Melting of the Ice Queen

Chapter 1: Love or Protocol

Disclaimer: I own nothing, but the words. Also I don't like the way season 8 ended so I changed it to fit my warped mind.

The unsub was in custody, guns were put away and vests coming off. Out of the corner of his eye he saw her; she had a revolver pointed right at JJ, without thinking he stepped between them, drawing his weapon. He fired, killing the gunwoman, but not before she got him. Everyone scrambled to see what was happening.

JJ was the first one to his side. "Oh God, Oh God. Medic." She screamed. "Hotch, get over here!" She laid his head in her lap, he was in bad shape, the bullet had hit him in the chest and blood was everywhere. "Stay with me. Oh God, stay with me."

He tried his best to keep his eyes open, but the pain was overwhelming, he felt so cold. The paramedics were there in a matter of seconds, working on him. Hotch tried to pull JJ away. "JJ let them do their job."

"Aaron, he saved my life. He stepped in front of me, she was aiming for me." She sobbed looking at her fallen comrade.

"He'll be okay." Hotch said not really believing his own words. The entire team had gathered around their Unit Chief.

Morgan asked, "Can you promise that?"

"Not 100%, but he's a tough hardass; he won't go out without fighting." Hotch commented. "Derek, go get Strauss, I don't want her hearing this from anyone but us." Morgan nodded and hurried to the waiting SUV.

One of the paramedics commented as they put David Rossi into the awaiting ambulance, "Someone going with us?"

Hotch was his best friend, he had just saved JJ's life and Reid had become his shadow. Hotch and Reid spoke at the same time, "JJ"

The unit chief continued, "JJ, you go with Dave. We'll meet you at the hospital."

Derek Morgan took the stairs 3 at a time; he needed to get to the Deputy Director before she heard the news from someone else or even worse the press. Entering her outer office he didn't pause to speak to her assistant, he continued through the office to her door. "You can't go in there; she's in an important meeting with the Director."

"I don't give a damn if she's meeting with the President himself. This is an emergency." He said pushing the door open.

Erin Strauss stood as the door opened, "Agent Morgan, what is the meaning of this?" she demanded.

"I'm sorry ma'am, but you need to come with me now." Morgan said reaching for her hand. The Director was on his feet as well.

"What the hell is this, Erin?" The Director demanded.

Willing himself to stay calm, Morgan looked Erin right in the eye. "There was a problem this morning with the girlfriend of the unsub, after we took him down, we were packing up to leave. She came out of nowhere and pointed her gun at JJ, Dave stepped between them. He killed her, but not before she got off a shot. He'd already taken off his vest, we all had. It's bad, Erin. Please come with me." He was almost begging.

"Erin, go. We will continue this later, go to Dave he needs you." The Director said giving her a quick hug as Morgan pulled her out the door, to a waiting Garcia and heading to the hospital.

Strauss, Morgan and Garcia entered the waiting room just outside the Emergency room doors. Hotch was on his feet as soon as they entered.

"Agent Hotchner, how bad?" Erin Strauss asked immediately putting on the ice queen mask. She was trying to remain calm, there were others from the bureau in the waiting room and she was fairly sure no one but the Alpha team and the Director new about her relationship with David.

Taking her by the elbow and moving to one side, followed closely by the entire Alpha team, "It's bad, Erin. He took a bullet to the chest. We are waiting for the ER doctor to come and talk to us." Hotch on one side and Derek on the other supporting her so no one would see her knees weaken.

JJ was the one that said the words no one else wanted to say. "Ma'am…Erin, with all due respect, now is not the time to be the deputy director, now is the time to be Erin Strauss, the woman that IS David Rossi's heart."

"What about protocol and all these other agents?" She asked, more to herself than anyone.

"Screw protocol." Reid interjected and everyone looked at him, unable to believe the words came from him. "The man that you love is fighting for his life in there. Be the woman he loves, there will be a lot of decisions to make and he will want them made by you or at least with your help. You and the rest of this team are his family. It's time ALL of us acted like it."

They team continued talking amongst themselves, shutting the rest of the waiting room out until the doctor walked in. "Rossi family?"

Erin reached for Derek's hand, "We are agent Rossi family" she said.

The doctor motioned for Erin to sit. "I'm Dr. Phillips; Agent Rossi is being prepped for surgery. He's lost a lot of blood and until we get in and assess the damage, we won't know what we are looking at. I will tell you I am very concerned, he took it in the chest and that isn't good. Someone will keep you updated as we go. It would be best if you all moved to the 4th floor surgical waiting room. "

"Is there any way we could see him before he goes to surgery?" JJ asked.

"I'm sorry, he's on his way now, and time is not a luxury we have right now." Dr Phillips said leaving back through the door he came through.

Seconds felt like hours and minutes like days. Hotch, Derek and Reid paced, being careful not to bump into each other. Blake stood by the door watching them. Several agents and FBI personal sat off to one side. They knew this was an elite group and they were not part of it, but some of the agents had been trained by Rossi.

Erin sat by herself for a long time staring off into space, finally JJ and Penelope sat one on each side of her. Garcia took her hand and just held it quietly. JJ spoke softly, "This is my fault."

"How do you think any of this is your fault?" Erin asked.

The younger blonde began to let the tears she had been fighting flow. "She was pointing the gun at me, she was going to shoot me, and if he hadn't stepped between us he would be fine."

"And you might be dead." Strauss said taking JJ's hand. "Henry would be without a mother and Will without his wife. Do not blame yourself for this. I am certain David knew what he was doing. He would lay down his life for any of you. You are his family and if he doesn't make it then he will have died doing what is most important to him. Protecting those he loves."

"Stop both of you; I don't want to hear talk of our favorite Italian Stud dying. I went through this and I came out okay, and he is a lot stronger than I will ever be." Penelope chastised.

"From your lips to GOD's ears." Erin whispered looking at the clock. It had been over 3 hours since the doctor had come to tell them they were taking Dave to surgery. Why hadn't they heard anything? She was beginning to worry even more.

Derek Morgan sensed she was on edge, even though her outward appearance showed the calm and cool deputy director. He stooped in front of her, "Would you like a cup of coffee or something? Maybe a donut or sandwich it is after lunch time."

"No thank you, Derek. I'm fine." She said.

"To those agents over there you may look fine, but to us, your family we see your heart and you are as frightened as the rest of us. I'll be back with coffee for all. Come on pretty boy." He said taking Reid with him.

It wasn't long until a nurse came into the waiting room, "Rossi family?"

Again Hotch was next to Strauss, "we are the Rossi family."

"My records say he doesn't have any family here, per say, but it does list an Erin Strauss and Aaron Hotchner as medical POA." She said a little rough.

"I'm Aaron Hotchner and this is Erin Strauss." Hotch said pointing to the lady standing next to him. "And I'm not in the mood to play games with you and your attitude. Now do your job and tell us what is going on with Dave?"

She was startled that someone would actually say something to put her in her place. "He is still on the table. His vitals are causing some concern, but so far so good. Someone will bring you more news as we get it."

"Thank you." Erin said, sitting and putting her head in her hands. What was she going to do if something happened to David, to her David? It was because of him that she made it through rehab, was able to stay sober for almost two years, fought to stay alive when she should have been dead at the hands of the replicator. It was because of him she had shed the Ice Queen persona with the Alpha team and now had an amazing relationship with all 3 of her children. It was because of him she was happy and truly in love maybe for the first time in her life. How could she live without him by her side? How could she wake up every day to an empty bed? How could she live the rest of her life without his kisses, or the feel of his touch? How could she live without him? She needed to cry, but couldn't let these agents see her. She stood and excused herself heading to the ladies room.

Garcia and Alex gave Erin some time before following her into the ladies room. They found her leaning against the vanity sobbing. Penelope gathered her into a warm embrace. "Let it all out. It's okay to cry."

"Erin, I know you and I haven't always seen eye to eye, but you need to let all this sink in and let your emotions out. I can't imagine how I would be if that was James in that operating room." Alex continued, "Don't be the FBI agent today, and be a woman who may lose the man she loves. We will all be here to support you and hold you up if you fall."

Strauss' sobs grew, "I don't know how to do this…life without him."

"You listen to me; we will prepare for the worst and pray for the best. And if Rossi doesn't make it then we will help you get through it. Now let's hold hands, say a prayer and get back out there in case the Dr. comes back." Garcia was forceful, but caring.

The three women held hands and Erin Prayed. "Father God, we humbly come to you now to ask that you to put a hedge of protection around David, to guide the doctor's hands that they might repair any damage. We ask that you be with this entire family and give us the strength to get through what you have in store for us. Your will be done. These things I pray in your son's name. Amen"

When Erin, Alex and Penelope returned to the waiting room, the new section chief was sitting with Aaron. He stood when he saw them, "Deputy Director, what brings you here?" he asked somewhat confused as to why she would be at the hospital of one of his agents.

"I'm here, Matt because someone I care very much about is fighting for his life in there." Erin pointed towards the door to the surgical department.

"I'm sorry; I didn't know you and Rossi were that close, from everything I've heard the two of you fought all the time." Cruz said. Erin walked away sitting next to JJ again. "Did I say something wrong?"

"With all due respect sir," Derek said, "You don't know anything about Strauss or Rossi." Morgan walked away handing Erin a cup of coffee.

Before he could say anymore a nurse walked in and everyone stood. "Are you with Agent Rossi?" She asked looking at the team standing together.

"Yes, we are." Aaron said, again taking Erin's hand.

"The doctor would like to speak with you, but I don't know I have room for everyone." She said looking at the entire mass in the waiting room.

"What about 7 of us, do you have room for 7?" Derek asked.

"Yes, please follow me." She started down the hall, followed by the Alpha family. Erin stiffened some when she saw they were being taken into a quiet room. Her experience with quiet rooms meant someone had died. "Please have a seat the doctor will be in soon.

The team sat in the small room for what seemed like days, but had only been a few minutes, before Dr. Phillips and another physician entered. "Agent Rossi is out of surgery. We had some problems, but the bullet didn't hit any major organs. It did graze his right lung, and he's having some breathing issues. We are trying to keep oxygen on him but he is fighting it, even in his unconscious state he is fighting the mask. We are going to keep him sedated for a couple days to let his body begin to rest and heal. He is in no way out of danger, but he is a fighter." The dr. looked right at Erin, "do any of you have any questions?"

"When can we see him?" JJ was the first to ask.

"We are moving him to ICU now. Once he is settled you can see him. Give us about 15 minutes. ICU is on the 6th floor. I am going to write an order that one can be with him at all times and two others can visit for 20 minutes every hour, but please don't push him and remember he won't be awake until we lessen the sedation. He has a long way to go and he is by no means out of the woods yet. Also even though he is sedated, he can hear you, so talk to him." Having finished what he wanted to say both men left.

Aaron and Reid left to tell the others what was happening, but returned in a few minutes with Cruz and Beth. They talked amongst themselves, "Someone needs to call Emily." Reid said.

"I'll call her." Derek said. He walked away dialing his phone.

"Tell her I'm not going to tell her not to come, because she will do what she wants anyway." Erin said with a sad smile. "I know how much she loves David and he loves her."

20 minutes later they headed up to the ICU waiting area. Greeting the volunteer at the visitor's station, "We are the David Rossi family." Garcia stated.

"Thank you and I'm sorry we have to meet under these circumstances." The man picked up the phone and dialed, after a few yes', no's and I sees. "If you all will have a seat over there, a nurse will be with you in a few minutes. Also you will need to pick one or two who will be spoke persons for the group."

"Thank you." Aaron spoke again for the group.

"Strauss and Hotch should be the spokes persons for us, we will all be in touch with them, don't think any of us are leaving here until we know Rossi is out of the woods." JJ commented. Everyone nodded in agreement taking a seat to wait yet again.

Cruz sat between Reid and JJ, "I still don't understand why Strauss is here."

"You will." Is all JJ said.

Derek found his way to the group. "Emily will be on the next plane out of London." He turned to Erin, leaned in and whispered. "She said to tell you to stay strong, Dave is a fighter." This again made Erin smile a sad smile.

A few minutes later a nurse walked to where the group sat. "Hi, I'm Abbie, I'll be Agent Rossi's day nurse for the next few days and Steven will be his night nurse. We do 12 hour shifts and we like to have the same patient when we are here as that tends to warrant better care. I do better with names one on one, so I will meet you as you visit. I can take 3 back now; you just need to decide who those three will be."

The all looked at each other. Reid was the first to speak, "Erin, Aaron and JJ should be the first to go. They can keep us informed and the rest can visit in an hour or so." All nodded in agreement.

Abbie lead them through the double door, down the hall into room 623. "I will get another chair brought in." She watched as Erin slowly approached Dave bedside. Gently touching the older woman's hand, she said, "Talk to him. Let him hear your voice. All of you, let him know your here. Talk to him as if he were awake and listening. He can hear you."

Taking David's hand and gently rubbing it. Erin Strauss quietly let the tears fall. Hotch moved a chair so she could sit and went to stand next to JJ at the other side of the bed. "He's so pail." JJ remarked.

Erin sat leaning in closer to the man who was her world. "David, they say you can hear me. JJ and Aaron are here, the rest of the family is out in the waiting room, they will visit you in a while."

Hotch and JJ talked to him for a few minutes, and then decided to give Erin some time with Rossi. They wanted to talk to the rest of the team and work out some schedule for visits and helping out Erin. She asked Hotch if he would mind calling her children and telling them what was happening. She knew they would want to know, since they all adored Dave.

Once she was alone, Erin stood and kissed Dave on the forehead. "Oh David," She sat back down taking his hand again. "You can't leave me, David. You have to fight this, you have to listen to the doctors and nurses and fight. I can't be without you." She sat watching him it wasn't long before he began to fight the oxygen mask as they had been told. Abbie came to his side trying to get him to relax. It was Erin who seemed to calm him. "David Rossi, you stop fighting that mask. You leave it in place." She said in her best Strauss voice. When he seemed to stop, she softened her tone to Erin and continued, "Amante, please stop fighting this, it's for your own good, it will make you feel better. The bullet nicked your lung and this will help you breathe, help you heal. I need you to please stop fighting the oxygen."

"You have a very calming effect on him." Abbie said. "Are you his wife?"

Erin smiled at the thought of being Mrs. David Rossi and all that meant. "No, we aren't married."

"Well whatever you are to him, it's clear you love him and he is calmer with you here."

"I don't plan on going anywhere. I'm not leaving him until he's well." Strauss vowed.