MO GRÁ | Derek Morgan

chapter nine

I despised the way I felt, but what gnawed at me even more was the realization that I couldn't seem to shake it off. Ever since Jason had left, an unsettling sensation crept over me, a nagging feeling that someone was watching. To be fair, someone probably was—and I knew exactly who.

The memory of the anxiety that gripped me when I was last in the same room as Killian was vivid. Even then, I had felt a false sense of security, knowing nothing could happen to me. But now, with him out there somewhere, my paranoia surged, growing stronger with each passing moment.

I didn't know what to do? We had never anticipated him coming to America, especially knowing her standing, we had no contingency plan. The fear was almost paralyzing, and I struggled to mask it. Hiding my feelings had become second nature, ingrained in me since childhood, whether it was with Mark or Derek.

In my bedroom, I changed out of my work clothes and slipped into sweatpants and an old t-shirt. After adjusting my attire, I approached one of the bedside tables, where a hidden safe awaited.

I punched in the code—4592—and retrieved a manila folder that had been tucked away for nearly five years.

Inside were a passport, fake birth certificates, and various remnants of my past. Most of the details were redacted, they had me move a few times before I decided to come back to the country. I didn't worry, I assumed he was dead, until I learned two years ago that he wasn't but was alive somewhere she didn't know of. But it was Jason's job to inform her whether or not he was near and he hadn't been, well in 5 years anyway.

I fiddled with my ID photos from that time—my hair dyed a light brown, with wispy bangs. I carefully returned the documents to the folder and reached for the necklace that laid in a small box. A small golden heart, simple but pretty - given to me by Killian himself.

< 𝑀𝑜 𝒢𝓇𝒶 >

My eyelids grew heavy as I sat in the round table room, an empty energy drink can sitting before me. I had received the case briefing from Hotch early and rushed to the office, hoping that immersing myself in work would help ease my nagging paranoia.

Morgan arrived and set a cup of tea in front of me.

"Hey, Leah," he greeted cheerfully.

I offered a soft smile in response, grateful for the warmth of his gesture. I took a few sips. "Hey, you okay?" he asked, his hand resting gently on my shoulder, and I turned to meet his gaze.

"Yeah, I'm fine, just tired. And thanks for the tea—it's much better than this drink," I replied, attempting to mask my fatigue. Garcia and Reid entered the room next, joining us, and shortly after, Rossi walked in, immediately noticing someone was missing.

"Where's Prentiss?" he asked.

"I don't know. Her car wasn't in the lot when I arrived this morning," Spencer said as he settled into a seat.

"I'll give her a call to check her ETA," Garcia announced, standing up to leave the round table room.

Just as she approached the open doorway, Emily entered. "Hey," she greeted us, and Morgan's glance shifted from her to me.

"Garcia," Hotch interjected as he took a seat between Rossi and me.

"Oh," Garcia muttered, picking up the remote and starting the presentation on the screen. "Spin the wheel, and it's sunny Los Angeles, my loves."

"Two times in one year, huh?" Morgan remarked.

"Remind me again why it's called the City of Angels," Rossi pondered, half-joking. Reid, however, didn't catch the sarcasm.