you're going to eat?" Spence asked looking at the banana, water bottle, and sausage and cheese biscuit.
"It's all I need, let's go," I said shoving everything in my purse. I walked out the door and sped walked to work with Spence on my heels.
"You need to eat more than that, with as fast as you run," Spence said trying to keep up. I ignored him, stress kept me from eating more. I worried about my cousin out in the field, now I had him to worry about. I was also trying to get into the FBI, his team to be exact. Today I had my entry exam into the bureau. I had to run the obstacle course, pass my fire arms qualifications, hand to hand combat, and prove what I knew about profiling.
I could run the obstacle course in just a few minutes. I was a dead on shot and I could take Derek down on my own, and he was at least 80 pounds heavier than me. "So after work what do you have to do?" Spence asked as I unlocked the door to the coffee shop.
"My FBI entry exam," I replied pulling the door open.
"What? You're joining the FBI? What branch? Are you even strong enough for that? Can you handle a gun?"
"I can handle a gun that weighs nearly 50 pounds, take it apart, clean it, and put it back together; I can take Derek down, and the BAU." I flipped on the lights and headed to the back. I did my usual routine, started the coffee, threw things in the oven to heat it up, flipped the sign to 'open', went back into the kitchen and started some new sconces and other pastries. "I can also read eight languages and am fluent in nine, including sign language."
"What languages do you speak?"
As I brought out his coffee I answered him, "Russian, Arabic, Spanish, French, Italian, Hebrew, Irish, Elvish, and English. And a little Chinese and Japanese." I then left the room to go pull things out of the oven and put more in. Before I knew it I was walking to the FBI office. The day at the coffee shop had been quiet as usual. As I reached the FBI building I called Derek, "Hey Derek. I'm outside the building for my interview; could you help me get in?" I asked holding my phone to my ear.
"Sure, I'll be down in the minute. I'll call the front desk and tell them to have you wait for me."
"Thank you," I said hanging up. I walked into the building as a young lady with long black, curly hair waved me over to her. She had a phone pressed to her ear, as I got closer I could see her features were soft, her eyes a warm blue.
"Agent Morgan will be down in a minute to take to his office, here is a visitor's pass." She slid the ID badge across the counter and I quickly clipped it to my shirt.
"Thank you ma'am," I said giving her the warmest smile I could manage. Moments later I heard the ding of an elevator door, my cousin stepped out, and he was wearing his most dashing smile. "Hey Derek," I said walking over to him.
"Hey you ready for your interview?"
"Are you ready for me to kick your ass when I'm asked to demonstrate my hand to hand combat skills?" I asked, my voice reflecting my smile.
"As if you could take me down, you're so little," Derek said.
"And that my dear Derek is my advantage, I learned from the best."
"You flatter me."
"Sorry I don't mean to be rude but I wasn't actually referring to you." I smiled at the look of shock on his face. "A friend of mine in California," I said smiling, "he is what is referred to as a hitter." Unfortunately I couldn't say his name, I had promised him. He knew I wanted to work with the FBI and made me promise not to talk about him with anyone. I had agreed, reluctantly. That man had become my father.
Soon we were in the bull pen and Spence came running up to me, "is it that time already?" he asked. I smiled and nodded heading straight for Agent Hotchner's office. Derek knocked on the door.
"Hotch; my cousin is here to see you." With that he walked away as I walked in as Hotchner stood to greet me.
"Miss Granger," he said extending his hand.
I took it, "Sabrina," I corrected as he shook my hand. Miss Granger reminded me of the teachers from the Harry Potter series addressing their students, especially from the books. I wasn't as smart as Hermione Granger, but I still packed a punch.
"Sabrina," he said as we both claimed a seat. "My name is Aaron Hotchner; I understand that you are looking to join my team."
"Yes sir I am," I replied. The man before me wore a dark suite, white dress shirt, red tie, black belt and dress shoes. His face had a slight hint of worry lines but was mainly etched with frown lines. His eyes were dark, firm, but kind and understanding. His black hair was cropped short but was longer than Derek's who barely had any hair at all. He appeared to be in his 40's and there was a fading tan line on his left ring finger.
I felt out of place in my jeans, tennis shoes, and graphic tee. "Please forgive my attire sir; I don't yet own any suites."
"Have you met Garcia?" he asked a laughing tone in his voice.
I smiled, "yes I have sir."
"There is nothing wrong with your attire Sabrina. I know that you already know a lot about profiling, given your past so I am not going to ask you anything on that, I also have your school records here. They are quite outstanding, impressive. I would however like to see how you handle a gun and your hand to hand skills."
"I can show you any time you are ready sir," I said smiling.
"Let's go then, Derek has agreed to help you am I correct?"
"Yes sir and bring the rest of the team, they are going to want to see this," I said smiling. We headed out of the office and the rest of the team followed on Hotch's order. An elevator ride later that was filled with chatter we were in the basement. There was a workout room full of mats. "You sure you still want to help Derek?" I asked as I gave my purse to a blonde who held her hand out for it and who I had yet to be introduced to.
"You think you are so tough little cousin, I believe the mistake is yours in asking me to help you with this." I rolled my eyes, there was a reason I had asked him, we were the same height, but I looked like I weighed about 100 pounds when in reality I weighed 125. Both of us moved into the middle of the room while the rest of the team leaned against the wall to watch us. On Hotch's go Derek made the first move and I moved my right foot, pulling the rest of my body with me, so now my front was facing the team, while I was still looking at Derek.
He came at me again and I blocked him, while I was blocking him he tried to make another move which I too blocked. After 10 minutes of me blocking him and draining his energy, I knocked him to the floor. As I tried to pin him he rolled so now he was on top of me. I gave into the roll continuing it so I was back on top and I pinned his arms to his side, sitting on top of him I had one hand around his throat and the other raised above his face as a fist.
"Do you give?" I asked barely out of breath. He nodded breathing heavily. I got to my feet and offered him my hand. He took it and I pulled him to his feet.
"Very impressive Sabrina," Hotch said.
"Thank you sir, but that was only part of it, I was holding back so that I didn't seriously hurt him. If he had been an unsub he would be unconscious right now." I went over to the tall blonde who had taken my purse from me, "thank you miss."
She handed it to me, "You can call me JJ," she said. She was of average height and weight, and good looking. She had a mothering persona about her and wore a ring with a birth stone on her left hand.
A tall dark haired woman was next, "Doctor Alex Blake," she too shook my hand. She was a little older than the other woman, but the same height and weight. She like her boss wore a dark suit.
"David Rossi," I said as a man a few years older than Hotch stepped forward. "I have read all of your books sir. I find them fascinating." He was dressed similarly to Hotch, with a slight beard, though I wasn't sure it was long enough to be called that.
"Thank you Miss Granger and I have seen most of your shows. You are preforming at the end of next week yes? Phantom of the Opera if I'm not mistaken."
"Yes sir and please call me Sabrina."
"Shows?" Hotch asked.
"I've performed on Broadway, at the Met, and a few other theaters in New York. I am currently rehearsing for a play has Agent Rossi said. I'm sure Derek has mentioned it, even perhaps Spence." They all looked at me shocked or something. "I can get all of you tickets if you wish and for your families."
"I ready bought everyone one," Rossi said.
A/N: I don't know when the fourth chapter will be up, I am also working on a Leverage story which has yet to be posted. Working on all of these stories probably isn't wise since I do intend to finish all of them. I have A.D.D if no one has figured it out so bare with me. Some of my stories are being redone, but I will get everything done sooner or later, I promise. Please leave a review, it helps me want to continue the story and I want to hear what you honestly think. I will do my best to get the next chapter up soon. Love you all. :)