At 6am the next morning Jessica's alarm woke her from her slumber. After getting out of bed and using the bathroom herself, she went to check on Aaron. Jack was still fast asleep but Aaron, upon hearing noises was just waking up.
"Morning!"
"Hi, what time is it?"
"Just gone 6. Do you need to use the bathroom?"
"Yeah."
Jessica helped Aaron use the bathroom and then, upon leaving him lying in bed watching his sleeping son, she went downstairs to make herself some coffee and to get Aaron's morning tablets. With the exception of the 4 hourly pain pill, and the twice daily antibiotic, all the other tablets were once a day. She took the 5 different pills and a fresh glass of water upstairs, and helped him sit up slightly to swallow his meds. He had just finished swallowing the last of the pills when there was movement on the other side of the bed. Jack sleepily sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes and yawning.
"Morning buddy. Have a good sleep?"
"Yeah. Aunt Jess what time is it? Its not time for school yet is it?"
"No buddy its only about quarter past 6. You've got a couple of hours before your Aunt J.J picks you up for school."
"Aunt Jess, if I wash and dress quickly can I eat my breakfast up here with daddy?"
"As long as your careful and you keep your bowl on the tray then I don't see why not."
"Yeah!"
Jack jumped off the bed and ran into the bathroom to potty and wash his face before running into his bedroom to get dressed.
"Because you'd be embarrassed if I did it, I asked Dave if, when there's 2 of them here, the guy who's here can help you take a quick shower during the day. I hope that's okay."
"Yeah. Sorry Jess but at least for now I don't think I'd be comfortable with you dealing with me completely naked. It's still embarrassing enough having to have a woman escort me to and stay with me when I have to pee."
"Don't worry Aaron I understand. At least your okay with me helping you to the bathroom now which is more than what it was like for you yesterday. So I was thinking, is something soft like oatmeal or Weetabix ok for you to eat?"
"I can but try."
"Okay, I'll be back in a minute."
After helping him sit up in bed and while Jack was hurrying to get dressed so he could eat his breakfast with his dad in bed, Jessica went downstairs and made up a bowl of oatmeal for Aaron and poured a bowl of cereal for Jack, pouring some milk over Jack's cereal. Then, after putting the bowls and a large glass of water and a small glass of apple juice, along with some napkins in case her nephew spilt anything, onto the tray, she went back upstairs to where Aaron and Jack were sitting in bed talking.
"Jack can you be an angel and get the lap tray? Its sitting just inside my room."
"Sure."
Jack ran off, appearing seconds later with the lap tray and, with his Aunt Jessica's guidance, he put the tray over his dad's sheet covered legs. Jessica then put the tray on the lap tray.
"Remember Jack. Keep your bowl on the tray and be very careful. I'm trusting you not to make a mess okay buddy? If you can be clean this morning, I'll let you do the same tomorrow morning as well."
"Okay, I promise Aunt Jess. Thanks for letting me eat with daddy."
"Your welcome buddy. Okay guys I'm going to get dressed but give me a shout if either of you need anything."
"Okay."
Jessica left the room and went into her own bedroom, closing her door behind her and got dressed into her work clothes. She was getting dressed when there was a knock on the front door. She looked at her clock and saw it was only 7am.
"JACK, BUDDY COULD YOU GET THE DOOR? I'LL BE DOWN IN A MINUTE!"
Jack, who was sitting eating his cereal off of his dad's lap tray carefully got off the bed and ran downstairs. He opened the door to find his Uncle Dave, Uncle Derek and Aunt Penny standing there.
"Uncle Dave, Uncle Derek, Aunt Penny, what are you guys doing here?"
"We've come to take care of your dad whilst your Aunt Jessica is at work little man."
Jack let the three of them inside.
"Where's your Aunt Jessica, Jack?"
"She's upstairs getting dressed. Can I go back upstairs and finish my breakfast with daddy?"
"Sure little man, you go right ahead."
They watched Jack run upstairs and sat on the sofa and chairs waiting for Jessica to come down.
Meanwhile Jack had gone back to eating his breakfast in bed with his dad when his Aunt Jess appeared in her work clothes at the doorway.
"Jack, who was at the door?"
"Uncle Dave, Uncle Derek and Aunt Penny. Their waiting downstairs for you. They said it was okay for me to come back upstairs to finish my breakfast."
"Their early. Its only 7."
Jessica went down the stairs and saw Dave, Derek and Penelope sitting in her lounge.
"Hi Jess. I know I said we wouldn't come til 8 but Garcia here was eager to start our care for Hotch shift."
"You guys want some coffee?"
"It's okay we'll get it. You just concentrate on getting yourself ready for work and Jack ready for J.J to take him to school. We've got Hotch's back covered, so to speak."
"Okay. Thanks guys. He and Jack are upstairs finishing their breakfast."
"How'd it go last night?"
"Fine. He slept til me and Jack had finished dinner. He's getting used to me helping him use the bathroom. Jack's sleeping in his bed with him and he managed to eat a bowl of soup last night, which the little guy insisted on spoon feeding Aaron. You should of seen it. It was adorable!"
All 3 of them smiled at the thought of Jack feeding his dad.
"Man, the boss man would go mad if anyone else tried to do that to him!"
"It seems that Jack can get away with anything and Aaron won't argue."
"Did he sleep okay?"
"Yeah. He only woke me up once when he had to use the bathroom. But apart from that he slept through to 6 when I woke up."
"Has he done any erm…you know what?"
"Morgan, your such a wimp!"
"Hey I just don't wanna have to clean the guy's backside! Is that so wrong?"
"Not yet Morgan. Will you guys be okay by yourselves if I go and grab some breakfast?"
"You go right ahead Jess. We'll sort Morgan out!"
"Oh and you guys will help him shower and shave won't you?"
"Yeah Rossi will do that…."
"I'm not the only guy in this room Morgan….or have you turned into a girl?"
Jessica couldn't help but laugh as she went into the kitchen to get herself some breakfast.
Suddenly Jack appeared at the top of the stairs.
"AUNT JESS, ME AND DADDY HAVE FINISHED!"
Jessica went to go upstairs to collect the dishes when Derek stood up.
"Its okay Jessica, I'll go and pick up the dishes. And I'll wash them. But Rossi dude, I'm still a full blown guy! Who else could score more chicks than you?"
"I've been married 3 times you know. Plus all those rules about inter work relationships were put in place cos of me!"
"I'm going before we start arguing about numbers!"
Morgan went up the stairs and, having been at Jessica's the day before, went straight to Hotch's room.
"Hey boss man! How you doing?"
"Pretty good considering. Jack here has been such a great little helper since I've come home."
Jack smiled widely, happy to hear that his dad thought he'd done a good job.
"Hey buddy, why don't you go and make sure everything is in your backpack now and put it by the front door ready for when Aunt J.J and Henry come for you. And don't forget your homework."
"Okay daddy. Uncle Derek will you make sure daddy doesn't get out of bed while I'm at school today?"
"Don't worry little man. This guy is not going anywhere whilst I'm here!"
Jack got off the bed and went to his room to pack his school backpack.
Meanwhile Dave went into the kitchen to find Jessica trying to eat breakfast and make Jack's lunch at the same time.
"Jess, why don't you sit down and eat? I'll sort Jack's lunch out."
"Thanks Dave. In everything that happened yesterday I forgot to do it before I went to bed."
"No problem. So is it peanut butter and jelly that's on the menu?"
"Yeah. Plus a carton of apple juice, an apple and a small packet of crisps from the cupboard by your feet. Oh and I put a second piece of fruit and a second carton of juice in for him to eat at breaktime"
"Don't worry Jess, I got it covered. "
"Thanks Dave."
Jack quickly made sure his backpack was packed and he had his homework before running down the stairs and dropping his bag by the door. He went to find his aunt, who was sitting in the kitchen eating a bowl of cereal. He saw his Uncle Dave making his lunch.
"Uncle Dave why are you making my lunch?"
"Your aunt was trying to eat and make your lunch at the same time so I offered to help. I need to ask you Jack, I know you've got an apple for lunch but what fruit do you want for breaktime?"
"Can I have a banana please Uncle Dave?"
"Sure. What flavour crisps do you want for lunch?"
"Er...cheese and onion?"
"Okay. I'm almost done. What drink do you want for breaktime buddy?"
"Apple juice!"
Dave finished packing Jack's lunch box.
"Jack, tell your teacher that for this week and next week to call the house if there are any problems at school, okay?"
"Are you sure Dave? They usually call me or Aaron on our cells."
"Yeah, whilst there's at least 2 of us here in the day, one of us can go pick up Jack if anything happens. That way you won't have to worry about him at all when you're at work."
"Thanks. If the school has any problems with one of you going to pick him up early for any reason then they can still call me or Aaron and we can explain it to them."
"Sure. So Jack will you tell your teacher?"
"Sure Uncle Dave but you should know that the school sees me as a problem free kid. I've so far never been in a fight…."
"That's good to know…."
"Jack, is your backpack ready?"
"Yeah, and my homework's in it. Its sitting by the front door ready."
"If you go brush your teeth now, you can sit with your dad until Henry and your Aunt J.J come pick you up. Okay buddy?"
"Yeah!"
Jack ran back upstairs to brush his teeth.
"Dave can you put that lunchbox by his backpack? Its sitting by the front door."
After brushing his teeth, Jack ran back into his dad's room.
"Dad my backpacks ready and I've brushed my teeth. Aunt Jess said that I can stay with you until Aunt J.J comes to pick me up!"
"I'll take these things downstairs…"
"Jack do you remember where Aunt Jess left this lap tray?"
"Yeah, I remember."
"Could you put it back in the same place for me buddy?"
Jack hurriedly took the lap tray and put it where he had found it in his aunt's bedroom before running back to his dad. Morgan took the tray of dirty dishes downstairs and washed them up.
"Dave, Morgan his pills are on the sideboard there. The only tablet you need to worry about is the pain med every 4 hours. He had a dose at just after 6 this morning so he should be okay until about 10 and then again at 2. The list of doctors conditions is pinned to the fridge, along with the list of foods he can start eating. I stocked up on supplies including lots of coffee so you guys and the others can eat and drink anything you want. There's a spare key hanging up there on the wall if anyone goes out during the day….The bag of bandage stuff is sitting in the bag in the bathroom, in which I've also put 2 stools in there, one of which can be put inside the shower…."
"Don't worry Jess. You just go to work. Aaron is in very good hands. We can figure out anything we don't know. We'll even make sure you stay stocked up on groceries. And when Jack gets out of school, we'll be here to take care of him and make sure he gets his homework done. You don't even have to worry about cooking dinner when you get home. We'll whip you guys up something tasty every day."
"Thanks guys."
They sat there talking for a bit longer. Jess looked at the clock and realised it said 8 o clock.
She went upstairs to Aaron's room.
"Hey Jack, buddy, its 8 o clock now. Aunt J.J will be here soon so you need to start saying your goodbyes to your dad and also make sure you use the bathroom. okay?"
"Okay Aunt Jess. I'll go potty now then I'll say my goodbyes to daddy."
"Okay."
Jack ran to the bathroom before returning a couple of minutes later to hug his dad goodbye.
"Remember daddy, you must stay in this bed!"
"I promise I will buddy. Have a good day at school. I love you so much buddy!"
"I love you too dad!"
After giving his dad a final big hug, Jack went downstairs with Jessica and hugged his 2 uncles and his Aunt Penny goodbye, making them promise that they'd take good care of his dad for him whilst he was at school.
At just after 8.15, a car horn beeped outside and Jessica saw J.J sitting in her car. Jack hugged his Aunt Jess goodbye before picking up his backpack and lunchbox and going out to the car. Jessica watched whilst Jack got into J.J's backseat.
Then she got herself ready to go to work before popping into see Aaron who was being kept company by Penelope.
"Could you give us a minute Penelope?"
"Sure."
"Did J.J pick up Jack okay?"
"Yeah. I think Henry and J.J are going to have a headache by the end of the 2 weeks from all his chattering though! I'm just about to head off to work but I have my cell on if you need anything. I'm not sure which one out of Dave and Derek will be helping you shower and shave as Derek seems adamant that it won't be him….."
"Sounds like Morgan…."
"I'll see you later. The other 2 are downstairs if you need anything and remember you can't get out of bed and walk anywhere by yourself. Okay?"
"I promise. Have a good day at work Jess. Love you!"
"I love you too bro!"
She went and gave him a gentle hug before she left and went downstairs. Garcia re-entered the room.
"Sir, today whilst the little man is at school, I'm your Jack stand in! What was he doing for you?"
"His main role is to fetch his Aunt Jess for me. He also keeps me company, makes sure I get enough to eat and drink and, the most important part of his job for him I reckon, is making sure I don't get out of bed unless someone is there to help me."
"Well I can definitely keep you company and make sure you eat and drink enough. I can even help you to the bathroom and back as well sir."
"Erm…that's okay. I'd rather Dave or Morgan took on that role of things…"
"Whatever you say boss man!"
Not long after Jessica had left for work, Dave and Morgan were discussing how they would get Hotch showered and shaved easiest. They decided that, at least for that first day, both men should be in there. One could hold him standing whilst the other dealt with things that could not be done with him sitting. Morgan reluctantly followed Dave up the stairs. Before going to see Hotch, they went into Jessica's bathroom and made sure everything was prepared. New bandages, clean towels and shaving kit were laid out. A stool was placed inside the shower, which was lowered enough for Hotch to use and the other stool was placed ready with a towel over its seat. Then, as Hotch and Garcia talked, Dave went to his room and gathered clean pyjamas, underwear and socks for Aaron and took them into the bathroom. Then, preparations finally completed, they went to get the man himself.
"Hey Aaron, ready for your shower and shave ?"
"I guess so...So are you the lucky guy?"
"At least for today as your still pretty weak, both Morgan and I will be your assistants."
Hotch, who had already not been looking forward to the embarrassment of having someone assist him to shower, cringed slightly. It had been bad enough thinking that only one guy would have to be doing such intimate things but 2 guys….Just having 2 guys have to dress him before leaving the hospital had been bad enough…
"So you ready big boss man?"
"I guess so. Garcia, would you wait downstairs?"
"Sure thing sir."
Hotch waited until he heard Garcia on the stairs before reluctantly swinging his body round so that his legs hung over the side of his bed.
"Don't worry boss man. I'm not looking forward to this either…"
Dave had gone ahead to the bathroom to wait for Morgan and Hotch. Aaron was at least strong enough to only need one person to walk him the short distances to and from the bathroom now. He watched Morgan slowly walk Hotch inside before closing the door.
"Before we start can I just..um…"
"Sure it IS just what I hope it is isn't it? Cos if you need to do the other thing then Rossi's on his own!"
"Yes Morgan it still is only a pee."
Before starting Morgan walked Hotch to the toilet and supported him up. At least for this part, both men still closed their eyes whilst Aaron took care of business. Once he was done Morgan led him to the middle of the bathroom.
Morgan supported Aaron's weight whilst Dave helped Hotch pull off his t-shirt before Dave started taking off the bandages. This would be the first time they had seen what lay under his bandages so to the 2 men, his surgery wounds still looked big and raw.
"Okay Aaron, now the harder parts start…"
"Lets just get on with it shall we?"
Dave smiled, this was the Hotch they all knew! He knelt down and, trying his best not to look at privates, he pulled the pyjamas and underpants down and helped Hotch step out of them. Then both men helped guide him into the shower and sit down. They had already placed soap etc within Aaron's reach and he could turn the water on by himself too.
"Now remember Aaron, stay sitting down, don't bend and you only have a few minutes. The conditions letter said to avoid washing around the wounds and to only let water run over them. Whatever you do don't try and stand up by yourself. Morgan will be waiting outside the door while I take the few minutes to change your bed sheets so as soon as your done give us a shout. If your longer than a few minutes we'll be coming back in before you've finished, so be warned. You either play by the rules Aaron or we might consider having Morgan's baby girl give you a sponge bath!"
"Yes Mr Mom. Now please may I be allowed to wash alone?"
"Don't forget I'll be waiting just outside boss. And only a few minutes…."
They left the bathroom. Morgan stood outside while Dave went to quickly put clean sheets on Aaron's bed. Aaron turned on the water and, for the first minute, just sat there under the hot water, enjoying his first, albeit abnormal, shower, since before he had collapsed. Even though water running over his still fresh wounds hurt, the pain was worth it just to be able to have a quick shower. He then managed to wash from his knees upwards quickly, though avoiding anywhere near his stomach wounds. Due to the limited areas he could wash, he was easily done within a few minutes and had turned the water off before he heard Morgan shout from outside.
"OKAY MAN. TIMES UP. WE'RE COMING IN!"
The 2 men re-entered the bathroom to find a fresh, wet looking Aaron sitting under the shower head with the water off.
"All done boss man?"
"Yeah. I feel much better too."
"Okay Aaron, let's get you out, dried, and dressed before you get cold."
They helped him gently stand up and step out of the shower and sit on the second stool. Dave handed him a smallish towel.
"Aaron, here you can dry your stuff by yourself. Morgan can you dry his top half and I'll dry his feet up to waist?"
"Sure. At least I get the better end of you man!"
Hotch had to endure Morgan drying everywhere from his chest upwards but couldn't face touching anywhere near his stomach yet. As Aaron dried the areas around his waist himself, Dave dried his feet up to where Aaron was drying. Once dry, Dave picked up the razor and shaving cream and managed to give a relunctant Aaron a quick shave. Once that was done Dave slid the clean socks, underpants and pyjama trousers onto Aaron's feet before Morgan helped him stand up so that Dave could pull the underpants and trousers right up.
Before putting on fresh bandages, Dave handed Aaron a towel.
"I don't want to hurt you so I'll let you pat your wounds dry first but they need to be as dry as you can get them.
Aaron tenderly and carefully patted the towel over his stomach wounds. He couldn't help but wince as they were still raw and painful to touch too much. Morgan, holding him up, and Dave watched and grimaced, only imagining how much his wounds must still hurt. For Aaron to show outward signs of pain meant they had to hurt a lot. Aaron normally managed to hide a lot of pain whenever he had been injured before and both men knew that he'd only show signs of pain if the pain was too much. Finally Hotch finished patting the area dry and Dave carefully covered and wrapped his wounds in clean bandages before helping Hotch put on a clean t-shirt.
"Before I go back to bed, can I just brush my teeth?"
"Sure man."
Morgan held him by the sink whilst Hotch brushed his teeth before he walked him back to bed whilst Dave began to clean up the bathroom. He and the team were determined that they would do their best to leave Jessica's house as clean and tidy as possible for when she came home every day. That way she shouldn't have to worry about housework. After leaving the bathroom as tidy as it had been before they had started Hotch's shower routine and taking the towels they had used with him, Dave went back to Aaron's room to collect the dirty sheets he had stripped from Aaron's bed. He was now sitting up in bed looking a lot better in himself. Dave collected the sheets and took everything downstairs and put the load of laundry in the machine. He found Garcia on her laptop in the lounge.
"Hey kitten, he's all finished if you want to go back upstairs."
"I told him I was his Jack stand in and would do everything Jack has been doing for him whilst the kid was at school. So basically I'm there to keep him company, help make sure he eats and drinks enough and to alert you guys if he has to get up."
She hurried back upstairs where she found Morgan standing talking to her boss man. She stood outside the room listening.
"I hope that wasn't too bad for you boss. I promise we both tried our best not to look at your stuff."
"It wasn't as bad as I expected. Thanks Morgan. I know being so intimate with your boss wasn't something you expected when you joined the team…"
"Yeah well I can only imagine what it's like for you at the moment Hotch. I'd hate to be stuck in bed and even worse hate to have to have someone walk me to and from the bathroom whenever I had to go. That and I think if I was you, I'd just not shower or shave for 2 weeks straight til I could do them on my own."
"Yeah well I just have to keep thinking that soon I'll be well enough to do things for myself again. Before then I just have to concentrate on getting better and put up with all the help I need."
"Hey man tell me something, when it's just Jessica here, does she make you sit down like a girl?"
"Actually I'm managing to go standing up if she keeps her eyes closed. Now I'm out of that hospital, I'll only sit if I have to do the other thing."
"You mean you let a girl stand beside you while you….."
"She's not just any girl Morgan, she's my sister in law who I've known since I met Haley. We get on like brother and sister anyway. Plus, since Haley died, she's insisted on doing as much as she can for both me and Jack. That and she's a nurse so she's pretty used to doing things like that. After I go back home and go back to work I'm gonna see what I can do for something special for her to say thank you for all this."
"You are so lucky to have a sister in law like her man. Not many other women would be willing to put up with you and the crazy job we do….."
"I know I'm lucky to have her, especially when it comes to Jack. She never complains and is always happy to take care of him at the last minute. I think she and Jack have almost as closer bond as he did with his mom. She loves him and is so good with him. She knows the routine I have with him and keeps him to the same routine, which I believe gives him some stability. Whenever we're away on a case, I know I don't have to worry about Jack and she always makes sure Jack and I can talk on the phone or skype each other every evening. She never even complained when I was assigned to the task force in Pakistan for those few long months. She let us skype every day and made sure I would never have to worry about my son the whole time I was away from him."
Garcia decided she'd had enough of eavesdropping and, being her usual cheery self, burst into Hotch's room.
"Hey sir, your definitely looking better!"
"Hey Garcia. Thanks for waiting downstairs. Hey can you go down and get me some fresh water?"
"Of course sir! Be back in a flash."
"I'll let my baby girl have her turn again keeping you company boss. Don't forget that we're only downstairs if you need to get up again."
"Thanks Morgan."
"No problem boss man. We're all here for you whatever you need us for…"
"I appreciate that."
Morgan went back downstairs and Hotch spent the morning listening to Garcia ramble on. Apart from Dave bringing him a pain pill at a little after 10, they left Garcia alone to talk his ears off for the morning.
At a little after 12, Hotch felt both his stomach rumbling and his bladder sending him signals.
"Garcia, can you fetch either Dave or Morgan?"
"What do you need sir? Food, more water? What?"
"Actually I need the…erm…"
"Oh right, sorry sir. Be back in a flash!"
She went downstairs to find the 2 men fighting it out with some of Jack's action figures. Two grown men playing fighting with kid's toys! She quickly took out her Iphone and took a quick video as proof. Now neither of them could deny this!
"Erm, I hate to break up your little fight but the boss man needs one of you."
"I'll go. You stay and play Morgan!"
Dave went upstairs to see Aaron.
"Garcia said you needed one of us?"
"Yeah. Can you take me to the bathroom. I really have to go."
"Sure buddy. Come on."
Dave walked him to the bathroom and Aaron took care of business before Dave helped him back to his bed, helping him to sit up again.
"Now, I know you've had soup and oatmeal since being home so what would sir like for lunch?"
"Anything the chef thinks is good for me!"
"Coming right up sir!"
"And Dave? Thank you."
"No problem Aaron. Now if you'll excuse me the chef needs time to prepare something that is molto gustoso!"
Dave went back downstairs to see what he could whip up for Aaron's lunch. He found Morgan making sandwiches for both him and Garcia.
"Hey Rossi man, do you want a sandwich?"
"Sure. Maybe this afternoon you could pop out and get some more bread for Jessica?"
"Sure man. No problem."
"Now this chef has to prepare something fine to suit the king!"
He checked the food list to make sure what he would cook would be okay then he proceeded to whip up a simple dish of chicken and pasta. It didn't take too long for it to be ready and he put the bowl, cutlery napkins and a large glass of water on the tray and called Garcia into the room.
"You yelled!"
"Can you take Aaron up his lunch while I clean up kitten?"
"Yeah! My first feeding Hotch session!"
Dave and Morgan smiled, imagining what Hotch was in for!
Garcia entered the room carrying a tray of food.
"There's a lap tray just inside Jessica's room."
She put the tray on the floor and got the lap tray sorted before laying the tray on top. Hotch saw a bowl filled with chicken and pasta.
"Rossi cooked it so it should be good!"
As Garcia watched him, he began to hungrily eat. Dave was an excellent cook and the food was delicious. He managed to eat 3 quarters of the decently sized portion before he was full. He sat there sipping water from the glass.
"Give my compliments to the chef but tell him I'm sorry I couldn't finish it but it was too much."
Garcia took the tray downstairs while Aaron put the glass of water on his beside table. He suddenly felt really tired and managed to shift himself back to lying in the bed before he dozed off. Garcia returned only to find her boss fast asleep so she went back downstairs.
A couple of hours later Aaron woke up feeling fullness in both ends of him. This was the part that he had been dreading the most.
Morgan was downstairs playing a video game with Rossi when he heard Hotch shouting and went upstairs to see what Hotch needed.
"Hey boss man. Your awake. You need the bathroom again?"
"Yeah, is Dave here, you might want to get him…"
Morgan realised what Hotch was trying to say and knew Rossi should deal with this!
"Oh right. Hang on man. HEY ROSSI MAN, GET YOUR BUTT UP HERE!"
Dave went upstairs, confused as to why he was needed as well.
"Morgan, what's up?"
"Its time for you know what. And that is something I am definitely not doing!"
"Fine. When the time comes, you can hold him up and I'll do it!"
Hotch was lying there embarrassed about listening to them argue about who was going to have to help him clean up. Did they really think he enjoyed being in this situation?
"Hey kids, can you stop fighting. I need to go so lets just get this over with please…."
"Sorry Aaron. Morgan here is just being a baby!"
They helped Hotch off the bed and into the bathroom. Dave pulled Aarons trousers and pants down and the 2 men helped him sit on the toilet.
"We'll wait outside man okay? Just shout when your done."
"Thanks. It shouldn't take that long…"
It took him longer than he expected but within a short time he had finished both parts of his business. Now was time for the humiliation.
They heard Hotch calling them and went back into the bathroom, closing the door behind them to avoid Garcia walking in on them.
"Morgan if he stands up and you support him, I'll…."
With him leaning against Morgan for support, Hotch endured the humiliating task of Dave cleaning his backside before he pulled Aarons underpants and trousers back up before Morgan helped him back to bed whilst Dave washed his hands and flushed the toilet.
An hour later, Aaron's cell rang. He saw it was J.J and picked it up. He was worried as J.J was supposed to be picking up Jack at this time.
"J.J, what's wrong?"
"Dad it's me. Aunt J.J is letting me use her phone. I know you need me to take care of you but Simon is asking if me and Tony want to go back to his house cos he wants to show us his new sets of cool race cars he got for his birthday. So please daddy, can I go play at his house for a while? His mom promises she'll drop me back off home before dinner. And I got no homework….so please can I daddy? You always tell me to ask you before I go play at a friend's house after school…."
"Sure buddy. You go right ahead. But I'll get either Dave or Derek to come pick you up at say half 5, okay?"
"Okay daddy. I love you!"
"Love you too buddy. Now go play with your mates, I'll see you later!"
Aaron hung up the phone and yelled to Dave to come up.
"Aaron, whats up? Jack should be home soon…"
"That's why I want you. Jack just called to ask to go over to a friends house for a couple of hours but I said that either you or Morgan would go pick him up from his friend's at half 5. I hope that's okay?"
"Sure. Do you have the address?"
"It's down in Jessica's address book under Sprite."
"Don't worry. We'll make sure the little guy gets picked up. I just realised I forgot your 2pm pain pill so I'll go get it now."
Dave went downstairs and found Morgan.
"Hey Morgan, Jack's gone to a friend's house for a while but Hotch wants one of us to go get him at half 5. If I give you the address will you go? Then I can get on and cook Jess and Jack some dinner."
"Sure man. I'm glad the kid doesn't feel he has to always rush back here and can go play with his mates and just be a kid for a while."
Dave took Hotch his pain pill and stayed talking with him.
"Morgan will go pick up Jack from his friend's house."
"Thanks Dave."
"So Morgan was telling me how Jessica has been helping you use the bathroom standing up...I'd never thought I'd see the day where SSA Aaron Hotchner allowed a woman to stand next to him while he used the bathroom!"
"It's either that or I have to sit down like a girl. Anyway its not too bad now and she keeps her eyes closed the whole time I'm…."
"Yeah but it must be bad enough having a guy standing next to you…but a girl?"
"She's not just any girl Dave. She's my sister in law who I've known for as long as I've known Haley and we get on like brother and sister nowadays…."
"So how come you'll let her help you use the bathroom but you don't want her helping you shower?"
"When's she's helping me take care of business she closes her eyes. Do you really think I want her to see me naked? She's like a sister to me but that would just be too weird…."
"I see where your coming from…"
"Anyway I was thinking that, once I'm fully recovered and back at my apartment and back at work, of either maybe doing something or getting her something special to say thanks for all of this."
"I think that'd be a great idea Aaron. If you want to throw her a big party then I'd gladly let you use my mansion. You'd just have to let me know when you want to plan it for…."
"Thanks Dave. A party sounds like a good idea but it'll have to wait til I'm better."
"Sure. You know the whole team loves a party. Once you've decided on when you want to throw the party, just let me know and I'll clear my calendar."
"Thanks."
"I was talking to J.J last night arranging the final preparations for your care rota and she said that if any of us 3 guys couldn't be here then Will said he'd come over to help you with guy things so you don't have to worry about one of the girls doing that kind of thing for you."
"Wow. I must tell J.J to thank him for me."
"And unlike baby Morgan, he's used to having to change Henry 's diapers as a baby and used to looking after Henry at home so he said it would be easy."
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, anything."
"How come Morgan's uncomfortable with helping me but you aren't? I mean you've never changed any of either Henry or Jack's diapers or had to look after a little boy like Will and Me have."
"Your my best friend and a big part of my BAU team. I consider it an honour to help you in any way you need whenever you need it. And clearly now you need it. And when I'm helping you with stuff I have been doing, I don't really think about that or being embarrassed. I'm thinking more of how it must feel for you and also thinking about just getting the job done."
About half an hour before Jessica was due home, Rossi was cooking in the kitchen and Morgan and Penelope were sitting talking and joking with Hotch.
Suddenly Hotch had to interrupt their conversation and have Morgan help him use the bathroom. Penelope stayed upstairs and watched in sadness as Hotch had to be helped to walk to the bathroom and it was clear that he was still leaning heavily on Morgan. She watched them go into the bathroom but, instead of Morgan coming out whilst Hotch did his business like she expected him to, neither came out until Morgan walked Hotch out back to bed. Hotch, a shy and private man had just let Morgan stay in the bathroom whilst he did his business!
For anyone that doesn't know 'molto gustoso' means very tasty in Italian. I thought that, as Rossi is Italian, I should slip something like that into the story.
