At around 2am Aaron woke with a start. He had been dreaming of Haley's murder, but this time Foyet was winning and was about to kill his son too. Needing to reassure himself that his son was still alive, he lay there in the half darkness watching his son sleeping and breathing. He felt intense pressure coming from his bladder and knew he wouldn't be able to go back to sleep without attending to business first. He picked up his cell and rang Morgan's cell phone.
Morgan was sleeping when he was woken by his cell ringing. Groggily he reached for the phone and looked at the caller I.D hoping this wasn't Rossi phoning him at such an ungodly hour, because if it was then Rossi's life would not be worth living...
He saw that it was Hotch calling and so disconnected the call and forced himself awake. He looked at the clock and saw that it said only 2am. He groaned as he stumbled out of the nice warm bed and to Hotch's room. Without even having to say a word to each other, Morgan helped Hotch use the bathroom before returning the man to his bed. Although he was still half asleep, Morgan did notice that, compared to when he had first come home from hospital, Hotch wasn't leaning on him for support too much.
After tucking Hotch back into bed, Morgan stumbled, first to use the bathroom himself, and then back to Jack's bed where he fell asleep the minute he lay down.
The next morning at 6am, Morgan's blaring alarm woke him only for it to be whacked into silence with his hand. Morgan hated mornings so much that he often had to replace his alarm clocks quite a few times a year due to them being constantly bashed into silence or them being thrown across the room in his anger. He heard movement and then someone go into the bathroom. As soon as he heard the person come out of the bathroom Morgan pulled himself awake and dragged his body out of the nice warm cozy bed.
As Jessica went downstairs, she heard Morgan come out of Jack's room and go into the bathroom.
After using the bathroom himself, Morgan went to see if Hotch was awake. The guy was lying there watching Jack sleeping as Morgan knocked on and poked his head round the door.
"Morning boss" Morgan kept his voice to a whisper to avoid waking the kid "you need to visit the bathroom?"
"Morning, yeah Morgan thanks."
After helping the man use the bathroom, Morgan walked him back to his bed. He found that Hotch was barely leaning on him for support and was staying upright more on his own. He reckoned that within the next couple of days, Hotch could probably at least walk himself to and from the bathroom, although he would still need help doing anything that involved more than staying standing upright.
"Thanks Morgan. Why don't you go grab a shower and shave now before Jack gets up? I'll be okay be okay for a while now."
"Sure man. I won't be long…."
He left Hotch just watching Jack sleeping.
Within 20 minutes, Morgan reappeared in the room freshy showered and shaved and dressed in t-shirt and jeans.
"You okay here man if I go grab a coffee? I'll bring you up some water and pain pill when I'm down there…"
"Sure Morgan you go ahead. Oh and can you make sure you do Jack's lunch, save Jess doing it?"
"Sure. What's the little man have in his sandwich?"
"Peanut butter and jelly like always. He also has an apple, bag of crisps, and carton of juice for lunch. And put a 2nd apple and 2nd carton of juice in his lunchbox for his break time snack.
"Sure man, that sounds like a piece of cake…."
"Thanks Morgan. I know Jess has too much to do in the morning. So who else is coming today?"
"Pretty boy and baby girl. Tomorrow I'm being joined by Rossi dude and Blake."
"Oh right."
Just then Jessica came into the bedroom carrying a large glass of fresh water and Aaron's pills, which he happily took.
"I made you a coffee downstairs Derek. I'm just gonna go get dressed before work."
"Thanks Jessica. Like Hotch often says I really appreciate it."
"I don't always say that do I?"
"Too much man. See you in a minute though…."
Morgan went downstairs to drink the coffee and make Jack's lunch up. He hadn't eaten peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in so long, he ended up making himself a sandwich when he made Jack's for his lunch and, as soon as Jack's lunch was packed up, he'd stood enjoying the quick sandwich. Jessica had come into the kitchen as he stood eating the PB&J sandwich.
"I hope that's not Jack lunch?..." She smiled and nodded at the sandwich.
"Don't worry. I made the little man a sandwich but I haven't eaten PB&J since I was a kid and I've forgotten just how good it really is…."
Meanwhile upstairs, at just after half 6, Jack stirred awake.
"Morning buddy. You have a good sleep?"
"Morning dad. Yeah was great. What time is it?"
"It's only just gone half 6 buddy but you'll have to get up soon for school."
Downstairs Morgan and Jessica were talking.
"I noticed Jessica that when I helped the guy last night and this morning, Hotch is leaning less and less on me as I help walk and he seems to be able to keep himself upright more and seems stronger."
"I think he is getting a lot better. Maybe in couple of days time he can take himself to and from the toilet but, as he still can't bend properly, he'll still need help cleaning up if he does more than simply pee. And he'll still help taking quick sit down showers for a while longer."
"Yeah I know but I think it'll do wonders for the guy if he can at least walk on his own and pee on his own."
"I have to agree with you there Derek. I was thinking about possibly getting Blake's husband James, whose a doctor to come him over after I get back from work to check him out and check on his wounds."
"Good idea. Tell you what, I'll call Blake today and get her to bring James round at say….what time?"
"Maybe before dinner at say between half 5 and 6?"
"Sure. Don't worry Jessica, James'll be here even if I have to drag the dude here myself…."
"Thanks Derek."
They heard Jack go into the bathroom upstairs so Jessica went to start getting both her boys' breakfasts ready only to find Morgan standing in her way stopping her.
"I got their breakfasts Jessica. You sit down and eat yours. I've been ordered not to let you lift a finger….What cereal does Hotch want? And which one does Jack eat?"
"Jack eats Captain Crunch like always. I forgot to ask Aaron what he wanted."
"Hang on then…."
Morgan pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and dialled Hotch, who was surprised Morgan was calling him.
"Hotch, dude what do you want for breakfast?"
"I was wondering why you calling…er….weetabix will be fine."
"Sure. No problem dude."
He hung up and poured Jack some Captain Crunch and Hotch some Weetabix before adding milk to the bowls and, putting the bowls on the tray, along with some juice for Jack, Water for Hotch, a couple of spoons and some napkins, he took the tray upstairs.
Aaron was surprised to see Morgan carrying the breakfast tray into the room, just as Jack reappeared fully dressed.
"Hey buddy." Aaron looked at Jack "can you put the lap tray in place for Uncle Derek?"
"Sure."
The boy did so and the 2 Hotchners began to eat breakfast together again in bed.
The day went uneventfully, apart from Spencer also noticing Hotch's improvement and better strength. THE 2 men had helped Hotch shower, shave and dress like normal, again putting fresh bandages on his wounds, though they did both notice that, compared to before the weekend, the guy didn't seem to be in as much pain as he dried his wounds with a towel.
Morgan had called Blake mid morning.
"Hey Morgan? How's Hotch doing?"
"He's doing a lot better. Barely leaning on others for support when he walks. His wounds don't seem to be as painful either which is good. He's actually the reason I'm calling."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah, James said he'd offer his doctor services didn't he?"
"Yeah he did. Why does he need a doctor?"
"Nah, just Jessica is asking if he can come round after she gets home and check him out and check his wounds and what not to make sure the guy really is doing okay…."
"Hang on a sec Morgan…."
"Hey James, Jessica wants you to go over later and give Hotch a check over, check his wounds are doing okay, etc."
"Sure. What time does she want me to go?"
"Morgan what time should he come?"
"Between half 5 and 6 okay with him?" She looked at her husband. "Yeah that's fine. I'll bring him round then with his doctor supplies."
"Thanks Blake. I'll tell Hotch. See you later and tomorrow…"
Morgan had gone upstairs to tell Hotch about James' visit.
"Hey boss, Blake's husband James, is, at Jessica's request coming round later to check you and your wounds out."
"Sure Morgan. Be good to see if a doctor thinks I'm doing as well as I think I'm doing."
Morgan had managed to cook Hotch a lunch of pasta with chicken and had decided to cook Jessica and Jack a simple dinner of chicken breast, potatoes, carrots and gravy as he wasn't nearly as good a cook as Rossi or Will. He would cook enough so he could also eat.
Apart from having to help Hotch use the bathroom a couple of times and also have Spencer, who he'd managed to convince to do it, help Hotch clean up after a BM. Luckily for him, Spencer had changed a couple of Henry's nappies in the past.
When J.J had dropped Jack off at 3.15, Morgan had been in the kitchen and Spencer and Garcia had been upstairs talking to Hotch.
Jack ran into the kitchen to see his Uncle Derek standing with Jessica's PINK kitchen apron on and he couldn't help but burst out laughing and ran upstairs before Morgan could speak.
"Hi dad!" Jack burst into his dad's room, still in fits of giggles "Hey Uncle Spencer! Hey Aunt Penny."
"Hey buddy have a good day at school?"
"Was okay dad but I just seen Uncle Derek." He started laughing hard again.
"Buddy what's so funny about your Uncle Derek."
"Aunt Penny can I borrow you cell phone camera so I can show dad?"
"Sure Jackstar."
Even though he was only 8, he was almost an expert at taking pictures on a cell phone and crept back downstairs to the kitchen doorway.
"Hey Uncle Derek?"
"Yeah little man?" Morgan made the mistake of turning face Jack full on, at which point Jack pointed the cell phone at his Uncle Derek and snapped a perfect picture.
"Thanks Uncle Derek."
Morgan barely had time to register the cell phone in Jack's hands before the boy took a picture before running back upstairs.
"I got a good pic Aunt Penny!"
He showed Garcia and Spencer the photo he'd taken on Garcia's cell phone.
"Awesome job Jackstar. Hey Hotch look what your son captured…." She handed Hotch her cellphone, and the man could only stare at it not believing his eyes. Suddenly all 3 of them couldn't help themselves and burst out laughing.
"Garcia, mind if I forward this on to the others? They have gotta see this!"
"Sure Hotch. Go ahead…."
He sent the picture to J.J, Dave, Blake and their section chief and his friend Matt Cruz. As soon as everyone looked the picture they'd been sent they burst out laughing. They all knew that Morgan would NEVER live this down…..
"Let's not tell Morgan the others have seen the picture…." Hotch smiled at the other 3
"Great job buddy. Think your Uncle Derek might have to resign from the bureau now…."
"Can we at least show Aunt Jess the pic when she comes home dad?"
"If she hasn't already seen the real thing buddy…."
At 5pm, Jessica had walked through her front door and Morgan, forgetting he was wearing the apron, appeared from the kitchen. Jessica took one look at the tough guy and burst out laughing, making Morgan disappear back into the kitchen, not realising his whole team and his section had seen the picture Jack had taken.
"Hey Aunt Jess!"
Jack ran down the stairs to greet his Aunt who was still laughing.
"You seen Uncle Derek then?"
"Oh yeah, just seen him…."
"Don't tell him but everyone else including dad's section chief has seen the photo I took of him earlier…."
Morgan must of heard Jack as he came out of kitchen shouting "WHAT?" "The section chief? HEY BABY GIRL, DID YOU REALLY SEND THAT PICTURE TO OUR SECTION CHIEF?"
Garcia appeared at the top of the stairs.
"Wasn't me chocolate thunder, Sir Hotch man did…."
"HOTCH! I AM SO GONNA KILL YOU!"
"DON'T' CARE MORGAN! EVERYONE'S SEEN YOU IN THAT APRON!" Hotch yelled down his reply and Morgan could only disappear back into the kitchen, highly embarrassed.
Jessica and Jack had gone upstairs, still giggling to see Aaron.
"Hey Jess, I take it you've seen Morgan?"
"And I heard that this one here" she pointed to Jack "took a picture which someone sent to the whole team and your section chief….?"
"Yeah, thought Matt deserved the chance to see his toughest BAU agent in a kitchen apron…."
"Bet he laughed as hard as I did…."
"Yeah, think he did. Oh and apparently James Blake is coming over soon."
"Uncle James is coming over dad?"
"Yeah buddy. Remember how he's a medical doctor?"
"Yeah, he makes people like you better."
"That's right buddy. We just wanted him to come over and check me out and check my wounds are healing okay. Like when you go for a check up at the dentist. He wants to make sure all your teeth are fine. Uncle James is coming over to make sure I'm healing fine and everything."
"Okay dad. Do I have to be in here when he examines you? I don't think I wanna see your wounds yet. Their icky."
"No buddy you don't have to be. Have you got any homework?"
"Yeah science and math. Again!"
"Maybe when Uncle James is here checking me over Uncle Spencer can help you do your homework downstairs so you don't have to be in here when he's examining me. Spencer, you'll help him with homework won't you?"
"I sure will Hotch. Happy to help."
"Thanks dad. Thanks Uncle Spencer. I can come back in after he's finished with you and I've finished my homework though can't I dad?"
"Course you can buddy. I'd never stop you from spending time with me, you know that."
"I'm just gonna go change before he arrives but if you don't mind Aaron, I'd like to be in here when he's checking you out."
"Sure Jess, that's fine."
Jessica went to change out of her work clothes whilst the other 3 stayed with Hotch.
At exactly 5.30, there was a knock at the door. Again Morgan forgot about the apron and automatically went to answer the door before Jessica could get there.
James Blake had been standing at the door alongside his wife when the door opened and they saw Morgan standing there in a pink kitchen apron.
"Hey guys you made it then?"
Both of them could only burst out laughing, remembering the picture they'd been sent from Garcia's cell phone.
"I'm going back in the kitchen…."
Morgan left the 2 standing on the doorstep laughing and disappeared back into the kitchen. They'd eventually made it inside where they were greeted by Jessica.
"You seen Morgan then?"
"Yeah for the second time today. Saw the picture earlier but neither of us could believe it!"
"Thanks for coming James to check Aaron over…."
"No problem Jessica. I'm happy to do it. So where's my patient?"
"Upstairs in bed."
The 2 had followed Jessica upstairs to Aaron's room.
"Hey James, so you're here to check me out?"
"Yeah. Hope that's okay." He went to wash his hands in the bathroom before returning to the room.
"Sure but first, Spencer can you help me use the bathroom before he start poking and prodding me? Then Jack take Uncle Spencer and Aunt Penny downstairs and Spencer will help you with your homework. Your Aunt Jess will let you know when you can come back upstairs."
"Sure Hotch."
"Okay dad. But before we go downstairs Uncle Spencer, I have to go pee."
"You go first buddy. It'll take me a minute to get up anywhere."
"Thanks dad. I'll be real quick."
They waited until Jack had come back into the room before Spencer and Jess helped Aaron up and Spencer helped Hotch use the bathroom before helping the guy back to bed. He was just about to help Hotch back into the bed when James decided it best take off the bandages now whilst Hotch was standing.
"Spencer wait a minute, will you? Jessica can you help me take his bandages off while he standing upright? I need to examine his wounds anyway."
"Aunt Penny can we go downstairs and wait for Uncle Spencer. I don't wanna see this. Sorry dad."
"That's okay buddy. Garcia can you take him and Blake downstairs and maybe get them both a drink? Spencer will be down in a minute."
"Sure. Come on Jack man, let's go."
Garcia took Jack and Blake downstairs and, with James' help, Jessica and Spencer took Aaron's t-shirt off and started taking off his bandages before lying the half naked man in bed, but leaving the cover off so that James could examine him. Then Spencer went downstairs to help Jack with his homework.
"I'll be as gentle as I can Hotch but I'm afraid it still might hurt."
"That's okay James. I trust you."
James pulled a pair of doctor's disposable gloves on before both examining Hotch all over, examining his wounds and asking all about his treatment, history and current condition, all questions any doctor would ask before giving their medical opinion. Jessica helped by telling James about how Aaron seemed stronger and seemed to be needing less support during his bathroom walks. He had noticed Hotch still wincing in pain as he gently examined the guy's surgical wounds. He wasn't surprised that they were still painful, given how much he knew about how much surgery Hotch had needed to stop the internal bleeding. He did embarrass Hotch when he had to ask certain questions about Hotch's toilet usage. Once he'd finished his examination he and Jess helped Hotch stand up and put fresh bandages over his wounds before helping the guy lie back in bed.
"Given how much I know about what happened to you, I can honestly say you are exceeding expectations in terms of recovery Hotch. You still have quite a bit of way to go and are at least a week away from bending properly but your wounds seem to be healing fine. I'm not surprised they still hurt after all the surgery you had only a week and a bit ago. There doesn't seem to be any sign of infection. You are clearly slowly but surely regaining your strength and its clear your body is recovering from all the blood loss and anaemia you suffered. I'll write you another prescription for more pain meds and the other medicines for when they run out so that you can keep taking them. But all in all, you seem to be recovering okay. You still need to stay on bed rest for at least another week, maybe two and still need all the help showering and everything that includes bending over, including cleaning after a movement. But I don't see why, in a couple of days, you can't at least start to walk yourself to and from the bathroom if you simply need to pee, as long as you can support yourself, you don't fall over and you don't try to bend down at all. But you do still have a bit of way to go so even though you are doing well Hotch, you still need to take it easy and rest. But with the care you've been getting, all the good food you've been getting and with Jack and Jessica here with you, if all that continues, you should be back to work in maybe the next month, but you'll have to play it by ear. If you want me to come check out again at all, I'm happy to do it."
"Thanks James. Good to know he is doing well in your opinion."
"Jessica, most guys who've been through anything like he did, would still be in the hospital. Goes to show how good Hotch is doing." He took the gloves and threw them in the trash can in the room.
After a bit more talking, whilst he went into the bathroom to wash his hands again, a doctor's habit, Jessica went downstairs to make the guy a cup of coffee to say thank you and also to tell Jack he could go see his dad again.
She found Jack and Spencer sitting at the big living room table hard at work.
"Hey Jack, when you've finished that homework, you can go back to see your dad upstairs."
"Has Uncle James finished checking dad out then Aunt Jess?"
"Yeah buddy. And Uncle James says you're dad's doing really good but I'll let him tell you all about what Uncle James told him."
James came back downstairs and followed Jessica into the kitchen where Morgan had taken off the apron. Whilst Jessica made him a cup of coffee, James took out his prescription pad and a pen and, looking at the bottles of Hotch's pills, wrote out a couple of prescriptions for the guy.
"These are for another 2 weeks more pain meds, iron tablets, and the other meds." He wrote 2 different prescriptions "And this is for a further 2 weeks of antibiotics just to cover him."
"Thanks James. This is good of you."
He surprised her again.
"And I'll get Alex to stop off on our way home and I'll get them filled for you and she can bring them with her when she comes tomorrow. What's more, I'LL pay the charges."
"Thank you James! You are too kind!"
"It's fine Jessica. Hotch is my friend and part of my wife's BAU team and family so I insist. Oh and I know the team is going back to work after this week so I'll come and help Hotch out after they go they go back to work. I'm even a really good cook and I'll cook all you guys real good meals…."
"Thank you James!"
"Don't mention it. I think Will was planning on helping me out here anyway after the team goes back to work. And I'm no lazy husband either. I cook AND I do housework AND laundry…"
"Wow, you do impress me James!"
"Appearances can be deceiving….oh hi honey!"
Alex walked into the kitchen. "How's Hotch doing?"
"Doctor patient confidentially prevents me from talking…." He smirked wickedly at his wife.
"Dinner's almost ready for two Jessica. Hope chicken breast, potatoes, carrots and gravy is okay for you. And I hope Hotch doesn't mind pasta with chicken and bacon…."
"What did he have for lunch Derek?"
"Pasta with chicken?"
"So you really can't cook much tough guy?" James smirked at Morgan.
"Not my fault. We're away too much for me to care about cooking fancy meals. Plus even when we're home I'm only cooking for myself…..Any Rossi's gonna be cooking tomorrow…not me! Oh and I'm sorry to have to have to say this Jess but I'm having to get Will to cover me on Wednesday. Got a doc's appointment, but, seeing as I'm here on Thursday, would it still be okay if crashed here Wednesday night? I'd still be doing the night duty…."
"Sure Derek. No problem. So a doc's appointment can last all day?"
"When you have to get an annual physical it can….plus got Clooney's annual in the afternoon with the vet. Figured we'd both get our annual physicals done every year on the same day. I hope that's okay Jessica? I'll even pay for pizza for dinner to make up for it!"
"Sure Derek, that's fine. I know with you guys going on cases so much and little warning it must be hard trying to plan things like doctors appointments."
"Yeah which why I figured it get over and done with in these 2 weeks but the only appointment I could get was on Wednesday. So although I might be back here at lunchtime I then gotta take a dog who hates vets to see his vet for his annual physical and injections. I should be back by the time Jack gets out of school so if you want I can go pick the little up on my way back here."
"Thanks Derek. I'll go tell Jack to wash up for dinner. Excuse me."
Jessica went upstairs to find Jack lying on the bed chatting to Aaron.
"Jack Uncle Derek says dinner's almost ready so can you go wash up buddy? When we've finished you help your dad eat his dinner again…."
"Okay Aunt Jess. Dad, don't go anywhere. We haven't finished talking…" He waved a stern Jack Hotchner finger at his dad.
"I promise I won't move buddy! But maybe when you go down for dinner you get someone to bring me a glass of water?"
"I can do that dad!"
"Thanks buddy!" Jack ran out of the room.
"Getting told off again Aaron?" she smirked at him.
"Yeah, by my own son!"
"You may not dinner very interesting by the way.."
"Why? What's Morgan cooked for me?"
"What did you have for lunch?"
"Pasta with chicken. Why am I having that again for dinner?"
"Add some bacon to it, but yeah…"
"Jess you could really teach that guy some cooking lessons…"