As I watched Avery's chest move up and down in a broken, painful way I couldn't help but wish she would open her eyes. Even if it was only to get up and argue with me, which she undoubtedly would once she did regain consciousness. I rubbed my eyes tiredly, reflecting on the events of the last few hours.
Avery had stormed out of the BAU, and like the ass I was proving to be, I let her go. Initially it was an effort to allow her to blow off some steam,but after she repeatedly ignored the team's calls and texts I decided to go see her at work. Words can't begin to describe the icy sharp pains in my chest that I felt when I drove up to the daycare center to find an ambulance and police cars parked in front. Flashing my badge and running up on the scene, my fears were justified as I found an unconscious and bloody Avery on the ground. I questioned everyone, getting jumbled replies, until I found her friend Olivia who tearfully recalled the details while the paramedics checked on Avery and loaded her carefully onto the backboard and stretcher. She explained that a child had fallen from the top of a tall piece of playground equipment and that when Avery ran to catch her that she'd fallen backwards and caught her head on the metal bar of another playground piece. She also told me that the paramedics had found a large cut on her head from the impact which was bleeding profusely, which accounted for the blood I'd initially noted on the scene. I explained who I was and climbed into the ambulance as we rushed her to the nearest hospital.
After arriving I was forced out of the room while doctors dealt with Avery, and I seized the opportunity to call the team. They were understandably upset and horrified, particularly Garcia (whom I could hear gathering her things as I explained the situatuon). I asked JJ to retrieve the kids from Olivia's (who had thankfully taken them home after school had ended), and requested that the team hurry over as soon as possible.
I blew out a sigh, and ran a hand over my tired eyes once more, reflecting on how awful I was a this. Being in a hospital, as a family member and not a patient, was something I'd been well trained in for the majority of my life. First with my father, and then with my brother, I'd spent a fair amount of time in waiting rooms and hospital plastic chairs. It was something I'd never really adjusted to, and I couldn't believe I was back in this position once more. What was more, I couldn't shake the awful feeling that Avery was in here because of me. It was because of me that she was so angry that she probably hadn't focused on her job enough and had been hurt in the process. My emotions of guilt, sadness, and uneasiness were swirling around in my belly like a storm when I heard a knock at the door.
I saw familiar blonde hair peeking from the corner, and I waved them in, thankful to no longer be alone. Garcia was the first one in, running to Avery's bedside and standing over her, fresh tears springing up to her already tearstained face. She was soon followed by Morgan who clapped his hand on my shoulder, giving me his trademarked look of empathy.
"You doing alright?", he asked. I nodded once, and he respectfully pulled his hand back and crossed his arms. I noted that Prentiss and Dave were lingering in the doorway, and at some point Reid had wandered in and was staring blankly at Avery from the foot of her bed. I furrowed my brow,and looked to Morgan for an answer. He simply shook his head, and I wondered what was up with Spencer. Did he too feel the guilt that I was experiencing? Was he in shock?
"So what happened?" Garcia asked from,where she sat, cradling Avery's hand in hers. "In our race to get over here wow didn't really catch all the details".
I sighed and began telling the story of what'd happened, and watched the team experience a fraction of the torture I'd endured today. After I was finished Garcia had a million questions.
"So is she fine? What did she actually hurt? Did you actually get to speak with her before this happened?" she rattled off all at once, seemingly only stopping to catch her breath. I sighed again, a habit I was forming today, before beginning to answer her.
"Yes she's going to be fine. When she fell she sustained a big blow to her head that's resulted in a rather large gash in the back of her skull,one that has been stitched up and should heal just fine. She's also got a few broken ribs from the way the child fell on her, which will be painful to heal and will require that she stop any heavy lifting for a few weeks, but shouldn't pose any internal problems. And she's got one hell of a concussion, but that too should heal smoothly. No I did not get a chance to speak with her, and I don't know if I will get one. She's going to wake up confused and in a lot of pain. Whatever she wants to discuss when she awakens will be what we talk about. The same goes for all of you, am I understood?"
The team all nodded,all except for Reid who still stood stoically at the foot of the bed and looked as if he hadn't moved at all. Internally, I wondered what was making him act this way once more, but decided I was too emotionally unstable myself to really focus right now.
"The kids are with JJ now, and she's offered to take them for the night, Garcia and I are going back to the BAU to file some paperwork with Rossi, and Morgan and Reid are going to stay here with you two", Prentiss summarized quietly. She and Penelope weren't fans of hospitals either I suddenly recalled. I nodded in thanks and they sent Avery one last sympathetic glance before exiting quietly. Morgan cleared his throat, and I looked up at him.
"You look like you could use a cup of coffee", he said knowingly. It wasn't until he spoke up that I realized how tired I must've looked, how tired I actually felt. Sensing this, he nodded once and said "I'll be back", leaving only Spencer and I in the room. Spencer had relocated to the chair on the opposite side of Avery's bed since I'd last looked at him, but he was still gazing fixedly at Avery. I leaned forward In my chair a little, resting my elbows on my knees.
"Reid", I said as quietly as I could. Even though my tone was hushed, the room was so quiet that he jumped slightly before turning to look at me. His face betrayed a myriad of emotions: shock, sheepishness, guilt. But the most predominant emotion he displayed was pure sadness. I wondered what could possibly be causing him so much sadness, and wondered if I looked as downtrodden as he did. He seemed to hear the unspoken question, and cleared his throat.
"I can't shake the feeling that we're the reason she's here", he said quietly. I raised my eyes in understanding, but said nothing. "I know it was an accident, but Avery's very careful usually and she was distracted today because of us. We betrayed her trust", he explained. "And now she's here, and I can't believe it's my fault".
"Reid, I know", I said. "And while I feel extremely guilty about what happened before she hurt herself, logically we both have to know that what happened was an accident. An accident that will never happen again", I reasoned out loud. I completely understood his guilt, and by soothing his fears I was coming to terms with the emotions I'd been feeling all day.
"I know", he replied. His words didn't match the expression his face still held, and I furrowed my brows in confusion.
"Then what else is bothering you?", I asked. He shook his head and shrugged.
"I just...don't like to see her looking so frail", he said after hesitation. I stood and walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I know", I said quietly. "I know".
Author's Note: Hey all! So sorry for the fact that this took forever to get up, and also for the fact that it's so short! School and work are keeping me so busy! I hope to have more for you soon! Click that review button and let me know what you want to happen!