( sorry this chapter is short, but I have ideas for the chapters to come. I just wanted to get the team together, and Aaron's reaction to them seeing him :)

It had been a long week, Aaron had various different therapist sessions all weeks and they had drained him. If he wasn't asleep, he was in pain, so it was best he slept. Although Aaron had thought he wasn't improving, the speech therapist had told him his reading was coming on and his physical therapist had high hopes. It was just Aaron that didn't believe it.

Emily had felt like Aaron had given up, he wasn't trying and didn't seem like he had the motivation. "Aaron..what's going on?" She asked, as she helped him get dressed, which he hadn't tried to do himself for once. Usually, he was stubborn and would try to do it himself, but today he didn't even moan once about her doing it.
He shrugged, "Nothing." He said, staring down at the floor. "I know you, Aaron. So tell me what's up," she said, sitting down next to him and placing a hand to his cheek. "I just..I feel useless, like..Im going to be this burden forever."
"Burden? What are you talking about-"
"What if I never get better, Emily?" "You can't think like that! Your therapists have all said your improving!"
"Yeah, but what if I don't..I can't expect you to stay." Emily widened her eyes, her eyes tearing up, "What? You think I'd leave you?" He swallowed, "You should, what kind of life would it be? You deserve better." Emily shook her head, "No. I don't want anyone else..your still the man I fell in love with and that's the way it's always going to be. I love you, do you hear me?" She said, her voice breaking. It broke her heart to hear him say that, how could he ever think she would leave him.
He nodded, his breath shaky, "Yeah, I'm sorry...I love you too, I know I don't always show it but-" He was stopped by a gentle kiss being placed on his lips, he kissed back softly. "Please don't ever think like that again.." she said as she pulled away, placing her hand on his. He nodded, smiling a little, "I promise I'm going to try. For you, and for Jack" She smiled, resting her head on his shoulder.
It was an emotional conversation for them both, he'd not opened up to her for a while and she was glad he had.

—-
Aaron had put all his effort into his physical therapist appointment that day, and it paid off, when he was able to hold a plastic cup in his hand. It fell after a deee seconds, but he gripped it tight which was a first, usually he held it and it had dropped straight away.
The evening soon came and there was a knock on the door, Emily looked at Aaron and got up from the couch. He was sound asleep, and they weren't expecting guests. As Emily opened the door, she was surprised to see the team standing at the door, "Oh, hey!" Emily smiled, trying to whisper.
They had brought takeout, "Hey! We thought we'd come and check on you both, it's been a while!" Garcia exclaimed.
Emily smiled a little, she wasn't sure how Aaron would react to this, it was overwhelming enough for him to see Jack, never mind all of the team. Emily nodded, letting them all in, "Uh- just come in and go into the dining room, I'll wake Aaron. He's asleep" "Oh, if it's a problem, we can leave" Reid said softly.
She shook her head, "No, It's not. It's a kind gesture, thanks guys" she smiled, she had missed her friends and was happy they were all here. She just wasn't sure if Aaron would agree.

They all went quietly into the dining room and Emily went to the living room, quietly moving next too Aaron. "Aaron, baby.." she said, gently tapping him.
He moaned, whining a little, "No..."
"Aaron. You have to wake up, we have guests" she said softly.
His eyes fluttered open, and he yawned tiredly, "What?" He asked, raising a brow. "The team have come..and they wanted to see us."
"Where are they?" Aaron asked, instantly becoming self conscious.
Emily noticed he'd become more anxious, "They're in the dining room. They don't have to stay long..they're just worried, and miss us. Are you okay with this?" She asked.
He swallowed, nodding reluctantly, he really wasn't but he didn't want to let the team down. He was nervous, it was the first time they'd seem him when he wasn't in a hospital bed. He didn't want to seem so weak and useless in front of them.

As Emily helped him into the wheelchair, she wheeled him in and the team all smiled. "Hotch, hey!" Garcia said, a little louder than she probably should have.
The whole team took turns hugging him, which was much to Aaron's horror but he pretended it was fine. As they were all talking, Aaron was starting to get more panicky and nervous, he didn't like this at all. Tears threatened to fall, not now, please not now he thought. He hated how out of control he was of his emotions, and this was embarrassing if he started crying in front of his team. Reid turned to see Hotch, "Hotch, you okay?" He asked. Wrong move. Aaron felt tears starting to feel and an uncontrollable sob escaped his mouth, "I-" he couldn't get his words out, this had happened before. The difference was it was just Emily last time and that was bad enough, not five more people staring at him. He felt like a child, so small in the chair, crying as everyone stood watching.
Emily rushed over, "Aaron. It's okay, they're your friends" she said, risking his hand. His voice was shaky, "I- I can't do this.." he said, "I'm tired." Emily nodded, "We should go" Garcia said.
Aaron shook his head, "No- you all stay. I- I'll go to bed." He swallowed, getting his breath back.

Emily had taken Aaron to the bedroom, "What happened in there?" She asked softly.
He shrugged, "I didn't want them seeing me like this..I feel so weak compared to them." He sighed, as Emily helped him into bed. "Your not, Aaron. Your the strongest person I know." She said, placing a soft kiss on his lips. He nodded reluctantly, "I love you" "I love you too"
"Im sorry.. for ruining it." She shook her head, "You haven't. Just get some sleep, okay?" She said, kissing him once more.
Aaron closed his eyes, unable to keep them awake for any longer.

Emily walked back into the dining room, "I'm sorry about that.." she sighed. "Is he okay?" Rossi asked. She nodded, "It's just- overwhelming for him. It's bad enough with Jack, he hates Jack seeing him like this..but all of you, he just- he doesn't want to be seen as helpless, and that's how he feels" she said, sipping her wine. "Nothing has changed our view on him" Derek said, "He's still the man we know."
Emily nodded, putting her hands on her face, "I know- I just wish-" she said, her voice breaking. "Hey, Em..it's okay" Garcia said, running to hug her. "I just wish he'd see that..he's too hard on himself. I just wish-" she stopped herself, as she wiped her eyes. She had to keep her emotions in place, for Aaron. "I know, we all wish it." Derek said, with a sigh. They all wished they could redo that day, never have took that case and they would have never been in this position now. They all knew how hard it was on them both, especially Aaron. "Thank you for coming..I really needed to see you all" Emily smiled "That's what family's for." Reid said, with an awkward smile. "And when Aaron's ready to see us...we'll be here" Rossi added.

The rest of the night, Emily shared a few glasses of wine with her team, but she made sure not to get tipsy or drunk in case Aaron needed her. They were all leaving and all saying goodbye, "When are you back?" JJ asked.
Emily shrugged, "In a couple weeks..but I don't think Aaron's keen on the idea of a random stranger coming to take care of him, especially if I'm gone on cases. So, I don't know yet." JJ hugged her, "Well, I'll see you soon." "Thank you all for coming." Emily smiled, and watched them leave.

She missed that. Being with the team, she knew Aaron did too. She just wished things could be different.