A/N: This is set just after the episode 3rd Life, where a teenager is killed in front of Reid.
Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds or the characters.
Enjoy!
Morgan ran a hand over his tired eyes, trying to stop worrying about one Spencer Reid. He knew that he would be blaming himself for Ryan's death, even though there was nothing he could have done.
Reid was like the little brother Morgan never had. He smiled slightly as he remembered how proud he had been when Reid had shyly come up to him a few weeks ago and told him that he had been clean for six months. Life hadn't been kind to him, but the kid was tougher than most people gave him credit for.
But Morgan still worried.
Reid had promised to call him if he ever got the itch to start using again but even so Morgan decided he would check on him just in case. He reached for the phone beside his bed when it suddenly began to ring shrilly, making Morgan jump.
Lucky there was no one around to see that.
Regaining his composure he glanced at the caller id and sighed with relief.
"Hey kid, what's up?"
"Morgan..." Reid's voice shook and Morgan felt the tension flood back into his body with just that one word.
"Reid, have you taken anything?"
Please say no. Please say no.
"I haven't, but I want to so bad every time I close my eyes I see that boy's face and I just, I just-"
Was Reid crying?
"Reid, listen to me," Morgan began firmly, but was interrupted by Reid.
"I know there's nothing I could have done but that doesn't make it any easier. You don't need to come over or anything though and I'm sorry I woke you up, I'll be fine, really."
But Morgan had already made his decision. With his phone cradled against his shoulder he locked his apartment door behind him. Cutting across Reid's nervous rambling he spoke firmly into the receiver-
"I'll be right there."