Chapter 4

Something's Not Right

Derek was excited to go into work on Monday morning, which was not the norm, but he couldn't wait to see Spencer. Now that he came to the realization that he loved the young genius, and had made the decision to come clean and tell him, he couldn't get concentrate on anything else. So, he stopped by Reid's favorite coffee shop on the way in and got him coffee dosed with sugar, just the way he liked it.

Morgan's smile faded when he walked in and didn't see Reid right away. The boy wonder was always in before everyone else. Emily was already at her desk, and Morgan walked over casually, leaning on the corner, giving her his famous grin. "Morning Prentiss. How are you this fine Monday morning?"

She looked at him skeptically, as he was never this chipper on a Monday morning. Ok, so maybe he over did it just a little, but he was happy he'd be seeing his Pretty Boy soon, so even her inquisitive looks couldn't falter his happiness. "Morning Morgan. Awe, did you bring me coffee," she asked, noticing he was holding two cups.

"Ah, ah," he said, pulling the cup back slightly. "This is for Reid. I figured he'd need it after being sick all weekend. He's probably going into withdraws already, so have you seen him? I'd better make sure he gets this while its hot."

"Actually, I haven't seen him. I wonder if he's still sick? He always beats you and I here."

A wave of confusion washes over Morgan as he looks around the bullpen. He spots JJ in her office and excuses himself. He needs to see Reid, now, so he goes to the person with the answers.

Derek raps his knuckles on the doorframe before poking his head inside the already open door. "Morning JJ. Have you seen Reid?" He asked, getting straight to the point. He was sick of waiting. "I got him a coffee and wanted to get it to him while it's still hot."

"Sorry, Morgan. Reid is not coming in today. He told Hotch he needed a couple more days off to recover."

Red flags went up for Morgan. Reid never took sick days. The last time the kid was sick, Hotch made him take a nap on his couch during lunch, because he refused to go home. He knew something was up and he was going to find out exactly what, so he walked in and sat down across from JJ, a determined look on his face.

"Ok, tell me exactly what happened on the party that caused Reid to leave without saying goodbye to anyone but you." Morgan's voice was serious, and saw a look of confusion cross JJ's face.

"I'm not sure what you want to hear, Morgan, but I will tell you exactly what happened. I came in the kitchen to get a juice box for Henry, and Reid came down the hall looking pale and his eyes were all bloodshot. He looked like hell, seriously. I asked him what was wrong, and he rubbed his stomach and said he was not feeling well. I assumed he had thrown up, which is why he looked like death warmed over, and asked him if I could help. He just said he wanted to go home. I offered to drive him, but he refused. He told me to let everyone know why he had to leave, and took off."

Morgan was even more concerned. "Why didn't he come find me and tell me himself?" He asked. Not expecting an answer, he continued, "What I really want to know is why he's avoiding everyone? I mean, come on, just send a text message saying you are alive!" Morgan huffed.

JJ's face wrinkled in confusion. "What are you taking about, Morgan? He did text. He told me he was very contagious and didn't want everyone fussing over him. I talked to him yesterday and he still sounded terrible, so it doesn't surprise me he stayed home another day."

"I still think something's going on."

"What makes you say that?"

"Come on, JJ, when was the last time Reid took a sick day? Huh?" he yelled, leaning forward in his chair, toward JJ. "I'm telling you, there is something else going on. He has been ignoring my calls and texts and I want to know why!" He brought his fist down on her desk as he finished his sentence.

The blonde agents eyes widened, surprised at Morgan's outburst, and leaned back in her chair. "Uh, while it is unusual that he take time off, I saw him and he did look sick. Maybe he just wanted to rest some more." As the words came out of her mouth, she realized she didn't believe them herself. Morgan was right. Spencer never took time off, and he always answered the team, especially Morgan. "Yeah, ok, you're right. Something must have happened. You don't think it's his mom, do you?"

Morgan leaned back in his chair and rubbed his hand over his head and sighed. "I don't think so. I know he's a private person, but he would tell us if something was happening with his mom." He paused, thinking for a moment. "JJ, when exactly did you see him? What time was it?"

"I don't know the exact time, but it was right after the fireworks were over. I saw you and Pen go into the house, then Henry said he was thirsty, and was out of juice, so I went into the kitchen to get him some. That's when I saw him."

Morgan suddenly went pale. "Oh God, no."

"Morgan, what's wrong?" She asked, suddenly concerned about him. He looked like he was going to pass out.

"He, he..." The older agent put his head in his hands and tried to stop himself from hyperventilating.

JJ got up and went around the desk to put her hand on his back. She had never seen Morgan like this. She was confused, but worried. She rubbed his bad for a moment, leaning down to speak quietly to him. "I'm going to get you some water, of? Just calm down and breathe. I'll be right back."

She all but ran into the break room and grabbed a cup, filling it with cold water. As she quickly turned around to go, she ran into their technical analyst, coming in to refill her coffee. The water spilled everywhere and JJ cursed, then, ignoring the mess on the floor, turned back around to refill the cup. Sensing something was seriously wrong, Garcia grabbed JJ by the shoulders and stopped her movement.

"Hey, what has my normally calm friend in an uproar?"

"Morgan, I need to get back." She replied, slipping out of her friends grasp and bolted back down the hall. Garcia grabbed the wet floor sign (she didn't want anyone to slip), and ran after her friend to find out what was wrong with her chocolate thunder.

When Penelope Garcia walked into JJ's office, she saw a sight that almost stopped her heart. Morgan was sitting in a chair, head back, looking paler than she had ever seen him. JJ was trying to get him to drink the water she had gotten, but wasn't very successful.

"Mi amor, what's wrong?"

Hearing his Baby Girls voice, he lifted his head, looking at her through watery eyes. "Mama, I... I think I just lost my best friend." The last word was said with a quiet sob, and tears started running down his face. JJ, suddenly feeling like she was intruding on a private moment, slipped quietly out the door, closing it behind her. She knew Garcia would take care of Morgan, but she was confused by his behavior, and especially his comment. Why would he think he lost Reid?

Back in the office, the bubbly blonde pulled the extra chair up so she was sitting knee to knee with Morgan, who was still silently crying. "Oh baby, what makes you think that?" She leaned over and began rubbing a hand over his biceps, trying to calm him down enough to talk to her.

"He hates me..." He paused, not able to continue.

"What do you mean, he hates you? What brought this on allow the sudden?"

He took a deep breath and tried to explain. "I...I think he heard us talking."

"Who, sweet cheeks?"

"Us, Garcia! You and I. At the party." He spoke forcefully, in short sentences.

"You think he heard us talking about him?" She asked, still trying to understand.

"Yes. I think he heard me tell you how I feel about him, and now he's avoiding me. He hates me. He's probably disgusted by the thought...oh, God, what am I going to do?"

"Hey," she said, grabbing his chin and forcing him to look at her. "He doesn't hate you, and there is no way he is disgusted by you. You are his best friend, and even if he doesn't swing that way, which I'm pretty sure he does, he would never be disgusted by you."

"Then why is he avoiding me?" He asked meekly.

"Baby, he isn't avoiding us, he's sick."

"Garcia, when has Reid ever missed work due to sickness?" He asked, looking her in the eye.

"Ok, so maybe he did hear us. He probably just needs time to process what he heard. You know how our boy genius is. He has to analyze everything."

"Mama, he is missing work! He never misses work. Something is wrong. He heard and now he can't stand the thought of seeing me. He'll, he won't even return my calls or texts. He's never ignored me before."

"How about I call him? He'll answer for sure, in case it's work related."

"Ok. Do it now, while I'm here. I want to hear what he has to say."

She reached over the desk and dialed Reid's number from JJ's line, putting it on speaker so Morgan could hear. It rang twice before a tired, and somewhat raw voice answered. "Reid here."

"Hey, Boy Wonder, how are you feeling?" She asked, being her usual bubbly self.

There was silence on the other end for a moment, then, "Oh, hey Garcia. What do you need?" His voice was monotone, and the she looked over at Morgan and nodded. He was right. Something was up with their resident genius.

"I was just calling to see how you are feeling? I made some homemade chicken soup and brought it in for you, but JJ said you are still sick."

"Yea," his voice sounded gravelly. He tried to cover it up by clearing his throat, but they heard the quiver in his voice. They looked at each other. Was he crying?

"Oh baby, I'm sorry to hear that. Well, I'll just bring it over after work. Gotta make sure..."

She didn't get to finish her sentence, because he cut her off with a forceful "No!" She was stunned into silence. They were quiet for a moment, before he recovered. "Sorry, but I'm still not up for visitors."

"Ok, sweetheart," she said, sounding a little hurt. "Feel better soon. We miss you."

"Bye," he said, quietly before ending the call. But the obvious sob they heard before he disconnected was all the proof they needed.