Finishing The Deed (Book #2 of Trails of a Psychopath)

Am I Free?

"I'll be okay...(HELP ME)."

Chapter Twenty-Two

~Rachel's POV~

   I woke up to the sound of feet shuffling and quiet voices. My head was now just a faint ache, my stomach still tight and cramped. I lifted my heavy head off the couch and rubbed my eyes. I took a deep breath and picked myself up. I saw Reid first, standing in the kitchen with a phone to his ear. It shocked me the second time to see his hair this short. I took a couple minutes, observing his face in the dim light.
   My eyes started at his tousled chestnut hair, to his dark arched eyebrows that always seemed to be furrowed together. His mysterious eyes that always seemed to be looking right through me. I followed his cheekbones, the sharpness of his jaw. I centered in on his lips. His sweet and firm mouth with almost pink and full lips. He continued to talk, oblivious to me watching him. He was so fascinating, so interesting.
   I racked my brain for an answer as to why he would even take a second glance at me. My heart aches at the memory of us kissing...my first kiss. I felt my cheeks change to a shade of red as I remembered Reid pushing me against the wall. I was confused as to why he wants me...Rachel Willows. He was a federal agent, I was a helpless girl. I watched him nod to no one and run a hand through his already messed up hair.
    My leg bumped into a book on the desk, making it clatter to the floor. We both jumped and I saw him look at me. I cringed, wishing I was still asleep. Reid cleared his throat and gave me a confused smile, shutting his phone closed. I walked to him, looking at the ground with my face red.

"Um..Hi R-Rachel?" Reid asked, his voice still hoarse from sleep.

   I looked out the window in the living room, noticing how late it still looked. I yawned and gave him a shy wave. He was wearing sweatpants and a gray t-shirt. I hadn't noticed how close I was until I looked into his eyes. I could hear quiet snoring upstairs, the sounds of zooming cars, the sound of both of our breathing. For once it wasn't an awkward silence...it was nice.

"I was just talking to Hotch...I was going to tell you in the morning but..your awake now." He said, watching me closely.

   I was confused, what did he need to tell me? I motioned for him to go on, but he looked reluctant to continue.

"Well..It's about your mother..." He trailed off, letting his words sink in.

   I froze, her face floating into my mind. I hadn't talked to her since that little incident at the hospital. When I didn't respond, he went on.

"She wants to talk to you..alone. She wants to explain everything, she said she just wanted your time. Hotch asked me to inform you..would you be willing to do that?"

   The silence that followed after seemed like an eternity. I was having a war with myself inside my head. Should I go? Should I listen to her? What is she going to say? After all those years of being abandoned and left to my serial killer father to handle...what did she have to say?
   Does she even realize the hell she put me through? A little girl with no mother to be raised by, no father that loved her, no family. Why, after all that has happened, would she still want to talk to me?
   I knew deep down I wanted to see her again. She was still my mother, I loved her. I have always dreamed of the day she would get back with my father and we would be a happy family again.
   I know that will never happen now..especially now. My heart squeezed painfully, tears pricked the corners of my eyes. I took a deep breath and look back at Reid. I only nod, seeing him get the message. He flips out his phone again and turn his back to me, instantly talking to Hotch.
   Reid stops talking, but I don't notice. My mind wanders away from everything, stuck in a peaceful world in my brain.
   I feel something touch my face and jump. Reid's hand is outstretched in the air, his eyes concentrated on me. I clear my throat and step forward, his hand slowly touching my cheek again. We stay like this until he decides to take a step closer. I yearned to feel his lips on mine. The idea of someone else touching my face like this, kissing my lips, the thought of it makes my skin crawl with disgust.
   With Reid, I want it...I want him. Reid gave me a small smile and I stepped a little closer too. We are just a handful of inches from his face, his eyes drop to my lips. He instantly brings them back to my face, his face darkening. I let out a breathy chuckle and look down. He uses his fingertips to lift my chin up, so he can look into my eyes once again.
   I felt my heart quicken and my eyes glisten with fresh tears. I look down to see our hands intertwined together. Our hands fit together...almost as if they were made for each other.
Reid's hands slightly shake, but he doesn't look scared. He leans in, our noses just barely touching. I could see his eyes sparkle as his eyes lower to my lips once again. I start shaking too as I lean up on my toes to reach him. Once his lips press against mine, my world starts melting. Our hands break apart, his wrapping gently around my waist. I can feel the blaze of heat off of both our faces as our lips moved in sync.
   My hands tense as they lock around his neck. My eyes flutter close, hoping his are too. I don't concentrate on the piercing darkness, I concentrate on the softness of Reid's lips. The smell of cologne and coffee that's lingered on his shirt, the way his careful hands are securely around me. After a couple minutes, I am the one who pulls away. Reid is smiling widely, staring at the floor quietly. He looks back up and awkwardly places a kiss on my forehead, almost stepping on my feet.
   I giggle and clear my throat, the awkwardness creeping back up again. I stepped away from him, already feeling lonely without being beside him. I look at the oven clock, seeing it is three in the morning. I yawn and scratch my head. The sun is just rising above the trees laid out in the distance. Reid is smiling secretly, hiding something. I look at him confused, but he waits a few minutes before opening his mouth.

"I need you to listen carefully, Rachel. I think there is a very good chance you might be free...free from your family. We talked to your father's buddies and those three were the only ones he was in contact with before his death. We checked and double checked, haven't found anything yet. Now, that doesn't mean your in the clear yet but th-"

"There's a chance that me and Charlotte could finally be...done with everything? My father? Those people? Those killers?" I finished his sentence, asking him a million questions at once.

   He chuckled quietly and nodded, his smile growing. Relief sprang in my heart, swelling in my chest with happiness. The thought of Charlotte being able to go to school, have friends, live a normal life, made me want to bounce off the walls.
   I covered my mouth with my hands and laughed louder. I ran into Reid's arms and hugged him tightly. I breathed a sigh of relief and rubbed my tired eyes. I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. I knew I could get my hopes up too high..but just a little bit. I grabbed Reid's hand and pulled him to the couch. I shyly laid my head on his chest as he slowly put his arm around me.
   The TV flashed a bright light over us and I saw him looking at me. I looked down and handed him the remote as he picked a random channel. He pulled me closer against his chest and I could hear his shaky breathing.

"Do you think we should tell them?" I whispered.

   I felt him tense up, but only for a second. He thought it over and then nodded to me. I agreed and laid my head back down. I yawned once more before drooping my eyes closed. Reid stroked my hair until I was fully asleep, my dreams being consumed of nothing but blissful silence.