She couldn't breathe and she felt a panic attack coming on. Dave rushed over and gently moved Hotch onto his back.

"It's bad, isn't it ?" she asked.

"Just relax, Morgan called for an ambulance. Going with your dad, and you take time and meet us there. Trust me, I'll take care of him."

"I always trust you. Thanks for coming.

"You're welcome."

"Come on, Katie girl," Morgan said, "Let's get you cleaned up."

She nodded and led him to her room. Morgan gave her privacy but then noticed she was taking longer than she needed to so her knocked on the door. "Come in."

Katie was sitting on the bed, tissues surrounding her. I'm sorry."

He kneeled on the floor in front of her. "No, Don't apologize, you've been through a lot."

It's just been so hard. Gosh, I Tried to help him, but it was out of my league. Cummings was so mean and wouldn't help at all. I understand why but we could have been back home now. I'm trying not to think of the what ifs but it's hard"

"Come on, are you ready? Your dad will be expecting you when he wakes up."

"Let's go then!"

"Should make a stop at the airport to pick up a piece of my luggage that was missing."

Katie didn't think anything of it until Morgan drove past the parking lot and to the arrival lane. She said nothing until familiar faces appeared in the crowd. Of course, she ran to see him first. "Spencer!" she exclaimed, smile for the first time it felt like in months. "What are you all here for?"

"To help our family, that's what!"

"Oh, I've missed you so much, Spencer. You look great"

"I've Missed you too," he said hugging her then gave her a kiss."

The pair jumped apart when Morgan honked the horn. "Get a room you two!"

They rushed to the car where Emily JJ and Penelope were yelling at him for being unsympathetic.

Katie grinned she missed them so much.

"Yes, I'm looking for my father, Aaron Hotchner?"

"Of course, dear, he's on the 3rd floor, room 325B."

"Thank you!"

Spencer told her he'd meet them at the elevator but not to wait for him.

"She watched him curiously as she spoke to the receptionist.

Katie immediately went to Dave. "How is he?"

"Still in surgery, but the nurse said they'll be bringing him to recovery soon."

"can I see him?"

"of course, I'll take you there. Spencer?"

Hotch had weird dreams while under the anesthesia. As he lay there, he saw a familiar face come into the room. "Emily Prentiss"

"Hotch, you look like crap."

"Thank you, I feel like it too. Is Katie all right?"

"She's fine, reunited with Spencer."

He gave her a small smile. "Good. Can't believe we could have been home years ago."

"when I heard about everything, I didn't know what to think. What has the doctor said?"

"Well, the bullet nicked an artery, but they were able to remove it and stopped the bleeding. Once they get me a room a Neurologist will come for a consult."

"Good, I just stopped by to check on you, but I think there's a very anxious girl waiting to see you."

When Emily left, Katie entered. First thing she did was give him a gentle hug. She wanted to pounce on him but that seemed childish, and she didn't want to hurt him any more than he was."

Katie and Dave stayed with Hotch until the neurologist arrived. She was happy to see he was in good spirits. Today but it may have been the pain medication, she couldn't be too sure. The doctor ordered an MRI.

"Mr. Hotchner, have you had any head injuries lately?"

"No."

"What if he did but doesn't remember?" Katie asked.

"Suppose that could be possible."

"Do you think that happened, Katie?" hotch asked.

"Well, you did get into a fight with Cummings three days ago, after the field office. You came home with a bloody nose, but you didn't know how it happened."

"Let's get that MRI stat!" Dr Ringer said. "Just to rule out some things. If anything, it will give your daughter piece of mind."

The next morning Katie headed to her fit training She spent last night going over what to expect with Morgan. Now she understood why Spence and Penelope didn't want to tell him about their test. She knew if she was going to be the best, she needed to learn from the best.

Katie stopped home for a quick shower and grab something to eat. She then headed to the hospital to find out about the MRI results.

"So, we talked to Cummings, and he admitted to hitting you with a baseball bat," Dave explained

"He admitted it?" Katie asked.

"Yes, when Morgan said Hotch has video surveillance in the house."

Katie looked horrified at the thought "What?"

"Relax, Katie girl there are no cameras in your house."

"Ok so what's the doctors diagnosis?"

"Something called post concussive Syndrome, and it can be brought on by stress."

Katie let out a small sigh of relief and gave her dad a hug. "That's a diagnosis I can deal with, daddy."

"Me too, Kit Kat. Now Reid wants to take you for a walk."

"Do I?" Hotch gave him a look.

"Yes, of course I do!"

Katie laughed and took him by the hand. "Where are we going?"

"How about Kerry Park? Your dad says it's your favorite place to go to think. Would Definitely love to see it."

She brought him to the best spot in the park to see the skyline and sunset as well. Spencer grinned because she unconsciously set everything up for him without even knowing it. She sat down on the bench, watching as the sun dipped below the horizon But something caught her attention out of the corner of her eye. Spencer was sitting on the ground. She tuned to face him. Strike that, he was on one knee and reaching for something in his pocket. Spencer finally spoke up "Kathryn Elizabeth Hotchner, it would be my honor if you would spend the rest of your life with me."

"Yes, Spencer Reid, it would be my honor too," she replied giving him a kiss. There was a loud shout behind her and camera flashes in their faces. They were followed . You can't keep secrets from FBI agents!" Dave said, "we promised Hotch we'd take pictures."

Katie got ready for bed for the last time in her sanctuary in Seattle. The first two years weren't too bad, but she had to stop online classes for a while and just started back when the chaos started up with the Marshall from hell. Now she would be graduating within a month. She had things to do in person at the Academy. She was excited to get into a classroom setting again. She glanced at her packed luggage, She was going to miss this home, but now it was time to return to her real home, the city she grew up inn. She was finally going to meet her classmates she only spoke to via zoom chats. And after graduation she was going to marry the man she loves.

"Katie, your dad is unaware of this so don't say anything, just get him to the J Edgar Hoover meeting hall by 645!"

"Don't worry about a thing, Uncle Dave. "I'll just tell him it's a reception for the graduates and their parents."

"Good idea."

Hotch followed Katie into the meeting hall. He knew something was up because they never had a reception for the graduates. He had to keep himself from falling over when she yanked his arm and pulled him towards a table in the middle of the room with the rest of his team.

"Ladies, gentleman, agents and cadets, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Brett Wilson!"

Hotch clapped still beyond suspicious.

"Thank you, Today I am happy to present the FBI Medal for Meritorious Achievement. This Medal is awarded in recognition of extraordinary and exceptionally meritorious service performed while in a position of extreme challenge and great responsibility, significant achievements in criminal or national security cases, or other exemplary acts which involve the protection or saving of life. Today I am honored to present this award to a man who has gone through hardships and goes beyond to keep those serial killers off the streets and I'm lucky to call him a friend as well. Please come forward Agent Aaron Hotchner."

Katie laughed at his shocked expression, but he didn't move. "Come on Daddy, that's you!"

Hotch playfully swatted her on the arm "That's for lying to your father!"

Katie was glancing through a Bridal magazine when it hit her. Two important people were missing from her wedding party. Her mom and her best friend. She went over to the dining room table where all her notes and ideas were all spread out. How was she going to decide what to do? Her dad hadn't even given her a budget yet. Where to even start?

Aaron came downstairs to see what Katie wanted for dinner. He saw her staring sadly at the table and he knew. He sent an SOS to JJ then to Rossi about dinner.

Hotch wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. "Honey I'm not going to give you a budget . just get what you want, but please use discretion."

That put a smile on her face as she grabbed a notebook and a pen and started to work on her wedding party. She was on her third page of ideas when the doorbell rang. Her dad answered and in came their BAU family. Penelope bounded up to her. "Let's plan ourselves a wedding. Little Hotch!"

Hotch followed Rossi and Morgan into the kitchen. "Thanks, I really appreciate it. You should have seen how sad she looked trying to plan this on her own. She's been really missing Haley and Gina this week.

"We got you guys, "Morgan said, Now let's eat on the deck, I Hear you've got a nice setup."

Katie smiled as she looked around the table. It may not have been what she imagined when she was little, but she was grateful for this family. They're not blood related, but She loved them all just as much.

Most, if not all decisions were made Each bridesmaid was assigned to making calls to set up appointments and. Katie was calling her maid of honor, a friend from the academy. They were chatting online and phone the whole time while she had been in Seattle, but officially met about two months ago. They became fast friends, and It was as though they had been friends for years. Nicole was going to join them for the impromptu dinner Dave brought over as well as Spencer and his Mom.

Katie answered the door and the last of the guests arrived. There was laughter and music outside on the deck. Her dad had strung white Christmas lights up and Uncle Dave's favorite Italian CD played on her Bluetooth speakers. Dave tapped his wine glass to get everyone's attention. "Hello and welcome, Katie doesn't know this but this a celebration for her. Through tough years she has proven, once again, that she is one amazing young woman. Graduating as a top student from the FBI Academy. Not that I ever doubted her. She takes after her father. So, lets all raise our glasses to my Goddaughter, Kathryn Elizabeth Hotchner!"

"To Kathryn!"

Aaron found Katie in her bedroom going through one of her drawers.

He sat next to her. "Isn't that just a junk drawer? Just pitch it all."

"She rolled her eyes. Dad, a junk drawer a teenager has is different than her parents junk drawer in the kitchen. We toss keepsakes and memories in ours, not junk."

"Stand corrected." "You should get some sleep, tomorrow's a big day. You know how excited Garcia is about it."

H He received a third appointment which went well with his schedule. It was a good thing the police hadn't caught on to him. And they never will. Tonight, will be the final test before The One. Bachelorette parties were perfect fodder for his test.

The one thing Katie wasn't interested in was a stripper, but Nicole insisted it would be fun. Her friend wasn't sure about Spencer and his "husbandly duties." Katie just ignored her but then she was sent to the Den at Nicole's parent's house they were supposed to meet the others at a bar downtown later. The lights and music turned on and someone came down the steps, She turned to see a weird looking man dancing as he moved closer. He had a mullet wore a police uniform. He grinned when he saw her. He was missing his top teeth. This was the best Nicole could find.

Something seemed off as he got closer. He looked angry "You bitch! You promised you'd marry me and now your engaged to someone else?" He exclaimed, punching her hard. "What the hell are you doing?"

"you're dead!" he replied, grabbing her arm, and twisting it hard. "Let go of me! Nicole!"

"She can't help you now, she left. Its just you and me, but don't worry I won't drag it out."

"Penelope, have you heard from Katie yet? I thought she and Nicole would be here by now," JJ said.

"I haven't. Ill text her then track her phone. Maybe they're stuck in traffic."

"I'm sure she would have called if that was the case," Emily added.

"She's not answering calls or texts" Garcia said coming back inside. but it looks like she's still at Nicole's. We should go there to check on them. I'm sure she's ok but I'm getting an impending feeling of doom for some reason."

"Then let's go, " JJ said.

Katie woke up to the stripper just repeatedly kicking her. She swung at him, trying to punch him in the face but he hit her with his gun, which she realized was real. So, she grabbed it and they fought for it. He pointed it at her head, but she recalled a move from training and turned it away from her towards him, which he did not notice. She squeezed the trigger as it was pointed at him, and it went off. He fell next to her holding his stomach in pain. She felt no remorse right then.

The basement door slammed open and curled into herself in pain.

"Katie?"

"Emily!"

"Oh God, what happened? Where's Nicole?"

"I'm such an idiot! How can I be an FBI agent when I can't even tell that my friends are evil?"

"She set me up. She was jealous of everything about me. The Assignment, Spencer.. She hated me so she had her ex pretend to be a stripper, but I think there's more going on with him than even she realized. "Can we just go home now?"

"Of course, but we need to call this in, honey."

The paramedics arrived and insisted she go to the hospital to be checked out, but Katie just wanted a shower and go to bed. She finally convinced herself because she wanted to be an advocate for victims. If an FBI agent even in training doesn't help with an investigation, how would other victims feel comfortable doing so?

Hotch had fallen asleep on the couch in Katie's hospital room. The doctor said she had a bruised kidney from being kicked in the back. How anyone could do this to a person still baffled him sometimes.

"Hotch," Rossi said. "You're not going to like what I found out. Nicole Hanover is not as innocent as her background check suggests."

"What are you saying?"

'She's the daughter of the infamous Hanover Enterprises family."

"How did we miss that?"

"Turns out they have an amazing Hacker of Penelope style who gave her a fake background. Penelope flushed them out. Her ex-boyfriend is responsible for the deaths of two brides to be because his fiancée left him at the altar. Nicole convinced him to go after Katie."

"So, she…"

"She caught a murder suspect no one was looking for yet. Now that takes some talent!"

The doctor entered. "Mr. Hotchner the bleeding has stop. Shell be in pain until the swelling starts to go done. She'll need to stay here for 73 hours at the most for observation. She'll be ready for her wedding on Saturday."

"Thank you, Doctor."

Katie woke up to the sweet smell of dad's blueberry maple pancakes, her favorite. She was still a bit stiff from the attack, but she was alive and going to marry the man she loved in a little over five hours.

"Well good morning, Mr. Hotchner, the best dad on the planet Earth!" she said giving him a hug.

"Good morning, miss Hotchner, the most beautiful daughter I could ever ask for. Ready for breakfast?"

Katie smiled as she nodded. She didn't want to cry over the last breakfast at this table. She would be crying later she was certain.

"Knock Knock, Is there a bride in this house who's ready

to get dressed"

"Hi Penelope! Diana!"

"Oh, my dear, you can call me mom if you want.

Katie looked almost hesitant, but her dad gave her a slight nod. "Okay, thank you!"

Penelope had her makeup case, and everything set up on her dresser, Katies wedding dress hung up from the closet door. There was a beautiful picture of her mom in her wedding gown."

"You two are a lot alike," Penelope said. "Your dress designs are very similar."

Hotch waited downstairs anxiously. He knew Katie was going to look amazing, but he was still a bit nervous that

Penelope was doing her hair and makeup. He would have felt mor comfortable with JJ.

Katie looked at herself in the mirror then the picture of her mom and she felt a sudden pain in her chest."

"Oh my, dear," Diana said. "I am certain your mother is looking down on you and she's proud of you.

Notes: I know I said this would be the last chapter, but the muse wants to write more. Hope you all don't mind.