Author's Note: With my sincerest apologies, the fun, for now, is over. This is about to get very dark and where I stray a bit from CM canon. I've written an OC that is tied to Hotch. And we all know what happened at the end of Season 4 and into Season 5. I've got to make her part of that story. Be prepared for the ride.
The first two sentences are from "Nameless, Faceless". The credit goes to Criminal Minds, CBS and ABC Studios.
Chapter 11 – Staying Safe
"Hotch, look at me. I'm telling you we'll get him."
Aaron swallowed hard and shut his eyes. With the machines around monitoring his vital signs, all Hotch could hear was the heartbreak in Jack's voice. Haley's as well. It was hard enough seeing him as little as he did. To not see him at all, for God knew how long, was hurting him worse than the wounds Foyet had inflicted on him. George Foyet was winning. Then Aaron's eyes shot open and Dave could see even more fear. "Dave, Cait and the boys."
"I've already got people working on that even though I don't think they are in any danger."
"How so Dave? I'm there every weekend?"
"First off, he could follow you to and from work because a vehicle could easily blend in the freeway traffic. The same is true watching you at your apartment or going to Haley's to pick up Jack. But traffic gets pretty thin the closer you get to Cait's house. And you are trained FBI agent. How many cars are on Deer Valley Road on a given day? Six or seven? And you know all of them. You would notice an out of place vehicle. Foyet is smart enough to not risk that." There was more Dave had to say, but that could wait. Aaron had enough to process.
"Does she know?"
"I haven't called her yet. I wanted to make sure you were OK before I did. I'm going to call her now. She'll be here."
"She can't come here Dave."
"Aaron, there are hundreds of people that walk in and out of this hospital every day. Oh, I agree; I'm sure he's sitting out there watching Haley and Jack leave with the Marshalls. That will feed his narcissism. And like I said, he's smart. He knows you'll have security around you and that we've got hospital security on high alert. He is not coming in the door. I'll tell her to come in through the parking garage. And I'll follow Cait home. I'll keep her and boys safe Aaron. I promise you that. Get some rest until she gets here."
Just then, a nurse entered the room carry a tray with a needle on it. "I've got something to help that. Dr. Zwerling says you're stable enough to start on some pain meds." Hotch looked at her and started shaking his head. "Don't worry; it's just a stronger dosage of Advil." She administered the drug into Hotch's IV. Within a few minutes he closed his eyes.
Because the class year had ended, Cait was home all day. The boys still had two more weeks of school. She was busy preparing dinner for the boys when her cell rang on the counter. The caller ID said it was Dave.
"Hi Dave. How are you?"
"Cait listen to me." With those words and Dave's tone, Cait immediately knew something was wrong. "Aaron is in the hospital. Don't worry; he's going to be fine. I just finished talking to him. Are the boys there, doing their homework? And Cait, just answer 'yes' or 'no'"
"Yes." Dave could hear the anxiousness in her voice.
"Invite me to dinner and while the boys are clearing the table I'll tell you everything. We'll say it's something about my new book I'm working on."
It took Cait a few seconds to speak. While Dave had always admired her strength, he knew this was tough for her. And he also knew she had picked up on the fact that he didn't want the boys to know about this. "Dave, why don't you come for dinner? You always know I have enough for you. You're more than welcome. And would you like to eat a little earlier so we can work on this book problem?"
"Good girl", Dave thought to himself. She already planted the seed. "It will get you here sooner."
"I can have dinner ready by five."
"I'm on my way now. See you then."
Trying to keep things as normal as possible, Dave came in through the garage, carrying two beers he had grabbed from the fridge. He could hear the boys happily chattering with Cait, as they always did. This was her special time with her sons. And the best way Cait liked it; in her kitchen. "Hey guys! How was school today?" he asked as he uncapped a beer and handed to Cait and did the same for his.
"I aced my history test Uncle Dave!" Mike proudly proclaimed. Dave stuck out his fist for a "bump".
"And you Matt?"
"Mine was pretty boring. Same song, new verse."
"Matt, you're there to learn," Dave chided.
"Thank you Dave," Cait added. He could immediately tell she was on edge, but thank God, the boys had not. They carried on with everything like a normal day. Yet Dave felt a pang in his heart. This was anything but normal.
When they all had finished, Dave commented, "As usual Cait, you are world class in cooking. That was delicious. Thanks for inviting me." The boys rose from their chairs and started their usual clearing.
"Boys, you know Dave is starting a new book?" They both nodded in the affirmative. "He's got some problems we need to discuss and you don't want to listen to this boring conversation. We're going to go in my study. If you need anything, let me know."
"We've got it all under control, mom," Matt answered.
They entered and Dave shut the door behind them and told Cait everything, assuring her that Aaron would make a full recovery. "Jack and Haley are in that much danger?" she asked. Dave marveled at how Cait thought of the two of them first.
"Yes Cait. Foyet left his thumb print in blood on the picture of Jack in Aaron's wallet. The Bureau lab techs positively ID'd it as his print and Aaron's blood. The message is pretty clear." Cait walked behind her desk and leaned on the chair and looked at Dave.
"Cait, I know this is very hard for you. But you know these people as well as I do. You've got to separate your feelings for Aaron and think clearly."
"You're sure the boys and I are safe?" Dave recounted to her what he had told Hotch.
"Plus, I've got friends in all the right places."
"What does that mean?"
"Cait, some former agents have formed a security company. I know each of them. They're already on the job, covering you and the boys."
"Dave …."
"Don't argue with me. You and your sons mean more to me than you'll ever know. Cait, you and those two out in the kitchen are more my family than anyone in Commack."
"What about the boys? Should I tell them?"
"You're their mother. But if you are asking my advice," he paused, and then shook his head. "They don't need to be looking over their shoulders."
"And Aaron?"
"Cait, you know the answer to that. With Foyet, it's about power and control. However Cait, there's one thing." Dave dreaded what he was about to say to her. "Once Aaron gets out of the hospital, it be on the safe side….."
"We shouldn't see each other," Cait finished. "How do I explain that to the boys?"
That was a question Dave was unprepared for. "I don't know sweetheart." He shook his head again. "Cait, I'm trying to help as much as possible. And you know I will be here for you. I wish I had all the answers, but I don't."
Cait came out from behind the desk, her eyes glistening. She walked up to Dave and he pulled her into a hug. "You're doing too much already," Cait said. "I can't thank you enough. I'll deal with my end. Please just take of Aaron and get this bastard."
Dave pushed back a little so he could look in her eyes. "Cait, I will make you the same promise that I did to Aaron a couple of hours ago. We will get Foyet.
They left the study and while Cait went into the kitchen, Dave quietly locked the foyer door and crossed into the nook to do the same. The boys were just finishing up. "Guys, you know I'm consulting on Dave's new book that he's working on?" They both nodded. "Anyway, his publisher is in town and giving him some grief. He needs me to meet with him and smooth things over. Will you two be OK here while I'm gone?"
"We'll be fine mom," Matt answered.
"You help out Uncle Dave mom," Mike said. "We'll hold down the fort." Dave smiled at the comment as he walked into the kitchen. Yet he knew it was hurting Cait to lie to her sons.
"Since you two are going to be here alone, I'm going to set the alarm before I go." They boys looked at her. "It's a mom thing. It's my job to worry."
Matt walked up to her and gave her a hug. "We know it's your job mom. It's just that you do it too well sometimes," he said with a smile. "We'll be fine."
"I won't be late," Cait said as she gave Matt a kiss on the cheek. "Mike, Matt is in charge."
"Got it mom," he replied. "Good night Uncle Dave."
"Bringin' in the bigs to help kick your publisher's butt. Great call Uncle Dave," Matt added.
"You know me boys. I only have the best," Dave smiled. They both laughed. "Good night guys."
The boys added their "good nights" to Dave and headed up the steps.
Dave and Cait drove separately as to not arouse Foyet's suspicions. He knew all the members of Hotch's team. They entered St. Sebastian Hospital through the parking garage. As they did, Dave noticed a hospital security car driving through. "Good," Dave thought to himself. "They're on the ball". He led her up to the CCU and Aaron's room.
Hotch was starting to stir. Obviously the pain medication the nurse gave him was wearing off. Dave looked at Cait and said, "I'll give you two some privacy," and walked back down the hall.
Cait walked in and instinctively reached for Aaron's chart at the foot of the bed. As she read it, Hotch opened his eyes. After blinking a couple of times to get his bearings, he noticed her. Cait rounded the bed and gently sat at his side as she took his hand. "How do you feel?"
"Alright," he simply answered. Cait leaned over and gave him a kiss and caressed his face.
"Aaron, we're going to get through this," she said. Cait knew her soul mate, her friend, her lover too well. She had to be strong for him. "Jack and Haley are safe. Please take comfort in that."
"I know." He hoarsely got the words out. Cait knew what he needed and grabbed the hospital issued water mug sitting on the table. She put the straw up to his mouth.
"That's good," he said with a clearer voice. "Are the boys OK?"
"They're fine. They don't know what's going on."
Hotch looked her in the eye. "You're not going to tell them, are you?"
"Aaron, I hate lying to them, but Dave and I talked. I know how much you love them. But as Dave said, do we want them looking over their shoulders?" Squeezing his hand tightly, Cait added, "I just thank God he is in our lives now."
Hotch looked at her again. "He told me he would take care of you and the boys."
"He's hired a private security company." Hotch looked at her intently. "I tried to argue with him about it and you know how far I got. They're former Bureau agents that he knows. Aaron, I trust the boys and my life with him. And so do you."
Aaron took a deep breath and winced a little from the pain, which Cait noticed. Yet, he knew he could talk to this amazing woman that he loved him more than he deserved. "Cait, I feel like such a failure."
"Aaron, don't ever say that to me again. This isn't on you. All of it; Jack and Haley, the boys and me. It's all Foyet. Remember I know these people as well as you. Please, Aaron, this is not your fault. I trust the promise that Dave gave to you. He gave to me as well. You and your team will catch him Aaron."
The duty nurse entered the room with a syringe. Cait recognized her. "How are you Marissa?"
"Hello Dr. Barkley. You know our patient."
"Yes," Cait replied. "And I trust you'll take good care of him."
"If you know him, you can count on that. But we need to keep him down until tomorrow morning." She put the pain med into Hotch's IV.
"I looked at his chart. And I know Dr. Zwerling. We went through residency together at GWU."
Hotch squeezed Cait's hand. "As long as I'm here, you'll be with me?"
"Aaron, whether we are together or not, I will always be with you. I love you."
"I love you."
Cait gently massaged Aaron's thigh. "Go back to sleep. You need rest. I'll be here tomorrow." As she kissed him, his eyes shut. "I will be with you forever Aaron."
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