Criminal Minds Various x Reader

Nightmares

"AHHHHHHHHHHHH"

Maria screamed into her pillow, burning tears cascading down her face, soaking her pillow. Her screams were voice cracking, hands desperately gripping into the sheets she'd been tossing around in all night.

Her bed was in short, a mess.

She couldn't breathe, gasping as she woke from yet another nightmare, her pajamas clinging to her body with sweat. She could still feel his hands roaming every inch of her body, his sweaty dirty rough skin against her own. It felt searing and she was so hot and wanted to so badly jump in the shower and let the cold water wash over her but was terrified to leave the safety of her bed, the paranoia of something, or rather someone grabbing her and- well, let's not talk about that.

After four more hours of relentless tossing and turning, muffled cries and screams, Maria was left with a killer migraine and a dry-aching throat. The sheets stuck to her like a second skin, head pounding in a way she didn't think was possible, feeling hot all over and feeling as if she was about to pass out at any moment but was also painfully alert. Looking at her clock she realized she had to get ready for work soon and with great hesitance she got out of bed and sprinted to the bathroom flipping the lights on. Gripping the sink she stared at her reflection in the mirror, cringing at what she saw. "Ok come on, get a grip, they can't see you like this." She jumped into the shower, allowing for the cold water to wake her up, steady stream of hot tears warming her face. "He's not here anymore... he's... he's not here anymore." She chanted the mantra to herself and her shakily washed her hair and body. Rubbing her skin subconsciously very rough just like she did when the nightmare was over the first time it happened. It didn't help and although the water was cold, icy even, her skin was red as if it had been scalding. Silently she climbed out of the shower and got ready for the day, applying more makeup than she usually would to hide her dark circles and red complexion and a long sleeve to hide the redness of her arms. After getting dressed she popped two Advil's and made her way to work.

Climbing into her car she made her way to the BAU, the radio just annoyed her so she turned it off and found herself wanting to desperately turn around and go back to the safety of her bed. Unfortunately criminals do not rest for people having bad days and so as she found herself pulling into the parking lot she looked at herself in the mirror and mentally promised herself today was the same as any other day, she was fine.

She was fine, and she would convince them all that she was too.

3rd person pov

It was a normal Monday in the bureau, the bullpen was bustling, Morgan was teasing Reid about the amount of sugar he put in his coffee, Emily was chatting with Penelope and JJ about their weekend, and Hotch and Rossi were discussing the final details of the last case they had just wrapped up.

"Don't be a little bitch, you're fine."

However she found herself not believing her own words as she knew she was about to face some of the best profilers she's ever met.

But then again, she was better than some of them.

If not all of them.

Her facade will just have to be a little extra enforced today.

That was all.

She was fine.

And what she wants them to see,

She'll make them see.

Author's Note:

Hey guys! I'm actually surprised people are reading this and I haven't had the motivation to write it but in the last two chapter two of you guys commented and it gave me a bit of inspiration. I've been busy with work but I wanted to release this part which will lead into maybe another chapter or two. If you have any ideas or want to see anything for future chapters lmk in the comments. Also comment any specific characters you want her to interact with ;)