A/N: Sorry for the delay. But my allergies have been driving me crazy off-and-on for the last three weeks to the point that I couldn't think or write.

Chapter 19

Prentiss was the first one to notice Morgan walking towards them from down the hall, and getting to her feet, met him half-way down the hall. She immediately noticed the tired yet angry look on his face.

"How's Hotch?" he asked her in a low voice before she could say anything.

"Still the same. Derek, he doesn't recognize anyone. He got so upset and scared when he woke up and saw JJ in his room that he made her run out of his room in tears. Rossi's the only one who he seems to respond to. His doctor won't allow any of us to see him until tomorrow depending on how he's doing." She paused as Morgan looked past her and at the others who were seated and exhaled deeply. He then looked back at the raven-haired agent.

"Where's Rossi now?" he asked.

"He's staying in Hotch's room for now hoping to keep him calm. He also called Haley and she's flying in tomorrow."

"I hope she isn't bringing Jack with her," Morgan said, concerned. "Because if she is…."

"No she's not," Prentiss interrupted. "She's coming alone as far as we know. Derek, what happened with the Hunts? Did you get a confession?"

Gently taking her arm, Morgan led her back in the direction of the others. "I'll tell you and the others all at the same time." Joining the others, Prentiss sat down one seat over from where she was so that Morgan was now seated between her and Reid. The black agent looked over at the blond and saw her still swollen and now slightly red eyes. "You okay, JJ?"

"I'm all right," JJ replied with a weak smile.

With a nod, Morgan rubbed his hands together between his knees. He then repeated what Ronald Hunt had told him as to what had been done to Hotch during the three years he was missing. There were gasps heard from both JJ and Prentiss while Reid just bowed his head and stared at his hands while swallowing the lump in his throat. Looking up again, the young genius shook his head to get the hair out of his eyes which were bright with unshed tears. He looked over when he felt a hand on his shoulder to see Morgan's concerned eyes on him.

"You okay, kid?" he asked. Reid blinked a couple of times to keep the tears at bay. But Morgan could see it was a struggle for the younger man to keep himself together.

"No," Reid stammered, his voice cracking. "How could somebody do that to Hotch, to anybody? It isn't right. Hotch never hurt anybody in his entire life. And now he might never remember us or his immediate family. And all because somebody thought he'd make a good test subject? Tell me why someone would do that to another person, Derek." He looked into Morgan's face, waiting for an answer.

"I can't answer that, Reid," Morgan replied. "Sometimes, there just isn't an answer as to why some people do the things they do to others. We see it all the time. All I can tell you is that the Hunts are gonna go to jail and will never hurt Hotch or anybody else ever again."

Looking down at the floor again, Reid sighed. "Seems like a small victory if Hotch remains as he is now." The young man heard Morgan exhale through his mouth.

"You can't think like that. You gotta believe that Hotch will recover. And we'll help him as much as we can as well as Haley and Jack. We just have to stay positive." Looking over, Morgan noticed JJ putting an arm around Reid and pressing his head against her shoulder with her hand as she leaned her head against the top of his.

"Hotch will get well, Spence," she said. "And Morgan's right. You just have to believe he will."

"I…I can try. But statistics say that…." Reid never got to finish as JJ moved her hand to his shoulder and squeezed.

"Forget the stats for once," the blond replied. "Hotch has always managed to defeat the odds, and I'm certain he'll do it again."

"Sure, but what if he doesn't…" Reid replied with just a touch of annoyance as he bolted to his feet and walked away. JJ started to go after him but Morgan's hand on her arm stopped her.

"Let him go," he said. "He just needs some time to deal with things right now. He'll be all right."

Licking her lips, JJ glanced at Morgan and nodded as she slowly sat back down. Just as slowly the blond moved strands of her long hair behind her ears. She then rested her arms on her thighs with hands clasped together between her knees. She looked down the hall in the direction Reid had walked and disappeared.

Rossi hid a yawn with the back of his hand then crossed his arms and closed his eyes, hoping to catch a catnap while Hotch was sleeping. But moments after he closed his eyes, he heard the door open, although quietly, and opened his tired eyes again. He noticed Reid standing in the doorway; he was staring dejectedly at the sleeping man in the bed. Rossi glanced at Hotch then back at the young agent.

"C'mon in, kid," he said quietly. He saw the hesitance in Reid and smiled affectionately. "It's okay, I won't bite and Aaron doesn't either."

Reid quietly entered the room, closing the door behind him, his eyes never leaving his former boss and friend. "How is he?" he asked, swallowing hard. "Is he any better?"

Rossi looked at Hotch for a minute before getting up and approaching Reid who still stood near the door. "He's about the same," he said keeping his voice low so as not to awaken the sleeping man. "But I'm more concerned about you right now. How are you handling all this?"

"I…I'm…I'm scared I guess," Reid answered looking now at Rossi. "I deal with statistics and facts. And they both say that a person subjected to ECT is never the same again."

Rossi folded his arms. "And you're afraid Hotch is gonna be another of those statistics and facts." It was a statement more than a question.

"Well, yeah. I mean how could he not be? He's had at least thirty percent of his memory erased. Facts state that he will not regain them ever. How do we deal with that? How does his wife and son deal with that? Jack's only five years old and won't understand why his dad doesn't know him at all."

Rossi listened carefully to the younger man's concerns and fears. Seeing the young man was done speaking, the older man put a hand on Reid's shoulder and offered a slight smile. "I want you to listen to me. I understand your fears. But we don't know what the final outcome will be once Hotch has recovered; neither do the doctors. He could regain what the Hunts took from him, or he could not. But whichever way it goes, we'll be there for him regardless. Can you do something for me, kid?"

"I'll try. What is it?"

"Try and have a little faith for a change, and for now forget the facts and statistics."

Reid smirked. "Morgan told me nearly the same thing. He and JJ both said I should have a little faith."

"And they're right. All I want is for you to try and do what they suggest. Can you do that at least?"

"I think so. I mean I'll try."

Rossi's smile broadened. "That's all I ask." The older man saw Reid's eyes shift from him to Hotch again. "Do you want to stay for awhile? I can't be certain Hotch will awaken again, but I know he'd welcome your company."

But before Reid could respond, both men turned upon hearing a low moan coming from the man in the bed. Rossi walked back to the bed and sat down in the chair he had vacated as Hotch began tossing and turning, his hands clutching the blanket so tightly, his knuckles were turning white. Rossi placed a hand on one of Hotch's hands.

"Aaron, it's Dave Rossi. You're having a nightmare and need to wake up. Aaron."

"No," Aaron cried out as he continued tossing and turning, oblivious to Rossi's words. The heart monitor was again beeping incessantly. "Go away! Leave me alone!"

Rossi got to his feet, and grabbing his friend by both shoulders, began shaking him gently. "Aaron! Wake up!" Out of the corner of his eye, the older man noticed Reid was seemingly frozen in place, unable to move. In fact, he couldn't even move when the door opened, and a doctor and two nurses hurried past him into the room.

"Aaron!" Rossi shouted again. This time Hotch's eyes flew open with fear as one nurse moved behind Rossi and adjusted the heart monitor machine to stop the incessant beeping. The doctor, standing on the opposite side of the bed, removed his stethoscope from around his neck and placed the earplugs in his ears. The other nurse was checking the machines and wires on the opposite side of the bed. "He was having a nightmare, doctor," Rossi explained with a look at the doctor.

"I'm okay," Hotch replied calmer now looking into Rossi's face.

"Breath for me, Agent Hotchner," the doctor said as he placed the disc on Hotch's chest. He glanced up at Rossi and Reid. "I'll have to ask you both to leave."

As Rossi started to walk away, Hotch reached out a hand and seized the older man's wrist. "NO!" he nearly shouted. "Don't leave me! Please!" Rossi looked up at the doctor who, seeing how agitated his patient was becoming again, relented and indicated to Rossi that he could stay. Only then did Hotch release his hold on the older man's wrist. But as Rossi sat back down in the bedside chair, the doctor's eyes then fell on Reid.

"You'll have to leave young man," he said gently.

Reid nodded and exhaled through his nose. He was somehow sure he had caused Hotch to become upset and the guilt was overwhelming him. Right now all the young man wanted to do was crawl into a hole and bury himself.

"Wait!" a familiar voice called out. Reid stopped and looked back over his shoulder to see Hotch staring at him intently while the doctor checked his vitals. "Don't leave," he added.

Reid turned and faced Hotch, his nervousness evident and both hands stuffed in the pockets of his corduroy pants. He slowly came closer until he was standing at the foot of the bed; Rossi was quietly watching the interaction between the two agents.

The doctor stood up and draped the stethoscope around his neck. Exhaling out his mouth, he folded his arms and looked at his patient. "Everything seems all right. Your blood pressure's a bit on the high side but that might be because of the nightmare your friend said you were having. The rest of your vitals seem good." Walking around the bed until he reached its foot, he picked up the patient chart off the hook, and scribbled notations. "I'm going to recommend that your vitals be checked again in a few hours, and if there's anything out of the norm, we'll deal with it at that time. But I don't foresee any further problems, Agent Hotchner. Just try and rest or I may recommend sedation to make sure you do."

"I assure you, doctor, there should be no need to sedate him," Rossi advised the doctor as he placed a hand on his friend's arm. He saw the doctor look at both of them, nod, and exit the room followed by both nurses leaving the three men alone. It was then Reid turned back to Hotch and Rossi.

Hotch narrowed his eyes as he studied the skinny young man and tilted his head slightly. "Come closer," he asked softly.

Reluctantly, Reid walked closer until he now stood beside Rossi's chair, remaining quiet.

Both he and Rossi watched as Hotch rubbed his forehead as he continued looking at Reid as if trying to remember something.

"I…I know…I mean, I know something is familiar about you, and that I should know you. But I can't seem…that is, I can't recall your name. But I know I've seen you before."

"You have seen me before," Reid said quietly forcing a very nervous smile to his face. He focused his eyes exclusively on Hotch. "I…that is…we work together. I mean we did work together." He noticed Hotch's continuous stare at him; his face indicating he was trying to remember apparently without success the things Reid was telling him.

Hotch could only shake his head in defeat. Looking at Rossi, the older man could see the look of frustration on his friend's face. "Why can't I remember anything?" he asked Rossi. "I see people I feel I should know, but I can't remember them or their names. You say my name is Aaron Hotchner, but I don't feel like that is my real name. And that doctor who was here called me Agent Hotchner. What agent? Agent for whom or for what? I need to know and nobody will tell me!"

Rossi was about to respond when Reid put a hand on the older man's shoulder stopping him. The younger man then sat down slowly on the edge of the bed. "I can answer your questions but I don't know if I should as it might be too much for you to handle right now."

Hotch looked as if he was about to cry. "What could be worse than not knowing who you are or seeing people you feel you should know but can't remember?"

Reid looked at Rossi as if silently asking if what he wanted to do would be all right or would do more harm than good. The older man slowly got to his feet and patted Reid's shoulder before glancing at his friend. "I'll be right outside." He then looked at Reid. "Come and see me when you're done." He then walked out of the room leaving the two men alone. Reid then looked at Hotch.

"What would you like to know?" Reid asked.

"Dave said my name is Aaron Hotchner. That doctor said Agent Hotchner. Why would he call me that?"

Because Aaron Hotchner is your name. You are or were an agent with the FBI. In fact, your official title was Supervisory Special Agent Aaron Hotchner. You were the leader of Team A in the BAU."

"BAU?"

"The Behavioral Analysis Unit."

Hotch's eyes narrowed as he listened. For some reason what he was hearing sounded familiar to him although he didn't know or understand why. "What does this…what did you call it?"

"The BAU."

"What does this BAU do?"

"We study the behavior of criminals and assist police departments all over the country when asked to."

"And you said I was the leader of Team A?" Reid nodded. "How come I'm not anymore? Did I not like the job?"

"You loved your job. But three years ago we had a case and you were kidnapped and missing for those three years. You were believed to be dead by everyone except us. We never stopped looking for you."

"We? You mean the BAU? You were looking for me?"

"Yes. Myself, Rossi, JJ and three others."

"Who are you? And who's JJ?"

"My name Dr. Spencer Reid. JJ is Jennifer Jareau, the media liaison. But we all call her JJ."

"A doctor? Aren't you kind of young to be a doctor? And why would the BAU need a medical doctor?"

"I'm not that kind of doctor. I deal with statistics and facts. I have an eidetic memory, can read 20,000 words a minute and have an IQ of 187.'

"You're some kind of genius then?"

"Yes."

Hotch's eyes narrowed. "You mentioned someone named Jennifer Jareau. What does this Jennifer look like?"

Reid bit his lower lip. "She is the blond who visited you earlier and left here in tears."

"Oh. Please tell her I am sorry about that. I feel badly. What else can you tell me? Who are the others on this Team A?"

Before Reid could respond, the door opened and Rossi stepped inside. "Everything okay in here?" he asked.

Hotch looked at Reid and then at Rossi. "We were just talking. Spencer has been answering some of my questions."

"Has he now," Rossi said gripping Reid's shoulder affectionately. "Well, I think you've had enough excitement for one day and that you should get some rest now. You can speak with Dr. Reid again tomorrow and meet the rest of the team at that time. But your doctor won't allow it if you don't get some rest."

"Okay then, Dave. I'll do what you say," Hotch replied pulling the blanket up under his chin. His eyes fell on Reid who had gotten up and was walking towards the door. As his hand grabbed the doorknob, Hotch called out to him. Reid turned and looked back at him.

"What is it?" Reid asked.

"I was just thinking, Spencer. Hotchner is such a long name to say every time somebody wants to speak with me. When Jennifer was here earlier, I faintly remember her calling me Hotch. I don't know why, but I sort of like the shortened version. Maybe it could be shortened to Hotch. That would be easier to remember than Hotchner."

Rossi and Reid looked at each other briefly. "Why Hotch?" asked Rossi feigning curiosity with arms folded.

Hotch shrugged. "I don't know. It just sounds right to me somehow. What do you think?"

Rossi smiled tiredly. "I think Hotch is a fine nickname for you, Aaron. But now, just close your eyes and get some sleep. I'll be right back." Watching as Hotch closed his eyes, Rossi then led Reid outside into the corridor just outside the room. "Okay, what and how much did you tell him?"

Reid looked apologetic. "I didn't mean to upset or anger you. Hotch was asking questions and I answered them as honestly as I could."

"I'm neither upset or angry," Rossi replied with a wave of his hand. "I just want to know what you told him." He listened as Reid repeated the conversation. When he was done, Rossi nodded. "So the only names he knows beside mine is yours and JJ's."

"Yeah. I didn't think it was fair to mention Prentiss, Morgan or Garcia as he hasn't met them yet. And I didn't mention Haley or Jack either." A smile suddenly broke out on Reid's face. The young man wiped at his eyes with the palms of both hands. This action didn't escape the older profiler.

"What's wrong?" Rossi asked, concerned. "You all right?"

Reid looked into the older man's brown eyes. "The fact that he prefers we call him Hotch is a good sign, isn't it?"

"It's a small one but I'd say so."

Reid smiled. "Maybe he will beat the odds again after all, Rossi," he stated as he permitted the tears of apparent joy to run freely down his cheeks.