See, I wasn't lying. ;)

CHAPTER THREE: I was kinda hoping you wouldn't notice

12:10pm Tuesday

Fifteen minutes later a nurse walked into the waiting room, informing them that Sophia had been settled into a room. They got up from their seats and followed the directions of the nurse. When they got to the door they knocked gently and Hotch opened the door. As they walked in Reid stood up from his seat next to her bed. Sophia was lying on the hospital bed, hooked up to a heart monitor that was beeping softly and an IV bag. Her eyes were closed and her hair was pulled back, exposing her face and bruised neck.

"Hey" Reid said quietly, pushing his hands into his pants pockets quickly, though sadly not fast enough; Morgan had still caught a glimpse of the white bandage wrapped around Reid's knuckles and wrist. "She's pretty dehydrated and has a nasty gash on her head from Brandon's gun." Reid rocked back on his heels as he spoke. He heard Morgan clear his throat and he glanced over at his friend, a slight pleading look in his eyes.

"How are you doing?" Morgan nodded towards Reid's right hand.

"I was kinda hoping you wouldn't notice." Reid sighed and pulled his hands out of his pocket. The knuckles on his left hand were wrapped loosely in gauze, but it was his right hand that Reid was staring at. It was covered in an ace bandage that wrapped up his wrist, a layer of gauze peeking out from underneath it. "I sort of busted up my hands on Emmett's face. Split a few knuckles open and apparently sprained my right wrist." Reid flexed his fingers absentmindedly, taking his eyes off Morgan. "I'm so sorry Hotch. I should have never acted so irrationally." He sighed loudly and closed his eyes in embarrassment his cheeks reddening instantly.

Hotch looked Reid up and down as he shifted his weight back and forth on his feet. Reid looked utterly exhausted and stood as if a huge weight was still sitting on his chest. "It's over and done with. Let's not dwell on it. Besides, I'm pretty sure no one is going to protest Emmett getting banged up a bit. And Reid, as your boss I should be telling you how unacceptable your actions were. But as your friend, I'm not going to lie; it was damn satisfying to see Emmett like that and as long as you don't make it a habit I have nothing else to say about what happened."

There was an uncomfortable pause before Hotch spoke again. "Reid. Did she-"

"No." He cut Hotch off quickly. "She hasn't said anything about Emmett. In fact, she hasn't said a single word. Nothing; not to me or to the doctors." Reid plopped down heavily in the chair next to the bed, turning so he was facing Sophia. Though she was asleep she was far from relaxed. Her face was tense and tears were threatening to fall from her clenched eyes in her unconscious state.

"How long is she going to be here?" JJ asked, filled in the silence. She glanced over at Morgan and noted that he was still staring angrily at Reid's wrapped hands.

"She's stuck her till at least tomorrow. They want to keep an eye on the head wound. Emmett didn't dress it or anything so they had to clean and stitch it. They want to make sure that everything is as close to healthy as possible before they send her home." Reid sagged in his chair, huffing loudly. He closed his eyes and rubbed is forehead, a migraine slowly building behind his eyes.

"Reid?" Morgan stepped over the Reid's side. "How are you holding up?"

"I just can't wait to take her home tomorrow. She doesn't want to be here. She hates being in here last time. Reid announced in a monotone, stale voice as if he didn't really hear Morgan.

"Spencer..." Morgan knelt in front of him, finally grabbing Reid's attention. Reid glanced over Morgan's head to realize the rest of the team had quietly left the hospital room. He glanced back at Morgan and closed his eyes again, running his hands over his face in frustration.

"Come on Spencer. Tell me what's going on in that head of yours."

"What am I supposed to do?" He whispered. "How do I support her?" His voice grew louder and angrier. "How do you come back from something like this? AGAIN! And worst off all I don't know what he did to her!" His chest heaved in frustration. Suddenly he seemed to completely deflate. His voice was quite and uncertain, like the sound of a frightened child. "I…I just…for the first time I just don't know what to do."

"Stay by her side. Give her whatever support she asks for. All you have to do is be there for her. And I know you will." Morgan placed a hand on Reid's knee, giving it a soft squeeze.

"What if that's not enough?"

"You'll never know but you have to give it a try." Morgan pulled himself up and Reid followed suit, unsure as to why.

Morgan wrapped his arms around Reid's thinner frame, pulling him into a hug. He held him tighter as he felt Reid sag into him and place his arms around Morgan. Reid rested his forehead on Morgan's shoulder and let his tears finally pour down his face. Morgan rubbed Reid's back comfortingly as he felt his friend's body shake.

Outside the room the girls couldn't help but smile at the sight in front of them.

"Maybe we should wait back in the waiting room till Morgan comes out." Hotch suggested to the quiet group.

"I don't want to leave Reid…" JJ said and Prentiss nodded eagerly.

"Plus, I'm not missing any second of this adorable bromance." Garcia added, both jokingly and seriously.

Hotch rolled his eyes and smiled at his team's refusal to leave Reid.

HI! You should totally review my story...because I said so and because they are such great motivations. :)