Chapter 25 –

"No ma'am I understand, I'll let Emily know."

Hotch sighed as he listened to the Ambassador justify to him the reasons why she couldn't get to the hospital to be with her daughter and granddaughter. Hotch closed his eyes and turned to face the wall but the sound of urgent footsteps approaching him quickly gave him cause to turn around.

"Ma'am I've got to go but please think about rescheduling the meeting."

Hotch didn't wait for a response as he ended the call, his pulse suddenly racing as he saw an array of medical staff heading into Natasha's room, he sprinted over and caught Emily as she was ushered out of the room.

"Emily?"

"I...I don't know...I feel asleep then the next thing there was this alarm...Aaron?"

Hotch held Emily as they looked through the door.

"I'm sure someone will let us know what is going on."

The tone in Hotch's voice belayed the emotion he was feeling, he knew that he had to stay strong for Emily, his arms were tight around her waist and he knew that if he let go she would collapse to the floor.

For what seemed to Emily to be an eternity but in reality was only four minutes, she just stood in a semi-conscious state, unable to process any thoughts until eventually the door opened and Natasha's doctor walked towards them.

"Is she...?"

Emily's voice croaked as she spoke but the smile on the doctor's face immediately put her worst fears to the back of her mind.

"She's ok, she's just having a little trouble breathing at the moment, we've incubated her to help her fight the infection, the antibiotics are working but she just needs a little help at the moment."

"Can I go back in with her?"

"Of course, I'll be back shortly to check on her."

"Thank you doctor."

Hotch nodded as he spoke, his arm still protectively around Emily as he helped her back into the room, quickly grabbing one of the chairs that had been pushed against the wall by the medical staff, lifting it with his free hand he placed it as close as he could to the bed and helped Emily to sit down, watching as she quickly locked fingers with Natasha.

"I spoke to your mother, she's in New York, a meeting at the United Nations."

Emily nodded, she knew that her mother wouldn't cancel a meeting, not for something as trivial as her family.

"I'll go and let the others know what's going on, will you be ok?"

"Yes, please thank them for me."

Hotch squeezed Emily's shoulders as he bent down and kissed her softly on the lips.

"Of course, I'll be right back."

Hotch took a deep breath as he opened the door and walked out, walking straight into Morgan as he paced up and down outside the room.

"What's going on Hotch? I was at the nurses' station when they all went running off into Natasha's room?"

"She's ok, they've had to incubate her but she's fighting well, I'm going to let the others know."

Morgan nodded and patted Hotch on the shoulder as they turned and walked along the corridor, both slowing down as they watched JJ pace outside the waiting room, cell phone held up at her ear.

"No not now, it's too soon Hotch we're only just back!"

"Don't jump to conclusions Derek."

Hotch looked at JJ as she finished the conversation, the apologetic look on her face unfortunately told him a different story.

"Sorry."

JJ shook her head as Hotch opened the door and the three of them walked in to join the others, JJ smiled as she caught sight of her son sitting on Garcia's lap playing peek-a-boo, but she soon stopped as Hotch cleared his throat.

"Natasha has had a bit of a setback, the doctor has had to put her on a ventilator to help her fight off the infection, Emily is back in with her and she wants you to know how thankful she is that you are all here."

Hotch finished and swallowed hard, he turned and looked at JJ who was biting her bottom lip.

"I've just had a call from Strauss, she wants us back in the office. She's had a call from Texas, a prisoner due to be executed in 48 hours has asked to speak to us."

"Who is it JJ?"

Dave frowned as he spoke, racking through his memory to think of who it may be.

"James Vauxhall, killed 6 women in 1987, suspected of at least 3 other murders."

Dave nodded as he tried to remember the case, he looked around the room.

"I'll go with Reid and Morgan, Garcia can help as well."

"Dave."

"It's ok Aaron, I've got this covered, I've got enough cards to play with Strauss so that she'll let us do it our way without suffering any comeback."

"What about the media coverage? This guy is due to be executed there is bound to be a great deal of interest."

Dave smiled at JJ and shrugged his shoulders.

"I'm sure that between the three of us we can manage."

JJ raised her eyebrows at Dave's response a sight that was quickly picked up by Morgan.

"Don't worry JJ I'll keep an eye on him and make sure that he doesn't say or do anything stupid!"

"Thanks Derek."

Dave shook his head as he walked over to Garcia, taking Henry from her he started to tickle the toddler, sending Henry squirming around in his arms and giggling loudly.

"I'll drop him off at the childminder's Jen."

JJ walked over and waited until Henry had stopped his infectious laugh before she bent down and kissed him on the head.

"Thanks Dave and phone me if you need any help with the case."

"Of course, come on guys lets go and see our friendly section chief!"

Dave grinned as he opened the door, carrying Henry as Reid, Morgan and Garcia followed him out of the waiting room and towards the elevator.

As the team left JJ and Hotch followed suit and quickly left the waiting room, walking back towards Natasha's room. Hotch looked at Emily before he sat down next to her as JJ wandered around to the other side of the bed picking up a chair and placing it next to the bed. Emily managed a soft smile at her friends as JJ smiled back at her.

"The others have been called back in by Strauss, they need to go and see a death row inmate in Texas. How about I go and get us some coffee?"

Hotch nodded as JJ stood up stopping briefly to stroke Natasha's head before she left the room.

"Thanks for staying Aaron, but I don't want to cause you any more trouble with Strauss."

"It's ok Dave's sorting it out for us and there is no way I'm leaving you at the moment."

Emily smiled as she kept her hand resting with Natasha's but moved her head to lean against Hotch's shoulder, the physical and emotional exhaustion finally catching up with her as she tried to close her eyes.