AN: So here is chapter two. Thanks to all who've alerted and reviewed and read the story! Glad to see this is going over well.
If any of you reading this are looking for the last chapter of "Eternal Changes" my beta still has it. She lost the first file I sent her so that is the cause for the delay. Hope to post it soon!
JJ glanced once again toward the two windows at the end of the waiting room. With his back to the rest of the room, Morgan gazed out one of them. Since taking up that position fifteen minutes ago, he hadn't so much as cast a glance over his shoulder. The blonde knew her friend and team mate was hurting.
Derek Morgan had always been the self-appointed protector of the team. Sure he did a lot of joking and teasing, but he had never been one to allow those he felt were outsiders to do so. If there was a dangerous situation, Morgan always tried to take the lead. Always tried to put himself between danger and a teammate. JJ knew that he looked upon Emily's death as a personal failure. Knew that he felt this current situation was a personal failure. Though JJ knew that Morgan would take a bullet for any member of the BAU, she also knew that if Morgan had to choose between taking a bullet for Reid or anyone else, Reid would come first, every time. Morgan showed a greater fierceness with the protection of the young genius; he always had. JJ knew that it was Reid's injury - Morgan's perceived failure at protecting the young agent - that was causing Morgan's current anger.
Though she knew Morgan would be even angrier with her in the coming days, JJ felt the need to try and smooth over this current situation. Hoping that she had given him enough time to cool down a bit, she got to her feet. Glancing to her left, she found Hotch watching her. The messages passed silently between them, an ability that had developed during these past few months of keeping their secret, lying to their co-workers and family. She knew her eyes conveyed to him her intention of talking to Morgan and his almost un-perceptible nod told her that he wished her luck.
A few of the other agents in the room, including the members of Cooper's team, glanced briefly toward her as her footfalls echoed in the silent room. Still, Morgan didn't make any movement that he was aware of her approach. JJ could see the tension in his body, like a rattler coiled and ready to spring.
"How's your hand?" JJ asked, coming to stand beside him at the window. Her head turned in his direction. Morgan glanced at her and then down at his hand.
"It's fine," he replied absently, turning his attention back toward the window.
JJ glanced down at his hand. The blood from cuts caused by the drywall had dried on the dark skin. Even without a closer look, she could tell the knuckles were swollen.
"It doesn't look fine. Perhaps . . ."
"I said I was fine," Morgan said in a clipped voice as he turned toward her, raising his hand slightly before letting it fall, realizing what he was doing. "It's just a few scrapes."
Having involuntarily taken a step back when Morgan had started to raise his hand, JJ chose to let that particular subject go for now. Still, she wasn't about to walk away.
"Morgan, I understand how worried you are about, Spence. We all are, but don't you think that if there had been another way to end the stand-off without hurting him that we would have taken it."
"Maybe - No I know you would have, JJ."
"Then let's not be angry with each other. We need one another's support. Reid is going to need all of our support."
"I plan on giving Reid all the support he's going to need. But, given the circumstances, I'm not sure he needs to see all of us - I think certain people should stay away."
JJ sighed. "Morgan, Rossi made the decision that he thought was best."
"I get that, JJ. It doesn't mean I like that decision and I can't forgive them."
"Them? Rossi and who, Morgan?"
"Rossi and Rawson. They purposely gambled with Reid's life and they're okay with it. Just another part of the job. I don't accept that JJ."
The older agent was still looking out the window, his face a mask of anger. JJ tentatively reached out, and placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Spencer's going to be fine, Derek. You'll see."
Morgan nodded in response to her statement.
"You really should go down to the ER and get that hand looked at," JJ said, after a few moments of silence.
Morgan looked down at his hand again. Strangely, he hadn't even realized that he had banged it up when he punched the wall. Even now it felt numb, rather than painful; however he winced when he tried to bend his fingers into a fist.
"I want to be here when there's word on Reid's condition," Morgan said, looking up from his hand to meet her gaze, not about to admit it hurt to move his hand.
"Will you at least let me clean up the cuts?" JJ asked.
Morgan nodded, giving into the blonde on that point. Somehow he knew JJ wouldn't leave him alone until he gave some attention to the injury.
"Then have a seat, and I'm gonna get a nurse to give me some supplies," JJ told him, pointing to the chair she had vacated moments earlier.
As JJ left the room, Morgan slowly went over to the indicated chair and sat down. He was aware of Hotch's gaze on him, and eventually looked up to meet it.
"Do you realize the amount of paperwork I'm going to have to do because of that wall?" Hotch asked easily.
Morgan cast a glance at the corner of the room, where Rossi was standing, arms folded across his chest. The older agent was staring down at the floor, apparently lost in his own thoughts. "No, but I imagine it's still less than if it had been Rossi's face," he countered, his gaze meeting the unit chief's once more.
"He made the call that he thought was best," Hotch replied, supporting his old friend.
"Sorry if I can't agree with it."
"No one is asking you to. For the sake of my sanity though, can you not punch anything else? Strauss is already going to be reading me the riot act when I get back."
"I'll give it my best shot," Morgan replied, as JJ walked back into the room, first aid supplies in her hand.
Rearranging the waiting room chairs, JJ was soon seated in front of Morgan. Using the first aid supplies she had retrieved from a nurse, the blonde tended to Morgan's scraped knuckles, mentally comparing his injury to those Henry received from his adventures as the young boy explored the world around him. She had to smile a bit as she heard Morgan hiss when she cleaned out the shallow cuts on his knuckles. ~Men can be such babies,~ she thought, continuing her ministrations.
As she finished wrapping the sterile bandage around Morgan's hand, JJ reached for the ice pack giving to her by the nurse. Squeezing the package to break the seal, JJ shook the contents for a few minutes before reaching out to place it on top of Morgan's hand.
"Keep that on your hand for at least twenty minutes," JJ instructed him.
"Yes, ma'am," Morgan said lightly, surprised by the stern tone in the media liaison's voice. Then again, JJ always had been a bull dog when it came to certain things. Though the blonde had changed in her time away from the team, the fierce determination that often burned in her eyes hadn't diminished.
Morgan leaned back in the chair he was sitting on, his left hand holding the ice pack in place. Though he wasn't about to admit to it, the cold application felt good to his now throbbing hand, as the numb feeling had gone away. It wasn't long before another voice broke the quietness of the waiting room.
"Is there an Agent Hotchner here?" A man, dressed in green scrubs, his hair still covered by the cap required to be worn in an operating room, scanned the room as he waited for a response to his question.
Beside Morgan, Hotch got to his feet. "I'm Agent Hotchner," he said, walking across the waiting room toward the doctor - Morgan steps behind- and the other agents following. The unit chief saw the doctor's gaze take in the others crowded in the room. "Everyone here is a federal agent. Whatever you have to say, you can say in front of them."
The doctor held Hotch's gaze for a moment and then gave a curt nod. "Agent Reid came through surgery without any complications. We were able to remove the bullet that remained intact upon entry into the body; it was stopped by the shoulder blade. There is a small hairline fracture of the shoulder from the impact, and some minor damage to muscles and ligaments which were repaired. Overall, Agent Reid is lucky that the damage was minimal. He'll need to keep the shoulder immobilized for a week or so, wear a sling for a while after that, and do some physical therapy, but I expect him to make a full recovery."
There were several audible sighs of relief from the agents gathered around Hotch.
"Can we see him?" Morgan asked.
"I think it would probably best if you all waited until morning visiting hours," the doctor replied. "He'll be waking up from the surgery within the hour but he's still going to be out of it for a while. Rest is the best thing for him right about now."
"I respect that doctor, but I know Agent Reid quite well. I think he'll be able to rest better if he sees a couple of us even if it is only for a few minutes. Could Agent Morgan and I have a few minutes with him before we leave?"
The doctor silently contemplated the request, his eyes holding the federal agent's gaze. Finally, he gave a slight nod. "He'll be in recovery for the next hour or so but if you want to wait and see him when we move him to a room, I'll authorize it."
"Thank-you. I would like a private word with you if you can spare a few moments?" Hotch asked.
The doctor nodded and led the way out of the waiting room. Finding a secluded spot in the hallway, the doctor turned to face Hotch. The unit chief explained Reid's past issues with Dialaudid and his desire to avoid narcotics altogether. After assuring Hotch that he would make a note in Reid's chart, the surgeon took his leave and the unit chief headed back into the waiting room.
Standing just within the doorway, Hotch looked around the still gathered agents. "I want you all to head back to the hotel and try to get some sleep. Those of you who want to come back and see Agent Reid can do so in the morning. I'll arrange for the jet to fly back to Quantico tomorrow afternoon. There is no reason for all of us to be hanging around Augusta now that our objective has been completed. Good work everyone," Hotch told them.
As he stopped speaking, he looked to JJ, silently telling her that they would speak in the morning of the issue that still had to be addressed. He saw her nod of acceptance even as Agent LaSalle came up beside the blonde, speaking quietly to her.
While the federal agents started filing out of the waiting room, the only words passing between them those necessary to make sure everyone had a ride back to the hotel, Morgan slipped from the group. Alone, he headed back to the window, his own waiting not yet done.
Rossi paused in front of Hotch as he headed toward the doorway to the waiting room. He held out the keys to the SUV that he and Hotch had driven over from the scene.
"Do you plan on explaining things to Reid?" Rossi asked, making eye contact as he asked the question.
"He deserves to know," Hotch said.
Rossi nodded, not about to argue the point. "You'll let me know if he wants to see me tomorrow before I head back to Quantico?"
"Dave, he'll understand."
"Morgan doesn't."
"Morgan is just upset. He'll come around."
"And you think that Reid won't be upset? Intellectually, he'll probably understand the reasoning behind the decision but he still is human. Emotions have a way of toying with intellect. Hell, I'd probably be upset if I found out a fellow agent shot me on purpose." Rossi paused. He gave a sigh before continuing. "It wasn't a popular move but it is one that I believe was necessary."
"I know that, Dave. You've got my support on the call all the way, though. I'll do my best to get Reid to understand."
Rossi nodded in acknowledgment. The senior FBI agent still expected his young teammate to not want to see him in the morning once he found out the details of what happened.
"What about you and Morgan?" Hotch asked.
Rossi glanced over his shoulder at the other agent who once again stood staring out the windows.
"I'll give him some time to calm down. . . I think that once he's assured that Reid will be okay I can make him see reason. For now, I'll keep my distance - less my jaw ends up looking like that wall."
Hotch allowed a small grim smile at the statement. At least Rossi had an understanding of the situation. With any luck he wouldn't have to deal with paperwork and disciplinary actions resulting from blows being exchanged between the two of them.
"Good work tonight, Dave," Hotch said, reaching out and grasping the older man's shoulder.
Rossi nodded before headed out of the waiting room, leaving Morgan and Hotch alone. With the others heading back to the hotel, Hotch was faced with nothing to do but wait. Turning, he headed toward the closest chair, planning on trying to make himself comfortable while he waited for word that Reid had been moved to a room. To pass the time, Hotch contemplated the best way to break the news to Reid about what had happened.
A hour and a half later, Hotch and Morgan were still sitting in the waiting room, having received little information on Reid. A nurse had stopped by about forty minutes previously, saying that Reid had woken up from the anesthesia but was still in recovery. She had assured them that she would come get them as soon as Reid was settled in his own room. So far, the only nurse that had come back into the waiting room had brought Morgan another ice pack for his hand. She had made the suggestion that the dark-skinned profiler get an x-ray of the hand, to which Morgan had shaken his head in reply.
That had been about five minutes ago, and as Hotch cast a glance at his subordinate now he considered ordering him again to get the hand looked at by a doctor. He knew that anything less would simply get him the answer of 'I'm fine'. Before he could open his mouth though, another voice broke the silence of the waiting room.
"Excuse me, Agent Hotchner?"
Both men turned their heads in the direction of the doorway to see a petite redhead dressed in black scrubs standing there. Both men recognized her as the nurse who had stopped by with the update on Reid a while back.
"Agent Reid is now settled in his room. If you'd like, I can show you there."
"Thank-you," Hotch replied, as both he and Morgan got to their feet.
"I think it's good that the two of you waited to see Agent Reid. He's been agitated since he woke up from the anesthesia," the nurse said, as she led the two federal agents down the hallway toward the elevator. "He calmed down some when I told him a couple of his co-workers would be in to see him shortly. Hopefully you can calm him down enough to allow him to sleep, since that's what he really needs right now."
"We'll try our best," Hotch said, as the group entered the elevator. Although silently he wondered if the information that he was going to give Reid would calm him down or just get him more agitated. Not for the first time, he considered waiting to tell Reid the truth about what had happened at the warehouse, but he quickly dismissed the idea. Reid would be asking questions about what happened and trying to avoid those questions would definitely agitate the younger agent more than the truth would.
As he leaned back against the hand railing, Hotch glanced over at Morgan, who was standing on the opposite side of the small enclosure from him, still holding the ice pack to his battered knuckles. The younger agent's face was still a storm cloud, and Hotch knew that trying to explain things with Morgan present would only make a tough task even harder.
"Morgan, I know you want to see Reid," Hotch began in a low but commanding voice, "but I want some time alone with him first." Hotch could see the defiance in the other agent's eyes and held his hand up before Morgan had a chance to speak. "This isn't open for debate. I need to talk to Reid without anyone interrupting. Once I've done that, I'll leave and you can see him alone. You've waited this long. Ten or fifteen minutes more isn't going to hurt."
Morgan eventually nodded, though he still didn't look happy about the arrangement.
The elevator came to a stop and the nurse led the federal agents onto the ninth floor of the hospital. Turning to her right, she led them past the nurses' station and down the hallway. There was little activity on the floor at this time of night, and as the nurse paused in front of a closed door, her voice seemed to echo on the otherwise quiet floor.
"Here you go," she told them, waving a hand at the door. "Any questions or concerns can be addressed to any of the nurses on duty," the nurse informed them, pointing to the nurses' station.
"Thank-you," Hotch replied.
"You're welcome," the nurse replied.
Without another word, she headed back in the direction they had come. Alone now with Morgan, Hotch cast a glance at the other profiler before taking a deep breath. Letting it out slowly, Hotch took a step toward the closed door. He knocked softly on it, even as he started to push the door open.
