Fate

Fate

Chapter 11: Chocolate

It didn't take long for Reid to recover from the nurses early intrusion into his personal space. He had stopped staring into space and returned to playing with the blanket threads. At first, I wondered what had him so fascinated with the fraying edges of the blanket, but soon found myself mesmerized with the way his long fingers moved in and out, twining themselves in the blue thread.

We sat in silence for some time, before filling the room with the sound of the television. I found some black and white horror movie, which Reid shrugged at with approval. I think we both found it mildly interesting, letting it amuse us as the time passed.

Our attention shifted from the movie as another nurse came in with a tray. She set it on the small table and slid it over the bed, before removing the cover and leaving. I held back a bemused scoff at the fact that she didn't acknowledge either of us. So much for her bedside manner.

Reid watched the nurse make her exit, before eyeing the food she had left. His gaze remained there for a few moments before they lifted up towards the television again. I thought he would return to it, but soon realized he wasn't going to eat it any time soon.

"You're not hungry?"

"No."

"'Cause it's hospital food?"

A ghost of a smile played across his lips. A few minutes went by in silence. I wasn't going to nag. Why not let him be in control for once. It was my turn to smile at his next statement, "I'd kill for chocolate."

"I think I can take care of that for you."

He turned his head quickly to look at me, "Really?"

"Yeah. I'll have to be careful, but I think I can pull one over on the nurses. Mind you, there'll be hell to pay if I get caught. They're very observant, so I make no promises." That wasn't true. Come hell or high water he was getting his chocolate.

It took me a few moments to locate a vending machine, but when I did find it, I wasn't sure what to get him. I've never really seen him eat junk food before, so I had no idea what he liked. Maybe Morgan would know. He picked up on the second ring.

"Morgan, I have a question."

"What do you need?" His voice sounded a bit groggy, but mostly alert. It sounded as if I woke him up, but I doubt he'd mind.

"I'm on a chocolate hunt for Reid and I have no idea what to get him."

"Um... he likes caramel."

"There's Carmellos. What else?"

"Is there anything with nuts?"

"Yeah."

"Get him that too. Anything else?"

"No, I think that's good. Thanks Morgan."

"Yeah, I'm happy I could help."

"I'll call you two later, okay?"

"Okay. Say hey to Reid for me."

"Sure. Bye."

"See ya."

I bought two of the Carmellos and two Nutrageous bars and made my way back to Reid.

"You made it?"

"Just barely. Thought I was a goner a few times, though." I said with a smile. I handed him the candy and continued, "Got some extra. You can stash it under your pillow for later, but if the nurses find it I was never here."

My small joke was lost on him. "Thank you." Reid whispered. He was cradling the candy close to his chest, looking like he thought it would be snatched away at any moment. We sat in silence for a bit, while he peeled open one of the bars.

"How long has it been since you've had any?" I knew those words were a mistake the moment they left my mouth. It was too soon for me to be asking questions. I should have waited for him to tell me on his own, like he had when the nurse had touched his hip.

I thought he would clam up and shut me out, but to my surprise he didn't. He fiddled with the chocolate bar for a moment and then said, "Before all of this happened. Mar... Sibly was kind of a... a health nut, I guess. No soda, no coffee, no candy." He chuckled humorlessly, "Hellish, right?"

My breath caught in my throat hearing him talk like that. It couldn't be healthy for him to be using sarcasm about this. I cursed myself as he put the barely touched chocolate to the side and sat back against the pillows with a small sigh. He was actually talking to me and I screwed it up with one thoughtless question.

Again we sat in silence. I felt a desperate need to fix this, but I didn't know what to say or do. To my surprise he recovered quickly, just as before. I didn't even get the chance to think of something to say, when he spoke up, asking me how Haley and Jack were.

I wasn't expecting him to want a conversation, but hid it the best I could. "They're good. Jack's getting big. He's turned into a little hellion." I said with a laugh.

"Oh yeah?" He asked, an amused look coming onto his face. He seemed generally interested.

Thinking that he wanted to take his mind off of Sibly and what had happened I answered, "Oh yeah." I continued on with harrowing stories of Jack's first steps and events such as locking himself in the car with Haley outside of it.

To my happiness, Reid's demeanor seemed to lighten while he listened to the stories. Even though it was only for this moment, and it did nothing to make what had happened over the last year and a half go away, it was worth it. Hopefully, hearing about the people who cared would help him heal.

A/N: Just have to say that I'm a whore for carmellos and nutrageous bars! Lol. Hope you enjoyed. Please review!