Thank you for exciting reviews and comments. Enjoy the next chapter. All mistakes are my own.

Chapter 8

Morgan pulled out the basin from Reid's shaking hand for the third time that night, Reid's nausea had somehow gotten worsen and Morgan was really concerned about it. He gently helped Reid to lay down back on his spongy pillow and wrapped a blanket around him until his chest.

"You're okay?" Morgan couldn't stop himself from asking the question even though he knew that it was a stupid question.

Honestly, Morgan wasn't surprised when Reid shook his head. Morgan silently cursed himself for inability to help his best friend.

"I am sorry, buddy." Morgan whispered as he stroke the back of Reid's palm with his thumb.

Reid closed his eyes, inhaled deeply and coughed a little when the inhalation hurt his broken ribs.

"Careful." Morgan said.

"My back hurts." Reid mumbled tiredly.

"I know, Dr. Amy said until the swelling of your brain heals completely, you have to ..." Morgan felt it was useless to tell Reid something he might know by himself after all Reid was a genius.

Morgan dragged the chair closer to Reid's bed, holding Reid's uninjured hand, Morgan bend down closer to Reid's face.

"It's okay." Morgan whispered lovingly before he slipped another pillow to support Reid's back. "Try to get some sleep."

"I can't." Reid sighed. "Everything just hurts, my head is killing me, everything around me is spinning ..."

"Shh ... close your eyes." Morgan said and Reid looked back at him like a kid.

"Trust me, close your eyes."

Given with he was going through, Reid just obeyed. Morgan gripped his hand around Reid's carefully and used his other hand to ran his finger through Reid's hair.

Few seconds later, Morgan pulled his hands out and leaned back on his chair when he was satisfied that Reid was asleep. Morgan couldn't help but to smile a liitle when he saw his peacefully sleeping friend.

"I am surprised." Morgan turned around to the sudden voice behind and found Hotch standing, leaning against the edge of the door.

"I need to thank my mom for that, she used to do that to me when I had nightmare after my father's death. What are you doing here?" Morgan asked as he checked his watch " It is very late."

"I know, thanks to our FBI badge." Hotch whispered slowly as he knew that Reid was asleep.

Morgan was still looking at Hotch, waiting for his answer.

"I already have one of family member down, I can't afford another one." Hotch said before he sat beside Morgan.

There was utter silence for a few seconds before Morgan spoke. "I was so scared and still am."

Hotch remained silence, allowing Morgan to open up but unfortunately Morgan suddenly stood up and walked back to the corner of the room, nearer to the window.

Hotch stood up and walked to catch up with Morgan.

"When I was standing in the waiting room with all of Reid's blood on me few days back, I felt the same when I lost my father. I was the same old boy again, all the pain I had ... I just ..."

"Morgan, Reid is still alive."

"But he almost died." Morgan spoke instantly. "And I caused it."

"Morgan ..."

"No, Hotch, you don't understand, you will never." Morgan avoided eye contact with Hotch. He was so sacred that he would cry in front of his boss. "That day in the hospital, I was same old boy who lost his father because he couldn't do anything."

"Morgan ...you were a kid."

"Even now, I didn't do anything to save Reid, instead I was the cause to him to suffer." Morgan spoke in frustration.

"Look behind you, Morgan." Hotch used his hand and turned Morgan behind facing Reid's bed. "He is sleeping peacefully right now because of you. He is recovering because of you."

"But that does not mean ..."

Hotch cut in, not allowing Morgan to speak any further. "It's true that you didn't get a chance last time, but now, you have one, it's either you sit and blame yourself or you stand up, make sure he recovers."

Morgan looked back Hotch, still guilt was visible in his eyes.

"Guilt is not going to take you anywhere, Morgan." Hotch whispered before he turned around and hugged Morgan.

To tell the truth Morgan was surprised, but he didn't hesitate, somehow he needed that comfort at that moment. Hotch rubbed Morgan's back, "Blaming yourself is not going to take you anywhere."

Morgan shook his head as he freed himself from Hotch. "Can't help it."

"Here." Hotch said as he handed over a envelope to Morgan.

"What is it?" Morgan asked as he took it from Hotch.

"Something that tells you that you won't be working for some time."

Morgan didn't argue back although he knew the team would suffer with two men down, he would rather stay back with Reid.

"I could still help."

Hotch smiled. "I know but I would prefer you looking after Reid and I know it will take some time but stop blaming yourself."

Hotch spent another half an hour before he left the hospital and Morgan walked back, sat on the chair beside Reid's bed.

"Don'y worry. Everything will be okay. I promise."

- Real friends are hard to find, harder to leave and impossible to forget -

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