FBI Agent SSA Aaron 'Hotch' Hotchner, Unit Chief of the BAU had only gone and broken bones in both his hands!
It happened within an instant but Aaron immediately felt the pain in both his hands. It was a Wednesday afternoon and he'd been chasing an unsub with Morgan and had been trying to fight the unsub with Morgan to the ground when the unsub had broken free and thrown Hotch to the ground and he landed on both his hands. He still wasn't sure how he'd managed to land on both his hands but the moment he did, he felt and heard cracks and felt pain in both hands. Morgan managed to tackle the unsub to the ground and place cuffs on his hands. Aaron managed to roll to his back and somehow get to his feet but his hands hurt him too much to use them.
The others on the team, who had been running close behind finally got to them.
"Where the hell were you guys?"
"We were right behind you Morgan, we swear…"
"You're not needed now guys….sometimes I swear it's only me and Hotch on this team….Hotch you okay man?" Morgan then saw their unit chief standing there simply holding his hands in front of him looking at them.
"I'm not sure. My hands really hurt when fell on them. Heard and felt cracks and they started to both really hurt. Now I can't move either hand….it's weird…."
"I think we need to get you checked out Hotch. You said you heard and felt cracks and now your hands are really hurting?"
"Yeah when I fell on them…."
"Aaron Hotchner, I think you may have broken both your hands…"
"I can't have. They just hurt….."
"Come on man, let's at least get them x rayed….Blake can you get the unsub booked with Morgan? Spencer, J.J can you guys come with me and Hotch to the hospital? Aaron, you're getting checked out whether you like it or not man…."
"Sure I'll get this idiot booked with Morgan. You guys go help Hotch get checked out…."
"Thanks Blake."
"Dave you need to drive. I can't use my hands yet….I'm sure they're just bruised and sore though…."
"Let's at get them x rayed Aaron….to make sure…."
"Fine, let's go. Er can someone open and close the door and help with the restraint?"
"Sure Hotch, here…." Dave helped him into the passenger seat and helped him put the seat restraint on before closing his door and going round to the driver's side. He drove them to the nearest hospital. Aaron just stared at his hands, trying to look at them but not being able to move them.
"I can't have broken both my hands Dave. I can't. I NEED my hands! If I can't use my hands how the hell am I gonna take care of Jack?"
"I'm sure Jessica would help with Jack Hotch."
"Yeah but if I can't use my hands, how in the world am I gonna do anything for myself Dave?"
"We'll all help you, Jack's 10 now, he'll help you and Jess will certainly help you. But why don't we wait and see what the x rays show?"
"I suppose but even if Jess helps with Jack, I can't have her helping me too!"
Since his wife Haley's murder 5 years ago, her sister, Jack's Aunt Jessica, had been so good in taking care of his son whenever he had to go away on a case, even if was at the last minute. It didn't matter how long the case lasted for either. She loved Jack as her own and even kept Jack to the same routine Aaron had built for him to help give him some stability whilst living at both his dad's apartment and his Aunt Jessica's house. Somehow Jack had amazed everyone, but especially his Aunt and his dad, by becoming a smart, sociable outgoing kid who loved activities like soccer and other sports and was one of the smartest kids in his 4th grade class. He couldn't believe his son even complained occasionally that his homework was too easy for him! Everyone on the BAU team had become Jack's extended little family of Aunts and Uncles and he loved them all but he still loved his dad and Aunt Jessica the best.
Even though Haley and he had been divorced before she was murdered, Jessica and Aaron had become close like brother and sister. Jessica was so great with Jack and so supportive of Aaron's job, it amazed him. She was also so kind in letting him sleep in at her house when he returned late from a case or just needed someone else to talk to. In fact, nowadays, he reckoned he had spent more nights at Jessica's house in the last few months than he had at his own apartment. Jack had his own room at his Aunt's house and Jessica always seemed to have the guest bedroom ready for Aaron, even when he called at the last second. He stayed there so often that she had insisted he leave some clothes there to wear when he came over. He even left a razor there to shave with. She had even kindly given him his own key to her house so he could use it if he needed to. Aaron had long ago provided Jessica with a key and his alarm code so she could go into his apartment if Jack needed anything she didn't have.
"Yeah you can, you're her brother in law and she's you're sister in law and, if I know her right, she'd INSIST on helping you…."
"Yeah I know and I'm looking forward to it. It's why I hoping there are no broken bones…."
They arrived at the hospital and approached the front desk. The waiting room was almost empty as Dave spoke to the nurse on the desk.
"May I help you guys?"
"Yeah our friend needs to see a doctor and get his hands x rayed…"
"And what's your name sir?"
"Aaron Hotchner, H.O.T.C.H.N.E.R."
"I need you to fill this out but can your write Mr Hotchner?"
"No, and its Agent Hotchner…"
"Sorry Agent Hotchner. You with the FBI then?"
"Yeah, we all are. Dave can write if I tell what to write?"
"Sure Aaron. Thanks we'll be right back…."
They went and took seats and Aaron helped Dave fill out the form before Dave took it back to the front desk.
"Just be glad we're in Quantico Hotch and not halfway across the country…"
"True J.J, still doesn't make this any easier. What the hell am I gonna do guys if I can't use my hands?"
"Just wait see what the injury actually is Hotch…then you can worry…."
"Oh J.J when Morgan gets here, I left my suit jacket in his SUV.
"Don't worry I'll tell him
"Dave when I go back you might need to come with me, but can you take my guns off and my watch off and J.J can you hold onto them for safekeeping while I'm back there?"
"Sure Aaron, stand up…."
He stood up and Dave took off the holster and gun on his right hip and then bent down and took the holster and gun off his left ankle where he kept his back up gun. He then took Aaron's watch off his left wrist.
"And Spencer, can you empty my pockets. Got my credentials and wallet in my back pockets. Cell phone and keys are in my front pockets."
"Do I have to Hotch?"
"Yeah sorry. Can't do it myself. Dave you get my cell phone and keys, Spencer you get to get my wallet and credentials. Just I want you and J.J to hold onto my stuff for safekeeping Spencer. Don't wanna lose any of it. And when I go for x rays they can't stay with me anyway…"
"Fine Hotch. Rossi you do the front ones man…."
Aaron then endured the embarrassment of the 2 men reaching into all 4 of his pants pockets, unable to do it himself.
Very soon a nurse called out.
"Agent Aaron Hotchner?"
"Yeah that's me."
"Can you come through please and follow me?"
"Can my friend here come with me?"
"Sure sir. Please follow me…."
Aaron and Dave followed the nurse back to an exam room.
"The doctor will be in shortly Agent but I need you to change into this gown. You may leave underwear on but everything else will have to come off. I understand you can't use your hands so do you require help undressing and putting the gown on sir?"
"Dave here will help me won't you Dave?"
"Sure. I'll help Agent Hotchner nurse. I'll come tell you when he's changed."
"Thank you sir."
She left the room and closed the door.
"Now let start getting these clothes off you Aaron…."
"Why did I have to fall my hands Dave?"
"I have no idea but let's get this over with shall we so we can find out what the damage really is…."
"Fine, but be quick…"
Dave managed to help Aaron off with the bullet proof vest he was still wearing, his tie and his shirt.
"I may have to cut the undershirt off big guy…."
"Was an old one anyway…go ahead"
Using blunt hospital clothes scissors, he cut the shirt off of Aaron. Then he bent down and undid the laces on Aaron's shoes and slid them off his feet. Finally came the pants. Dave undid the belt, button and zipper and pulled the pants down and off of Aaron. Finally, with the man standing in only underpants and socks, Dave helped him carefully pull on the gown, before popping out to tell the nurse Aaron was finally ready.
Very soon after that, a doctor and nurse entered the room.
"Agent Aaron Hotchner?"
"Yeah that's me."
"It says here you think you may have broken your hands. Can you tell how it happened Agent?"
Aaron explained about chasing and tackling the unsub and being thrown to the ground, landing on his hands. The doctor then examined his hands and gave Aaron a general physical exam.
"I don't think it's your hands exactly more likely bones near or in your wrists you broke but, due to the difficulty in seeing breaks in the hands and wrists with normal x rays I want to send you to get a MRI and a CT scan of your hands and wrists to try and see if I can see any broken bones or fractures. I do think you've broken or fractured something in your both your hands or you wrists though Agent Hotchner."
"Oh man, Dave I'm useless, next time YOU chase the unsub. I'm staying in the safety of the station, where I can't get injured…."
"Have you broken any bones before agent?"
"No, never."
"Nurse call CT and MRI and see when they can take Agent Hotchner for scans on his hands and wrists."
"Yes doctor. Can I get you anything Agent Hotchner?"
"Yeah I'm a little thirsty but I can't hold anything to drink from."
"If you get him a cup with a straw I'll hold it for him…."
"Thank you Agent….er…..Dave?"
"This is FBI Agent David Rossi."
"Thank you Agent Rossi. I'll be right back with some water and a straw Agent Hotchner…."
The nurse soon returned with a cup of water with a straw in. "Here you go Agent Rossi. Will you help Agent Hotchner drink?"
"Yeah, thanks nurse."
"Oh and you can go for a CT in 5 minutes and a MRI straight after that Agent Hotchner. Someone will be in to take you up to the scanning rooms."
"Thank you nurse."
She left them and, as Dave held the cup, Aaron drank the water through the straw until he'd quenched his thirst.
"Thanks Dave. I can't believe I'll have to drink through a straw whilst someone holds a cup for me from now on, or at least until my hands heal…"
"That won't be the worst part Aaron. You can't even pee by yourself. Or wipe. Or wash yourself. Or shave yourself. Or even eat by yourself, let alone dress yourself….you can't even tie your own shoelaces…"
"Oh yeah, I didn't think of that. Oh man how the hell am I gonna use the toilet until my hands heal?"
"With help I guess? You may wanna sit down to pee big guy….unless you want the gross embarrassing job of someone holding your thing while you pee…."
"Think I'd rather sit than have that…..oh man this is gonna be SO embarrassing…."
"For both you and the other person yeah."
"I can't believe someone will have to WIPE my behind, that will be….oh man what the hell am I gonna do Dave? I can't have people helping me use the toilet and cleaning me!"
"And washing you don't forget big guy?"
"Oh yeah, bloody hell why me Dave?"
"I dunno Aaron, why you? Why not Morgan?"
"Yeah why not Morgan?"
"Agent Hotchner? I here to take you to scanning…." A nurse appeared with a wheelchair and Aaron sat in the wheelchair.
"Er….thanks….er… will I be coming back here to this room after nurse?"
"Yes Agent you will. Your friend can wait here for now. It shouldn't take more than a half hour Agent Rossi…"
"Sure. Er can you send the other agents with us back here to keep me company?"
"Of course Agent. We'll be going past them anyway…."
The nurse wheeled Aaron towards the elevators where he saw not only J.J and Spencer, but Morgan and Blake as well. The nurse allowed him to stop and have a minute with his friends.
"So how are the hands dude?"
"Going for scans now but I think something's broken in both Morgan. Dave's waiting in exam room 3 and wants you guys to go keep him company whilst I get both CT and MRI scans….oh and I left my suit jacket in your SUV….."
"Which I got right here boss….we'll go keep Rossi man company. See you soon Hotch…."
"Thanks guys…."
It was only as he was being wheeled away that they realised he wasn't wearing the clothes he came in.
"Hey Hotch?"
The nurse stopped. "Yeah Morgan?"
"If you can't use your hands, how'd you change into that gown?"
"Dave helped me. See you soon guys…."
The others went to see Dave in exam room 3.
"Hey guys. You saw Hotch then?"
"Yeah, Apparently after you helped the man change clothes Rossi…."
"Had to. Even had to hold a cup so the guy could have a drink of water through a straw…."
"So he can't use his hands at all Rossi?"
"Nope. And the doc think's he definitely broken something, though he thinks it's more his wrists than his hands…."
"So the man will have to wear casts on both hands and arms for the next 8 weeks or so?"
"Probably. Have to wait to see what the scans show first."
"So he won't be able to do anything for himself for probably 8 weeks?"
"That's right. But guess what? Not only can he not tie his own laces, dress himself, drink or eat by himself, drive himself anywhere, shave himself, but he can't wash himself, use the toilet by himself to either pee or do the other thing or, even worse, he can't wipe and clean himself after doing anything more than a simple pee, for which he's CHOOSING to sit down for…."
"WHAT? The guy can't use the toilet by himself? He can't even pee without help, let alone do anything more and, oh man that's so gross, but wipe himself?"
"Or even pull his pants up and down Morgan. Someone will have to do EVERYTHING for the guy. Even wash him…."
"No way man….he's a grown guy….I mean I'll take his unit chief job but I'm not being his carer!"
"Think about how hard it's gonna be on him Morgan….?"
"Yeah on him but also on the other person. Who the hell is gonna helping him do EVERYTHING for eight weeks or more Rossi?"
"Us Morgan. Plus Jessica and Jack."
"Plus our husbands. They don't get a say, especially James…"
"Or Will Blake, he doesn't either. We'll all help him Rossi but what about us having to work at the same time?"
"We could do a weekly rota thing. Someone is his carer for a week each….might work…."
"What about Jack Dave? He's a single dad and Jack needs him…"
"Jess will have to help him take care of Jack. She'd always help him with Jack and she'd want to help him too…something he's not looking forward to….."
"Can I opt out Rossi? I'll even do everyone's paperwork…just not that….."
"No Morgan you can't…..once we know what the scans say I'll call Jess and tell her and get her to pick up Jack from school but the man will need help from the time he leaves the hospital Morgan…."
"Not from me he's not getting any help. I mean I don't mind too much helping the guy eat and drink…."
"It's not just helping him eat….it's literally feeding the guy….he can't pick up a fork or spoon without hands…."
"Dave I'll text Will and get him to pick Jack up. He can go back with Henry to play until we know what's what. When you call Jess, tell her Will's picking Jack up so she doesn't worry about him."
"Thanks J.J. Can he maybe give Jack dinner as well J.J, just I'm not sure what I'm gonna do at the moment…."
"Sure he can Hotch. I'll go call him now to tell him. I'll be back in a minute."
Not too long later, the nurse wheeled Aaron back into his room.
"Hey guys. What's been happening?"
"Been talking about you Hotch. Dave here says you need help with EVERYTHING…including using the toilet for both things….."
"Yeah I know. And I'll hate it even more than the person doing it."
"Hey Morgan, seeing as you've done the job before, you wanna be our unit chief for 12 weeks. You can be in charge and we'll do all Hotch's normal paperwork….how's that sound?"
"Fine with me. I'll take the job. But only until Hotch here returns then he can go back to being Unit Chief."
"Fine that's what I was hoping anyway."
Just then the doctor returned.
"Agent Hotchner? Can everyone but Agent Rossi wait outside? This room is a little crowded."
"Sure. We'll wait outside Hotch…."
"Thank you agents…." He waited until everyone except Aaron and Dave hand left the room.
"I got your scan results Agent Hotchner. It appears you've done the same damage in both your hands and wrists. Probably a freak one off accident but nonetheless, in both your hands and arms, you broken you scaphoid bone and your radius in the wrist. Both look like clean non-displaced breaks so they should in time with casts on both your hands up to your elbows but I'm afraid that for the next 8 to 12 weeks whilst the breaks heal and you're wearing casts, you won't be able to do anything for yourself. I believe your unmarried and single dad Agent Hotchner?"
"Yeah that's right. My ex-wife was murdered 5 years ago and I'm a single father to my 10 year old son Jack."
"Is there anyone who can either take him or help you take care of your son for the next 8 to 12 weeks?"
"Yeah my sister in law helps take care of him when I go away on cases with the team so she'll help me take care of Jack no problem…."
"Okay but what about you? Will she be willing or able to take care of you for the next 8 to 12 weeks? You won't be able to feed yourself, drink without help, someone will have to help you shave and dress. You'll even need help washing yourself, urinating and cleaning yourself after having a bowel movement. Basically someone will have to do EVERYTHING for you for the next 8 to 12 weeks until the breaks heal….is there anyone who would be willing to do everything for you and to take care of you? I'll have to sign you off of work until your breaks heal…."
"Our whole team will help Aaron doc. So will his sister in law and son, they'll help too. He'll be okay."
"So the rest of the agents who were just in here, their your team?"
"Yeah, we are the top BAU team in the country doc."
"BAU? What's that stand for exactly?"
"Behavioural Analysis Unit. BAU is easier on the lips…."
"Oh right. So what part of the team do you play Agent Hotchner?"
"I'm the team leader and Unit Chief."
"Oh right, in that case your team will be without their leader and unit chief for 8 to 12 weeks I'm afraid…."
"Don't worry doc, we'll make sure he's job is covered but at the same time, we'll help take 24 seven care of him…"
"That's good cos he won't be able to do ANYTHING for himself….so I'm gonna send you up to get casts on your hands up to your elbows. I'll give you a pain shot now and then give you a prescription for strong painkillers, calcium tablets to give you bones extra calcium to heal, multi vitamin tablets, and piriton to help any itching under the casts, which a lot of people get problems with. At least you'll still probably be able to do one thing Agent Hotchner…."
"What's that then?"
"Scratch an itch on your nose with a free finger…."
"True doc. So after I get the casts, how long do I have to stay here for?"
"That desperate to leave here already agent?"
"No just wanna get out of here…"
"Well once the casts set and I'm sure everything's okay I'll discharge you. You need to come back in about 6 to 8 weeks for more CT and MRI scans to check the healing of your bones and possibly get new casts. If all goes well you can came back in 12 weeks to get your casts taken off. You may need a little physio and your arms, wrists and hands may still be a little sore for a few from starting to use them a few days after being immobilised for so long but that soreness will fade with continued use of your hands. So do you have any questions?"
"Yeah how do I keep the casts dry?"
"If you ask the technician when they fit you for casts, they can give you some cast covers to wear whilst bathing but you still need to try and keep your covered cast hands out of the water. Someone will have to wash you Agent Hotchner, as well as helping you use the toilet for both urinating and bowel movements and cleaning yourself up after on top of doing everything else for you like dressing and undressing, eating, drinking everything…."
"But in 12 weeks I can do everything myself again doc?"
"Hopefully. As long as the breaks fully heal the casts can come off and you can use your hands again. Oh and you certainly can't drive anywhere. You didn't drive yourself here did you?"
"No I drove him doc and I'll drive him home."
"Thank you Agent Rossi. But he'll need someone to stay with him all the time, you can't be left alone by yourself Agent Hotchner as you can't do anything for yourself I'm afraid. Who will stay with you when your team is working?"
"We're trying to figure out a rota system whereby one person is off every week and can stay with him 24 seven."
"Wow! That is good of your team Agent Hotchner. Now do you have any more questions?"
"How long will the casting take?"
"It won't be long. Probably about 15 to 20 minutes, all going well…"
"And how long until they take me up?"
"Why is there a problem Agent Hotchner?"
"Er….I might need Dave's help that's all before I go for casting…."
"Bathroom help Aaron?"
"Yeah, gotta pee, pretty badly, but I'll sit Dave. For the next 12 weeks I'll endure sitting down to pee…."
"The nurse will wait until you've finished Agent Hotchner. The bathroom is just down the hall….any other questions?"
"No, that's it for now."
"In that case Agent Rossi, just let the nurse know when Agent Hotchner and you return to this room okay?" He gave Aaron an injection into the top of his right arm "This should last from now, which is 3pm to at least 9 or 10 tonight."
"Sure doc. Come on Aaron, let's get this over with, quickly…."
All 3 of them left the room, with the others standing right outside.
"The bathroom is just 3 doors down the hall to the left Agent Rossi. Just let the nurse know when you guys return…"
"Sure doc….guys we'll be right back…."
"Dude you're not gonna er….help him are you?"
"I got no choice Morgan. But it's only to pee and I really have to go. Haven't gone since we ate lunch a couple of hours ago…..but he only has to help me sit, don't worry. Come on Dave, let's get this over with…."
Dave and Aaron went to the men's bathroom nearby and Aaron went into a stall.
"Er….I may need to take this gown off before I sit. It'll get in the way I think….and I can't lift it up…."
"Sure Aaron, here…." As Dave took his gown off, Aaron couldn't help but squirm a little with urgency and need. "I take it you've been putting this off Aaron and holding it?"
"Yeah…er…started to really need to go when I was in CT over 15 minutes ago. Been holding it since then and putting this off, knowing I need help…but now I'm bursting to pee….so can you hurry up so I can sit down?"
Dave pulled the gown off and threw it over the top of the stall door. "Ready big guy? I gotta pull your underpants down now…."
"Sure….just hurry up will you? I REALLY have to go…."
"Sure Aaron, here we go…." Dave tried not look as he pulled Aaron's underpants down to around his ankles and stepped out of the stall, pulling the door to behind him to give Aaron a little privacy. Aaron sat down on the toilet and couldn't help himself and let out a sigh of relief as he let go and emptied his full to bursting bladder into the toilet.
Dave heard the guy sigh with relief and had to stand there listening to Aaron having the longest pee possible on the toilet. The guy must have really had to go bad! Finally Aaron finished emptying his bladder and stood up calling Dave.
"All better?"
"Yeah thanks. I really had to pee bad ."
"Yeah heard you sigh and don't think I've known anyone pee for so long…" Dave pulled the guy's underpants up.
"Drank coffee AND soda at lunch and haven't used the bathroom all afternoon. Didn't get a chance to try to go before we went chasing the unsub. Oh reminds me, charge him with assaulting a federal agent causing bodily injury. Add a few more years to his sentence…."
"Will do."
Dave helped the guy back on with the gown and flushed the toilet. After Dave washed his hands they headed back to the room.
"You guys took your time. What'd you do? Have a good chat in there?"
"No, Morgan. This guy just not only had to completely undress but he REALLY had to pee BAD….know what I mean…."
"I'm gonna go let the nurse know you guys are back. I so didn't want that picture Rossi!
The nurse came back with a wheelchair a minute later.
"All ready now Agent Hotchner?"
"Yeah I'm ready. Sorry about just now. I really had to use the bathroom."
"That's okay Agent Hotchner. At least you've got a male friend to assist you. You wouldn't want one of us female nurses to pull your pants up down would you?"
"No way! So can we go to casting now?"
"Sure we can."
"Dave call Jess when I'm gone and just tell her what's happened will you?"
"Sure Aaron. See you in a minute…."
"Sure….see you Dave…."