The seizure lasted for a minute and when Reid came back he had a hard time remembering what had happened. "Sir, I'm a firefighter and I'm here to get you out." Reid didn't reply; he was still too dazed. The firefighter quickly cut the seat belt and caught the young man in his arms.
Reid could feel himself being put on a stretcher and moved to the waiting ambulance; he looked at his rescuer. "I want my dad." Then he succumbed to the same unconsciousness that had already claimed him twice.
---- FLASHBACK ----
The cops that had come upon the scene had called the paramedics and Reid soon found himself in the hospital. The cops were questioning him but Reid refused to talk. "Son, you're in a lot of trouble; I suggest you talk to me."
"I want my dad; his name is Mac Taylor…Detective Mac Taylor." The cop's eyes went wide. He knew who Mac was and didn't really want to have to explain to him. "Please, can you just call my dad?" The cop nodded and pulled out his phone.
"Hey Danny, its James…listen, I have a kid here who says his dad is Mac Taylor…uh-huh…" The cop walked away and Reid lay back down and closed his eyes. When the cop came back Reid still didn't acknowledge him; he knew he was in trouble…'why did I want Mac to come here?'
---- END FLASHBACK ----
"Welcome back kid." Reid opened his eyes and looked at the paramedic who was smiling down at him. "You gave us a scare there; try to stay awake alright?" Reid mouthed the word 'tired'. "I know; is there anyone we can call?"
"My dad...Mac Taylor...d-detective..." Reid closed his eyes briefly trying to gather more strength but something just felt wrong. "I need my dad...tell him. I...no...Drink..." Reid's eyes rolled back and the paramedic yelled his name. He could only watch as the kid's heart machine started to flat line. "We're losing him!"
The ambulance seemed to go faster and the paramedic in back relayed the info he'd gotten from Reid to the cops. It only took them a few minutes to find Mac.
Mac was home waiting for Reid; he sighed...'he promised not to be late.' Mac swallowed his frustration knowing that what ever the reason it would be a good one; he trusted his son. When the phone ran he couldn't help but smile thinking that it was probably Reid saying he was going to be late. "Hello..."
"Uh...Detective Taylor? This is Officer Jeff Stevens...Do you have a son named Reid?" Mac could feel dread pouring into his body and in that second was transported back in time…
---- FLASHBACK ----
Night had come and the 'office' was unusually quiet. Mac closed his eyes and drank in the peace. 'Such a great day.' Of course he should have remembered the adage about speaking too soon. The knock on the door drew him away from his reverie. "Come in Danny."
Danny Messer, the man you had helped Mac and Reid become close, stood in front of Mac's desk looking more then slightly uncomfortable. "Uh, boss...I got this friend in the one oh third...he uh...was called out to a party and there was some underage drinking going on. Some of the kids managed to get away and he went after this car...a stingray I think he said and the car spun out of control..."
Mac sat up straighter and motioned for the younger CSI to sit. "Take a deep breathe and just tell me what's going on."
Danny nodded and took the ordered deep breathe. "The kids are fine but the driver and passenger are getting some stitches. Mac...the driver was drunk. The cops have no choice but to charge him with DUI." Mac stared back at Danny with a look of 'you're telling me this why'? "Boss, the driver...w-was Reid."
Mac shot out of his seat. "What did you just say?"
Danny wanted to bolt but knew he couldn't. "I'll drive you down; they took the kids to the NYU hospital." Mac grabbed his coat and together the two CSI's ran down to the parking garage. The drive was intense; more intense then anything either had experienced. When they got the hospital Danny let Mac go in alone.
---- END FLASHBACK ----
"Detective Taylor, are you there?"
"Yeah, I'm here…what happened?"
"From what we could tell the car missed a curve…it flipped over multiple times; the paramedics are taking Reid to the NYU hospital. Your son asked us to tell you that he…he wasn't drinking."
Mac couldn't help but laugh at that. He of course understood the reasoning behind Reid's weird message. "Thank you officer, I'll meet him there." Mac hung up and quickly got into his car. As he pulled up into the hospital he made only one call.
Danny Messer came tearing into the hospital waiting room. "Mac…is he ok?" Mac looked at the younger CSI and smiled. Danny's hair, normally impeccable, was disarrayed; his glasses were crooked, and his jacket was buttoned wrong.
"They haven't brought him in yet. We just have to sit and wait; should be here soon." The two men sat side by side…each lost in their own thoughts. Danny closed his eyes and sat saying a silent prayer…"Dear god, please protect the boy…I love him as a brother and I can't…please, just keep him safe."
"We have Caucasian male, age 26…flat lined in route…we got him back…vitals are…"
The rush of doctors, nurses, and medics was dizzying. Mac rushed off to talk to the medic, wanting…no needing to know what happened. Danny rushed to by Reid's side as the doctors began to evaluate him. He took the younger man's hand in his own, tears springing to his eyes…'what did you do kid'?
---- FLASHBACK ----
The three men had driven in silence back to Mac's apartment. No words were spoken as the two older men carried the youngest into the apartment. Danny looked at Mac and felt his heart break; Mac looked close to collapsing. "Go to bed Mac…I'll look after him." Mac nodded, to exhausted to argue.
In bed, sleeping, Reid looked much younger then his nineteen years…Danny sat at the desk, never allowing his eyes to waiver. It was early morning when Reid awoke with a moan. "Does your head hurt from the stitches or the hang over?"
Reid gave Danny a dry grin, "Both." He looked around the room and couldn't help the tears that came to his eyes. "Danny…where's Mac?" Danny was more then surprised to see the tears but like Mac he understood exactly what the young man was thinking.
"You scared him Reid; his adrenaline crashed so I told him to sleep and I stayed with you. I wouldn't wish him in here too soon kid…you're in for it big time." Reid frowned and looked at the door before lying back down. 'Yup, Danny's right…for once.'
---- END FLASHBACK ---
Danny looked over at his boss; he could see the unshed tears in his eyes. The doctors had rushed his son into emergency surgery…there were no promises to save his life…only reassurances that they'd "try their best." Without thinking and without shame Danny put his hand into Mac's and squeezed; Mac squeezed back and the two sat there…waiting.
"Mr. Taylor?" Mac let go of Danny and stood up; it had been six hours since he'd last seen his son. "Reid lost a lot of blood, we had to remove his spleen but he should make it. The next twenty four hours will tell us." Mac allowed his tears to flow.
"When can I see him?"
"He'll be in recovery for another hour then we'll move him to the ICU; you can see him then." Mac thanked the doctor before sitting and allowing his tears to fall. Danny sat beside him and said nothing knowing that Mac just needed some time.
By the time the nurse led them back they were both edgy; the adrenaline which had sustained them was leaving. "You should try to talk to him; it would be good if he could wake up, if even for a couple minutes."
The two men nodded. "Reid, it's dad…can you open your eyes for me son? Come on baby, open your eyes for me."
"Dad…" There was no hiding the grin on Mac's face. Danny stayed in the back and could feel the tears falling down his own face. "…no…mad…me…I…sorry…" A sob escaped from Reid as he fall back to sleep.