I'm so sorry for the delay! I've been super busy getting ready for back to school and stuff. Since I start back on Tuesday, I will probably be able to get another two or three chapters up before then, but once I'm back to classes and extracurriculars start up again, I will most likely only be able to post once or twice a week. On the semi bright side, I don't think this story is going to be too much longer. I may or may not be planning a sequel though :). Anyways, enough of my useless chatter.

(I don't own criminal minds or any of their characters)

Enjoy!

"I presume you are here for Agent Reid?" a young, female doctor caused the team's heads to snap up.

"Doctor Reid." Everyone chorused, detesting the incorrect title.

"My apologies." She nodded in understanding. "My name is Dr. Samantha Rivers, and I will be looking after Dr. Reid while he is here." Dr. Rivers didn't even glance down at the chart in her hand as she began explaining the youngest team member's injuries. "Starting from the top and working down, Dr. Reid has a major concussion and needed stitches for the laceration on his temple. However, the MRI did not detect any bleeding or abnormal swelling in the brain, so that will clear itself up in a week or two. The scratches on his face are quite superficial, just cosmetic damage. As long as they are kept clean, there should be little to no scarring. To be honest, I was worried about the severity of the electrical burns on Dr. Reid's chest and head, especially considering that the high amperage was entering almost directly into the brain. However, as I said before, the MRI didn't pick up on anything abnormal besides the swelling the concussion caused. Also, when I was talking to him, Dr. Reid did not seem to have any trouble with speech or linking thoughts, which means there is most likely no brain damage. And his heartbeat is steady, not irregular, meaning it is unlikely he has developed a heart condition from the strain. The burns will scar, but I think his hair will cover the ones on his temples for the most part."

Dr. Rivers paused for a moment, letting all of the information about Reid's damaged head sink in, before proceeding with her explanation. "Muscles in Dr. Reid's neck and back were inflamed, which will cause some discomfort and pain for a couple of weeks, but it's nothing to worry about too much. The bruising, swelling and lacerations down the left side of his body were caused by a belt, as I'm sure you knew. Only three of the cuts needed stitches, but belt marks almost always scar. It will be quite painful for Dr. Reid to move around for a few days given his injuries, but I have no doubts that he will make a full recovery and will be discharged in about seven to nine days."

The team stood in silence for a moment, digesting what their young, innocent genius had gone through.

"May we see him?" Blake asked, breaking the brief but heavy silence.

"Of course." Dr. Rivers smiled. "I suggest one at a time though, he's going to have quite a headache for the next couple of days so we're keeping the light and sound at a minimum."

"I'll get JJ." Morgan said, having already seen Reid and knowing Hotch would want to see him first.

"Room one sixteen." Dr. Rivers said before Morgan turned to leave. "If you'll follow me." She said to the rest of the team, turning towards Reid's room.

Hotch went directly into the room and nobody protested. Blake and Rossi stayed outside, sitting in the uncomfortable hospital chairs across the hallway from the door.

The lights were dim inside of the room and Reid lay propped up in his bed, eyes half open. There was a bandage wrapped around his head, covering the stitches, but the claw marks down his face were red and puffy. Frankly, they looked angry. "Hey." Hotch said gently, closing the door as quietly as possible before going to sit in a chair next to Reid's bed.

"Hey." The voice was cracked and quiet, holding so many emotions that Hotch didn't care to figure them all out.

"Reid, I am so sorry that I let-"

"No." Reid interjected as firmly as he could. "Do not apologize. It's not your fault. You did not let it happen, Hotch. Even if you were there, you couldn't have done anything to stop it."

Knowing Reid was right but still feeling horribly guilty, Hotch decided it best not to fight with his injured colleague. "How are you doing?" He decided changing the subject would be the best course of action.

"About how you'd expect." Hotch could tell that Reid was withholding emotions, just as he'd done after Tobias Hankel. "How's Makaia?" Reid was eager to change the subject.

"She'll be okay."

"She's a tough kid." Reid sighed.

"That she is."

"She told me about all of those awful homes she was in." Reid sounded guilty, as if he felt he should have been able to do something despite the fact that he had never met the girl until six days ago. Typical Reid.

"I'm sure she'll find another good home." Hotch's attempt at reassurance was met with an incredulous look from his younger teammate.

"That was her thirteenth, Hotch. THIRTEEN." A jolt of pain shot through Reid's head as he raised his voice and both hands instinctively pressed against his temples, eyes squeezed shut.

Hotch rested a hand on Reid's shoulder and he flinched away, shoulders tensing up. "Hey," Hotch removed his hand, noticing Reid's fear, "hey. Calm down. You know getting mad will just make it worse."

"I realize that negative emotions will raise my blood pressure, causing increased heartrate, more pressure in cerebral arteries and worsening headaches." Reid spoke through clenched teeth, tension in his shoulders slowly releasing. "I'm fine." He assured, seeing Hotch's concerned expression.

"You don't need to play this down Reid." Hotch said gently but firmly, telling Reid he was there for him but also meant business. "No one is expecting you to just be fine."

"I realize." His voice was barely a whisper. Hotch thought Reid might continue, but he stopped, keeping his thoughts contained.

"I'm going to ask you again, and you are going to answer me honestly." Hotch insisted, keeping his voice less strict than normal. "How are you doing?"

Reid finally allowed the tears he'd been holding to brim his eyes, but did not let them fall. "He knew… so much about me. And now, he could be anywhere. And I… I'm just… scared."

Again, I apologize for the long wait. I'm hoping to get the next one up tomorrow. Do Widzenia!