The Empty Space
Dr. Skylar Jones stood in the bustling bullpen of the BAU at Quantico, Virginia.It had been several weeks since Emily Prentiss had left for her new position with Interpol in London, and the void she left behind was palpable. Skylar and Emily had been good friends, sharing a deep connection that went beyond the boundaries of work. Now, with Emily in London, Skylar couldn't shake the feeling of loss that settled within their heart, due to them not being able to talk a lot anymore.
Skylar, a brilliant and introverted individual, preferred the solace of their own thoughts over the chaotic symphony of the BAU. The noise and constant buzz of activity overwhelmed them, making it difficult to focus. They often found solace in the familiar and predictable, and Emily had been an anchor amidst the chaos, offering a warm presence that allowed Skylar to feel at ease.
But things had changed. Emily's absence had ushered in a new agent, Alex Blake,who had taken over Emily's desk, which happened to be right next to Skylars. The change was a constant reminder of what was lost, and Skylar couldn't help but resent Alex for it.
Skylars animosity toward Alex wasn't rational or fair, but emotions rarely followed logic. Skylar had never been comfortable with change,especially when it disrupted the delicate balance they had constructed in their mind.
As Skylar sat at their desk, hunched over a file, they noticed Alex fidgeting with a pen, seemingly oblivious to the tension in the air. Alex's attempts to strike up conversation with her new colleagues were met with polite but distant responses. It was clear that the team missed Emily, but Skylars feelings of loss were perhaps the most intense.
"Dr.Jones, do you have a moment?" Alex's voice broke through Skylars concentration, causing them to startle slightly. Skylars gaze shifted from the file to Alex, their expression guarded.
"What is it, Dr. Blake?" Skylar replied curtly, struggling to mask their disappointment.
"I wanted to talk to you about this case I'm looking at. I value your expertise, and I thought we could brainstorm together," Alex said, her voice filled with genuine sincerity. She was determined to break down the wall Skylar had erected, despite the chilly reception she had received.
Skylar paused,feeling torn between their desire to retreat and the knowledge that their contribution was vital to the team's success. Reluctantly, they closed the file and turned toward Alex, their eyes flickering with guarded curiosity.
"Fine,let's get this over with," Skylar mumbled, their voice barely audible.
As they discussed the case, Skylar began to notice a hint of Emily's passion and empathy in Alex's words. It was a bittersweet realization,stirring conflicting emotions within them. They missed Emily deeply,but perhaps Alex wasn't the heartless intruder Skylar had painted her to be.
Over the course of their conversation, Skylars icy demeanor thawed slightly,allowing glimpses of their brilliant mind to shine through. Alex listened intently, appreciating the unique perspective Skylar brought to the table.
As the day came to an end, Alex turned to Skylar, a glimmer of hope in her eyes."Thank you, Skylar. Your insights were invaluable today. I appreciate your willingness to collaborate."
Skylar nodded,their guarded expression firmly in place. "Don't get used to it,Dr. Blake. It was a one-time thing."
Alex's smile faltered for a moment, but she chose not to push further. She understood that trust took time to build, especially with someone as reserved as Skylar. She had sensed the weight of sadness and emptiness in Skylars demeanor throughout the day and wished she could do something to alleviate it.
As the team dispersed, heading home after a long day, Skylars heart felt heavy with the absence of Emily and the unresolved tension with Alex. They sat alone in the dimly lit bullpen, their head resting in their hands, overcome by a sense of loneliness and longing.
The following day arrived, bringing with it a mixture of familiarity and unease. Skylars determination to keep their emotions locked away hadn't wavered. They had convinced themselves that the only way to protect their heart was to remain cold and distant. The void left by Emily leaving loomed large, and Skylar couldn't fathom opening up to another person, fearing they would be hurt again.
As the team gathered for their morning briefing, Skylar settled into their usual seat, casting a cautious glance toward Alex, who had taken up residence at what used to be Emily's seat. The sight served as a reminder of the change Skylar resented.
Agent Hotchner initiated the briefing, going over the details of a new case. Skylars attention was divided between the unfolding briefing and the unresolved emotions within them. Alex noticed Skylars distant gaze and the tension in their posture, but respected their need for space.
Throughout the day, Skylar remained closed off, responding to inquiries with short answers and avoiding any unnecessary interaction. Alex, despite her own longing to break through Skylars icy exterior, respected their boundaries, not wanting to further alienate them.
In the midst of the BAUs work, Skylars silent struggle continued. They wrestled with their own emotions, battling against the desire to reach out and the fear of vulnerability. Skylar had a very hard time expressing their thoughts and emotions, causing them to retreat further into their shell.
As the day drew to a close, the team members packed up their belongings and prepared to leave. Alex glanced at Skylar, concern etched on her face."Skylar, I know it's not my place to say this, but if you ever need someone to talk to or just... someone to be there, I'm here for you."
Skylars gaze flickered, momentarily surprised by the genuine offer of support. But their defenses were too deeply ingrained, and they replied with a dismissive tone, "Save your sympathy, Dr. Blake. I don't need it."
With those words hanging heavily in the air, Skylar turned and briskly walked away, leaving Alex standing there, a mix of disappointment and determination on her face.
Skylar retreated to the solitude of their apartment, the weight of their unspoken emotions settling upon them like a suffocating blanket. They stared at the empty space beside their bed, once occupied by the comforting presence of Emily during their occasional sleepovers and deep conversations. The room echoed with silence, mirroring the hollowness Skylar felt inside.
Days turned into weeks, and the pattern persisted. Skylar remained cold and distant, isolating themselves from the rest of the team. They were trapped in their own world of sadness, longing for the return of the familiar. Their interactions with Alex continued to be frosty, as if each word spoken by Skylar was wrapped in a layer of ice.
Another day dawned, and the BAU was working on a new case. Skylar, as usual,arrived early, their mind already absorbed in the details of the case. Alex entered shortly after, her eyes landing on Skylar, who sat at their desk, engrossed in their work, barely acknowledging her presence.
The absence of Skylars warmth and the silent barrier between them gnawed at her,making her determined to uncover the truth. She approached JJ during a brief break, a worried expression etched on her face.
"JJ, I need to ask you something. What's going on with Skylar? They've been cold and closed off ever since I arrived, and I can't help but feel like there's something going on," Alex said, her concern evident.
JJ sighed,understanding the frustration Alex was experiencing. She leaned against the nearby table, her voice filled with empathy. "Skylar doesn't handle change well, especially when it comes to people. Emily moving hit them hard. They're grieving it in their own way, and it might take time for them to come around."
Alex's brows furrowed, a mix of determination and compassion in her eyes. "I understand that, but it feels like there's something more,. I want to help, JJ. I want to break through that wall and show Skylar that they're not alone."
JJ studied Alex for a moment, impressed by her dedication to understanding and supporting her teammate. She smiled softly. "I think you might be onto something, Alex. Skylar is private and struggles with opening up, but I have a feeling they might be more receptive if they see that your intentions are genuine. Just give it time and let them know you're there when they're ready."
Encouraged by JJ's words, Alex nodded, a newfound determination kindling within her. She returned to her desk, her mind focused on finding a way to break through the walls Skylar had erected.
As the day progressed, Alex made small attempts to reach out to Skylar. She would offer a genuine smile whenever their eyes met and occasionally make an effort to strike up a conversation about something unrelated to work.
Skylar, despite their cold exterior, couldn't help but notice Alex's persistent efforts. A part of them was touched by the kindness and determination they saw in her eyes. But the fear of vulnerability and the ache of missing Emily held them back from reciprocating.
Towards the end of the day, as the team prepared to wrap up their investigation, Alex decided to take a bolder step. She approached Skylar, their gaze meeting for a moment before Skylar averted their eyes.
"Skylar, I know we haven't exactly gotten off to a great start, and I understand that you miss Emily. But I also sense that there's something more going on. I want to help, but I need you to let me in," Alex spoke gently but firmly, her voice filled with sincerity.