Twice in a Lifetime (Criminal Minds)

The Hospital

I don't own Criminal Minds or the shows characters. This story is purely for fan entertainment.

*SpencerReidFan

Reid lay on the bed with his eyes closed, but his head was slowly swaying back and forth on the pillow. On his head was a bandage, already covered in the genius' blood. His leg was proped up with a sling-like thing that hung from the ceiling, his shoulder was being supported by a sling, and his arm and hand were bandaged. But what scared the team most was the fact that they almost lost him and he was now laying before them, broken and bruised.

J.J. was the first to move. She shuffled over towards his bed and sat down on the chair that was seated beside his bed. She took his bandaged hand in hers, and softly called his name, "Spence." The sound of her voice must must have been heard because Reid moaned and squeezed her hand.

The rest of the team slowly entered the small room and waited for Reid to open his eyes.

"That's it baby boy, let us see your pretty eyes," Garcia coaxed softly. In response Reid moaned again and opened his eyes slowly. He was dazed at first and stared around the room at his teammates, unsure of were he was. Then the memories can flooding back.

The news.

The call. 

The accident.

And that was why he was there. Lying in a hospital bed, feeling dazed and was in pain even though the medication was trying it's hardest to fight back.

"Hey pretty boy. How are you feeling?" Morgan asked moving towards the bed.

"Like I was hit by a truck," Reid croaked smiling slightly, his throat dry and painful from lack of moisture. 

The team had to smile back. Their genius was still with them.

"Well, that's pretty damn close," Rossi stated, grinning.

Reid attempted to sit up but it proved to painful and he lowered himself back down onto the mattress, gasping in pain as he jostled his broken leg.

Everyone winced at the sight of the youngest team member in pain. 

Garcia went over to Reid's bedside and gave him a hug, being as gentil as she could. When she pulled away, Reid coughed loudly amd painfully. When the fit ended Garcia reached over to the nightstand beside Reid and grabbed a small paper cup full of ice cubes and handed them to Reid. "Here, this will make your throat feel better."

"Thanks," Reid whispered, graciously accepting the cup and placing an ice cube in his mouth. He sighed in relief as the cold ice slid down his throat, creating instant relief.

"That better?" Garcia asked.

"Much," Reid answered, the improvement evident in his voice. He thought for a minute and then spoke breaking the silence that had enveloped the room. "What happened to the driver of the other vehicle?" He asked, unsure what had happened during his unconciousness. It felt strange, alien to him, not being able to remember. But theres a first time for everything right?

The team stared at him and Morgan gave a small laugh.

"What?" Reid asked confused, but it hadn't been the first time he wasn't informed of an inside joke.

"Reid you're seriously worried about the guy that nearly killed you?" Morgan questioned, laughing again. 

"He didn't do it on purpose," Reid mumbled defensively.

"Ahhh Reid he's fine, and so is his mom." Reid nodded satisfied, when a thought dawned on him.

"Hows the case? Do you have any more leads?" He pressed. suddenly remembering his psyhcological torturer. He just then realized how tired he was.

"Nothing has come up," Hotch told him. Having done his job, Reids eyelids slowly began to droop, and he sank lower into his pillow.

"Reid, get some sleep. One of us will be here at all times," J.J. told him softly, but he had already fallen asleep.

The team left the room, so as not to wake the genius.

"Okay, Morgan you stay here with Reid, J.J., Blake and Garcia go to the hotel to get some sleep, and Dave you and I will go back to the police station. We'll see if we can come up with something. We'll rotate every five hours. Don't worry about the hospital staff kicking you out, i'll go talk to them." Hotch's instructions were followed and the team split up. 

Morgan quietly entered the room and closed the door behind him. He passed the lightswitch, mentally debating whether  or not to turn it off. He quickly decided it would be best to leave it on. It was getting dark fast and if Reid were to wake up during the night he may panic. It was known by everyone on the team that Reid was afraid of the dark, so better safe then sorry.

He made his way to the chair set beside Reid's bed and he plopped down into it. Reid had began to snor softly and the sound was soothing. It caused Morgan to close his eyes and eventually fall asleep