Author's note: The same timeline format as the previous chapter applies here.

Comfortably Numb

Five Hours Previous

Morgan leaned against the wall in the emergency room corridor, tapping his foot impatiently as he waited for the doctor to come out. He'd been at the hospital for nearly ten hours now, and he was eager to head home. Reid was being released any minute…

As soon as the doctor gets a move on…

There wasn't much love lost between Dr. Richards and Morgan, mostly due to Derek's slightly irrational, panicked behavior when he first arrived at the hospital. Hotch had finally sent him to the cafeteria to get lunch for the team while they waited, with strict instructions to not return until he could avoid punching any walls or medical staff.

Once the team learned that Reid would be just fine and cleared to leave that evening, they scattered to tie up loose ends at the police station and gather things from the hotel. Morgan insisted on staying to wait in case Reid needed something or the doctor had any questions or instructions. After a brief lecture and a firm look, Hotch agreed to let him stay while the others collected his and Reid's belongings.

Fortunately Reid's injury hadn't required surgery, but Dr. Richards want to observe him for a while and get some fluids in him to help replace the lost blood volume. Once satisfied that Reid retained full mobility and had minimal swelling, the doctor decided he could leave on the condition that he took it easy for a while and followed up with his regular doctor within a week.

Now Morgan hovered near the curtained entrance to Reid's room, waiting for Reid to finish dressing in a set of scrubs and get a final once-over from the doctor. Finally the curtain opened and Dr. Richards motioned for Morgan to come in. Reid's left arm was in a sling to keep weight off of his shoulder-which sported several bandages that bulged under the scrub top. He still looked tired, but at least he was less pale than before when he nearly sent Morgan into a panic attack. He gave Morgan a small smile as Dr. Richards handed him a packet of paperwork.

"Here are his release papers and instructions, along with a prescription and follow-up visit forms. That should cover everything, and you both remember what I told you?"

Both Reid and Morgan nodded.

"Ok then, I'll send Becky in with a wheelchair and you can be on your way. I wish you well Spencer, and please call me if you have any problems or questions. My number is on the paperwork."

"Thank you, Dr. Richards."

"No problem." He nodded at Morgan on his way out, who tipped his head in response.

"All right man, are you ready to go?" Morgan picked up the small bag containing Reid's wallet, gun, badge, and keys sitting on the sink next to the bed.

"Yes, let's get out of here." Reid stood up, and wobbled a bit. Morgan grabbed his elbow gently to steady him. "I guess the painkillers are getting to me," he said with laughter in his voice.

Well that's obvious! Morgan thought, amused at the slightly giddy genius.

"Good, that means you'll sleep on the jet and not be whiny and mopey."

"Hey, I haven't whined once!" His giggly, slightly slurred tone didn't convey the indignance he tried to show.

Becky arrived with the wheelchair and Morgan led Reid over with only two stumbles along the way. The trio made it to the borrowed SUV without any problems. Morgan settled Reid securely in the passenger seat and climbed into the driver's seat. He pulled out of the hospital parking lot and began the journey to the airport. A few minutes into the ride, Morgan glanced over at the unusually quiet Reid and had to stifle a laugh. He was already fast asleep.

The drive to the airport was uneventful. Reid barely stirred. The team members were waiting for him as he exited the SUV and handed the keys to Agent Lewis from the local FBI office.

"How is he," Rossi asked, as JJ and Emily tried to see in through the dark tinted windows? Hotch didn't wait for Morgan's answer as he went to the passenger door and opened it carefully. The team members all noticed the small smile that graced Hotch's face when he saw Reid sleeping peacefully.

"Did he sleep the whole trip?" Hotch looked through the open driver's door at see Morgan, who nodded in response.

"He didn't even make it out of the parking lot! It was the quietest thirty minutes I've ever spent with him."

They all laughed at the thought of a quiet trip with Reid. Those were few and far between.

"Reid? Reid, we're here. Wake up," Hotch called softly as he gently tapped Reid's good shoulder.

"Dr. Richards gave him enough painkillers to last for the flight. I'm not sure you can get him up." Morgan barely kept the laughter out of his voice.

"Reid," Hotch tried again. He received a soft, unintelligible mumble and a flutter of eyelids in response. "He's out of it, all right. Do you have anything else in here Morgan?"

"Just this," he replied as he handed the small bag to Emily.

"Ok, I'll carry him. Come over and close the door behind me." Hotch's order was firm, but the smile in his eyes was apparent to all the team members. "JJ, go get the couch ready for him please."

"Sure Hotch," she replied, and she and Emily walked toward the jet.

Hotch reached around to unbuckle the seat belt, and then he carefully lifted Reid while trying to avoid jostling the injured shoulder. Morgan helped him adjust Reid's position, closed the door to the SUV, and walked next to Hotch as the three of them went to the jet where Rossi was waiting ahead of them.

Once Reid was securely ensconced on the couch, Morgan plopped down on the chair nearby, exhaustion catching up with him quickly now that he could relax. After taking a moment to settle himself, he turned slightly toward the others.

"How did things go at the station?"

"Pretty well," Emily replied from behind her book.

"Did the kid give up any information?"

"He couldn't stop singing his own praises," Rossi answered with more than a little sarcasm. "He confessed to all of the murders, even gave us details we didn't realize."

"But no mention of a partner," Morgan wanted to know?

"Oh no, he was more than happy to take all of the credit," Hotch joined the conversation as he worked on typing his report.

"Hmm," Morgan responded as he straightened back in his seat. "Sorry Reid, I guess you were wrong for once," he said with a small grin in his friend's direction.

"Maybe we should record this on the calendar," JJ added as she sifted through the files on her lap. The others laughed in agreement.