Thanks for the support!
Chapter Six:
In a suburb of Salt Lake City, the clock was ticking as Reid, Rossi, J.J., and Hotch cleared each room of the house. A child had been missing for two days and an accomplice finally gave up a name and a location. Minutes later Hotch's voice came through their ears pieces. He had found the boy tied to crib in the nursery. The UNSUB, Clint Hastings, was still at large. Reid just finished clearing the attic when he heard a loud moan. Rossi was slumped against the wall clutching his chest.
Reid hurried to him.
"My chest aches," Rossi said. "It hurts like heck."
Reid undid the fastenings to his FBI vest as he laid down. "We need an EMT up hear here on the second floor stat," he said into his ear piece. "A man is having a heart attack."
Rossi grabbed his arm. "Kid, Spencer I just want you to know—"
"Save your breath Rossi, the EMTs will be here soon," Reid said desperately.
"Know that it has been a pleasure to get to know you and say, say,"
"Rossi! Rossi!" Reid shouted but he had passed out. He quickly began to perform CPR. It had to work. Rossi was going to be fine. He had to be.
The EMTs arrived and took over. J.J.'s voice buzzed through his ear to say that Hastings had been shot and killed. Reid rested his back against the wall, trying to will tears from falling down. Hotch came up and placed a hand on his arm. It was time to go.
Reid watched as Hotch rode in the ambulance with Rossi, whose heart was still just barely beating. J.J. hugged him.
"He's going to be okay Spence," she said.
"He has to be," he said.
…
Rossi was in surgery for six hours. Hotch had left to get some proper rest and Reid was in the waiting room when the doctor came in. He introduced himself as Dr. John Williams.
"He's going to live," he said.
Reid fought every urge not to break down into tears.
"What's his condition?"
"Critical, but stable," he said. "His heart stopped twice while on the operating table for intervals thirty-one and sixty-eight seconds. Were you the one who was performing CPR when the EMTs arrived?"
He nodded.
"You probably saved his life then. He was also lucky that this attack showed symptoms."
"I know," Reid said. "Some people are known in some cases to mistake it as heartburn. When can I see him?"
"You can go up to his room now, but just know that he'll be out of it at least another five hours so I'd suggest getting some rest."
Reid first called Hotch to tell him the good news.
"Go back to the hotel room, Reid. I'll come in. David will be there when you wake up."
Then he called Jane.
"Hey, why aren't you home yet? I saw the news." she said. "I have been experimenting with how to make your favorite meal and I think I succeeded finally."
"Rossi had a heart attack while on the case," he said.
"Oh no, is he going to be alright?"
"They think so."
"That's good to hear. Come home when you're ready."
Reid thought for a second. "Wait, you hate Indian food."
"I thought solving this case warranted a celebration."
"You can't lie to a profiler Jane," he said.
"We agreed you couldn't profile me."
"But you are hiding something," he countered.
"Go get some rest Spencer and we'll discuss it when you come home."
"I love you," he said.
"I love you too Spencer."
…
After approximately four hours of sleep he found Garcia waiting with J.J. She shook his head.
"He still hasn't woken up. Hotch went to get some coffee," she said.
"Poor Rossi," Garcia said. "He always claimed to be as healthy as horse and now this."
"Heart attacks have a variety of different causes," Reid said. "Sometimes is just genetic disposition."
Garcia rushed over and hugged him. "It is so good to hear you talk like a human encyclopedia in times like this."
"He's going to be fine, Garcia," he said.
"Yes I am," Rossi said.
They all turned their attention to him. Garcia let go of him and rushed to his side.
"I'm so glad you're going to be okay Rossi," she said.
Rossi caught his eye. "Hey kid come here."
"I must look like crap to you," he said.
"You look like you've been in surgery for several hours," Reid said.
"I trust you to honest with me," he said hoarsely. "Listen Spencer I remember where I was when I was trying to tell you something and here it is. Spencer I care about you as though you were my own son. I also so very proud of you."
Tears leaked down Reid's face. "Thank you Rossi. I didn't know what to think when Gideon left but over these past several years you've become a new mentor to me. One that I knew wouldn't abandon me."
"I'll always be there for you kid," he said, "even from the grave."
"Which will not be happening any time soon," Hotch said from the doorway.
"You better believe it Aaron."
…
A day later Rossi threatened to call security if they didn't leave him and go back to their own families. Joy had arrived and was now looking after him so the team felt moderately comfortable leaving him.
Jane was waiting for them in the bullpen. Reid went over to her.
"You're pregnant aren't you?"
"You're always right," she said.
J.J. and Garcia cheered as Reid hugged her.
"By the way I threw out your Indian meal," she said. "It was making me nauseous."
"Why would I care about food when I have you and the baby?"
"I have no idea."
"I call dibs on hosting the shower," Garcia said.
They laughed as Hotch watched from above. Reid made eye contact with him. There were going to be many changes in his future.