(So to begin with, I'm not super happy with this chapter, Also making clear that I'm only on season seven right now, almost done with it, but still. I'm only about halfway through the seasons on Netflix. So please if something is wrong or not right, let me know and I might go back and edit! Thanks everybody for all of the reads/favs/follows/reviews. It really makes my day and keeps me going :) love y'all)

Morgan took hold of the sandwich, "Hey Rossi." He offered the man a tiny smile as Dave took a seat next to him. "Guessing you saw me." He sat up straight and began to unwrap the sandwich. He couldn't deny that he was hungry, it was just the last thought on his mind.

Rossi nodded. He turned on the bench to face Morgan. "You ran out of there pretty quick." He also began to unwrap his food.

Morgan took a bite and shrugged. "I just couldn't handle it anymore." He said quietly, glancing up at Rossi. He chewed thoughtfully, having fixed his mindset earlier. He shook his head. "How is he?" He asked, unsure if he truly wanted the answer.

Rossi sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "He's...he's okay." Morgan saw through that bullshit.

Morgan put his sandwich down in his lap and shot the older man a quiet glare. "The truth, Rossi...please."

Dave's gaze fell to the grass at their feet. He nodded, swallowing, his throat dry. "He confused me with Haley...took him some time to realize it was me." He shook his head, a sad smile crossing over his lips. "They found a rash on his chest, it's another symptom." He rested his elbows on his knees, his head dropping between his legs. He was exhausted, but of course he wouldn't admit it. Sure by now it was probably obvious, but he needed to stay strong, for the team...for Aaron.

Morgan had demolished his sandwich in the few minutes since Rossi had handed it to him. His worried gaze landed on the older man beside him while he watched him shrink, exhaustion clear on his face.

He reached out, his hand on the man's shoulder. He shook his head. There were times when Rossi's facade dropped, and Morgan was able to see just how much he was hurting, but now was different. Rossi's shields had dropped from exhaustion. He was so tired of staying strong.

Dave had always been a tough member of the BAU. Ever since he started it he was known as the backbone, the person who held the team together no matter the circumstances. But now he was just tired. There were very few, definitely rare occasions that he opened up to people. Plus the person he usually talked to was down, and everybody else was already going through the same thing. He just wanted to be that one strong person that they all could turn to if they needed anything.

"Rossi?" Morgan's voice pulled the man from his thought.

Dave blinked, lifting his head. "Hm?" He saw the worried look on his face. He sighed lightly. "I'm okay, really."

Morgan rolled his eyes. "Listen Rossi...I know how hard this is on you right now. It's hard on all of us, but I'm always here. We are a family, Rossi...we're all always here for you."

Rossi's gaze softened. The corner of his lip turned up into a small, tired smile. He sat up straight and nodded. "Thanks Morgan. Really, I appreciate it."

JJ led the tiny group of three towards Hotch's room. She saw the doctor and nurse at the side of his bed. Worry sparked again in her chest. She slid open the door and stepped in, her brows knitted. "Is he okay?" She asked quietly, crossing her arms over her chest. Her shoulders tensed.

Doctor Smith nodded. "He's doing okay." He said quietly as he set up fresh IV's. He glanced over his shoulder and offered her a small smile. "He's just a little confused right now." He sighed, glancing down at the ill man. He placed a comforting hand on Hotch's shoulder.

Hotch was shivering on his bed, cradling himself. His eyes shot open as soon as Smith touched his shoulder. He tensed and shook his head. "N..no." He breathed. "No." He tried to pull away, shutting his eyes.

Smith's grip tightened on Aaron's shoulder. "Agent Hotchner?" His brows knitted together with worry.

"Hotch?" JJ asked quietly, biting her thumb. "Hotch, it's JJ..." she tried again, watching as her friend shivered violently, wrapping his arms around his head. He shook his head. "No..get away." He whispered, unable to find his voice.

Fear spiked in Aaron's chest as he looked up at the man in front of him. He shivered, adrenaline coursing through his veins. His eyes dropped to the floor. "N..no." He breathed, shaking his head. "Please...don't." He bit his lip, tears streaming from his face.

Aaron Hotchner was about ten years old. His father's shadow loomed over him. The man tipped his head back, draining the bottle in his hand. He set the empty glass on the counter.

Aaron knew what would happen. Every time his dad drank..."Dad please." He pleaded quietly, shaking his head.

"You stupid...little." The shadow paused, swaying on his feet. His eyes narrowed. "Son of a bitch." He growled as he took a drunken step in the little boys direction. "God you are so fucking annoying." He hissed, shaking his head. He rubbed his eyes, leaning against the counter.

"D..dad?" Aaron took a step back, shaking his head. This was another thing that the little boy was used to. He would rather have his dad take his anger out on him than his mother.

The shadow reached out and slapped Aaron across the face, the small boy recoiling with a small scream as he held his face.

The man advanced on him. Aaron was frozen with fear, his eyes focused on the ground. His body shook as he sobbed quietly, wrapping his arms around himself. "Daddy please..please, I'm sorry."

Aaron had never known what he did to make his dad so angry. But there was nothing he could do except apologize for the faults his dad blamed him of. His dad would drink and take his anger out on him, it was just routine at this point.

Another slap across the face. Pain seared over his red cheek. He found his feet and slowly stepped back until his back hit the wall. Slowly the little boy sank down the wall. He pulled his knees to his chest, wrapping his arms around his legs and pulling them closer to him. He buried his head into his legs, biting his lip to hold in his cries as tears flowed down his face. "Please Dad...I don't know what I did." He breathed, squeezing his eyes shut as he saw the man step towards him again, lashing out. Than everything went black.

Aaron had continued to mumble, which worried the trio. The doctor's brow furrowed as he looked down at the ill man. Tears rolled down his face, his eyes shut tight as his shoulders finally relaxed.

The doctor nodded and slowly took his hand from Aaron's shoulder. "He's okay. You three can sit with him for a bit if you'd like." He offered the three, noting their worried glances.

JJ opened her mouth, but couldn't find the words as her heart dropped. Hotch had started to shake violently.

The doctor looked over his shoulder. His eyes widened. "Please, you won't want to see this." He shook his head as he quickly ushered the three out and rushed to Hotch's side. "Nurse, keep him on his side." He directed easily as he quickly shut the blinds to the windows before helping the nurse stabilize the man.

JJ's eyes watered. She bit her lip as she paced back and forth in the hallway. Reid had taken a seat by the door, his head in his hands. His mind continued to spin. He couldn't even imagine the thought of losing another man he looked up to. Prentiss bit her nails, her nervous habit coming through. She leaned against the wall, her eyes on the ground.

JJ pulled out her phone, running her fingers through her blonde hair. She shook her head and sighed, punching in a too familiar number.

Rossi sat with Morgan. The two had finished their sandwiches by now and were just sitting enjoying each other's company.

"You know he'll be okay. He's Hotch." Morgan said quietly, hoping to reassure himself and Rossi.

Dave sighed quietly, scratching his chin. "I know.." he shook his head. Hell he was always worried. Sometimes Aaron got careless and he couldn't handle it. He wouldn't ever stop worrying about the man he saw as his son. His phone rang, cutting off his thoughts.

"Rossi." He answered easily. JJ's voice came on the line and he froze with what came from the other line.

"Hotch had a seizure...He's resting right now..." she bit her lip, tears threatening to fall. She couldn't voice her own fears. She was so scared, but everybody around her was going through the same trauma. Tears slowly fell from her eyes. She shook her head, unable to find anymore words as her shoulders shook with silent sobs.

Rossi ended the call. All of his fear clear on his face. Silent tears trailed down his face. He pocketed his phone and turned to Morgan who had stood up as soon as the phone went off.

Morgan's heart dropped, Rossi's fear echoing onto his own face.

Rossi and Morgan rushed into the building. They saw the team in the hallway, worry thick in the air. Dave didn't even bother saying anything as he slid open the door.

Aaron was curled up on his side, completely exhausted. The doctor stood beside the bed, adding another IV onto the rack. Smith turned his head, offering Dave a small smile. "He'll be okay. He just needs to rest now." He shook his head. "Seizures aren't uncommon with an illness like this." He sighed. "It was only for a few seconds, so he'll be okay. He's going to be out of it for awhile though." Smith offered him a reassuring smile. "Page me if you need me." He said quietly before he stepped out of the room.

Dave's heart clenched at the sight. He bit his lip, unable to stop the tears as they tracked down his face. He sat in his usual seat beside Aaron, his hand lightly resting on the younger man's. Aaron made no response, his exhausted body limp in the bed.

"I'm so sorry Aaron." His thumb traced over his knuckles. "I'm so sorry kiddo..."