❝ But I'm only human
and I bleed when I fall down ❞
The Behavioral Analysis Unit gets called in to assist on a serial killer case in New York. That's where they meet Special Agent Skylar Brown, a former military recruit with a past guarded better th...
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With screeching tires, the black SUV came to a stop. The sudden force sent Spencer flying forward against the glove compartment. Luckily for him, the airbag didn't burst at the sudden impact and left him without any injuries.
There was light inside the house, but the curtains were closed; it already screamed horror movie.
"You're bouncing your leg," Spencer said casually.
Skylar scoffed. "Wouldn't have noticed it," she said.
"Actually, people who bounce their legs are most likely bored, anxious, tense, or stressed. Stimulants and certain medical conditions can also cause tremors—"
The blonde deadpanned at him.
"Your anxiety levels seem to be very high right now," Spencer said. "You want to, uh, talk about it?"
Skylar shook her head. He realized she wasn't going to carry on their conversation and that it was up to him to knock some sense into her, though he had no idea for what exactly.
"Did you know that anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year?" He asked. A tiny yet dorky smile found its way to his lips. "Anxiety disorders are actually highly treatable, yet only 36.9% of those suffering receive treatment," he said. "Interestingly—"
Before Spencer could finish, she put a hand on the door handle and jumped out of the SUV. If there had ever been a line between them, he had definitely crossed it with his words.
He sighed and went after her, meeting her nonchalant face inside the open trunk. The doctor eyed her in confusion, then realization, lastly in shock and so he bluntly asked, "What are you doing?" But Skylar avoided his gaze.
Is this it? He asked himself. She would just keep on ignoring his presence and make her own choices? They were a team; why would she do that? She wasn't used to having a partner around, he got that, but it still hurt him a bit that she wouldn't confide in him. Spencer had to remind himself that Skylar wasn't like them. She wasn't part of the team.
The blonde wordlessly passed him a bulletproof vest. Spencer cleared his throat. "You, uh," — he scratched the back of his head— "You lied back there," he said. "When Rossi told you we should wait for backup, you lied. Why?"
"You're the profiler," Skylar said. "You tell me!"
He nodded. That was fair. He began with the most obvious thing and said, "You feel responsible for the victims of the crimes you investigate because you've got a strong sense for justice," he said. "That's why you joined the FBI; you think these girls are your responsibility and putting the offenders behind bars is, too. You feel like that's the only time you can be in control."
