"Hotch, Gideon hold up", Morgan called towards his co-workers as they walked outside the bullpen to catch up with Reid, Elle and JJ.
"Yes Morgan, what is it", SSA Aaron Hotchner's question contained a tinge of impatience as he turned around to look at his junior agent.
Morgan swallowed a bit as both senior agents turned their attention towards him.
Raising a questioning eyebrow at the unusual nervousness displayed by the otherwise brash young man in front of him Gideon automatically softened his voice as he asked, "Is everything alright Morgan"
"Actually no, huh, it's… it's about Reid"
"What about him?" Worry for his youngest agent automatically coloured Gideon's tone even as he continued to display the same outward disposition.
"I… I think we need to talk for a minute guys"
"Ok let's go back to my office"
Hotch led both the senior and the junior agent back to his office and closed the door.
He indicated the couch in front of him for the others as he himself pulled a chair from near his desk.
"What's wrong with Reid, Morgan", he questioned the other agent softly.
"Never said anything was wrong with him", Morgan automatically mumbled scowling.
"Morgan". The single word from Gideon's lips showed his exasperation and frustration with the whole situation
Morgan sighed before taking a deep breath as if fortifying himself for the task ahead. He already knew this was the right thing to do. Hotch and Gideon needed to know what was wrong with the kid. So why did the whole thing seem to him like he was betraying a friend. He knew from experience that Reid would not want either his mentor or his boss to know anything about what he perceived as a weakness. Not that he had been any different than the younger man. Which was precisely why he knew Reid needed to talk to one of them.
"He Reid… he's been having nightmares. He's not been sleeping well. Told me he's been having them damn near every night. He asked me what to do."
"And what did you tell him?" Gideon questioned his subordinate softly.
"Told him to talk to one of you. Though I doubt he's actually going to do that", Morgan admitted with a light shake of his head. "Kid's stubborn. He won't come to you with anything he thinks will lower your opinion of him", he finished.
Gideon automatically nodded his head in agreement with the other man's assessment even as a small smile played around his lips. He knew that Morgan spoke from his own experience when he deduced that the young genius would not ask for their help. And Gideon knew he was right. Even though it hurt to realise that Reid did not trust him enough to seek help when he needed it he knew he had to swallow that hurt if he had to help his protégé get through what was pretty much a normal experience for someone in their field of work.
"We'll talk to him, Hotch and me we'll go to him", he reassured the agent.
"Thanks guys. I wish I could've helped him myself but…", he trailed off not knowing what else to say. All three of them stood up to get back to the world of ritualistic killing and satanic cults.
Hotch left first but before Morgan could follow him Gideon called him back.
"You know he's going to be upset you told us right"
"Yeah, yeah I know Gideon"
"Thank you", Gideon continued before the younger man could say anything else.
At Morgan's questioning eyebrow he continued "For having the courage to do the right thing"