#4: Tick Tock
Summary:What about Hotch confronting a sick Reid and telling him to go home.
Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own Criminal Minds. (I wish I owned Reid.)
Requester(s): Ahowell1993
Third Person POV
Reid muffled another painful cough into the sleeve of his shirt. Painfully, he swallowed back the full on coughing fit that burned in his lungs. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Morgan and JJ glancing at him every so often with a concerned expression.
He glanced at the clock every few minutes, the lure of a warm bed consuming his thoughts. He was so tired, he just wanted to sleep. He found his head suddenly making contact with the wooden desk. He could hear Morgan laughing. JJ snorted quietly, at least trying to hold back her laughter.
"Late night, kid?" Morgan chuckled, causing Reid to scowl at him.
"You okay?" JJ asked, but Reid's response was interrupted when Hotch called Reid to his office. Reid's face was still red when he slowly trudged to Hotch's office.
"I want you to go home. Paperwork can wait. Get some sleep," Hotch instructed the younger man.
"But everyone else is still here," Reid complained, but the hoarseness of his voice weakened his already weak argument. Arguing with Hotch was futile anyway, but he didn't want to seem like the weak link of the group. He told Hotch that, and he swore Hotch's expression softened some.
"Reid, being sick doesn't make you weak, but making yourself worse makes you one thing: stupid. Go home, Reid. I don't want to see you again until you feel better."
Reid wanted to protest, but not coming to work for the next day or two and being able to sleep sounded so good. He felt absolutely terrible.
"Okay," Reid relented. Hotch's expression softened some.
"Feel better."
"Thanks," Reid said gratefully.
A/n: This is just one-shots on this story, but if any of you guys have a multi-chapter story request I would be happy to write it. Thanks guys!
Stay Gold lovelies,
- Alee XxX