"Haley, sis, if you're up there right now, and I know you are" Jess sat holding Aaron's hand and stared up at the ceiling, talking to the ceiling, hoping her sister could hear her "please, Haley, help Aaron? I know you can help him. He needs to wake up and be okay. Jack needs his dad. I know you still love each other so much and always will so I know your up there watching over Aaron right now. If there's anything you can do to help bring him back to your little boy and us then please. You know I never normally am one to beg or ask anything of anyone but I'm asking you, for Jack, your guys' only son, and my adored nephew, help Aaron? Do whatever you can to help him wake up, to bring him back to us, make him okay, anything, sis? I know Aaron and Jack still miss you so much, just like I still do. I know you'd want Aaron to be okay and would do whatever you could to help him. So if your up there right now, I know your always watching over Aaron and Jack, then please, make Aaron wake up and bring him back to your little boy. Jack still needs his dad. Aaron's never stopped loving you Haley. Even now, you're the only woman he's ever really loved. Sadly it didn't work out with Beth, though, for a while, she did make Aaron and Jack happy. But I'm sure one day Aaron will find someone like you who'll make him and Jack happy again. But for now their doing okay, as I'm sure you know. I know you know that Aaron is a fantastic dad, and always has been. Jack adores him and Aaron would do anything for his son. Their so close. Jack still needs his dad so much. His dad is his hero. The guy Jack still wants to be when he grows up. It still amazes me how much Jack adores and idolises his dad and how great a dad Aaron is to him. Jack's whole world revolves around his dad. Aaron is his life. So please, Haley, for yours and Aaron's son, help Aaron and do anything you can to bring him back to us? For Jack? Please sis? I love you and I'll always miss you but please?"
Sean came out of having a quick shower and stood at the door, watching and listening to Jess talking to Haley and asking her to help Aaron. Sean's heart broke as he stood listening to Haley talk to her dead sister in the sky, hoping she could hear and would help Aaron and bring him back to Jack.
When Jess finished and sat just holding Aaron's hand, staring desperately at his face, desperately hoping he'd wake up, Sean quietly put his bag down just inside the door and went into the room. Jess hadn't known that he'd heard and watched her talking to Haley in the sky.
"Still no change, Jess?"
Jess didn't notice Sean come in until he approached her and stood next to her with a hand on her shoulder.
"No, Sean what if he never wakes up and is like this for the rest of his life? Or worse? What if he dies? He could still die Sean from either the brain injury or the effects of being in this coma."
"He's strong Jess, he can pull through, right bro? And I'm sure Haley will find a way to help him, however she can. She and Aaron have always loved each other, even now, Aaron still loves her so much and I'm sure she still loves Aaron so much. I know Haley would do anything for Aaron and their son. She'll find a way to help Aaron, bring him back to her boy and to us. You'll see."
Whilst Jess was normally the strong one and never was one to doubt a situation, hearing her talk as she was, Sean knew that right now, even if he didn't believe his own words, he needed to be strong for Jess. He stood with his hand on Jess's shoulder staring at his unconscious brother, desperately hoping Aaron would suddenly wake up or show some signs of life.
"Come on Aaron, Jack still needs his awesome dad, bro. If you don't wake up for us, do it for your son? You're his hero bro. And the man he adores and idolises. You're his world Aaron. You need to wake up, Jack can't lose you. He loses you, his whole world will crumble. So please Aaron, bro, for Jack, if not for us or anyone else? Hey Jess, I was thinking, I heard it helps some people in comas, especially when they wake up, to have pictures around of familiar people and places. Aaron's got a lot of framed photos in the apartment. What if, with some of the team helping, we bring him some of them here? Put them around? I reckon we could even set up a table or something, over there at the far side. Plus, I also heard music can sometimes help right? Aaron loves that Beatles White Album. Not sure why but it's his fav. Also if we had books here of his and Jack's, I read or heard about people reading to people lying in comas. Either that or a newspaper every day, keep Aaron up to date. What do you think? I have seen quite a few moves that have shown people in comas. And you read about comatose people in the papers. If anything, I'm sure Jack would love sit and read his books to his dad. It would give Aaron something he loves to listen to, to hear. What do you think?"
"I think that's a great idea Sean. All that would really help Aaron. Their all beautiful and amazing ideas. We could really do with brightening this room up and making it like home away from home for Aaron. What do you think Aaron? Would you like that?"
"Yeah bro, how about a whole load of pictures to brighten this room up, surround you with familiar faces, especially Haley's and Jack's. We'll play that Beatle's album you love, you can listen to Jack reading to you. I know you love Jack reading to you and I know he loves reading to his dad. I was gonna keep you up to date with the papers anyway. But you'd better wake up soon, Aaron. If not for us, then for your son, okay bro?"
Just after Sean had finished speaking, two nurses quietly slid in, not wanting to disturb Sean and Jess talking to Aaron but needing to do a couple of tasks and check on the patient.
"Sorry guys, hey Agent Hotchner. We're just here to change your IV bags and your urine bag. We'll be as quick and gentle as we can. We also have meds for you, pain meds, antibiotics and such. The doctors will be in, in about an hour to check on you. Both you guys okay Jess? You need anything? If you guys wanna take a break anytime whilst no one else of the others are here, one of us nurses would always sit with him."
"Thanks, but it's okay Tara, Appreciate it though."
"We're here to look after you guys too, though, so if there's anything either of you guys need or want, let us know."
"Coffee would be good actually. If it's okay with you? I know Jess could probably do with some too."
"Sure, no problem." The two nurses changed Aaron's IV bags and urine bag and gave him the medications, Sean and Jess watching them and Aaron.
"At least you've had a good night Agent Hotchner. That's a good sign. Hopefully you'll wake up and come back to us really soon, eh? Jess, Sean, when the doctors get here, if he remains like he is, there are a couple of things we'd need to talk to you about. Sean, as his brother and next of kin, you'd be the one to make any decisions for your brother. It's basically maintenance and support for a comatose patient. Things like feeding him and keeping him comfortable and to do things like avoid bedsores. All are to make the comatose patient as comfortable as possible and to take the best possible care of them. But we'll talk to you after the doctors are here okay? But there might be a couple of decisions you have to make for your brother, Sean. You have to decide what's in his best interests and what would be best for him right now. We know he could wake up at anytime, but as he is in such a deep coma, we might have to start thinking about longer term care."
"Sure, no problem. Hey, talking of longer term, you nurses and doctors mind if we brighten up the room, bring Aaron some pictures and stuff from home? Play music, read books, read newspapers, have photos around of people he loves like his son, his late wife, me, Jess, the team, etc? He's got loads of framed photos we could bring from his apartment. It wouldn't be too many, but enough. Plus if we had books here, one thing Aaron loves is to listen to his son reading to him. Jack loves to read to his dad. It's something they always do together, is read together. Every night before Jack goes to sleep, they read together. Aaron loves listening to his son's voice reading to him. Just I've read and heard about comatose patients being surrounded by pictures, having people read to them, playing music the person in the coma likes, keeping them up to date by reading papers to them, stuff like that? I've just heard and read it helps sometimes."
"What he's saying, Tara, is that mainly he's seen movies involving coma patients."
"I do read too, especially the papers, Jess."
"Yeah but you do watch a lot of movies Sean. But I think Sean's ideas are really good and would really help Aaron. I think Aaron would love it. It would definitely make this place more like home away from home for Aaron."
"Bro would certainly love it, Jess. We wouldn't have too much here and we'd do anything so nothing was in anyone's way."
"Course. We've had other coma patients whose family and friends have done all the same and more. Some rooms have been made to look lovely and everything that's happened has helped the patient. Whatever you want to bring and whatever you think would help your brother Sean, is fine with us. We can work around anything. If you want, you can even bring a favourite pillow or whatever of his. Anything that you think might help or your brother would like. We'll do everything we can to help. And often when a coma patient first wakes up, it helps for them to have pictures around of people they love and know, of places they might remember or be familiar with. It's helped jog memories and the person remembering who they are and recognising people and places. We've even had families have photo albums or scrapbooks ready to help the patient. They'll even look through the albums or scrapbooks as the person is in the coma. They'll talk to them like the person was awake and looking at the books with them. People will look at framed photos and talk with the comatose patient as if the person was awake, things like that. So anything that you guys think might help your brother and or that he would like here is fine with us. This is his room from now until he wakes up and goes home, no matter how long he's comatose for, so anything is fine with us. We'll find you a table or two to put things on."
"Thanks. When you find any, let me and some of the others carry them, okay? Let us use our muscle and help you out wherever we can. Oh and after Dave and the others who are coming in the first lot after 8 get here, after the doctors have been to see Aaron, could you maybe bring him some stuff for us to give him a quick shave, give him a quick bed wash and things like that? Clean him up a little. We'll do it, me and some of the other guys, every day. We promise to be careful of any tubes. Jess here can help us work around anything."
"We'll help you guys work around any tubes or anything too, but that's fine. We'll find everything you need and that would be a great help actually, you guys shaving and washing him and helping to take care of him."
"Thanks. Appreciate it. Hear that bro? Me, Dave, Jess and everyone are gonna help take care of you, at least whilst your so helpless. So, unless you want Jess, these real nice nurses and some of the others cleaning your privates and dealing with your catheter, sorry bro, but, whilst I love you and I'd do anything for you, you are my only brother, there are a few things I won't do, as you are my brother. I'll clean anything above the waist and below the knees, fair, bro? Jess can clean your privates. If you don't want her to whilst your in this coma, show us some sign of life today okay bro?"
"Is that meant to be incentive for him to move, Sean?"
"Jess is his sister in law, Tara. Whilst even he'll admit that she's seen him naked as she does stay at his apartment with Jack when he has to work or go on a case and sort of lives there now, I and Jess know that he'd hate even the thought of Jess cleaning his privates and dealing with his catheter. If he was awake, he'd do anything to avoid it and stop her. Aaron's a proud man and prefers to take care of himself. He hates feeling helpless and needing help. He's always been so independent and strong. To be like this, lying helpless in a coma, would want to make him fight with everything he's got to wake up and be good enough to take care of himself again. He's got so much pride. Sometimes too much as he does bottle things up and not talk about his feelings or any problems he might have. But, in a way, that's a Hotchner trait. I'm the same, proud and strong and don't tend to talk about things. Jack's different, luckily. He took more after his mom, Haley. He'll want to talk about things and open up. Aaron's good in the fact he encourages Jack to and teaches Jack it's okay to talk about feelings and problems and not to keep things bottled up. Jack's actually helped Aaron open up, as has Jess. He'll talk more now, but he'll still bottle things up."
"Sounds like most men I know. Men do tend to bottle things up, prefer not to talk about feelings and such. It's called male pride apparently. But it's good to talk and open up. We'll leave you alone with Sean and Jess again Aaron and be back to check on you in a bit. Doctors are coming at eight, which is an hour from now. We'll be right back with coffees for you both Sean. You guys want anything to eat? We can bring you trays of breakfast. You both need to eat and look after yourselves."
"Is it okay if we eat in here with bro? We don't want to leave him alone."
"Sure. It's fine. So two trays of breakfast is it?"
"Actually, Sean….." Dave, who'd just arrived with Matt, Stephen, Morgan and Garcia, stood in the doorway "Why don't you take Jess down to the cafeteria? You guys take a break and get a proper breakfast before the doctors come. We'll sit with you Aaron. How's he been guys? Hey Aaron, it's me, Dave. I'm here early with Matt, Morgan, Stephen and Garcia. We've all been really worried all night about you."
"There hasn't really been any real change, Dave. He's still the same, still hasn't moved or shown any signs of life. But it might be good if Jess and I take a break from here, go get some breakfast."
"Hey Dave, guys, good to see you." Jess stood up and hugged Dave, needing the support after spending the night so worried for Aaron. "There's still no change Dave. He's still in the deep coma."
"How have you guys been, Sean? You both manage to get some sleep I hope? At least you've both had chances to shower and everything which is good."
"Yeah, we both managed to sleep pretty good considering Dave. We took turns sitting with Aaron whilst the other grabbed a shower in the bathroom next door. But we've not left Aaron alone for one minute. We don't want him to be left alone. But if you guys can sit with him for a bit, I'll take Jess and get us some breakfast before the docs come back at eight to see Aaron. But we'll be here when they're here. But a break might be good, Jess. How about it? Dave and the guys here will sit with Aaron."
"Sure, thanks Dave."
"In fact before we go, I need to talk to you Dave if that's okay? Matt, Derek, you mind staying here with Jess watching over bro?"
"Course not. We're here to stay all day Sean. Hey Aaron, it's me, Matt. Hope you don't mind but I kinda passed the word around the BAU and updated the director. You might have a couple of visitors later. Andi Swann, Ashley Seaver, Tia Canning, Jack Garrett and his team, the director, are all worried about you. When Andi heard about what had happened, she told Seaver. Both of them are coming by. I told Canning and Jack Garrett. Jack told his team. Everyone was shocked and wanted to come by. Oh told Sam. He too was shocked. He said he'd tell his team but that he'd definitely be coming by. Hope that's okay Aaron? It's just that everyone is so worried about you and you got good friends who I know would want to come see you, show their support and see how your doing. I promised everyone, I'd keep them all updated. Oh Dave called Alex. She and James are on their way to see you. She was shocked Aaron and so worried. Luckily their on a break at the university and are taking whatever time they'll need off to be here with you. James has even offered to help with his medical knowledge and his being a doctor and all. As for the rest of the team, everyone's coming by as soon as they can. Spencer stayed the night with J.J, cos he was worried. He'll come with J.J and Will after they drop the boys at school. Jack's fine by the way. Dave talked to J.J this morning. Jack called him when he woke up early at six, really worried for his dad and wanting an update. According to J.J, Jack didn't have too bad of a night but was still really worried about you. But he at least slept and is okay. Will and J.J have promised they'll look after him until he can go home with you again, Aaron. He'll be okay. Kate and Chris will be in as soon as they drop Meg off at school. Both Will and Chris have taken the day off and want to be here to see you. They too are so worried about you. Your worrying so many people Aaron, especially us but even more, Jess and Sean here. You gotta wake up."
Whilst Matt, Stephen and Morgan went and sat on the other side to Aaron to where Jess was sitting, Sean went to leave.
"I'll be right back Aaron, bro. Just wanna talk to Dave outside okay? But hang in there bro. Love you."
Sean went outside the room with Dave and Garcia and told them how Aaron had been and about his idea of bringing things from Aaron's apartment like photos, books, CD's and music, even photo albums. Anything to surround Aaron with familiar things and to help him get better. Dave and Garcia both thought it was a brilliant and wonderful idea and between the 3 of them, planned to go by the apartment with Morgan and a couple of others to bring whatever they thought best that afternoon.
After talking with Dave and Garcia, Sean led them back into the room. Matt moved so that Sean could go sit opposite Jess beside Aaron.
"Hey bro, I'm back. Listen later, Dave, me, Garcia, and some of the others will be going by the apartment and bringing some stuff here for you. But for now, Dave, Stephen, Matt, Derek and Penelope here will sit with you for a bit whilst I take Jess here to get us both some breakfast before the doctors come and see you, okay brother of mine? But hang in there bro. Hey Dave, Matt, Stephen, Morgan, after the docs have been, I've asked the two real nice nurses that were in here when you guys arrived to find us stuff to give Aaron a quick shave, clean him up a little, and then each morning til he wakes up, give him quick shaves and quick washes, keep him clean and tidy and help wherever and however we can in looking after my brother here. If that's okay? You guys up for helping me shave and wash him this morning and every morning after today?"
"Course we are man. Anything to help Hotch. Hey Hotch, it's Morgan. We've been so worried about you Hotch. You holding in there, man? We're all here for you and just waiting for you to wake up and be okay."
"Course, Sean, we'll help with anything, especially that."
"Course Sean, anything that might help Aaron. Hey Aaron, it's me Stephen. How you doing man?"
"Absolutely Sean. Aaron, we'll help to look after you. You guys go get something to eat, Sean, Jess. We'll be here with Aaron. You guys go take a break, you've been in here all night. We're here now. Oh, I spoke to the head nurse when we got here. We got the room next door, Aaron, to use. Me, Matt, Morgan and Garcia here all bought go bags with us. The others, apart from J.J, Will, Chris and Kate, are all bringing go bags too. No one wants to leave you Aaron. We're all just so worried about you. Kate and Chris have offered to help look after Jack. They'll help with school runs, look after Jack and let him stay if, for some reason, he can't sleep at J.J's house. Between them, Will and J.J, the four of them will make sure Jack's okay and looked after, that he goes to school, does homework, has a place to sleep, eats properly, anything. And their there for him. He'll come here every day after school with Henry and Meg. He's so worried about you Aaron. Will was brilliant with him last night. Jack apparently had a hard time going to sleep but then woke up scared for and worried about you. Will made him some cocoa and talked to him and got him to go back to sleep but had to sit with him until Jack fell asleep. Jack woke at just before six really worried about you. He woke before J.J and Will but they didn't mind. They let him call me so he could talk to me and get any updates, which seemed to console him and calm him. I spoke to Will and he told about Jack's broken night. But Jack's fine, Aaron. He's just really worried about you, his dad. But, along with J.J and Will, we'll all make sure he's okay and taken care of until you can be his dad again. Jess, Sean, you guys go get some breakfast. We'll stay here with Aaron and watch over him. We'll call you if anything changes. Promise." Dave looked at Jess and Sean, trying to convince them to leave so they could take a break and get something to eat.
"Come on Jess. I'll buy you some breakfast. We can also maybe call Jack before he leaves to go to school."
Jess didn't want to leave Aaron, even though she knew she'd be leaving him in Dave's good hands and they wouldn't be gone long.
"Jess, I promise, Aaron will be fine. We'll stay here with him. Garcia? You go with Jess and Sean, make sure they have a good breakfast?"
"Come on Jess…"
Jess reluctantly stood up, still looking sadly at Aaron's face.
"We'll be back soon okay bro? Dave, Matt, Stephen and Derek will be sitting in here with you, keeping you company and watching over you whilst Jess and I go get some breakfast okay? But I promise we'll be back really soon and won't be far away. But I love you brother, I always have and I always will. Stay strong okay? And wake up soon, bro, will you?"
"Aaron wake up soon but hold on okay? I'll be back with Sean really soon, I promise. But I love you Aaron. Dave, call the second if there's any change okay?"
"I promise Jess. Garcia alone has 2 cells, and you've both got your cells. Go, get something to eat, take a break, us three will be here with Aaron. But go okay? I promise to call the second if there's any change."
Jess looked sadly at Aaron, giving him a kiss on the cheek, before she reluctantly allowed Sean and Garcia to lead her out of the room. Sean looked sadly back at his unconscious brother as he led Jess out.
Dave took Jess's place and Morgan sat where Sean had been sitting opposite Jess. Stephen stood next to Dave and Matt stood next to Morgan. All four of them stared sadly at Aaron's face.
"Rossi, man, you think he'll ever wake up?"
"We can only hope Derek but I'm sure he will. We just need to give him time and help him as best we can and be here for him. But later today, you guys, Matt, Derek, Stephen, me, Sean, Garcia, and a couple of others are gonna head over to Aaron's apartment and pack up some photos to put up and around this room, Sean says the nurses will find us a table or two to use, bring back books to read to him, CD's, especially his favourite, the Beatle's White Album, bring photo albums and other stuff that we can put up around the room, make it more like home for Aaron, and real nice, we can use to read to him, when he wakes up he can see, we can play CD's and music to him to help him, stuff like that. It was Sean's idea but it's a really good idea. Whilst there we can also pack more stuff for Jack for him staying with J.J and Will and we can get Jess anything she wants or needs. We'll bring everything back here and put it up and or use it. Sean asked the nurses and they said it was fine and that other families of coma patients had done the same or similar."
"Yeah. Sure Rossi, man. That's an awesome idea. I'm all in for that. Anything to help Hotch."
"Definitely Dave. Sounds like a brilliant idea. I'm sure something or all of it will help him."
"Sounds like an awesome idea Dave. I'm all in for it too."
