When he sat down at his desk, he set down his satchel and adjusted his sling. As if the baby wasn't going to be enough to get used to – he was also going to have the sling for the next two months.

JJ walked over to his desk, setting down his cup of tea. "Well, Hotch won't be in for another half hour… you going to be okay out here alone? Or do you want to sit in my office?"

He contemplated it for a minute, but then decided that hiding in her office would only make people talk about him more. "I'll be fine out here. I'll come and let you know when my meeting's over so I can get home."

"I'll do my best to try to limit Garcia's online shopping for the baby, but I make no promises."

"All I ask," he said, sipping his tea, "go on to your office. I'll be fine."


Not long after JJ left, Morgan came in. Spencer immediately prepared himself for the worst, knowing that he had probably spent the night thinking of jabs and jokes to throw at him. He sat up in his chair, setting his cup down and waiting for it to come.

"Hey, Reid. Feeling okay?" he asked.

Spencer looked up. "What, no witty nickname? No jabs? No comments about me?"

"I've got nothin'. Just worried about you is all."

"…Why?"

"Why? Do you not see your arm right now? You were shot three days ago. I can't find an insult for someone who takes a bullet and fights to come to work as soon as he can. And on top of that, having a kid on your own? That takes guts. The other guy's an idiot not to be following up on a night with you and he's really missing out."

For the first time in a long time, Reid was speechless. He didn't have anything to say or any facts to blurt out about the situation.

"How long are you out, anyway?"

"I'm not sure yet. I'm meeting with Hotch after he gets here to figure it all out. And it all depends on whatever Strauss tells him, which could be extremely problematic, considering."

"Good luck."

"I'll need it."


When Hotch came in, he walked right over to Spencer's desk. "Meet me in my office in 10," was all he said, before heading up the stairs to his office and closing the door. Spencer nodded and tried to hide the fact that he was panicking worse than ever on the inside.

Prentiss walked up behind him, rubbing his good shoulder. "You're going to be fine. We all know Hotch has a soft spot for you."

"Let's hope so," he said, getting up from his chair.


He checked his watch, made it up the stairs, and decided he'd rather wait outside his office than run late. Once the ten minutes were up, he knocked on the door.

"Come on in, Reid."

He took a deep breath, let it out, and walked into his office.

"Have a seat," he said, not looking up from his paperwork. Chewing on his lip, he sat down on Hotch's couch. It felt like forever before Hotch closed his folder and looked up at him, but judging by his watch, it only took about 46 seconds.

"How's the shoulder? And the head?"

He sighed. "Doctor says a two month recovery, if I'm lucky and there aren't any complications. As for the head, the concussion hasn't gotten any worse, but the stitches are getting caught on everything. Those will be out in about three weeks."

He nodded, writing on his notepad. "What about the baby?"

It felt odd, having someone ask him about the baby that wasn't Garcia or JJ. "The doctor did multiple screenings over the two days and says there aren't any problems as of right now. I bumped up my appointment with my own doctor, so I'll be hearing an opinion from her in a couple of days."

Again, Hotch was taking notes. "I talked to Chief Strauss about your situation and she agreed with your decision."

"Come again?"

"The one where you decided that you should stay at the station as long as you can travel, with Garcia when you're no longer allowed before your leave, and sticking to desk jobs after the baby comes. At your next appointment, I'd like you to get a note from your doctor that you're cleared for travel, and a copy of your records, in case we run into an issue."

"When will I be able to come back to work?" he spat out.

"The doctor said to stay out for 2-3 weeks due to the concussion and shoulder injury, so I'm going by your doctor's orders. If you need more than that for leave, I want you to tell me. I know you're not used to having to ask for help, but in your current condition, it's expected. I don't want you coming back before you're ready and running into any issues. Am I clear?"

He wanted to argue, but realized how lucky he was to still have his job, so he nodded, resting a hand on his stomach.

"Anything else you'd wish to discuss?"

He shook his head. "Can't think of anything."

"Alright then. I don't want to see you again in this office and at your desk working for two weeks. Take care of yourself, Reid."

"No problem, sir," he said, getting up. "I just need to stop by Garcia's office to grab my things, and then I'll have JJ take me back to her place."

"Her place?"

"Uh, yeah… she sort of insisted on taking care of me for a few days while I get used to the injuries, so she can be sure I'll be okay on my own for a few weeks."

Hotch nodded. "Wise decision."

"Thank you, sir," Reid said, giving a slight wave and walking out.


He walked over to Garcia's office and knocked.

"It's open," she called. He heard the distinct sound of shopping bags and internally groaned, walking in.

She smiled. "Hey, 187. How'd it go?"

"As expected. I'm out the 2-3 weeks the doctor recommended, and after that, I'm grounded to either the police stations or working with you, if you'll have me."

"Of course I will!"

He smiled slightly. "Should I be scared of what's in the bags?"

"It's a surprise. You'll find out eventually."

"I really don't like surprises."

"Well, you're going to have to get over that."

He groaned. "JJ said you had my stuff?"

"I already put it out in the car. I'm not going to let you lug that stuff around. What kind of auntie would I be if I put that strain on the little genius?"

"Listen, about the baby..."

"Oh, honey, don't tell me you're having second thoughts."

"What? Of course not. I'd never do that."

"Then continue."

"I have the ultrasound the day after tomorrow for finding out the gender, and it's not really something I want to do alone. JJ offered to come, but if she's on a case, I have nobody to go with, so I guess I was just sort of wondering-"

"I'd love to," she said, shushing him.

"Thanks, Garcia."

"Any time. Now, get yourself back to the house so you and the little one can rest up."

He nodded, walking out to his desk.


"How'd it go, Pretty Boy?"

"Well, that didn't take long."

"Old habits die hard," he said with a shrug.

"The doctor recommended I stay out for two weeks, so that's what Hotch is making me take. Luckily since it was a work-related injury, I'm still getting paid. I'll be back after the two weeks and I'll either be working at the police station where we're called or working alongside Garcia."

"She must be thrilled."

"Trust me, she is. And on top of that, she's freaking out that she's possibly going to my appointment with me."

"Not surprising."

He reached for his satchel and put it on his shoulder.

"Need any help?"

He shook his head. "I've got it, thanks."

"Listen, Reid, if you need anything, you know, this whole time, let me know."

He smiled slightly. "Thanks, Morgan. Might call you on that when it comes to assembling things: cribs, changing tables, rocking chairs… are you aware of how many things need to be built for a child?"

"Oh, I'm sure plenty."

JJ walked over. "Ready to go, Spence?"

"Ready to get out of here? Yes. Ready to spend the next two weeks going insane resting? Definitely not."

"You get used to it," she said, putting a hand on his back and leading him out.