The Academy

Part Two: Chapter Nine

I exit our final victim's house quickly, nearly stumbling over my feet as I walk down the stairs. I barely make it to the SUV before having to rest against it.

My world is spinning around me, all I can see is Skipton's face and I can feel the pain throbbing through my body as if I were living in the moment six years ago. 

To be honest, those interviews were absolutely horrible for me. We got a good amount of information from the women, but the whole time I was there, watching them have flashbacks and talking about what happened, it is taking every ounce of strength I have to keep me out of my own flashback.

Derek and Zac follow me more slowly, and I avoid looking at both of them. They're profilers, but it doesn't take FBI training to tell I'm a wreck. Zac climbs in the front seat as I lean against the passenger door. Derek stops in front of me.

"You okay?"

I shake my head for a moment, trying to clear my thoughts before clearing my throat and looking at him. His eyes are shining with concern. "Fine. We should get back to HQ."

He doesn't believe me in the slightest, but I effectively put an end to the conversation as I get into the car, leaving Derek to climb into the back seat. The ride is mostly quiet until Zac speaks up out of the blue.

"Tell us about yourself, Prenton." His deep voice causes me to glance at him. 

"What do you want to know?"

Derek laughs, quickly covering it up with a cough, his gaze darting between Zac and me. "He's subtly trying to figure out if you're single." He says, unable to keep a smile off his face.

"If I weren't driving this car, I would knock your lights out, Shep," Zac threatens, but his face is blushing, and I laugh.

"Sorry, you're way off base. I have a girlfriend."

Derek laughs again and Zac turns red, shaking his head. "Need to pull over before you explode, Zac?" The man in the back teases. 

"Sorry, Olivia. That's not what I meant, obviously, Derek is just trying to-"

"No, I get it," I smile cockily, my tone mocking, "I'm hot. And I'm a badass. Too bad for you, I'm a lady lover."

"He's been making eyes at you every chance he gets!" Derek sputters, still laughing. 

Zac looks unbelievably embarrassed, and I laugh at the guy's misfortune. "Do I need to drive?"

"When we get back, I'm going to kick your ass all the way to next week," Zac growls, the threat empty. I can't tell if he meant it for me or Derek. 

The conversation lightens and flows easier after that, not getting too personal. This serves as a great way to keep my mind off the dark thoughts that had been floating around all day, and before I know it we're back at the FBI headquarters.

I catch sight of Lacey and Carlos walking inside, so I hop out of the car and jog to catch up to them, two men on my heels.

Lacey smiles when she sees me next to her. "Hey!"

"Hi. So that was...intense."

She stops, inhaling sharply, and turns to face me. I can't figure out what she's trying to tell me without words, but the rest of the team lingers nearby until Lacey waves them off, saying we'll be up in a minute.

She pulls me towards a women's room, probably thinking it's a good, private place to talk but I stop abruptly before we can get too close. "I can't go in there," I whisper.

"Shit. Oh my god, Olivia. I completely forgot, I mean I get so wrapped up in the work that nothing else matters and this is your first case here...God, I'm such a wreck. What do you want to do?"