Gold Blood (Criminal Minds, Derek Morgan x OC Fanfiction)

Elizabeth Begins

Amber swayed before my tired eyes druggingly. Its heat seeped into my skin, embracing me like a warm blanket on a cold night.

The lazy dance of the fire began to ablaze. That once beautiful warmth now turned fiery, angry. Unhinged, like a sweet lover that had turned into a stranger, a monster I didn't recognize. It destroyed, razed everything and anyone in its path.

In all my years walking the earth, I've never seen anything so rageful, so full of hate, that I shivered despite the immense heat.

One hundred and thirty six lives were lost that day. Everyday since, I still ask myself: Were they asleep, simply never to wake up again? Or were they awaken from their slumber, yet still fell victim to the monster? Did they suffocate, both by darkness and light?

I turned to the only being that I heard would never leave me, even when my father and mother do. I thought that being was hearsay; but I was desperate. So I sat at his place, having nowhere else to go. We had a quiet conversation; and an epiphany fell on me.

I can make it right. I still have time.

So I did.

I swear to God, I did everything in my power, yet still managed to fail. Over and over again. But I kept remembering my promise to that hearsay being: that I can and will make things right.

The next time I got that chance, I dropped everything and fixed my eyes to what was in front of me. This time around, I'm going to make it right-

The right way.

***

PRESENT TIME

The dining table for two were set beautifully in the middle of the small living room. The way he set up the place was exactly how I would dream years ago: romantic candle light in the middle, a tiny vase with a tiny sunflower in it sitting comfortably on top of neatly arranged, pressed white table cloth. An array of silver cutleries laid perfectly on each side of our white plates, prettied up with by a decoration consisting of small pine leaves at the edge of our plates.

A perfect table setting for a perfect date night.

He offered me a boyish, rather nervous smile as he gazed at me.

"You look beautiful," he praised as he produced a bouquet of white and soft pink lilies from behind his back, offering it to me. I took the bouquet from his hand, then dipped my nose into the flower, inhaling its aroma.

The soft floral scent was quick to transport me to a memory of a past time-

To the beginning of the end.

***

"...here is your entry pass. From now on towards the next three months, you will be assisting our unit's Technical Analyst. I expect you to learn from her. Believe me, she has a lot to offer. Do it to the best of your ability to get yourself acclimated to the team and how we work. During this probationary period you will not fly with us for cases, but you will assist remotely from the headquarter under the mentorship of Agent Garcia. Do you have any questions?"

I swallowed my nerve as I looked into the calculating eyes that belonged to my now Unit Chief, the legendary SSA Aaron Hotchner. His flat, business-only voice as he spoke to me didn't give away what he was thinking when he looked at me. Was he profiling me? Oh dear God-

"No, sir. I understand perfectly," I replied with a forced fake-it-till-you-make-it mindset. I even added, "Thank you so much for this opportunity. I will do my best, sir. You won't regret it."