Author's Note:

So, I got up chapter one the next day and on top of that did a random one-shot fic. I seriously have too much time on my hands sometimes... Mainly because my weekend plans fell through completely... Anyway, this chapter is short but sets up the plot arc of this story. Obviously there won't be as much action as the first story but there will be conflict aplenty. Also, Morgan's POV.

"Survival is nothing more than recovery." - Dianne Feinstein

Derek Morgan awoke groggily. It took a moment for his blurry vision to focus and another minute or two to realize he was in a hospital. It was nice and warm under the covers, a heated blanket most likely he reasoned. His eyes roved around the room, but from his current vantage point he couldn't see much other than the ceiling. He turned to his right slowly and saw Penelope Garcia sitting in a chair next to his bed knitting. He smiled for the first time since the precipice of death and said, "Hey Baby Girl."

"Thank goodness! You're awake. You aren't to scare me like that again my darling!"

"Sorry Princess. How's Reid?" Morgan needed to know the Kid was okay. Please God, let him be okay.

Garcia stopped knitting and she remained silent.

"Penelope, is Reid okay?" He tried again, a hint of irritation edging into his voice.

"He's in a coma, Sweetie."

Morgan closed his eyes. At least he wasn't dead but a coma wasn't much better. He opened his eyes and asked, "Do the doctors think he'll come out of it?"

"They aren't sure."

"Has his mother been notified?"

"Yes, Hotch called her as soon as he found out."

"Did she fly out to see him?" Morgan asked, in his opinion she had every right to be there even if she was in an institution.

"Since Reid's the one who admitted his mother, he's also the only one who can release her. But….I worked my magic and she's been allowed a temporary release and she should be on the next flight out of Vegas." Garcia smiled, clearly proud of her handiwork and then she added "Besides, a mother shouldn't be kept from her son in a time like this."

Morgan nodded in agreement and since he knew was at least alive, he asked about himself. "How long have I been out?"

"Little over twenty-four hours, my love."

"My family knows?"

"Of course. They will be here to see you tomorrow morning."

"Okay." Morgan wanted to get out of bed and see Reid but he was still pretty weak and the drugs dripping into his IV were making him sleepy. Instead of getting out of bed, he dozed off.

Morgan awoke again, and this time found Aaron Hotchner sitting in the chair. "Hotch." He acknowledged.

"How you feeling?"

"Better than Reid."

"Morgan…"

Hotch never hesitated like this, had something happened to Reid? Morgan knew he should have gone to see him. He shouldn't have abandoned him. He felt panic begin to overtake him.

Apparently Hotch read his Agent's mind because he said, "Reid is still the same. But there's something else we need to talk about. I need to know what happened out there."

"What difference does it make now?" Morgan asked defensively.

"Look, I know you may not want to talk about it now but you will have to eventually. Strauss has put the entire team on suspension until she looks into the matter and interviews everyone."

"Total bullshit. Why can't that bit-" Morgan caught himself and amended his words, "-why can't she just let us do our job?"

"She says you and Reid didn't follow protocol."

Morgan snorted. "She wasn't there. None of you were. We did what we thought was right, given the situation. But I was the one who broke protocol, not Reid. I left him and the ranger to find the unsub. I fucked up, is that what you wanted to hear?"

"I appreciate you trying to take the bullet, but I already told Strauss it was my fault. That it was my decision to go in after the unsub."

"Hotch, we all agreed to go in after him. Don't martyr yourself, man." Morgan knew that if this review went badly, then Hotch could lose his job. "I'll take the blame. Worse comes to worse, I get suspended. But Hotch man, you could lose your job if Strauss has her way."

"I don't think you realize the gravity of this situation. If you end up taking blame, then you end up fired. I still lose my job, because to quote Strauss 'of poor leadership skills.' Reid could lose his job too. But if I take full responsibility, then I'm the only one who's at risk and the team stays together."

"Stays together? The team needs you too. What the hell Hotch? What did you do to make her hate you so much?"

"Strauss cares more about politics and image. To her, we are all expendable and replaceable."

"How can you stay so calm?" Morgan was furious, but per usual Hotch had a neutral expression and voice.

A nurse came in, interrupting their conversation. "Excuse me, but Mr. Morgan's family is here and his mother would like to see him. And you know the rules Agent Hotchner, only one visitor at time for the time being. Doctors orders."

Hotch nodded. "Of course, I understand." He left the room without another word.

Morgan sighed in frustration. Fucking Strauss, he thought angrily. Hadn't the team been through enough without all this extra bullshit to deal with?

"You look upset." Morgan's mother commented as she came into the room. She walked over to her son and gave him a hug.

"Ma, I'm fine. Just…tired." Tired of Strauss trying to split up the team, Morgan added mentally.

"I suppose so. I'm just glad you are okay. Your sisters send their love. They'll be in later. A nice blond agent took them down to the cafeteria to get something to eat."

"That must be JJ." Morgan supplied.

"Yes, I believe you are right. You should get some rest if you are tired. You need to save your strength."

Yeah, save my strength to endure the wrath of dragon lady. Morgan was still fuming over Strauss but even so, his eyes closed and he slumbered once more.