Diagnosis

Two weeks later they were heading back to the specialist to find out the results of his further tests. He'd had a colonoscopy a week before to check his whole bowel for any abnormalities. Today he'd get the results much to his anxiety. He was just so thankful Dave and Spencer had accompanied him and looked after him after the examination. He was even more thankful Dave hadn't even made a joke at his expense after he came back to the waiting room feeling a little uncomfortable and exposed from the tube that had been inside of his body.

He was so glad they were coming with him today as he found out the results. He didn't want to show it but he was terrified. What if he really did have cancer? Would he die just like his dad and Alice had? No, he couldn't think like that! He had too much to live for! He was due to marry the love of his life next month and he had two children to watch grow up and have families. Granted one of them was closer to that than the other but he wanted to walk Verity down the aisle with Spencer and hold his grandchildren.

"Stop thinking like that," he suddenly heard a voice say. "You're going to live."

"What if I have it?" he replied vulnerably. "What if I have cancer?"

"Then we deal with it," Spencer said taking him by the shoulders. "You will fight it and survive it. I know you, you're going to win this. Aaron, you're the strongest person I know and you will win this battle."

He nodded numbly. He'd been reeling ever since the doctor had told him there was a strong possibility he might have bowel cancer. He had a gut feeling that today they'd only confirm what he already believed; that he had cancer. He just wasn't sure whether he was ready for it.

"Ready?" Spencer asked gathering their things together. "Dave says he'll meet us at the hospital."

"As ready as I'll ever be," he grumbled.

When they got to the doctors they met Dave just outside of the outpatients building. He smiled slightly when he saw them arrive but he could see how heavy the weight was on his best friend's shoulders. Damn he'd probably be just as scared if he was facing a possible cancer outcome.

Before they set foot into the hospital he placed his hand onto his best friend's shoulder causing him to look up a little vulnerably. "Remember no matter the outcome we're all here for you and we'll all help you fight. You're not on your own."

He nodded and patted his hand. "Thanks Dave."

"Shall we head in?"

He nodded holding his fiance's hand for support. It was the support he needed right now. The reminder that the man he loved and was going to marry was there for him through thick and thin simply because he loved him too.

When they got in they headed off to the specialist's ward. Once there they signed him in and waited in the waiting room for his name to be called. The wait felt like eternity to Aaron and he grew more and more anxious and nervous as time went on.

Finally his name was called and he looked up. As he got up Spencer squeezed his hand while Dave patted his arm. He smiled slightly back at them thankful for their support. He then headed off after his specialist.

When he got into the office he sat down opposite his doctor feeling a little vulnerable. He noticed Dr Norwood had a grave expression on his face and he begun to feel like he was sinking. He'd read people's expressions for long enough to know he had it. He didn't need to hear the words it was all in the man's body language.

He hardly heard what the specialist said as he saw his lips move. All he could think was about everything he wouldn't get to see if he didn't fight. He had to fight. He had to fight for his family and his job but could he continue doing his job while battling cancer? Could he still go out into the field? Would they even allow him to carry on his line of work during his illness? He had to do his job. His family and his job were his life.

"My job?" he asked trying to look the doctor in the eye. "Can I still do my job?"

"Agent Hotchner, you are going to need an operation to remove the tumour and depending on what we find when we do the surgery you may need to have chemotherapy after. You will need at least three weeks rest after the operation before you return to work and possibly a month before you return to the field."

He nodded numbly. "What if I need chemotherapy? Will I still be able to work?"

"Considering your job we can provide you with pills for the chemotherapy but they can still make you very tired and even sometimes sick so I'd suggest, if you have to have chemo, you limit your time out in the field but you can still fly and stay at the police stations."

He nodded. At least it was something. He couldn't stop working while he fought the disease. Apart from his family it would be the only thing to take his mind off it. If he was left at home he'd have too much time to think about the what ifs and what coulds while his son was at college and his daughter at school. He had to remain busy or it would kill him.

"When will the operation be?" Aaron replied hoping to God it was soon. He just wanted to get this all over and done with. The sooner the treatment started the sooner he could defeat it.

"We want to remove your tumour as soon as possible so I'm hoping for next week..." He typed something into the computer and looked at the slots he still had available for surgery then looked back at his patient. "How's next Friday at 11am sound?"

"Sounds good," he replied numbly. "The sooner the better right."

"Of course it is..." After booking in the operation he turned back to the mature agent and answered compassionately, "Agent Hotchner, you're in good hands and will receive the best care here..." Aaron just nodded in reply. "We can arrange meetings with a support group or with a counsellor to cope with the diagnosis."

He just shook his head and asked quietly, "May I go now?" The doctor just nodded giving him the letter informing him of his operation the following Friday. Aaron then just got up and left heading back to his fiance and best friend.

As soon as they saw him come out of the room looking numb and a little frightened they knew immediately so they paced up to him. Spencer squeezed his hand reminding him he was here for him and Aaron sunk a little into him. "I've got it. I've got cancer. They've booked me in to remove the tumour next Friday," he informed them numbly.

"We'll come with you," they replied gently.

"Thank you," he answered looking up at them.

"What's family for."