A/N: Okay the cite wasn't too obnoxious this morning. Thank you for all of your wonderful reviews. They're what keeps me fighting when the cite messes up. You should feel honored 'cause sometimes I feel like causing harm to the computer because of it. Anyway... Hope you enjoy this chapter and continue to tell me what you think!

Fate

Chapter 3: First Looks

When I got back to the waiting room I BSed my way through an explanation. I told them they were left out because it was hospital policy. Morgan bought it, but I don't think Gideon did. That was okay. I was going to tell Gideon anyway. I just didn't want Morgan knowing. There was no reason for him to. It would only end up hurting both him and Reid. I'll tell Gideon later, when we're alone. He was the father figure of the team and to be honest, I wasn't sure that I could handle this on my own. I didn't know where to start.

After the brief explanation I took them to Reid's hospital room. I was thankful that he was still asleep. We needed a game plan before we spoke to him, just so none of us did or said anything that would hurt him more.

Unlike me, Morgan picked up Reid's hair right away. I could see his fists clench before he turned to Sheriff Pryce and said through his teeth, "When you get this asshole, I want a piece of him."

Gideon put a hand on the younger agent's shoulder and squeezed it, "Don't even go down that road. Let's just focus on Reid."

Morgan nodded, but still seemed to be seething. He went to Reid's bedside and sat in one of the plastic chairs. He took his time looking over our genius' pale, thin form. Seeing Reid again, with everyone else in the room, only made him look worse to me and maybe now all of us were thinking the same thing. How did he survive this?

Gideon quickly took a seat on the other side of Reid. Instead of examining the younger man, Gideon focused on his face. His eyes were soft and sad as he took hold of the hand that wasn't wrapped in a cast. As he ran a thumb over Reid's scared wrist he looked down and studied it. "He was restrained." he quietly pointed out. His eyes became even more remorseful as he took in the raw skin over the scars.

When Pryce left the room suddenly I asked the agents, "Did he tell you how they found Reid?"

Morgan nodded but stayed silent.

"The police were called to a disturbance at a residence. The neighbors thought it was a breaking and entering. It was actually Reid trying to get out. The officers realized something was wrong and brought him here." Gideon filled in.

My heart clenched painfully at the thought of the young man trying to escape. I pushed the thought away and asked, "Do they know who owned the house?"

"No, but they cleared all of the marked cars out of there and are waiting for him to come back. Reid told the officers that he was at work."

Sheriff Pryce stuck his head in the door at that moment and said, "We got him."

"Who?"

"Your guy's kidnapper. Mark Sibly. They just arrested him."

Morgan got to his feet saying, "I want in on the interrogation."

I shook my head, "No. I want you to stay here with Reid. And... call Garcia. See what she can find out about Mark Sibly."

"Where are you going?"

I ignored Morgan and turned to Pryce, "Can you take me to where your men found Reid?"

He nodded.

"Gideon, come with me." I was expecting Morgan to protest more, but he didn't. Maybe he didn't want to leave Reid alone anymore than I did. I swear the kid will never leave our sight ever again if I have anything to say about it.

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