AN: Hey! So this is the next chapter as promised. By the way, that you for all of the reviews! They boost my self esteem and really help my write the chapters. I'm very grateful to have such awesome readers :) And I'm trying to warp the time line to fit the story, but it won't be anything drastic. There may be some triggers at the end of the chapter for some, just fair warning! Anyway, happy holidays and here's chapter 15!
Episode 3x15- 3rd Life
Chapter 15
I spent the remainder of Friday night eating orange jello and watching Doctor Who. It wasn't the most eventful night I've ever had, but it was satisfactory under the circumstances. Garcia was a no show, but I didn't take it personally.
I woke up early Saturday morning to rain beating down my bedroom window and frizzy hair. Less than thrilled, I jumped into the shower. After a solid forty five minutes of aimless thinking and pruning skin, I emerged from the steam filled bathroom and journeyed off to my bedroom. I slid a pair of black leggings over my tooth-pick-like thighs and threw on one of Spencer's light blue button downs. I doubted he would mind.
I was used to hanging around the apartment all day without company, but something seemed different about today. It was a Saturday, Spencer was always home on Saturdays. Given he wasn't always on the couch or in the kitchen, and neither was I, just having him in the same vicinity was a comfort. No, he wasn't the most physical guy, and no, he wasn't the most understanding, but the whole FBI agent thing gave a sense of security.
I plopped down on the living room sofa and finished The Complete Works of Edgar Allen Poe and moved onto The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. I soon cursed my ability to read as fast as I did. Nine thousand words per minute made me blow through books incredibly fast, sometimes too fast to enjoy them thoroughly. I decided to give my mind a break and flip through the tv guide in an attempt to find something some-what entertaining. I must have been really imbedded in the various programs that passed the screen, because before I knew it the sky was painted a hue of pink and orange. With the sun setting, the warm weather, and empty apartment, it was the perfect opportunity to sit on the fire escape and smoke the cigarettes I forgot I had. I paced over to my room and slipped on the nearest pair of shoes I could find, grabbing my small bag that held my almost full pack of Marlbro Blacks. I slid through the window beside my bed and seated my boney butt on the metal platform. Looking down at the square below me, I lit up. The first inhale that I had longed for was much needed. It was as if a block had been lifted off my chest, figuratively of course. I began to think about how little Spencer, or anyone for that matter knows about me. Sure he knows about my passion for theatre, my love for dance, my past family situation, and my medical issues, but he didn't know what went on during those times. He didn't know about the neglect, moments of abuse, or the darkness that resided in my head. No one knew.
Two cigarettes and pitch black sky later, I climbed back through the window and flopped down onto my bed. I lay motionless for a few minutes before closing my window and venturing into the kitchen for a hot beverage. As I was reaching up to grab a mug from the cherry wood cabinets, I heard the unlocking of the front door. Spencer hadn't called to say he was coming home, or called at all for that matter, so my flight or fight instinct kicked in and I grabbed a knife from the butcher block and ducted below the counter. The door swung open faster than I expected and large figure stumbled through. It was then that I heard a semi-familiar voice and immediately calmed my heart rate.
"HAVE NO FEAR, I HAVE ARRIVED MY MUNCHIN! AND I HAIL WITH AND VISUAL ENTERTAINMENT AND ENOUGH SUGARY GOODNESS TO MAKE YOUR TEETH CURL!" It was safe to say that Garcia wasn't a burglar. I popped up from behind the counter and walked over to retrieve the multiple bags she lugged in. "Hey Garcia" I giggled as I took the bags from her arms. Although she was practically a stranger, I easily adjusted to her welcoming personality and quickly became comfortable with her. "I wasn't sure what kind of sweets you liked so I brought a variety, same goes with movies. I grabbed everything from gory slasher to anything with a half naked Johnny Depp!" Garcia was still speaking at top volume, yet again from the little time I had spent with her loud was the only setting she had. It added to her joyful presence.
I chuckled to myself as I dumped out the bags of goods and spread them out on the coffee table. We had M&M's, sugar cookies, Pixi Stix, Milk Duds, hot chocolate, candy corn, caramel, and four different kinds of popcorn. I had pretty much cut sweets out of my diet months ago, but I couldn't turn down this offer. Garcia had gone so far out of her way, turning everything away would be rude. "Alright my Munchkin, what should we watch first? The decision is all yours!" I stared at the movies in front of me. It came to a tie between V for Vendetta and The Silence of the Lambs, both being favorites of mine and coincidently having to do with terrorists or serial killers. No surprise there. "Hmm...I'll have to go with V for Vendetta" I said while popping it into the DVD player. I figured Garcia spent enough time around serial killers, so I tried to veer away from that. "Marvelous choice!" Garcia's voice seemed further than before, and I turned around to find her in the kitchen retrieving two mugs filled with hot chocolate. I met her half way and grabbed my cup filled to the top with marshmallows.
"Thank you my sweet! Jeez does Boy Genius feed you?! You're the size of my right arm!" That wasn't the first time I had gotten that question, or comment if you would. I knew I was built small, but I always saw myself as chunky. I guess that's why I never ate much, I feared I wouldn't like the result. I had lost a few pounds since I moved to Quantico, but I didn't see much difference. "Yes, he feeds me. Fast metabolism I guess" I replied with a giggle, hoping Garcia would leave it alone. "I have to have chat with that brother of yours. Come on, let's get some meat on those bones!" I had a feeling I wasn't going to catch a break with this, so I gave myself full permission to stuff my face.
Around an hour into the movie, and various comments on the film, I got to thinking about the team and their current case. I had absolutely no idea what it was about, and no clue on why they were dragged across the country for it. "Hey Garcia, I have a question" I stated softly, tracing the rim of my glass. "Yes my Munchkin?" She said, perking her head up. "The case the team is on- it must be pretty bad if they had to fly across the country as fast as they did. What happened?" The entire time I spoke I never looked up. Garcia pondered the question for a moment, then paused the movie. "Well sweetie, it certainly isn't good. But no, I will not reveal any of information and poison that pretty little mind of yours. All you need to know is everything is okay now and the team should be home around midnight" Garcia, even when serious, somehow added a positive twist onto every word. "Tonight? That was fast" I replied. "That's are family for ya. Kicking butt and looking good while doing it" We both broke into laughter. The image of Spencer kicking anyone butt was quite funny actually.
We resumed the movie and sobbed like children at the ending, as expected. "Okay my Munchkin, I think it's time to pack it in. You can keep the snacks, and I'll take back the movies another time. This has been a fun little girl's night, we may just have to do this every weekend to keep me satisfied!" Garcia spoke while getting ready to head for the door. "Thanks Garcia, tonight was awesome" I hugged her mid sentence. "Oh my absolute pleasure sweetheart!" Garcia kissed me on the top of the head and we said our goodbyes, and I was yet again in an empty apartment.
I put away the remaining food and tidied up the living room. All of the junk food I consumed was sitting in my stomach like a rock. I was so full, uncomfortably full. I began to panic at the thought of what might happen to my body. I did the only thing I could think of at that point: I made a bee-line to the bathroom and leaned over the toilet, forcing my fingers down my throat and spilling the contents of my stomach into the porcelain bowl.
Twenty minutes later, my stomach was empty and I was exhausted. I cleaned myself up and lugged my heavy body to my bedroom, where I laid down and let the events of the night sink in.