"All I'm saying is that in Modern Who, I think the transition from the 9th Doctor to the 10th Doctor was one of the hardest transitions because they're versions of the Doctor were so different." Garcia argued.
"But the transition from the 11th Doctor to the 12th Doctor meant going from the youngest actor who's ever played the Doctor to one of the oldest actors we've had in a while." Reid fired back. He had a small bandage on his right temple, but it was determined he didn't have a concussion, and he didn't need stitches.
Joey smiled as she sat back and watched her two friends argue over her bed. After Pearce's body had been taken from the parking lot, JJ had found a wheelchair, which Joey was thankful for because her body was wearing out fast. After the nurses had restitched her abdomen and had given her a once-over check up, Joey was able to sleep for a couple more hours. Her dreams were full with images of Pearce and the feeling of his hands grabbing Joey and pulling her in every direction, so once she woke, she was grateful for the presence of Garcia, who quickly beckoned Reid in.
"You're just saying that because you favor the young Doctor over the others." Garcia huffed. Reid grinned and playfully threw a Dalek figurine at her.
The three agents suddenly looked up as the door to Joey's room opened and Hotch entered. "Ryan," Hotch said softly, nodding in greeting. "How are you feeling?"
"Better." Joey answered truthfully. "Not 100 percent, but better." She felt sore all over, and she would occasionally be overcome by great fits of coughing, but she was thinking more clearly and she could stay awake for longer.
Hotch approached, stopping at the end of her bed. "Your father arrived at the Bureau a few minutes ago. He'll be waiting for you when we transfer you to the Quantico hospital later tonight." They had agreed Joey needed at least one more night of observation before being released, but it would be easier for her, and the team, if she was taken back to Quantico. Afterwards, she would go through weeks of meetings with Anderson for a psychological evaluation followed by months of physical therapy before she would be ready for field work again.
"Thank you so much." Joey replied earnestly. Hotch put his hands in his pocket hesitantly, casting glances at Reid and Garcia. "It's okay." Joey said, reading Hotch's mind. "They can be here for whatever you tell me."
Hotch paused before nodding. "Prentiss recovered the…files you were worried about from Pearce's office. Both hard and digital copies." Joey nodded. Garcia and Reid exchanged perplexed looks, but had the grace not to say anything.
Hotch looked uncomfortable about the other news he came to deliver. "About your brother…" Joey felt her breath catch. "We reached out to the CIA, and Prentiss checked in with Interpol. Your eldest brother was killed two years ago in a raid in Pakistan. He was…a part of a team of suicide bombers that went after several universities in major cities. To be safe, we also checked in on your other brother. The CIA wasn't certain, but they believe he, too, is dead as his team was attacked by our men nine months ago in an extraction mission. They don't believe there were any Iraqi survivors." He paused, tentatively looking at Joey, who nodded once, her eyes distant. "I'm sorry." Just then, his phone rang and he quietly excused himself.
As the door shut behind their team leader, Garcia and Reid exchanged nervous looks before glancing at Joey.
"Joey?" Reid asked nervously. "Are you okay?"
Joey nodded slowly, still processing the news Hotch had delivered. "Yah," She answered truthfully. "Yah, I am."
"But your brothers," Garcia grabbed Joey's hand and gave it a squeeze. "They were still your family. You've lost so many loved ones."
"I know," Joey returned the squeeze to Garcia's manicured hand. "But it's okay." She glanced out the window of her room. JJ and Morgan were walking up the hall, coffee in hand. Morgan playfully punched JJ's shoulder, teasing her about something as JJ begrudgingly laughed. Prentiss was just outside the room, talking to Hotch. She threw her head back in laughter and Joey thought she saw a ghost of a smile pass Hotch's lips.
She turned back to her two companions on either side of her, reaching out for Reid's hand, who surprisingly grabbed it. Joey squeezed both their hands and smiled. "You're my family now. And if that's good with you, that's good enough for me." Garcia gave her a watery smile and wiped away a tear. Joey released them and grabbed the Dalek from Garcia's lap. "Now, as much as I hate to admit the boy genius is right, I think he has a point about the 11th and 12th Doctors."
Garcia's mouth dropped open in indignation as Reid roared with laughter. Joey smiled, the first genuine smile she'd had in a long time, and though she knew the months of recovery ahead of her, both mental and physical, would be long, she knew she would be okay. She had her family, and she knew they would be with her every step of the way. She was content at last.
A/N: There you have it! Thank you so so much to everyone who has stuck with this story from beginning to end (and thank you to those who continue to read even though this is complete). Again, I apologize for the strange, long absence. I hope it didn't throw you from the story too much. Lovely readers, you have made this experience so enjoyable, and I hope you have enjoyed my very first CM Fic! Stay amazing, dear ones, and I hope to see you here again soon!