Title: Learning the Hard Way.
Pairings: Primarily team centric, but will eventually be Morgan/Garcia
Summary: Morgan is forced to trust that his team will be the ones to rescue him this time, not the other way around, when he is unexpectedly kidnapped out of the blue. Will the team find him before too much damage is done?
A/N: Thank you once again for the reviews, alerts and what not. This is one of the chapters I've looked forward to writing the most so I'm excited that the story is at this point. With that said we are jumping ahead a few days in this chapter because in order for this to happen the story needed to move along a bit. Anyways I hope you enjoy all the Morgan/Garcia interaction in this chapter.
Chapter 11: The Best Laid Foundation
Friday evening…
That night it was Des that stayed with Morgan; curling up on the bed beside him like she'd done as a little girl. The only difference was that all of those times she'd been the one that was scared or hurting, this time though it was him.
Meanwhile when the rest of them arrived back at the Morgan house that night Hotch called a small meeting with the team. What they mainly discussed was how much longer they would all remain in Chicago. In the end it was decided that they would stay at least until Morgan was released from the hospital and since that appeared to be next Wednesday at the moment; it appeared as though they were going to be here at least through next week.
Five days later…
Morgan was very happy because today he was finally getting released from the hospital. Yet another step had been completed on his road to recovery; it was just too bad that he still had several more steps to complete.
As promised by the doctor by Monday his lung was strong enough that they were able to remove the chest tube. Most of his bumps and bruises were starting to fade, and on top of that the pain in his ribs had died down to a more tolerable ache. Furthermore because the drug he'd been given was finally out of his system his mind was much clearer. The only negative to that though was that he remembered everything; even the videos he'd been forced to send.
He made no mention of that to anyone though and no one brought it up. Over all though he was making good progress physically though and he guessed everyone figured there'd be plenty of time to deal with the emotional damage.
"You almost ready, handsome?" Garcia asked sticking her head in the door.
He nodded coming out of his reverie and said, "I've been ready."
Garcia smiled knowing he was referring to the fact that he hated hospitals. "Good cause the doctor said you can leave any minute now," She then said.
"Good," Morgan replied before gesturing to come in with his good arm.
She complied and once she was close enough he leaned forward and whispered, "Thank you," Before kissing her forehead.
Sighing in his half embrace she let the meaning of those two little words sink in. They covered so much. He was thankful for her just being there for him, but the truth was where else would she be? After all he'd done the same for her after she'd been shot. She also knew he was grateful that he hadn't been pushed to talk what had happened. However once again she was just returning the favor. He hadn't pushed her either; instead he'd been there to listen when she was ready. Therefore that's what she was going to do for him.
Two Hours Later…
It was good, no scratch that it was great, to be home and not in the hospital anymore. Even greater was the fact that both of his families were here. However as much as he would like to stay out here in the living room and celebrate his release with them; he knew that wasn't going to happen. Between his energy being tapped out from the car ride here and the pain pills he'd taken a few minutes ago he was having a hard time staying awake.
"Come on, love," Garcia said seeing how tired he looked.
Standing up she reached over and helped him up as well before leading him to his old room.
Morgan's old room…
"Stay," He pleaded once he was settled comfortably on the bed.
"You bet, handsome," She said as she settled on the bed next to him.
Using his good arm he brought her even closer to him letting her warmth and presence lull him to sleep.
Later that afternoon...
"What's on your mind, sweetness," Garcia said a couple hours later as she lowly came awake.
Morgan smiled he'd been awake for a few minutes now just watching her and thinking, "You," He answered, "Everything, but mainly you."
"Oh," She replied, "Anything about me in particular?"
He nodded then paused to gather his courage before elaborating, "Do you remember the video messages they made me send?"
"Yeah, sugar I do, why?" She replied almost fearful of where this was heading.
"Because I do," He answered, "But the one I remember the most is yours." Pausing only briefly before continuing, "What you need to know is that I meant it; I meant every word. I'm just sorry you had to hear it the way you did."
"Derek," She said softly in a half-hearted attempt to stop him because in reality she really wanted him to continue.
"No just listen please?" He asked not wanting to stop this conversation now that it had been started.
"I wanted you, us…" He said, "I wanted us to have our fairytale moment. You know the one where I got to watch your face light up when you realized that for the past two years, at least, all the flirtations weren't just a game. Instead they were real and I meant them."
"Derek," She said this time with tears streaming down her face.
"You still don't believe me, do you?" He asked as he wiped her tears away one by one.
"No," She argued, "You're wrong I do believe you. It's well… It's just that I'm afraid what will happen if we cross that line. I don't want to lose what we already have. I don't want to lose you completely from my life."
"Oh baby girl," He said leaning in just enough to brush her lips with his. "That will never happen. I promise you we'll always at the very least be friends. And you know why? It's because we were friends first. We've already laid that foundation and it's too strong to break, ok"
She nodded and then pulled away because she needed some space to think.
Morgan sighed as he watched her leave. The ball was in her court now that she knew how he really felt. All he could do at this point was wait.
A Few minutes later...
Hey is everything alright?" He heard a voice ask a few minutes later. Looking towards the door way he noticed Emily standing there.
He didn't answer right away so Emily came closer and said, "Garcia looked upset, said she needed fresh air."
"I told her how I felt," Morgan finally replied before going on to sum up the conversation he'd just had with Garcia.
The brunette couldn't help but smile to herself because is was definitely about time these two had had that talk, "If it helps I'm pulling for you."
"Thanks, it does," He replied with a small grin.
"Good, because if you want when we leave on Friday I'll work on her. By the time you come back she'll be all yours," Emily offered with a grin of her own.
He just nodded in response.
"Alright then, I'll come back for you in few minutes. Dinner's almost done," Emily said before leaving.