(this is a happier chapter, but these chapters will be very up and down as his recovery will be a rollercoaster

Emily started back to work next week, and Aaron was getting more uncomfortable with the situation. They had found a caretaker, she was recommended off many sites and doctors,and luckily she had free time to spare. Aaron didn't mind the girl, it wasn't ideal, but he tolerated her. Although the girl thought he hated her, he hadn't made things easy for her on her trial day, much to Emily's disapproval.

Aaron's hand movements were getting a lot better, he could now brush his teeth independently and managed to feed himself to a point, although he still needed a little help and messed up often. The main thing was that he wasn't incapable of doing it now, and each time he could feel a little more proud, even though he didn't let it show.

He had been at physical therapy in the morning and speech and linguistic therapy in the afternoon, it was safe to say he was exhausted by the time it had all finished. "Aaron? There's something I want to talk to you about." Emily said softly, coming to sit next to him, he was laying back on the sofa getting ready to rest his eyes. "Yeah?" He said tiredly, looking at her. "Rossi is having a little dinner at his house tomorrow with the team..they're making pasta, and he invited us both. But it's up to you, if you'd wanna go? I know how you got last time" she said with a small smile. He thought about it for a second, weighing out the positives and negatives in his head. Until he realised, they were his family too, they wouldn't judge or make him feel inferior. He nodded, "Y- yeah. I'd like that." He said, exchanging the smile she had given. She smiled widely, "Great! And if you feel uncomfortable or tired at any point, we can leave." She kissed him softly, this was good news. He'd not had any social interaction with people except herself, Jack and his therapists in weeks. He felt too self conscious to go out, so this was a big improvement. Although it wasn't a physical improvement, it was just important.

Aaron wondered if he would regret decision, he'd not been out properly since his accident and it could end disastrous. For starters, he could end up having another emotional outburst like last time, he could embarrass himself whilst eating and have to be fed which was the LAST thing he wanted. He could get too tired and ruin the night, he could have another accident, he knew they were rare but it was still a possibility. He sighed, trying to overcome the worries, these were his daily worries the only difference was it was now around more people that he could end up in one of these states.

Aaron closed his eyes, thinking back to the rehab centre, nothing could be worse than the first week off the feeding tube. He could barely speak, and was on puréed food and all the team had decided to come to see himself. It was safe to say Aaron wasn't happy with that, he felt like a child being fed puréed food and not being able to tell them properly that he wanted them to leave. So, it ended in disaster and an outburst, to which they all left.

But he had to remember, that was when he was just out of hospital, what did he expect that he'd magically be able to be better? Brain injuries were a tricky one, there wasn't a time period of recovery, it could take longer or shorter than Aaron expected.

That night, Jack was coming round for dinner, Aaron had napped before he came and was awoke by Jack coming in. That was a recurring theme. He was just exhausted all the time, no matter if he did little to nothing that day or he had therapy all day long. "Hey daddy!" Jack said, coming onto his lap.
Aaron let out a smile, "Hey, buddy. How- how've you been?" He asked "I've missed you!" He said, wrapping his hands around his neck. Aaron chuckled, "I miss- missed you too" "Your hair is a mess, daddy!" He giggled, as Aaron's hair was all messy and all over the place.
He chuckled a little, "Yeah- I've just woke up." "It's almost dinner!" Jack gasped, in disbelief. Aaron shook his head, "From a nap, not from last night" Jack chuckled, "Emmy said as a treat we can all have pancakes for dinner!" He clapped his hands excitedly. Aaron rolled his eyes playfully, "of course she did, that woman will do anything for pancakes"

Emily scoffed, coming into the living room, "What are you complaining about, pancakes are good! Aren't they, Jack?" Jack nodded in agreement with Emily, "Yeah, sorry daddy you loose." He said, running off Aaron's lap and going to give Emily a hug. She chuckled, hugging him back and looking back at Aaron as she mouthed, "I'm the best, ha!" Aaron rolled his eyes and mouthed back, "In your dreams"


It was the evening of Rossi's dinner, Emily had helped Aaron dress into a suit, which surprised them both because it had been so long since he'd been in anything other than some joggers and a plain top. He sighed, he missed wearing suits, it reminded him of his work. God, how he missed work, how he missed actually being able to do things.

Emily came out the bathroom, she was dressed in a tight black dress that clung to her curves perfectly, and came just above the knee. "You look amazing." He smiled as he looked up at her. She grinned, "So do you..I forgot how hot you looked in a suit" she said, moving down and kissing him softly. What he would do right now to fuck her, it has been months but they both knew they couldn't. Not until he was better. That was another reason Aaron was eager to get stronger, he still got horny often and has nothing to do about it.

Emily gathered their things to go and went to go get Aaron from the living room. As she walked in, she saw he was breathing heavily, in a panic. "Hey..sweetie..what's up?" She said crouching down next to him. He shook his head, tears hadn't fell which was a good sign, he was just panicking. "I'm just- I'm really nervous" he said, through breaths. She nodded, "Theres nothing to be nervous about, their our team" He nodded, swallowing as he tried to even his breaths, "I'm okay..I'm okay.." he said exhaling. "You sure your up too going?" She asked, she didn't want to feel like this was forced on him because she had wanted to go. He nodded, "I want too..I just- I panicked" She nodded, kissing him softly, she'd read that helped calm nerves. "Your okay, your just overthinking it." Once he had calmed, they had set off.

When they got too Rossi's, Emily helped Aaron back into his wheelchair and walked inside with him, the door was open so she presumed Rossi had wanted them to just walk in. "Emily, Hotch!" Garcia exclaimed, running to them both. She was careful this time, she didn't want to bombard Aaron so she didn't hug him like she had the last time, but simply went over to say hi. "Hey!" Emily smiled, "We brought wine for everyone" Emily said, bringing out the bottle from the bag.
Garcia took it excitedly, "Can I pour you both a glass?" She asked. Emily shook her head, "I'm driving." Hotch looked up at Garcia, "I- I can't...medication and all." "I'm sure, one glass won't hurt Aaron"
Aaron reluctantly nodded, "Yeah- okay then." He said, as Garcia poured into a wine glass she moved to pass it to him, in which Aaron sighed and looked up at Emily. Emily took it, placing a straw in it and holding it out for him to take a sip, once he'd taken a sip she put it on the side.

The three of them went to join the rest of the group, all exchanging hellos.
Aaron got over his nerves, sure he was still self conscious about it all, but they were all acting like nothing had happened which he liked. Emily got up to go over to Rossi, who was busy cooking in the kitchen, "Hey, what can I do for you?" Rossi asked. Emily looked to make sure Aaron wasn't looking, "Are you okay cutting Aaron's pasta up, so it's easier for him to get pieces himself, I know he's not going to want to get anyone else to help him" Emily said quietly. Rossi nodded, "That's no problem." He smiled, "Your good to him, Emily. He's lucky to have you" Emily blushed, "I need him just as much as he needs me" she said, tucking a strand of hair back. Rossi nodded, "I always rooted for you two..back before you was even dating and you would both just exchange longing glances at each other on the plane, the sexual tension was too much to handle" Emily laughed, "Oh shut it, I see the way you look at Erin, what's going on there?" Rossi shook his head, "Nothing.." Emily raised a brow, "Give it time, I'm rooting for you two" she smirked, as she went back over to them all.

Soon, dinner was ready and they were all sat out in Rossi's backyard, the sun had just set and it was a warm evening. Emily quickly got out Aaron's plastic utensils, which he gave her a thankful nod. Aaron ate his a lot slower than everyone else, but he managed to eat it all without help, minus the few spillages to his lap or chin, he was proud. Emily smiled as she watched him do it, she was happy for him, she knew how much he hated being fed. The rest of the team didn't stare, or watch him do it as some of the nurses tended to do which always pressured him. Instead, they carried on with normal conversation.

After dinner, they were all talking and having individual conversations. Reid had moved over to go and speak to Aaron, "Hey, Reid" Aaron said with a small smile. Reid did his usual soft smile, "I've wanted to ask you something..and I don't want you to feel like you have to do, I just..I've been thinking of ways I could help you."
Aaron raised a brow, he was intrigued to where this was going. "And when I..when my mom was ill, I used to read to her and it helped her. And I've been- researching ways to help people with a brain injury, and I thought..maybe I could help you- with reading? I mean, you can say no, I just-"
"I'd like that, thanks, Reid." He said with a smile, usually he would of turned down help, it made him feel weak. However, it warmed him that Spencer had been trying to find ways to help him, he appreciated that. Plus, it was Spencer, the kid was a genius if anyone could help him it would be him.

Hours had passed, and Aaron had genuinely enjoyed himself, it was rare he did these days. He had missed being with his team, and all his worries from earlier had disappeared. He was throughly enjoying the rest of the team get slightly TOO drunk, especially Morgan and Garcia. It was also making him laugh watching Spencer awkwardly try to flirt with JJ, although it looked like it was going well. He let out a yawn, followed by another one and the exhaustion hit him all at once. This was way later than he'd usually be awake, especially with no nap. His eyes were struggling to stay open but he was really trying. "I think someone's ready for bed.." Emily said, coming behind him and wrapping her arms around his shoulders. He chuckled tiredly, "Maybe.." he said, kissing her cheek.
Emily smiled and moved around to face him, "Okay, me too to be honest." She said before kissing him softly. "I doubt they'd even realise If we slipped out, they're enjoying dancing" he said chuckling as he let out another yawn.
Emily laughed, "Yeah, they certainly are...but we should tell them."

Emily and Aaron said their goodbyes and headed home, by the time they hit home, Aaron looked exhausted. "Did you have a nice time, tonight?" Emily asked, as she helped him out his suit. He nodded, "I did, thank you..for- everything. I doubt I would of been able to go if It wasn't for you being so supportive and encouraging." Emily smiled, sitting on his lap and kissing him softly, "You don't need to thank me..I'm just happy..your happier" she said, tucking a strand of her hair back. He moved his hand up to her cheek, "I am, because of you" he said, moving her head down and kissing her head softly.