Disclaimer: see my profile

It seemed to Emily that hospital chapels had their own feeling, as if they weren't part of all the drama and emotion, as if they were a world all their own. It was as though some force held the spot apart from the rest of the building so that some measure of peace could be found for the sick, the suffering and those that watched them.

Her feet didn't make a sound on the light sea green carpet as she moved down the aisle to the front where Rossi sat with his head bowed. She stopped, and observed him for a minute. She could hear the slight murmur of his voice and wondered if he prayed.

It was a non-denominational chapel, so some of the things she was used to weren't there like the ornate alter and candles to light, but there were pews, and there was the quiet associated with all churches. She slipped into the pew behind Rossi and made the sign of the cross and began the prayers she'd known from childhood. It had been a long time since she'd gone to church, but she prayed as though she'd never been away because they needed a miracle.

When she looked up, Rossi had turned in his seat and was watching her. She smiled at him. "I couldn't sleep." She admitted. "I was up at five this morning hoping that I'd get here and he'd be awake and -" She blinked hard against emotion even though it hurt her throat.

"Is this my fault?" She asked him.

"Emily…"

"I mean it," She said, her voice wavering a bit. "I never go to church because I have my own issues, but I still remember my Sunday School lesson."

He slid over to her and put a hand over hers, "Do you honestly think that God is punishing Henry for what you did."

"I took a child from his father, made him think he was dead and brought down Hell upon our heads Rossi. There's nothing more dangerous than a parent protecting it's child. I forgot about that or didn't care and then I make you all think I'm dead. That has to count for something."

He squeezed her hand, his eyes bloodshot and exhausted. "This isn't punishment for what you did Emily. It was a silly, stupid accident, like all the silly stupid accidents that happen every day."

She swallowed hard again. "I know you're right, but I can't help think that if things were different…" She trailed off and looked down at his hand.

"Why did you come in here?" He asked her.

"Because I thought it couldn't help to pray just a little."

"But you don't think God is listening because of your mistakes or worse you're indifference to Him." Rossi said.

"I'm going to pretend I'm Garcia for a minute and say. "I hate profilers."

He laughed softly. "Come on, let's go get some coffee and something to eat. We'll go up and see Henry when we've fed the body."

She smiled. "Is this feeding the soul."

He winked at her and stood up as though the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. "I haven't figured that out yet. I'll have to get back to you."

She brushed away a stray tear. "God I hope he wakes up soon."

"Me too."

Reid opened his eyes to an unfamiliar place, or it was unfamiliar for a second before he realized that he was sleeping on Garcia's couch. How had he got there and why wasn't he at the hospital.

He turned his head and smiled despite the ball of lead in his gut for his Godson. There was a tree in the corner of the room decorated with a wide assortment of colorful ornaments that didn't match each other, but somehow managed to go together anyway. The lights were off but he remembered that she'd had them on briefly as she'd made up the pull out for him.

He sat up and stretched taking in the rest of the decorations around including a huge red and white candy cane in the corner opposite the tree that lit up as well. He wondered where she got it as he tried to find his shoes.

"Hey baby cakes." He whipped around to see Garcia standing there fully dressed in red, green and gold, with red shoes, and lipstick. "Happy Christmas Eve."

"I don't -" He yawned. "What time is it?"

"It's a little after seven am."

"Oh," He saw one of his shoes poking out from under the far edge of the pull out and went around to fetch it. "Why am I here?"

Garcia headed for the kitchen. "Morgan had to drag you out of the hospital last night when you wouldn't leave."

"Oh right, now I remember." He frowned. "I should go back. What if Henry's awake?"

Garcia looked up from making a pot of coffee when Reid walked over to the island that separated her kitchen from the living area of her apartment. "Will said he would call."

"But what if -"

"I want to see him as much as you do, but we all needed rest and now we need something to eat. We'll see him soon enough."

Reid went back to the pullout and found his missing shoe. He left them by the couch and picked up his go bag. "I guess it's good we all carry these around wherever we go." He held it up for her.

"Go take a shower and change," She ordered.

He suddenly went pink in the cheeks. "I'm sorry I made things uncomfortable with Kevin."

"He understands. It's not like he doesn't have his own place." Garcia assured him while she rummaged in the refrigerator for eggs.

Reid wasn't so sure. He did remember that Kevin hadn't liked it when Garcia had told him she was taking Reid with her.

"I should have gone home."

"You didn't have a car to drive and my place was closer than Hotch's place where you left your car." She said.

"I could've taken the bus or the train." He argued while playing with the edge of the bed sheet.

She sighed and put down a container of orange juice. "If you must know, things with Kevin aren't that great right now. I thought going skating would help, but -" She threw up her hands. "It only made things worse. He wants all my attention right now and I can't give it."

Reid got up and went to the kitchen. "I'm really sorry."

"We'll work it out. We've have rough times in the past. It'll be fine."

"Are you sure?" He asked.

"Of course, now go take a shower and get dressed." She pointed to the bedroom.

He saluted her, thinking that as soon as he got back to Henry the better he'd feel and just maybe Henry would be awake.

"Come eat your breakfast Jack." Hotch called out as he put milk and cereal on the table.

Jack hurried out and frowned at the table. "How come I have to eat cereal."

"We have to go see Henry. We don't have time for a big breakfast today."

Jack threw himself into his chair and put his chin in his hands. Hotch took in his frown and sat down. "What's wrong?"

"I want pancakes."

"Jack…"

"I don't wanna go to the hospital." Jack said quietly, looking down at his lap as his hands fidgeted by his cereal bowl.

Hotch dropped to his knees next to Jack's chair. "You know what happened to Henry wasn't your fault."

Jack's eyes got big. "I was bad daddy. You said to watch out for Henry. I didn't know how to skate but Aunt JJ and Emily showed me and it was easy."

"It was an accident." Hotch said, hugging the boy tight. "Even if you'd been close to Henry, you might have fallen in the water too and I couldn't stand it if something happened to you. I love you Jack."

"I love you too Daddy."

"Now, eat your cereal because we're going to go see Henry. I'll bet he might wake up today."

"Do you think so?" Jack asked while Hotch poured cereal and then milk into both of their bowels.

"I hope so Jack, I truly hope so."

Will passed the nurses station in the Pediatric ICU. One nurse with short spiky blond hair and a round face smiled at him as he passed. "He had a good night Mr. La Montange."

"Is my wife still there?"

"She was asleep in the chair next to his bed when I checked on him."

He sighed… He'd spent a good deal of time in the chapel, overnight, only leaving when morning approached. He'd passed Agent Rossi on the way marveling that JJ's FBI family was sticking so close to her. He finally began to understand why she went back after the DOD.

"Is she alright?" He asked the nurse.

"She'd be better if you could convince her to go home."

He gave a bitter laugh. "She's to stubborn for me. That's her baby and she's not leaving."

The nurse nodded. "I understand."

"Thanks for your concern…"

"I'm Sienna." She smiled.

"Of course. I should have remembered."

"You've got more on your mind than my name." Just a little hint of Ireland was in her voice, so that he barely heard it now that his head was a little clearer.

"Thank you Sienna."

"Oh, it's my pleasure.

He continued on down the hall to his son's room and found his Jennifer with her head on the bed next to Henry. Her blond hair was mussed and her eyes were puffy and red from crying. If there was only a way he could make all this go away for her. Here he was a former police detective and he couldn't do anything but watch her suffer.

He looked over at Henry, who was lying on his side. The nurses came in to turn him every few hours, they said it was to keep bed sores at bay. Henry looked like he was sleeping at home in his bed. Something broke inside of Will and tears he hadn't cried when all this happened poured out now as he sat down with his face in his hands.

"Will," Jennifer's voice cracked.

He couldn't look up at her because he'd failed her and now it might all be over. He flinched when she put an arm around him. "Shh… It's going to be okay."

He didn't see how it could be okay. His little family stood on the brink of some great, gaping chasm and he couldn't bring them back from the edge, no matter how hard he tried.