A/N: Hello, dears. In this chapter, Hotch tells Morgan to get things back to normal around the office; Garcia comes to his aid. And, this is the next to last chapter, I do believe... Love to you all!

Seds

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The next two weeks were almost unendurable for Morgan. Every day at work, he faced the pain of Reid's utter disengagement from him with as much professionalism as he could muster. But, alone at home, the desolation of being without his love came crashing down inside his mind, leaving him feeling raw and bereft.

He tried again and again to talk with Reid. He'd call him on his cell and on his land line; send him text messages and emails. He'd go to Reid's apartment after work and knock and call to him, but Reid wouldn't even open the door.

One afternoon, Morgan saw Reid leave the office early. When he came home, he found that all of Reid's things were gone from his house, and that his spare key had been left on the kitchen counter. He immediately called Reid's number; there was no answer.

The only thing that gave him any peace was the vague hope that, when the torn edges of the wound from his betrayal eventually healed, Reid might then be willing to give him another chance.

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Reid wasn't the only source of unrest for Morgan during his workday life. Things had been slow at the BAU--no cases came up requiring travel outside the area--and Garcia had had plenty of time to observe and speculate about her favorite agent. She could see that something was wrong and began to pester him to talk to her about whatever it was that was bothering him. After two weeks, he was beginning to run out of excuses for his hang-dog appearance.

And, in some sort of heartless karmic overkill, Morgan had to put up with Jordan giving him a death glare every time she passed him in the hallway or sat across from him in a meeting. Gestures which were not lost on Garcia--or anyone else.

By the third week, Hotch couldn't overlook the tension anymore. He called Morgan into his office. Morgan glanced at his boss's implacable face, trying to judge what was going on.

"You wanted to see me?"

"Yes. Please, have a seat." They both sat down. Hotch folded his hands on his desk and pinpointed him with a narrow look. "Morgan. I think you know that I do my best to avoid becoming enmeshed with my team's personal lives. All things considered, I'd rather not know. But, I can't help but notice that things have become strained around here lately, and that it all seems to be centered around you."

"Hotch, I honestly don't know what you're talking about. Everything's fine, and I--"

The supervisor stared without blinking until Morgan shut up. "I think you know exactly what I'm talking about. Agent Todd can barely stand to be in the same room with you. She and Garcia are clearly at each other's throats. Reid's acting like... I don't know what he's acting like, I've never seen him behave this way before. One day I walked into the break room and Emily had her arms around him--I think he was crying. I hate to think that he's taken to using drugs again, but--"

"He's not. I know him, he's staying clean."

"Well, thank God for that. But, obviously, something's wrong. I don't want to know what it is, but I want you to fix it."

"Fix it?"

"Fix it. Apologize. Make amends. Offer reparations. Pay up. Confess, plead for clemency, get down on your knees and grovel, do whatever the hell it is that you have to do. But, I want this team back to normal by this time tomorrow afternoon, do you understand?"

"Well, I--"

"And, I don't want to see any more of my agents crying."

"I--yes, sir."

"All right, then. Thank you."

Morgan didn't reply, just left and headed for Garcia's office. He made a perfunctory tap on her already open door and stepped in. Garcia smiled.

"Hello, hot stuff. What can I do for you today? I'm running a special--miracles performed, twenty-percent off."

Morgan took a seat across from her and fixed a depressed stare in her direction.

"You're not far off, baby girl. A miracle is exactly what I need."

Garcia nodded knowingly. "What's wrong, Derek?" she asked gently.

"It's... complicated."

"Is this about you and Agent Todd?"

Morgan took a deep breath. "Kind of."

Garcia gave him a look of distaste. "She's such a witch with a 'b'."

"What makes you say that?"

"Personal experience. For instance, one day, I was minding my own business, talking about your abs, and I--"

Morgan blinked. "Wait--my abs?"

"Yes, about how amazingly god-like they are and how incredible they look in a skin-tight t-shirt."

"Garcia--"

"Anyway, she told me I was an idiot! Can you believe that?"

"Uh--well, why do you think she said that?"

"She said you were a manipulative son-of-a-gun that likes to play with women's heads for your own sick enjoyment. I told her she was, well, I won't go into what I said, but suffice to say, my guns were smokin' by the time I was done with her. Now, she won't talk to me, which suits me just fine."

"Oh, Penelope. God, I wish you hadn't of done that..."

"Why?"

"Because she's right."

"Huh? Oh, come on, Derek--so you flirt a little, so what? That's just your personality. If she can't tell the difference between that and actual manipulation, she's the idiot."

Morgan shook his head. "Except when I let things get out of hand and go too far."

Garcia cocked her head and narrowed her eyes. "What are you talking about?"

"We were in Oklahoma. I... got drunk. Real drunk. I don't remember a damn thing, but somehow--I ended up in bed with her."

Garcia's eyes widened in genuine horror. "Oh, Derek--no! Ugh, you wouldn't! I mean--how could you? That woman's coochie must be like the fourth pit of hell--"

"Penelope, please! Anyway, we didn't do... that."

"Ok--what did you do?"

"Nothing! Uh, well, not nothing, exactly, but... I mean, she was--look, never mind, it was all a huge mistake, and I just can't figure out how it all happened. But, one thing's for sure--I really pissed her off when I kicked her out."

"Oh! You kicked her out? Well, of course you did my dear, dear love--"

"I didn't ask her up there, Garcia! I know I didn't. But, somehow, she got in my room, got in bed with me, I woke up and kicked her out, and now she won't talk to me, either. I need to try to find out exactly what happened, but she won't even be in the same room with me, except for meetings."

"Oh, what do you care? JJ'll be back soon, Todd'll leave, and it won't make any difference anyway."

"It's not that simple." Morgan shifted uncomfortably in his chair and leaned forward. "Baby girl, there's something I got to tell you. It's about me and... Reid."

Garcia suddenly stood up and dragged her chair over to face Morgan. She, too, leaned forward and stared intently into his eyes. "What about you and Reid?"

Morgan looked down at the floor for a moment, then raised troubled eyes to hers. "We've been... seeing each other. You know--romantically."

Garcia opened her mouth, then looked as if she were going to squeal. Then, she squealed. "I knew it! I knew it, I knew it, I knew it! Ha! Oh, that JJ thinks she's so smart, but I knew! I have a sense about these things and I could just tell--the way you two look at each other, those little glances in the meetings, oh, man--"

Morgan grinned a little. "Can't fool you, can I, baby girl?"

"Oh--well, I didn't really know. I just saw you two sort of smiling at each other one day and I started fantasizing."

"Fantasizing?"

"Yeah, you know--you in leather chaps with a bullwhip, Reid in furry purple handcuffs, whipped cream, stuff like that."

Morgan stared, bewildered. "Bullwhip? Whipped cream?"

"Yeah, that's my favorite daydream where you two are concerned, but there was that one really slow day when practically nothing was happening, and I got to thinking about peanut butter..."

"Oh, God..."

"But, now I know I wasn't just making things up! Oh, wow, this is the best... But--wait a minute." Garcia's gleeful expression morphed into one of concern. "Oh... Oh, Derek. Are you saying that Reid knows--that something happened between you and what's-her-name?"

Morgan nodded sadly. "He saw us."

"Shit."

"Yeah. My only hope is to figure out what really happened that night so I can explain it to him, and the only person who can help me do that is Jordan--and she won't talk to me. What am I going to do?"

Garcia sat back and pondered for a moment. Then, she brightened. "Are you willing to be honest with her--about you and Reid, I mean?"

"I guess so. It would help explain to her why I behaved the way I did. I'm sick of all this deception anyway. But, I can't speak for Reid."

"If I can guarantee that she won't tell anyone anything, will you tell her the truth?"

"I... yeah, I will. But, how can you--"

"Sweetie-kins, I just have one question."

"Shoot."

"Do you and Spencer love each other?"

Morgan glanced down at his hands. "We did. He kind of hates me, now. But--I still love him. And, I'd do anything to get him back."

"Ok. Give me fifteen minutes." Garcia rose and headed out the door.

"Hey! Where're you going?"

"Can't talk--miracle to perform!" She bounced out of the room and Derek saw that she was headed to Jordan's office. He groaned and stared up at the ceiling.

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Garcia opened Jordan's office door and stalked inside. The dark-haired agent looked up at her disgustedly. "You ever hear of knocking?"

"No time. There's a situation, and--you have to help make it right."

"What are you talking about?"

"Morgan told me about what happened between the two of you."

For a moment, Jordan looked flustered. Then, she regained her composure and stated, "I have no idea what you mean."

"Oh, give it up. You somehow managed to snooker that poor man into letting you into his hotel room. Now, I know you and I have had some... unpleasant moments recently. But, I can tell you one thing--I don't think that you're the kind of person who would purposely ruin someone's life. Are you?"

"Of course not! Ruin someone's life? What do you mean?"

"If Derek could give you an explanation for the reason behind his behavior toward you--would you keep it confidential?"

Jordan made a dismissive noise. "I don't need an explanation. It's very obvious--Morgan's an ass."

"No, he's not. He's a kind, wonderful man who would do anything to help his friends and family. But, he made a mistake. He screwed up and gave you the wrong idea, but there's a reason he acted that way. He's willing to talk to you about it, but I have to be sure he can trust you not to discuss it with anyone else."

"I'm an FBI agent, Garcia. I'll keep his confidence. If it would explain why he turned me away..." Jordan suddenly looked sad. "...of course, I'll speak with him," she said softly.

Garcia nodded. "I think everything will make a lot more sense after you two talk."

"That would be nice."

"I'll tell him to come see you."

"All right."

"And, I really appreciate your cooperation. However, just keep in mind--if you slip up, I have access to your old department's candid Christmas party photos. You do not want to see what I can do with Photoshop."

"Uh... right. Don't worry, I won't say anything." Feeling both disturbed and intrigued, Jordan leaned back in her desk chair and waited for Morgan to appear at her door.

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Morgan knocked and heard Jordan say, "Come in." He let himself in and stood awkwardly in front of her desk.

"Uh--can we talk?"

Jordan nodded and gestured to a chair. Morgan sat down and took a deep breath. "About what happened in Oklahoma--I want to apologize. I made a huge mistake, leading you on the way I did. I don't have an excuse, but I just wanted you to know--I don't usually let a little harmless flirting get so out of hand."

"Flirting. You made me think... you made me think you wanted me." Jordan meant to sound firm and business-like, but she couldn't keep the hurt tone out of her voice.

Morgan nodded. "I know. I'm so sorry. I just... I'd been drinking, and I was distracted. See, I--I haven't been honest with you--with anyone--about myself. The fact is--I'm gay."

Jordan's jaw dropped. "Gay?"

"Yeah. And, that night--when I realized someone was in the bed with me--I thought--I thought it was... my boyfriend." He raised his hands apologetically.

Jordan's eyes widened and her eyebrows shot up to her hairline.

"Boyfriend?"

Morgan nodded. "Yeah. I'm so sorry that I wasn't up front with you, Jordan. I was flirting because--I have this idea that I need to keep my 'stud' image going in front of the team. It's stupid, but I just haven't been ready to deal with coming out to them. Especially since it's not just me that would be affected."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm seeing someone on the team."

Jordan glanced out the window, trying to grasp the meaning of the whole conversation. She looked back at him, utterly bewildered. "Who?"

"Reid."

"Oh, my God." She thought back to that night and Morgan's muffled, "Oh, Spencer." Now, it made sense. "Wow, Morgan. I had no idea. Why didn't you tell me! You should have let me know you were just putting me on--or, at least, not acted like you wanted to get into my pants!"

"I know, I know. I was an asshole to use you like that. I guess I just got carried away. That day was so awful. It's no excuse, I'm just saying that... I wasn't thinking clearly, for a lot of reasons. Anyway, I really am sorry I got you into something that I wasn't looking for. And, I wish I hadn't reacted so badly when I realized it was you in my bed. But, I was so surprised--I just didn't remember you coming up with me, I didn't remember asking you to... be with me. In fact, I can't remember anything after I said good night to you downstairs."

But, Jordan wasn't listening. Suddenly, she turned to him and said, "Does Reid know what happened? Is that why he's been acting so weird?"

Morgan nodded and sighed. "Yeah. He... broke up with me." He looked at her, and the raw pain evident in his eyes struck her hard.

"Oh, no. Because--he thought you asked me to go upstairs with you?"

Morgan nodded again. "Because I did ask you. Or, I let you come in, or whatever the hell it was that happened. Like I say, I really can't remember anything after I left the bar, for some reason."

Jordan stood up and walked around her desk. She sat down in a chair next to Morgan's.

"Derek--you didn't invite me upstairs."

He raised his eyes. "I didn't?"

"No. You made it very clear that I wasn't welcome."

"Then how--how did you get into my bed? I don't remember letting you into my room."

Jordan took a deep breath. "I went to the front desk and lied. I said I was your wife. I got a key to your room, and let myself in. You were out like a light. I tried to wake you up, but it seemed like you were pretty loaded. I know I should have left, but I just--I wanted to prove something to myself, I guess. So, I got in bed with you, and--you really did think I was Spencer, didn't you?"

"I thought I was dreaming! But, yeah, then I thought he'd snuck out and came to be with me."

"You said his name."

"I did? Wow. Well, damn. Why can't I remember any of this?'

Jordan chewed her lip thoughtfully, then asked, "Did you take any medicine? Cold tablets, something like that? They can mix with alcohol and really knock you for a whammy."

"Oh, man..." Suddenly, he could see himself standing in front of the bathroom sink in his Oklahoma hotel room. He had a bottle of pills in his hand... It all came washing back into his brain: the way he'd tossed and turned in his bed, unable to let go, unable to sleep; the familiar insomniac anxiousness cutting through the affects of the booze. He could remember it all, now--he'd gotten up and taken not one, but two, sleeping pills...

He was lucky he wasn't dead. He looked up at Jordan like a man coming into the light after three weeks of darkness.

"Damn, Jordan--thank you. I remember now--even as drunk as I was, I couldn't settle down, and I took a couple of sleeping pills. No wonder I didn't even notice when you came in."

"Oh, Derek--that was so dangerous!"

"Yeah, in more ways than one," Morgan agreed ruefully. They were quiet for a while, then Morgan smiled slightly. "Maybe Reid can forgive me, now. I hope so, anyway. I don't think he'll ever take me back, but it would be nice if we could at least be friends again."

"But, Derek--he'll never believe you!" Jordan exclaimed.

"He won't? Why?"

"Oh, honey. It's been weeks, he'll just figure you finally thought up a good excuse. I've been where he is, I know. Let me tell him, ok?"

"You?"

"Yeah--I mean, what do I have to gain by lying about it, right?"

"I guess so."

"You disappear for a while. I'll get him in here and I'll explain everything."

Morgan grasped one of her hands in his. "Jordan--thank you. And, again, I'm so sorry for acting so stupid with you. I really didn't mean to hurt you, too."

"Well, I understand, I guess. I hope you'll back off from sweeping poor, gullible ladies like me off their feet now, though."

Morgan nodded. "Most definitely." He got up and left, and Jordan went to find Reid.