Chapter 36

"Can I come in?" the man asked warily as he stood patiently in the doorway with hands stuffed in the pockets of his faded jeans looking at the man sitting in the elevated bed.

Hotch couldn't believe his eyes. Closing them, he pinched the bridge of his nose before opening them again just to make sure he saw who he thought he saw. The man was still standing there waiting.

"Jason, of course you can come in," he said. He watched the older man, his mentor, slowly walk into the room and approach the bed. The hair was a bit thinner and a tad greyer, the face a bit gaunter, but it was still Jason Gideon. Hotch noticed he was still wearing the same brandy-colored sweater Hotch remembered so well as well as the faded blue jeans. He stood beside the head of the bed and smiled faintly.

"Sit, Jason, please." Hotch motioned to the vacant chair beside the bed, and waited until Gideon sat down, resting his arms on his thighs, hands clasped between his knees. For a long moment there was nothing but silence between the two men. Gideon rubbed his hands together, waiting for the ice to be broken between mentor and student. He let out the deep breath he had been holding.

"I didn't want to come in while the team was here visiting," Gideon said. "So I waited and watched until I saw them all leave. I heard what happened. How are you, Aaron?"

"I'm okay," Hotch replied looking into the older man's eyes. "Jason, why didn't you want the others to know you were here? And why are you here now?"

Gideon sighed and studied his hands as he organized what he wanted to say. He finally looked up again. "I didn't want the team to know because it would have distracted them, especially Reid. I mean, I know it sounds like a cop-out, but it's the truth. Somebody called me and told me what happened, your shooting, the accusations made against you which were ridiculous, and I came back to see if I could help somehow. But when I got here, I noticed the team was focused on the case, and doing what they do best." He allowed a small chuckle to emerge. "They didn't need my help after-all. So, figuring my presence, if it were known, would only distract them in the long run, I stayed in the background watching." He watched the younger man's eyes for a reaction.

"Jason, I won't lie to you and say when you suddenly up and left, the team wasn't upset for awhile, and Reid was upset the most, because they were. Reid felt you had abandoned him like others before you. But he slowly got over it, and he's become a fine agent and profiler. You'd be proud of him just as we are."

Gideon smiled. "I know. I've received reports on all of you. And I'm glad Reid has worked through my leaving. I always knew he had the makings of a fine agent and profiler. But believe me when I say if I thought for an instant the team wouldn't be able to clear you, I would have stepped up and offered my services." He gestured with his hands. "And for the record, I never believed for a minute those accusations against you. Anybody who knows you would know you'd never harm anybody, no matter how badly things in your personal life were. And especially not Haley."

"I believe you and thank you," Hotch said, his eyes narrowing. "You said somebody called you and has been giving you updates? Can I ask who?"

Gideon shook his head. "That's not important. Just know that it's somebody who cares and leave it at that." He smiled again. "How's Haley? Will she be all right?"

Hotch sighed wearily. "I don't know. Being assaulted as she was will not be easy for her to recover from. I mean physically she'll be fine; but, emotionally, she's got a long road ahead of her. But I will be by her side the entire time. I love her, Jason."

"I know you do. Anybody can see that by how you look at her and talk about her, and how your face lights up when she walks into the room. And should you or Haley need anything I'll be glad to help if I can."

"Thank you," said Hotch knowing Gideon was serious in offering his help if it was needed.

"How's Jack? Is he all right after what happened?"

"He will be, although he seems to be handling things well considering. I suppose his age has a lot to do with it though."

"Probably, " Gideon said with a smirk. "Kids Jack's age are so resilient. They can bounce back from just about anything. By the way, my offer of help applies to Jack as well."

"Thank you." Hotch's gut was telling him there was something the older former profiler wasn't telling him, but couldn't figure out what it was.

"Jason, what aren't you telling me?" he asked hoping he'd get an answer.

Gideon looked down at his hands for a few minutes. "I knew I couldn't fool an old profiler like you," he said before looking up again with a sad look in his eyes. "I'm leaving town, and I don't want the team or anybody to know I was ever here. I'm asking you to keep my visit here to yourself."

"Of course I can," Hotch said seriously with knitted eyebrows. "But what I don't understand is why would you want to. I'm sure the team would like to see you despite some of them maybe still harboring some hard feelings regarding your leaving. I'm sure Reid would like to see you especially. Despite his moving on, he's still worried about you."

"That's exactly why I don't want anybody to know I was ever here. It wouldn't serve any purpose for them to know. As you said, they've moved on, especially Spencer. I don't want to undo all the progress he's made since I left. And seeing me again will only cause him to feel abandoned again when I leave, and I can't do that to him. So I'm begging you, Hotch, don't tell anybody you even saw me. Can you do that?"

"If that's what you want."

"That's what I want." Gideon looked at his watch. "I have to go. But it's been good seeing you and I'm glad you're gonna be all right and hope Haley and Jack will be as well." He slowly rose from the chair and headed for the door.

"Jason." Gideon paused at the doorway and looked back at the man he respected and liked. "Hotch?"

"Thank you for stopping by and I will do what you ask of me. Take care of yourself and if you ever need anything, you know where to reach me."

Gideon smiled an affectionate smile at the younger man before turning and disappearing from the room leaving a saddened Aaron Hotchner wondering about the man who had been such a big part of his life when he first joined the BAU.

IA Agents Crown and Downer had decided to pay a visit to the ICU and check on their two most famous patients; and to save time, they decided to split up with Crown speaking with Doctor Scofield about Haley Hotchner, and Downer with Doctor Caster concerning Anders, and then the two would get together afterward and determine their next move.

It didn't take Crown long to locate Scofield as according to one of the nurses at the nurses' station on the ICU floor, the doctor was at this moment with the patient in question. After thanking her, the agent was directed to Haley's room where the doctor was just exiting Haley's room with a nurse beside him.

"Doctor Scofield?" Crown reached inside his jacket, removed his credentials, and held them up for the doctor to see. "I'm Agent Crown with Internal Affairs. Can you spare me a few minutes?"

Looking at the agent's identification, Scofield turned toward the nurse beside him. "Carry out my instructions regarding Mrs. Hotchner, nurse."

"Yes, doctor," the nurse replied before she walked away. Scofield then turned his attention to Crown who was putting his identification back in his pocket.

"How can I help you, Agent Crown?"

"First, how is Mrs. Hotchner? Will she make it?"

Scofield exhaled deeply. "As I told her husband, Mrs. Hotchner's wounds were very serious especially the one that lacerated her liver. Luckily for her we were able to repair the damage and she will recover completely; but that's only physically. The emotional damage I'm afraid will take longer."

"You mean the rape."

"Yes." Scofield folded his arms and knitted his eyebrows. "We've been treating her with a morning after pill and it appears she will not become pregnant which was a major concern of hers. Regarding the rape, there was vaginal and anal bruising present, but no tearing. All things considered, she's a very fortunate young woman."

"How is she otherwise?"

"That's hard to say. Other than myself and the nurses, the only other visitor she's had has been her husband, and he was a calming influence on her."

"Doctor, my partner, Agent Downer, and I would like to question Mrs. Hotchner as soon-as-possible. How soon can we do that?"

"Normally I would recommend holding off for a day or two, but I understand from her husband the necessity of speaking to her as soon as possible, so I'm going to allow it. But considering her fragile mental state right now, I'm going to request to be present when you speak with her and I will put a stop to your interview if I see her becoming agitated."

Crown smiled. "Thank you, Doctor Scofield. Mrs. Hotchner's husband will be present as well. We'd like to speak with her this afternoon, if possible."

"That can be arranged. Have one of the nurses at the nurses station page me when you're ready, and I'll escort you into her room."

Crown held out his hand and Scofield shook it firmly. The agent smiled. "Thank you again, Doctor."

As easy a time as his partner was having, Agent Downer was having just the opposite. He had to wait for Doctor Anton Caster to become available as he was checking on another patient in the ICU and by the time he left that patient's room, Downer could see the doctor was obviously in a foul mood.

"Doctor Caster?" Downer asked reaching into his pocket and holding up his credentials for the doctor to see.

Caster exhaled deeply. "What is it, Agent?" he hissed.

Downer put his credentials away. "I'd like to know the current condition of Agent Darren Anders?"

Caster folded his arms across his chest and took a pose indicating defiance. "Why? What business is it of yours regarding his condition?"

Downer put his hands on his hips and turned on his version of the 'Hotchner stare.' "Doctor, this man is suspected of raping little girls ages thirteen and under, killing one along with her mother, kidnapping the wife of a federal agent along with his five-year-old son, raping her and then trying to kill her. So don't stand there and take a holier-than-thou position with me because I'm not in the mood. Now, regarding his condition."

Caster glared at the agent. "Look, Agent Downer, I don't appreciate this hospital practically swarming with FBI agents because of one man. It's disruptive to the staff and the other patients some of whom are asking questions. But to answer your question, Agent Anders condition remains the same. He is still fighting an infection caused by a perforation of his small intestines. Now, if there are no more questions, I have rounds to complete." In a huff, Caster started to walk away, but his arm was grabbed by Downer.

"Just one more question, doctor." the agent released the doctor's arm when he had his attention.

"What?" asked Caster exhaling deeply.

"How soon can Agent Anders be questioned?"

"Not for at least another forty-eight hours. And even that time-frame depends on how he responds to the antibiotics for his infection. Now if you'll excuse me." The doctor abruptly turned and stormed away brushing aside a nurse who had been approaching the duo.

"You'll have to forgive Doctor Caster," she said apologetically. "He's not usually like you just saw him. He had a rough day so far. He had two patients die on him within several hours and he doesn't take losing patients well."

"That's okay, nurse, I understand. Thank you for the explanation." He started to leave when the nurse's question stopped him.

"Were you asking about Agent Anders?"

"Yes, I was in fact," Downer replied turning back and facing the young woman. "Why?"

"He seems like a nice man," she said. "But there's something about him that gives me the creeps."

"How so?"

"Well, it's the way he keeps going on and on about someone named Haley. He keeps insisting she's carrying his child, that he got her pregnant, and he keeps demanding to see her. It's just creepy the way he says it. Is that his wife?"

"No, I can guarantee that, but I'm not at liberty to divulge anything else. Tell me one thing. Is he restrained?"

"Yes, sir. And he has been since he came into the ICU."

Downer exhaled deeply. At least Anders wouldn't be going anywhere. But he didn't like the idea of the man being in the same unit as Hotchner's wife, but there was nothing he could do about it; then again, perhaps there was. A smile came slowly to his face.

"Thank you, nurse. You've been very helpful. Just see to it that the patient is kept restrained at all times."

"Yes, sir." The nurse watched the agent turn and walk quickly away; he had a phone call, arrangements, and a quick visit to make.

Hotch was sitting up in bed reading a magazine although he wasn't really paying attention to what he was reading since he had re-read the same line three times already, when there was a knock on his door. He looked up and smiled seeing Morton Downer standing in the doorway. He put the magazine down in his lap.

"Mort, didn't expect to see you again so soon. What can I do for you?"

"I can't stay, Aaron," Downer replied. "I'm meeting Jared so we can discuss our next course of action. He went to speak with Haley's doctor while I checked with Anders' doctor. I stopped by because there's two things I think you should be made aware of."

Hotch noticed the grim look on the agent's face. "What's wrong? The look on your face is worrying me. Is Haley all right? Or did something happen to Anders?"

"Calm down, Aaron. As far as I know Haley is fine. So is Anders. What I wanted to inform you of is that I've been alerted to the news that Anders has been asking about Haley and demanding to see her." He noticed Hotch beginning to get out of the bed, and bolted into the room, placing his hands on Hotchner's chest stopping him. "Now hold your horses, there's no need to get upset."

"Mort, I don't want him anywhere near her! If he so much as breaths in her direction, I'll kill him with my bare hands! I want him kept away from her and I don't care how it's done!" His brown eyes were blazing.

"That's the other thing I want to tell you. He's been restrained since he was put into the ICU and will remain so. I also made a phone call after I spoke with his doctor and a nurse and ordered two IA agents to be posted outside his room as an added precaution. He's not going to get within an inch of Haley's room or of Haley herself. Trust me."

Hearing the news, Hotch seemed to calm down and the tension start to leave his face; but just a bit. As far as Hotch was concerned, the fact that Anders was in the same unit as his wife was disturbing in itself, and he couldn't promise what would happen if the man couldn't be kept away from Haley. "If you can't keep him away from her," Hotch told himself. "Then I'll do it myself. Only you won't like my methods."