Toxic Past (One Chicago / Criminal Minds Fanfic) x (Halstead Sister)

Chapter 27 (Final Chapter)(Edited)

Safe House, Rogers Park, Chicago Illinois 

Sam didn't leave the room since she arrived at the safe house. She curled up under the blankets in the single bed and lay there crying into a pillow. Things were going well, getting to normal, and the nightmares stopped. Why couldn't Evan just go away and stay away? she asked herself. 

A soft knock on the door pulled Sam from her thoughts, "yeah?" she replied softly from her place under the blankets. "I made some spaghetti, I thought you might be hungry," Cole said from the doorway. "thanks, but I'm not hungry," Sam replied as her voice cracked. "Okay, if you change your mind. I'll leave a bowl on the counter," Cole said before his footsteps retreated back down the hall again. 

She lay there crying until she finally fell asleep, for what felt like seconds until she woke up to a knock on the door. For a moment, a split second before Sam opened her eyes she forgot about everything. She thought she was back in her brother's apartment, she thought Jay knocked on the door until she opened her eyes and everything came flooding back. 

The phone call from Evan at work, Jay and Antonio picking her up from 51 and driving to a random parking garage where she had to say goodbye to one of the few people in this world that made her feel safe. Another knock sounded on the door pulling Sam from her thoughts. "Yeah?" Sam said softly not getting up from the bed, she was really hoping it all be a dream and she'd wake up in Jay's apartment. 

The door to the room opened and Sam expected to see Us Marshall Cole standing in the doorway. Instead, when she looked up she saw Luke and a woman with blonde hair she recognised from working with the CFD and the ED. Sam got up from the bed and nearly ran over to Luke hugging him. 

The motion surprised Luke for a moment but he hugged Sam, holding onto him as if she was afraid he'd disappear. After the long day of constantly being terrified, anxious, isolated, and away from not only her friend but her brothers. They were her go to people since they were kids and when she returned to Chicago they made her feel safe. 

It was a relief to see Luke, as she hid her face and tears in his chest. They stood there for a few moments, nobody said anything, Sam stayed in Luke's arms as he pressed kissed to the top of her head. Sam took a step back and wiped her eyes, "Not that I'm not happy to see you, but who did you know I was here?" Sam asked looking at Luke confused. 

"We issued you into protective custody when the BAU got the case. It's protocol with cases, and situations like this," the blonde woman replied from beside Luke. "So I'm not going into Witness protection or whatever? I'm not gonna get shipped across the country and have to form a fake identity and life?" Sam asked them both. 

"No, you're not going into witness protection More accurately we'd call it Protective custody. We're just airing on the edge of caution is all," The blonde woman said. Sam nodded slowly thankful she wouldn't be shipped across the country to live in hiding with a fake identity and life. "Sam This is my colleague and friend JJ, I'm not sure If I introduced you before," Luke said. Sam held her hand out and shook JJ's, "It's nice to officially meet you," Sam said. JJ nodded, " Sorry it's under these circumstances," she replied. 

Sam shrugged as she walked back over to the small bed and sat down. "I know this might be difficult but we need your help..." JJ said as Sam stayed quiet but nodded already knowing where this was going. "We have a few questions for you, when you're ready," Luke said as Sam let out a shaky breath keeping her gaze on the floor in front of the bed. 

"ask what you gotta ask," Sam replied softly as she took the pillow she fell asleep crying into and pulled it closer to her chest to hug it. "Do you know anywhere that Evan might go, somewhere he'd go when he wants to be alone?" JJ asked her. Sam shook her head no, "No, I don't know," Sam replied honestly. "What about cash or money, do you know where he'd find or keep it? Maybe reach out to someone?" Luke asked this time. 

"He can't keep a job with his anger, and the only place I know he got money was my life savings, and pretty much every cheque I got working in California," Sam replied not looking at JJ or Luke. "How did that happen?" JJ asked, Sam sighed as her stomach turned at the memories of how those nights would go. 

"He asked for access to my savings and bank accounts I said no, a few times, and he got pissed off when I said no one too many times. He beat the shit out of me, cracked my ribs, burned me with his cigarettes until I just gave him what he wanted." Sam replied. 

She went quiet, avoiding their looks of disbelief as she pulled her sleeves up to reveal the numerous scars Evan left on her. "the same thing happened when he asked me to give him my car or to move in with me when he got evicted," Sam added. "I'm really sorry you went through that," JJ said softly. Sam shrugged still holding the pillow close to her, "It's not your fault, I hope you know that," Luke said breaking the silence. 

Sam paused at his words not expecting that to be his reaction to the situation. For the first time since they started talking, Sam looked at Luke. "I should've left sooner, Hell I should've left Chicago after he got locked up," Sam suddenly said shaking her head. "You were trying to survive, it takes a lot of tries before eventually deciding to leave for good. We promise we're gonna find him, we're really good at what we do," Jj said trying to reassure Sam. 

However, Sam heard that before and she wasn't entirely convinced. There were only two ways Sam knew she'd feel safe: one. if Evan died, or two. is she...died. Sam couldn't bring herself to do either. "If you remember anything at all reach out to us," JJ said as she and Luke started heading to the door. "Okay," Sam said softly as they started to leave. 

"Is there any possible way I can see Jay and Will? Please? Even if they come here?" Sam asked looking at Luke and JJ. "You're not really supposed to have friends or family here- Please I spent 2 years in California isolated from both my brothers. I- i don't think I can handle dealing with this and being isolated," Sam's voice broke as she talked. 

Tears were forming in her eyes knowing Luke would be leaving soon and she'd be alone in this same lifeless house. "I'll see what I can do," JJ replied honestly as the two agents stepped into the hall. "JJ.." Luke said causing her to pause as he looked at the open door down the hall they walked out of, "I'm probably gonna stay here with Sam," he said keeping his voice lower. 

JJ nodded, "she seems like she could use a familiar face, I'm gonna talk to Prentiss and see if I can get her brothers cleared to stay with her while the case is ongoing," JJ replied. "Thank you," Luke said earning a nod from Jj before she walked down the hall and Luke walked back over to the small room Sam was sitting in. 

Luke walked over and sat next to her on the bed. Sam instantly rested her head on his shoulder, "I thought you had to leave?" she asked softly. "I figured you didn't want to be alone," he replied as he wrapped an arm around her. "Well, you'd be right," Sam said softly again. "I hope you know we are gonna catch him, and I promise," Luke said pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I r-really hope your right... c-cuz i can't k-keep living like t-this," Sam said sniffling as she tried not to cry. 

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Hey everyone I hope you enjoyed Toxic Past, I will be working on a sequel soon and I will add another update in the near future about that coming out so keep your eyes out. (I don't have any specific dates or book titles for the sequel yet, I promise you will know when I know though.) 

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the first book in the comments, I also wanted to say a massive thank you for all the love and support on this story, It does mean a lot to me!

-Muskokagirl204