my dear delilah - criminal minds

serendipity

{TW references to death, suicidal thoughts, scars}

Delilah recognised the girl's face. Dropping to her knees, she smiles towards the young child shaking immensely "Hey Amy do you remember me?"

She replies defensively "Daddy said that you would harm us and that you must be slaughtered for your sins."

As Amy pushes her head down, Delilah drives her hands over her ears waiting for the awakening bullet in her brain.This is her time. All her dreams shutting off in her brain attempting to make the idea of death more peaceful. All the hurt and misery finally disappearing and a drop running down her cheek as her future with Dr Spencer Reid fades.

A choked cry falling from Delilah's voice as she hears the click of the gun.

The coldness of the muzzle pressed against her forehead.

The terror of her father growing dimmer as she knows he has won.

"Allison. GET UP." A voice screams triggering her flight response.

A sound of a bullet pierces Delilah's ears deafening her slightly.

Her ribcage cracking as she dives, trying to dodge the bullet

A familiar voice approaches her with a tone of desperation

" Please don't leave me. Please." Spencer Reid shouts, his lip quivering.

"You're okay. You're okay. The bullet missed you" He reveals, clutching her hand intensely.

As Spencer begins distracting the neighbours and explaining he is an FBI agent, Delilah sits paralyzed and disappointed.

A coldness covering her as if she was now a ghost to the world.

A chill in her blood as the daunting memories come flooding back.

Catching her eye, he returns shutting the door gently.

"I-I was ready to go" she cries with hysteria.

"I didn't want to be saved. I wanted it to all go away. All t-the pain I feel every single day, It disappeared. I made peace with it. You should've let her shoot me. I deserve it. I deserve every single punishment I receive." she explains as burning tears scar her skin.

Her eyes locked with his as if she was making him some sort of promise.

Rushing to comfort her, Spencer kneels down, grabbing her hand " You don't want to die Allison. The team needs you. I need you." he says as a sob escapes his lips.

"No. Just let me go. Let me die. It's better that I do. For everyone's sake. He's never going to stop." she shouts, stumbling to her feet as she attempts to run from him.

Grabbing her, Spencer tackles her to the ground softly trying to calm her.

"Allison, I'm not letting you die. I can't do it again. It's selfish I know but I also know you. You want to live. You have so much to live for." he exhales strongly.

Delilah lays on the ground in despair. Her body as if it's on fire ; her hands curled into fists. Her voice breaking as she lets out blood curdling cries ; Spencer's hands brushing her forehead and cheek tenderly striving to soothe her wounds.

The cries tormenting his ears as if he is in a recurring nightmare

"I'm going to help you okay." he states sympathetically as he covers her with a blanket and rests a soft pillow under her head.

Yet, he avoids abandoning the tight grip of her hand. At this moment in time, Spencer was her lifeline. Her reason for living.

He proceeds to lay beside her supporting her physically and mentally.

After an hour of traumatic sobbing from Delilah, she was finally awake and responsive.

"Would you like something to drink? Tea?" Spencer asks, departing from Delilah's hand.

Wiping her eyes, she graciously replies "Yeah um if that's okay."

As Spencer perches onto the sofa, Delilah swiftly reaches for the cup before her.

Pitifulness radiates from Spencer as he observes her. The view of the buried scars and her heavy bruise above her eyes begin to trouble him.

Yet , he doesn't care to bring it up as her history is the last thing on his mind.

"I'm so sorry Spencer." she gulps, looking up at him with deep regret.

Grabbing her cheek delicately, he responds "Hey. Don't be sorry for anything ."

In that moment, all Spencer wanted to do was kiss her. To prove how much he cares for her. To prove how much he already loves her. To give her a sense of protection.

But he can't.

" It's not right to do this in her most vulnerable moment."he thought to himself shifting his hand away from her face.

"The girl. She was sent by my dad." Delilah begins, the air choking her throat.

Clutching her hand, he answers " I don't need to know now. You can tell me tomorrow. Or the day after. But right now you need to get some rest. It's late."

"I-I don't think I can sleep." she stutters.

"If it's okay with you, we can head to my apartment. I can sleep on the couch. If you don't want to be alone you can sleep there, next to me. I promise I will protect you this time."

"Yeah that's fine. Just let me lock my door." Delilah replies somewhat relieved.

The walls of his apartment are bleak but are filled with tons of books. Very clean considering his busy life.

Delilah approaches his bed. His bedsheets are pale blue colour and a tiny window sits just above. It was clear to her that he had not slept in there for a long time due to the light dust that covered the corners.

Exiting the room, she pulls her head up towards Spencer.

He was still wearing his cashmere sweater but had changed into somewhat comfier trousers.

" Is it okay if...if i stay with you? On the sofa?" she asks nervously.

"Of course. It's fine." he states with a smile.

Delilah lays intertwined around Spencer's arms as he reads her a book aloud.

The awkwardness and demons that were once present finally disappearing ; relief falling over them both.

As Delilah falls into a deep sleep, Spencer looks down towards her, his hand still clenching hers. He drops a light kiss onto her forehead as he whispers softly " I will always protect you.I promise."

Spencer didn't sleep that night. He just watched Delilah sleep quietly to make sure she was safe. That is all that mattered to him.