/ Chapter four for you all. I wasn't going to post it until midweek, but I have exams all of this week, so I'm posting it now. It'll also be the last chapter until about Friday/Saturday. I hope you enjoy it. Reviews are appreciated :)/
It had been fourteen hours since Hotch had had his last fix of Heroin and things weren't running smoothly. Rossi hadn't expected it to be easy, but he hadn't expected it to be this hard either and he knew this was only the beginning. Hotch had started to show withdrawal symptoms about three hours after he had woken up, which only lead Rossi to believe he had been shooting at work.
Rossi was just thankful that Jack was easy to please and was sat in front of the TV watching his cartoons, with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and some chips. Mudgie was also on the couch with him, her head resting on the youngsters lap. Rossi wasn't usually the type to let Mudgie on the furniture, but Jack needed someone, especially now that his father was going through withdrawal.
Hotch was huddled on the bed, curled up into the foetal position with his arms wrapped around his stomach and his eyes were clenched shut as he tried to will away the pain. Rossi sat on the edge of the bed next to him, watching as he shivered, despite the sweat that glistened in the sunlight and making his t-shirt cling to his body. Rossi sighed as he used a towel to wipe away the perspiration, before placing a cold flannel on his forehead in an attempt to keep him cool. He began to wonder whether this was actually the best thing for him. He cursed at himself. Of course it's the best thing for him. It always got worse before it gets better.
A whimper escaped Hotch's lips as his stomach growled which caused him to clutch at his stomach even tighter. Within seconds, Hotch had scrambled off the bed and ran to the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind him. Despite the fact he was in a lot of pain, the desire not to shit himself was greater. Rossi rubbed the back of his head and watched the door for a moment, before getting up and heading downstairs.
He frowned, hearing sniffles coming from the couch. Rossi bit his lip and went over as Jack wiped his eyes, his eyes red from his crying. Jack looked up to Rossi, before he looked away and placed his hand on Mudgie's head.
"Daddy's in pain," Jack whispered, his bottom lip wobbling again and the tears spilling from his eyes. Rossi bit his lip harshly, drawing a tiny bit of blood. Rossi turned the TV off before speaking to Jack.
"Jack, listen to me," he said, picking Jack up. He moved Mudgie's head and sat down, cradling the boy close to him, rubbing his back as he continued to cry. "Your daddy is in pain, but it's a good pain. It means he's getting better," he explained, continuing to rub the boys back. He hated seeing Jack cry.
"Pain never good," he said firmly, burying his head into the older man's chest. Mudgie yawned loudly, licking Jack's foot before placing her head back on Rossi's lap.
"That isn't true Jack. Your daddy has had a tough time recently because of that bad man," he said, watching as Jack nodded and rubbed his eyes. "Some things happened and that bad man is still hurting your daddy, even though he's dead." Rossi paused, Jack chewing on his t-shirt sleeve. "He'll be better before you know it. Maybe we should phone your aunt Jessica and ask her if you can stay with her until your daddy's better," he suggested.
After a moment's thought, Jack nodded his head.
"Yeah, 'kay," Jack said, resting his head on Rossi's shoulder as he stood up and grabbed the house phone. He dialled Jessica's number and waited for her to pick up.
"Jessica, it's me Dave," he said, hearing the confusion as she replied.
"Oh, right. Is something wrong?" Rossi wanted to nod his head, but he was more than anywhere he was carrying Jack.
"I guess. Aaron's ill and Jack's upset about it. We – Jack and I – were wondering if he could stay with you," he said as Jack added a quick,
"Please Aunt Jessca." Rossi headed up the stairs and into Jack's room, sitting himself on the bed and placing Jack next to him. The youngster promptly got off the bed and grabbed one of his action figures.
"Of course Jack can stay with me. I'll can be there in about forty-five minutes if that's fine?" Jessica asked. Rossi nodded, although he knew she couldn't see.
"Yeah, that sounds fine. See you soon, Jessica," Rossi said, putting the phone down. "Jack, why don't we pack up your toys and clothes and put them in your daddy's bag. That way, your daddy has something of yours to keep with him while he's ill, and it will be easier for your aunt." Jack nodded.
Rossi disappeared out of the room for a few minutes, returning with the empty duffle bag.
"Are you going to be a big boy and help me put everything in?" He asked, getting a furious nod of the head in return. Jack smiled, still sniffling, as he stood up and gathered all his clothes from his Captain America bag, dumping them into his father's bag.
"Can I leaved two toys out?" He asked, looking to Rossi and tilting his head innocently, offering a smile at though it would help him make his mind up. Rossi chuckled and nodded his head.
"Sure, go for it Jack. We can't have you being bored whilst watching all the cartoons you want, can we?" He asked as Jack shook his head, agreeing with Rossi. Packing took a little longer than Rossi had anticipated, considering it took Jack ten minutes to decide which two figures he wanted to keep out. Finally, he settled on Captain America and the Joker.
"Let's take the bag downstairs, then I'll put the TV back on for your and Mudgie," he said, picking the duffle bag up and taking it downstairs, Jack following him step by step, clutching his toys to his chest.
"Can I taked Mudgie to Aunt Jessca's, Uncle Dave?" Jack asked as he scrambled onto the couch, plonking himself down in the exact same spot he had been in before. He grinned as Mudgie pounced up onto the couch and laid down, her head resting on Jack's legs again. Rossi bit his lip.
"Maybe it's best that Mudgie stays here with your daddy and I? Mudgie can help me take care of your daddy," he said. He sighed when he saw Jack's bottom lip begin to wobble. "You can ask Jessica nicely if she can go with you, but if she says no, then she has to stay here with your daddy and I." Jack just nodded as Rossi turned the TV on, handing Jack the remote.
Rossi left the young boy and his dog to it, heading into the kitchen while he got the chance. He pulled open cupboard under the sink and moved things around, eventually pulling a bucket out. It would come in handy when Hotch started to throw up; Rossi just hoped he hadn't done that already. He took the time to grab some pain killers and some bottled water, putting them into the bucket before carrying it up the stairs.
As he got to the room, Hotch stumbled out of the bathroom and made a beeline for the bed. Rossi set the bucket and contents down next to the bed, before going over to Hotch and helping him over. Hotch mumbled a quick thanks, pulling himself under the covers. He held them close to his body, the sweat building on his face again.
"Aaron, you need to keep yourself cool. You're too hot," he said, pulling back the covers slightly. Hotch moaned and shook his head, mumbling something that sounded like no, but Rossi couldn't be sure. "Aaron, please, this is what's best," he said, placing his hand on his friend's back. "It's going to be alright."
Hotch just nodded, shutting his eyes tightly.
"Where's Jack?" He whispered, trying not to let the pain sound in his tone. It failed miserably.
"Downstairs watching cartoons with Mudgie. He's going to stay with Jessica until this is over; it's not something he should see at such a young age." Hotch nodded his head, leaning into his friend's legs, his teeth chattering. Hotch went to open his mouth and say something, only he was cut off by a knock at the door.
"I'll be back in a moment," he said as he stood up from the bed, causing Hotch to whimper slightly. "Oh, and if you need to be sick, use the bucket; I don't fancy cleaning up your vomit," he added, before he left the room and headed downstairs. Jack was looking over the back of the couch, just to see if it was his aunt.
"Hey Jessica," Dave said upon opening the door. Jack's face broke into a grin as he climbed off the couch and ran to her, jumping into her arms.
"Aunt Jessca!" Jack yelled loudly, wrapping his arms around her neck as the pair hugged.
"Hey Jack – David," she said, nodding at her brother-in-law's friend. "Are you coming to stay with me, Jack?" She asked, acting as though she didn't know. The boy nodded his head enthusiastically.
"Yeah, Aunt Jessca, I am. You maked the best pancakes in the whole entire world," he said, holding his arms out as wide as he can to show just how big the world was. Rossi smirked and watched as Jack contemplated how to ask her something. "Can Mudgie comed and stay with us?" He asked.
Mudgie, upon hearing her name, bounded towards the door; tail wagging madly as she saw Jessica. Jessica frowned and looked at the brown Labrador in front of her. After a few minutes, she finally decided on her answer.
"So long as it's ok with David," she said, as Rossi nodded.
"It's fine. The duffle bags full of Jack's things. I'll get Mudgie's now," he said, seeing Jack bounce happily. Once Jessica put him down, he hugged Mudgie and took her to his aunt's car. Jessica grabbed her nephew's duffle bag and took it to the car, putting it into the back along with Mudgie and Jack. She leant against the car, waiting for Rossi to return.
After what felt like a life time, he did, carrying a bag of Mudgie's food and a bag of her things: food and water dish, her lead, collar and a few treats and toys. She didn't need a lot – hopefully the pair wouldn't be there for long. Jessica opened the front passenger door and let Rossi put the things it, before shutting it.
"What's wrong with Aaron?" She asked, clearly concerned for his well being. Rossi bit his lip and rubbed the back of his head, looking back to the house for a few moments.
"He's just under a lot of stress recently and he has been since Foyet. He's just having a few problems," he explained, feeling Jessica's eyes scan her body. Rossi was glad that she wasn't a profiler because she would have been able to see right through his 'a few problems' line. After a moments silence, she nodded.
"I don't want to know the details – not that you would tell me – but I'll keep Jack for as long as I need to. Just make sure he gets better, because if he doesn't, you'll have Jack and I to answer to," she said, glancing to the boy in the back who was cuddling Mudgie.
"He will, I promise. He should be feeling better in about two weeks. Oh, and Mudgie needs walking and feeding twice a day," he explained as Jessica nodded.
"I'll ring you in a week to see how he's doing," Jessica said as Jack wound the window down and poked his head out.
"Uncle Dave, canned you give daddy this, so he can member me?" Jack asked, sticking his Captain America figure out the window. Rossi nodded.
"Sure buddy. He'll love it." Jack grinned and pulled his head back in as he put the window back up. Rossi stood in his drive way until the car was out of sight, before heading back in. He locked up, knowing he would be spending most of his time upstairs with Aaron. He checked everything was turned off, before heading up to his bedroom.
As soon as Rossi entered the room, he knew Aaron had been sick. The tell-tale sign was the fact the bottled water and the pain killers were about two metres from the bed. That and the fact the room stank of vomit. He noticed that the covers had been kicked to the floor and Hotch was no longer shivering. He was thankful for that.
He headed over to the bucket and picked it up, taking it to the bathroom. He filled it with water before tipping it down the toilet and flushing; repeating it once more before going back to Aaron. He had curled up into a ball, his head buried into the pillow as he tried to fight the pain he was inevitably feeling.
Rossi placed the bucket back by the side of the bed before he got on himself, lying down behind his friend.
"I'll be with you through every step, Aaron, I promise," he said, placing his hand on Hotch's upper arm and rubbing it reassuringly. What he didn't expect was for him to suddenly burst into tears.
"I'm sorry," he sobbed, using his arm to wipe away the tears. "I'm sorry I'm putting you through this shit. I'm sorry for doing this to Jack. I'm sorry I touched the damn thing in the first place," he said, tears running down his face. A sigh escaped Rossi's lips as Aaron turned over and buried his head into his friend's chest. Never before in his life had he seen Hotch like this. It would be more painful for the both of them than Rossi had first imagined.
Still, he would much rather have this than to see Aaron lose everything in his life because of a stupid addiction. A frown crossed his forehead as he felt Hotch's hands clench at his t-shirt and doubly so when he heard his friend murmur something into his chest.
"Aaron, you're going to have to speak up, I can't hear you," he said bluntly. Aaron just raised his head to look him in the eyes.
"Get me just a little bit, please. I need it – t-to take away the pain," he stuttered. Not to his surprise, Rossi shook his head.
"Cold turkey, Aaron," he said softly. Hotch's demeanor didn't change as he pulled his fist back and punched him in the upper chest. Rossi's eyes widened as Hotch knocked the breath out of him. He tried to say something, but the words got caught in his throat as he tried to take in air.
Hotch just broke down further, the tears falling faster as he buried his head into Rossi's chest again. When he could manage it, Rossi wrapped his arms around the man in front of him. He was still concerned for his friend, no matter how much he hurt him.