CAR TROUBLE

Summary: Takes place after Reid...A bad accidents has Reid re-calling why he
was weary of taking a beer from his dad (at his 21st b-day) and why
he was surprised to find his present was a '67 Sting Ray...

Warning: Contains the spanking of a teenager…don't like don't read!

A/N: A special thanks to those who read my first story! Another special thanks to those who recommended I write a part 2!

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The young man ran into his house and changed before grabbing his keys and heading for the garage. When he saw the car he smiled; never in a million years did he image that his dad would have gotten him the car of his dreams for his twenty-first birthday…his dad. The boy smiled brighter…his dad was his world. Sure he had, had another set of parents; ones he loved…and lost at a young age…ones he thought about everyday but his dad had done everything in his powers to help him…mainly by loving him unconditionally. As he pulled out of the garage he noticed it was starting to rain and he frowned. He needed new tires on the stingray but hadn't had time; yup, his father would kill him if he found out. As it was he was running late and didn't give the tires (and lack of traction) a second thought.

As the rain came down harder Reid briefly considered pulling over. He shook his head; he'd promised his dad he'd come home for supper. Reid hadn't broken a promise since…well…it'd been several years. The young man's thoughts drifted to his dad and everything they'd been through; so intense were his thoughts that he forgot about the upcoming curve. By the time realization struck it was too late…the car hydroplaned and launched itself off the road. Reid could only hold on as the car flipped over and over again before finally coming to rest, upside down, several yards from the road. He looked around trying to get his bearings but the pain in his head was intense. The boy's eyes started to shut even though he was fighting sleep. As the sleep started to win he whispered, "Dad…" and then he lost consciousness.

---- FLASHBACK ----

It had been a little over two months since Mac had first…punished him. It had been a little over one month since his last punishment. That one had been bad; of course he'd gotten drunk (again) and then seen fit to drive home. Oh yeah, Mac had been pissed at that one and the next morning had made sure his displeasure had been known. Reid had been even double surprised when, after he was done he let him know that another drinking / driving accident would result in Mac using something other then his hand; what he didn't know and truth be told he didn't WANT to know. Nope, instead he promised the older man that he would NEVER drink again…especially since he was underage.

Mac had also seen fit to ground Reid for a month. Reid had been upset at that since he was staying in the dorms at college but Mac hadn't cared. Instead, he found ways to have someone from his team check up on his son everyday at different times. The month lasted forever for Reid but in the end it had strangely drawn the two closer…which is why both were surprised when Reid found himself in trouble…again.

---- END FLASHBACK ----

Reid opened his eyes…'what happened'? He looked around trying to get his bearings once again. He slowly realized that he was still in the car; still in his seat thanks to the seatbelt he'd worn. All around him there was broken glass. He tried to call out for help but then he noticed he was surrounded by trees. 'Crap…I'm not on the road.' Reid pushed the panic feeling away and tried to think about how Mac would handle the situation. 'Ok, first thing first.'

He moved his arm slowly, mentally making sure nothing was broken. The seatbelt wouldn't release so he quickly tried to find his cell phone…it took him a minute to realize that he was getting tired again. With no cell phone in site, Reid hit his horn and held it down; hoping that someone would hear and investigate…slowly he again lost consciousness.

---- FLASHBACK ----

Everything had been going good; Mac had taken Reid to grief counseling for a while and it helped both of them. Reid's smile, which always looked like Claire's, was back…slowly at first but it was there. It was after the drinking / driving stint that Reid had gotten quiet again; which unnerved Mac to no end. Finally he'd gone to the boy's dorm room to talk…and tell him he was un-grounded.

"How are you doing Reid?" Reid shrugged his shoulders not bothering to address Mac. Mac suppressed a sigh and sat on the bed. "Look at me please." The firmness of the order didn't go unnoticed by the younger boy who immediately did as he was told. Mac could see the uncertainty was back in his eyes. "What's going on Reid?"

Reid thought about shrugging his shoulders but knew that he would only get scolded again. After a few minutes Reid finally looked up and met Mac's eyes. "What do I call you?" Mac looked back at him, both shocked and confused. "I mean...I can't call you dad, at least not yet and Mac seems so...guest like. What do I call you?"

Mac suddenly smiled as he realized what Reid was saying. Even after all this time the boy was still afraid that Mac would just up and leave him. Mac tried to make sure to tell Reid some way that he'd never leave him alone...but he understood where the fear came from. "Well, there are other ways to say dad. Why don't you choose one of those?" Mac could see Reid's mind working. "Make it workable please."

Reid grinned, "What fun is that?" Mac rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"Think on it tonight and tomorrow you can tell me before you go out." He watched as his boy's eyes lit up.

"You mean it?" Mac nodded in response as he rose to leave. "Thanks Mac...I love you...pop." Mac gave Reid a hug and kissed his forehead. "Love you too son."

---- END FLAHSBACK ----

"Sir...sir, are you alright? Can you hear me?" Reid opened his eyes to find a man staring back at him. "Sir, my name's John Richards...I called 911; are you alright?" Reid shook his head; he wanted to speak but his mouth was too dry. "Just stay still sir, helps on the way."

"I...want...my dad." The man nodded his head in understanding wondering if there was anything he could do. "Sir!" Richards jumped back up and ran for his car to call for help once again...Reid had started to seize.