Chapter Three
What Is Supposed to Come In Life
(PART I)
What Is Supposed to Come In Life
(PART I)
"So, what you're saying that I have a small brain?"
"I never said that, Melly!"
"Uh, huh..."
"You're just like a woman, always twisting words around!"
"So now I'm a cliched woman?"
"No-I-Uh...WOMEN!" Melanie threw her head back at Reid's comment. The only ones in the conference room before dawn were the two. Reid rammed his shoulder teasingly into hers. She pretended to be jarred and fell dramatically back onto his shoulder. She closed her eyes and layed there for a minute.
She allowed herself this one indulgence, taking in Reid's smell and touch. He was her best friend. He cared about her. This was the best.
"Tired?" he asked.
She inhaled,"Yeah...too early..."
"Does he know you're here?"
"I left a note telling him I was working late and would probably just stay overnight at the Academy."
"Why would you tell him that?" Reid asked, shaking her off his shoulder so he could look at her. When there was silence, he asked, a little frantically. "Melly, he did come home, didn't he?...Melly!"
"...He stayed out all night again."
"Melly, he's supposed to watch you. Where did he go?"
"Clubbing...drinking....I do so worry about him, Spencer! I get so afraid...." she tucked her head in his chest.
"Shhhhhhh...It's okay, Melly. I'm here...I've got you, Melly. I've always got you. I'll always have you, Mels."
"Ehm. Interrupting something?"
At the voice, Reid extracted Melanie from his shoulder.
"Hey, Em,"Melanie said, not at all flustered,"No, nothing was going on."
"You look tired,"she said and began braiding Melanie's hair,"long night?"
"Don't wanna re-cap, Em, sorry," cried Melanie, throwing her head in her hands.
"Bad night,"Reid mouthed, making a face.
"Mmm,"said Emily.
"What's the case, Prentiss?" Reid asked and Melanie took her head from her hands.
"A boy, kidnapped from his home in the night. The mother was killed and the father is on life support. He stabbed the crap out of all of them."
"Stabbed the crap?" Reid asked.
"A boy? A child? How old? How old, Emily!" Melanie yelled, gripping Emily's lapels.
"Calm down, Melanie!"
"Melly, sweetheart, stop," Reid said, grabbing her wrists. She snatched them away from him and pull her sleeves down to cover them.
"I'm getting on the plane,"she growled.
"No one's on yet, honey," Prentiss said.
"Then I'll sit for hours by myself! It's not like I haven't done it before!"
**************************************************************
With it still being early, most of the team napped on the plane. Melly, taking this one silent moment, stared out the window of the plane, watching the clouds. Reid came and sat beside her and cautiously took her hand.
"It's what I used to do in the car,"she whispered,"when we would travel places in the summer. I would stare out the window after momma had yelled at me for something I did. I grew accustomed to doing that, year after year. It filled the silence. Watching my surroundings fade and fly by. Nothing wanted to stay by me. Not even nature. Spencer, do you think it is good or bad when rain drops go and fall off the window sill?"
"...I-"
"I used to ask myself that. When I was young, I would get so upset when they flew away. But now, I think that's what they are supposed to do. It's like their heaven. Ya know?...Am I right?"
Reid touched her arm."I'm not the one who can tell you that Melly." She weakly smiled to him. Reid rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb, and she leaned on his shoulder.
**************************************************************
"His name was William Hoffman. 16."
"Grades?"
"Not good,"Garcia sighed over the speaker phone,"D's, C's. It's a wonder he ever passed."
"Let me guess,"Melanie said pitifully,"drug use? Gang activity?"
"Bingo. Nothing on drugs though."
"Gang name?"
"Los gobernantes blancos, it's Spanish for-"
"The White Rulers,"Emily and Melly whispered simultaneously."And I don't think they're talking about the measuring stick,"Melly sighed.
"Gang still in action, Garce?" Morgan asked.
"Yes,"said an officer of the unit at which the BAU was inhabiting."I have to threaten to bring 'em down to the station house every two minutes. They solicit and smoke all up the sidewalk."
"That's all?" Melanie growled. Her little pleading eyes were squinted in disbelief. "Soliciting and smoking and you hound them like the most cliched cop? Really?"
"Miss Wilkes!" Hotchner hissed.
"What are they? 15? Oldest 21? Younger?"
"So?" The cop got in the little girl's face.
"So, how stupid can you really be to-"
"Melanie!" Reid yelled and Morgan elbowed him in the ribs to muffle his voice so that Miss Wilkes' older brother could not hear.
"That a girl, Mel!" Charlie yelled. He smiled at her for the first time in weeks. She beamed back.
"Then what do you suggest, bitch?" the cop yelled.
"Excuse me, sir?!"Melanie cried."I am a woman and refused to be talked to in that sort of manner and-Sir! I have never met a man with such an ill disposition toward women! Surely your mother didn't raise you that way!" he threw her the bird and walked away.
Melanie flopped down on a chair and pouted. Charlie drunkenly threw his arm around his sister.
"Good job,"he said, slapping her should way too rough for a love pat.
"Thanks,"she sighed. It was clear she was holding back tears. When Charlie left, Reid tried to occupy the seat, but was cut short.
"So what are we going to do about this gang?"
"Isn't clear?" Charlie spat,"One of us is going undercover."
"Who here is young enough to-"but before Rossi could finish his sentence, everyone knew who.
Melly, who eyes were now puffy, looked up from behind the tears. The blue pools flicked from person to person, begging them to say something. No one would. Because Charlie still ruled.
"O-okay. I-I-I"she burst into tears again.
"Charlie, she cant' do this,"Reid said.
"What?!" Charlie yelled and drunkenly charged toward Reid. Morgan stepped in front of him and stopped Charlie. Morgan was ran into the ground, but kept Charlie restrained. After a few minutes of flailing, Charlie passed out.
"Hotchner!" Reid cried. Hotchner threw up his hands, showing Reid there was nothing he could do and he and Rossi left the room. JJ also left, closing the phone which held there connection to Garcia. Morgan dragged Charlie's drunken body out of the room, leaving Prentiss and Reid alone with the bawling girl.
Reid took a seat on the arm of her chair and threw his arms around her.
"I don't know how I can do this, Spencer,"she whispered with her head in his neck. He stroked her blond hair.
"I know, I know, shhh. Melly, you don't have to do this-"
"I do, Spencer! You know I do! What choice have I? Spencer...I can't disobey him...I can't. It would be the end of me."
"So you're doing this?" Prentiss asked, kneeling at her feet.
"...Yes. I am strong enough for this. It will only make me stronger. It can't hurt me right?"
**************************************************************
"You look so pretty!" Garcia cried over the computer screen.
"I look like a street walker,"Melanie grumbled.
"Unfortunately,"Morgan growled, hiking up her skirt,"that's the point."
"What am I supposed to do?" she asked.
"You're a new young racist to the neighborhood. You like grass, but are trying to quit the habit. You will smoke, will drink, will sleep with the men if it is necessary. The men wanna take off your skirt, you let them. You love it."
"Rossi, if I wasn't a Catholic School girl, I would slap the living crap out of you." Rossi laughed at this.
"Reid, Morgan, Hotchner, and possibly your brother, and I will be stationed in a car outside...wherever you are."
"That makes me feel so safe,"Melanie said. She snorted,"Heh, sarcasm." They mic-ed her and almost made her don a bullet proof vest. If a boy was undressing her though, this might be bad.
"No one is getting near me. They'll get a good whoopping from me. Trust me."
"...You can't do that, Melly. You-"
"I'll do what I want, Hotchner. Besides,"she winked,"I'm still higher command than you."
"Alright,"Penelope said,"chest out, stomach in, ass up, hair down, heels high, eyebrows raised, pupils dialated, smirk in place-are you menstruating?"
"What did you just ask me, Penny?!"
"Are you on your period, miss proper?"
"No! N-no! Why would ask that?!"
"Women are at there most beautiful-"
"Ten days before there periods. It has been shown, men dislike women who use birth control because they display pregnant like syntoms. Men don't like pale women because they look sick. Men like dilated pupils. Yes, Penny, I know. Men suck. They are wired only to do one thing, find a mate and reproduce. I'm aware of the brain's intentions, Penelope Garcia. Thank you." Melanie fluffed her hair, and upon taking up Garcia's instructions, she looked very...sexy. Older. Experienced. Hooker.
Before she got in the car, Reid called out to her.
"Melly!"
She stopped, the door halfway open,"Yes?" all honesty in her eyes.
Reid smirked,"Always say 'no',"he teased. She laughed and got in the car and drove off.
The BAU followed close behind.
**************************************************************
"You're going to be fine,"Morgan said. He was disguised as a drug dealer, as he lead Melanie down the road, holding on to her arm. Her nails drug fast into his bicep.
"I'm going to be fine..."she mumbled.
"Here they are. Be good."
"...'Kay...I feel light headed, Derek..."
"Shh...Hey, guys."
"What do you want?" A boy stood up amongst the group. He was tall, with honey hair and tan skin. His arms were strong, but gangly compared to Morgan's. The gang was small but scary. Maybe 12 of them haunted the alley.
"Just wanted to know if you need any-"
"We got it,"the boy growled. There was an older boy on the steps. He leaned and whispered something to the boy next to him. That boy told the strong tan boy who was speaking.
"Whose the chick?" Melly tried hard not to flinch, so she tossed her hair and threw the boy a look.
"My sister."
"Hah!" snorted the boy,"Not likely-" Morgan grabbed the boy by his collar.
"You wanna bet?"
"C'mon, Jeff,"Melanie cut in,"he ain't worth it."
"Jess, I just-"
"Girl!" one of the boys yelled. Melanie/Jess looked at him. "Get ov'a here!"
"What?" she growled, picking her way through the crowd.
"What's ya name?"
She straightened her jacket,"Jessica Thorton. Call me JJ." Reid stiffened over the radio to which he was listening. She didn't even realize what she said.
"What'da ya want, JJ?"
She smirked,"I wanna join this here gang."
"Ain't happenin'!" yelled a boy from the crowd. A riot went up. Melly noticed there was not a girl in sight.
Through all the screaming, a voice, strong and true, blared out. "ENOUGH! I decide." It was the man at the top. The leader. He stepped down slowly through the speechless boys. He got right in Mel's face.
"What do ya wanna be here for?"
"Same as you. I hate those damn PR's."
He smirked,"heh. You ain't bad kid. Come back tomorrow,"a glance at Morgan,"lose the muscle."
*****************************************************************
"Ugh,I. Am. Tired.I am dead. Shoot me. Just shoot me. Just shoot me and get it over with."
"No. Suck it up. Be a man."
"I'm a woman and I resent that phrase." Emily smiled over at Melanie and took her hand. Garcia rolled her eyes.
"Expression!" Morgan said.
"I think we hooked em today, Mel, good job,"said Rossi.
"Morgan really sealed it. Who knows what would've happened had I entered alone!"
"You would have been fine, Mel,"Morgan said, picking her up and hugging her. She giggled but asked to be let down.
"Well,"Morgan said. "Nothing to do but wait now....wanna go out?"
"Sure! I'll get my purse!" Garcia ran out of the room.
"Bar?" Em asked.
"Yep," said JJ. They linked arms to go back to the hotel and get dressed.
"I'll work tonight,"Hotchner excused himself. Rossi joined him.
Melly sat, unsure what to do. No one had really-
"Are you coming, Melly?" She hadn't notice Reid was still in the room.
"...A-A bar, Spence? I'm not even old enough to drink. And even if I could, I wouldn't. It's not good to do, Spence-"
"You don't have to drink. They will let you in. Go with Penelope, quick. C'mon, Mel. It'll be fun."
Melanie wiggled her Mary Janes in the dirt on the floor.
"I-I don't know..."
"Afraid of pier-pressure?" Reid knew this would hit a button.
"No!" she yelled.
"Then come. Prove it."
"...This is pier pressure now...dang it, Spencer!"
He laughed,"Just come."
She paused, but a smile leaked onto her face,"...okay."
*****************************************************************
Morgan lifted the beer bottle to his lips and Garcia tickled him. He did a spit take across the bar and the group laughed.
"What was that for?" he asked.
"Fun,"Penelope teased.
"Ugh, you little-"
"Uh, uh, uh. Not yet and-Oh my God!"
"What?" Garcia jumped from her seat and ran to the door.
"Why are you-" you couldn't hear the rest of the sentence because she had already ushered the meek Melanie Wilkes into the women's bathroom, the only thing on her visible was the heels of her feet, and the swish of the violet skirts.
*****************************************************************
"You can undo it later, Melly, I only tacked it."
"People will laugh, Pen."
"No they won't!" she cried, fluffing Melanie's hair. It had been undone from a huge bun into a style flipped out from the 70's. Her dress, which was violet and Victorian, had been tacked up to give it a poofy look. It stopped just above her knees, which made Melly uncomfortable. Penelope had tacked in the sleeves and lowered the collar. She made her eye liner darker, and gave her dark purple lipstick, the color of her violet gown.
"Besides,"Garcia said,"when have you ever worried about what others thought?" That made Melly's stomach drop.
Slowly, the group exited from the rest room and into the bar. It was small, with the bar itself directly across from the door, which was one the left hand side of the small room. There were tables set, maybe 40 in all, which were set in front of a pathetic wooden stage, which was used for karaoke nights.
The group was laughing at a joke Morgan had just made about Reid, who was pouting. But, slowly, one by one fell silent at the sight of Melanie Wilkes.
Morgan gave a low whistle and Reid's jaw fell farther than he thought it ever could. She's beautiful,he thought.
"Whose next?" cried the DJ/bar tender from his 'desk'.
"She is!" Penelope screamed, shoving Melanie forward. Melly turned back to her showing her petrified expression.
"I've heard you sing,"Garcia whispered. The DJ threw the mic and upon noticing that Garcia wasn't going to catch it, Melly had no choice but to stretch for it. Slowly, in the stiletto's Garcia lent her, she clicked her way to the stage. The music started and her small eyes darted from person to person. She closed them tight and began to sway, using not her legs, but her hips.
"It's been a long time since I came around,
been a long time but I'm back in town,
this time I'm not leaving with out you." she ran a hand through her now seductively full hair.
"It tastes like whiskey when you piss me off
I'll give anything again to be your baby doll,
this time I'm not leaving without you.'' she plopped down on the couch in the corner.
"Ya said sit back down where you belong, in the corner of mah bar with your high heels on!" she threw her legs in the air only to bring them back down in the lady-like position of crossing them.
She continued the song, stroking the faces of men in the audience. They appeared not seduced, but proud of this girl, as if they were her fathers. Two burly men from the bar helped her up to the top to dance on it. She shook out her long hair and danced around. She was beautiful. Strong.
When the song ended, everyone began to rush to her, to embrace her. One man clamped his hand down on Melly's wrist way to hard. He brought her tight to his chest and she thought this odd. She tried to break away, but the grip was so tight she began crippling toward the ground. She finally looked up to the face. And the pain turned to fear.
She wanted to look around for help. Anyone, anything, help her! She stared.But no one could help her. Not a soul.
So she stared back at the man who could say a word and her fate would be sealed.
She stared back at Charlie Wilkes.
"Bad night,"Reid mouthed, making a face.
"Mmm,"said Emily.
"What's the case, Prentiss?" Reid asked and Melanie took her head from her hands.
"A boy, kidnapped from his home in the night. The mother was killed and the father is on life support. He stabbed the crap out of all of them."
"Stabbed the crap?" Reid asked.
"A boy? A child? How old? How old, Emily!" Melanie yelled, gripping Emily's lapels.
"Calm down, Melanie!"
"Melly, sweetheart, stop," Reid said, grabbing her wrists. She snatched them away from him and pull her sleeves down to cover them.
"I'm getting on the plane,"she growled.
"No one's on yet, honey," Prentiss said.
"Then I'll sit for hours by myself! It's not like I haven't done it before!"
**************************************************************
With it still being early, most of the team napped on the plane. Melly, taking this one silent moment, stared out the window of the plane, watching the clouds. Reid came and sat beside her and cautiously took her hand.
"It's what I used to do in the car,"she whispered,"when we would travel places in the summer. I would stare out the window after momma had yelled at me for something I did. I grew accustomed to doing that, year after year. It filled the silence. Watching my surroundings fade and fly by. Nothing wanted to stay by me. Not even nature. Spencer, do you think it is good or bad when rain drops go and fall off the window sill?"
"...I-"
"I used to ask myself that. When I was young, I would get so upset when they flew away. But now, I think that's what they are supposed to do. It's like their heaven. Ya know?...Am I right?"
Reid touched her arm."I'm not the one who can tell you that Melly." She weakly smiled to him. Reid rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb, and she leaned on his shoulder.
**************************************************************
"His name was William Hoffman. 16."
"Grades?"
"Not good,"Garcia sighed over the speaker phone,"D's, C's. It's a wonder he ever passed."
"Let me guess,"Melanie said pitifully,"drug use? Gang activity?"
"Bingo. Nothing on drugs though."
"Gang name?"
"Los gobernantes blancos, it's Spanish for-"
"The White Rulers,"Emily and Melly whispered simultaneously."And I don't think they're talking about the measuring stick,"Melly sighed.
"Gang still in action, Garce?" Morgan asked.
"Yes,"said an officer of the unit at which the BAU was inhabiting."I have to threaten to bring 'em down to the station house every two minutes. They solicit and smoke all up the sidewalk."
"That's all?" Melanie growled. Her little pleading eyes were squinted in disbelief. "Soliciting and smoking and you hound them like the most cliched cop? Really?"
"Miss Wilkes!" Hotchner hissed.
"What are they? 15? Oldest 21? Younger?"
"So?" The cop got in the little girl's face.
"So, how stupid can you really be to-"
"Melanie!" Reid yelled and Morgan elbowed him in the ribs to muffle his voice so that Miss Wilkes' older brother could not hear.
"That a girl, Mel!" Charlie yelled. He smiled at her for the first time in weeks. She beamed back.
"Then what do you suggest, bitch?" the cop yelled.
"Excuse me, sir?!"Melanie cried."I am a woman and refused to be talked to in that sort of manner and-Sir! I have never met a man with such an ill disposition toward women! Surely your mother didn't raise you that way!" he threw her the bird and walked away.
Melanie flopped down on a chair and pouted. Charlie drunkenly threw his arm around his sister.
"Good job,"he said, slapping her should way too rough for a love pat.
"Thanks,"she sighed. It was clear she was holding back tears. When Charlie left, Reid tried to occupy the seat, but was cut short.
"So what are we going to do about this gang?"
"Isn't clear?" Charlie spat,"One of us is going undercover."
"Who here is young enough to-"but before Rossi could finish his sentence, everyone knew who.
Melly, who eyes were now puffy, looked up from behind the tears. The blue pools flicked from person to person, begging them to say something. No one would. Because Charlie still ruled.
"O-okay. I-I-I"she burst into tears again.
"Charlie, she cant' do this,"Reid said.
"What?!" Charlie yelled and drunkenly charged toward Reid. Morgan stepped in front of him and stopped Charlie. Morgan was ran into the ground, but kept Charlie restrained. After a few minutes of flailing, Charlie passed out.
"Hotchner!" Reid cried. Hotchner threw up his hands, showing Reid there was nothing he could do and he and Rossi left the room. JJ also left, closing the phone which held there connection to Garcia. Morgan dragged Charlie's drunken body out of the room, leaving Prentiss and Reid alone with the bawling girl.
Reid took a seat on the arm of her chair and threw his arms around her.
"I don't know how I can do this, Spencer,"she whispered with her head in his neck. He stroked her blond hair.
"I know, I know, shhh. Melly, you don't have to do this-"
"I do, Spencer! You know I do! What choice have I? Spencer...I can't disobey him...I can't. It would be the end of me."
"So you're doing this?" Prentiss asked, kneeling at her feet.
"...Yes. I am strong enough for this. It will only make me stronger. It can't hurt me right?"
**************************************************************
"You look so pretty!" Garcia cried over the computer screen.
"I look like a street walker,"Melanie grumbled.
"Unfortunately,"Morgan growled, hiking up her skirt,"that's the point."
"What am I supposed to do?" she asked.
"You're a new young racist to the neighborhood. You like grass, but are trying to quit the habit. You will smoke, will drink, will sleep with the men if it is necessary. The men wanna take off your skirt, you let them. You love it."
"Rossi, if I wasn't a Catholic School girl, I would slap the living crap out of you." Rossi laughed at this.
"Reid, Morgan, Hotchner, and possibly your brother, and I will be stationed in a car outside...wherever you are."
"That makes me feel so safe,"Melanie said. She snorted,"Heh, sarcasm." They mic-ed her and almost made her don a bullet proof vest. If a boy was undressing her though, this might be bad.
"No one is getting near me. They'll get a good whoopping from me. Trust me."
"...You can't do that, Melly. You-"
"I'll do what I want, Hotchner. Besides,"she winked,"I'm still higher command than you."
"Alright,"Penelope said,"chest out, stomach in, ass up, hair down, heels high, eyebrows raised, pupils dialated, smirk in place-are you menstruating?"
"What did you just ask me, Penny?!"
"Are you on your period, miss proper?"
"No! N-no! Why would ask that?!"
"Women are at there most beautiful-"
"Ten days before there periods. It has been shown, men dislike women who use birth control because they display pregnant like syntoms. Men don't like pale women because they look sick. Men like dilated pupils. Yes, Penny, I know. Men suck. They are wired only to do one thing, find a mate and reproduce. I'm aware of the brain's intentions, Penelope Garcia. Thank you." Melanie fluffed her hair, and upon taking up Garcia's instructions, she looked very...sexy. Older. Experienced. Hooker.
Before she got in the car, Reid called out to her.
"Melly!"
She stopped, the door halfway open,"Yes?" all honesty in her eyes.
Reid smirked,"Always say 'no',"he teased. She laughed and got in the car and drove off.
The BAU followed close behind.
**************************************************************
"You're going to be fine,"Morgan said. He was disguised as a drug dealer, as he lead Melanie down the road, holding on to her arm. Her nails drug fast into his bicep.
"I'm going to be fine..."she mumbled.
"Here they are. Be good."
"...'Kay...I feel light headed, Derek..."
"Shh...Hey, guys."
"What do you want?" A boy stood up amongst the group. He was tall, with honey hair and tan skin. His arms were strong, but gangly compared to Morgan's. The gang was small but scary. Maybe 12 of them haunted the alley.
"Just wanted to know if you need any-"
"We got it,"the boy growled. There was an older boy on the steps. He leaned and whispered something to the boy next to him. That boy told the strong tan boy who was speaking.
"Whose the chick?" Melly tried hard not to flinch, so she tossed her hair and threw the boy a look.
"My sister."
"Hah!" snorted the boy,"Not likely-" Morgan grabbed the boy by his collar.
"You wanna bet?"
"C'mon, Jeff,"Melanie cut in,"he ain't worth it."
"Jess, I just-"
"Girl!" one of the boys yelled. Melanie/Jess looked at him. "Get ov'a here!"
"What?" she growled, picking her way through the crowd.
"What's ya name?"
She straightened her jacket,"Jessica Thorton. Call me JJ." Reid stiffened over the radio to which he was listening. She didn't even realize what she said.
"What'da ya want, JJ?"
She smirked,"I wanna join this here gang."
"Ain't happenin'!" yelled a boy from the crowd. A riot went up. Melly noticed there was not a girl in sight.
Through all the screaming, a voice, strong and true, blared out. "ENOUGH! I decide." It was the man at the top. The leader. He stepped down slowly through the speechless boys. He got right in Mel's face.
"What do ya wanna be here for?"
"Same as you. I hate those damn PR's."
He smirked,"heh. You ain't bad kid. Come back tomorrow,"a glance at Morgan,"lose the muscle."
*****************************************************************
"Ugh,I. Am. Tired.I am dead. Shoot me. Just shoot me. Just shoot me and get it over with."
"No. Suck it up. Be a man."
"I'm a woman and I resent that phrase." Emily smiled over at Melanie and took her hand. Garcia rolled her eyes.
"Expression!" Morgan said.
"I think we hooked em today, Mel, good job,"said Rossi.
"Morgan really sealed it. Who knows what would've happened had I entered alone!"
"You would have been fine, Mel,"Morgan said, picking her up and hugging her. She giggled but asked to be let down.
"Well,"Morgan said. "Nothing to do but wait now....wanna go out?"
"Sure! I'll get my purse!" Garcia ran out of the room.
"Bar?" Em asked.
"Yep," said JJ. They linked arms to go back to the hotel and get dressed.
"I'll work tonight,"Hotchner excused himself. Rossi joined him.
Melly sat, unsure what to do. No one had really-
"Are you coming, Melly?" She hadn't notice Reid was still in the room.
"...A-A bar, Spence? I'm not even old enough to drink. And even if I could, I wouldn't. It's not good to do, Spence-"
"You don't have to drink. They will let you in. Go with Penelope, quick. C'mon, Mel. It'll be fun."
Melanie wiggled her Mary Janes in the dirt on the floor.
"I-I don't know..."
"Afraid of pier-pressure?" Reid knew this would hit a button.
"No!" she yelled.
"Then come. Prove it."
"...This is pier pressure now...dang it, Spencer!"
He laughed,"Just come."
She paused, but a smile leaked onto her face,"...okay."
*****************************************************************
Morgan lifted the beer bottle to his lips and Garcia tickled him. He did a spit take across the bar and the group laughed.
"What was that for?" he asked.
"Fun,"Penelope teased.
"Ugh, you little-"
"Uh, uh, uh. Not yet and-Oh my God!"
"What?" Garcia jumped from her seat and ran to the door.
"Why are you-" you couldn't hear the rest of the sentence because she had already ushered the meek Melanie Wilkes into the women's bathroom, the only thing on her visible was the heels of her feet, and the swish of the violet skirts.
*****************************************************************
"You can undo it later, Melly, I only tacked it."
"People will laugh, Pen."
"No they won't!" she cried, fluffing Melanie's hair. It had been undone from a huge bun into a style flipped out from the 70's. Her dress, which was violet and Victorian, had been tacked up to give it a poofy look. It stopped just above her knees, which made Melly uncomfortable. Penelope had tacked in the sleeves and lowered the collar. She made her eye liner darker, and gave her dark purple lipstick, the color of her violet gown.
"Besides,"Garcia said,"when have you ever worried about what others thought?" That made Melly's stomach drop.
Slowly, the group exited from the rest room and into the bar. It was small, with the bar itself directly across from the door, which was one the left hand side of the small room. There were tables set, maybe 40 in all, which were set in front of a pathetic wooden stage, which was used for karaoke nights.
The group was laughing at a joke Morgan had just made about Reid, who was pouting. But, slowly, one by one fell silent at the sight of Melanie Wilkes.
Morgan gave a low whistle and Reid's jaw fell farther than he thought it ever could. She's beautiful,he thought.
"Whose next?" cried the DJ/bar tender from his 'desk'.
"She is!" Penelope screamed, shoving Melanie forward. Melly turned back to her showing her petrified expression.
"I've heard you sing,"Garcia whispered. The DJ threw the mic and upon noticing that Garcia wasn't going to catch it, Melly had no choice but to stretch for it. Slowly, in the stiletto's Garcia lent her, she clicked her way to the stage. The music started and her small eyes darted from person to person. She closed them tight and began to sway, using not her legs, but her hips.
"It's been a long time since I came around,
been a long time but I'm back in town,
this time I'm not leaving with out you." she ran a hand through her now seductively full hair.
"It tastes like whiskey when you piss me off
I'll give anything again to be your baby doll,
this time I'm not leaving without you.'' she plopped down on the couch in the corner.
"Ya said sit back down where you belong, in the corner of mah bar with your high heels on!" she threw her legs in the air only to bring them back down in the lady-like position of crossing them.
She continued the song, stroking the faces of men in the audience. They appeared not seduced, but proud of this girl, as if they were her fathers. Two burly men from the bar helped her up to the top to dance on it. She shook out her long hair and danced around. She was beautiful. Strong.
When the song ended, everyone began to rush to her, to embrace her. One man clamped his hand down on Melly's wrist way to hard. He brought her tight to his chest and she thought this odd. She tried to break away, but the grip was so tight she began crippling toward the ground. She finally looked up to the face. And the pain turned to fear.
She wanted to look around for help. Anyone, anything, help her! She stared.But no one could help her. Not a soul.
So she stared back at the man who could say a word and her fate would be sealed.
She stared back at Charlie Wilkes.
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