This chapter contains spanking! If you don't like please skip or stop reading!

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Mac sat by Reid's side, talking to him every so often; he hadn't understood what Reid was trying to say so he waited. "Come on kid, you promised to be home for supper, at this rate you're gonna be weeks late. Reid…just open your eyes for me." It was another couple hours before Danny got him to sleep.

"Hey Reid, it's Danny; look boy, your dad is a mess. Wake up and annoy him already, ok?" When he got no response he sat and took hold of the boy's hand. "It's ok Reid; me and your dad will wait." And wait they did…for another two days.

"Dad…"

"Hi, baby…I'm glad you're awake."

"Are you mad at me…?" Reid looked at his father; fear written in his eyes.

"Why would I be mad at you Reid; it wasn't your fault son." Mac looked back at his son; confusion etched on his face. Mac was momentarily glad that he'd sent Danny home.

"I wasn't paying attention…forgot curve…"

"I think you paid for that mistake don't you?" Mac kissed Reid's forehead.

"I paid last time too…" A look of confusion etched on his face. Mac smiled at his son and shook his head.

"The stitches stopped me from tanning you bare for the entire thing." Reid frowned at that.

"You mean, it could have…been…worse?" Reid grinned at his dad causing Mac to ruffle his hair and grin back.

"Go to sleep baby; I'll be here when you wake up." Reid closed his eyes and fell into a dreamful state.

---- FLASHBACK ----

Danny had definitely been right about not wanting Mac to come too soon. It was late afternoon before Mac came into the room feeling more in control of his feelings. "Thank you for taking of Reid, Danny. I think him and I need to talk though; why don't you go home and rest, shower, and then come back later." Danny gave Reid a hug and quickly left.

"I don't know what to say Reid. Didn't we just talk about this? Whose car were you driving and why?"

"It was John's…I wanted to test it out."

"Look at me…why?"

"I saved some money; pop, he was willing to sell the car to me for five thousand dollars; that's steal. Then we went to Mark's to study for the exam but they decided to have a party. I only had two beers I swear. We were taking off before the cops came but we hit gravel and spun out of control…you know the rest."

"Come here Reid." Mac pointed to a spot on his right side. Slowly his son obeyed. With no hesitation, Mac pulled him gently across his lap. "We talked about this before…I hope we never have to talk about it again." In one quick motion Mac had Reid's night pants and boxer to his knees. There was no hesitation as he brought his hand to meet the boy's backside.

swat, swat Reid let out a yelp; Mac had never started spanking him so hard before. swat, swat Tears started streaming down his face. He couldn't help but let out little signs of distress as Mac continued to spank him. swat, swat "D-dad!" swat, swat "Please…no more!" swat, swat "Ah!"

Mac looked down; Reid's backside was red. "You will not drink and you will NEVER drink and drive. Had you listened to the rules we wouldn't be here and had we not already discussed this particular subject we would be done." With that Mac pulled Reid's boxers back up and picked up the wooden brush Reid hadn't seen. In his lap, Reid stiffened, 'oh no…I forgot…he said…' Panic started to sit in.

"Please, pop…I won't do it again…pl-please." Mac froze his heart to the pleading; he could sense the panic in the boy. Not wanting to further distress him he quickly raised the brush and swatted him 10 times. Reid let out yells with each and after the sixth one went limp and sobbed. Mac rubbed the boys back until he quieted down and then righted him and his clothing before sitting him on his lap.

"I've got you Reid; it's gonna be ok."

"I'm sorry pop…I won't do it again, I swear…"

"I know baby; it's ok."

---- END FLASHBACK ----

Mac and Reid both woke up at the same time and stared at one another. "How are you doing baby?" Mac got up and sat on the bed; he needed to be close to his son.

"I'm ok dad…when can I go home?" Reid looked around; he felt more alert.

"Another week if you behave yourself. Are you sure you're ok?"

Reid nodded but couldn't look his dad in the eyes. He'd told Mac he missed the curve…'I swore I'd never lie to him…' Of course, telling Mac the truth wasn't an option; he knew that the fact that he was 26 would mean nothing to his dad. With that thought in mind he looked up.

"I was just thinking…I hate hospitals…please can I get out sooner?"

"Not until the doctors say you can. Try this: You should have been paying attention to the road so you're grounded for two weeks; the first week you'll stay here and the second week you'll stay with me. Does that make better?"

"No but it'll have to do. Am I really in trouble?"

"You are until you're done recuperating son." Mac smiled at the boy before turning his attention to Danny who'd just walked in.

"Good afternoon Taylor's; go ahead and go Mac, I'll baby-sit the kid." Reid glared at the comment but said nothing. Mac hugged him and father and son said good bye. "Sleep while you can kid." Reid looked at him confused but still didn't say anything; truth be told he was pretty tired.