Emily was pushed away from Spencer when the medics arrived. They quickly loaded him into the ambulance and sped away, leaving Prentiss standing alone in shock. She really couldn't believe that Reid would have taken a bullet for her. She thought to herself that this was so much worse than what Benjamin had done to her.
When Emily had arrived at the hospital with Hotch, Reid had already had surgery and was in recovery. She was thankful that she was allowed to sit with him while Hotch left to phone the team with Reid's condition.
Reid slowly cracked his eyes open, the bright hospital lights momentarily blinding him. When he regained his vision the first thing he saw was Emily.
"Hey Reid, how y'doin?" Emily couldn't bring her voice above a whisper.
"I've seen better days." Spencer replied, trying to keep the conversation as light as possible.
"Why did you push me out of the way? That bullet was meant for me." She said bluntly, getting right to the point. Reid sighed before answering.
"Because Emily, I couldn't let you take the fall again. I did that once and I have regretted it since." He stared at her intently knowing that she understood what he was referring to.
Prentiss fell silent. She tried to think of something to say. Thank you just didn't seem to be enough. What could she say? He had single-handedly saved her life. He shouldn't have had to save her; SHE was the one that made them get coffee this morning at this coffee shop, SHE was the one that alerted the police of the robbery, SHE was the one that had let Reid take the blame, SHE was the one that had made the Unsub mad. The bullet was meant for HER, not Reid. It should be her in the hospital be, not Reid. Reid has already suffered too much; he shouldn't have to go through this too. He shouldn't have to go through this all because of her mistake.
Reid watched the emotions in her eyes and knew what she was going through. He knew the feeling of overwhelming guilt and the self-blame. He placed his hand on hers so she would look at him.
" Emily," She didn't look at him in the eye so he repeated it more forcefully, "Emily, What happened to me is not your fault, it was my decision and I would do it again." He had to make sure that she knew that. She smiled slightly as he used words similar to what she had said on the plane.
"Reid.." she started squeezing his hand. Reid stopped her mid-sentence by speaking.
"Emily this is not your fault, stop blaming yourself, okay?" He said trying to make her feel better. Emily looked at him; he was so selfless, he was reassuring her when he was the one in the hospital bed.
"Thank you." She whispered kissing him on the cheek. He blushed a deep scarlet and was saved from responding when Garcia burst into the room her voice sounding almost threatening.
"G-man. If you ever do something like this to me again I swear I will lock you in my lair and never let you out again."