By the time Rossi returned from arguing his way around objections to Hotch's release, Morgan and Prentiss were still with their leader and doing their best for him.

If they couldn't make him completely comfortable, they could at least shield him from stressful subject matter. And Derek was ready to concede that Emily was better at gentle, politic handling than he'd given her credit. In fact, he planned on taking her out for a drink by way of saying 'thanks' on Hotch's behalf.

They were going over details of the previous night's crime in hospital-appropriate, subdued tones when Rossi tapped on the door and entered without waiting for a response. He sampled the atmosphere and found it therapeutic, if not jolly. Adopting his own situation-suitable smile, he waved the papers he'd won from reluctant doctors and set them before Hotch.

"Sign on the dotted line, my friend, and we can get you out of here whenever you're ready."

"I'm ready now." Hotch took the pen Rossi provided and signed without hesitation…although his fingers shook.

Dave retrieved the completed forms and moved toward the door. "I'll take care of these and have a wheelchair brought up." He saw dread pass over Hotch's face. "Sorry, Aaron. There's no way around that. So be good. Okay?"

The Unit Chief nodded, albeit in a half-hearted, grudging manner. Almost immediately his expression turned concerned, posture shrinking in on himself..

"Hotch? What is it?" Prentiss's brow furrowed. She'd thought things were going well, but something was clearly wrong.

Where Emily frowned, Morgan smiled. "It's okay. I got this." He jerked his chin toward the door. "Both you guys…get out. I'm gonna help Bossman get ready." After what he's been through, the last thing he needs is an audience verifying that he's naked under his gown.

"Oh." Prentiss grasped the finer points of what was needed and rose. "See you in a little bit, Hotch."

As Emily and Rossi left, Morgan turned his calmest, most placid expression toward his leader. "Okay, man. Let's get you up and dressed."

Hotch's eyes closed. He was trying to pull strength from some inner source. His first instinct was to dismiss aid. To say he could do everything on his own. " 'S okay, Morgan. I can deal. You don't need to stay. Go work the case."

"Okay. Sure." Derek crossed his arms and stood back. "Do what you gotta do, Bossman. I'm just here in case."

Hotch saw the determined glint in his teammate's eye and toyed with the idea of ordering him out. He promised himself he'd do just that after getting out of bed and standing on his own two feet as proof of self-sufficiency. Pulling back the covers, he swung his legs around, levered himself upright…and promptly collapsed. The only thing keeping Hotch from sprawling on the ground in an ignominious heap of splayed limbs and crumpled hospital gown was that he managed to grab onto the nightstand on his way down. Morgan's strong arms were at the ready, pulling his leader up and holding him while he fought for balance.

The room was swimming. Hotch's breath caught in his throat. It was an all too visceral reminder of how he'd felt struggling under the influence of Megan Kane's drug overdose. For a moment terror tore through him, accompanied by the suspicion that she'd somehow permanently altered his sense of balance and his mobility.

Morgan's tight embrace and murmured words pulled him back from the brink. "It's okay, man. It's just that you've been lying down for so long. First time up's bound to be a little rocky. Slow down. You got nothin' to prove. Especially to me. Just sloooow down."

Hotch closed his eyes and tried to get his breathing under control. He did have something to prove. To himself. He was ashamed of the panic he'd felt upon sighting the lipstick. Yes, it was a taunting threat, and yes, the surge of adrenalin that resulted had a lot to do with throwing off the lingering effects of the overdose and bringing him out of his stupor. But that kind of reaction didn't have a place in the portrait of himself that he presented to the world. He'd built the image from childhood and kept it under strict control. To react like a craven coward when confronted by a woman's cosmetics undermined all his work.

Hotch would rather be seen as unnaturally devoid of emotion than as fragile.

But if he was hurt or scared deeply enough, he couldn't help being human. As much as he hated himself for it, the compassion and empathy would seep out. But Prentiss was right when she'd said he'd never give up. He'd never stop trying to stuff all that vulnerability back behind the tough, carefully groomed façade. It was just hard to keep it corralled there when he wasn't at his best. And that's why I'd rather do this alone. They've seen enough of me.

Hotch felt his breathing even out. He could almost stop trembling, but he was too weak to totally banish it. He didn't want to admit how reassuring and solid Morgan's hands felt; supporting but not controlling. Just right.

"I'm okay…I'm okay…"

"I know you are, Hotch. Just take your time. We're not in any kind of hurry here."

It took a while, but eventually the Unit Chief was back in his suit. It said a lot about Morgan's unspoken ability to understand when he took the time to knot Hotch's tie, since the man's hands were shaking too much to do it up to his usual standards.

Last, he helped Aaron into his jacket. Standing before him, Morgan looked him up and down.

"Perfect. Now, let's get you out of here."

This time Hotch didn't refuse his teammate's supporting arm.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Megan's yawn was huge. It cracked her jaw joints.

Sighing, she admitted defeat. She couldn't wait around much longer for the FBI agents to make an appearance. She walked to her car, started the engine, and eased out into traffic.

Just in time to see the team helping Aaron into one of their ubiquitous SUVs.

The rush of adrenalin banished all vestiges of fatigue. Still in Stetson and sunglasses, she drove past, making no attempt to avoid being seen. She needn't have bothered. The team was preoccupied with getting their boss settled for the short trip to their hotel.

The unsub pulled into a parking lot and waited.

I'll go home and get some sleep once I know where they're staying. Her grin grew. And I know just how to find out which room is Aaron's.

As the SUV drove by and picked up a tail, Megan's mind was racing.

She knew exactly what would happen next. It gave her a twinge of sadness. Playing with Aaron was fun, but this would be the last time…