Staying Together

Disclaimer: I do not own any of characters in this story that you recognize, the ones that you don't I'll take credit for!

Notes: I'm trying to update every couple of days but I'm not getting great feedback. Don't get me wrong, the reviews that I get are very positive and they seem to be enjoying the story but there just aren't that many of them. So, all I ask is, if you like the story, let me know!

Warning: Slash. Reid reminds me so much of a friend of mine who is gay that I can't ever see him as straight, even though the show has had him stumbling around two or three girls.

Summary: SLASH. Part 2 in the Together Series. As Reid journeys on his road to recovery with Morgan they are bound to hit some speed bumps along the way. (Reid/Morgan est. couple)

If Reid thought he was out of breath after Morgan and his mini-make-out session it was nothing compared to how he felt after Morgan had told him he loved him.

Some people might have thought Morgan was crazy for saying something so important so early in a relationship but Reid couldn't blame him because he was feeling the exact same way. Even days before, when he was getting ready to leave the hospital, he had already come to terms with the fact that he had been falling in love with Morgan. These past few days, despite the distractions from their co-workers and friends, Morgan's loving and caring nature came through even more causing Reid to fall even harder for the man.

There were two reasons that Reid held back how he felt about the man before this moment. The first was that he thought he would send Morgan running if he brought it up so early in the relationship. The second reason was that Reid just didn't believe he was good enough for Morgan, he had seen many of the girls that Morgan would take home with him on their team nights out and he knew that he was nothing like them, in appearance and personality.

Even though he had those two reservations, he had a hard time finding any rationale in either of them after the kiss he just received. Never before had he experienced anything like it, his lips were still tingling where they had connected with Morgan's and he swore he could still taste the other man in his mouth.

Morgan was so caught up in his declaration that he almost missed Reid's response of, "I love you too." It was soft spoken but heartfelt with a little bit of hesitancy, like Reid wasn't sure how it would be taken even though Morgan had declared his loved only moments before.

"Reid, please don't feel pressured to say it just because I did. I can wait forever, I just wanted you to know how I truly feel," Morgan said, hoping that Reid meant it but not wanting to push him.

"I have been falling for you for so long, and this feeling has been building and growing stronger every day, trust me, I mean it," Reid said, moving towards Morgan hesitantly. He wanted to kiss him, or have Morgan initiate a kiss, so he moved in slowly while Morgan watched. He allowed Reid to close the distance and initiate his first kiss. It was short and sweet, but it was perfect.

Morgan knew that they had made some progress, in their relationship as well as with Reid's self-esteem issues, but that it would take time for Reid to truly believe how special he was. Once again Morgan cursed his boyfriend's neglected upbringing.

The two spent the afternoon on the couch, first with Morgan sitting upright and Reid leaning into his side as they watched a National Geographic special. Then, when that show was over, they put on Aladdin again, because Reid wanted to know the ending. Morgan laid down on the couch and Reid settled himself against Morgan with his head lying on his chest. Throughout the movie Morgan gently ran his fingers through Reid's hair in a soothing motion, leaning down to place a kiss on his forehead every once in a while.

When dinner time rolled around Morgan was tempted to ignore his rumbling stomach in favor of lying with Reid just a little while longer but he knew they both needed something to eat and Clooney needed his evening walk. Content to lie together just five more minutes, their peaceful silence was interrupted by Reid's stomach. Feeling like an idiot for forgetting how underweight Reid was, and how he couldn't afford to miss a meal, Morgan moved to get up and begin dinner.

Reid made a squeak of protest when his warm and comfortable pillow began to move. "Where are you going?" Reid asked, ignoring the noise his stomach had made only moments ago.

"To make dinner, you want to help?" Morgan asked, gently moving Reid into an upright position that didn't put any pressure on his arm. Morgan began to think about what kind of food he had in the house at the moment, considering he hadn't had to cook in over a week (due to all the meals the team had made and brought over) he had no idea what he had in his panty or fridge.

Reid didn't verbally answer, deciding to nod instead, so Morgan helped him to his feet and both men made their way into the kitchen. Reid moved to put a pot of coffee on and Morgan began to check the cabinets, pulling things out here and there. The two worked in comfortable silence to create simple a spaghetti dish and a Caesar salad.

When dinner was done Morgan cleaned up while Reid watched. As Morgan was scrubbing the pot he decided to bring back up the topic of going to see his mother. "Hey Reid, how would you feel about taking some of our time off to visit family?" Morgan asked.

"Like you go to visit your family and I go to visit my mother?" Reid asked, being purposefully evasive because he had a pretty good idea what Morgan meant by his statement.

"More like we, as in you and I together, hop on a big plane and both go visit my mother and then we hop on another big plane and we both go visit your mother," Morgan said in the same childish tone of voice.

"I don't know Morgan. When I go to visit my mom there are a lot of preparations I have to make, I need to clear it with her hospital and find somewhere to stay while I'm there. And then with your mother, I barely know her. I couldn't possibly impose by staying in her house, especially because I can't even help out around the house with my arm the way it is. Not to mention I'm probably not cleared to travel," Reid ranted, clearly slightly panicked about the thought of doing the whole 'meeting the family' thing so soon in their relationship.

"Alright Pretty Boy, no need to worry about something that may not even happen. We'll play it by ear, I'll look into flights and see what's available and we'll revisit the idea in a few days. How does that sound?" Morgan asked, coming up behind Reid and rapping his arms around Reid's lanky form. He rested his head on Reid's good shoulder and allowed himself to just enjoy the closeness and smell that was uniquely Reid. Reid had tensed momentarily when Morgan moved up behind him but found himself relaxing completely into Morgan's embrace and closing his eyes, enjoying the feeling of being safe in another's arms.

That night, when they went to go to bed, Morgan could see Reid's hesitancy. He was tired, his yawns were an indicator of that, but he kept stalling when Morgan said he was beat and heading off to bed. It didn't take a profiler to know that all the nightmares were taking their toll on Reid and he was afraid to go to sleep.

This had happened before, when Reid was first starting to experience horrible nightmares. He had told Morgan about it and Morgan had, in turn, told Gideon and Hotch. Reid was pissed off at him for a while but one night, after a rather tough case that they were all bound to have nightmares from, Morgan had invited Reid over and they had stayed up watching late night TV and eating junk food. That night Reid had told him that when the nightmares get too bad he just doesn't sleep, it was the only way he could escape them for sure.

Morgan could see that Reid didn't want to sleep and he didn't want to force him to but he knew the younger profiler's body needed sleep if he was going to get better anytime soon.

"Reid…" Morgan began, about to gently try to 'parent' him to bed. He didn't get that far though because he was interrupted by Clooney's irritated sounding bark from the door of his bedroom. The dog had heard the word "bed" and went to go to bed only to find he was alone, apparently he decided to poke his head back out and find out what was going on out there.

Reid gave Morgan a quizzical look at Clooney's behaviors, not being as used to the dog's mannerisms as Morgan was, and Morgan couldn't help but chuckle.

"He's upset no one came in to snuggle with him," Morgan explained with a laugh. Reid seemed to understand what Morgan said but by the look on his face he couldn't believe it, he couldn't believe how human Clooney acted.

Reid threw another wary glance at the door to the guest bedroom and Morgan had an idea. He didn't know if Reid was going to go for it but it was worth a try. While he was contemplating what he was about to suggest Reid let out another yawn and swayed slightly with the effort. Morgan quickly moved over and wrapped his arm around Reid's thin waist.

"Steady there Pretty Boy. You're exhausted but it doesn't take a profiler to see that you don't want to go to bed yet," Morgan started, Reid nodding sleepily in agreement. "How about this, you don't seem to have any nightmares when you sleep in my bed, would you like to try that tonight?" Morgan asked.

Reid's body tensed at the thought and he suddenly felt more awake than before. Morgan kissed his temple and ran his hand through Reid's hair and down his neck in a comforting gesture. "Don't feel pressured," Morgan assured him, both men just standing in the hallway, one leaning on the other.

"I'd like to try it," Reid said softly, Morgan turned to him to make sure he meant what he said and could only see exhaustion in his eyes. He leaned down and kissed Reid tenderly before nodding and helping Reid into his bedroom.

Clooney seemed finally satisfied that it was, in fact, bedtime and happily trotted in after the couple. Morgan helped Reid sit on the bed; grabbing the sleep clothes he had been wearing the night before from the en suit bathroom and helping Reid change into them. Reid was too tired to even feel uncomfortable. Morgan quickly stripped himself of his pants and changed into an old worn T-shirt before slipping into bed next to Reid. Clooney happily settled himself on the foot of the bed, his head turned towards the two men.

At first Reid was lying on his back on his side, trying not to move in any way that would cause him to brush against Morgan, but he was uncomfortable and tense. Morgan turned on his side, facing Reid, ready to succumb to sleep when he saw Reid's dilemma. Sighing, but smiling, he slowly shimmied his body over to Reid's and craned his neck in order to place a kiss on Reid's cheek. Reid jumped slightly before relaxing into the familiarity of Morgan's strong body and warmth. He shifted his body so that his head was resting on his bad shoulder and his body was turned so that his side was nestled in Morgan's. It was in that position that the two finally fell asleep.

oOo

The next few days went the same way. Morgan would wake up in the morning and go for a run only these days he would go alone, leaving Clooney to snuggle up to Reid in the bed when he left. When he got back he would start the coffee and breakfast. Reid would be lured into the kitchen by the smell of a fresh brew and they would enjoy breakfast together. When breakfast was over Morgan would clean up and take a shower while Reid picked out some clothes for the day and read a book. When Morgan came to help him change he would steal his morning kiss and help Reid change. The two would spend the day reviewing files that Hotch dropped off, watching movies, reading, or playing games. They would normally prepare dinner together and eat while having a pleasant conversation. Morgan would clean and the two would watch some history channel special or a game (depending on who got the remote first). They would go to bed together and Reid's nightmares were kept at bay.

They had made some progress in their relationship. Not only did Morgan get a kiss good morning and a kiss goodnight every day, they were also trying different, more involved, things. Morgan always had to initiate it, because Reid was still a little insecure in the kissing department, but they had moved beyond innocent chaste kisses. It always started off innocent, they will be watching a movie or Reid will be reading on the couch next to Morgan, and all of a sudden Morgan will lean over and capture Reid's lips. Almost immediately Reid's attention will be focused on Morgan and his good hand will move to Morgan's shoulder which he grips tightly. As soon as Morgan seeks entrance to Reid's mouth the younger man quickly grants it, even participating by gently and hesitantly exploring Morgan's mouth with his own tongue. On multiple occasions Reid felt himself begin to harden in reaction to the kiss and every time he pulled back at that moment. Whereas he enjoyed kissing Morgan, he still wasn't sure he was ready for anything else, despite what his body and dreams were telling him. His only concern, above all others, was that Morgan would get bored with just kissing and would leave him. He knew Morgan was used to much more physical contact in a relationship and was far from inexperienced when it came to play between the sheets and he feared that if he wasn't willing to go further then Morgan would look for what he needed elsewhere. Reid had yet to mention this to Morgan, but with every time he pulled away because he wasn't ready he felt this fear tenfold.

Though they had a pretty set routine that both of them were happy with, when Thursday rolled around Reid felt as if he was going to explode with frustration.

"Morgan, I need to go out," he exclaimed suddenly when Morgan came back from the grocery store down the road.

"You need something? Why didn't you call while I was at the store?" Morgan asked, already putting his coat back on and getting ready to go out and get Reid whatever he needed.

"No, I need to leave this house!" Reid said sternly.

"Getting a little cabin fever?" Morgan asked, quickly catching on. Reid hadn't left the house the past few days for a few reasons, the top one being he had nowhere to go. He had enough clothes at Morgan's house to last him for three weeks, he wasn't allowed back at work, he had no doctor appointments, and he didn't need anything because their teammates and kept him stocked on books so he always had something to read.

"Considering the fact that I have extreme irritability and restlessness from living in isolation or a confined indoor area for a prolonged period of time I would have to deduce that the answer to that question would be yes. Morgan please, I feel like I'm going crazy," Reid said, a pleading tone to his voice.

"Alright Pretty Boy, we'll go out for dinner or something. How does that sound?" Morgan asked, coming over to sit with Reid.

"Good, but can we go somewhere now. Even for a little while?" Reid asked, his leg bouncing like crazy with the anticipation of getting out of a house he had been in for over a week.

"Sure, how about we take Clooney for a w-a-l-k?" Morgan said, spelling out the last word slowly.

"Why did you spell out walk?" Reid asked and Morgan smacked his forehead with his hand. Reid only had a moment more to think about it before Clooney came bouncing into the room running back and forth excitedly.

"Because Clooney gets really excited when he hears that word," Morgan said with a fondness. He stood up, offering his hand to help Reid up as well, before walking off to retrieve Clooney's leash.

The two men left the house in their light jackets, Morgan holding Clooney's leash tightly in his hand. As they made their way around Morgan's neighborhood, Morgan greeting various people coming home from work, Reid couldn't help but just enjoy the fresh air. Morgan felt elated at how peaceful Reid looked and took laced their fingers with his free hand.

Reid turned his attention away from the clear blue sky when he felt Morgan's larger callused hand lace fingers with his own. It felt right, he felt safe with Morgan's hand in his own and he squeezed a little to let Morgan know.

As the turned the corner that would bring them back to his apartment a loud noise broke their comfortable silence. Reid's fear skyrocketed, immediately trapped in the memory of being shot less than two weeks ago. His eyes widen and looked for the shooter, his heart rate accelerated, and there was a noticeable tremble in his hands. Morgan's hand automatically went to his empty belt before he realized it was a car backfiring. Immediately he calmed down but Reid was still trembling, his eyes unfocused. Clooney was making whimpering sounds and jumping back and forth, unable to understand what was happening.

"It's alright Reid, it was only a car. Let's sit down for a moment," Morgan comforted, lowering Reid down to the curb and crouching in front of him forcing his eyes to meet Morgan's concerned ones.

Clooney could tell something was wrong; he could feel a change in Reid and knew that he was scared. As soon as he was seated and within Clooney's reach, the dog looped behind him and worked his way under Reid's good arm so that he was flush against his side with his arm over the dog's body. He could feel slight trembles in Reid's body and rested his front paws and head on Reid's lap, using his body weight to assure Reid that he was safe. Morgan watched this all with an astounded look on his face while thinking that Clooney would be getting a few extra treats when they got home.

Eventually Reid's body began to respond to Clooney's comfortable weight and warmth and his trembles stopped. "I'm sorry," Reid said, his eyes casted downward, refusing to meet Morgan's concerned gaze and his hand buried in Clooney's silky fur.

"You have nothing to be sorry for Baby Boy," Morgan said, resting both hands on Reid's face, forcing his face up even though his eyes continued to look anywhere but at Morgan.

"I shouldn't have – I'm an FBI agent – I don't know –" Reid said, not fully stating exactly what he wanted to.

"Hey there you know probably better than I do that getting shot, no matter the severity of it, comes with a certain amount of trauma and that no training can prepare you for it. There is a reason that there is at least two full weeks before mandatory counseling starts. You reacted the way anyone would have," Morgan said, quietly reasoning with Reid. "Do you understand me Spencer?" Morgan asked, finally catching his eyes. He just nodded and Morgan leaned in to kiss him gently. Reid relaxed completely into the kiss so Morgan began to kiss him all over his face: on his nose, his cheeks, and his forehead. A giggled escaped from Reid due to Morgan's ministrations.

"Alright, let's head back to the house, I think we're putting on a show for my neighbors," Morgan said, his forehead resting against Reid's.

Reid's eyes instantly began scanning the area, looking for the spectators that Morgan mentioned but finding none. He shifted his body, letting Clooney know it was time to move, and grabbed Morgan's hand as he pulled him up. Morgan immediately stood at his side, ready to catch him if he was unsteady. He wrapped his arm around his waist and pulled him close as they continued down the street back to Morgan's house. At first Reid was a little uncomfortable with all the public displays of affection but he also saw it as a sign that Morgan was not ashamed of him or being with him which made him feel proud.

When they got back to the house Morgan dropped the leash and automatically led Reid into the bedroom.

"Morgan, I don't need to lie down, I'm fine," Reid protested.

"Just relax for a moment, I'm going to take care of Clooney, just relax," Morgan said, leaving the room. He had to take Clooney's leash off and fill his bowl with fresh water. Clooney was only momentarily interested in the water before he took off to the bedroom and jumped on the bed. He immediately curled up next to Reid who was sitting up in bed reading. Morgan followed him in shortly, "you know, I think that Clooney likes you better than me. If I wasn't the one feeding him he might even try to leave me."

Reid looked down at the door curled up at his side before saying, "we just have an understanding. He had to concede to my Homo Sapiens superiority and opposable thumbs. Once we covered that –"

Morgan chuckled and launched himself on the bed next to Clooney, seeing as how the spot then to Reid was taken by the aforementioned dog. "You came to an understanding," he chuckled, laying on his back and folding his hands behind his back.

"Are we still going out to dinner?" Reid asked, not wanting his momentary freak out to ruin their plans.

"Of course, tonight I plan to wine and dine you my Pretty Boy," Morgan said, liking how Reid blushed at being called Morgan's. All of a sudden a thought came to Reid:

"Are you asking me out on a date?" he asked.

"Well, technically, I think you asked me when you demanded to get out of this house," Morgan replied, "not the most elegant way I've been asked out before mind you."

"Morgan – I didn't mean – I mean when I said that – not that I don't want to – or that I wouldn't have anyway…" Reid trailed off, not quite sure what he was trying to say, just trying to assure Morgan that, though he really wanted to go out on a date with him, it had not been his intention earlier when he demanded to go out.

"I know, I know. Don't worry your pretty little head," Morgan said, leaning over Clooney to claim Reid's lips. Clooney, feeling a little suffocated as he was trapped under Morgan, slowly crawled his way out from under his owner and settled himself near the foot of the bed where there was more room.

Morgan could tell, through the kiss, that Reid was still thinking about their "date" tonight and probably his little freak out down the road. Knowing the quickest way to get Reid to stop thinking was to get him involved in the kiss; Morgan started nipping at Reid's full bottom lip in order to gain entrance. As soon as he heard the book hit the floor he knew he had Reid's full and undivided attention.

Rolling over further Morgan positional his upper body over Reid's, one hand tangling itself in Reid's hair and the other slowly trailing itself down Reid's body towards where his shirt overlapped with his pants. Reid's only good hand wrapped itself around Morgan's neck and pulled him in deeper, enjoying the mind-numbing experience.

Morgan's wandering hand lifted Reid's shirt up slightly, exposing a thin strip of skin which he proceeded to gently caress. Reid began to whimper with the new sensation, he didn't know what he was feeling but it was overwhelming, like every fiber of his body was tingling.

Reid's sling and cast made it too difficult to rid Reid of his shirt so Morgan had to make do with sticking his hand up his shirt to slowly exploring Reid's chest. Reid's body arched up at the sensation of skin on skin contact but did not break the kiss. Morgan was swallowing his moans with his mouth.

Reid's entire body was on overdrive, he was hypersensitive to, and hyperaware of, everything that was going on. Deep down he realized that he should stop what was going on before they crossed a line that he wasn't sure he wanted to cross. As Morgan's fingers brushed his nipple warning bells went off in his head but the rest of his body sung with pleasure. He was feeling extremely uncomfortable in his pants and wanted some relief but didn't know how to get it. His began to whimper with need.

Morgan could tell Reid was getting close but wasn't sure exactly how to proceed. They had never gotten this far in their playing, normally Reid pulled away at the first sign of an erection. Morgan could tell he was far beyond that point from the hardness trying to create friction with his thigh. Knowing Reid was a little too far gone to stop Morgan increased his ministrations, his hands exploring more confidently, his kisses trailing down Reid's neck to his collarbone, and his leg meeting Reid's need gently.

Reid realized what was going on moments before it happened, all off a sudden his mind went blank and white hot pleasure coursed through his veins. He threw back his head and let out a keening, whimpering, moan and released. Morgan was thrown over the edge watching Reid completely loose himself in the sensations and soon followed.

He rolled over and both men just panted, trying to catch their breath and figure out what just happened.

Reid felt his body consumed with the aftershocks, taking a moment to collect himself he finally found his voice, "Morgan, what just happened?"

Morgan turned, propping himself on his elbow and scrunched his eyebrows. "What do you mean? You don't know?" Morgan asked incredulously. At Reid's silence he became concerned; did he do something Reid didn't want? "That's called getting to second base baby," Morgan tried to clarify, stroking Reid's cheek affectionately.

Reid's mouth formed an "O" and he relaxed back into the pillows, going over the past ten minutes in his head.

"Why do I feel like this is a new experience for you?" Morgan asked, he was acting like he hadn't had an orgasm in a long time, surely Reid masturbated.

"I don't often – you know," Reid said, avoiding the actual word.

"Masturbate?" Morgan supplied. Reid blushed at the term, even though it was the most technical one Morgan could have used.

"I just never found self-stimulation to be very satisfying. In fact, Hippocrates had believed that loss of semen led to spinal problems. Medieval doctors declared that semen was too powerful a fluid to waste in such an act. Even the father of American psychiatry, Benjamin Rush, believed that masturbation was the cause of multiple medical problems such as: impotence, kidney failure, spinal cancer, lung cancer, indigestion, blindness, epilepsy, hypochondria, memory loss, prostate trouble, inner bleeding and death," Reid said in a rush trying to sound clinical and not to blush too much.

"Reid, why in the world do you know that?" Morgan asked, shaking his head slightly with a bewildered look on his face.

"When I didn't enjoy it as much as my peers seemed to I did some research," Reid said shyly, feeling extreme self-conscious about their current conversation, not to mention uncomfortable about the sticky situation in his boxers.

"Did you enjoy that?" Morgan asked, all of a sudden worried that he forced Reid to do something that he really didn't enjoy.

"Yes," Reid answered honestly, with a smile.

"Good, because there is a lot more for us to try, I have so much to teach you," Morgan said. "Now I know we're both in need of a shower before we go out to dinner, you can go first while I pick out some new clothes for you," Morgan said. Reid simply nodded and allowed Morgan to help him undress, wrapping a towel around his waist before leaving to shower, Morgan watching his backside until he couldn't see it any more.

Morgan flopped back onto the bed and just smiled, he was truly happy.

A little less sexual tension between the two now…maybe. So this was a long chapter to reward those who have been reviewing and the speed at which the next chapter comes out has to do with the reviews I get! So get going!