Atlas: A Dr. Spencer Reid Love Story

My Skin (Natalie Merchant)

-End of Season 6: 2011-

Veronica stopped singing, hopelessness entering her stomach as it seemed she was unheard. She stared down towards the floor as the blonde man stood from his chair, erupting into claps and howls of approval.

"Bravo, bravo!" He yelled, hysterically laughing.

Veronica gave a hesitant bow, refusing to meet his gaze. His claps abruptly stopped as he noticed the distant mannerisms she was exhibiting. Anger flooded his blood, "You're thinking about him-" he nearly spat, stomping towards her.

Veronica's head jolted up as she feverishly shook her head.

"No, I swear, I wasn't thinking about Spencer!" She exclaimed, terror creeping into her throat.

"How dare you say his name in front of me!" He erupted, his hand firmly striking against her right cheek.

Veronica stood frozen, her mouth gaping. Her body began feverishly shaking as tears formed in the corners of her eyes – her cheek burning with pain.

"I'll teach you to never talk about that little shit again," He viciously spoke, tightly gripping her wrists as Veronica screamed out in defiance, fighting in an attempt to release herself. He found the rope that was previously tied to her ankles and desperately grabbed it, tightly binding her wrists together. He pulled his knife from the nearby chair and forced Veronica on her back as she began terrifyingly sobbing, her body beginning to give in to exhaustion. He began daringly cutting the dress, chopping it off at her mid-thigh.

"Beautiful..." He atrociously whispered in desire as he examined every inch of her. He daringly set the blade of the knife against her upper thigh, feeling Veronica tense beneath him.

"So what does Dr. Reid have that I don't – huh?" He leaned over her, his face inches from hers as she turned her head away from his view, tears streaming to her chin while she gritted her teeth.

"A gun-" A voice boomed from the doorway of the basement.

Veronica snapped her head in the direction of the sudden presence in the room: Spencer. She wildly grinned, yearning to be in his arms and safe.

The man above her, however, was boiling with fury. He gripped the knife tighter, moving it to Veronica's neck; a pitiful whimper escaping her quivering lips as he did so.

"Don't make any sudden moves, Harry," Spencer forcefully spoke, noticing the knife. "We both know you don't want to hurt Veronica."

"I would do anything to keep her away from the likes of you," Harry spat in Spencer's direction.

Harry directed his gaze down to Veronica, a malevolent grin stretching across his face. "She's gorgeous, isn't she? Such a surprise that she would ever choose a man like you, considering the much more desirable options. So, what is it you love about her, Dr. Reid? I'm curious," He quickly spoke, staring at Spencer with his head slightly tilted.

Spencer gulped, keeping his stance steady and his gun firmly pointed at Harry. He thought for a moment whether he should entertain the notion of answering his question, but he knew to talk him out of it was the only chance Veronica had to get out of this situation safely.

"Everything," Spencer smoothly spoke.

Harry scoffed, shaking his head. "What a typical answer," He sneered.

"No - no, it's not typical. I mean it – I love absolutely everything about her. I love how soft her hair feels against my skin; the freckles dashed along her cheeks and forehead that make unique constellations. I love how she wiggles her nose and bites her lip when she's nervous. I love every curve, every melodious laugh, every witty remark, every caring whisper. I love the way she smiles nearly every minute of every day, the way her eyes shine when she talks about video games or sappy romance novels or music, especially music – she becomes a beacon. But most of all, I love the way she makes me feel; because she makes it seem like nothing is impossible - like I'm the luckiest man in the world; like all the bullshit I've ever gone through, was completely worth it because I ended up with her," He spoke in complete adoration, his gun slowly lowering while he glanced towards Veronica, a content smile on her lips as tears continued to trickle on the concrete floor.

Harry gritted his teeth as he noticed the serene gaze the couple shared, a jealous streak flaring inside him.

"You will not have her," He threatened, beginning to stand up. As he lowered his weight off of Veronica, she rapidly swung her leg up to forcefully jam her knee into his groin. Harry yelped, dropping the knife directly beside Veronica. Without hesitation, she used her bound hands to frantically grip the knife. Swiftly, she sat up and dug it into Harry's calf. He let out a bloody scream as he dropped on the floor to his knees. He dug his fingers into Veronica's ankle as she began screaming, attempting to swat him away with her feet.

Spencer lifted his gun, trying to discern a shot that wouldn't harm Veronica as she furiously fought -