Chapter 36

Monday started the new week with a new case. The team was flying out to Louisiana to catch a killer who was targeting people in and around a small town on the bayou. Hotch text Kahlan and then they focused on the case for the rest of their flight.

By the time he made it to the hotel that night, the thing foremost on his mind was a shower. He heat and area had all of his clothes sticking to him and he had even shed his suit jacket as soon as they got off the plane. As he sat on the bed wearing only a pair of shorts reveling in the air conditioned room, he took out his phone to call his family.

After talking to each of the kids, Hotch laid back to relax as Kahlan came on the phone. "So how's the case look?"

"Not extremely bad, but it will probably take a couple days. Why?" he asked her. He heard her take a deep breath and he sat up. "What's going on?"

"I need to talk to you about something," she told him as she cringed.

"Ok," he said slowly wondering way she was acting so strangely.

"Homeland Security has a sticky situation in New York, and they were wondering if Chuck and I could go up and help them," she told him nonchalantly hoping he wouldn't get instantly defensive.

"They want you to go to them?"

"Yeah."

"So this isn't just a consult. They actually want your help with a case?" he asked as his stomach twisted.

She could hear the worry in his voice. "Yes, but they wouldn't have asked if it wasn't needed, and I wouldn't ask you if I thought it could be done without us."

"You don't need to ask me if you can do your job, Babe." No! He wanted to tell her, but he knew he could never do such a thing.

"I know, but I would never just up and go without discussing it with you."

"Are you talking terrorists?" he asked weakly hoping to hell that wasn't the case.

"Probably. They don't have a lot of intel. That's why they want us."

He swallowed hard knowing exactly how dangerous the whole thing was. He bit his lip.

"The kids and dogs can stay with Donna. I wouldn't think it would take more than a couple days," she offered quickly.

He took a deep breath.

"You know we can do this."

"I know. It's just that. . ."

"I know," she assured him.

"Can it wait a couple days? Maybe I could come with you."

She swallowed hard. "It's not that type of case, Hun," she told him weakly.

His eyes grew wide. Son of a bitch! He knew then that there weren't going to be any arrests made, and that made it even more dangerous. "I don't suppose you'll be able to talk to me every night, either."

"I will call you as soon as were done," she assured him quickly.

He ran a hand down his face. "Promise me you will be careful?"

She giggled. "Of course!"

He wanted to make her promise to stay safe and to promise to still be alive when it was all said and done, but he knew she couldn't do that. "When do you leave?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"You call me before you leave?"

She smiled. "What about your case?"

"I don't care. I can spare a few minutes. . ."

"How about I text you?"

He sighed. She probably doesn't want to talk and get emotional. "Alright."

"You're not allowed to spend all day worrying about me, Hun. You need to focus on your own case. I didn't even want to tell you, but I know that would have been wrong."

He closed his eyes and sank back into the bed. It must be a bad case because if it was just something easy, she probably wouldn't have told me. She wants me prepared in case something does happen. Damn it! "I'll try not to, but I can't promise anything," he told her trying to mask the worry that was already building in him.

She sighed. "It'll be fine, Hun."

"I know." He took a deep breath. "Well, I guess I better let you go so you can get a good night's sleep. You don't need to go into that tired."

She giggled. "Yeah, you, too."

"I love you!" he told her strongly.

"I love you, too, Hun."

"Alright. Goodnight, Babe."

"Goodnight, Hun. I'll text you tomorrow."

"Yep," he told her and she ended the call.

Hotch got up, put on a t-shirt, slipped on his tennis shoes, and went out the door.

Rossi frowned at the knock on his door, but got up to answer it hastily. He opened the door to find Hotch looking a little pale. "What?" he asked quickly as he held the door open all the way to allow him to enter.

"Please tell me you have a bottle in your bag. I could use a stiff drink," Hotch told him as he sank down in one of the chairs.

Rossi's brows furrowed, but he took out the bottle that he always had hidden and grabbed two of the plastic cups off the sink. He filled one about half-full and handed it to Hotch and filled the other only about a quarter of the way and sat down in front of his chosen son. "Are you going to tell me why?"

Hotch took a long drink and took a deep breath trying to get the liquor to burn away some of his worry. He licked his lips and told Rossi about Kahlan.

Rossi rubbed his goatee. "You know she can handle herself, Aaron. She'll be fine."

Hotch took another sip. "I know, but I still worry."

"Of course you do."

"What if something goes wrong? What if. . ."

"Stop! There's no sense going through the what ifs! Damn, Aaron, you'll drive yourself crazy if you start that." Hotch nodded weakly and took another sip. Rossi smiled. "Doesn't feel so good being on the other side, does it?"

Hotch looked at him questioningly. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Rossi laughed. "You don't think she feels that same way every time we leave for a case?"

Hotch shrugged. "I guess, but she's used to it by now." Rossi raised his brows. "Well, she. . ."

"She just doesn't let on to you about it. She doesn't want you to feel guilty, but she worries every time you leave the house."

Hotch sank into the chair a little bit more. "Well, it sucks!"

"Yes, yes it does, but now maybe you'll have a better appreciation for what she goes through."

Hotch sat up defensively. "I have always appreciated how she handles my job!"

"I didn't mean it like that, and you know it!" Rossi shook his head. "I just meant you finally have a chance to see what she hides from you all the time."

Hotch pinched the bridge of his nose. "I know what it feels like to worry," he told him weakly.

Rossi reached over and patted his arm. "I know, Aaron. I know."

XXX

Rossi drove Hotch and Mack to their newest crime scene. Hotch hadn't told anyone else about Kahlan, but they could all tell he was worried about something. Hotch pulled his phone out of his pocket after it vibrated. It was Kahlan telling him she was leaving and that she would call him as soon as she was done.

'Be safe!' he text back quickly. He smiled weakly. The tables really have turned.

'You, too, and watch out for any gators! I don't want my man to be missing any limbs when I see him again!'

Hotch chuckled. 'Promise.'

'Although, I would love a pair of gator boots.'

He laughed. 'You wouldn't wear those any faster than Joey would.'

'That's true. I love you!'

'Love you, too, Babe. Always remember that!' He smiled. Let's see how she likes that.

'I will never forget that again!'

He winced. Shit. I guess that wasn't the nicest thing to say after what you've been through. Sorry, Babe. 'I'll anxiously await your call.'

'LOL'

Without knowing what else to say, he quickly brought up his contacts and text Chuck. 'Promise me you will watch her back!'

'I promise, Hotch!'

Hotch took a shuddering breath. 'Please bring her home safe.'

'I will.'

'Thanks, Chuck.'

'Yep.'

Hotch put his phone away and tried to focus on the case.

XXX

The case took three more days, and although Hotch hid his worry, Rossi could tell he was getting more and more scared the longer he didn't hear from his wife. As they made their way to the jet, Rossi smiled. "Why don't you go meet her?"

Hotch looked at him quickly. "I don't even know where they are. I couldn't interrupt. . ."

"Just go wait in her hotel, like she does you."

"What hotel?" Hotch asked dryly.

Rossi smiled widely and pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to Hotch. Hotch opened it and a smile quickly overtook his features. He looked at Rossi questioningly. Rossi chuckled. "I called Cameron, and he said that they should be wrapping everything up tonight." Hotch licked his lips. "I can handle the case files when we get back."

Hotch's dimples emerged with his grin. "You sure?"

Rossi nodded as he grinned. "Yep."

"Did Cameron say anything? Is she alright?"

"Calm down. He said he hadn't heard anything, so she must be fine."

Hotch nodded. "Thanks, Dave."

XXX

Once Hotch got settled into Kahlan's room, he took out his phone and text Chuck. 'Don't tell Kahlan, but I'm in her room. Text me when you all are done and getting close.'

'Really? Ok.'

Hotch's brows furrowed. That didn't sound good. 'Is everything alright?'

'Yeah.'

'Charles!'

'We'll be done shortly.'

'Is she alright?'

'She says she's fine,' is all Chuck offered.

Hotch ran a hand down his face. So, of course, that means she's not. Damn it! 'Alright. Let me know when you are close.'

'Yep.'

Hotch put his phone away and started pacing as he imagined all kinds of horrors. Stop it! You would have known if she'd been hurt. Right? He sank down onto the bed. I would know, he tried to convince himself, but a little voice in his head asked him if was sure about that. I haven't felt anything in a while, but. . . He huffed. Yes, damn it, I would know!