At four am, the Behavior Analysis Unit was gathered in the conference room. Everyone had a mug of coffee and no one was smiling or joking, it was too early. Rain was lashing the windows, and everyone was wondering if they could even fly out. Derek Morgan decided to try Spencer Reid again, he had taken a few weeks of personal leave and was due back today. Reid answered on the fifth ring,
"Hey kid, I'm just wondering if you're going to fly out with us?"
"Of course we can wait. See you soon."
"Reid's going to come; he asked if we can wait fifteen minutes till he gets here." Morgan said addressing the rest of the team
"Why doesn't he meet us on the plane? We've all done it." Rossi asked
"He didn't say, just asked if we could wait here."
"That's fine, it will give a chance for the weather to clear up." Hotch said
Twenty minutes passed before Reid came. He had a duffle bag on his shoulder, and was carrying a wooden basket, with metal reinforcements in his hands, covered with a cloth. He carefully put the basket on the couch, dumped the duffle bag on the floor and practically collapsed onto the couch. The team watched in surprised puzzlement, waiting for Reid to explain.
"Hotch could you please call an ambulance? My phone died a minute after I finished speaking with Morgan." Reid said
"Why do you need an ambulance?" Hotch asked worriedly pulling out his phone
"I got shot in the gut; I think it was in the gut?" Reid said musingly before he could continue Morgan, JJ, and Garcia were on there feet hurrying over to him, Hotch dialing before Reid could finish his sentence
Reid ignored the three people crowded around him "I patched it up, but it's still bleeding. Or if you've got needle and thread I could sew it up and drive to the hospital."
"Don't do that," Hotch ordered "I'm already on the phone." Hotch turned his attention completely to the call
"Dave can you examine him, and JJ get the first aid kit." Hotch said after he finished his call
"Reid who shot you?" Morgan asked
Reid ignored him trying to unzip his jacket; Rossi quickly came over and helped him take off the leather jacket he was wearing. His entire lower right side was covered in blood. Rossi lifted his shirt and saw a piece of cloth, held in place by duct tape, it stunk of alcohol.
"Reid who shot it you? Is the person still after you?" Morgan repeated his question his tone demanding and concerned
Reid again ignored him. Rossi waited until JJ got back before lifting up the bandage and saw a bullet wound, Reid's face turned pale as Rossi cleaned and bandaged the wound, Hotch went over and took Reid's hand and gave him a reassuring smile, Reid barely noticed he just gripped Hotch's hand tight. After Rossi was done, he left the room to wash his hands and JJ cleaned up. Reid tilted his head against the couch, Garcia came over and helped him take some water and Alieve. Suddenly crying was heard; it sounded like it came from the basket beside Reid. Garcia took a step back in surprise, while Reid shoved Hotch away and stood. He reached under the blanket and pulled out a baby, the effort was too much for him though and he would have fallen if Hotch hadn't caught him and helped him back on the couch
"Reid whose child is that?" Hotch asked
"Mine, her name is Elena. I wanted to name her Anna but she insisted on naming her after her sister."' His voice was barely audible at first but gained strength as he continued
"Anna: is that her mother?" JJ asked
"Yes," Reid stopped abruptly his face going pale, and he gripped Elena tight making her cry even hard. The spasm passed and he loosened his grip, Garcia came over and he handed her over.
"Is she alright?" Reid said breathlessly
"Yes, a bit startled is all." Garcia answered
Suddenly another cry was heard; Hotch gripped Reid's shoulder to keep him from moving. JJ went removed the blanket entirely and picked up another child from the basket
"Diana, Elena's sister. I named her after my mother." Reid said regaining his voice
Another spasm of pain hit and Reid gritted his teeth and clenched his hands. Morgan knelt down and took Reid's hand. Rossi returned but everyone was too concerned with Reid to notice. Hotch kept his grip on Reid's shoulder, though much more gently now.
"Reid do you have anything to help with the pain?" Morgan asked the Alieve was not doing anything to help
Reid pointed to his jacket, and after searching Morgan pulled out a flask, along with Reid's gun, chewing gum, and a pacifier. Reid looked around at his friends and then down at the ground in shame
"I know, with the babies, with everything, it was what I could find, I had to keep going somehow."
"Spencer we understand." Hotch said no judgment just understanding and respect.
Morgan opened the flask and helped Reid take a drink. After that he leaned back for a minute and then reached for Diana. The babies had quieted down, both were wide eyed and looking around with rampant curiosity. JJ gently handed her over. Morgan put his hands around the baby and helped position and held her on Reid's lap. Reid kissed her on the forehead, and then put his hand on head and spoke though too softly for any of the team to hear. He then kissed her again, and hurriedly signaled JJ to pick her up as yet another spasm hit. As the pain ended Reid asked for Elena and did the same things with her.
"Derek, Penelope, would you be godparents to them?"
"Of course, I'd love to be a fairy godmother to another child." Garcia said trying to sound upbeat but failing she sounded close to tears
"Yes, I will." Derek said hiding his emotions better than Garcia but still sounded sad and worried
"Thank you both so much. JJ, Garcia would you please take the babies out into the bullpen. There are baby supplies in the duffel bag."
The agents looked at each other with worry, the two women left, Hotch opening the door. Emily followed after them with the duffel bag; she was going to keep an eye out for the paramedics. Reid closed his eyes after they left and rested his head back.
"Reid, Spencer, you need to stay awake." Hotch said lightly shaking him
"I'm so tired; the only thing that kept me going was getting my girls somewhere safe." Reid said opening his eyes
"Spencer, your daughters need you, just hold on a little longer. The paramedics will be here soon" Hotch said his voice calm but his face and especially his eyes betrayed his sadness and his worry
Reid looked at him and smiled slightly before closing his eyes again.
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