(Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Criminal minds or the show itself, I think it's better I didn't from the sort of things I write about ;)
Authors note
Just a quick note before I start. Thank you everyone who reviewed, like I said before, they mean so much, I love sitting and reading through them after writing a chapter. Also, this is the first of several chapters, there will be less chapters than 'Caged' , however I aim to make the chapters longer. Furthermore, I'd like to apologise for the delay, I've had some mock exams lately that I've needed to revise for. I still have three next week, so I may not be able to update this daily, just bear with me.
Lastly, I have two other fan fictions in the making; here's a little summary of what they entail, follow/favourite me if you want to stay updated on them, I'll upload them soon after this story.
'Resident Genius's'- I've always wondered what a Garcia/Reid slash would be like, so expect a fic filled with their life together...until things start to happen. I haven't written much, so there's not much to say.
'Alone in the dark'- this will be a Emily/Reid fic, but expect tragedy and some dark stuff.
Finally, I'd just like to point out that I hadn't actually planned when this was set. I'd probably say that it's season 9, however in my version Reid has hair similar to season 12 and he hasn't been shot and Alex hasn't left. Just in case anyone was confused .
Sorry about that self advertising. So without much further ado here's the sequel to 'Caged'!
Although Reid protested against it on countless occasions he was forced to stay in hospital for at least a week.
At the end of the 7 days he got himself changed and sat on the edge of the bed waiting to leave.
A plump little nurse plodded in to check on him, and put her hands on her hips shaking her head at him when she saw him up and ready to go.
"You don't have to go so soon. It'd be bett-" she started, giving him a look of 'hmm'.
"Really, I'm fine. I just want to get home." He interrupted.
Morgan and Rossi marched in. Rossi grinned when he saw Reid with his fingers drumming on the bed, and an impatient look across his face.
"Alright, I'll get your discharge papers." The nurse swished by the agents and out of the room.
Reid sighed. "You don't have to stay with me, Morgan."
A few days after Reid had woken up, Hotch had insisted someone stayed with him when he got out. Morgan jumped at the opportunity, happy to help out his best friend. Reid was not as enthusiastic.
"Stop fighting it, Reid. I promise I won't mess up your apartment."
Reid rubbed his eye in defeat, wincing when his hand brushed the fading bruises on his face.
The large bandage which had wrapped Reid's head for the first 5 days had been replaced with a large gauze, taped down to his head. His abdomen was wrapped up similarly, thick bandages were still bound around his side, after facing complications a few days earlier.
The scans had come back and luckily no permanent brain damage was found. However, he was suffering from intense headaches due to his skull fracture, which was slowly healing. Along with the damage in his right ear which buzzed softly most days, Reid's head felt like it was falling apart.
He looked considerably better. Most of his injuries were hidden. His wrist though still sore was completely healed, but his shoulder, which Morgan had set in the basement, turned out to be worse than they'd initially expected. From hanging in the garage for hours he'd managed to shift his shoulder back out of place and several ligaments had been torn from holding his weight in the garage. Unfortunately, there wasn't much the doctors could do for Reid's poor shoulder, except reset it and put it in a sling. They told him it would have to heal on its own, and that physical therapy would help.
Reid's arm was held close to his chest in a blue sling, to support his shoulder injury, his face was covered in fading blues and yellows of old bruises. The cut on his nose had almost completely healed and his eye was no longer black,but a pinky/purple shade.
He looked from the agents to the door, his leg tapping eagerly.
He hopped up when the nurse arrived, biting his lip.
"Chill out, kid. We're going now." Teased Morgan, as Reid scribbled his messy signature onto the discharge papers.
Rossi ambled across the room, returning with a small squeaky wheel chair.
"Really?" Grumbled Reid, sending pleading eyes at his fellow agents.
"Hospital rules." Rossi glanced at the nurse who was busy checking Reid papers. "Isn't that right?" He insisted.
"Hmm uh...yea sure" she muttered shuffling the papers together.
Reid rolled his eyes, timidly parking himself in the chair, covering his face with embarrassment.
Rossi would've taken the wheelchair home with them, if a miserable looking doctor hadn't stopped him.
Rossi drove, Morgan shotgun and Reid sat in the back gazing out the window.
Morgan had a small bag of medication for Reid. The bag would've been bigger, but Reid had refused the narcotics they'd suggested.
"How's things at work?" Reid asked hopefully.
The team had returned to work 2 days prior, having been allowed several days to recover. Garcia had voiced her opinion that they have at least 2 weeks off. Ironically, the only person who was having 2 weeks off, if not more, was against Garcias idea; Reid had been ready to go back to work a day after he'd woken up. He probably would have too if not for the complications with his shrapnal wound. He was utterly crestfallen when Hotch had told him the day before that he was to have at least 1 more week off and even then he'd have to stay behind in Garcia's lair, like he had when he was shot in the leg.
"Sorry Kiddo. Strict orders from Hotch; we can't talk about work with you." Rossi replied, grimacing at the kids shock.
"B..but"
"Reid, enjoy your time off. Just watch doctor who or star wars or whatever your inner geek enjoys." Rossi snorted at Morgan's remark.
"When will this nightmare eeend!" Reid moaned, leaning his head back and putting particular emphasis of the 'e', as a teenager would.
Rossi dropped them off at Reid's apartment, Morgans car was already waiting outside.
Morgan bounced from his seat and went to help Reid out.
"I can do it." Reid grumbled, unbuckling any gingerly sliding from the seat, landing unsteadily on his feet. Morgan grabbed his forearm to hold him steady. Reid sent him an annoyed glance and hurried ahead.
"Thank you, Rossi. I'll see you at work soon." Reid said, hoping Rossi wouldn't protest. He did.
"Nuh uh, kid. I don't wanna be seeing you till next week. I will personally drive you home if you try and come in." Rossi warned sternly, his eyes boring down on the young agent.
"Don't worry, Rossi. I'll lock him in if I have to." Morgan laughed, waving a palm at the older agent, who raised his eyebrows and smiled.
"Take care of him, Morgan. And I mean it Reid, stay home." Rossi winked at the two agents before speeding off down the road.
Reid hobbled up the stairs to his door, Morgan wanted intensely to help him, but over both his shoulders hung their go bags and Reid wouldn't of appreciated his help either way.
They collapsed on the sagging couch. Reid lent back, his eyes closed and his un-slung arm rested on his forehead.
"You in any pain? Headache?" Morgan asked worriedly.
"There's not much you can do about it." He sighed "just have to wait it out."
Morgan felt extremely useless, he saw the pain drawn over Reid's face, yet he could do nothing. It felt like those several years before, when Reid wore sunglasses and read fewer books per week. The only thing that seemed to cure that was Maeve. Maeve wasn't there anymore, and Morgan couldn't compete with the love of Reid's life, who'd helped him overcome his headaches.
"Maybe... maybe you should just get some rest." Morgan offered. For the first time in days Reid actually agreed.
Reid shuffled away and Morgan flicked on the TV, a crime show began blaring on the screen. He suddenly realised the instructions the nurse had given him about pillow placings. He grabbed a pillow, sauntering off to Reid's bedroom.
Reid was lay on his back, his uninjured arm lay strewn across his face, blocking out the light. His breaths were shallow and his body limp. Quietly, Morgan slipped the pillow beneath Reid's arm and shoulder to support it. He then pulled the duvet up over Reid. He turned off the light, but kept the door open, allowing the light in the hall to drift into Reid's room. Reid had always been afraid of the dark, Morgan remembered.
Morgan woke up the next morning, slumped up against the uncomfortable couch, the muffled shouts of the on-screen medical team reaching his ears. He sat up and stretched his body which was aching from the position he'd fallen asleep in.
Morgan slowly glanced around, jumping when his eyes met Reid's. He was sat at the kitchen counter with a book and a cup of coffee. His fingers turned the pages in seconds as he took in the words on the page, he'd been having to stop his roaming eyes, hold the page with his elbow and take a big swig of the steaming coffee.
"Morning" he chimed, not bothering to look up from his book.
"I see you're making up on lost time." Morgan grinned motioning at the book.
"You could say that." He wet his lips then looked up at his friend. "You know it's 7.30, doesn't Hotch want you in at 8?" Reid asked sarcastically, already knowing the answer.
Morgan jumped up, checking his watch urgently.
"Shit! You could've woken me!" Yelled Morgan, frowning at Reid, who continued to read at lightning speed.
Reid looked up, genuine guilt written over his face. He gritted his teeth and hissed. "Sorry. I... got distracted." His eyebrows and mouth raising in an "oh well" sort of look.
"I'll blame it on you. If anyone asks you needed help g..."
"No way." Reid protested, but Morgan already had his jacket over his shoulder and his hand on the door handle.
"Morgan. Morgan..." Spencer called as the door fell shut.
"Derek?" It clicked closed, and Reid huffed in annoyance, rubbing his hand across his cheek.
"Morgan, where the hell have you been? I said 8 it's currently..." Hotch started his arms folded, sat around the conference table with the rest of the team; minus Reid and Garcia. Morgan cut in with his practiced excuse.
"Hotch, d'you have any idea how demanding Reid is when he hasn't had coffee?" He chided, a smile creeping over his lips.
"I call bull!" Garcia had glided in during the confrontation, she looked up at Morgan who was raising one questioning eyebrow. A smug smile flitted across JJ and Rossi's faces.
Morgan kissed his teeth. "Huh?" He grunted.
Garcia put the case files on the table then placed her hands on her hips. "Reid is always the earliest in, so there is no way he made you late. Also I doubt very much that he accepted your help this morning. That is, if you were even up to offer your assistance." From Morgan's shameful expression and reddening cheeks, Garcia knew she had profiled the situation to a 't', and ironically she was the only non-profiler in the room.
"Haven't you started briefing?" Morgan blurted, trying to move the subject away from his pitiful excuses.
"No. If you hadn't been 15 minutes late we would have." Hotch's frowned deeper as his eyes bore into Morgan's. "Don't let this happen again. And if it does don't blame Reid. We should start now, the case is relatively local, about 40 minutes out." Hotch opened his file and Morgan sheepishly fell into his seat, Reid's seat stood empty beside him.
Reid was lay on the sofa where he'd been sat most of the day, flicking through books. Most he'd already read, but when he opened them and started he couldn't stop until he turned the final page. When his watch said 8.14pm, he began glancing at the door, waiting for Morgan. He'd felt so isolated that day, he had been extremely close to calling Garcia, but he knew she wouldn't tell him anything about work.
His watch read 8.36 when the door finally opened, except it wasn't only Morgan who entered. Behind him came two men he didn't know and Hotch.
Reid struggled up quickly, pushing the 20 odd books he had surrounding him on the couch, onto the floor.
"Sorry I wasn't expecting...uh...I would've cleaned u..." Hotch's gentle hand in the air signalled Reid to stop babbling.
"No, I'm sorry Reid. I should've warned you, I had a feeling this would happen." Hotch said seriously, standing in front of Reid with his arms folded strictly.
The two men stood around awkwardly. "Please." Reid motioned the men to the armchairs shoved beside the couch. They gave Reid a grateful smile.
Reid turned back to Hotch, his eyebrows arching worriedly. "What would happen Hotch? I..I don't understand." He mumbled nibbling his lower lip.
"This is Agent Monroe." Hotch's eyes wandered to the bulky, dark skinned man, who's eyes seemed to smile with the lips. His fingers were laced together in a serious manner and his elbows sat on his outspread legs. His deep brown hair curled over his head in small corkscrew curls. "..and Agent Courtney..." the other agent was practically the opposite of Agent Monroe. His skin was so fair that his veins stuck out predominantly, he was practically transparent, and Reid thought he was pale. His hair had been brown once, but grey and white hairs had begun to rebel on his hairline, marking his growing age. He was much skinner that the other agent, his cheekbones stood out on his face, the skin stretched out against them.
"These men are from witness protection." Hotch said. Reid suddenly realised why they were there, he looked down at his palms sadly.
"I've been discussing your current situation with them. I'll get to the point. They believe it would be best if you were to go into hiding, until the unsub has been found. Also, considering Callen believes you to be dead, maybe it'd be better to keep it that way." Hotch shot Reid a sympathetic look, before his mask slipped back on.
"You want me to disappear, so he thinks I'm still dead?" Reid questioned.
"Simply put, yes. But I understand that you'd rather not stay in a safe house. So, I've suggested that perhaps you take on a new identity."
Reid gaped at Hotch. What he was telling him was impossible to take in. Could he really leave everything he worked for behind him? His friends? No, not friends; family! His hands started to shake as he processed this.
"B..but, where... When.. how can I..." he rubbed his palm over his head as a headache pillaged inside his skull.
"Reid, calm down. I know this is a lot to take..."
"No, Hotch. How.. how can I just leave this life behind. You of all people know that we may never catch Callen. I don't want to be someone I'm not for the rest of my life." Reid stated,biting his nails fearfully as statistics ran through his head. Probabilities that he'd ever be Dr Spencer Reid again were swirling around his brain. The conclusions scared him.
Morgan sat on the couch next to Reid, his hand over his forehead as he too tried to process the situation.
"This is our best option, Spencer. We have little choice. At least you will be safe. You know we will be doing everything to find Callen." Reid stared up at Hotch when he used his first name.
This was beyond him. He'd have to accept it. This was happening. Whether he liked it or not, it was going to happen.
Reid looked around at the men in the room, his leg tapping intensely on the floor. "What about my mom?" He asked quietly.
"We will have to tell her you died. You're status will be on a need-to-know basis, the team and these men here are the only ones who will know. To anyone else...Spencer Reid is dead." Hotch explained, turning his eyes away from Reid's wet ones.
"No. You can't tell her I've died, please." He begged, feeling his eyes well.
"I don't know what she'll do. I've seen her attempt suicide before, after my father left. You...y...you can't tell her that." Reid wiped his face. He inhaled a deep breathe to steady his cracking voice.
"Explain this to her. She'll understand. She used to be a professor. I...I know she could jeopardise my status, but I can't risk losing her. Please Hotch. I can't lose her!" His eyes pleaded with Hotch desperately.
Hotch turned his expression to Courtney, who shrugged his shoulders. However, Hotch didn't need his approval.
"Reid. I'll explain to her. I promise. And I promise that no one else will get hurt over this. We'll sort it all out, you need to focus on yourself now." Hotch was also struggling to keep his voice steady. Reid's mother was the only biological family he had left, Willaim Reid had given up his right as a father when he left Spencer at 10 year old.
Agent Courtney cleared his throat. "We have sorted out a safe house for you to stay in and your new identity is being processed." He gruffled. He licked his lips, fixing his gaze on the young agent. "I'm afraid you will have to leave tonight."
Reid's breath caught midway through his windpipe. "What!? Don't I have a chance to say goodbye?" He moved his frown to Hotch, then Morgan who looked away guiltily.
"We can't risk your life anymore than we already have." Agent Monroe replied, his smiling eyes now filled with concern.
"It is unlikely that your Unsub knows you are still alive, however I suspect he is back on his A game by now." Courtney added. With that Reid knew he couldn't argue.
He felt angry. It boiled up inside him, it was aimed at Callen, for all he'd done to him over the past month. He felt depressed more than anything else though. He may never see his friends again or even his mother. And he never got the chance to say goodbye.
Reid turned to Morgan, realising he may never see his best friend again. "I'm sorry I didn't wake you up, Derek." He confessed. Morgan, who hadn't said a word, sprung up from the couch and wrapped his arms around Reid.
"Shut up, will ya." He half laughed, half sobbed. Reid kept his eyes closed for fear of tears falling from them.
Morgan broke the embrace and looked at Reid. "It's gonna be fine, kid. We will be back for you in no time. That son of a bitch ain't getting away with this."
Reid nodded. It felt like his world was falling apart. The last time he felt like this was in Callen's basement.
The other agents watched Reid expectantly.
"I.. I guess I'll go and uh...pack." He muttered.