"….So it looks like there's going to be two chapters and an epilogue left. : ) . I don't have much planned out after this, but I do know what I'm going to get done in this chapter, well almost. Thnx for reading everyone! I hope you've enjoyed the ride…!"

Addicted Innocence- Chapter 17

Out in the Open

Derek Morgan stayed with Spencer Reid as the ME's boarded him into the ambulance. At first they seemed a bit nervous about having him inside with them, but once they assessed Reid's situation, they seemed to calm down.

"Are you a friend?" one of them asked.

"Yeah, you could say that." Morgan nodded as he played with Spencer's hair. Spencer had been unconscious ever since he was placed in Morgan's arms, but he knew that Spencer would be okay- physically, at least.

"He's going to need a lot of support. After being…tortured that brutally, he won't be himself for a while." Another warned. "But I assume you all ready knew that." He sighed.

"Yeah, unfortunately, I did."

The rest of the trip remained silent; Morgan held his lover's hand as the paramedics monitored his signs. Spencer was still unconscious when they arrived at the hospital, but given everything that his body had dealt with, it was no surprise he was still out. For all he knew, Spencer was just sleeping…

And he so much hoped that was the extent of it.

~*M/R*~

Spencer had been in the hospital for a few hours before Morgan got a chance to call his team and tell them about his condition. The BAU had to stay at the police station to wrap up the case, but they had all agreed to let Morgan stay at the hospital and wait.

Morgan had told William that he could take his shift for a while since he had to leave the building to make the call, and the father had agreed to do so without argument. William felt grateful to have his son to himself for a few precious minutes, even if he was still unconscious. He watched over his son's sleeping form as a male nurse walked in to take Spencer's vitals.

"I heard your son's a stripper. Must be very proud of him." The man snorted sarcastically.

"Actually, he's an FBI Agent. He went undercover as a stripper for the case his team was working on." William replied defensively.

"Right, and I'm the hospital administrator." He huffed back.

"I don't appreciate what you're implying, or your attitude for that matter. Please leave; I'd like to talk to another nurse."

"Or what? You'll wake up your man-whore son and have him punish me?"

William finally had enough and stood up. "I politely asked you to leave. Now I'm ordering you to."

"Right- like that's going to happen. What? Can't take the fact that someone's actually willing to tell you the truth- that your son parades around in skimpy little outfits and lets strangers with AIDS feel him up?"

Before either man knew what was happening, William's fist hit the male nurse's jaw line and he was sent flailing to the floor. When the nurse got back up and went to swing back at him, William twisted his arm and shoved him back on the ground. He opened the door and called the nearest nurse in. "I don't appreciate your staff calling my son, who works for the FBI, and whore." He snarled. "I asked him politely to leave, but he started fighting about it." The nurse just nodded, as if she was used to this happening, and motioned for the nurse to stand up.

"You know the administrator told you that you had one more chance before she fired you, and you blew it. Everyone here has had enough of your attitude. Apologize to this man and then go clean out your locker. You're done here."

"Sorry." The man practically snarled. William just shook his head; he just wanted the man to leave. But before he did, he whipped around to the pile of his son's belongings and reached for his wallet. He flashed the nurse his badge, who in return just glared.

"I apologize for his behavior. I'll personally take care of your son's charting for now on."

"I appreciate that." William nodded. With a final smile from the woman, both nurses left the room and William sat back down opposite of his son.

A few minutes later, Morgan returned. "You should go get something to eat." Morgan suggested. "Spencer's not going anywhere, and you need a break."

"That's probably a good idea." William nodded as he stood up. "Call me if he des wake up, okay? It seems like he's more relaxed in your care, anyways."

"What do you mean?" Morgan frowned.

William flashed Morgan a knowing smile before commenting. ""I think we both know what I mean." Without another word, he left the room.

Morgan shook his head, a smile playing at the ends of his lips. Of course Spencer's father would have figured it out by now; it wasn't like either of them were exactly being subtle. He reached out for Spencer hand and gently placed it in his own.

Then Spencer started to stir in his sleep-like trance. Morgan's hand flew to Spencer's cheek, and he brushed his fingers over the still clammy skin caused by his fever. "Come on, Spencer; wake up." He whispered. Finally, his dark eyelids slowly opened and his long lashes fluttered. Morgan smiled as he stood up, and he did something he had wanted to do for a long time. He brushed his lips against Spencer's own and was ecstatic when Spencer kissed back.

"Oh my god!" a female voice squealed from the doorway.

Both Spencer's eyes and Morgan's darted toward the doorway, where their team and Reid's father awaited them…

"…hehehe…Poor Spencer and Morgan! Oh, the fight was downplayed again because I wanted this to be more 'aw' than 'KICK HIM!' I hope you understand. : ) . Thnx for reading; I love each and every one of you! Spencey cookies with angst sprinkles on top for everyone! YAY…!"