Shadows
Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds
'Everything gives cause for either laughter or tears ~ Seneca.
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The first thing Derek Morgan saw when he approached the hospital room was Penelope Garcia, sitting in a chair knitting. She had pulled the chair close to the bed and would glance up every now and then at Reid and then continue her needlework. One would think she'd have something better to do on a day off, but here she was just like she had been for the past four weeks, sitting by Reid's side waiting for him to wake up.
Morgan entered the room; on the bed Reid lay motionless and silent, still locked inside that great mind of his.
Spencer had been like this for a month. He was hooked up to several monitors that measured his breathing and recorded his brain activity. He was fed intravenously and could breathe on his own but showed no sign of alertness.
He did not respond to stimulation of any kind; though that did not stop his friends and colleagues from trying. Blake would read to him, Garcia would hold his hand and plead with him to wake up. Morgan helped the nurses with the physical therapy so his muscles would not atrophy. JJ brought CDs and played Beethoven that he loved and other music she was pretty sure Reid would hate, hoping he would suddenly sit up and demand she turn it off. Rossi would come in the evenings and just talk to him, carrying on a one sided conversation.
The only one who did not visit was Hotch. No one questioned him about it. Hotch may have been the only one of them who realized how tempting it was to retreat forever into a dark world of dreams and fantasy. He remembered how during his surgery how he longed to stay with Hayley, how difficult it was to leave her. The difference was Hotch had Jack and Beth in his life. They anchored him safely to this side. Who did Reid have?
"How's it goin baby girl, anything new?" Morgan asked.
Garcia put down her knitting and smiled sadly "No, though I left when they came in to bathe him and change his catheter, I think they would have said something if anything changed,"
Morgan walked over to the bed. Reid was much paler and thinner now; he wouldn't have thought it possible.
"Hey kid, enough already we need you," He leaned down and spoke directly into Reid's ear.
"What are we going to do Derek?" Garcia said as she went to the other side of the bed. She squeezed Spencer's hand hoping she would feel him squeeze back, but his hand remained limp and lifeless. She blinked back tears.
"He looks like sleeping beauty," she said with a small laugh.
Derek smiled at her "Maybe you should try giving him a kiss," he teased.
"Believe me, if I thought it would work I would."
"What would work?" said a familiar voice. They turned their heads to see Emily Prentiss standing in the room with them.
"Emily, you're here," cried Garcia. She let go of Reid's hand and rushed over to embrace her.
Morgan left Reid's side to greet his old friend and colleague.
If he had remained in place one second longer he would have seen the expression on Reid's face alter just for a micro second.
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Spencer put his book down and grimaced.
"What's wrong Spencer?" asked Maeve.
Reid gave his head a shake "Nothing really, just that buzzing sound again."
Maeve stroked the side of his face "Anything I can do?" she asked, concerned.
Reid shook his head "No, just stay here with me,"
FIN
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