A/N I am nearing the end at last, I did some research and realized I have almost completed my first novel. I could not have done this without my wonderful readers and especially my commentators whose reviews have inspired me to write, and improve my writing. I can not stress enough how much your reviews and Follows/ Favorites have meant to me but I would not be here now without your support.
Reid and Gideon waved as Garcia and Morgan drove off then turned and reentered the cabin. Reid sighed in relief at the cool darkness which helped his aching head. Gideon quickly went to the stove to make hot chocolate, while Reid lay down on the couch.
"How are you feeling?" Gideon asked bringing over two mugs of cocoa
"My head aches but I'm glad they're gone. I know they mean well but I can't stand being hovered over." Reid said as he slowly pushed himself up.
Gideon handed Reid a mug and the two men sipped in quiet contentment. Reid took two pain pills and lay back down.
"Is there anything you need?" Gideon asked getting to his feet and collecting the mugs.
Reid smiled slightly "A cool damp cloth and quiet."
Gideon nodded and went to the kitchen; he got out a bowel and a kitchen towel and brought them over to Reid. Reid soaked the towel in water and put it over his eyes, while Gideon went to his study to work. Two hours passed as Gideon worked on his next book and Reid rested. A clattering sound and the splash of water from the bowel broke the silence followed by Reid's voice:
"Gideon? Why are we in your in cabin? Are we on vacation? Wait didn't you leave?" Reid asked in panicked confusion.
Gideon strode over and took Reid's hand "We're in my cabin, but we're not on vacation."
Gideon waited for Reid's memory to catch up "You left." Reid said "A few years ago, I kept working, Rossi came, Elton." Reid tried to jump to his feet but Gideon put a hand on his shoulder "Hospital, then.. Where are Morgan and Garcia?" Reid asked
Gideon patted Reid on the shoulder "You got everything almost right, Morgan and Garcia left two hours ago and you are on medical leave."
Reid sighed and went to the kitchen to retrieve a towel. The two men cleaned up the spilled water then prepared dinner. Despite his earlier remark Reid was saddened by the loss of Garcia and Morgan and went to bed an hour after dinner by passing his usual star gazing. The next day late in the afternoon Gideon made up a picnic basket and went to the bedroom. He found Reid reading Animorphs a children's Science Fiction series JJ had bought for him.
"The science in these books is fascinating; I mean the whole premise is absurd but not entirely outside the realm of possibility." Reid said looking up from his book.
"You know the reason JJ bought that series was for you to enjoy them and not think about them." Gideon said
"But I can finally start thinking again and it's…" Reid's voice trailed off still finding it difficult to describe his emotions.
"So you and I are going to go on a hike and have dinner by the lake." Gideon said changing the subject.
Reid smiled and got to his feet; he put his shoes and jacket on and went over to the front door. His smiled faded as he pulled out his white blindfold and held it out to Gideon who quickly tied it around Reid's eyes. Reid put on his hat and grabbed his raven cane, while Gideon put on his own jacket and grabbed the basket. Taking Reid's arm the two men left the cabin and headed to the lake. It was a two mile walk through trees and bushes and Reid had to make frequent use of his cane.
"Jason there are easier ways to give a man brain damage." Reid spat out after his third near miss with a tree.
"I'm sorry; I'm not used to guiding people." Gideon said stopping in his tracks causing Reid to run into his back.
"That's obvious." Reid said rubbing his sore shoulder.
"It's only another half mile until the lake." Gideon said wrapping his arm around Reid's shoulder.
They made it to the lake just as the sunlight was starting to disappear and Reid eagerly removed his blindfold. Gideon laid out the food and got out a thermos of tea and a thermos of cocoa. The two men sat in companionable silence watching the sun set and then soaking in the wonder of the heavens reflected by moonlight on a clear silver mirror.
Morgan and Hotch were sitting in a hotel restaurant sipping coffee waiting for Gideon and Reid. It had been over a month since either man had seen Reid and they had only brief reports of his progress from Gideon. The two men's friendship had disappeared replaced by cool professionalism and they waited in tense silence. Morgan was the first to spot the pair and he got to his feet followed by Hotch. Gideon looked the same as always but had a gentle, patient air as he kept a careful eye on Reid. Reid though walked with confidence tanned, his eyes clear and shining once more with quiet strength, the raven cane held tight in his hands belied this picture of strength as did the hat pulled low over his brow.
"Hey sorry we're late." Gideon said shaking their hands.
"It's fine, we ordered coffee for you." Hotch said.
Reid ignored them and after putting his cane against the wall studied the menu. The waiter came by and they ordered: the three men got omelets, while Reid got oatmeal and a bowel of fruit.
"Kid are you sure you don't want something else?" Morgan asked
"I have a long day ahead of me, I want something easy yet filling." Reid said.
Hotch took over before Morgan could press Reid "So Spencer how's the new cane working out?"
"Well, really well, better then Elton's cane." Reid said lightly stroking the carved feathers on the raven's head.
"Does the sonar work?" Hotch asked
"Yes, it has saved me from many a tree." Reid said with a slight smile.
Gideon changed the conversation this time and asked about the rest of the team. Conversation flowed light and fast with Reid joining in. The food came, they ate, and then it was time to leave.
"What's the sky like?" Reid asked
Gideon looked past the screen "Bright and sunny." He said quietly meeting Reid's eyes with a compassionate look.
Reid pulled out the black blindfold given to him by Dr. Brothesil and handed it to Morgan. Morgan stood and reluctantly tied it behind Reid's head with practiced ease. Reid stood and grabbed his oak cane, when Morgan tried to take his arm; Reid jerked back and signaled for him to go ahead. Reid followed Morgan into the main dining room and stopped just outside the restaurant by the doors. Hotch and Gideon joined them and Reid grabbed Hotch's arm.
"Spencer do you want to walk to the hospital or do you want to take a car?" Gideon asked
"Walk." Reid said tugging at Hotch's arm.
The four men left the hotel and started for the hospital which was four blocks away. They were drawing to the end of the third block when Hotch started wincing. Reid increased his grip on Hotch's arm as they crossed the street and started walking down the fourth block. Gideon and Morgan could practically hear Hotch's bones grinding together and stopped in their tracks forcing Hotch and Reid who were behind them to do the same.
"Why have we stopped?" Reid demanded, with Hotch equally puzzled.
Instead of answering Gideon gently pried Reid's hand off of Hotch's arm and guided him over to a small café and sat him down at a table. Morgan went inside, while Hotch walked to the back of the table almost directly behind Reid.
"Kid you're panicking, you almost broke Aaron's arm." Gideon held up a hand when Hotch opened his mouth to deny it "Spencer I know what happened at the hospital but this is just a check up, tests, no treatments or pills or needles."
Reid drew back "Just tests, Just tests." He said his voice growing loader "It was hell" Reid's voice started shaking and he grew pale "It was hell, a black void filled with pain, and disappointment, the one bright spot always leaving, everyone leaving." Reid put his head in his hands and started rocking "I would get to see and then it was gone, I would have family and they would leave." Reid started rocking violently back and forth "I can't go back there, not to never-ending pain and darkness, I can't give up my freedom again, I can't.." Gideon quickly knelt down and enveloped Reid in a tight hug. Reid practically fell of his chair and clung tight to Gideon.
Derek came out with a fruit drink and stopped dead at Gideon and Reid. A young woman tried to push past him and Morgan got out of the way and walked over to Hotch who was standing at the end of café's dining area his eyes on the hospital, his shoulders bowed with guilt, his hands clutching Reid's cane in a death grip.
"Aaron." Morgan put a hand on Hotch's shoulder "Aaron you did what you thought was right and it worked Spencer can see, he can reason, this is because of you and Dr. Cline."
Hotch gave a slight nod and allowed Morgan to guide him back over to Reid who had calmed slightly and was sitting with his head against Gideon's shoulder. Morgan handed Reid two different pills and the juice. Reid reluctantly took the pills and the slowly got his feet refusing Morgan and Gideon's attempts to help. Morgan slipped an arm around Reid's shoulders, and Hotch handed Reid his cane. The four resumed their walk, but Reid's head fell onto Morgan's shoulder and he nestled close to him.
At the hospital Reid and Morgan were swept away for tests and Gideon and Hotch settled down to wait in a waiting room.
"Morgan is leaving." Hotch said
"I know." Gideon replied
Hotch raised an eyebrow so Gideon explained "I read the expose in the New York Times about him, the publicity, his natural abilities, this is his best chance to advance."
"You get the New York Times?" Hotch asked knowing Gideon's obsession with solitude and privacy.
"Every Sunday I drive into town for supplies and Garcia's weekly care package, along with the mail and the team's letters. I also buy all the newspapers I can find." Gideon explained "So what is Morgan going to do?"
"I don't know, there have been offers including ones to head various task forces and to run field offices."
"How would you feel about losing him?" Gideon asked
"I have two more agents now with all the additional cases we get though thankfully they're starting to slow down. I would lose a valuable agent when Morgan's gone but I think it would be best for everyone if he leaves." Hotch said
Gideon didn't disagree, he couldn't he had been gone too long to have an opinion on the team. The two men discussed old cases, old friends, then fell into silence as the hours passed.
Four hours later and a nurse led them to a private patient room where Reid was sleeping quietly curled up against Morgan who was propped up on the bed by pillows reading a book out loud.
"How is he?" Hotch asked quietly.
"Not bad" Morgan ran a hand through Reid's hair "He panicked when the head scans were taken, and almost broke my hands when Dr. Soldest examined his eyes but otherwise he was good."
"Dr. Cline and Dr. Soldest are going to go over the results with me tomorrow; can we move him to the hotel?" Hotch asked
"Yeah, I think so." Morgan said
Gideon found an orderly and a wheelchair and the four men took a cab back to the hotel. Reid woke up long enough to get to the hotel but promptly crawled under the covers as soon as they got to the room. Morgan stayed with him, while Hotch went with Gideon for a walk.
The next morning Hotch went alone to meet the two doctors and didn't come back until 2 in the afternoon.
"Well?" Morgan demanded impatiently fiddling with his beer.
Hotch looked around the deserted bar and took a drink of scotch before answering "Reid has permanent photo phobia, but thanks to Elton he has twenty- twenty vision. His brain is still recovering but he can be without his blindfold most of the time which will help. Reid will still need to live with someone and he has developed PTSD."
"Reid wants to see his mother, how soon could he make the trip?" Gideon asked
"Tomorrow, if we can figure out a quiet restful means of travel." Hotch said.
"A train?" Gideon proposed taking a sip of his whisky "I could get a sleeper car so Reid can sleep most of the way."
"That would be fine, take Morgan with you." Hotch said
"Hotch?" Morgan asked
"Go with Gideon and Reid, I want an answer on your new job when you get back." Hotch said downing the rest of his scotch and heading for the elevators to get Reid for dinner.
The doctor told Reid his mother was having a good day but Reid still approached his mom slowly scared of being hurt. "Mom?" He called timidly
"Spencer" Diana said rising to her feet.
The two fell into each other's arms and Reid finally let down all his defenses and let his mother comfort and care for him. Morgan and Gideon left the pair and walked through the grounds of the sanitarium discussing Morgan's future. The trio spent a week in Los Vegas Reid eagerly revisiting the haunts of his childhood. All too soon it was time to board the train back to Washington.
Gideon left the week after they got back for Mary and his new life, while Reid eagerly moved back into his own apartment.
"Will I wasn't expecting to see you here." Reid said seeing the group gathered outside his door.
"JJ said you needed help cleaning the place up, so I thought I'd lend a hand."
"But you got hurt because of me, you could have died." Reid said
"It's not your fault, the only one to blame is Henry Elton." Will said forcefully knowing Reid was still in the dark about the deaths Elton had caused and was keen for Reid to understand Elton was responsible for his own actions.
"It is good to see you." Reid said hugging Will briefly.
Reid's entire family spent the entire day cleaning up the apartment and putting in the changes Dr. Cline had recommend including blackout curtains in the all windows, braille lettering on the cabinets and doors in case Reid had a bad day, and setting up a recording by Reid's bed telling him where he was, his current position and where his family was in case he needed them.
Morgan left the BAU two weeks later, moving out of Reid's apartment at the same time. Dr. Cline wanted to see how Reid did on his own. If everything went well he would start work three weeks later.
A/N Yes Morgan is gone, considering the position I put him in and the tension with Hotch I thought it made sense for him to leave. Actually in the show itself I was surprised he didn't leave the BAU after a few years he was a natural leader, intelligent handsome, ambitious and driven. Reid is slowly recovering I gave readers some Gideon moments, Hotch moments, and have finally, finally started tying up story threads. Please let me know how you feel about the scene breaks, if there is anything you'd like to see or just give me some feedback. Next time Reid returns to work, the team deals with Morgan's loss, and Reid learns everything Elton did.
