Sick Leave-Chapter 10

Complications

"........Thank you all! Please R&R!"

Spencer Reid took a deep breath as he looked down at the pill laying in front of him.

'This isn't going to be good........'

Reid stared at the pill for the longest of times. He was terrified to swallow it. The last thing he wanted was to get sick, but what choice did he have? Three hours versus four-to-five hours- Reid thought he the choice was reasonable. Of course, he should take the three hours, but he didn't want to; he couldn't find the courage to do it.

"Are you going to swallow it?" JJ asked after another fie-minute interval. Reid looked up at his team.

"Yeah,yeah." he murmured as he tried his best to move his hand. He slowly drew his shaky hand up toward his tray- reaching for the pill. He knew the task should have been painless, but he was not too fond of vomiting, and he knew he would if he did take the pill. He tossed the pill in his mouth, and with his free hand took a mouthful of the water. Reid roughly swallowed it- already feeling his stomach turn.

He started coughing, and lunged forward.

"Whoa kid. You okay?" Morgan asked, standing up from his chair. Reid shook his head no- not trusting his speech. Morgan quickly jogged to Reid's side, realizing what Reid's body was trying to do. He picked up a near-by basket, and put it beneath Reid's mouth. Reid's closest hand grabbed the bucket, pulling it closer. Morgan moved Reid's long curly hair out of the way in the meantime.

Any movement had caused Reid pain, so as he puked, his pain levels increased.

"I'm getting a nurse." Rossi muttered as he left the room.

"Good; thanks Rossi." Morgan said. He would have gotten the nurse himself, but he didn't want to leave Reid. He continued to rub Reid's back, hoping he was at least bringing his friend a little comfort. It made him sad that Christmas was less than a week away, and his friend was in so much pain. Morgan felt the unruly urge to pull Reid as close to him as he possibly could- taking away his friend's shivers and pains.

After a few more minutes, the dry-heaving was really showing its effect on Reid. His head hurt, his stomach was literally throwing itself up, he could barely move on his own, and his throat hurt like hell. At least he knew his puke wasn't getting in his hair thanks to Morgan. As Reid kept vomiting, he thought to himself that he would have rather suffered a few more days in the hospital than suffer the never-ending pain he was in present-day.

"How long has this been going on?" the doctor said as he walked quickly into Reid's room with Rossi following his footsteps.

"About 15 minutes, now." Will answered. He had also started to worry Reid- how much longer could the cycle continue?

"That's not normal, obviously." the doctor murmured. "But this is a side-effect of Dr. Reid's condition. This should stop in a few more minutes. I am sorry, but there's nothing I can do to make it less painful. " the doctor said sympathetically. The team nodded, and the doctor walked over to Reid. "I think that after this, we will be giving you some saltine crackers and water. Eat them VERY slowly, though. If we do not give you something now, though, I fear that the dry-heaving will only get worse."

"Don't worry doc, I will make sure Reid gets what he needs to." Morgan reassured softly, still rubbing his younger friend's back.

"I am 100% sure that you will- I have no doubt in that. Would you like me to leave?" the doctor asked.

"Uh, yeah, if it would be alright with you."

"Alright, that would be fine with me." With that, the doctor quietly left the room, closing the door behind him.

"Hear that Pretty Boy? It's all going to end soon- don't worry." Morgan said softly. Reid nodded slightly, although he only wish he could believe Morgan.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, Reid stopped. Morgan petted his hair soothingly. "See kid, I told you." Reid nodded, letting Morgan take the basket from him. Morgan gently wiped down Reid's mouth, and left hims lean against him- knowing he must be exhausted now. Reid's eyes closed as he let his weight be supported y Morgan. He breathed heavily for a while, which was making Reid anxious. "You better now Pretty Boy?"

"Almost....." Reid croaked out.

"Take you time- I'm not going anywhere." Morgan said.

Just then, the door opened again. Prentiss, Jack, and Hotch walked in this time. Hotch and Prentiss frowned as they saw a miserable-looking Reid leaning against Morgan.

"What happened?" Prentiss asked.

"Some one mentioned food, and it kind of upset Reid's stomach. When the doctor gave him his pill, he started to dry-vomit. He just stopped a few minutes ago." JJ explained. Garcia nodded sadly. She wanted to touch Reid, but knew that Morgan had him under control. Reid gently whimpered- he was exhausted and wanted to sleep.

"Wanna lay down now?" Morgan asked. Reid nodded. Morgan gently got up, and laid Reid's bod down on his hospital bed. "We're going to leave now, alright?" Reid nodded, his eyes already shutting.

"Bye Reid." The BAU team whispered as they got up to leave. Reid mumbled a 'good-bye', and quickly let sleep overwhelm him.......

"Come on guys! This is the perfect time to get started on Reid's Christmas!" Garcia whispered.

"She's right; when else are we going to have the chance to?" Morgan said.

"Hey Jack, you wanna go to the store with us? We're planning a surprise Christmas for Reid, but you can't tell her!" Hotch said. Jack nodded excitedly, and whispered a yes.

"Alright then, let's get started!"

".........the next chap is devoted to Xmas. :) Please R&R!"