11X22 The Storm
Once Katie's surgery was behind her, she, Hotch, and their family went on her Dream Foundation trip. Everyone had a blast, and it was worth it just to see Katie and Aaron laughing and enjoying themselves. No thoughts about death or serial killers for two months.
Katie was getting one more MRI to check the progress of the last few weeks of radiation therapy. They would get the results within 48 hours. She decided she would take up her college courses again because she didn't want to get behind. Dave surprised her with her own office to study and watch her class lectures. Jessica would spend the day with her if she needed anything.
Katie was finishing up breakfast as her dad put on his suit jacket. JJ had arrived with Henry because her car broke down. Henry told her about a new comic book when the front door jumped out of her skin when the door slammed open. It was a swat team that didn't seem to care her father was an FBI agent. Henry grabbed onto her in fear. "Let him go!" she exclaimed as JJ took hold of Henry.
"Get back, miss, "one of them said forcefully shoving her away from her dad." Katie lost her footing and fell to the floor.
"Dad!" she cried.
Minutes later he was gone, and JJ helped her up. "Are you ok?"
'Katie wiped the tears away as she nodded. "What was that about?"
She pulled out her phone and called Dave who said he'd be right over.
"Does anyone know what's going on?" Emily asked as everyone arrived in the bullpen.
They turned to see JJ step off the elevator with Katie but there was no sign of Hotch. Katie looked pale and defeated.
Rossi explained what happened then brought Katie to Hotch's office to relax.
"Penelope, could you get some tea for Katie?"
"of course,"
Katie sat on the couch, knees drawn to her chest, and cried. How anyone thought her father, of all people, could be a criminal was beyond her. He was the absolute opposite of evil. She knew their BAU family would make whoever did this pay.
Aaron didn't believe for one second the MPD had useful evidence. If they did, they would know how fast his analyst will make not so useful to him. No now he just had to think about his report for the senate subcommittee that would no doubt be waiting for him once this time-wasting situation was over. Basically, Peter Lewis' testimony was going to be used against Hotch. Antonia Slade was the last person to mention a storm coming. He knew that something big was about to happen, but he never suspected anything like this. As though he was the only agent who lost his family or colleagues to a serial killer. How did he get chosen as the scapegoat for whoever? It probably led back to Slade, Rawdon, and Lewis. If only he could get in touch with his team to bounce off these ideas, even check in on Katie.
"Now don't you worry about anything, Katie," Dave said. "Your dad is going to meet us then he'll be home. Your aunt should be home when we get there."
"Thanks, Uncle Dave, just be careful, please?"
"Anything for you, Bella."
Everyone ok?' JJ asked. "Good, let's get Hotch home before his daughter sends out a search party.
"Right," Dave said, "And everyone is invited to my home tomorrow evening for some wine and more wine."
Hotch nodded. "Thank you all for your hard work and taking care of Katie."
"Hotch leaned back in his seat and soon fell asleep. He sat up with a start. "Oh God, didn't Katie get her MRI results today?"
Hotch slowly trudged up the front porch steps, looking up to see Jessica at the door. "Oh, Aaron, are you okay?"
"UGH I'm exhausted, Katie's asleep right?"
"Well, she only went up a few minutes ago so maybe not yet."
He went down the hall and noticed the light was still on and knocked on the door. /h/e entered a few seconds later. "Hey Kit Kat"
"Dad, your home!" she replied as he came over to hug her. "I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize! Uncle Dave explained the gist of what happened. I just never thought you would be swatted."
"You're familiar with that?"
"OH yeah, the gamers at school talked about it, but they were all just talk. Why don't you get some sleep? You look tired. Love you, Daddy."
"Love you too, "Hotch replied kissing her goodnight. He decided a quick shower would be nice. "Jess, you can go if you want. I'm going to bed soon."
"Ok, call if you need anything."
When Hotch got out of the shower, he was freezing. He didn't think anything of it until he began to cough. He must have caught something from that other guy in the holding cell who had been hacking his lungs out all day. "Great, "he muttered after checking his temp, fever too.
Katie woke up to shouting then her name being called. It was her dad, but he sounded so scared. She got up and rushed to his room where he was thrashing about wildly on the bed, stuck in a nightmare. "Katie!"
She sat beside him, trying not to cause him to freak out anymore, and grabbed his arms. "Dad, I'm right here. I'm okay. Calm down," she said, pulling him into a hug. She realized he was soaking wet, and his forehead was hot to the touch. When he finally calmed down, he opened his eyes.
"Katie," he gasped out. What happened?"
"Sounds like you had a bad dream. And now you're late for work."
"I am?" he asked, glancing at the alarm clock. It was almost 8.
I should get going before Dave calls."
Katie went down to make some coffee and toast for him. Once it was ready, she set everything on the table and sat on the couch to watch a college softball game.
"I'm heading out," Hotch said.
"Wait, forgetting something?" she asked tossing him the bottle of medication. "Take care of yourself, your team needs you healthy. I'll see you at Uncle Dave's!"
"Yes, 6:30, don't be late!"
"As his sous chef, I'm not allowed, or he'll dock my pay."
Once he was gone, she sent a text to Dave about the fact he was sick and was going in anyway.
Now she was going to apply for the FBI academy since She's in remission. She thought at first it could be a rebirth, but she seemed more depressed by everything so she was going to do try to ignore those bad feelings and do everything she had planned on. She asked JJ for a recommendation letter
12X03 Taboo
"Dad, are you serious? I have class and that would be a hell of a commute!"
"I know which is why I've arranged for you to stay with Dave while I'm on assignment."
"How long will you be over there? Don't they know the BAU needs you? I need you!"
He gave her a squeeze. "I honestly don't think it matters to them one way or the other. I'll be a video call away and you can visit me whenever. Dave will use his own jet. He said anything for you."
I get to live in a mansion!"
"Ok, now don't use those puppy dog eyes to get him to buy you things you don't need."
"What? You mean like a shiny car?"
"You don't need a car!" he said with a laugh. "You can just use mine."
"Oh, how boring! A Ford Taurus. A Mustang would be better."
"I don't think so. Now get your things together, I need to pack because I'm leaving in the morning."
"You're not going to say goodbye to anyone?"
"Already done."
"Wow, so everyone knew except me. Were you even going to tell me?"
"Kathryn…"
"Sorry, Dad, but I'm starting at the academy next week and you're not going to be here?"
"You'll be fine, I know it. I didn't want to distract you while you were preparing."
"No, instead I have to start without you here. What if I need you?"
"Where is this all coming from?"
She took a breath. "I miss just sitting at home with you on the weekends and doing nothing. I haven't been playing any sports because you conspired with the doctor to say I'm not ready yet. Don't leave me, Can't you put in a request to stay at Quantico? Explain that your daughter is depressed?"
"You're depressed?"
"No dad, but I feel like I might be." There are days I just want to stay in bed because it feels pointless. I beat cancer's ass but now what? I can't go back to who I was before. I don't have friends my own age. I've been missing Gina so much lately. We were supposed to go to college together. "then I feel guilty about not going out and doing things because I know Gina can't and it's not fair! I should have been the one who Devon killed, not her!"
Aaron's heart broke at Katie's admission, how did he miss this? It was truly the first time he felt guilty about his job getting in the way of his personal life. How could he leave her in such a vulnerable state?
He couldn't just start packing right now so he went over to her, hugged her, and said, "Sweetheart I'll do everything I can to try and stay here, but I can't promise anything. I love you so much, but please let me know when things get so hard you feel you can't function. You have plenty of people who love and care for you if you can't talk to me. No matter what, I love you."
"I love you too, Daddy."
12X6 Elliot's Pond
"Katie, are you all, right?"
"I'm fine dad, but I know what this means. Witness protection … again! How am I going to finish school now? I have 15 credit hours left as well as the fitness test."
"Katie, the director said he's going to make an exception for you to take your classes online. They were going to start that format next year but figured they would test it out on you.
"Oh great, I'm a guinea pig."
"Stop it, you'll do your fitness test at the training facility at the Seattle field office."
'Seattle? Didn't you work over there? Are you going to work there now? what about retiring?'
"No, I'll do consultations over the phone, but that's all. Were going to be given different names. They'll set up a new login for your classes, but it will be attached to your real account."
"Can we say goodbye before we go?"
"No, they don't want us to make any moves that would be suspicious."
"So, us stopping by the Bureau is suspicious. I guess me but not you. Please, Dad! Pleeeeeeease?" she said batting her eyes. It worked like a charm, an hour later they were there.
"Hotch…" Rossi began. Then laughed at the smile on Katie's face. She got her way again. Those beautiful eyes were killer to one's bank account.
She hugged everyone."don't worry, One day you'll see me back here!"
"Kathryn, sorry honey, but we need to go."
"Wait! Wait! Wait!" Garcia was running over to them with a big box. "I have a going away gift from Morgan and me," she said handing the box to Katie.
"Thanks, Pen. Tell Morgan thank you and give him a hug for me."
"Take care little Hotch. You too, Sir"
