Chapter Ten-The Forbidden Fruits Taste the Sweetest

Chapter Ten

The Forbidden Fruits Taste the Sweetest

"Spencer...Spencer...Spencer Reid! WAKE UP!"

Spencer flew out of the comfort of his bed and onto the wood floor of his home.

"You are one sound sleeper," Melanie commented.

"When I want to be," he mumbled, rubbing his neck. "Why are you in my house...how did you get in? You didn't want a key."

"I picked the lock," the blonde girl smiled, showing him the dusty hair pin in her hand. It was mangled from use and the rust had worn off onto it. She bended it into shape, wiped it off, and stuck back into her hair to help hold it into the stiff pony tail it was constantly kept in.

Spencer sighed, continuing to rub his neck and kept his eyes closed.

"Do I dare ask why you are here?" he said in his high pitched voice.

"Because," said a familiar voice from another room as the BAU's technical analyst stepped into view. "We need your bathroom."

"Why?" he asked.

"Because!" Melanie held out the word, taking his hands and yanking him to his feet. "We're going to a ball!"

********************************************************

As Spencer once again stuck his head in through the bathroom door, he could only see Melanie Wilkes face contort into a grimace.

"Are you sure we can't go back to the house and get a prettier dress? This isn't one of the best I've stitched," she pouted.

"No. You may want it, but you can't be noticed."

"I'd rather be a raven than a robin," Melanie humphed. "Penny, I just...I want this. This rebellion I'm going through. It's been building up in me...who cares if anyone finds out I went?"
"You'll get in trouble, I'll get in trouble, Hotch will, Emily will, Rossi will, Derek will-"
"They are strong people. I will take the blame for this. I swear."
"Reid will."
Melanie's eyes burned a hole in the mirror, staring at her reflection. "Alright, Penny...but please blend in this foundation! I'm not tan and this does no favors the rest of my pale body!" the pair laughed. Garcia came toward Melanie to do as her friend asked, not before slamming the door with her high-heel to close it shut from prying eyes.
**********************************************************
"Look at you!" Emily said as Melanie waltzed up, her face glowing from the warmth of the candle-lit room. The blonde girl dropped to a curtsy, pulling her skirt out to her side.
The dress was a pretty silken gown, which flowed down Melanie in a bronze river. ("It's brown," Melanie sighed,"why on Earth did I make a brown dress?" "It's bronze," Penelope argued. "It's brown!") a little cloak concealed Melanie's bare shoulders. It was the same fabric of the dress, and it buttoned in the front. It lead up to a high, rounded collar, but not so high that is bumped her chin when she chose to hide her face.
Her gold hair was piled on her head in a little wrap-in bun. It looked darker because of the lighting, but that only made her seem more beautiful in the dark dress.
"You look gorgeous," Morgan said, bowing dramatically at the girl. Melanie blushed and thanked him. (Reid had said the same thing to Melanie, she only punched his arm and told him not to lie to her face again. (He saw her smile and knew she didn't mean it.))
"I am a product of Penelope Garcia, Queen of many-if not all-talents," Melanie said, hugging her friend. Penelope laughed.
A song began to play, and the group dispersed, JJ and Prentiss toward the bar, Morgan to dance with Penelope, and Melanie and Reid stood by a banister of the grand stair case.
Melanie hummed and Spencer wanted to ask her to dance, but felt to frightened. Melanie looked at Reid several times, asking him how he thought the room looked, about the music, even venturing so far as to ask him whether or not she should leave the cloak on or off her body. Reid answered she should probably keep it on, or get cold. Melanie frowned at him, and turned away. She had never been good at flirting, and she knew men like Reid couldn't take a hint, but golly! Reid just couldn't catch on.
Spencer kept wanting to ask Melly to dance, but couldn't find any courage. Soon, even there conversation began to lack. Melly felt cheated out of a ball when there was no man willing to dance with her. She even felt angry at Reid for not asking her to dance. She hated that feeling, but couldn't help but think that even as a friend, Spencer didn't want to touch her. She loved Spencer dearly, as she loved all her friends at the BAU, she even loved Phillip and Charlie in their own ways, but no one ever could love Melanie back. Her heart felt like it was breaking.
"SSA Wilkes?" a short pale man asked, coming up to her.
"Yes-" Melanie sniffed, then saw the visitor.
"SSA POTTER! OH-ehm, SSA Potter, sir. What are you doing here?"
"To dance, and I believe this is honestly the first time we've met. Please to meet you, Miss Wilkes."
"Oh, no sir! The pleasure is all mine!" Melanie fervently shook the hand of the old, short hand. "Spencer!" Melanie hissed,"Do you know who this is?!"
"SSA Potter of the...BIA? Right?"
"Yes," said Mr. Potter to the young BAU agent. "And you?" he asked.
"This is Dr. Reid of the BAU," Melanie cut in, again with a beaming smile.
"Well, the BAU certainly has some young ones," said the SSA agent with a smile. "And I hear very pretty young women. I've met Miss Jareau before, and I've heard great things about Miss Prentiss, and now upon seeing Miss Wilkes, Doctor, you must be overwhelmed!"
Reid blushed. "Er, yes..."
"Well, I've heard you married a very beautiful woman years ago. You have a son, do you not?" Melanie said, smiling.
Morgan walked up silently, Penelope behind him, both faces glowing from the exercise of dancing.
"Yes, actually, I married a woman from a reservation I was sent to. Tay was as sweet as can be. We have a son just about younger than you, Miss Wilkes. Johnny Potter. Maybe you've heard-"
"Johnny Potter the baseball player?" Morgan asked.
"The same," Mr. Potter replied smiling for his son. "You've heard of him?" he asked Melly.
"Er, yes. On the news..."she said, her face twisting.
"I take it wasn't good news," frowned the BIA agent.
Melanie frowned.

"That's actually why I came to talk to you. He hasn't been...he's been involved with some...gang activity. It's only a hunch, but I am worried for him...Could you...keep tabs on him? Just enough. I'm not asking a full investigation-"

"I couldn't make that a BAU case if I wanted to, Mr. Potter. But I can make it a practice way. I will not lie, eavesdrop, or commit some unforgivable sin to keep tabs on him, though. Consider this a personal favor, Mr. Potter. I would be in some trouble if anyone found out, and I refuse to take a hit for this. I will go to no great lengths to do this for any acquaintance, even one as great as yourself. Do you agree to my terms?"
"I-"
"Father!" A tall boy came behind Mr. Potter, wrapping his arms his father's neck. They both smiled.
Melanie cocked an eyebrow at the BIA agent, and Mr. Potter nodded to her. He accepted.
"Who are your friends?" the boy asked, looking at the agents.
"These are SA Morgan, Garcia (?), Dr. Reid, and Melanie Wilkes."
The boy called Johnny went with a smile, shaking every one's hands. He got to Melanie, and she challengingly held out her hand, palm down. She cocked an eyebrow and tilted her head. He took the hand, and bowed over it, letting his lips touch her skin. He returned to full height, sarcastically cocking his eyebrows. Melanie's eyes narrowed.
"Miss Wilkes, I presume?" he said.
"The very same," she smiled.
"You look like your brother," he said.
"You know Charlie?" she asked, her angry pretense dropping. He laughed.
"Everyone in my circle knows Charles," he replied.
"...Hmph..." Melanie whispered, eyebrows pushed together.
"My names Johnny," he said, holding out one hand for Melly to shake, using the other to slick back his dark brown hair. Melanie sighed.
"So I've been told..." she mumbled.
Johnny continued to vie for Melanie's attention as the night went on, shocked that any girl could say no to him. Melanie, however, was quite enjoying herself. Not many men-okay, like, four in her life time, ever tried to play this game with her. Melanie took pride in the fact she had a boy interested-and at the fact she was able to keep him at arm's length.
It was late in the night and most agents had left. Mr. Potter even bid his 19 year old son good night early in the evening. It was only 11 o'clock, but Melanie was not used to staying up so late, and she grew more fatigued by the minute. Johnny watched her from across the room, as he had been for the past two hours. He had gone up to her almost 9 or more times, and each time she refused to act interested in the boy. Melanie enjoyed being able to put his ego into check. He hated it.
Melanie just sat on the steps of the staircase, Dr. Reid leaning against the banister, often making a comment to her, which she would respond to with a one worded answer. Johnny was getting bored just watching their conversation, and couldn't imagine how terrible it must be to take part in it.
"Look," Johnny said, no smirk on his face, his hands in his pockets," your too pretty and too smart to be sitting here on the steps, not dancing. Dance with me."
Melanie snorted,"I'd rather-"
"Hey, cut it," he said, looking at her stern. He was tired. He was bored. He was going to be damned if he didn't get one dance with her.
Melanie rose to her feet. "Give me one good reason why I should dance with you," she growled.
"I don't see you dancing with anyone else," he said.
Melanie looked at her feet, and sighed. "Tell me something else...is it just to screw with my brother?"
"No," he answered, honestly.
"Then why?"
"'Cause your damn hot, and your proud, and your the only girl who didn't ask to get in my pants tonight! Look...your something else, Melanie Wilkes, I can just tell. Show me that."
Melanie looked at the man who was in her face, and slowly, a smirk formed. She grabbed his hand tight as she said, loudly enough for Reid to hear, and Morgan and Penelope to hear 7 feet away,"Call me Melly."
***************************************************************
"Look at you!" Emily said.
Melanie's red eyes opened wide and she jumped a foot.
"Oh," she yawned,"it's you." Then she smiled dumbly at the wall.
"How long have you been here after-"
"I just came here after. I had a change of clothes in my car. Took a shower, slept in my office. It was easy."
"How late were you out with him?" Emily asked, poking her friend in the ribs.
"...Two...maybe three...we never left the...you know. Place."
"Yeah. You gonna see him again?"
"...Not outside of the spying his father has set me up to do."
Garcia frowned and Reid turned to hide his smile. "Why not?" protested Garcia,"You two hit it off-"
"And I'm engaged to be married. Plus, he and I? What's a more laughable concept! He was mean, and course, and unrefined! I need a man who gives much more. Like Phillip..."
"Yeah, he's Prince Charming..." Emily mumbled.
"And Johnny was?" Melanie retorted. "...Whatever..." Melanie growled, returning to the file in her hands. "Just...whatever..."
****************************************************************
"Goodnight, Melanie," Strauss said as she left, and Melanie waved goodbye to her aunt.
"SSA Wilkes?"
"Yes, Anderson?" Melanie smiled at the Tech Agent who walked in, and he smiled at the sweet girl. "There's a boy here for you."
"Oh...is it the Comte Dufour?"
"No, it is a boy with a guitar. Dark hair? He'd said you'd remember him from...er...last night."
"Oh," Melanie humphed. "God, Anderson, I assure nothing untoward happened...Just...gah...send him in, please. Thank you, Anderson."

"What are you doing here?!" the blonde agent screamed at her uninvited guest after Anderson closed them in the room together.
"I-I had to see you again, Melly."
"SSA Melanie Wilkes. Didn't your father in the FBI teach you anything about how to address agents? Goodness..."
"You look tired," Johnny whispered concerned. "Maybe you should sit-"
"Don't invite me to sit in my own-..." Melanie trailed off with an odd sense of deja vu. Melanie slowly lowered herself into the chair next to him. "Do you play?" she whispered uninterested, not looking at him.
"Yeah, I came to play...for you..."
"Oh, how nice," Melanie said with a emotionless smile.
"God, you are tired, Melly. I was going to..."
"Yes?" Melanie asked, finally looking at him with awareness.
"...My friends and I are doing this...drag race tonight, and I was wondering if you wanted to go. ...It's a lot of fun, Melanie."
"...Johnny, I'm in a relationship-"
"And that's totally great, Mel. I just want to take you as a friend. Please?" He took Melanie's hands in his, and he smiled when Melanie shivered, then blushed.
"This is an attempt to gain my affection, though, is it not? Or is this just something to screw with Charlie or some other dumb thing, because if it is, I swear to God-"
"No, no, Melanie, I swear, it's not."
"...I've been made a fool before. If you make one of me, I will make you pay, Master Potter."
"...Master?"
"Dear God..."


"Was that...Johnny that just left with Melanie?"
"What other tan, dark-haired boy with a guitar could it be, Emily?" Garcia said. 
"...I am really happy for her," Emily whispered.
"What? I don't understand," Reid said.
"...She's falling in love."
"In  her own standards."
"She doesn't love him," Spencer huffed.
"...She will," Emily said.  Spencer palled.
"If she falls in love with him, it will be the greatest mistake of her life!" he yelled.
"That's what love is," Garcia said.
"God, she's just a girl!"
"This is how she grows."
"It's too dangerous, I can't let her-"
"You will," Prentiss growled, outstretching an arm to stop him.
"What is that based on Emily? Your happiness for her or the fact that you got knocked up and you just want her perfect life to have that same horrid out look? Huh?" Reid stopped. "God...Emily...I didn't-"
"I know, Reid. It's okay. But, don't go after her. She has to do this."
"...She's just a girl..."
*****************************************************************
"Whhhhhhoaaaaaaaaaa-Hoooooooo!" Melanie yelped from her place on the side of the alley.
"I told you you would have fun," Johnny whispered in her ear. It was cold, and he had let Melanie stay inside his over sized jacket-with him still in it. His scarf was wrapped around both their necks, and tied at chest level. Her head was ducked into his neck, and his arms were around her waist. He hummed in her ear, and Melanie leaned into him, closing her eyes.
      Johnny's so called friends had turned out to be his gang, and a rival gang. Johnny's crew was a rag-tag bunch, not unlike the boys Melanie used to pal around with when she was young. She didn't spend much time with them, but still, she could call them her friends.
       The last of the races began and Melanie screamed for the driver to hurry down the short-stretch of street. Johnny began to brush his lips against Melanie's ear, and she giggled a little. She didn't know whether she was doing this because SSA Potter had asked her, or because she liked being liked. Maybe it was both. She simply let it be considered as her being undercover. Melanie called out again when Johnny's gang won. She slipped out of his jacket, but kept his scarf so that Johnny could go and celebrate with his friends, jumping and screaming. He came over to Melanie, and tried to kiss her, but she pushed him away. He didn't get discouraged though.
     A leader from the opposing gang, came up to Johnny. He wasn't happy by any means, but they were beat.
"Great game-" Johnny said, but stopped when he saw the gun come from out of the man's pocket. He pulled the trigger, and Melanie cried out, and crumpled to the ground. The man barely had time to laugh before Johnny pulled out a pistol of his own and fired, hitting the man in the forehead. He fell to the ground, dead.
     No one moved, even Melanie stayed silent as she stared at what he had done.
"Melly..." Johnny whispered, he ran over to her, holding her fast to his chest.
"He just nicked my arm," Melanie said, pulling back from the dark-skinned boy she had been holding just a few moments earlier.
"L-Look!...Look what ya did, Johnny..." a boy whispered behind him. Johnny stared and Melanie thought he might cry.
"Murder-!" screamed a boy from the opposing gang, but Johnny pulled the gun out again.
"Any one of youse talks again, and I swear I'll kill ya. Now, I'm gonna take Melanie some where safe, and you all is gonna be quiet when I leave. Got it?"
Melanie yelped and winced as Johnny threw her over his shoulder, then set off at a jog. When they were out of view, it only took a few moments for the howls of "Murderer!" to erupt from behind them. Melanie stared to cry.
"What have you done?" she whispered.
"Is there anywhere we can go, Melanie? We need to get you help and we can't go to no hospital."
"...Yes..."
*****************************************************************
Johnny knocked urgently and softly on the apartment door.
"What are you doing-Melanie?" he whispered.
"Spencer...we need help..."
"You're bleeding..."
"Don't say anything else. Let us in."
"God, Melanie, what happened?" Reid said once he shut the door, helping Johnny lay her on the couch.
"You gotta get the bullet outta my arm, Spence, I'm gonna bleed out..." Melanie coughed. The scarf was wrapped around it, but it was already soaked in her blood. Johnny went and threw up in Reid's sink. He stared at the pair. 
"I...I have to call someone," Reid said.
"No!" Johnny lunged for the phone. "No, authorities."
"Call her, Spencer...I need help, now...please..." Melanie blacked out from the blood loss.
"God, Prentiss?" Reid yelled. "Get over here. Now. It's Melly..." 

Chapter Nine-Personal Expirence

Chapter Nine

Personal Expirence

     "I just wish, oh, how I wish I could go! Please, Aunt, Please reconsider!" Melanie begged to Erin Strauss.

"It's not even official, just some of the agents gathered an idea to form this ball," she said, in her distastful mood. "Besides, the only man I would ever aprove of you dancing with is your fiance. Has he allowed you to go?"

"He would but momma said-"

"Then listen to your mother."

      Erin Strauss left a pouting Melanie in front of her office.

"What's wrong?" Garcia asked as the team came up.

"Aunt won't let me go to the ball that's tomorrow night."

"What's so special about it?" Reid asked her.

"Oh, Spencer! Just the idea of it is so romantic and thrilling!" she held her hands over her heart-or rather the yellow and blue plaid tie, that matched the skirt and yellow wool cardigan she was wearing. "Its just...I've always wanted to see one. And now, when it is right in front of me, I am forbidden to go. I just angers me to the point of no return!"

"Just go," Emily said. "I'll help you sneek out."

"Hold your tongue!" Melanie gasped, signalling her to shush. "If anyone were to hear you-!"

"What would happen? I can't get fired."

"No, but I would get a good beating!"Melanie hissed. It was honestly no secret Melly was abused, but it was the first time she had ever truthfully ackwoldedged it.

"I'll keep quite," Emily whispered as the walked toward the conferance room.

*****

"She was raped?" Melanie breathed. "She was only 12...Oh God..." she covered her face with her hankerchief. Garcia grabbed her hand, trying to console her. They were all on the plane.

"But she survived," Emily said, without a smile.

"Sometimes being dead is better..."Melanie whispered, pulling her sleeves down. Reid eyed her arm, wondering why Melanie had twitched in that way, but tried to ignore it.

"Can I talk to the girl?" Melanie asked.

"You're in charge." Hotcher replied.

Melanie swollowed and replied she would like Emily to come with her. Hotchner agreed that would be best. Reid smiled at Melly who seemed deeply pained by this. He grabbed her little hand with both of his, and rubbed it most of the plane ride. JJ noticed this, and added it to her list to believe the two were together. But Melanie had not once been unfaithful to Phillip. She had thought of it before, and almost accidentally did, but never had. Spencer could never like her in that way...not even her future husband....

****

Reid and Hotchner watched from outside the interview room as Melanie sat down, and Emily stood in the corner, and began talking to the little girl.

"Hi, sweetheart," Melanie said, sitting in front of the girl, taking care not to get to close to her. The girl was small, looking almost 10, and her skin was pale and ivory. She had pretty blue eyes and long red hair, which she braided on one side. "Can you tell me your name?" she asked.

"Au-Audreyanna."

Melanie smiled overly dramatic and said what a pretty name it was, and to belong to such a pretty girl. She asked her if she was hungry, or wanted anything. The girl declined. She asked again, and again the girl said no.

"Audreyanna, this isn't going ot be easy. But we are going to retrace your steps before...what happened."

   The little girl's eyes swelled and she looked stricken.

"I-I don't wanna..." she whispered feverantly.

"I know. I don't want to make you do this either. But we need your help to find him so he can't hurt anymore little girls." Melanie reached out and took the girl's hand. "Can you please help me?"

   The little red headed girl nodded slowly.

"What were you doing?" Melly asked, still holding Audreyanna's hands. She closed her eyes.

"...I was playing...mom told me to stay by her, but there was a rabbit, and I went to pet it. It ran off and I lost it. It was crowded and I couldn't find mom again. It got really dark all of a sudden, and then-" the girl shook and moaned and Melanie assured her she was right there and that no one could hurt her.
"Are you sure?" whispered the girl.
"He will never touch you again. And I'm here. I would die to protect you, sweetie."
Audreyanna smiled with her eyes closed, then gulped. "He came up behind me, and told me he lost his doggie. He looked nice...I thought..." she screamed.
"I know, I know..." Audreyanna ran around the table to Melanie. She accepted the girl with open arms, placing her on her lap. She shook.
"He can't hurt you anymore...we're going to get him...but we need you're help."
"He...he had on a blue shirt...like that," she said, pointing to Melanie's skirt.
"Plaid?"
"Yes. He had...a dark scruffy beard."
"How long?"
     The two went at it for a little longer, and Melanie told the girl she was done and didn't have to do this any longer. She smiled and hugged Melanie.
"Isn't there anything else I can do?" she asked.
"You've done so much. You've been so helpful and brave. You are a strong girl, Audreyanna. One of the strongest I've ever met. You helped me so much. I do believe I owe you. How about I buy you an Ice cream? Huh? Sound good?"
"...Can it be strawberry?"
"It can be a whole bucket full of strawberry!"
Audreyanna smiled. "Will you share it with me?"
"I certainly will, sweet heart."
"Hey, I gotta..." she looked down.
"Go to the bathroom?" Melanie whispered with a slight smiled. Audreyanna nodded.
"Do you want me to take you?"
Audreyanna looked from Melanie to the door to the hall. "No...I've got it."
Melanie lead the red-head out, and she scampered to the bathroom. Melanie smiled.
"Hey," a boy, around the age of Melanie with bright red hair came up behind her. "Thank you, for this. I'm Todd, Audrey's brother."
"You have a brave girl with you, Todd. She's so strong."
"I know. I'm worried about her. She has nightmares...everynight. What do I do? I try to help, but all I seem to do is make things work. How can I help my little sister?"
"...The nightmares will most likely never stop. When something like this happens, most kids curl up in balls, never leave their rooms, and...commit suicide before high school. She hasn't done any of this. Keep her in public, keep her with friends. Good girls. Or boys. It doesn't matter which. Men might even be better, if they're sweet. Don't let her be afraid, but never force her. Always make everything seem like her idea. Let her do things her way. As for the nightmares...hold her. Let her be comfortable with human touch, crave it. This helps."
"Thank you..." the boy whispered. "My parents...."
"I understand. I myself still don't know the answer. Keep her safe and if they are being pessimistic, keep her away from them as much as possible.....Keep her young, Todd. Let her stay young. She still has her innocence and that's all you can ever ask for. That girl is something and you hold on and you save her. Got it? Don't fail her."
"...I got it." He left.
"That wasn't in any psychology book," Hotchner said to Melanie, Reid by his side.
"No," she said, tears running,"That was from personal expirence."
     At this point young Audreyanna came running out of the bathroom and smiled at Melanie.
"Ready for Ice Cream?" she asked her.
"I am always ready for Ice Cream!" Melly exclaimed and the two left together.
****************************************************************
JJ watched little Audreyanna sneak into the BAU's set up room, and roar at a sleeping Melanie. Melanie screamed and sputtered away, eyes wide and filled with horror. Upon seeing it was just the redhead, she slowly untensed.
"I'm sorry," the little girl whimpered.
"No, no...it's okay...you just caught me off guard..."
"...Okay," she replied. "Can I go get a milkshake before we start?"
"Yes, but hurry, dear," Melanie whispered, touching her head as she left.
"Why do you need my daughter, again?" Audreyanna's mother hissed. "Haven't we been through enough?"
"You haven't been through anything," Melanie said cooly, cocking her head.
"Miss Wilkes," Hotchner warned. Melly sighed.
"We need more information from your daughter-"
"She's given you all she knows."
"No. She knows more, but is trying hard to forget it."
"Then why bring it up?"
"Because there are other girls!" Melanie bellowed. "There are other little girls that will suffer unless we find this man! Do you honestly want that? Another girl like your daughter?! Audreyanna is strong, but other's may not be-"
"I want out. Now."
"You're daughter is strong-!"
"We're moving and hiding her. Homeschool."
"Why are you doing this to her-"
"Melanie!" Emily yelled, pulling down on the little girl. Melanie looked from her, to Mrs. Hurst.
"I have expirence with women like you. If I had my way, you would never be able to hurt you daughter again."
"wha-"
"I'm ready Melly!!"
*****************************************************************
Todd Hurst came belowing in with his sister as the BAU was packing up ready to leave.
"Hey," said Melanie, hugging the girl and shaking hands with her brother. "I was hoping you'd come before we hauled off."
"You caught him?" Todd asked.
"...Yes," Melanie whispered, pulling Audreyanna tight when she felt her tense.
"I want to see him," Todd said firmly.
"...I can't let you, Todd," she whispered, setting the girl on the ground. She stepped closer to the boy as she whispered. "Things like that...they engulf you. The hate...you won't be able to think straight. Take her home, love her. Keep her strong, pure, and young. Let her be. Let her live and make mistakes. She has one tough skin."
"...I have to see him."
"Please, Todd, trust me."
"...Say good-bye, Aud."
"Goodbye Miss Melly."
"...Bye-bye, sweet heart."
"Hey!" Todd yelld as they were leaving.Melanie turned to them. "Can we call you some time? To talk? I think you're like some kind of genius or something the way you know everything."
Melanie laughed," No...I am no genius, and Todd...no one knows everything...some people just know things people need to know."
*****************************************************************
"You did good," Derek said to Melanie on the plane, slapping her leg.
"But you crossed lines," Rossi said.
"I did what I thought had to be done, said what I thought would help."
"You thought-" Hotchner scolded.
"I did. Nothing can be changed. I will learn from expirence and not what you have learned. I'm stubborn, boys. It's time you learned it." Melanie smiled when Derek wrapped his arm around her and she hugged Em. She was finally fit in some where.


But is that what she wanted?

Chapter Eight-Thank God for Crazy Dreams

Chapter Eight-
Thank God for Crazy Dreams

    "Hey, Henry, a blluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuulllllewww!!" Melanie bellowed at the little boy, who laughed. She tousled his blonde hair, and unhooked him from his high chair, at which he ran to his Godfather, who excepted him with open arms. Melanie smiled at the pair. She walked forward and kissed Henry's forehead. "That's my boy..." she whispered. Reid blushed at her face being so close to his, and her hand on the crook of his arm while they held JJ's son.

"Okay, you two," JJ said, in a short purple dress, standing in the door frame,"No teaching him to read, no weird music, and no pretending Henry is yours because he looks close enough to be your child."

"Did you just insinuate I had a child with Reid and what is your definition of weird?" Melanie said, cocking an eyebrow.

JJ sighed sarcastically. "Just no heavy metal."

"I know the limits, JJ. Wave bye-bye to Mommy, Henry! Bye-bye. That's it. Bye-bye." Reid laughed as the little boy shook his arms.

"Bye-bye, Momma!!" he wailed as she left with Will.

    Melanie sighed as she flopped down on the couch. "They're so cute together. And they made the cuttest baby!!" she screamed, and lifted Henry's shirt so she could blow on his stomach. He giggled, and all Reid could think about was how close her lips were to his arms. To him. Melanie laughed.

"You want me to take him?"

"Sure," he supplied.

She sat down on the couch and held little Henry in her arms.

"He's getting tired," Reid said as he rubbed his eyes.

"Isn't he too old for naps?" she asked.

"Most kids take naps in Kindergarden."

"Well, I never took naps," she mumbled, as she tucked the 3 year old in his bed.

"You gonna go to sleep for Uncle Spencer and Auntie Mel?" she asked. Henry shook his head.

"Sing!" he cried. Melanie sighed.

She began to sing, and little Henry closed his eyes as Reid watched from the doorway, turning off the lights and turning on the nightlight.

"Hello you long shots, you dark horse runners. Hairbrush singers, dashboard drummers. Hello you wild magnolias just waiting to bloom. There's a little bit of all that inside me and you. Thank God, even crazy dreams come true. I stood at the bottom of some walls I thought I couldn't climb. I felt like Cinderella at the Ball just running out of time. So I know how it feels to be afraid. Think that it's all gonna slip away. Hold on. Hold on. Here's to you free souls, you firefly chasers. Tree climbers, porch swingers,  air guitar players. Here's to you fearless dancers, shaking walls in your bedrooms. There's a lot of wonder I left inside of me and you. Thank God, even crazy dreams come true. Never let a bad day be enough, to go and talk you into giving up. Cause sometimes everyone feels like you. Oh, feels like you, just like you. Thank God, even Crazy Dreams come true. Thank God even craaaaaazzy dreams come...true," she whispered. And soon little Henry was breathing hard, asleep. She smiled and kissed his bright blonde hair. Rising, she tipped-toed out, grabbing Spencer's hand, and he stared down at her.

"How do you do that?" he asked her when they were in the living room. She sat down on the love seat, and he next to her.

"Do what?" she asked, sincerely confused.

"That. Just...put him to sleep. With that voice of yours. It's crazy."

She laughed, humbled. "It's just...I just like to sing. I like that it calms him. He's so sweet. I love kids."

"...Are you and Phillip going to have kids?"

"...I hope so. I'll be all alone otherwise. He'll be working. All the time. I always wanted a lot of kids. A big house. All I really had growing up was Charlie, and Victoria-my sister-came along later...when I was...er. I just, I want a big family because I have a lot of love to give. And...and this is truthfully pathetic, I think that if I give them all my love, I finally have some one to love me back. You know? I'm terrible. Say it. Say it or I'll feel bad."

"Melanie Wilkes you are not a terrible person. You are one of the best people I have ever met, do you know that? Hey, look at me." He took her face in his hands, and she stared at him, her blue eyes deep and full. "You are perfect because of you're imperfections. You got it?"
Melanie sighed. "That probably should've made me mad, I feel so much better," she wrapped her arms around his waist, and pressed her head to his chest,"I guess it's just you."
Reid blushed hard, and let her hug him. "Hey, Melly? Up north there's this convention and I was wondering if-"
Melanie's phone erupted with a piano piece and she sighed. After giving Reid a squeeze around the waist, she leaned back and answered her phone.
"Hey. Yeah, actually. Babysitting. A friend's son. Yeah. A guy from work. Yeah, a guy. Phil, Reid's only-. I don't care. I'm fine. Has anyone besides you tried that? I didn't-Phillip! I don't...why would you?...why would say that? You know what, it doesn't matter. I can't-Fine. I'll see tonight. Okay? Fine. Goodbye....I love you, too. Goodbye." she flipped the phone shut and threw her head into her hands.
"Everything okay?" Reid asked.
She turned to him, and her blue eyes were red around the edges. She pushed herself onto him, and screamed into his chest.
"Oh," he whispered, stroking her blonde
"He called me a whore." Reid couldn't speak. "After I said I was with you, he said I was always with you and that something was up and that I must be 'whoring around'. He sounded dead drunk anyway. Gosh, Spencer...I can't take it. It's only gonna get worse, isn't it? It just will. I can't believe this. I trust him, because I have to...but it's just gonna get worse..."
"You really can't get out of the marriage, can you?" he whispered.
"You know I would if I had a choice. Where else would I go? I was born to live this life of politics and government and guard. It only makes sense. I didn't behave the way I was supposed to and they got angry at me for it. They need me out of the family because I was a disgrace. They really hate me, Spencer. They hate me. I've never been loved, but this was just hate. And Phillip...he thinks he loves me...he always has...he doesn't understand. He's just a child, really. Spencer...I don't know what to do...say something..." she whispered, her warm breath on his neck.
"Er, like what?" he whispered.
"Anything. I'm just sick of thinking," she whispered, and Spencer felt her tears on his neck, felt it rolling down his shirt onto his chest.
"A poem?" he whispered.
"...Anything..." she breathed.
He sighed, and began:
"Love is like the wild rose-briar;
Friendship like the holly-tree.
The holly is dark when the rose-briar blooms,
But which will bloom most constantly?

The wild rose-briar is sweet in spring,
Its summer blossoms scent the air;
Yet wait till winter comes again,
And who will call the wild-briar fair?

Then, scorn the silly rose-wreath now,
And deck thee with the holly's sheen,
That, when December blights thy brow,
He still may leave thy garland green."

After that, Melly sighed into the silence. "I love that poem. I always loved Emily Bronte. She was never one for happy endings."
"You don't like happy endings?" he asked.
"They're not real," she replied.
"Nature's first green is gold
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay."
"Robert Frost was always one to not be content with his lot, then right about the misery of those whom were selfish, who their lot unfortunate."
"I love Robert Frost," Melly sniffed at Reid.
     He laughed at her for a moment, and felt another tear roll down from her to him.
"You're my best friend, Spencer."
"You're my best friend, Melly," he whispered. They always said that to one another when the silence began to drag, and he saw how it lifted Melly's spirits.
"Sometimes...please don't think me naive, though that is what I am...sometimes, it think that your the only person in the world that would care if I died. Maybe you wouldn't even care...but I would miss you. I'd cry...ever day...Spencer, before, I had to wake up in the mornings. I never had a reason besides there was nothing else to do. After a while...I realized I wasn't living for anything. Life was just...pointless. Regardless, I woke up, faced the cruelties of the world, and lived. I think you're my only reason to wake up, Spencer. Yours is the only face that makes me smile."
   After the speech, he felt her face get hot, a sign of her blushing. Spencer too blushed at the thought he had for a moment, then collected himself.
"Now you think me a stupid school girl," she muttered.
"No," he whispered. "I used to live like that, but I really do have friends, at the BAU. Though, I don't think anyone has understood me the way you do. Ever. I really mean that, Melly."
"...Even-"
"Even him," Reid whispered. They both knew who they were talking about.
   Reid found himself automatically aware at how close Melanie's body was to his own, pressed up against him, and the heat of her body made him blush. He automatically stiffened when he noticed his hands had been slipped onto her waist, and she was practically sitting on his lap. He also noticed Melanie's breathing was getting harder, and soon she began to sob. She moved her legs in a more comfortable position for her-around his waist. Reid held her gingerly for a moment then rougher, pressing her to him. The sobs were quieter that way, whether they were muffled, or he was just more comforting was beyond him.
"S-S-SPENCER!" she sputtered into his jacket, still sobbing. "I'M S-S-S-SORRY!" she tried to stop, but it came out harder. He told her to cry for as long as she needed to. When she was finally calm, she layed for a moment on Reid's shoulder.
   She sniffled, then pulled back slowly, to see her companions face. "Thank you," she whispered too him.
 She leaned down to kiss his cheek, her warm lips lingering just a moment to long. She pulled back, and Reid found he couldn't look away from her eyes. His hands were still on his waist, and before he could think, he tried to pull her closer. She didn't need to be told twice and she slowly leaned in. She closed her eyes first, and Spencer took note that Melanie really wore a lot of eye make-up. Not more than the average woman-maybe less-but she honestly didn't need to wear any. Reid sighed when their lips were just inches when they were interrupted by an
"Are you two gonna kiss? Ew!" Melanie snapped back, and fell on the floor, her skirt twisted in a most unlady-like way.
"Henry! What-why are you out of bed?!" Melanie whispered, crawling over to him.
"I heard you laughing."
"I wasn't-oh." Henry had mistaken the sobs for laughter.
"Were you two gonna kiss?" he asked again.
"No." Melanie told him.
"Are you waiting till your married?"
"No, Henry, I-"
"Are you getting married?"
Melly sighed. "No, Henry, your Uncle Spencer and I are not going to get married."
"So you won't have kids and I won't have a baby cousin?"
"...No, Henry. I'm sorry. But one day, Uncle Spencer will find a real nice girl, and get settled down, and have lots of kids that you can play with, right Spence?"
Reid looked at his feet. "Maybe," he whispered in an unlikely tone.
"See?" Melly smiled weakly at him, and Reid felt a little odd.
"We're home!" JJ yelled from the kitchen, her heels clicking till she reached the living room.
"What's going on here?" she said, picking up her son, gesturing to his pj's.
"I was napping, but I heard laughing and I came in and Uncle Spencer and Aunt Melly were kissing on the couch!"
"Don't tell stories," JJ said to him, looking at the two babysitters.
"Okay, they didn't kiss. Yet!" he said, laughing all the way to his room as Will chased him.
   Melanie looked at her feet, and Spencer did likewise.
"I don't know what happened, okay? And won't ask. But if something did happen, I can't control what comes out of my child's mouth. You need to be careful...Go home to your fiance, Melanie."
"Yeah...thank you, JJ," Melanie whispered, hugging her friend. JJ smiled weakly at her. The two sitters left together, in Reid's old blue car.
   They got to the BAU, where Melanie had left her car parked after work.
"MELANIE!" Melanie's head darted to her fiance, who stumbled across the lot.
"You're drunk," she whispered. Emily Prentiss, Garcia, Morgan, Rossi, and Hotchner all came out of the BAU at this time. Her face reddened.
"You listen to me and you listen to me good. You're not to hang around with this...this...nerd! Ever! Okay? I am your husband and you will listen to me!" Melly and Phillip weren't married yet, but when he got dead drunk he tended to forget that.
"Let me take you home," she whispered,"you'll feel better in the morning."
"Those are your friends, right?" he asked.
"...Yes..."
Phillip whispered in Melanie's ear.
"No," she whispered, shocked.
"Do it, or the weddings off, and you'll be stuck alone. Then who will love you?" he cocked an eyebrow.
"...You don't mean that," she cried softly.
"What is it you always say? A drunk man's words are a sober man's thoughts? Do it, Melanie."
   Melanie slowly turned to face Spencer. Her tears were streaming down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry," she mouthed. Prentiss and Hotchner both saw that, but the rest of the team neglected to.
"HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT!" Melanie bellowed through the tears at Reid. "I HATE YOU! JUST-JUST LEAVE ME ALONE YOU...YOU..." Phillip hit her. "You loser! Your condescending and egotistic and masochistic and all you ever think about is yourself. Last night was horrible!" she sobbed. "And I hate you! I never liked you! Even as frieennddd..." she moaned softly as the tears flowed. "I hope I never have to see you again because you are the worst thing I've ever met. You're the worst thing that's ever happened to me. I could never love a man like you....ever..." she whispered the words. Spencer knew she didn't mean them, but for some reason, they hurt. These were his fears, that these words would be spoken from her lips. The horrible is that she created them, Phillip had given her no script. "I hate you...I hate you..." she whispered. Phillip put her behind the drivers wheel of his truck, and when he closed the door, she stared at her hands, as if they had blood on them.
"I've hope you've learned to leave her alone, by now, idiot,"Phillip spat. He came to the car, sitting in the seat next to Melly. He said something to her, unintelligible through the glass. She just stared at her hands. He repeated it. Again, she gave no reply. Melanie looked from her hands to Spencer, her eyes wild and scared. She fought for the window crank and screamed out before Phillip could grab her,"I DIDN'T MEAN IT! I'M SORRY-"
"SHUT UP!" Phillip smacked her and cranked the window up. He pressed the gas and Melanie was forced to drive off. She was sobbing uncontrollably and it was a wonder she could see.

"Why...? Reid?" Prentiss asked,as a few tears slide down his cheeks.
"We were together again today. He thinks we're together."
"...Are you?"
Reid gave Prentiss a plaintive look, and got back into his car and drove off without a word.
********************************************
The next morning at the BAU, Melanie stalked in. Her feet dragged, and her eyes were red and puffy, something her make-up couldn't hide. Straightening her purple cardigan, she sighed.
"Emily!" she wailed, leaping toward her friend. "Where's Reid? Please tell me! I have to find him!"
"...In your office. With your fiance."
"Oh, God..."
"He's sober now, and apologizing repeatedly. He's the most convincing gentleman sober, and I think he's sincere. But drunk..."
"Please don't remind me...he was just jealous."
"Reid told me he thought you two were together."
"Yeah."
"Does he have any reason to think that?"
"I am loyal to my fiance as you saw by yesterday's act. I will be his wife in due time and if I don't trust and obey what he says, what kind of relationship will ours be?"
"...An unhappy one, if you obey."
"Emily...that's not something I'd appreciate you saying," and Melanie left to her office. She entered without knocking, as it was her office, and both boys were waiting for her.
"I hope you apologized," she whispered in Phillip's direction.
"Yes," replied he.
"I too owe you an apology, Spencer. My fiance-who is my only master-asked something of me. I have to obey everything he says. I knew you knew I didn't mean it, but it hurt oh so much to say it!" she lost all her business like attitude. "I was so worried I was hurting you! That's the last thing I want, Spencer! Ever! To hurt you...it kills me..."
"I have to get to work. I have a meeting with father today," said Phillip Dufour.
"Alright," said Melanie, embracing half-hearted, as he kissed her cheek.
"Have a good...time until I see you again."
"You too," she whispered.
   The door closed and she waited until Phillip had gotten a good distance away,and she closed the blinds and locked the door.
"Spencer!" she cried. She held him-or rather he, her-and she sobbed into his chest."Say you know I didn't mean it! It killed me! Please, please, forgive me, Spence. I can't look up again until you do! Please..." she whispered. She was on her knees now, bending over, her hands prayer hands. "Please..."
   Spencer too got on his knees, and he cried with her. "My heart broke..."
"I never meant to break it...I'm so sorry..." she whispered.
"I forgive you. I never blamed you...ever...I just wished I could protect you..."

The held each other on the floor, and Emily called Melanie to alert them to come to the conference room. They came in side by side, got briefed, then sat by each other on the plane, Melanie staring out the window, looking at the clouds while others slept, and Reid read philosophy aloud to her. She smiled and frowned and let every emotion show on her face.

Spencer Reid finally found a true friend. Melanie Wilkes finally found someone she could trust. They are both vulnerable. Who is safe? 

Chapter Seven-Questions Answered and Possibilites Arisen

Chapter Seven
Questions Answered and Possibilities Arisen

Spencer watched Melly as she danced with her future husband. The party was over, and people were cleaning up what had been used for the dance floor. She was joking and they were dancing like children, doing what he had called 'the Polka from that one play'. They looked childish, hopping like that. He stopped, and took her face in his hands. He leaned down, and she took her face away, and his lips landed on her cheek.

     The man stared at his young bride with hurt displayed in his eyes. She looked away.

"Hey! Are we late? Phil, ya little shit, you told us the wrong time!"

Melanie's fiance looked up at the band of misfits that came in the door. He changed his expression, the way Melly could do it, on a dime.

"I did that on purpose, Tom-cat!" he yelled.

Melly turned. "Tommy-cat? Are you serious? You told them?!" Melly slapped Phillip.

"C'mon, Miss Mel," the boy called 'Tommy-cat' touched her face,"You're still just as stubborn, aren't ya?"

"I'M STILL CARRYING MACE!" she screamed, another boy from the gang laughed. "So," Melly sighed, sitting on some platform Melanie's mother had carted in here for a stage,"You're still a buncha JD's?"
"When were we ever JD's?" asked a tan boy, with pointed spikes for hair.
"Zayn, when weren't you JD's?"
"Cut it. Both of ya," cried Tom cat, proceeded by a belch."Mel, you're the fuzz now, right?"
"The highest form of fuzz," shouted a boy from the back, with curly bright, blonde hair.
Melly clicked her tongue. "So?"
"So, we can't be seen with ya!" cried Tom cat, swishing his honey hair. "One more question, Mell-a-roo. Are you like them otha cops?"
"Naw," Melly said, stretching. "Cuz those cops, the believe everything they read in the papers about you cruddy JD's. But that's what you give em, right? Something to believe in?"
"You better believe it, Mel, babe! 'Course, we learned from the best..."
"I wasn't any JD!"
"Naw, but ya friend were. Have you noticed how since we started talkin', you've been talkin' like me?"
"...Oh....You can't rub off on me Tommy Djalas! I'm a lady."
"Yeah, yeah."
Zayn locked arms with the blonde-haired boy. They and Tom cat mimed together,"'Remember Mr. So-and-So, remember I'm a lady.'"
Tom cat said,"Mel, that's all that ever came outta ya mouth! When you was young, anyways...now ya really are a workin' class woman. How many guys have ya got on your sleeve since little lovestruck, Philly?"
"Oh, no, Phillip and I always have been together. A few weeks ago, July 25th, I caught up with him again down in Quantico-his father was here-and we reconnected. I really missed him."
Phillip looked at his bride,"I missed you," he kissed her neck, then spun her around."I LOVE MELANIE RENE WILKES!! I LOVE HER! I LOVE HER! I LOVE HER!"
"Phillip! Stop that! Put me down!"
"I love you, Melanie Wilkes." He tried and failed to kiss her again.

"Do you see that, Reid?" Prentiss asked, the team returning from training still lurked at the corner, with a bar the caterers set up for guests. Prentiss and Reid were chugging them. "Reid? He keeps trying to kiss her, but she won't let him. Reid?"
     Reid wasn't listening, he was stuck in his head. "July 25th, I caught up with him again down in Quantico..." "July 25th we were working the Texas case..."
"What, Reid?"
"Nothing." She lying, but to who?

"Phil, it's late, I need to go home."
"I'll go with you, Mel-"
"No. You know how I feel about that. Charlie will need me home anyway."
"He told me he was moving out of the place you two shared."
"Oh...well...I still need to go home."
"I'll check on you tomorrow?"
"No, no, I'm working. I'll call you when I have free time, I promise."
Phillip looked at the ground. "'Kay."
"Smell ya later, Mel-babe!"
"Call me that again, and I'll taze ya!" and she left.
*****************************************************************************************************************
Melanie brushed out her hair, she watched as it curled around the brush, and sighed at all the hair that was coming out.
"It's not just breakage, that's falling out."
She walked down to the kitchen, humming a tune she wasn't sure she had heard before. She let the never before made music flow out. "My father bought it secondhand, from a silent movie star. It was out of tune, but still I learned to play. And with each note we each would smile, forgetting who we are, and all the pain would simply fly away-HEY!" Melanie screamed and clutched at her chest. Seeing the uninvited guest sitting in her living room. She fumbled for her inhaler, and took several puffs, then fumbled for a paper sack, to calm the hyperventilation.
"I wanted to make sure you were okay, so I was coming over, but I saw you hide the key. Anyone could be sitting here, just letting you know."
"Reid! I-I-I...This isn't something you would do!"
He chuckled. "I know! Isn't weird? I've been doing a lot of things out of character lately."
"Huh," Melly breathed labored,"Dynamic character."
"Why don't you sit?"
"Don't invite me to sit in my own house!" she sighed, and flopped next to him, letting her curly hair, which she had wrapped into a bun, fall into his hands. He gingerly touched it, letting the softness linger on his hands.
"Speaking of, is Charlie home?"
"Nope. He did move out. Haven't you notice? The whole marriage and leaving me? There getting rid of me, Reid. When I'm married, I'll have to move to France."
     Reid went pale. "What?" his hands shook. "They can't take you, Melly, what reason is-"
"Phillip Dufour is the son of a French Viscount. He moved here to learn things not offered over there, and he moved back later in life. His father also works with the Ambassadors of America. His father is getting old, and Phillip is an only child. He is going to take his father's job...he needed a wife.  My family wanted me out. My father was involved with politics. It just made sense. Are you putting it together now? Why I was so caught off guard? Spencer, this marriage was arranged, and I didn't find out about it until tonight."
    Reid stared. "But..."
"But, I knew him. We did several camps together, theatre, music, drama, everything. He always had a crush on me. I was good friends with him. He told me once he loved me, he'd do anything for me. He was 16, I was only 13. Even though I should have been thrilled, I didn't love him back. I just...I couldn't. I was...grieving at the time, something not to be discussed now, I've had enough stress."
"I guess I contributed to that, sorry for scaring you, Melly."
"It's okay." she layed her head on his chest, and cuddled next to him. He only now noticed her thin night grown, which was a light lavender, with lace around the cleavage. It came to just above the knees.
"I normally don't wear this, what with Charlie around, and I obviously wasn't expecting visitors, but it makes me feel pretty." She blushed, and Spencer did the same with being caught at looking.
"I don't want you to leave here," Spencer whispered after a few moments of them listening to each other's breathing.
"The wedding is more than a year or so away. I won't leave for a while, not till Phillip absolutely has to go. I promise...Spencer, can I tell you something?"
"Anything, Melly."
"...I think you're my best friend." 

Chapter Six-The Past and Forced Future of Melanie Wilkes

Chapter 6

The Past and Forced Future of Melanie Wilkes

     "My what?!" Melanie yelped. Her mother grasped her forearm tightly and Melanie flinched, but recovered quickly. Something she had learned to do.

"Dear, Dear, Dear! Everything just slips your mind, doesn't it?" her mother hissed.

Melly's eyes were wide, and full of warity. "Oh...yes...I just...I was ready to tell everyone yet. I so thought it was next week! With all the planning going on-"

"Yes, I know, I know." Her mother kissed her forehead.

"Where..." Melanie looked down and afraid. "Where is...he?"

Her mother looked her in the eyes. "He's waiting for you in Strauss's office."

"...O-Okay...I'll-"
"Hurry, Melanie," growled her mother in a sickeningly loving tone, giving her daughter a shove.

     Melanie half ran and half stumbled to her aunt's office. Her mother gave her a good push if she was going to slow.

The team watched in shock. Reid was green and Emily had gone pale. Morgan looked like he could punch something.

Emily looked at her team. "What just happened?"

*****************************************************************

Mrs. Wilkes lead her daughter into to Strauss's room, and Melanie had been looking down the whole time. She didn't want to see him, this man. What was happening? Her world was crashing around her. And the kiss she had shared with Reid, could never happen again.

"...Melanie?"

     Her head snapped up. She gasped and whispered God's name in vain. She took in the familiar face. His shoulders were still thin and sweet, the way they had been when they were young. His gold hair was tucked behind his ears because it as a pinch too long. His bright blue eyes were still kind, regardless of the hardships he had faced with her. He was the past she thought she would never see.

"Phillip?"

He smiled, and her heart melted. It's Phil...my Phil, he's alive... He chuckled. "Yeah, it's me." He laughed again, a little harder.

"What?" she asked.

"You."

"Well, that was rude."

"No, just...you...your expression." he sighed. "Melanie...you're all grown up."

     She stepped closer to him, and let him take her little pale hand.

"Phil, it's just, I haven't seen you since-"

"Yes, I know. Since the summer before," he looked at her eyes and she nodded knowingly.

"Alright, Master Phillip, I'll leave you to explain the situation to her. Make it swift, you have 10 minutes." Mrs. Wilkes left with that.

     Melanie was lead to a chair by her new...fiance.

"Phillip...what's happening...what's going on?"

He avoided her eyes, but glanced once and found he couldn't turn away.

"I, uh, came back to town next week. After I took you...there...I had to leave. I went back to France. I thought you'd have come home by then. But, you weren't."

"I skipped a grade."

"So, I'd heard."

Melanie sighed. "She doesn't know you helped me escape?...Phillip?"

"No, Melanie! I didn't tell anyone! I could go to jail for that, did you know? We both could."

"But everyone knows..."

"And you have the pass! Mel, I just..."

"...Continue, Phil."

"...I showed up at your house. Aggie answered the door. Of course, he didn't know who I was. He was too young to remember me. He got your mother. I spoke to her for a while. Charlie was there too. They had been...giving each other...odd looks. Your mother asked me if she could speak to my father. After a series of phone calls-which I tried and failed to listen to-she told me my father was interested with an arranged marriage. I'm coming into my manhood in France. I'm going to take office soon. I need a wife to come with me. Your mother is worried too, Melanie. She's worried your not going to find anyone. You know you have trust problems, Melanie! And you don't talk to anyone!"

"You haven't seen me in six years!"

"And has anything changed? I know you must be stronger. I got your letters, and I know what happened. I wanted to come-I really did. But Father was sent back to France....I had to stay. I don't know what else to say but we don't have a choice in this. It's not the end of the world. I'm not that bad." he teased her.

     Melanie chuckled darkly. "I just...she should have warned me. I just...It still hurts. The thought of it...anything can remind me of what happened. I'm almost always caught off guard by the nostalgia of it all. It scares me...Phillip, I still have the dreams. You here...it makes...hard. I really missed you, Phillip...I wasn't sure if you had lived after you left me there. They weren't kind to strangers...."

      He looked at her strangely. "C'mon," he said, taking her hand," your mother wants you dressed and down there. She has a dress waiting for you in your office. She's waiting to do your hair and make-up. But I still think you're beautiful without it."

"Did you ever forget about me?" she whispered.

"I never gave up on you, Melanie. Ever."

*****************************************************************

     Melanie returned to the fray a few minutes later. A bridal shower in the middle of the Quantico office was not ideal, especially for Melanie, who did things excruciatingly traditional. She emerged secretly from her office wearing a beautiful white dress, coated in black lace. Her hair was up intricate swirls and the ponytail was done in spiral curls. Her eyeliner seemed to dark, but faded throughout the night. She danced with everyone, mainly her future husband, whom she whispered to through tout the night.

     Reid just stared. He  couldn't believe what was happening. She kissed me...and it was a lie....Reid looked like he could cry. The song stopped and Melanie's fiance excused himself. Melly looked around, looking lost and scared to be alone. She turned down a hand to dance, then another, then another. Then she saw Reid.
     Reid pretended he didn't see her, and her wiped his eyes with his back to her.
"...Reid?" he heard her little meek voice, the same one that had nervously apologized for her brother the first day they had came. They same voice that cried when she admitted to him she wasn't strong enough for this job. This little girl...who had  been strong enough to lie and to break his heart. "Reid, please talk to me. I don't...." she sighed. "I need to talk to you about what happened." He didn't respond.
    She sat down next to him, and began to speak. "I didn't want to talk about what happened. I was going to pretend it didn't happen. It...Reid...that broke my heart. I felt it breaking. There was too much...whatever was in...it. It was too strong for me. I could succumb to it, Reid. I had to...go...I'm sorry..."
"That you lied?"
"...Lied?" she whispered. "Oh...Oh, God...there really is no way I can explain this with out getting in trouble....I can't tell you what is going on in my life, Reid. I can only tell you that it isn't fair to me or you or anyone. I can tell you I didn't plan it and I don't want it."
"...What does that mean?"
"Well-"
"Sissy!!" Melanie's baby brother-who was no more than 6-came up and asked to dance, no doubt a deed requested by his mother. Melanie and Aggie danced for a good 5 minutes, before her mother took the stage and asked the two stars to take the center floor.
"Melanie, Darling, I do believe Mast Dufour has something to ask you!!"
"Dufour?" Morgan whispered to Reid.
     Melanie watched soberly as Phillip got to his knees and pulled out a golden ring with the biggest rock ever seen.
"Melanie Wilkes, since the day I met you, I thought...well, I thought you were different, that's for sure. I learned to love you...you learned to tolerate me. Somewhere down this road, we both learned to love each other. God, has sent me a gift, Melanie. It is everyday with you. I want everyday to be a gift Melanie. I'm letting down my guard and the future is in your answer. Melanie Wilkes, will you marry me?"
     Melanie looked at him. There was hardly an expression. Then a weak smile appeared, and her little bright red lips began to quiver. "Yes," she whispered, then began to sob. He picked her up and spun her around. They held each other so tight, and Melly was worried that she may break in half.
"Did you notice something?" Emily asked Reid. "He never kissed her, she never kissed him. Not once."

SPENCER REID PICTURES

Only for the fans. KEEP READING CRIMINAL CRANIUM ( spencerreidmindreaders.blogspot.com )



-MEG GIRY

Chapter Five-Life That Is Planned Is Not What Is Intended

Chapter Five

Life That Is Planned Is Not What Is Intended

     Morgan and Reid watched from the hood of Morgan's mercury tracer, Melly Wilkes, gold hair flying as she fell over the finish line. She landed on her elbow in an odd, sickening way, and grasped at her inhaler, which hung around her neck. After an unhealthy number of puffs, she flopped down on her back.

     Reid ran over, and Morgan trailed at a fast stride. Handing her a bottle of water, Reid tried to help her up, but she refused him.

"I...can...get...up. I'm not...incapable...of...that....Just gimme a minute." Her breathing was heavy and ragged and she looked thin to the bone. In the uniform all other trainees wore, you saw the most of Melly. In her normal clothes (which resembled a school uniform, and almost always matched her brothers) she was a girl. Yes, she had breasts. Yes, she had a waist, but all of this went unnoticed. In her uniform, her chest was high, and easily a C cup, and her hips were heart shaped, and legs weren't scrawny as once thought, but perfectly rounded.

     Though of late she was growing thinner and paler. Regardless, she was stronger. Louder. Sweeter.

"How much did you just run?" Spencer asked.

"Two miles,"Melly breathed as Reid tipped the water bottle back down her throat.

"You shouldn't be breathing that hard, Mel." Morgan reprimanded.

"No,"Spencer corrected,"she worked her self too hard. She's untrained and has asthma. She shouldn't be pushed this hard."

      Melanie swatted the bottle away from her mouth at this point. "No, Morgan's right. If I keep this up I won't be able to go back in the field. I'm fine,"she whispered, trying to rise. She wobbled and fell, but Reid supported her. She straightened her self and looked at the both of them. "Really, truly. Let me run one more lap and-"

"No, get in the car. They want us back at the Academy."

"Is that why you picked me up and not Charlie?" she asked them. The boys tried to avoid that.

"He hasn't shown up in the past two weeks, Mel. Ya gotta understand since you chewed him out-"

"I know,"Melly interrupted Morgan. "I'm sure he went back home and talked to mother. My fate will be decided by that, gentlemen. But until then, I wish to remain where I am needed. If I am needed at all."
Reid smiled and placed his hand on her elbow, a gentle gesture of his emotion,"I'll always want you, Melly. Er-need." He smiled awkwardly and looked away. Melly laughed.

"I got it, Reid. Don't be embarrassed around me. You're like my best friend." With that, she tried to skip away from the track, but failed, and simply stumbled toward the car.
***********************************************************************************
"Will you just leave it be?"
"No."
"But it's making me upset."
"I don't MEAN to make you upset, but I just wanna know."
"And I don't want to talk about it!" Melanie turned up her nose to Derek Morgan.
"What?" JJ asked.
"She won't tell me about her first relationship."
"You don't deserve to know!"
"Tell me. Tell me. Tell me. Tell me. Tell me!"
"Stop-squeeeeeeee!!" Derek had began to assault Melanie with tickles. "Okay! Okay! I swear I'll tell you! Stop it! Stop it NOW!"
     Derek stopped and let Melanie regain her breathe, then looked toward Derek sheepishly.
"You promised." he reminded.
"I know....Promises are just lies with pretty ribbons tied around them."
"Tell me."
She sighed. "I've never... had a boyfriend."
Derek went wide-eyed. "Never?"
"Never."
"You've never been kissed?"
"That is my own doing," she answered. "I've had a few boys try to kiss me. Okay, like, three. But, I just...I want my first kiss to be with my-nonexistent- fiance. I want there to be a promise. I don't want a man to just take it from me. I never...I just...I'm not that kind of girl."
"Promises are just-"
"Shut up, Derek."
"She does have a point." Reid said. He had been quite though most of the conversation. "I think her thinking is good. If most girls thought like she did-"
"No man would get love in America."
Melly patted his back. "You'll survive."
"What does that mean?!"
"I guess you'll-" Melly stopped, and her big blue eyes got big and scared. Her lip trembled. "Ch-charlie?"
"Yeah. How ya been sis?"
Melanie stopped and remembered her reaction to the last time he had asked her that question.
"Why are you here?" she asked.
"Why, I work here, same as you. I'm only in town a day or two though."
"We should get to the office," JJ suggested. Melly nodded.
*****************************************************************
Strauss greeted them, which was a shock. She gave a great hug to Charlie, and nodded at Melanie, who returned the stiff nod.
"Of late events, It has come to my attention that a few of you need better training." Melanie looked at her Mary Janes. "The field agents, Morgan, Reid, Prentiss, and both Agent Wilkes shall go. You will be dropped off to a secluded training center where you will survive a week in the woods. Bring only a back pack full of things. Any questions? If anyone asks to stay, they may with the permission of Agent C. Wilkes." She left the room.
"Well I'm not going." Charles Wilkes yelled the second his commander left.
"Why not?" Melly asked, half outraged, half curious.
"I have matters to attend to. Morgan is in charge. Tootles, Melanie dear." and he too left. Melly looked so scared.
"Are you okay?" Reid whispered to her.
"I don't know..."
"Well? Are we ready?" Morgan asked.
"Yes," Melly replied, wiping her eyes, trying to clean up the evidence she had not yet created.
*****************************************************************
     The four agents were to spend a week in the woods, with no communication to the world ( this excluded an old, worn down radio brought by Reid). They had to hunt with only what they took into the field. This was survival of the fittest in the roughest form.
"This can't be legal!" Emily yelled when Morgan had shot and killed a deer, then suggested they eat it.
"What other food do you see around her, Em?"
"I'm going to be sick..." Melanie whispered.
"We can't just...it's not cooked!"
"Then make a fire, Emily!" Derek yelled.
     Melanie got up and wobbled into the woods. Reid followed. He found the little girl under a tree, laying back with her eyes closed. Her hair was back in a braid, and several hairs on both sides of her face were falling onto her face. She had on an army green tank top, with khaki cargos. Her favorite blanket/shawl that she never left was tied around her waist. Her make was still done, and it looked queer with the rest of her laid back outfit.

She looks so strong, he thought.

     He walked up to her, and laid next to her underneath the tree.
"Are you alright?" he asked timidly.
"Huh? Oh...yes...I'm...." she looked him in the eyes. "Why do I always pretend with you, Reid?"
"What do you mean?" he screeched, taken aback.
She giggled lightly. "I mean...I try to be so strong. For everyone. I act strong, because I have to be. I don't have a choice anymore. If I cry and cry like I used to...I'd never stop. I act strong around you too...do I have to? Reid, can I be honest with you?"
"Always."
"...I don't like it here. At the BAU. I would've quit after my fight with Charlie but...when I thought of it, I didn't think I could leave you-the team, that is. I didn't want to come here in the first place. I can't stand this. Fighting...I didn't even like the government growing up. They restricted too much."
"...What do you want to do then?"
"...I want to go to NYC. Live there. Be something. Some one. I wanna be a singer. Or a dancer. An artist, an actor, a teacher, a writer. Anything. Reid...I don't belond here. I can't stand this!"
"What?"
"Death."
*****************************************************************
It was the 5th night of the expidition and Reid and Melly were laying out in a clearing. There were a few logs (Morgan had found a dead tree) set up around a camp fire. The grass was cool and wet from the dew and it made the softest bed. It would be around 3 in the morning now. Morgan had gone to hunt and Emily had gone for water. The two wouldn't be back for hours. Reid had turned on his little "charming" (as Melly had put it) radio.
     It was a news station and no news had come out of it since Reid had turned it on 3 days ago. All it was was static. Since it was cold, Melly had her shawl out and was laying close to Reid for warm. He didn't mind it like he had the first night. It helped him sleep, someone next to him. She stirred alot, and whimpered a few times in her sleep, but stayed asleep. Reid liked the noses, they were calm and sweet sounding.
     Melly wasn't asleep yet, she was staring at the sky. Reid just looked down at her blue eyes, in which you could see the stars clearly. Or maybe it was just her eyes, Reid thought.
Melanie sighed and moved over to the radio.
"What are you doing?" Reid asked.
"No news is coming out of this Reid. I need some music or I'm going to die. It's too quiet."
"Mel, if we want to pass this-" but she had changed it and went back to him. It was a slow country song.
"I thought you hated this genre."
"Music is music." was her only reply.
     She cuddled closer to him than she ever had, and let her head rest on his chest. He looked down at her. Their eyes stayed locked, and Reid listened to the music.
     It was a band he had heard before. The chorus was "Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight..." and it kept playing. Melanie's heart seemed to have kicked into the music because the pulse was sincronized to it. She slid up closer to him and pressed her forehead against his. She began to hum, and Reid noticed how pretty her eyelashes were.
"Just a touch in the fire burning so bright..."
Before he could think, Reid did what felt natural without thinking.

He kissed Melanie Wilkes.

The kiss was slow, and her lips were cold. Reid closed his eyes, and he and Melanie both had the same fantasy.

They were in high school. And little Spencer Reid had little Melanie Wilkes and they were different. Different together. She could protect him, and he could make her feel special, and not alone. She wouldn't be outcasted. He wouldn't be teased. They could love each other.

Then the song stopped, and the radio once again produced static. They slowly backed away, staring at each others eyes. The fantasy was too much for Melanie, and she burst into tears. Reid tried to kiss her again, but she turned away. She went over across the camp and held her shawl tight to her chest. Morgan returned shortly later, and she let him hold her that night for warmth, and Emily and Reid layed next to each other, which Reid found exceedingly awkward.

But all night, the two were stuck on the fantasy, and what could have been and what never was.
*****************************************************************
"We are never doing that again." Emily sighed. "I never thought I'd be so happy to be back at the BAU."
"Right?" Morgan said. Then looked at Reid.
"Oh, yeah..." it was the first thing he'd said since they'd come home. Melanie still hadn't spoken.
"Well-"
"Hey, Melanie!" some woman across the hall yelled as the four stepped in the elveator. "Congrats!"
"...Thanks?" Melanie said as the door closed.
"What was that about?" Prentiss asked.
"I don't know..."
The doors to the elevator opened and the four were mobbed with sayings to Melanie, most of which she couldn't make out, but when she stepped into the office and all yelled "SURPRISE!" Melly was...so overwellmed. 
"Mom?!" Melanie yelled, walking up to her mother.
"Why, Melanie! Darling, you must've forgoten!"
"Forgotten what? Mother,whats going on?"
"Darling!" she yelled so all could here,"you silly dear, you.

It's your wedding shower!"