Meg opened the door and Aaron and everyone saw her tear stained very worried face. She looked relieved to see the team.

"She's upstairs in her room. Please help her!"

Morgan, Garcia and J.J stayed downstairs comforting her as the others rushed upstairs to find Kate lying on her side, Meg having put her into the recovery position, but Kate breathing but unresponsive. J.J came into the room "Apparently she had a go bag packed and left it in her closet. Garcia's helping Meg pack her own go bag. How is she?"

Just then, with Aaron kneeling right down right beside her, holding her hands and checking her breathing and Dave already on his cell demanding to know where the damn paramedics were, they heard Kate start to come round.

"Kate?"

Kate looked a little confused as to where she was and as to why everyone was suddenly in her house and around her. Suddenly another contraction passed through her body and she yelled in pain, grabbing Aaron's hand as he held onto her hands instinctively as tight as she could as she gave into the pain of the contraction. Once it had passed, she lay gasping recovering.

"Kate? You okay?"

"Hotch? What are you doing here? Where am I? I only just spoke to you on the phone."

"Meg called me. Said you'd gone into labour as soon as the call had finished. That you blacked out from the pain and collapsed on the floor. She was terrified she'd lose you. Dialled the first number on your cell, the last person you called, which was me. We all rushed over here. Dave's called the paramedics and they'll be here really soon."

"MEG! She's awake!" Aaron shouted as he stayed kneeling down and holding onto Kate's hands. Meg came running into the room, her face still looking scared for Kate and looking really worried.

"KATE! YOU'RE OKAY!" She ran to Kate as Aaron went to move.

"She's okay Meg. She just blacked out from the pain. The paramedics are 5 minutes out but I promise we're not going anywhere. We'll stay with both you guys and come with you to the hospital. You got a go bag packed Meg?"

"Hi sweet girl. I'm sorry I scared you. I'm okay. See?" Kate put on a brave face and everyone could tell she was doing her best to calm Meg down and reassure her.

"You don't mind I called Aaron do you Kate? You just scared me and you blacked out. I was scared so called the last person you dialled on your cell for help. It happened to be Aaron here. Thanks Aaron, guys for coming so quick."

"Where's Chris guys?"

Apart from Dave and Aaron, who knew already, the others didn't know and hadn't any idea what had happened.

"He left us yesterday. Moved out for good. Promised he'd still be a dad to me, see and talk to me but told Kate here he wanted a divorce. He doesn't want anything to do with the new baby, said so himself. You okay now Kate?"

Aaron went to stand up so that Meg could take Kate's hands and talk to her but as he did so, Kate grabbed his hand as tight as she could, stopping him from standing up and letting go of her hands.

"Hotch, please don't leave me. Guys please don't leave us?"

Aaron stayed where he was but moved slightly so that Meg could kneel in front of Kate's face. But he kept hold of her hands.

"I promise Kate, I'm not going anywhere okay? I'll stay with you."

"We're not going anywhere Kate. We're all here and we'll all come with you guys to the hospital."

Kate looked around to see the whole team, Garcia and section chief Cruz, who she was surprised to see.

"Hotch, what's Matt Cruz doing here?"

"He was in the BAU when Meg called and everyone rushed out to be here. He's worried too Kate. He is section chief and he's worried about you."

"I am Kate and call me Matt. How you doing?"

"I'm…" just then another contraction passed through her body. Aaron looked at his watch to see it had only been 5 minutes since the last one.

"Dave, their less than 5 minutes apart. Where are the paramedics? They should be here by now. She needs to get to hospital, she should be there now."

"That can't be Aaron, it can't be this quick…"

"I think I may have been contracting all day Hotch." The contraction finally subsided and Kate managed to speak again "I'm not sure but I think my waters broke a couple of hours ago but I wasn't sure. I thought it had been another accident. I am having to pee every 5 minutes and it was barely anything. But since then it has been hurting on and off but I thought they might be Braxton Hicks and put it off. But now that I come to think of it, maybe I was wrong. I got a go bag packed ready…."

"Got it here Kate."

"I have to go finish packing my one Kate, then I'll be right back okay? I love you though."

"I love you too sweet girl and thank you. I know you were and still are scared and I'm sorry I scared you. But you've been so brave and did the right thing but I love you so much, never forget that okay baby girl?"

"Okay. I wasn't brave though Kate. I freaked and just grabbed your cell and called the last person you did hoping they could help you. It just happened to be Aaron here. Thanks for coming Aaron, guys. Look after her for a minute will you?"

"Course Meg, we're not going anywhere and I promise that and I promise I won't leave her side. Dave, call those paramedics and get them here NOW!"

"I love you Kate."

"Love you too sweet girl and I promise everything will be okay, especially now Hotch and the team are here."

"Yeah talking of them, whose the short guy with the grey hair Kate? I know the others but he followed everyone in…"

"I'm the BAU section chief Meg. Matt Cruz. Used to be Kate's section chief. I'm Aaron's immediate boss and head of the BAU. Heard a lot about you though. Nice to meet you." Matt held out his hand as Meg hugged her aunt before standing up and turning around to face Matt. Everyone was smiling at how Meg had described Matt.

"He's okay Meg. Honest."

"Hi, nice to meet you Mr Cruz."

"Call me Matt please Meg. Everyone here does, at least outside of the BAU. Hey Garcia, J.J why don't you guys help Meg here finish packing her go bag whilst we stay here with Kate? Morgan, you go be ready to drag those paramedics up here. Dave where are they?"

"One minute out."

"They'd better be here soon Dave. She needs to get to hospital. Meg I promise I and everyone here won't leave her and she'll be okay. We'll all come to hospital and stay with you guys."

"Sure. Thanks though. For being here and helping her Aaron."

"You're entirely welcome Meg. Kate's our friend, my friend. I promise it will be okay."

"Thanks though. To all you guys too." Meg left the room with J.J and Garcia with Morgan following to drag the paramedics up the stairs as soon as they came. "Hotch, as you've been through the birth of Jack before, so you know the deal, and as your my friend and I know and trust you, I know I shouldn't ask this but will you hold my hand and stay with me when it happens? Please Hotch?"

"Course Kate, promise. I was with Haley when Jack was born so I know the deal. It'll be okay, I promise. I promise I'll stay with you okay?"

"Thanks Hotch."

"And call me Aaron okay? If you want."

"Thanks Aaron."

Only a minute later, there was a commotion downstairs, just as, upstairs Kate was having another contraction.

"Their every 4 minutes now. She might not make it Dave."

"I've cleared the streets between here and Trinity 10 minutes away Aaron." Matt just got off his cell phone.

"Thanks Matt. How'd you do that?"

"Know someone."

Two paramedics rushed in carrying a backboard and bags, Morgan right behind them.

"What do we have guys?"

"This is SSA Kate Callahan. She went into labour a couple of hours ago. Blacked out about 15 minutes ago. Came round about 10 minutes ago. She's having contractions every 4 minutes now. They were 5 minutes apart, now down to 4. Where have you guys been?"

"Sorry we got lost. Plus we were called from the other side of town. Got here as quick as we could and we're here now. Are you the father?" The paramedic looked at Aaron holding Kate's hand.

"No, unfortunately not. I used to be her unit chief before she left my team a few weeks ago to take a year off for her baby. He husband left her and moved out yesterday. He's not interested in being the baby's dad and doesn't want anything to do with it. I'm a dad myself to my son whose now 8 so I've been through a birth before and Kate here is my friend. I'm staying with her throughout. She wants me to. She's got a 13 year old niece whose downstairs packing a bag for herself now but everyone is coming with her and Meg."

"That's fine. We need to move you onto the backboard Kate. Can you move?"

"Yeah but it hurts. I am in labour and keep having contractions….."

"Guys? Morgan? Matt? Dave? Help lift her and then carry her?"

"Course Aaron. Spencer you bring the go bag J.J left on the bed will you? I'll go check Meg's ready."

"I'm ready. J.J and Penelope are downstairs with my bag. How's Kate?"

"Hey baby girl. I'm okay now. Going to hospital. You wanna ride with me and Aaron or the rest of the guys?"

"I'm coming with you…"

With Aaron holding her hand, the others managed to lift Kate onto the backboard and then carry her downstairs as everyone, including Meg, anxiously followed.

"I cleared the streets between here and Trinity guys for you."

"Thanks agent. Appreciate it."

Just as they loaded her into the ambulance, Aaron still holding her hand and jumping in beside her, Meg jumping in beside him, another contraction passed through Kate and Aaron held her hands and comforted her til it passed.

"Kate?"

"It's okay Meg, it's only a contraction. She's okay." Aaron smiled at the girl sitting beside him as she sat and looked on worried.

"We'll meet you guys there Aaron." Dave slammed the doors shut and the ambulance began to speed towards the hospital. With his right hand holding Kate's hands, Aaron put his left arm around the shoulders of a frightened looking Meg as his fatherly instincts kicked in and he sat comforting both a scared Meg and Kate, lying there in pain as the paramedic hooked her up to an I.V.

"Can't you give her anything for the pain?"

"We don't carry any antenatal drugs on board Agent…er….."

"Hotchner, Aaron Hotchner…"

"Agent Hotchner. And cos she's so far along, I'm wary of giving her anything until she's at hospital. They'll give her pain relief there. We should be there in a few minutes. Kate, just keep breathing, your doing great. But no matter how much pressure you feel down below, please don't push okay?"

"Just keep breathing Kate, in and out. Have you taken any classes Kate? Haley took Lamaze…"

"I took Lamaze too."

"Perfect. Just keep breathing in and out okay and focus on me and Meg. Any time it hurts, just squeeze my hand as hard as you want okay? I'm left handed anyway and I doubt you could break my right hand if you tried…but you can try if you want…"

Aaron tried joking to help Kate, and it worked as it made her smile.

"That's better. Just breathe and concentrate on me and on Meg here."

"You okay baby girl?" Kate smiled as she saw Aaron's left arm and hand around Meg's shoulders and saw Aaron's fatherly side coming out.

"I'm glad you're here Aaron. For Meg. And me. But I can see how you're such a natural father to Jack."

"Thanks. I'm your friend Kate, course I'd wanna be here helping you guys. But I appreciate that last part. Thanks. You okay Meg?"

"I'm okay but thanks Aaron. You okay Kate?"

"As well as can be expected yeah sweet girl but I'll be okay soon enough. You ready to be a big sister? I know you'll make a wonderful big sister."

"Yeah and I'll do everything I can to help you and my little brother or sister, Kate. Promise."

"I know you will baby girl. That's what will make you an awesome big sister."

"But I promise you Meg, we'll all help too, anyway we can. We'll help with whatever. I'll even change diapers Kate, I did for Jack. I bet J.J and Will, will too. They've done it for Henry. I bet Jess would too, she's done it when she's baby sat Jack for Haley and or me before Haley died. I'm not sure if Spencer would but I'm sure Dave would. He did a few for Henry. Garcia would. She's changed Henry's diaper before. And she is Henry's god mom. I bet Matt would, he's never changed a diaper, but I'm sure he'll give it a go…."

"Kate, talking of god parents, why don't you ask him now?"

"Ask me what Kate? Meg?"

"Since Chris has said he wants nothing to do with this baby Aaron, I've been thinking. If anything were to happen to me, whilst Meg would always still have Chris, this baby would have no one. And I can't think of a better god father than you. You're already an amazing father to Jack. And if something were to happen to me, I'd need to know there was someone still around and capable of looking after my baby. So I'm asking you, would you be this baby's god father?"

"I'd be honoured Kate. Course. And nothing will happen to you okay? Don't even think that."

"I know but knowing the job of FBI agent, I know anything can happen to anyone and whilst Meg here would always have Chris as her dad here for her, this baby wouldn't have a dad or anyone. Only Meg. Once Meg turns 18, she can, if she wants take the baby in if anything did happen, but until then, there's no adult and your already an amazing father to Jack. I can't think of anyone better."

"Neither can I. I know Jack adores you Aaron. Always says how awesome a dad you are to him. So will you?"

"Course I will. Thanks Kate. I'm honoured."

"No problem Aaron. And thank you. I know she's already Henry's god mom but I was gonna ask Garcia if she'd like to be the god mother. What do you think?"

"I think that's a brilliant idea Kate. She's perfect and already Henry's god mom. She'll say yes in an instant."

"Thanks Aaron. And yesterday after Chris left, Meg and I were talking and I was telling her about how I thought you should be the baby's god dad and Garcia it's god mom and Meg was saying how she doesn't have any god parents. She knows she's got Chris but she was saying how she'd love it if she had the same god parents. Meg honey?"

"Aaron, will be my god dad too?"

"Meg I'd be honoured. You sure?"

"Yeah, you are Jack's dad and an amazing dad at that. You'll be the god dad of my little brother or sister. I already lost my mom and dad when I was a baby, Kate and Chris took me in and have become like my mom and dad to me and their awesome. I love them both so much, especially Kate here. But especially what happened with my abduction, and after Chris moved out yesterday and our family broke up, if anything were to happen to Kate and Chris, I'd have no one. And do you think Penelope would say yes if I asked her to be my god mom?"

"I KNOW she'd say yes Meg. Sure, I'm honoured you'd want me as your god dad but sure, I'll happily take the job."

"Thanks Aaron. I mean god dad!"

"Your welcome Meg."

Just then Kate had another contraction just as the speeding ambulance sped to a halt.

"Just breathe Kate, in and out okay? And focus on me and Meg."

The back doors were pulled open and Aaron was so focused on Kate, he didn't see who was standing there. Jess was surprised to see Aaron sitting there holding Kate's hand and with an arm around Meg, obviously comforting her.

"Hi welcome to Trinity General. I'm Dr Smith. What do we have guys?"

"Hey Aaron. Kate?" Aaron was surprised to hear Jess's voice. He knew she worked at Trinity but as a paediatric nurse.

"Jess? What are you doing? E.R short staffed again?"

"No, this time labour and delivery and maternity is. I'm covering a nurse off sick today. We got a call a woman in labour was coming in so Dr Smith here, one of the attendings and me came down to take her straight up. We didn't know it was Kate. Hey Meg. You doing okay?"

"Hey Jess. Yeah."

"Hi Jess. Sorry about this. Good to know you're on duty in the maternity suite though."

"How come you're with her Aaron? Is Chris on his way Kate?" They got her out on the gurney, Aaron never letting go of her hand and keeping his other arm around Meg, as they both jumped out with Kate and Kate was wheeled inside quickly.

"How far apart are the contractions?" The female doctor was asking Kate different questions, this being one of them.

"Their down to every 3 minutes now Dr Smith. Jess, I'll explain later but there is no Chris now, at least in terms of Kate and the baby."

"No Chris?"

"No, Chris moved out and left me, Kate and the baby for good yesterday. Doesn't want anything to do with the baby, not even be it's father. He can't cope and he and Kate are getting a divorce."

"I am sorry Kate. We got a room upstairs prepared for you but 3 minutes? When did everything start?"

"Probably a couple of hours ago when my water broke and I think I was contracting but I thought it was those Braxton Hicks. Had them once before and I didn't realise my water had broken."

"That's okay, sometimes it's difficult to tell. So Agent Hotchner, are you the father to be?"

"No, sorry doc. I'm just her friend. The father of the baby is her husband but he doesn't want anything to do with his baby and he doesn't want to be it's dad. Hey Meg? Could you do me a favour?"

"Sure, what Aaron?"

"You have the numbers for Dave, J.J, Morgan, Garcia and Spencer right?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Can you text them, tell them we're going straight up to the maternity floor? Jess, all the others are right behind us. What room number is she in?"

"Room 6? There's only 10 rooms on the floor and it's pretty quiet today. All rooms are single occupancy with a bathroom."

"Meg?"

"I'm on it. Done. Sent it to everyone except Matt just in case. I haven't got Matt's number so I can't text him."

Meg's cell went off and she looked at the text message she'd gotten.

"They'll meet us up there. They've just parked." By they were in the elevator heading up.

"Thanks Meg. Appreciate it. You doing okay?"

"Yeah fine thanks Aaron."

"Bet you can't wait to be a big sister eh?"

"No I can't. You okay Kate?"

"Yeah and I will be now my sweet girl. Thanks Aaron, for everything….." Another contraction passed through her. She clutched Aaron's hand and squeezed it whilst Aaron talked her through. Jess was amazed but remembered how he'd been when Haley, her sister and Aaron's wife, had been when she'd been in labour and giving birth to Jack. He'd been brilliant and had stayed with Haley throughout, really eager to become a dad. His eyes had lit up when he'd first been handed a newborn Jack and he'd held his son in his arms. Even then Jess and Haley could both see how natural and great a dad Aaron was and would be. But throughout the birth, Aaron had been great with Haley and he was showing it now with being great with Kate. Even though this wasn't his child and would never be.

"Oh by the way Jess, I'm now god dad to not only Kate's baby but Meg here."

"Congratulations Aaron. Whose the god mom Meg?"

"We gotta ask Penelope if she'd be the baby's and mine."

"Good choice that. She's a brilliant god mom to Henry. But congratulations Aaron. Are you staying with Kate during the birth? Kate it's entirely up to you who you want in the room but you might not have long to decide. We'll settle you in, check you to see how far along you are and make sure everything's prepared. We got gas and air for pain and we can give you an epidural if there's time."

"I want Aaron there. He's been through this before with his late wife during the birth of his son and he's my friend. Can I have more than one person?"

"Course. How many do you want in the room?"

"I gotta ask one of them first but I was thinking maybe Derek or Spencer or J.J."

"Sure, no problem. Here we are. Aaron, you may want to wait outside with Kate whilst we check how far along she is and get her settled…." They entered Kate's room and Aaron helped move Kate into her bed.

"You be okay Kate? We'll be right outside…"

"I'll be okay but thanks Aaron, for everything. You okay Meg honey?"

"We won't be a minute Meg. And you can come straight back in guys…"

"I'm okay Kate. At least you're in good hands and in hospital now and in really good hands with Jess. Thanks Jess, for being her maternity nurse."

"You're welcome Meg, I just happen to be covering today on this floor but I'm glad I'm Kate's nurse. Kate did you bring a go bag with you? It's okay if you didn't, some women don't have time to pack one before they have to come in…"

"Yeah I did. Packed it a couple of days ago. J.J and Spencer have it, along with Meg's go bag she packed whilst waiting for the ambulance."

"Great. Oh if you want Meg, you can stay here with Kate, we can make a bed up."

"Thanks. We'll be right back Kate okay?"

"Sure baby girl and thank you. I love you."

"I love you too Kate. Thank you Jess."

"You're entirely welcome Meg. We won't be a minute okay? There's a soda machine opposite this room if you want a soda. Or whilst you're here or if you want something else to drink or something to eat one of the nurses can get you something or bring you a meal okay?"

"Sure, thanks."