The Nights We Stay Awake (TemperancexReader)

23. "She's fussing about"

Y/n pov

The first thing i notice when Penelope takes me home form the hospital is how she's set up everything like a fortress, ready to keep me safe and secure. The couch in our apartment has been piled with blankets, pillows, and everything i might need within arm's reach. Books, snacks, even a little bell to ring if i need anything- which she insists on, much to my embarrassment.

"Pen, you know i can walk, right?" I joke, trying to make light of the situation as she fusses over me, helping me settle onto the couch.

She gives me a stern look, her hands on her hips. "Not for the next two weeks, you're not! Doctor's orders. And if you think i'm going to let you wander around when you're supposed to be resting, you've got another thing coming."

I roll my eyes but can't help smiling. Penelope's always been protective, even if she's the little sister, but this is a new level, even for her. Still, i let her do it because i know it makes her feel better, and maybe it's exactly what i need right now too.

The first few days blur together in a haze of painkillers, naps, and Penelope's constant hovering. She barely leaves my side, and when she does, it's only to let people in who've come to visit. The stream of friends and teammates is steady, and i'm grateful for it, even if it's a little overwhelming at times.

Temperance is here a lot. She doesn't say much, just sits with me, sometimes reading or working quietly on her laptop while i rest. But her presence is comforting, a steady reminder that i'm not alone, even when the silence between us is heavy with things unsaid.

One afternoon, Temperance comes by with a stack of files in her arms, her expression focused as she walks through the door. Penelope lets her in with a knowing smile, and i can't help but notice the way Tempe's face softens when she sees me.

"Hey, how are you feeling today?" She asks, setting the files down on the coffee table and pulling up a chair next to the couch.

"Better," i reply, though the ache in my chest - both physical and emotional - still lingers. "Thanks for coming by, Tempe."

"Of course," she says, and for a moment, her hand hovers near mine, as if she wants to reach out but isn't sure if she should. I can tell she's holding back, and it makes me wonder if i've been doing the same.

Morgan stops by the next day, his presence filling the room with that familiar energy. He brings a bag of takeout and a grin that's meant to lift my spirits.

"Look at you, Y/n," he says, dropping onto the couch next to me, careful not to jostle me too much. "Got the whole team waiting on you hand and foot."

I chuckle, shaking my head. "You know Penelope. She's got me on lockdown."

"Damn right, i do!" Penelope calls from the kitchen, where she's preparing some herbal tea she insists will help with my recovery.

Morgan's smile fades just a little as he leans in closer, his voice lowering. "You're doing okay though, right? I mean... really okay?"

There's concern in his eyes, and i know he's not just talking about the physical injuries. We both know of who haven't been here, have barely been seen since the hospital. I give him a small nod, trying to reassure him. "Yeah, i'm getting there. Just... taking it day by day."

He nods, understanding in his gaze, and we sit in companionable silence for a while, eating takeout and catching up. I'm grateful for the distraction, for the normalcy he brings with him.

Hotch comes by later in the week, his visit brief but meaningful. He's always been more reserved, but i can tell he's worried about me. He hands me a file- something light to read, he says with a rare smile- and tells me to take all the time i need to recover. "The team's holding up just fine," he reassures me, "but we'll be glad to have you back when you're ready."

Reid arrives one morning with an armful of books, and i can't help but smile at the sight of him, his excitement barely contained as he rattles off summaries of each book. "I picked out a variety," he explains, "some light reading, some more complex, depending on how you're feeling."

I thank him, genuinely touched by the thought he's put into it. "Thanks, Reid. You always know just what i need."

He grins, adjusting his reading glasses. "Reading is one of the best ways to recover, you know. It keeps your mind engaged and distracted from any pain."

Rossi's visit is a little different. He shows up with a basket of home-cooked meals, the aromas filing the apartment as soon as he walks in. "Figured you could use some real food," he says with a wink, setting the basked down on the counter. "You need to keep your strength up."

"Thanks, Rossi," I say, smiling as i peek inside the basket. "This is amazing."

"Nothing but the best for our girl," he replies, his voice warm. "And don't worry, there's plenty more where that came from."

JJ brings fresh flowers, brightening up the room with their vibrant colours. She arranges them in a vase Penelope pulls from the cupboard, and the two of them chat while i watch, feeling a little more alive with each familiar face that passes through the door.

But as the days go by, there's one face i don't see, one person who doesn't come by, and i can't help but notice the absence. Emily never comes. I know why, and i think everyone else does too, but no one says anything. It's like we've all silently agreed not to bring it up, as if speaking it out loud would make it too real, too painful.

Penelope catches me staring at my phone one night, waiting for a message that doesn't come, and she gently takes it from my hands, placing it on the table out of reach.

"She's just giving you space," Penelope says softly, her eyes full of sympathy. "You both need time to figure things out."

I nod, but the ache in my chest deepens. I know Penelope's right, but it doesn't make it any easier. I miss Emily, miss the connection we had, the passion that burned so brightly between us. But i also know that things have changed, and i'm not sure if we can ever go back to how we were.

The days stretch on, and i try to focus on healing, on the people who are here for me. But every time the door opens, a part of me hopes it will be Emily walking through, even though i know she won't. I bury the disappointment deep, not wanting to burden anyone else with it.