Title: You Broke My Bones
Rating: T
Summary: The BAU becomes too much for Reid to handle. But his old and current jobs are bound to collide.
Previously: Reid left the BAU, a victim brings the BAU to the hospital, Reid meets his new teacher and Reid started seeing someone
This Chapter: Reid and Morgan talk
Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds but I own the plot for this story and any OCs
Status: In-Progress
Chapter: 8. Circumstances and Innocence
Note: Sorry it's taken so long to update. Hopefully the next two chapters (possibly three) will be up tomorrow. Thank you for all reviews, alerts and favourites. Just one thing: PLEASE review more! It's great seeing someone's alerted or favourite me or my stories, but it's even better when I also get a review!! Thanks. There are references to the season five episode "The Performer" in here.
He took a deep breath as he snapped his phone shut. He looked at it for a second, before stuffing it quickly in his jacket pocket. He turned at the sound of someone clearing their throat, and smiled at Nurse Jamie.
"Cancellation?" She asked softly, smiling. He nodded, scribbling something on the chart he held. "Can I ask, who was it?" He paused for a second before taking another deep breath.
"It was Prentiss," he replied. "We were supposed to meet for lunch. An hour ago actually," he said. She nodded. "It's work related. I understand." He added, more for himself than for her benefit.
"Dr. Reid?" Reid and Jamie glanced up. Daniels stood nearby, a panicked look on his face. "Um, you might want to come and see this." Reid and Jamie exchanged worried glances, before quickly following Daniels to the entrance of the hospital, where a gurney was being wheeled through the automatic doors. Reid felt the blood drain out of his face when he realised he recognised the face. He ran forward, Jamie by his side to the gurney's side. He glanced behind him as he started pushing the gurney towards an empty trauma room, its occupant moaning.
"What happened?" He asked, unable to keep the worry from his face. Morgan followed the group as they arrived in the trauma room, his own face creased with worry.
"We found the UnSub. Cornered him. He tried to talk him down but when the UnSub saw the snipers he freaked." Morgan replied. As they entered the trauma room, a nurse tried to stop Morgan from entering the trauma room but Reid waved her off.
"Let him stay," Reid said, and Morgan glanced at him gratefully. "Just stay in the corner," He added, gesturing to the left corner. Morgan nodded, immediately walking over, his eyes never leaving the gurney. Reid bent down, his mouth near his patient's ear. "Hang in there Hotch." He whispered.
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It had been half an hour. They had been sure it had been only a small wound, but now they weren't sure.
Prentiss tapped her sore leg impatiently, more to stop it from cramping than anything else. If it had of been under different circumstances, Rossi would've made a comment about Morgan- who was currently pacing in between the chairs in the waiting room since being kicked out of the trauma room- wearing a hole in the floor. Across from him sat JJ, who clutched her phone, chewing on her bottom lip. She had returned only minutes later from calling Garcia, the one who had gotten the unfortunate task of informing their technical analyst of their dilemma.
Rossi glanced to his right at Prentiss as the automatic doors opened. The team glanced up, the vacant expressions on their faces disappearing as they realised they still had the grim task of informing one more of their boss's condition. Rossi, Prentiss and JJ stood as their newest team member approached, a worried look on her face already.
"What happened?" If it had been under different circumstances, someone would have commented on her lack of a greeting.
"We found the UnSub," Rossi informed her. "Hotch tried to talk him down but when the UnSub saw the sniper's he freaked and shot him. The UnSub's dead but the doctor's are still working on Hotch."
She nodded, sweeping a lock of her shoulder length black hair out of her eyes. She shrugged off her black leather jacket, placing it on the unoccupied seat to the right of Prentiss.
The group turned at the sound of a voice clearing. In front of them stood Reid, a puzzled look on his face, his scrubs covered in blood, peeling his blood covered latex gloves off.
"Estelle?" He asked, puzzled. SSA Estelle Gardiner bit her bottom lip, avoiding the team's gaze. He shook his head, trying to clear it of unnecessary thoughts. "He's doing okay," He added. The team, himself included, let out a relieved sigh. "The damage is isolated to his right shoulder. He'll have to wear a sling for a few weeks, but apart from that, it shouldn't have any lasting damage. We were worried about blood lost, and had trouble stopping the bleeding and had to give him a blood transfusion but it's alright now."
"Any chance we can see him Reid?" Morgan asked. Reid nodded slowly.
"Two at a time," he replied, knowing Morgan and Prentiss would go first. The two exchanged glances and he knew his assumption was correct. "And keep it easy." He added, as the two started walking toward the trauma room where their boss was currently situated. Relieved, JJ sunk into her seat and Reid smiled softly at her. She returned the gesture, before hitting Garcia's speed dial. She stood and walked to the entrance of the hospital. Rossi glanced curiously between his former and new team members, curious as to their history. He decided to give them the chance to talk, citing coffee as his reason to leave.
"You know them?" Estelle asked. Reid nodded. "I used to work with them," he continued at Estelle's confused look. "I used to work with the BAU for the FBI. They were my team." She nodded slowly, sinking into the chair next to JJ's currently unoccupied one. He mimicked her movements, though instead sitting in JJ's seat. There was a moment of silence before she started laughing softly. He frowned.
"I'm your replacement," she explained. "I just thought it funny that you're dating your replacement," she shrugged. "They never told me who though. Just that he- well, you- was a genius who'd gone into medicine." He was curious as to what else his team had said about him.
"That's it?" She glanced up at him and shook her head.
"They talk about you all the time if that's what you mean. They never mentioned you by name though," he nodded. "They're very fond of you. Every time they talk about you they have awe in their voice," she rolled his eyes at his scepticism. "I'm serious. They talk like you're still a part of the team. And as soon as we thought our UnSub might be in the medical profession, the first suggestion was to come and talk to you." He nodded, looking at his boots. He'd realised as she'd talked that he still thought like they were still his team, like he was still a part of the team, despite his leaving.
"You know, you never mentioned where you worked." He suddenly said, glancing up at her. She smiled.
"I know. I'm not sure why though," she leant in, her mouth by his ear. "If we weren't at your work, and my- our- team was here, if the circumstances were different, I'd kiss you." She whispered. He smiled sheepishly and was sure he was blushing. She pulled away as the sound of high heels clicking against the floor alerted them JJ was returning. Reid stood and smiled at the weary blonde.
"Garcia says hi," she informed. "She's going to pass on the news Hotch is okay." She added, her eyes still on Reid. He stepped forward, pulling her into a hug.
"I heard about you and Will," he whispered. "I'm sorry." She nodded, and he could tell she was blinking back tears as she hugged him back.
"Thank you," she whispered back. "Henry misses his godfather." He couldn't help but laugh softly.
He pulled away, his hands sliding down to just above her elbows, her hands in the same position on him. He observed her from arms length.
"You look like hell." He said softly.
"Way to make a girl feel loved Spence." She laughed, before glancing over his shoulder, Prentiss and Rossi approaching, both holding trays holding takeaway cups of coffee. JJ and Reid pulled apart, the four of them moving to stand in a circle in between Rossi and Prentiss's seats and Estelle and JJ's. Estelle remained seated, watching the exchange from her seat.
"Morgan decided to stay with him." Prentiss said, handing Estelle her coffee. "One sugar, cream," she said, handing JJ her coffee. She glanced at Reid, a slight smile on her face. "And three sugar, cream." Reid took the offered coffee, smiling. Prentiss took her own from the tray, tossing the empty cardboard tray onto her empty seat. Rossi carefully placed his empty tray on his empty seat after taking out his own. The group sipped their steaming coffees in comfortable silence for a minute, before Morgan arrived, coffee in hand. He stood next to Rossi and Reid.
"Who's going next?" He asked, drinking a mouthful of coffee. JJ glanced amongst the group, who nodded. She glanced down at Estelle.
"Coming?" She asked. Estelle looked slightly startled at the suggestion, before following JJ to the trauma room.
"Um, Reid?" Reid glanced at Morgan. "Mind if we go for a walk?" He asked. For a second Reid thought his friend was nervous. He nodded.
"Can you tell the nurse I'll be right back and to come and get me if there's any problems?" Reid asked, turning to Prentiss and Rossi. The two nodded and Morgan and Reid pulled away from the group, walking toward the entrance.
Finally, three metres to the right of the hospital doors, Morgan spoke. "Are you enjoying it here at the hospital?" Reid resisted the urge to snap. They were all in a delicate place right now, with the Hotch situation. He nodded slowly.
"I don't know if "enjoying" is the right word," he replied, taking a sip of his coffee as they walked along the wall of the hospital. "But I do like it here. The staff are friendly, the benefits good and I get to do what I love- helping people." Morgan nodded.
"I'm sorry." The two spoke simultaneously. Reid blushed and Morgan chuckled.
"Can I go first?" Morgan suddenly asked. Reid nodded. "I'm sorry for making you think I didn't approve of your career change. I'm sorry for making you feel bad about it. Ultimately it's your life and your decision. We shouldn't influence that," Reid nodded slowly, looking at his shoes. "But it was never about the career change. It's about the fact that the innocent one, the youngest, cracked before all of us. That you, who we all wanted to keep innocent and naive, is the one that went first. It's about innocence being lost, not career choice." Reid couldn't help but laugh, stopping when he noticed Morgan's hurt expression.
"Sorry," he said quickly. "It's just, Morgan, I'm not as "innocent" as you all think I am. It amuses me that you all still find me similar to a fourteen year old," he continued, stopping Morgan from voicing his argument. "And I didn't crack. It wasn't that it became to much, or anything like that. It was because I got into the FBI to help people, and it didn't feel like we were being as proactive at that as I'd like. I became a doctor so I'd be able to psychically help people. To stop them dying. Before it was all up to chance. Hotch's survival, the victim's survival it was up to someone else. Now it's up to me. Before it was about stopping them before there were any more victims, now it's about stopping the dead victim list from growing longer than the alive victim list."
Reid realised he was out of breath following his spiel. Morgan nodded, as the two stopped for a break. Morgan stepped forward, wrapping his best friend in a hug. "And I do approve of your career change." He whispered.
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He could see them from his position. He was parked not far from the hospital doors, with a clear view of both the hospital doors and them, though he was sure his parked car was hidden from view by the shadows, sure that if sighted it would appear empty. He smirked softly at the two friends, pulling out of their hug. He glanced sideways at the tyre iron on the passenger seat, before taking a sip of his steaming coffee.
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Prentiss, JJ and Estelle glanced up as Morgan and Reid entered the waiting room. Reid knew straight away Rossi, whose seat was now empty of the coffee tray, was visiting Hotch.
"Estelle?" Estelle drew her gaze away from Reid and Morgan to return it to JJ. "Those snacks?"
"Oh. Yeah." She stood, before grabbing her jacket and digging change from its pocket, before throwing it back onto the seat it previously occupied. JJ and Prentiss exchanged glances as Morgan moved the stuff occupying the spare seat next to Prentiss and sat down, Reid opting to sit on Estelle's seat. The group looked up as Rossi approached, sitting back in his chair.
"The nurse kicked me out when he woke." He explained with a shrug, his gaze on Reid. "So, Dr. Reid," He smirked. "How do you know Estelle?" Reid bit his bottom lip, sure he was once again blushing.
"Yeah, Reid," Prentiss grinned at him. "I wasn't aware you'd met Estelle." He glanced between the four of them, before leaning forward in his chair, attempting defeat.
"Fine," he said, taking another mouthful of coffee. "We met a month or so ago at a bookstore," Morgan rolled his eyes and Prentiss laughed at him. "We've been seeing each other since then." He added, not before checking no one else was within earshot.
"You sleeping with her, pretty boy?" Morgan laughed, causing Prentiss and JJ to start laughing also. Rossi just smirked, his eyes not leaving Reid's face.
"Maybe." He simply replied, glancing sideways at JJ as she and Prentiss tried to stifle their laughter, which had drawn odd looks from the nurses and doctors at the nurse's station.
"Maybe, huh?" Rossi asked. "For how long?" JJ had to bite her hand to refrain from bursting into laughter, while Prentiss occupied herself with staring at her sore leg, which she was currently tapping again.
"A few weeks." He replied, sheepishly, the blush returning. JJ turned to him, wrapping him in hug. He gratefully returned it.
"Congrads, Spence." She said, before pulling away.
"You guys are making it sound like I've never had a girlfriend." He smiled.
"Have you?" Morgan asked, unable to keep the laughter out of his voice.
"Shut up Morgan." Reid replied, and JJ and Prentiss made "ooh" noises.
"So you still haven't read The Clockwork Orange?" Rossi asked, and the group became aware of Estelle within the vicinity, successfully hiding it.
"No," Reid replied, without missing a beat. "Why won't you just tell me what it says about Beethoven?" Rossi shook his head.
"I definitely know what to get you for your birthday now." Rossi said. JJ and Prentiss laughed as Estelle sat to JJ's right, her old seat currently occupied by Reid.
Reid glanced subconsciously at his watch as Estelle handed out the snacks. The team successfully stifled their laughter as they noticed Estelle's fingers lingering on Reid's as she handed him his packet of chocolates.
"Guys, I'm sorry to tell you but visiting hours are over," he said solemnly. "You're going to have to go." The group groaned.
"So early? It's only one thirty." Morgan pointed out, glancing at his phone to get the time.
"It's a weekend," Reid shrugged. "Sorry." He added as they all stood.
"You sure we can't stay a little longer?" Prentiss asked. Reid shook his head.
"Visiting hours actually ended quarter of an hour ago. I'm pretty sure they let you stay longer because you know me," He replied. They nodded. "I'll call you later and if there's any change in his condition. Not that there should be." He added at their slightly worried expressions.
"Talk to you later then Spence." JJ said, hugging him once more. He returned the hug, before pulling away and shaking hands with Rossi and sharing a quick hug with Prentiss.
"Talk to you soon pretty boy," Morgan smirked, shaking Reid's hand and pulling him into a half hug. Prentiss nudged Morgan in the ribs inconspicuously, nodding slightly in Estelle's and Reid's direction. Morgan nodded in understanding and walked toward the hospital doors, JJ, Prentiss and Rossi following. "Say goodbye to Hotch for us, man." Morgan added over his shoulders, only to earn himself another rib jab, this time from JJ. Reid laughed, before slowly turning to Estelle.
"Talk to you soon?" He asked softly. She nodded, before pulling him into a hug.
"See you tonight at my place," she whispered, her mouth close to his ear. "Don't be late." She added pulling away. She grabbed her jacket off the chair before pulling it on. She kissed him quickly on the cheek, causing him to blush for what felt like the millionth time that day, before walking out the hospital doors, waving at him. He waved back.
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Reid yawned, leaning back in the stool he sat on at the nurse's station.
"Your shift's over, you know," a voice behind him informed him. He spun around on the bar stool to see Nurse Jamie, reaching over to put some charts away. "You can go home now." He shook his head.
"I might stick around for a while. Make sure Hotch is okay." He said, before spinning back around to face the computer he currently sat at. Jamie reached over, turning the screen of the computer off.
"You've done more work than Daniels today and he left half an hour ago," she said, putting her hands on her hips. "Go home," he opened his mouth to argue. "I'm serious. I have your mobile and home phone number. If there's any change to his condition I'll call you immediately."
"My team won't forgive me if I don't stay and make sure he's alright." She gave him a look which clearly told him she didn't believe him.
"Your team will forgive you," she said, and he suddenly became aware he'd called them his team. "Besides your tired. You're no use here when you're tired." She had a point he realised.
"Fine. But I'll be in early tomorrow to check on him," he said, getting off the bar stool and shrugging his lab coat off. "But call me if there's even the slightest change in his condition," He instructed. Jamie nodded, stepping aside to let him through. "Thank you." His voice softened.
"No problem," Jamie replied, sitting on the bar stool. "See you in the morning." She called as he entered the waiting room.
"See ya!" Reid called over his shoulder as he left the hospital, the doors closing automatically behind him in the dark. A car door slammed as he realised he was an idiot for leaving his jacket at home that morning. He placed his hands under his armpits to keep warm, hunching up his shoulders in the cold. He started walking to the right of the hospital, where he had walked with Morgan earlier. He turned left and started walking toward the small abandoned building, which was right in front of the hospital. As he reached the back of the building, which was hidden from view from the road and hospital doors he realised he could hear something behind him. He turned, only to see a tyre iron swing at him before hitting him hard on the forehead.
His legs collapsed underneath him and as his head hit the ground, he blacked out, his last view the blood covered snow.
A/N- Ooh, Cliff-hanger! I feel so evil now! Please review!