ARDENT [A Spencer Reid/Criminal Minds Fan-Fic]

THIRTEEN | HOME

(Spencer's P.O.V.)

I got home late. The apartment remained dark as I stepped in ever so silently. At that moment, a little light began to slowly appear as Lauren opened the door to the bedroom. Her face looked pink and puffy. She stepped towards me, stopping.

"I realize I do need you." She said. "Being here alone... for three days. My mind has been so full of everything. I am so sorry." I looked down in sadness. I knew this would happen. Finally, I grabbed her hands and pulled her into my hold. She stood her face against my chest, her arms wrapped around me tightly. I felt her crying on me.

"Dance with me." She whispered, looking up at me. 

Suddenly, it struck me. A dream I had so long ago, but not forgotten. 

"Dance with me." Maeve said, walking over to me. I thought about how I had no idea how. 

"Why?" I asked her, trying to get out of it.

"I want to hold you once before I become a ghost of a memory." She told me, smiling. Reluctantly, I took her hand and stood up. We danced slowly, allowing me to hold her one last time.

I wanted to cry, but I wouldn't.

"Why?" I asked, almost like I was expecting Maeve to talk.

"I just love to dance. And it's been so rough without you, Spencer." Lauren said, moving her hands on my back.

"O- Okay." I said, pulling away. Suddenly, we were there, dancing. So slowly and meticulously. "Did you know," I began, "dance reduces stress from the mind and body."

"I sure hope so, I am hurting a lot, physically and mentally."

"Do we need to stop?" I actually liked dancing with her... Like I did with Maeve. 

"No..." She said. "It's fine." But we did anyways. I slid down and began to kiss her. She walked back words to the bedroom, still kissing me. She fell onto the bed, staring up at me. She began to back into the center. 

I continued kissing her. She started to unbutton my sweater. I reached down and yanked off the hoodie she was wearing. I had her hands pinned as I we were making out. I lifted my head and saw a site I'd never forget. On both of her wrists... fresh scars. 

I jumped off of her. She sat up. "What?" She asked me.

"Lauren, you didn't." I said, indicating her cutting. She lifted her wrists, examining them. She started to tear up a little bit before looking up at me. Her lip was quivering. She shook her head.

"I liked it." She finally said. I dreaded that. "I like it, Spencer." 

"No..." I said, trying to get her to take it back. "No... Lauren, that is sick."

"I am sick?" She asked me, looking like she was going to cry even more. "I need help?"

A part of me wanted to say yes. How can you say yes to that, though? "No... But you have to promise me-"

"I promise." She quickly replied. "I won't do it again." I smiled at her, walking towards the bed. I sat next to her and placed my arm around her, pushing her onto my shoulder. 

Maeve would never cut herself.

***

My chapters tend to be short whenever I already know what I am planning for the next few chapters. I am sorry!