It was hard around the BAU without Laura and Tim around. We were all keeping up to date with Laura to find out how she was doing and when she would be having the baby. We had an office pool going like we had done with JJ. We were focused though on tracking Foyet. That monster had already killed Haley but when he found out she wasn't of any value now; he vowed I'd be the ultimate kill. After all the murder of an FBI agent would set his name in history forever. I knew I had to protect Hotch and Jack. I finally agreed that I would use myself as bait if it would help capture Foyet.
We got a call from Tim just before the takedown that afternoon that Laura had given birth to a baby boy they named Caleb Spencer Speedle. After hanging up with Tim; Hotch looked at me and said "You don't have to do this Madeline." I looked at him and replied "I know I don't have to do this. I want to do this for you and for Jack. Foyet will die tonight." "I just don't want anything happening to you. I love you Madeline" Hotch said before capturing my lips in a soft kiss. "About time" came the voices of the others. We blushed and then we took off and I went to lie in wait.
I waited in that house for what felt like hours. Suddenly; I felt a layer of goose bumps rise on my wrists and my hand flew to the gun on my hip. "Who's there" I called. "Finally we meet Madeline and you're pretty. It's easy to see why Aaron is completely attracted to you" came Foyet's voice and then I saw him come out of the back. He stepped closer to me and continued "You're beautiful, smart, and protective. From what I learned; Haley never supported Hotch. You love the same life he does. Nobody could ever understand what you see and those you have captured."
"You won't be an exception to the captured list Foyet. You can just end this and let me arrest you so I can continue to protect the lives of those around us from killers like you" I finally said, trying to hide how scared I really was. "Hm; I could do that but of course; I don't like to make things easy" Foyet answered. We circled each other a few times and both of us drew our guns. "Take one step closer and I'll blast that smug expression from your face" I threatened. He did come closer and both of us fired a shot. Mine hit him right between the eyes and his hit me in the side. I applied pressure to my side and called "Suspect and officer down! Send for a coroner and a bus, STAT!" "10-4; hang in there Madeline" came Rossi's voice.
Within minutes; I heard the rush of everyone's footsteps and Hotch was at my side with an old cloth to hold against my wound until the ambulance arrived. "Don't leave my side Hotch" I pleaded. "I'm not going anywhere Madeline. Hang tight" Hotch urged. I nodded and seconds later; I was loaded into the ambulance and Hotch was beside me but en route; I felt dizzy and passed out.
Hotch's P.O.V
I had ridden with Madeline to the hospital and tried to keep her awake at least until we got there but she blacked out. I could only watch as the doctors took her to surgery. I started to remember the last time she had been hurt in that car explosion and nearly died in the ambulance. The team joined me as we waited for any word on Madeline's condition. "Hotch; how much do you love Madeline" Rossi asked. "Probably more than I should. There is something that draws me to her and it's been that way since she started with us" I answered.
"If that's the case Hotch, when are you going to ask her to marry you" Derek asked. I tried not to blush and replied "I don't know yet. I'd love to ask her but I'm a little nervous since my last marriage went down the drain especially after Jack was born and I was never able to be around. I just want the right woman and somehow; I think Madeline is the one I've waited for." "Then don't wait any longer; get a ring, make your little surprise arrangements, and get yourself down on one knee and ask her" Prentiss commented.
I finally realized they were right. It was time to get over my fear of failing at a second marriage and give Jack a mom as well. I had to do this before anything happened to me and Jack didn't have anyone to care for him. I made my resolve that I was going to ask Madeline to marry me but I needed to talk to Jack first and get him in on the plan. Come Saturday afternoon; I was going to ask Madeline to marry me and I could only hope her answer would be yes.