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, met his teacher, Hotch is shot and Reid is attacked
This Chapter: Reid awakens
Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds but I own the plot for this story and any OCs
Status: In-Progress
Chapter: 13. College and Wishes
Note: Thank you for all the reviews/alerts/favourites. Any constructive criticism is welcome. I would love to hear what you want to happen in this story, like whether Estelle and Reid stay together, should Reid go back to the FBI, etc.
"You're awake already." Rossi said, waking, stretching, and leaning forward in his chair.
"And you've been asleep there all night." Hotch said, staring at the open yoghurt cup in his hand, mixing through it with his spoon.
"You have good observation skills." Rossi said, taking another yoghurt cup off the tray next to him. Opening it, in leant back in his chair, yawning.
"What's the plan for today?" Hotch asked and Rossi raised an eyebrow. Hotch saw the look from the corner of his eye. "Okay, what are your plans for today?" Rossi smiled softly.
"We're going over to the college an hour or so," Rossi replied, eating a spoonful of the yoghurt. "I'm going to check if the others are awake." He said, eating another mouthful of yoghurt.
"No need," Morgan said, yawning as he entered. He handed Rossi a coffee, before stealing a yoghurt cup from the tray. "Yum, I love these things," he shrugged as Rossi frowned. "We're all awake. We're going to head over the college as soon as we have some breakfast." Rossi and Hotch frowned as Morgan tried to juggle his coffee and yoghurt cup. Rossi suppressed a laugh as Morgan finally relented and put the coffee cup on the counter and opened his yoghurt cup.
"Breakfast?" Rossi asked.
"Yeah, Prentiss and Estelle went a street over to some breakfast place to grab us something." Morgan replied.
"Okay," Rossi said, standing. "Where's everyone else?" He asked, placing the empty yoghurt cup on the tray.
"Garcia and Kevin are in the waiting room, and JJ's sitting with Reid," Rossi and Hotch glanced up at him. "He's still unconscious but he's in an ordinary room now." He said, answering their unasked questioned.
"Breakfast is served." Prentiss said, entering the room, a plastic bag in her hand.
"Thanks." Morgan said, taking two wrapped burgers from the bag, handing one to Rossi.
"Thanks," Rossi said, unwrapping the burger and bitting into it, Hotch watching on. Rossi, sensing Hotch's gazed smiled at him. "Have a yoghurt cup." He said, picking up a yoghurt cup and throwing it to Hotch, who caught it with his uninjured hand.
"We setting out?" Morgan asked, turning to Prentiss, who nodded, chewing on her own cheese and bacon burger.
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"Mr. Michaels, sir, you studied with Dr. Spencer Reid, correct?" Prentiss asked, flashing her credentials at the man who stood in front of her, closing the door behind him as he left his office. He nodded, glancing between her, Morgan and Rossi.
"Yeah," he replied slowly. "We studied together. Why?" He asked, confusion on his face and in his voice.
"Dr. Reid was assaulted last night," Prentiss replied. "We believe someone with a grudge against him might've done it."
"Someone had a grudge against Spencer?" He glanced between them again. "Why would anyone had a grudge against him? He's a nice kid. Apart from the fact he talks too much, he's a great kid. I have no idea why anyone would have a grudge against him." Morgan chuckled, drawing an odd look from Mr. Michaels.
"We know him. He worked this us before he came here." Morgan explained. Mr. Michaels nodded.
"You'd be Morgan then, right? Derek Morgan?" Morgan glanced sideways at Prentiss.
"Yeah." Morgan replied slowly.
"He talked about you a lot. He talked about you all a lot," He said. "He really admired you guys."
"And he never got into any fights with him? No one ever gave him any hassles? No problems with anyone?" Prentiss asked. Michaels shook his head.
"No. Like I said, he's a great guy. I have no idea why anyone would want to hurt him," Michaels replied. He muttered a sorry before taking his vibrating phone from his pocket. "Sorry, I have to go," he apologised. "Wish Spencer luck for me." He said, nodding at them as he rushed down the hallway, phone to his ear.
"That's the third person we've spoken to," Prentiss said. "So far there's been but raving reviews." She sighed and Morgan chuckled.
"That's our boy," Morgan said softly, chuckling. He frowned as his phone vibrated, and he immediately unclipped it from his belt and flipped it open. "Hey JJ, what's up?" He asked.
"Morgan, it's Reid," she answered. "He's awake."
"We'll be right there," Morgan said, snapping his phone shut. He immediately turned and started walking toward the car park, Rossi and Prentiss hot on his heels.
"What's happened?" Rossi asked.
"Reid's awake." Morgan replied as they reached the SUV.
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"Thanks." JJ said gratefully, taking the offered coffee from Nurse Jamie. She smiled and took a sip of the coffee.
"How are you coping?" Jamie asked, leaning on the end of Reid's bed. JJ shrugged, staring at the lid of the takeaway coffee cup.
"I'm okay, I guess," she said. She looked up, shaking a lock of blonde hair out of her face. "I wish he'd hurry and wake though. I miss him," she smiled. "Henry's missing his godfather a lot," she glanced up at Jamie. "Sorry. Henry's my son, Reid's grandson." She explained. She sighed, placing her coffee on the bedside table to her right. She propped her elbows on her knees, burying her head in her face. She heard footsteps approach her, and felt a hand rubbing comforting circles on her upper back. Without warning, she started crying, tears wetting her hands. She sat swaying backwards and forwards for a few seconds, before a thin hand was tentatively placed on her wrist. She took deep breathes, trying to calm herself.
"Ssh, JJ, don't cry." A small voice said. JJ opened her eyes, before sitting up.
"Reid!" She hiccupped. "You're awake," She moved her chair further toward his bed, running her right hand through his brown locks, while her left hand held his own, her hand running over the clip attached to his finger and nearby machine. He nodded tiredly. "How are you feeling?" She asked.
"My head hurts, but I'm fine." He replied, his voice sounded raw from lack of use.
"Hey, Dr. Reid," Jamie said, stepping forward. "I need to check your vitals." She said, walking over to the other side of Reid's bed.
"I'll be right outside," JJ whispered. Reid glanced up at her and his swollen eyes met hers. "Don't worry I'll be back. I'm going to call Morgan." She assured him. She smiled once more before leaving the room, digging her mobile out of her pocket.
"Hey JJ, what's up?" Morgan asked
"Morgan, it's Reid," she replied. "He's awake."
"We'll be right there." He said, hanging up almost immediately. She smiled softly, before placing the phone back in her pocket and walking back inside Reid's room. She watched from the doorway as Jamie busied herself with checking Reid's temperature, pulse, blood pressure and using a stethoscope to listen to his heart and lungs. She removed the cuff from around Reid's arms she'd been using to measure his blood pressure, making a note on his chart.
"How is he?" JJ asked, standing at the end of his bed. Jamie nodded.
"His blood pressure is increased, but apart from that he's fine," Jamie replied, offering them a smile. "The doctor will check his neuro signs in a minute." She added.
"Wh-what did M'rgan say?" Reid asked, slurring his words slightly. JJ smiled as Jamie walked around her to the small counter next to the door.
"He'll be here soon," JJ replied, as Reid's hand flew up to his mouth. "Jamie, he's going to throw up!" JJ suddenly said, turning around just as Jamie handed her a small bucket. JJ rushed to the other side of the bed, just as Reid turned his head, waiting just in time for JJ to reach him, before violently throwing up into the bucket. JJ grimaced sympathetically, rubbing his back in the same way Jamie was a few minutes pervious. She used her spare hand to push his brown hair out of his face as he continued throwing up for a few more seconds.
When he was finished, he laid back down, panting slightly, his whole face pale minus the large, ugly purple bruises covering his face and his swollen eyes and lips. His forehead was covered with perspiration and JJ busied herself with carefully wiping his face with a cloth handed to her by Jamie. She made sure to be careful around the lacerations covering his faces, which were taped up with medical tape, and his lips and eyes. She slowly moved the cloth down to his neck, gulping when his neck involuntarily flinched in pain. She bit her bottom lip when she noticed the bruises in the shape of someone's large hand on the left side of his neck. She realised his breaths were ragged and pulled the cloth away anxiously.
"Reid, are you okay?" JJ asked, concern clear in her voice. He nodded.
"What's wrong?" Jamie asked, turning to JJ.
"I think he's having trouble breathing." JJ replied, glancing back at Jamie.
"He has several broken and fractured ribs, some discomfort and pain is expected." Jamie said.
JJ felt her chest tighten as Reid started twitching violently, his legs and arms shaking and twitching. His head went backwards, his chest up. Jamie put her hand to her mouth, stepping back. "Jamie!" She yelled, begging herself not to start crying.
"He's having a seizure! Doctor!" Jamie yelled, rushing to Reid's side and lowering the bed rails of the bed. JJ found herself being pushed out of the room, and she stood, watching, next to the door to Reid's hospital room as the doctors and nurses worked on Reid.
"JJ, what's happening?" Estelle asked, rushing up to JJ with Garcia by her side, Prentiss, Morgan and Rossi trailing by a few metres.
"I dunno," she replied, already feeling tears wet her face. "He woke up, was sick and then he just starting having a seizure." Garcia wrapped her arms around JJ, pulling her close and muttering reassuringly in her ear.
"Doctor, what's happening?" Morgan asked, stepping forward, as Daniels appeared behind JJ.
"We aren't sure at this point but we're taking him for an emergency Head CT and MRI," he replied, as the team gathered in a semi circle around him. "I'll send someone down right away to explain what's happening." He said, already going to turn and walk back to Reid's room.
"Doc, what do you think?" Prentiss asked.
"There's a possibility it's an intracranial bleed, which would require surgery," Daniels replied, turning back to the group. "We can't be sure though until he gets a Head CT and MRI." He added as the nurses started wheeling Reid from his room, ready to take him to CT. JJ gasped and Morgan put a comforting hand on her elbow as they watched Reid be wheeled by. Morgan was shocked at how small and deathly he looked, as if he was in a painful sleep.
He realised he'd tightened his grip on JJ's arm a little too much and withdrew it, letting his arm drop to his side as they watched Reid be wheeled away.
"Someone has to tell Hotch." Prentiss said absentmindedly.
"I'll do it." Rossi volunteered, going to turn away.
"Can I come with you?" Prentiss asked. Rossi nodded, and Prentiss followed as he walked toward Hotch's room.
"What now?" Estelle asked, crossing her arms. "We can't go anywhere until we know about Reid." Morgan nodded.
"We can work in the waiting room," Morgan said. "We'll wait until we hear something and then we'll go through those folders.
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"Intracranial bleeding?" Hotch asked, distress clear in his voice. Prentiss put a reassuring hand on his blanket-covered ankle.
"They're taking him for a Head CT and MRI. We won't know anything until then," Rossi replied firmly, having taken up his position in the seat by Hotch's bed. "Have you had a drink of milk or another else since that yoghurt cup you had when I left?" He asked, glancing at the new tray which occupied the bedside table.
"No," Hotch replied, he glanced between Prentiss and Rossi. "The milk tastes horrible." He shrugged. Rossi chuckled softly, taking the small plastic bowl of cereal off the tray. Hotch pulled a face at Prentiss as Rossi took the cover of plastic off and took a plastic spoon out of its cover. He turned to Hotch, holding the bowl underneath his mouth, before feeding him a mouthful of wet cereal.
"You should still be eating," Rossi chastised. "You need to up your calcium intake." Prentiss bit her bottom lip, trying to refrain from laughing.
"You should really be checking on Reid," Hotch said. Prentiss and Rossi simultaneously rolled their eyes. "You have to see if there's any news."
"Fine," Rossi eventually related, earning a surprise glance from Prentiss. "If you show me you can eat this properly with one arm."He added, placing the bowl on Hotch's lap. Hotch glanced suspiciously between Hotch and the bow in his lap, before picking up the spoon lying in the bowl. Prentiss rolled her eyes again as Hotch started trying to feed himself with one arm. After a few minutes Rossi related and continued to hand feed Hotch, much to his annoyance. Hotch eyed the milk sitting on the tray as Rossi prepared it for drinking.
"If I have a few sips, will you go and check on Reid?" Hotch asked. Rossi nodded, placing the straw in Hotch's mouth and watched as he drank a few sips. "Now go." Hotch said firmly.
"One more." Rossi said, placing the straw in Hotch's mouth. Prentiss glanced out the window and spotting Daniels moving toward the waiting room, she straightened.
"Rossi, let's go." She said, glancing at the older agent. He nodded, placing the milk popper on the tray and standing.
"We'll be right back to give you any news." Rossi said as Hotch opened his mouth. He nodded gratefully, and watched as Prentiss and Rossi left the room.
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Garcia sniffed and gulped, starting up another Google search. Morgan gave her a sympathetic smile, squeezing her forearm. She smiled at the sight of him with his left arm wrapped around JJ, pulling her close, her hands on his chest. She knew neither of them was asleep, both afraid of further nightmares involved their young genius. She sighed wearily before quickly scrolling through the information on her screen.
"Baby girl, what are you doing?" Morgan asked softly. She realised his gaze was on her computer screen.
"I'm searching for information on intracranial bleeding," she replied sheepishly. "I need to know Morgan." She said at the look on his face. He nodded slowly.
"Daniels." Morgan suddenly said. JJ pulled away from him and the two stood, Garcia placing her laptop on Morgan's now empty seat and standing also, as did Estelle. Kevin remained seated, watching instead from his seat beside Garcia's.
Morgan saw Prentiss and Rossi walk up from behind Daniels, Prentiss standing to Garcia's left, Rossi to Estelle's right.
"We took him for a Head CT and MRI," Daniels said. "Unfortunately there is evidence of an intracranial bleed. He's being prepped for a craniotomy now, a surgery to drain the blood from the brain." Morgan wrapped his arm around JJ once more as she struggled not to cry. Garcia failed in her attempts, Kevin getting up and wrapping his arms around her waist supportively.
"What does this procedure involve?" Estelle asked.
"The procedure takes approximately two and a half hours and is performed by a neurosurgeon. A general anaesthesia is administered and a brain-relaxing drug called mammitol is sometimes given. The scalp is prepped with an antiseptic and a skin incision is made, behind the hairline. The skin and muscles are lifted off the bone and folded back. Next, one or more small burr holes are made in the skull with a drill. A special saw is used to cut the outline of a bone flap through the burr holes. The cut bone flap is lifted and removed, safely stored until the end of the procedure. The problem is then correction, in this case the blood is drained. The dura is then closed with sutures and the bone flap is replaced and secured to the skill with titanium plates and skulls. The muscles and skin are sutured back together and a dressing is placed over the incision." Daniels explained. The group nodded.
"Will this work?" Morgan asked, concern clear in his voice.
"There are risks involved, as there are in every surgery, but we're hoping this should be straight forward," Daniels replied. His pager started beeping and apologetically he checked it. "Sorry, I'm being paged. As soon as the surgery is finished, a doctor will be down to see you." The team muttered their thank yous as Daniels turned and strode away.
The team regained their former positions, Rossi once more sitting across from Morgan. Morgan licked his lips, glancing down at JJ, who'd curled her legs underneath her on the chair. Prentiss sat across from her, her legs crossed, Estelle to her left. Estelle was leaning back in her chair, her arms crossed as she stared at the floor in front of her. He glanced sideways at Garcia, who was once more furiously typing away on her keyboard, the only other sound being omitted from her a sniff every few minutes. Kevin sat to her left, also typing at lightning speed, glancing up at Garcia every now and then with concern on his face.
Morgan closed his eyes, leaning back in his chair and stretching out his legs, careful, not to hit Rossi. He desperately wished Reid were here, if only to provide some comfort. He wished he could hear the familiar mantra of facts Reid usually provided. He wished Reid were here to tell him some obscure story or fact, reciting from memory. He wished Reid were here to watch while he read through a book in little over a few minutes.
He heard a sharp intake of breath from his left and glanced at Garcia, a smile playing at her lips.
"What is it baby girl?" He asked, leaning over to look at her computer screen. A woman's record was currently up on the screen and Garcia was scrolling through some records.
"I think I found a lead," she replied, glancing up at Morgan.
A/N I feel evil again. Hope you enjoyed this. I did a lot of research about craniotomies and the such and I apologise if anything is wrong.