A/N: sorry it took so long to get this up. I seriously hat midterms lol. Will update quicker - I promise.
A parade of two wheelchairs followed by several people made their way down the hallway. They stopped outside Emily's room, where Hotch and Allen Prentiss were standing talking. Hotch made the necessary introductions. "Sir, you already know Section Chief Strauss, SSA's Jason Gideon, and David Rossi. I would like to introduce TA Penelope Garcia, and SSAs Jennifer Jareau, Derek Morgan, Elle Greenaway, and Spencer Reid." Hotch pointed to each of the team members as the introductions were made. They all nodded at the mention of their name.
"How are you two doing?" he asked Garcia and JJ.
"We're going to be fine," answered JJ.
"How is Emily doing?" Garcia inquired.
"She's getting stronger. Dr. Martin is in there with her now."
The doctor walked out of Emily's room and she smiled at the group gathered in the hallway. "Well, I see that the nurse was successful in relaying the news to you that Agent Prentiss has woken up."
"How is Agent Prentiss?" asked Strauss.
"I expect nothing short of a full recovery. It will be about four weeks before she can return to limited duties at work another two weeks before she will be able to join everyone in the field. If she tries to push herself too soon, which from speaking with her I think might be a problem. I can tell that she is a little stubborn." She smiled as she looked at her father.
"Just like he mother," added Mr. Prentiss. The rest of the group laughed at this statement.
"You have my word that Agent Prentiss will not be allowed into the field without full medical clearance," said Hotch.
"Can we go in and see her," asked Garcia, obviously anxious to be by Emily's side.
"She asked for some time to speak with her mother and she also asked that I send in Agent Hotchner before the rest of you came into the room," Dr. Martin replied.
Hotch nodded as he made his way towards the door. "I will come out and get you when she is ready." He entered the room and saw that Emily and her mother were deep in conversation. Emily turned towards the door and a big grin appeared on her face as she looked into his eyes.
"Looks like you have some time off coming your way," Hotch said with a smile. "I wish I could stay home with you and take care of you."
Emily nodded, "I know, I am going to stay with my parent's for the first two weeks."
"You are more than welcomed to visit at any time and stay at the house if you want to as well. Just remember that she is recovering and does not need any physical activities," said the Ambassador.
"Mother!" Emily said wide-eyed as she looked at her with surprise and then at Aaron with a look that said 'I'm sorry'.
"It's ok, Em. I thank you for the offer and I promise to not do anything that will prolong her recovery," he tried to assure her mother.
"Besides," said Emily, "I'll need someone to be with me if you go out of town on a case."
"Well, we will not be taking on any new cases for at least two weeks. JJ and Garcia are on two week leave so the rest of us will take the time to catch up on consultations and paperwork."
"Oh, I am so sorry to be missing all of the fun," teased Emily.
"Well, I can arrange for some files to be delivered to you so that you can work from home, Agent Prentiss," he teased right back before bending down to give her a kiss. As Aaron pulled back from the kiss he saw a look of sadness in Emily's eyes. "What's wrong?"
"I don't want this . . . us . . . to end," she answered.
"Neither do I. What makes you think that we have to end this?" he asked her.
"Strauss," she replied. "Aaron, when she finds out, I'm afraid of what will happen. I don't want you to get fired, and even though I don't want to leave the BAU, if I have to leave then I will."
"You leave that to me," said the Ambassador. Emily looked at her mother. "Honey, you refused to use being my daughter as a way to get yourself to where you are today in the FBI. I know you hate politics, but this time make the exception and let me help you. When you are ready to make your relationship public knowledge I will make sure that you both stay where you are as long as you both want."
Emily nodded and looked at Aaron with hopeful eyes. "Ma'am I don't know how to thank you," said Hotch as he grinned at her.
"As I said before, just show my daughter all the love and respect she deserves."
"I can promise you that I will not disappoint you. Everyone is outside, if you are ready, I am going to go and tell them all to come in." Emily nodded and Hotch bent down for one more kiss before he left her side. "I love you, Agent Prentiss."
"I love you to, Sir," she answered with a smile.
Hotch opened the door and motioned for everyone to come into the room. JJ and Garcia were wheeled into the room first, Reid and Morgan parked the wheelchairs at one side of the bed - Garcia was near Emily's head and JJ near her stomach. Everyone else spread out around the bed while Emily's dad joined her mother on the other side of Emily and Strauss stood next to her father.
"How are you feeling?" asked Strauss.
"Tired and I'm in a little pain, but the doctor says that I will be just fine in a few weeks, Ma'am," Emily responded.
"That is good to hear. I am giving the entire team two weeks leave. You have all been through an emotional time, and I want to make sure that you are as close to 100% as possible. Since Jareau and Garcia are being placed on two weeks medical leave, you will not be able to take any new cases anyway."
"Thank you, Ma'am," replied Hotch. "I believe I can speak for everyone when I say that it is much appreciated." The others nodded and smiled at the Section Chief.
"I will leave you all to your visit. Enjoy your two weeks off and Agent Prentiss I do not want to see you return until four weeks have been completed. You need to make sure that you have fully recovered."
"Yes, Ma'am," said Emily as she nodded. Strauss shook Emily's parents' hands before she said her goodbyes and left the room. "Looks like you've just been saved from two weeks of consults."
"I guess she does care," joked JJ.
They all laughed at this comment but immediately stopped when Emily let out a gasp as she put her hand ontop of her chest. "Emily, are you okay?" asked Garcia.
"I'll get the doctor," said Reid.
"It's okay Reid," Emily replied stopping him. "I'm fine. It just hurts a little when I laugh."
"Are you sure?" asked her mother, to which Emily replied by nodding.
They chatted away for the next few hours, remembering past cases with Elle and Gideon and talking about Hotch and Emily's relationship. The nurse had come in and announced that visiting hours will be over soon and that JJ and Garcia needed to get back to their room and get some sleep. Morgan had told Hotch privately about the nightmare Garcia had earlier in the day, and he was not too shocked to hear about the one that Emily suffered. They both agreed that it wouldn't be long before the nightmares attacked again. Because of this, Hotch spoke with Dr. Martin and had gotten the approval from her to allow some of the team members to stay behind. They all decided to take turns between the two rooms. Gideon and Rossi took the first shift with JJ and Garcia, while Hotch stayed with Emily. Elle, Reid and Morgan refused to leave so they rested in the waiting room and would come relieve them in a few hours. Emily was able to convince her parents that they did not have to stay as well, and after Hotch swore that he would call them if Emily needed them, they left promising that they would be back in the morning.
When it was just Emily and Hotch in the room, the nurse entered to check on Emily. "Your mother stopped by the desk on her way out and mentioned that you were in a little pain so I brought you some medicine for that. It should help you to sleep."
"I'm fine," Emily responded.
The nurse gave her a disagreeing look but she did not push the subject. "I'll leave the pills here on the table if you change your mind." After making some notations in Emily's chart, the nurse left the room.
Once they were alone, Hotch spoke, "You are lying. I can tell that you are still in a lot of pain."
"A little," she answered.
"Then take the medication. It will help you to relax and get some sleep."
She shook her head. "Aaron, I'm fine."
"You need to sleep, Em."
She let out a deep sigh. "I'm afraid of having another nightmare."
Hotch's chest tightened a little at the slight look of fear in her eyes. "Honey, I'll be right here if you do have one. Now please take the medicine."
Realizing that this was not an argument she was going to win, nor one that she wanted to have, Emily reluctantly took the medication. "Will you lay with me?"
"I don't want to hurt you."
"I just need to feel your arms around me. It makes me feel safe."
He nodded and helped her to move over on the bed to give him some room. Aaron placed his arms around her holding her in a safe embrace. After only a few minutes, he heard her breathing even out as she allowed her body to drift off to sleep. He followed her lead five minutes later, allowing himself to sleep as well.