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Tribulations	By : hatochiisai Category: 1 through F > Criminal Minds Views: 19381 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: No profit is made from writing this. I don't own "Criminal Minds" or any of the characters.

Chapter List
- 8
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TRIBULATIONS
By hatochiisai
Disclaimer: I do not own “Criminal Minds” or any of the characters of the show.
Reidcentric
WARNING: This work includes nonconsensual homosexual intercourse.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 9
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Hotch…” Morgan called, walking over to the man.
“… He’s in surgery.” Hotchner said, softly, looking up at the team.
“What are his chances?” Emily asked.
“… With the injuries and illness combined… not good.” Hotch sighed. “They think it’s pneumonia. Advanced. Garcia and JJ are on their way.” And so the team settled in. It was several hours before a doctor approached them.
“Spencer Reid?” He asked, and they all looked up, then stood. “We’ve moved him into recovery in the ICU. He has a lot of fluid in his lungs, which is causing respiratory distress. He has cracked ribs and bad bruising on his feet. He’s badly dehydrated and is also suffering mild malnutrition. And those are just the worst injuries. Cuts, bruises, burns… what the hell happened to him?!”
“… The details are classified.” Hotch said, firmly. “But to give a vague summary, he was abducted and held captive and tortured for a week.”
“… Are you aware that there is evidence of sexual assault?”
“… Yes.” Hotch said.
“I’ve run a rape kit.”
“We’ll handle the lab work.” Hotch said. “This is our case.”
The doctor nodded.
“When can we see him?”
“You can go in now if you like… but he’s asleep.”
“The man who did this to him is still out there.” Hotch said. “I want one of my agents with him at all times.”
“Yes sir.” The doctor said. “Room 272.” The group watched the doctor leave, and all headed to the second floor.
The room was dark and quiet. The only sounds came from the electronics set up around Reid. The heart monitor’s obnoxious beeping was only tolerated because it gave the team the reassurance they needed; Reid was alive. The respirator made sure that Reid stayed that way. His chest rose and fell mechanically, and an IV in his arm fed him much needed fluids and nutrients while another replenished his blood supply.
The team was silent, slowly surrounding the bed. Garcia sniffled and reached up, gently brushing Reid’s hair out of his face. “Oh, honey…” She whispered, sadly.
“He won’t wake for a while.” The doctor said from the doorway. “He woke briefly, and panicked. We had to sedate him so he wouldn’t hurt himself. He’s also doped up on painkillers.”
“… He won’t be happy about that.” Hotch snorted.
“We’re being careful, Agent.” The doctor said. “Keeping what youtol us in mind. And Dr. Walters told us how much Dilaudid he got at what time. It will be fine.” She sighed. “Hopefully a familiar face beside him will keep him calm when he wakes again. You all seem to be closer than just co-workers.”
“We’re a team.” Hotchner said.
“… We’re a family.” Garcia corrected, smiling slightly. The doctor smiled and nodded.
“What about his actual family?” She asked.
“… I think it is best if next of kin is NOT notified at this time.” Rossi said, carefully. “We’ll handle it when the time is right.”
“… I… I’m sorry?” The doctor said, in disbelief.
“That’s all you need to know.” Rossi said, firmly. The doctor blinked, but nodded and left. The team watched Reid sleep for a long time, before finally drifting off one by one. Rossi took the first shift while Morgan went home to feed and walk his dog. When he was done he returned, and Rossi went home to get some sleep. Morgan was there until the sun went down. He looked up when the door opened.
“Hey Hotch. Oh. Mrs. Hotchner.” He stood, smiling and offering his hand. She smiled and took it briefly, nodding. Morgan nodded back and knelt. “Hey there, little Hotch Man.” Jack smiled at Morgan and enthusiastically slapped the offered palm in a high five.
“We just got back from dinner.” Hotch said. “They wanted to visit for a minute before I took over and sent you home. How is he doing?”
“Sleeping.” Morgan said with a shrug. “Doc says he may sleep for a while longer. He’s suffering exhaustion in addition to everything else.” Slowly, they approached the bed and Hotch picked up his son, who looked down at Reid in curiosity.
“Will he recover?” Haley asked, softly. She reached out and stroked the back of Reid’s hand, gently.
“Doc says he’ll make a full recovery…” Morgan said, then sighed. “IF he survives his advanced pneumonia and any possible infections. His immune system is really weak.” He looked at Hotch. “He twitches sometimes when you talk to him. The doctor says he may be coming out of it, but is too weak to wake fully. But he’s trying. She says talking to him can help. When he wakes up, she wants to try and see if he can breathe on his own.” Hotchner nodded.
“Okay.” He said, watching Jack mimic his mother and pat the back of Reid’s hand. “You trying to help him wake up?” He asked his son, and Jack smiled.
“WAKE UP, DR. REID!” The little boy suddenly shouted, making the adults jump. Reid twitched. The small group stared at Jack in surprise, then broke down into laughter. Haley shushed him.
“We have to be gentle, sweetie.” She said, grinning at Hotch. “He’s very sick.”
“You should turn on cartoons.” Jack suggested, pointing at the TV up in the corner.
“Oh?” Hotch asked.
“I watch cartoons when I’m sick.” Jack explained. Morgan chuckled, grinning at Hotch.
“That’s the best way to get better.” Morgan agreed with Jack. “But you know what Dr. Reid likes when he’s sick? Jell-O.”
“I like Jell-O!” Jack gasped, and Hotchner smiled, kissing his forehead.
“Well, maybe your mom will let you have some Jell-O. IF you promise to be good and go to bed for her.” He told his son, glancing at Haley. Jack turned, looking expectantly at his mother. She smiled, shaking her head at her ex-husband.
“Only if you promise.” She said, taking Jack from his father as he nodded fiercely. “Okay. You can have some Jell-O. Goodnight, Aaron.”
“Night, Haley.” Hotch said with a nod. “Sleep tight, buddy.” And he ruffled Jack’s hair. Haley brushed her hand over Reid’s again, then carried Jack out of the room. Hotch sighed, watching her go.
“Cute kid, Hotch.” Morgan snickered. “Can’t wait to tell Reid how your boy tried to help him.” Hotch was unable to contain the chuckle.
“I can’t believe he did that…” He said, turning and looking down at Reid. His smile faded.
“Hotch. He’ll be okay.” Morgan assured him. “Need anything?”
“No.” Hotch said. “Who will relieve me?”
“Elle.”
“Elle?”
“Yeah. She just flew into town.” Morgan said. “She was out on a job, so she just got the message. But she came as soon as she could. She feels bad that she didn’t get here earlier.”
Hotch sighed. “I’ll set her straight.” He said, and Morgan nodded.
“Just make sure you call everyone the minutes he wakes up.” He told his boss. Hotchner nodded, slowly taking a seat in the chair by Reid’s bed.
“Sure thing.”
“Night Hotch.” Morgan said, and walked out of the room.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Reid could vaguely hear the soft murmuring… He knew that voice… He tried to call out through the dark fog…
“… Morgan? Morgan!” He shouted in his mind, but his body would not respond. “I’m here!” He could feel the man’s hand, strong and firm, but gentle. He tried to close his fingers around Morgan’s hand to let him know that he knew he was there… but he was unable to do more than twitch his middle finger. When he did, he felt Morgan’s other hand cover his own.
“Come on, kid…” He faintly heard Morgan say. “Stay strong. You can beat this. Wake up…”
“Morgan… I’m trying… I… I don’t like it here…” Reid gasped. “It’s dark. I don’t like it… I’m alone.” But Morgan couldn’t hear him. Morgan didn’t answer. But Morgan didn’t let go, either. It was the one thing that kept Reid clinging to the only string of consciousness that he had. The warm, comforting hand… it felt as though years had passed… and then, the hand left.
“Morgan? Morgan?!” Reid cried. He wanted to reach out, try and catch the hand, but he couldn’t move… Then, there were voices… “Hotch?” A woman’s voice… it wasn’t JJ or Emily… who was it? Then, soft touches on his hand. He wanted to cry in relief. Then a hand on his own. It was small… so small…
“WAKE UP DR. REID!!!” Reid jumped a the sudden shout, startled. Who was that? His mind swirled in confusion. Riley Jenkins? No… he was dead... dead for twenty years… Jack. It was Jack Hotchner. He heard soft laughter, then more murmuring, another gentle touch to his hand, and then all was silent. Had he been left alone again?
“Morgan?” He called into the nothingness. “Hotch?” He felt himself sinking… losing his grip on awareness. “No… I don’t want to…” He moaned, reaching up for that string of consciousness he had been clinging to. Then, there was a hand holding his, and he managed to catch that string.
“Hey Reid…” He heard a soft voice say. It was full of pity, regret… guilt…
“Hotch…” Reid said in shock. Guilt? Surely the man wasn’t blaming himself for what had happened… Of course he was… This was Hotch. He always did. He was protective of his team. And especially of Reid. They all were. Reid tried to pretend that they weren’t… he found it embarrassing. He thought that it was because they thought he was weak. But right there in that moment, Reid realized that this wasn’t completely true. They were protective because they cared that much about him. As he care for them. The BAU team was a family, always there for each other. Reid sighed and relaxed. They were not leaving him alone, he realized. He was able to relax in that knowledge. He didn’t know how much time had passed. Minutes? Hours?
“I’m sorry…” He heard Hotchner gasp. Was… was he crying? “I’m so sorry, Reid… I… I keep telling myself that this isn’t my fault… How could we have know that WE were the next target? That you were the next victim… How could we have known that you weren’t safe in your own home? How could we have known where they had taken you…? I know it was out of my control, but… knowing doesn’t make me feel any better. I can’t help but feel that we… that I… should have been there for you… protected you from him. Or gotten you out of there sooner. But we didn’t. And I hate myself for it…”
Reid shook his head. No. Hotch couldn’t put himself through this… he couldn’t let him. He clawed his way upwards…
“I’m so sorry, Reid…” Hotch continued. “First the Hankel case… Benjamin Cyrus… that Nathan kid… Adam Jackson…I know that case in Texas was hard on you… so was that case in Vegas… then there was that… damned Anthrax… and now this.”
“Hotch… You can’t protect me from everything…” Reid tried to say, dragging himself out of the darkness. Then, he could feel it. His aching body in the bed… the needles in his arms, the tube in his throat. His hand in Aaron Hotchner’s. Weakly, he closed his fingers around Hotch’s hand, holding it. Hotch blinked at the pale hand, then looked up.
“Reid?” He called, almost afraid to hope. Reid squeezed his hand. “Reid, can you hear me?” Reid turned his head towards Hotch, every so slightly. Hotch leaned forwards, eyes wide. “Reid… come on…” He reached out and laid a hand on Reid’s cheek. “Wake up.” Reid’s brow furrowed slightly, and a moment later tired eyes cracked open. Slowly, Agent Hotchner smiled.
“Hey… Welcome back…” He said, softly. Reid closed his eyes, grimacing in pain, then opened them again. He looked at Hotch. “Squeeze once for yes, twice for no…” Hotch told him. “Do you understand?” One squeeze. “Okay. Do you know where you are?” Reid blinked and slowly looked around, then squeezed Hotch’s hand once. “Are you in pain?”
Yes.
“Okay. I’ll get the doctor.” Hotch said, but Reid responded with two anxious squeezes. Hotch looked at him. “What? Don’t you want any pain killers?” Reid winced and looked away, guilt in his eyes. “Reid… is this about the Dilaudid?” Reid closed his eyes. “Reid, don’t do this to yourself, do you understand me?” Reid tried to pull his hand out of Hotch’s grip, but Hotch didn’t let him. “Reid. Look at me.” Slowly, Reid obeyed. “No one blames you. You were hurt, scared, delirious… It’s okay. Are you afraid that you’re addicted again?”
Yes.
“You’re not. You had TWO injections. And you will not have another. We are here for you. And Reid. If you find yourself… craving it, I want you to come see one of us. Me, Jason, Morgan, Garcia… any one. Promise me, Reid.” Reid stared at Hotchner, then squeezed his hand. Hotch smiled and nodded. “Good.” He said, laying a hand on Reid’s cheek again. “Wait here. I’m calling the others. They wanted to know the moment you woke up. Or do you want to sleep some more?” Reid blinked. “Do you want to sleep?”
Yes.
“… Okay. The others will be here in the morning. Do you want me to wake you when they get here?”
Yes.
“Alright. Just get some sleep, Reid. I’m right here.” Hotch assured him, taking out his cell phone. Reid stared at him, his eyes slowly falling closed, and finally, he was able to have a restful sleep.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Mornin’ Hotch.”
“Elle. Hi.” Hotch said, looking up when the group came in. “How are you?”
“I’d be a lot better if this reunion was under better circumstances.” She said, looking at Reid.
“He woke up last night?” Gideon asked.
“Yes. Shortly. He asked me not to call you guys. He wanted to sleep.” Hotch said.
“How did he tell you?” JJ asked, eyeing the tube that ran down Reid’s throat.
“Squeezed my hand.” Hotch explained. “Once for yes, twice for no.” He turned and leaned over their youngest team member. “Reid… Reid, wake up.” Reid twitched, turning his head towards Hotch. He moaned slightly, then slowly blinked his eyes open. Hotchner smiled at him. “Good morning.” He said, squeezing Reid’s hand. Then he sat back, and Reid saw the team. His eyes lit up, and he weakly raised a hand in greeting. There were smiles in response.
“Hey Spencer.” Gideon said, smiling. Reid nodded slightly, wincing. Quietly, the group gathered around the bed. Reid’s eyes smiled at Elle.
“What the hell did you get yourself into, Reid…” She asked, smiling at him and smoothing hair out of his face.
“I see Dr. Reid has decided to join you.” The doctor said, walking in. She smiled. “Dr. Reid… would you like to try and breathe on your own?” Reid squeezed Hotch’s hand.
“He says yes.” Hotch said, and she smiled and nodded, walking over.
“Okay. Now, when I disconnect you, you will have to put conscious effort into it at first. Then nature will take over. But if you can’t, don’t panic. Just squeeze Agent Hotchner’s hand if you want me to reconnect you. Okay?”
“He says yes.” Hotch said.
“Okay. Here we go.” The doctor said, and she disconnected Reid from the respirator. The team held their breaths. Reid closed his eyes for a bit, then squirmed. He tilted his head back, then let out a weak gasp. He tried to swallow around the tube before gasping again. He gasped once more before finally drawing a rattling breath, the congestion thick. Reid winced, exhaling, then taking another breath. Slowly, he began to build up a natural rhythm, and then he opened his eyes, looking at the doctor. She smiled.
“Well done. Hold still, this is going to be uncomfortable.” She said, leaning over. Garcia winced when Reid gagged as the tube was removed from his throat. He coughed, violently, and the doctor held a cup of water to his lips. “Slowly.” She said.
Reid sipped the water, wetting down his extremely dry throat.
“There… better?” The doctor asked. Reid looked up at her, and nodded. “Good. Now, let your throat rest. Don’t start trading gossip right away, okay?” Reid nodded again. “I’ll let you all catch up then.” She said, turning and leaving the room.
Garcia made the first move. She leaned over and hugged Reid, tightly, kissing his forehead. “I’m so glad you’re home, baby…” Reid gave her a small smile, and looked down when Morgan took his other hand. Reid looked around at them, then swallowed and opened his mouth.
“Don’t talk, Reid.” Morgan said, firmly. Reid gave him a defiant look.
“… The brothers.” He gasped, his voice dry and wheezy, little more than a whisper. The team looked around at each other.
“… They got away.” Hotch said.
“You didn’t tell me that!” Elle gasped, eyes wide.
“It’s why we’re keeping a 24 hour watch on Reid.” Gideon said. “So they can’t come back to finish the job.” Reid gulped loudly, the color draining from his face.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A week passed. Reid started to get better. Breathing was easier. Speaking was easier. Despite the fact that the brothers were still out there, Reid felt safe. Every time he opened his eyes, there was a smiling face there to greet him. Mostly it was Morgan, Gideon, Hotch and Garcia. But a few times it was JJ, Emily or Elle. Garcia always came in with someone else. Technically they were standing guard over Reid, and she didn’t carry a gun, so they decided that it was best if she was not considered part of the guard. She was the comfort. Thanks to her and the other girls, Reid’s room was filled with flowers, and he now was sharing his bed with a large brown teddy bear with a big red bow around its neck. The thing was almost as big as Reid’s torso. Morgan, and even Hotch had laughed when Reid complained that his furry companion was hogging the bed.
Cards were everywhere. From his team, from other people in the Bureau (even Section Chief Strauss, to Reid’s surprise), as well as friends… Reid was surprised at how many there were… people from his building (he didn’t really even know any of them), people his team had helped, like Nathan and his mother, and Lila… He had blushed when he opened that one, and Morgan teased him mercilessly.
Will and Henry had come to visit with JJ one evening when the whole team was there. That visit was filled with smiles. And laughter, especially at how awkward Reid was when Will decided to make him hold the baby.
“Don’t worry, Dr. Reid.” Will said in his thick Cajun accent. “It takes practice.” Reid smiled at him in thanks when he took Henry back.
“You need your practice, Spence. Welcome to being a Godfather.” JJ teased.
“… JJ. If I may…” Reid said, smirking. “Please note the IV… the hospital bed. The stitches, the bruising. Oh. AND the um… urinary catheter until they took it out yesterday. I think I can get away with no practice for a bit.”
“Ooh… eew…” Morgan winced, hand moving to cover his groin in sympathetic protectiveness. The others laughed at that.
“Tell me about it.” Reid snorted.
“Oh? Something out there actually DOES freak you out?” Morgan teased, and Reid smiled slightly.
“I know what freaks him out.” JJ said, grinning. “Feeling a baby kicking inside of a pregnant woman.” Reid looked at her, and the pair shared a laugh about their private joke. JJ leaned over, kissing Reid’s forehead.
“If I get pregnant again, I’ll make you feel it EVERY day.”
“Oh, no, please.” Reid whined, shaking his head, and the group laughed again.
“Reid…” Morgan said after a moment, and Reid looked at him. “How are you doing?”
Reid blinked and looked down at himself. “… Healing. Getting better every day.” He said. Morgan sighed and walked over.
“I mean in here.” He said, pressing a finger to Reid’s forehead. Reid blinked and stared at him, then averted his eyes.
“… Okay, I guess. I… I’m afraid to be alone.” He confessed.
“And… what about what Graham did?” Morgan asked. Reid looked at him.
“It happened. There’s nothing I can do about that. All there is to do is accept that it happened, I can’t change it… all I can do is accept it and…” He looked at Morgan, smiling slightly. “And use it to become a better profiler, and a better person.” Morgan blinked, then smiled and snorted.
“Good for you, kid.”
“I took that to heart last time. Just like you said. Why is this time any different? I’m not going to let it eat at me from the inside out.” Reid insisted. “And besides. I know I can count on you guys to be there when I need you.”
“… But we weren’t…” Hotchner said, frowning.
“You were there when it mattered.” Reid said. “Hotch, you think I couldn’t hear you that first night you spent in here with me? You can’t blame yourself. You can’t protect us from everything. Things will happen. We have to rely on each other to do their jobs. I relied on you to save me. And here I am.” Reid smiled. “You uh… you did.” Morgan shook his head, chuckling, then wrapped an arm around Reid’s thin shoulders in a small hug.
“That’s my boy.” He said, and Reid grinned.
“I’ll be okay.” He assured the others. “I feel safe with you guys.” Gideon smiled, nodding, and the girls grinned at Reid when he yawned.
“I think it’s nap time, pretty boy.” Morgan laughed, and Reid rubbed his nose with his middle finger. “Ooh… Ouch.” Morgan snickered as Reid lay down.
“Whoever comes to see me in the morning…” Reid said, making himself comfortable. “Could you bring me some coffee?” The group laughed.
“Doctor said no caffeine until she okays it, Reid.” Emily said. “Sorry.”
“Damn.” Reid grumbled, rolling on his side and wrinkling his nose when the fur of the teddy bear tickled him. He snorted and shoved it over. He blinked when someone pulled the blankets up and tucked him in. It was Garcia. The others were already filing out of the room. Gideon was sitting down in a chair by the bed, and so did Garcia. She pulled a book out of her bag and showed it to Reid.
“Know this one?” She asked. Reid smiled and nodded. She pulled out another. “And this one?”
“Yep.”
“Damn. This one?”
“Ummm… yes.”
“You suck, Dr. Reid. This one?”
“… Actually, no.”
“Good.” Garcia said. She cracked open the book, and began to read aloud. Reid smiled, both amused and comforted. He looked down at Gideon when he felt the elder man take his hand. He gave Gideon a grateful smile and closed his eyes. With the gentle hand and the soft voice, Reid slipped into sleep easily…
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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Tribulations