Coma

Suddenly they heard footsteps again and looked up to see Savannah. She looked grave but as soon as she saw them she tried to smile slightly. She held the chart in her hands and they got up looking at her nervously and apprehensively.

"Coma?" Thomas asked worriedly while placing his hand on his stepson's shoulder while Jack placed his hand over his stepdad's.

Savannah just nodded back. "I'm sorry but yes he's in a coma. We were able to save him though thankfully. Once again Aaron Hotchner will live to see another day…"

Thomas smiled back a little relieved. "What about his injuries?" he asked worried.

"Thankfully he was only stabbed. He was stabbed several times though to the abdomen and chest. There were three to the chest and four to the abdomen. Thankfully though two of them were close to the heart they were either side and have left no damage to the heart. One did crack a rib but thankfully the rib didn't puncture his lung. The four to the abdomen did upset his old scar tissue but we've managed to sort it all out and clean up any toxins that may have seeped out," she replied. She then placed her hand on Thomas's arm and added, "In other words Thomas he's going to be fine."

He smiled back at her relieved and hugged her close to him. "Thank you, thank you so much," he replied on the verge of emotion.

"I was just doing my job," she smiled back patting his back. It was clear to everyone how much he loved Aaron.

"May we see him?" Dave asked.

"Of course," she smiled leading the way towards his room.

Once they reached his room Rossi stood back and nodded to the rest of the team to step back while Jack and Thomas headed in. The team looked up at him a bit confused. Why was he holding them back? He'd been the one that had asked if they could see him.

"Let them have some time alone then we'll head in," he suggested.

They just nodded in agreement.

Thomas took a seat by Aaron's side while Jack stood next to him trying to bite back the tears forming behind their eyes. Though they knew he was alive and would make it it still hurt to see him this way. The quiet murmuring of the machines though relieved them that he was still with them and would pull through.

Thomas took his hand and said, "Honey, it's me, your boyfriend. You're in a coma but Savannah has managed to sort out the damage left by the stab wounds. Thankfully on your chest you only had a cracked rib but the stab wounds to your abdomen affected your old scar tissue. Fortunately she's managed to clean it all up but you're still in a coma." He then looked down playing with Aaron's fingers in his. "Honey, I know you didn't want the team to know about us but when you were brought in I was in the ER. They wanted to know why I couldn't operate on you. I had to tell them but Aaron they accept our relationship and support us just like I said they would. Honey, you really have nothing to fear about coming out to the team. They love you and all they want is you to be happy which I hope you are with me. I know I am with you. I love you, babe…"

He brushed the hair off his lover's forehead and kissed it. He loved him so much. He didn't care what the hospital said he was going to stay here until his boyfriend woke up. There was nowhere else he could be. If he wasn't by his side he'd only be worrying about him all the time. Aaron was the man that made him whole.

Jack shuffled closer to him and Thomas held his hand looking up at his stepson. He could see the worry and concern in his eyes and pulled him closer. He knew Aaron was everything to his son just as he was to him.

"Buddy, listen to me," he said making his stepson look at him. "Your dad's going to make it. Savannah's managed to sort him all out as good as new. He just needs time to heal and get better but he will get better."

He nodded. "I know, papa. He's a fighter."

"What did you call me?" Thomas asked taken aback.

"Papa," he answered kicking his feet. "Can't I call you that? You're like a second dad to me."

"Of course you can call me papa," Thomas smiled back at him. "I'd love to be your papa. I already consider you my son."

He smiled back at him.

Rossi came in, leading the rest of the team, and smiled, "I think papa sounds like a great idea."Thomas and Jack just smiled back at him slightly. "We also agree that you and Aaron don't owe us an explanation. Yes we are a family but geez we see so much of each other that sometimes we want privacy and a private life. Our love life definitely. All we want is to see you two happy."

"Thank you," Thomas smiled up at them.

"I'll look after Jack while you stay with Aaron," Jessica said.

"Thanks Jess."

That night he was left by himself with his boyfriend. He held his hand while he slept in the chair next to him. He stroked the hairs on his hand reassuring himself he was still here and that he'd make it.

Suddenly Aaron's eyes started flickering open. Thomas's heart lifted as he saw his boyfriend's eyes slowly opening but then suddenly his heart plummeted as he started thrashing about in the bed pulling on the tubes of the machines.

"Aaron, what are you doing?" he asked worried but it didn't seem like Aaron was actually aware of what he was doing. He just kept pulling at the tubes declaring he had to find her; he had to save her while the machines started crashing.

He tried to grab his hands and stop him from pulling at the tubes but suddenly he started shaking uncontrollably. His eyes widened and his heart froze in his chest as he pressed the emergency button.