Monsters & Men • A Spencer Reid Fanfiction •

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

"May you fall in love with someone
who never gets tired of saving you from your own chaos."
J. Anthony Vassell

Pain.

Pain and heavy limbs.

That was the first thing Phoebe became aware of.

Even opening her eyes was a struggle. Each eyelid felt like it weighed ten pounds. And why was there a massive pounding in her head like she was experiencing the worst hangover in history.

The second thing she became aware of was someone holding her hand as she tried to touch her forehead only to meet resistance.

Glancing to the side of her bed, she shaw why. There was a person dozing off on a chair beside her. She knew the mop of unruly, light brown curls was familiar, but her brain was drawing up a blank.

The person shifted, hazel eyes momentarily checking up on her. They widened in surprise when they saw she was awake, and the person sat up straighter. Despite her foggy mind, she noticed that he didn't let her hand go.

"Reid," she croaked, his name finally floating up through the fog. Then all the memories seemed to flood behind his name.

Oh,right. I got shot. Fuck.

"You're awake," he stated as if he couldn't believe it. There was a tentative smile on his face, as if he didn't want to allow himself to be completely happy because something else might happen. "Here, you should drink this. You've been out for awhile."

"That must be why my throat feels like sandpaper," she joked. Unfortunately, Reid didn't seem to think it was funny. His eyebrows furrowed and it was the first time Phoebe had seen him look so frustrated. So she waited for him to talk because he looked like he had a lot on his mind.

"I'm sorry," he finally murmured, not meeting her eyes.

This time, it was Phoebe's turn to scrunch her eyebrows. "Sorry for what?" She racked her brains for any reason he might feel that way, but he was already answering.

"I should've had your back," he replied. "Maybe if I was faster-"

"Spence, stop," she said firmly even though the side of her abdomen was beginning to hurt. Reaching out, she grabbed his hand to make sure she got his attention, and Reid finally turned to meet her eyes. "You did great. You saved me and those kids."

"But one of the unsubs got away," he informed her, finally plopping down onto the seat. He didn't pull his hand back.

"Then we'll get them. Together. Like we always do," Phoebe said with a smile.

Reid finally cracked a tentative smile back. "You should get some more rest. The team is still out looking for the woman who got away- her name is Dorothy Harkness. I said I would stay here and keep them updated."

"You should probably call them, then," Phoebe said, placing the glass back onto the small table beside her. "You know Garcia will kill you if you don't."

"You're absolutely right," Reid agreed as he pulled put his phone. Phoebe shut her eyes in contentment. Oddly unperturbed that she got shot. As Reid watched her relax, he realized how calm she was.

This isn't the first time she's been shot. The thought almost made him drop his phone, but Garcia had already picked up. "This is your genie speaking. What is my master's bidding?"

Reid turned his attention to Garcia, but his hand held on tighter to Phoebe's as he watched over her.

                                      🔍

Phoebe heard voices, and her eyes immediately popped open to scan for danger.

But once she felt a light squeeze on her hand, she instantly relaxed. Because it only meant one thing: Reid was still there.

"Hey look who's awake," Morgan said, making Phoebe turn her head to look at him. He was smiling at her with a look of adoration that was typically reserved for Garcia. "How you doin' Sleeping Beauty?"

"Better now that you're all here," Phoebe found herself saying as her eyes adjusted to the light, her eyes travelling around the room. The whole team was there, and there were balloons and food everywhere. "I'm guessing we caught the bad guys?"

"Yeah, and some people wanted to say hello to you, too," Hotch spoke up from near the door. Phoebe cocked her head to the side as he pulled it open, and in ran two heads of blonde hair. She recognized one as Michael, and the other as the blonde girl with him.

They ran to her bed and sat beside her, so she adjusted to give them space and make sure her wound wasn't jostled too much. Reid also moved with her, seeming unwilling to let her go. Everyone in the room noticed, especially JJ.

"Hi there," Phoebe said, pushing her hair behind her ears.

"Hello," Michael answered first. "I'm Michael, and this is Sophie."

Phoebe smiled at the two kids who were also dressed in hospital gowns like her. They appeared to be recovering nicely, and it almost brought tears to her eyes. "Hello, Michael and Sophie. How are you guys feeling?"

"Better now thanks to you and Dr. Reid," Sophie replied. "Did he make you feel better too?"

Phoebe and Reid met each other's eyes as everyone in the room chuckled. "Sort of," Phoebe replied. "He's a special kind of doctor."

Reid's heart seemed to skip a beat at Phoebe's words. He was thankful he wasn't the one plugged into the heart monitor, but Morgan didn't miss the way his cheeks tinged pink at her words.

"We wanted to say thank you for saving us," Michael continued, pulling something from behind him.

"We made this drawing for you and Dr. Reid. Mr. Rossi said you guys were going to get it framed," Sophie added, also handing in her drawing.

"Wow," Reid exclaimed as he took one. He and Phoebe held the two drawings together and smiled. One had a picture of, Phoebe assumed, her and Reid. She was dressed as a princess and he was dressed in a knight's armor. The other one that Reid held seemed to look like they were wearing superhero costumes.

Phoebe hugged the drawing to her chest, trying to fight the tears now. She couldn't remember the last time she felt so happy and grateful. "I will frame this and treasure it always," she assured them, already sniffling. "Can I get a hug?"

The kids didn't even answer and lunged at her, causing Reid to cry out in alarm because of her injury. But Phoebe didn't care. She was too happy to feel the pain. "You guys are so talented," Phoebe said as she pulled back, her eyes shining with tears. "Keep it up, okay?" The kids nodded in understanding. Phoebe wanted to spend a few more minutes with them but she saw Hotch slip put of the room to meet with the parents, who had also arrived.

"I think there are some people who'd like to see you now," Phoebe pointed. The kids turned to her window to see their parents, and their faces lighted up with such joy. They forgot about Phoebe and Dr. Reid and rushed out of the room as quickly as they came.

Phoebe made a sound that was somewhere between a laugh and a sniffle, and Reid took her hand again as they all watched the families reunite.

Maybe, just maybe, I've found a family, too.