Chapter 29
A full week had gone by and much had changed. As promised by Rossi, the rest of the team reluctantly returned on the jet to Quantico, but only after Rossi promised to keep them updated on Hotch's condition. Also as promised, Rossi stayed behind to help Haley, and be whatever help he could be to Hotch. Finally, Doctor Betters two days later, had no choice but to do the surgical debridement on Aaron's genitalia. It was a rough few days for both Haley and Rossi. But Rossi held himself together as much as possible for the sake of his best friend, and his best friend's wife.
Haley and Rossi sat beside the bed with Haley holding her husband's hand in hers, and Rossi with a hand on Hotch's shoulder. Haley closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. She was so tired at the moment. But no matter how tired she was, she knew she'd be able to rest once her husband was out of the hospital and back home. She opened her eyes and looked over when a hand touched her shoulder. Rossi was looking at her with deep concern.
"You okay, kiddo?" the older man asked with narrowed eyes.
"I'm okay," Haley replied with a small smile. "Just tired. Dave, I wish you had returned to Quantico with the others as your Section Chief ordered. I don't want you to lose your job because you refused to leave. And Aaron wouldn't either."
"Don't worry about me. This old dog isn't going anywhere. My place right now is with Aaron. He'd do the same thing if our situation were reversed. I'll be all right."
Haley smiled sadly. "I hope so. I don't want you to get in trouble for disobeying a direct order. Even though I thank you for being a good friend to Aaron over the years."
Rossi chuckled. "And yours, Haley. I'm not here solely for Aaron. I'm here for you and Jack as well. Anything either of you need please tell me, and I'll make sure you get it. I don't care what it might be, or what it might cost."
"Thank you." Haley looked at Rossi with moist eyes. "I appreciate it, and Aaron does as well."
With a grin, Rossi focused on the unconscious man in the bed. "Aaron, all you have to do it get well. I don't want you to worry about anything. Whatever you need, even if I have to pay for it myself. And until you're back on your feet again, the team and I will make sure Haley and Jack have everything they need, so don't worry on that front. We have everything covered."
"Thank you, Dave," Haley replied. "And please tell the others thank you as well."
"I will when I call them later this evening. After all, I promised to keep them updated when they reluctantly agreed to return to Quantico."
They both looked over at the sound of a door opening, and spotted Doctor Fleming and two nurses walk into the room. The doctor smiled at the two people.
"I trust you both are well this morning?" she asked, concerned.
"We're good, thank you," Haley replied. "And you?"
"I'm good. I'm here to check on your husband, Mrs. Hotchner. Doctor Betters will be in shortly after I finish my exam to check on him as well since the surgery. Can the two of you please leave the room until I finish my exam? Perhaps you both might like to have a little breakfast? I understand from the nurses neither of you have eaten since last night."
"No problem," Rossi stated as he got to his feet. He grinned at Haley. "How about breakfast, Haley? The least I can do is make sure my best friend's wife is fed."
She smiled at him as she got to her feet. "I'd be delighted, Dave." Before she moved, she leaned close and pressed her lips to her husband's forehead. "I'll be back, my love," she said softly. "Be nice for the doctors."
Dave smiled as he listened to the exchange. Secretly, he was glad Haley was sticking by his friend despite the storm cloud hanging over their heads. He would be the first to speak his mind if he thought even for a moment, that Hotch's potentially devastating injury caused his wife to abandon him. He would also keep her away from Aaron in that case. He swore for now he would simply keep an eye on things, until it was known what could be expected. He himself glanced one last time at Hotch and patted the man's shoulder.
"I'll make sure she eats, Aaron," he added. "All I ask is for you to behave yourself and listen to the doctors until we get back."
The two smiled at Fleming. Rossi held open the door and followed Haley out into the hallway.
Back in Quantico, Derek Morgan slammed shut the folder in front of him and tossed his pen on his desk. He leaned back in his chair, and ran both hands down his face with a weary sigh, mostly out of frustration. He wanted to be at the hospital in Santa Barbara with Hotch, not here filling out paperwork. He knew the others did as well. But there was nothing to be done. Strauss had given the order for them to return and it was not open for discussion. And to make matters worse, he was the acting Unit Chief in Rossi's absence. He glanced over to see Emily Prentiss staring at him.
What?" he asked a bit harsher than planned.
"Nothing," Prentiss replied turning her eyes back to the file on her desk. Since they had returned, they all had reports of past cases waiting for them to complete. They soon realized they weren't officially on stand down, but technically they were by being stuck behind their desks.
Morgan let out a deep breath and ran a hand over his bald head. "I'm sorry, Prentiss. I didn't mean to snap at you. I'm just really worried about Hotch right now."
"Not only you," Reid interjected timidly looking at the man who was his best friend. "We all are."
Morgan sighed. "Still, it's no reason to snap like I did."
"No need to apologize. We all feel the same way," said an understanding Prentiss.
"Still, that's no reason to take it out on you." He shook his head. "Y'know, I can't believe Strauss called us home when Hotch needs us with him. I mean, does she even care what he's facing and that he needs us right now?"
"C'mon, Morgan," Reid began. "It's not Strauss's fault. It's nobody's really."
Morgan stared at the young agent with narrowed eyes. "How can you say that, Reid? From where I sit it is Strauss's fault. She could have given us more downtime so we can be there for Hotch. These reports can wait. Hell, they waited this long. Hotch needs us right now, and I have half a mind to say screw this and hop on the next plane back to Santa Barbara."
Reid smiled sadly. "C'mon, Morgan, you don't really believe that."
Morgan turned his harsh stare onto the genius. "Don't tell me what to believe, Reid," he hissed. He saw Reid, who was about to say something, clamp his mouth shut instead.
Realizing what he had done, Morgan sighed and massaged his forehead. "I'm sorry, Reid," he said. "I didn't mean what I said. I'm not mad at you or Prentiss. I'm just mad at this entire situation." He suddenly saw Reid's eyes shift as did his body. "Reid?"
Ahem," Reid cleared his throat. Morgan's eyes narrowed. He realized if he had hair it would be standing on end right now. He looked over his shoulder to see Erin Strauss standing close to him with arms crossed over her chest. Her face was unreadable, but there was a hint of amusement in her eyes.
"Ma'am," was all Prentiss could muster wondering how much of her friend's tirade Strauss had overheard.
"Agent Prentiss," was all Strauss said. She turned her attention to Morgan who slowly stood up from his seat, and stood face-to-face with his Section Chief.
"Chief Strauss…I…I'm sorry for how I must have sounded. But I have to be truthful. Agent Hotchner is seriously injured and not fully recovered, and I know you understand this. He needs us to be there for him right now." He was still angry, but glad he had been able to refrain from slipping up and revealing his boss's most serious injury. Afterall, they had promised Rossi.
Strauss listened carefully. When Morgan seemed finished with his explanation, she took a deep breath. "Agent Morgan, first let me say I sympathize with your situation. I am well aware you and your team want to be at Agent Hotchner's side right now. Especially after his surgery a few days ago. Agent Rossi has kept me informed," she added seeing her subordinate's look of confusion. "But trust me when I say that I tried to get your team more downtime so all of you can stay in Santa Barbara. But the director said no, even though he did relent in allowing Agent Rossi to stay behind. So don't think I don't understand because I do. But the bottom line is we need your team here. Right now you are two agents down with both Agents Hotchner and Rossi unavailable. Also, you have cases which need your attention. What do you think Agent Hotchner would say if he knew this team was shunning its responsibilities just for him?" Out of the corner of her eye, Strauss saw both Reid and Prentiss watching silently, understanding they wouldn't hesitate to jump to their teammate's defense if needed.
"Knowing Hotch as we do, he'd be angry," said Morgan.
"Precisely. So I suggest you stop complaining about why you're all here instead of Santa Barbara. Agent Rossi has assured me he will keep you informed on Agent Hotchner's condition and any changes."
"Yes, ma'am," Morgan replied knowing when he was defeated.
"Good. Now I suggest you all get back to work." Strauss started to turn and walk away but suddenly stopped. "Oh, one other thing, Agent Morgan…"
"Ma'am?" Morgan asked still standing. He figured he had been lucky so far, but something told him that was about to change.
"I am not without compassion where Agent Hotchner is concerned. I do sympathize. He's a good man and a valuable member of the BAU. I truly hope he'll return to the BAU and to his position as the rightful Unit Chief of team A." She paused momentarily selecting her words carefully. "I trust you are aware Agent Rossi is the acting Unit Chief until Agent Hotchner returns."
"Yes, ma'am, I am."
"And as Agent Rossi is also unavailable, that makes you the acting Unit Chief."
Morgan's eyes widened. "Me?"
Strauss smiled like a piranha. "Yes, Agent Morgan, you. You've done it before, and I trust you to step up again. Afterall, you wouldn't want Agents Hotchner and Rossi to return and find the team in disarray, would you?"
"No, ma'am."
"Good." Strauss's smile widened. "Carry on, Agent Morgan." She turned and started to walk away.
"Uh…Chief Strauss?" It was Morgan again. Strauss stopped walking and turned to face the black agent.
"Yes, Agent Morgan?"
Morgan was at a loss as to what to say. But, he still suspected the other shoe was about to drop for his earlier tirade. "That's it, ma'am? I mean, no reprimand?"
Strauss chuckled. "No reprimand, agent. Knowing you as I do, I'm sure you'll do enough of that for your earlier behavior yourself."
"Yes, ma'am."
With a final glance at her agents, Strauss walked away leaving them speechless. She was satisfied in the knowledge she had done her job as Section Chief. She really did have compassion for them and her injured agent.
Prentiss and Reid exchanged surprised looks as Morgan slowly sat back down in his chair. He didn't know what or how to feel about what just transpired. He had expected a tongue-lashing from Strauss, and instead received support and understanding. Maybe the woman really had compassion for Hotch.
"Wow," was all Prentiss uttered.
"You said it, Prentiss…" Morgan didn't look at the brunette woman. "Wow is it."
"I'd say you just escaped being tarred and feathered," Reid teased with a smirk.
"I'd say it was more like capital punishment," Prentiss joked. She studied the expression on Morgan's face. "We were only joking. You okay?"
Morgan stared at her and Reid. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine." He shook his head and chuckled. "Y'know," he began looking at Prentiss with a grin. "…maybe Strauss has changed."
Haley found both Betters and Fleming outside her husband's room conversing, and became concerned as she couldn't read the expressions on their faces. To her they looked worried. She did not hide her suspicions that something was wrong as she approached. The doctors stopped talking when they saw her approaching.
"What's wrong with Aaron?" Haley suspected her fear was showing but didn't care.
"Nothing's wrong, Mrs. Hotchner," Fleming answered first. She noticed the woman was alone. "Where is Agent Rossi?"
"He's making a few phone calls and will be back. Tell me what's happening?" She was beginning to become paranoid.
Betters looked at Fleming figuring it was easier if she went before him.
"First, let me say your husband is doing extremely well," Fleming explained with a smile. "The swelling in his knee is showing slight signs of improvement. In addition, his feet show signs of healing as well. His other injuries are healing nicely as are the bruises. The cuts on his face show no sign of infection, so we're hoping in a few weeks he can have the plastic surgery."
Haley clasped her hands together in front of her mouth and tears sprang into her eyes. "That's wonderful. What about his other injury?" Her eyes shifted to Betters.
"I had his dressing changed after my examination, Mrs. Hotchner. It seems the debridement did the job. He is healing nicely also with no signs of an infection," Betters smiled. "But Doctor Fleming and I agree to continue the meds and the antibiotics until we believe they are no longer necessary. He will also continue with the catheter and the feeding tube until further notice. In a week, we'll bring your husband out of his coma, and see where things stand. But Doctor Fleming agrees with me that right now everything looks good."
"Thank you!" Haley sobbed. "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."
Both doctors smiled at having delivered good news. But Betters felt bad about what he now had to say.
"Please keep in mind, Mrs. Hotchner, that although your husband's injuries to his genitalia are healing, that in no way means he'll regain full use again. And while I'm hopeful, I just don't know. Nobody does."
"I understand. And I'm not going to say I don't hope he will. But regardless, I love my husband very much, and it won't matter to me. All that matters is that he's alive."
Fleming licked her lips. "He might also need the catheter for the rest of his life. We won't know for another week. If he can urinate on his own, we will remove the catheter. I need you to keep this in mind."
"I will," Haley promised. "But Aaron's alive. And that's what's important. And he will get better. I'm sure of it. And I'm going to be there for him."
Betters and Fleming both nodded at the woman before leaving to visit other patients.
Alone, Haley pressed the palms of her hands together as a smile appeared, her eyes moist. Slowly, she made her way back into her husband's room and sat down in her chair. She slowly stroked Hotch's hair again, and a smile appeared as tears rolled down her cheeks. She stared at her husband.
"Aaron, I'm back. Dave is making several phone calls and will be back in a little while. But I needed this time alone with you. I love you so much, and I'll never get tired of saying that to you. I spoke with your doctors. They both said you're healing nicely. You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear that. Dave will be too." The blond paused for a few moments to gather herself. "I finally understand about your team, Aaron. I understand that they are your other family and I saw how much they love you. You need to come back to us, Aaron. All of us." She swallowed the lump in her throat. "Jack made you the sweetest get-well card. I convinced him to hold onto it until you come home and he can give it to you. I'm sure Jennifer's son will have one for you too." She chuckled. "Jack has become a little artist. I can't wait for you to open your eyes and see the get-well card he made for you. You'd be so proud of him. Every time I call, he asks when can he come and visit. I hate having to tell him he can't right now. Please come back to us, Aaron. Please." She leaned over and kissed his forehead. She rubbed her thumb over his forehead to wipe away a little of her lipstick.
She began to suspect she wasn't alone in the room. Looking over, she spotted a smiling David Rossi standing in the doorway watching them. She blushed and bowed her head.
"How long have you been standing there?" she asked not looking at her husband's friend.
"Not long," Ross admitted with a smirk. "I didn't want to interrupt a private moment between you two."
"How much did you hear?"
Rossi stepped into the room and quietly closed the door. "Enough to realize the doctors gave you good news about Aaron. Care to share? Or do I have to track down the doctors on my own?"
Haley got to her feet and approached the older man. "Come outside with me. I don't want to wake Aaron." Rossi glanced at his friend before he followed her out into the hallway. Haley proceeded to update Rossi with what she had been told by Betters and Fleming, careful of how she explained about the surgery her husband recently underwent. When she finished, she waited for the older man's reaction.
"That's wonderful news, Haley. I'm extremely happy for you and Aaron." He let out a deep breath and crossed his arms. "So in one week we'll know more than we do now."
"I can't wait until Aaron can get rid of that damn catheter, breathing machine, and liquid food bag," Haley announced with a sigh.
"I agree. And if it's okay with the doctors, I'll see about having Aaron transferred to a hospital in Virginia. Jack will be able to visit his dad. Hotch is gonna need all of us, and I'm damn sure gonna make it happen."
Haley stared at him worriedly. "Will the bureau arrange for Aaron to brought home?"
Rossi nodded. "As Hotch was injured in the performance of his duty, they'll make sure he gets back home via a medical plane. And if they don't, I'll pay for it myself." He held up a hand seeing Haley open her mouth to argue. "And I don't wanna hear any argument. It's not like I can't afford it, Haley. Please let me do this for Aaron. He's more than my best friend. He's like a son to me. I want to make sure none of you want for anything during this difficult time."
With a smile, Haley stepped close to Rossi, stood on her toes, and kissed his cheek. "I wasn't going to argue, Dave. I just wanted to say thank you from both Aaron and myself. For everything."
Rossi chuckled. "Any time, kiddo. Any time."
