Chapter 11

Author's note: I was reading the transcript of the Chat with Erica Messer over at Criminal Minds Fanatic Blogspot and she mentioned that Jane Lynch would appear in the story arch they have planned for Reid in season 7. Oh I can't wait!

Anyway, hope you enjoy the newest chapter!

Hotch was seated at his desk. Even though there were stacks of files he needed to be working through, he couldn't seem to focus on them. His gaze kept wondering out the window.

He wasn't sure they could go through this again. If Reid slipped back into that, Hotch wasn't sure he could handle seeing Reid like that again. That Reid had a short temper. Not to mention what it would do to the team. And now Strauss seemed to be out for his head half the time and he was sure this whole situation would end badly unless they could do something about it now.

How could he convince Reid to stay with the BAU and keep him from slipping into bad habits? All on top of the fact that Reid could be showing signs of Schizophrenia or have some other kind of serious health issue. Not to mention that he had just been held captive and poisoned, almost dying…again. Hotch decided the more important questions was should he try and talk Reid in to staying.

Hotch sighed as he threw his pen on the top of the closest pile. He looked up to find Rossi leaning on his door frame.

"Dave," he started. "How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough to know that you don't have a plan yet," He replied softly, making his way to the chair across from Hotch.

"You're right," Hotch said honestly. "I'm not sure what I need to do next."

"Well, it's obvious he doesn't want to talk about it, maybe we give him a little space for now." Rossi suggested.

"I wish it were that simple. If it were any of the rest of us we could. I hate to say it but I can't trust Reid to …"Hotch lowered his voice… "Let's just say to keep himself out of trouble."

"At some point you are going to have to trust him." Rossi replied.

"It's more than that, Dave." Hotch leaned forward, "I lost Hailey, I almost lost Jack. This job takes things and people from us. Why does it have to destroy him?"

"Maybe it won't." Rossi said softly.

"Can we take that risk right now?" Hotch asked as he pushed himself back in his seat.

"Maybe what he needs right now is for us to not baby him." Rossi shifted slightly in his seat. "Maybe we take the kid gloves off and let him make up his own mind. He might surprise us."

"Yeah," Hotch let out a small laugh. "That kind of has me worried."

Reid clenched his eyes shut; pressing his knuckles into his eyes so hard he was sure they'd pop. He wrapped a towel around his waist, not bothering to dry off. He stood still for a moment, hoping that the nausea would magically be gone, but knew better. He stumbled to the toilet and cringed as the contents of his stomach made a very hasty appearance.

His chest was on fire, each heave brought a wave of hot pain as his injured ribs were jolted. He puked so hard that his eyes were watering.

"Reid!" There was a banging at the bathroom door. "Man you ok?"

He couldn't stop.

"Reid, open the door!" Morgan was giggling the door handle; Reid didn't even realize he had locked it.

Reid tried to catch his breath, falling to his knees.

"Kid! Are you ok?" Morgan yelled from the other side.

"Just give…" Reid wiped his mouth, "give me a minute."

After a few minutes Reid's felt his stomach finally relax; now that the nausea was gone he felt a little better. He reached across the toilet and pulled the handle down. He sat there on the floor for a minute as the contents of the toilet disappeared. Reid wasn't sure he would make it far if he tried to stand so he crawled across the small room; he was able to arrange himself so he was leaning on the wall beside the door. He reached up for the lock and turned it.

When Morgan heard the click of the lock he quickly opened the door and knelt down next to him. "Reid, you ok?"

Light from the hallway assaulted his eyes, Morgan's face floated in front of his. "Reid, come on man, answer me or I'm taking you to the hospital. What's wrong?"

"It's just a migraine." Reid answered quietly; covering his eyes with his hand.

"That must be one hell of a headache." Morgan studied him for a moment. "You think you can stand?"

"Yeah, just give me a hand," Reid replied. Morgan helped him to his feet.

"Why didn't you say something?" Morgan asked as he helped him slowly down the hallway.

"Morgan," Reid sighed. "Can we not do this right now? I just want to lie down."

"Ok, whatever you say kid." Morgan was silent after that.

Reid was concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other that he didn't even notice Garcia until she let out a small gasp. Reid didn't need to look up to know that her eyes were roaming across his chest.

Tears were forming in her eyes as she silently watched them pass. It took her a second to compose herself and then she hurried into Reid's bedroom after them. She quickly made her way to the bed and turned down the covers. Morgan eased Reid onto the bed.

"Reid," Morgan leaned down in front of him. "You want to put some clothes on?"

Reid gently shook his head 'no'. He winced as he tried to pull his legs on the bed. Morgan caught his legs and swung them up on the bed for him. Reid mumbled a "Thank you" and buried his head into his pillows.

"What do you need man?" Morgan asked.

"Turn off the lights," was the muffled reply.

"You have any medicine you want to take? You need some water?" Morgan asked as he switched off the bedside lamp.

"Just some water please." Reid pulled the covers over his shoulders.

"I'll get it!" Garcia quickly made her way out of the room.

Morgan sighed as he stood in the dark inches from the bed. He loved the kid but could not understand why Reid would never tell anyone when he wasn't feeling well. He never understood why Reid suffered in silence.

Garcia appeared with a glass of water and a hot towel. She set the water on the table and moved past Morgan to sit next to Reid. "Sweetie, I have a hot towel and your water." She couldn't see Reid but she could hear him moving in the bed. His hands found hers in the dark and took the hot towel.

"Thanks," He placed the towel over his eyes and quietly said. "Now please leave me alone."

Morgan was about to protest when Garcia's hand on his chest stopped him. "Ok," She whispered. "Your water is here on the table and we will be right outside if you need anything."

Garcia got up and pulled Morgan from the room, she left his bedroom door opened just a crack.

"Garcia," Morgan began.

"Lower you voice," She warned.

He sighed. "We can't just leave him alone right now."

"Oh contraire," She replied moving quickly to the living room. "That is exactly what he needs right now. If we go in there a pelt him with questions and hover over him all night he is just going to get worse. Let the migraine ride itself out and then, only then will I allow you to talk to him."

Morgan studied her face for a minute, before he replied. "Ok, you're right."

"Damn straight I'm right." She quietly plopped herself on the couch before saying, "But you had better talk to him soon because there is something seriously wrong with our boy."

Prentiss sighed as she studied Reid's empty station across from hers. Most of the bullpen was empty; it was late on a Friday night. That was normal around here, but nothing about the past week had been normal and she was sure nothing about the coming weeks would be normal either. She looked up at Hotch's office again; she had made a silent promise to herself not leave before he did. She smiled when she finally saw him grab his bag and exit his office.

"Emily," He said quietly. "What are you still doing here?"

"Oh," She pulled herself from her seat and grabbed her bag. "Just getting caught up on some paperwork. I was about to head out."

He nodded as they walked to the elevator together.

"How's Seaver doing with all this?" Hotch asked as they entered the elevator.

"I think it bothers her that Reid was hurt more than anything else." Emily pulled a strand of hair out of her face. "She knows it's a dangerous job,but I think she's dealing with it."

"And how about you?" He asked as he pressed the button for the garage floor.

"Well," She began, "I know he's safe, but," She paused. "Normally I can handle this type of thing a little better." She was surprised at how honestly she had answered. "Something Morgan said has been bothering me."

"What's that?" Hotch prompted her.

"Reid has this," she sighed as she tried to form the right words. "Reid can never forget. I've always seen Reid's memory as a gift, now it just seems like a curse that will never leave him alone." She could feel a burning sensation in the back of her throat but was determined not to let any tears form. "I never thought of it that way before, and now I can't seem to stop trying to remember every awful thing I've ever seen."

"Reid has lived with that ability his entire life." Hotch began. "He knows how to deal with it; he knows how it affects him. Just because you see it as a curse doesn't mean he does."

Prentiss thought about that for a minute, and then Hotch started again. "Now that you see things a little differently, maybe you can try and use that to help him deal with these specific events."

"Ok," She felt a little better. "Thanks, that helps." The elevator doors opened and they both walked towards their cars.

"Emily," Hotch called.

"Yeah," She turned as she approached her car.

"Thanks for waiting on me." Hotch smiled.

"Was it that obvious?" Prentiss smiled shyly.

"No," he replied, "I just know you. Goodnight."

"Goodnight sir." She smiled again as she unlocked her car and threw her stuff in the passenger seat and climbed in.

Reid's eyes fluttered open. The first thing that registered was that it was light outside. The second thing that registered was that he had on no clothes. He ran a hand over his unshaven face. He stretched his legs and arms and studied his surrounding for a moment. It took him a minute to remember the night before. He groaned as he realized that Morgan and Garcia were out in his living room, waiting with questions, and concerned voices.

He rolled onto his back and stared at his familiar ceiling. He was thankful that his headache was gone and he realized he was actually very hungry. If he made an appearance outside of his bedroom he wouldn't be alone anymore. He tried to decide if he was hungry enough to deal with them. His stomach growled loudly with his answer.

Reid flung back the covers and pulled himself to his feet. He stretched again before moving to gets some clothes from his dresser. He slowly pulled on some pajamas bottoms and a t-shirt before making his way across the room. He stopped and turned to find his glasses on the bedside table. He grabbed them and put them on as he headed out of his room. He decided to make a quick stop in the bathroom.

When he was finished he was determined to just get it over with, face them sooner rather than later. The sooner he could convince them he was alright, the sooner they would leave him alone. He paused when he caught sight of himself in the mirror. There were dark circles under his eyes and his hair was a mess. He hadn't shaved in a few days and there was a healthy amount of scruff on his face. He took off his glasses and splashed some cold water on his face to make himself seem more awake. He put his glasses back on and pulled the door open and slowly made his way down the hallway, using the wall as support just in case he needed it.

"Well, look who's finally up." Garcia smiled from her spot on the couch; she rose up to help him to the couch.

"Where's Morgan?" Reid asked as he settled onto the couch, scratching unconsciously at his arm.

"I sent him home for a bit, he'll be back later." She put her cross word puzzle down on the coffee table. "How you feeling?"

"Better, thanks." He replied quickly.

"You hungry?" Garcia asked. "I'll fix you something to eat."

"Oh, don't trouble yourself," He began. "I'm sure I can find something to eat in there."

"It's no trouble. Give me a minute and I will have you something to eat in no time." She made her way into the kitchen. Reid could hear her moving around opening cabinets and getting pans out. He glanced at the clock on the wall, it read 2:48. That couldn't be right. Had he really slept all night and morning? He did feel rested but he hadn't thought he had slept that long. Whatever Garcia was cooking was starting to tempt his nose, Reid's mouth was watering. He pulled himself to his feet and shuffled his way into the kitchen.

Garcia was at the stove with her back to him.

"Is there coffee?" He asked as he entered the kitchen.

"No, but I can make you some if you want but I have orange juice if you want that instead?" She said over her shoulder.

Reid debated on the decision as he sat himself down at his table. "Orange juice might be the smarter choice." He decided.

"Ok," She stepped away from the stove and opened the refrigerator. Reid glanced at its contents; he was surprised to find it full. When he had left it last, there were only a few condiments, some coffee creamer, and some left over take out. Needless to say he had left it pretty bare.

He felt embarrassed as Garcia set down a tall glass in front of him.

"Thanks." He smiled up at her. "You didn't have to buy all that food."

"Oh, don't worry about it." She smiled at his warmly as she made her way back to the stove. "I plan on putting some meat on your skinny bones before the week it out!"

Reid took a sip of the orange juice, letting it soothe his parched throat. He watched Garcia's back as she moved around the kitchen. Reid was thankful she wasn't asking him any questions. She quietly hummed to herself as she plated his food. She sat a plate down in front of him and took a seat next to him.

Reid eyed the plate filled with some kind of omelet and toast smeared with jelly. "Wow, this looks great." He was so hungry he didn't care what it was. He took his first bite; he could feel Garcia's eyes watching him. He made a big show about how good it was but he didn't have to pretend that much, it really was good.

"That is the best omelet I have ever had." Garcia blushed at his praise. "Thank you."

"You're welcome genius boy." She ruffled his already unruly hair. "Now eat up."

Reid simply ate in silence, but he didn't feel uncomfortable with her there. He usually felt the need to fill the silence, but he was tired of being the one talking. He was glad that he could sit with her and have no words spoken.

Once he was finished with his food Garcia jumped up and cleared his plate from the table and started cleaning up the kitchen. "Did you get enough to eat?" She asked as she wiped her hands on a dish towel.

"Yes," He swallowed the last of his orange juice. "I didn't realize how hungry I was."

"Well, I'd be hungry too if I slept most of the day away." She folded the towel and hung it on the front of the stove. "I guess you needed it."

Reid wiped his mouth on a napkin and stood, making his way to drop his glass in the sink. He expected Garcia to jump to his rescue and insist she could take it for him. Baby him like always, but she didn't. She stood next to the counter and watched him.

"Can I ask you something?"

Reid cringed. Great, here come the intrusive questions about how he was dealing with what happened. Which one would be first? "What?" He asked with an almost bitter tone.

"How come you don't have a TV?" She grinned.

"Oh," He hadn't been expecting that, his tone changed immediately. "I used to have one, but it got broken when I moved last year. I never bothered to get a new one."

"Oh," She said simply. "Ok. You want to go back to bed or take a shower or something?"

"I uh," He had planned on sneaking back to the solitude of his room, but Garcia hadn't been as nosy as he had expected her too so he decided he would stay out with her for a little while. That would help him convince her and the others that he was fine. "I'll sit out in the living room with you for a bit."

"Great!" She hooked his arm in hers and they made their way out of the kitchen. "You can help me with my cross word."

Morgan's phone rang as he climbed the stairs to Reid's apartment. "Yeah?" He answered.

"Morgan, it's Hotch."

"I'm almost back at Reid's. What do ya need?" Morgan waited for his boss to respond.

"Morgan, I'm going to need you to bring Reid in first thing Monday morning."

"Ok," Morgan slowed as he approached the top of the stairs. "Is everything ok?"

"Yes. Strauss has ordered Reid to have a full Psych evaluation." Hotch replied.

Morgan waited for there to be more. "That's not a big surprise. He had to have one after Georgia. What's the big deal?"

"She wants the entire team to go through them."

"Why?" Morgan felt a little uneasy.

"I'm not sure yet. No need to worry, I just wanted you to be aware." Hotch's voice was gone for a minute. "Hey Morgan I've got to go. Jack is calling for me. Let me know if you need anything."

"Yeah," Morgan replied. "You too." He put his phone back on his belt. Why did Strauss want the entire team to go through a psych evaluation? He shook off his worry as he made his way to Reid's apartment.