PLEASE READ: I know some people skip A/Ns but please read this one. Thank you to all of those who are still interested in this story. I truly am sorry that it has taken me two years to update. As I said in the updates for a couple of my other stories; the last two years have been crazy. I never stopped reading your reviews and, maybe this sounds stupid, but they helped me through a lot. This chapter will probably be a little short compared to ones in the past but they will get longer. So...without further ado...here we go...
"Spence before you go back to sleep someone needs to take you to the hospital. Even if it is just a sprain you need to get a splint. Also, you need to tell them about the blood – it might not be a big deal but Henry never had that symptom so maybe we're wrong." JJ was sitting on the edge of the boy's bed. His miserable appearance filled her with empathy and she lovingly placed one hand on his leg.
She hated seeing him in this condition. It was a weird phenomenon but in many ways Reid had become the team's surrogate child. It wasn't that they looked down on him or treated him like a baby; it was just that they all knew he yearned for a parental connection. His father had left him and his mother was just a shadow of her disease.
"JJ, I'm fine."
"How can you even say that, Reid?" Morgan asked in disbelief.
"I just..."
"You need help, Kid" Morgan said in a strong yet loving manner "There isn't anything wrong with that."
"I don't like doctors..." Reid mumbled as his eyes began drooping shut. He was cradling his injured wrist in his good hand. It was clear to see that the pain was getting unbearable.
"No one does, Spence, but you need one now." JJ winced as the boy let out a wet, raspy cough.
"I'm so tired." His voice sounded pained and Morgan watched as his feverish eyes began to close. Morgan cringed for a moment. A few years back he had caught Reid shooting dilaudid, he had the same blank expression on his face back then – as if he was in a completely different world; distant from everything going on around him.
At first when he found Reid in the bathroom, with an empty vial at his side and needle still in his arm, he didn't know what to do. Stunned at catching him and stunned at being caught, the two men sat in silence for thirty minutes before Morgan finally found the words to say. He promised that if Reid started going to Narcotics Anonymous he wouldn't tell anyone – it would be their secret so long as he seek help. The two men had always stayed true to their word but no matter how hard he tried, Derek could never get the image of Reid dazed and messed up out of his head.
"Reid." Derek nudged him causing the young agent to jolt awake, "You can't fall asleep on me, man."
"Aaron," JJ whispered getting the attention of the oldest agent, "we need to get him to a doctor immediately."
He nodded, "Where's the nearest hospital?"
"The nearest hospital is on Gilmore Street, it's 15 minutes away...10 if Morgan's driving." Reid mumbled as his head rolled lazily against the headboard. JJ gave a half smile of relief; at least his memory was still there.
"Morgan, bring the car around to the front. JJ and I will get Reid downstairs then take him to the nearest hospital." Hotch ordered and Derek nodded as he grabbed the keys and ran out of the hotel room.
"Reid, I need you to stay awake, okay?" JJ soothed as she gently shook the boy, "If you fall asleep now, you won't want to get back up. You're dehydrated, your hand is swollen and you've recently vomited blood...I just need you to stay awake for me, okay?"
"I'm so sorry." Reid said looking deep into JJ's eyes, "Please forgive me. Please forgive me. I'm so sorry."
"Reid, you have nothing to apologies for." She placed a hand on his arm and lovingly rubbed it in a soothing pattern, "Being sick is nothing to be ashamed of or feel bad about."
"I didn't know what else to do." Reid began to cry softly. Hotch and JJ exchanged a confused glance, neither one fully understanding what was going on.
"What do you mean?" JJ asked turning back towards the boy, "What did you do?"
"I'm so sorry."
"Reid, what's going on?" Hotch shook the boy's arm trying to get his attention but the boy wouldn't take his eyes off JJ.
Aaron and JJ shared another glance; this time it wasn't confusion but concern that was present on their faces. Her hand flung up to his forehead "Hotch, his fever is spiking."
"Mama, I can't take care of you anymore. I'm so sorry." Reid eyes pleaded for forgiveness, "I just want what's best for you, Mama. I just want..."
"Reid," the boys eyes had close and she nudged him gently – there was no response, "Reid...Reid..." she shook him but his body remained motionless, "...Spencer," JJ's voice began to shake with panic and fear, "Spence...please..."
A/N: Thank you again for all of those who have stuck with this story from its inauguration – and thank you for joining us, if you have just started reading. If you like this, please check out my other Criminal Minds fics. I promise – and this time I'm not going to disappear for two years – to update this one soon. Please let me know what you think. : )