Chapter 20
Rossi opened his eyes and wiped away the crustiness with his fingers. Stretching his aching limbs from sleeping in a chair all night, he looked at his watch and noticed it was after six in the morning. He then ran both hands down his face; interlaced his fingers, and stretched out his arms, the back of his hands facing him. Looking beside him, he noticed Reid was sound asleep in his chair, head having fallen to the side and mouth hanging open. Grinning amusedly, he then glanced at the man in the bed, he noticed Hotch was still sleeping, a somewhat peaceful look on his face.
Quietly easing his tired and slightly sore body up out of the chair, Rossi stepped over Reid's outstretched long legs, and made his way to the door of the room and just as quietly slipped out. He desperately needed some coffee to wake up. Reaching the bank of elevators, he pressed the down button, and while waiting exhaled deeply through his mouth. As he ran a hand over his hair, he suddenly heard someone calling his name. Turning, he saw two blond-haired women hurrying in his direction and immediately recognized Penelope Garcia and Haley Hotchner. Smiling tiredly, he approached the two women and hugged them both.
"I know I shouldn't be here," Garcia began nervously. "But I couldn't help it. I just couldn't stay behind in Quantico while the boss-man is here needing all the help and support he can get. Then I ran into Haley at the airport and we came here together and…."
Rossi held up both hands stopping Garcia's ramblings. "Slow down, kitten. It's all right," he said softly.
"Sorry," Garcia said, tears running down her cheeks along with her mascara dark watery lines staining her cheeks.
Rossi turned to Haley and kissed her cheek. "How are you doing, Haley?"
Haley clutched what looked like a brown photo album to her chest. She exhaled deeply. "I'm all right, I guess. Or as all right as I can be I suppose," she said. The corners of her mouth curled upwards slightly. "I'm sorry I didn't call before I came. I ran into Penelope at the airport and we came together."
"And Jack? How's he handling things?"
"He's confused and worried about his daddy, and doesn't understand why he can't come and see him. I told him his father is in the adult area of the hospital where children aren't allowed. I think he accepted that for now." He wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. "How's Aaron? Is he any better?"
Rossi sighed. "I honestly don't know. Reid's with him now. He and I are the only two he seems to feel comfortable with. He hasn't seen the rest of the team yet except for JJ and she ran out of the room in tears because he freaked out at her presence." He paused seeing Garcia put a hand over her mouth.
"Oh," was all she could utter. "My poor boss-man."
"We're hoping the doctor will allow everybody else to see him today after he examines him. Which reminds me, kitten. Just how did you get past the others in the waiting room?"
Garcia swallowed the lump in her throat. "JJ and Emily were sleeping and Morgan went to take a walk and stretch his legs. So I decided to accompany Haley to Hotch's room." She saw Rossi nod. The older profiler then turned his attention to Haley and tapped the album.
"What's with the photo album?" he asked.
"I'm hoping seeing some of the pictures might jog Aaron's memory and help him remember." Suddenly her eyes glistened and the tears rolled down her cheeks freely. "I don't know what I'm going to do if he never remembers me or Jack and our life together. What will I do then?" Haley fell against Rossi, burying her face in his shirt getting it wet; the older profiler wrapped his arms around her slim waist.
"Shhh. It's gonna be all right. It's just gonna take time; maybe a long time. We just have to have patience and be there for him." He kissed the top of her head before resting his chin on it. "You're just gonna have to be strong for as long as it takes, not only for yourself, but for Jack and Aaron. Can you do that?"
Haley slightly pulled away as Garcia rubbed her back. She sniffled and wiped her eyes with her fingertips. Looking up into Rossi's face, she allowed a small smile to appear. "I love him so much, Dave. And I'll be there for as long as it takes. And I know Jack will be too. He'll want to help his daddy get better." She exhaled deeply out her mouth. "I know we can't visit him yet as you said his doctor has to examine him first. But do you think we could just look in on him?"
Rossi smiled warmly. "I don't see why not. Just be quiet. He gets upset easily when someone he doesn't recognize comes in the room. He's frustrated and frightened right now."
Haley bit her lower lip, looked at Garcia, then back at Rossi. "We understand," she said.
Still smiling, Rossi led the way back to Hotch's room and as quietly as possible, opened the door and held it open. He allowed Haley and Garcia to stand in the doorway and look at the still sleeping man. Haley found herself silently beginning to sob again, covered her mouth with a hand, and quickly walk away, while Garcia chewed her lower lip, her eyes glistening.
"Poor Hotch," she said softly so only Rossi could hear. "He looks so sweet and innocent when he's asleep. One would never guess to look at him that anything was wrong." Her eyes shifted then to Reid who shifted in his chair but remained asleep. Garcia smiled through her tears. "How's my baby genius doing?" She glanced up over her shoulder at the older man.
Rossi smiled. "Better. I think Reid's finally allowing himself to believe that Hotch just might make it all the way back." Putting a hand on her shoulder, Rossi gently guided her back into the corridor and closed the door. Garcia immediately sat down beside Haley on the bench against the wall. The woman was staring blankly at the wall across from her; the photo album in her lap. Garcia touched her shoulder.
"Hotch is tough," the tech analyst explained. "He'll come back from this. You'll see."
Haley kept her red, wet eyes straight ahead. "I was just thinking of all the times I've visited Aaron in hospitals because of injuries he sustained doing this job. And every time he got hurt I always imagined that there's going to be one time he gets hurt that Jack and I are going to lose him." She turned her eyes toward Garcia. "Is this the time that I'm going to lose him?" she asked. "Is it? Are Jack and I going to lose Aaron for good?"
Not knowing how to respond, Garcia looked over at Rossi who was standing nearby listening, but far enough away to give the women some privacy. He took a few steps forward and leaned a shoulder against the wall with both hands jammed in the pockets of his jeans. "Listen to me," he said gently. "You're not going to lose Aaron. I promise you. You have to have a lot of faith and a lot more patience than normal. But I swear to you, you will not lose him." He saw Haley smile despite her moist eyes.
Rossi smiled back. "Listen, I was heading to the cafeteria for some coffee. Would you ladies care to join me? I'm buying."
The tech analyst wrapped an arm around Haley's shoulders and squeezed gently. "I'd say a good cup of coffee is just what is needed right now," she said looking into Haley's eyes. "It isn't often Senior Rossi buys so us girls better take advantage when he offers. What d'ya say?"
Haley, for the first time, allowed herself to chuckle and nod her head. "That sounds fine. I could use a good strong cup of coffee right now. Thank you." She allowed Garcia to lead her towards the elevators with Rossi following; he pressed the down button again.
"Don't thank me yet," he joked. "This hospital's coffee is strong enough to make patients out of visitors stopping in the cafeteria." A ding was heard and the doors slid open. The women entered the small car with Rossi following.
The dream kept replaying in his mind as Hotch's head flopped from side-to-side as he wrestled in the throes of a dream.
He was driving a large vehicle with a raven-haired woman seated beside him, Spencer and Dave seated behind him in the back. There was a similar vehicle behind theirs. Having arrived at their destination, everybody got out and were putting on some strange-looking vests. Suddenly a blond with long hair and a black man approached from the other vehicle donning the same vests. The lettering on the front was in white block letters and read: FBI. He recalled pointing at the others.
"You three go around the back. Prentiss and I will go in the front."
"Prentiss…" Hotch mumbled in his sleep. "Prentiss…"
He recalled the raven-haired woman following him into the building, and he pointed to several doors down the hall. "I'll check out the rooms at this end, you check put the others." The woman nodded then looked at him, a slight smile on her face.
"Be careful," she told him.
"You too," he replied. Then they parted.
"Prentiss!" Hotch cried out a bit louder this time as he nearly squeezed the life out of the blankets, his knuckles turning white.
"Hotch!" a voice called out, hands gripping both his shoulders, gently shaking him. "Hotch, wake up! You're dreaming again. Hotch!"
Hotch's eyes flew open and he was breathing heavily. His eyes met the frightened ones of Spencer Reid looking down at him. He looked up at the younger man in confusion.
"Wha…what…what happened?" Hotch asked nervously. "What's wrong?"
Reid licked his lower lip and let go of his friend's shoulders; he stood up straight. "You were having what I believe was either a very intense dream, or another nightmare." He slowly sat down on the edge of the bed.
"I was?" Hotch asked, puzzled. "Did I say anything?"
"You kept shouting the name Prentiss out loud."
Hotch looked confused. "I did?" he saw Reid nod. "I don't…who's Prentiss?"
"Do you remember what the dream was about?" Reid asked.
"I don't…what I mean is…I had a dream about a woman with black hair and dark eyes. I remember her being with me. In fact, you and Dave were there as was JJ and a black man. We…we all were wearing some kind of vest with letters on it. And there was a building of some kind."
Reid nodded, the corners of his mouth curling upwards slightly. "Did the letters on the vest spell FBI by chance?" He saw Hotch nod.
"What is FBI mean?"
"Federal Bureau of Investigation," Reid explained. "The BAU is part of the FBI. And the name you called out is Special Agent Emily Prentiss. The blond is JJ, and the black man is Supervisory Special Agent Derek Morgan. And Dave and I you know. Do you remember anything else?"
Hotch scrunched up his face as he thought. "Only that Agent Prentiss and I split up inside this building. That's the last thing I remember. Sorry." Both men looked around and saw Doctor Sherman walking into the room. He had a smile on his face.
"Good morning, Agent Hotchner, and how are you feeling this morning?" the doctor asked with a glimpse at Dr. Reid.
"Okay, I guess," was all Hotch could say in response.
"Where's Agent Rossi?" asked Sherman not seeing the older man.
Reid shrugged. "I was asleep. I guess he went to get some coffee and stretch his legs," Reid explained.
"And you are?"
"Name's Doctor Spencer Reid." He watched as Dr. Sherman looked him up and down, confusion evident. Reid wasn't troubled by it for it was something he was use to.
"You're kind of young to be a medical doctor, aren't you?"
Stuffing his hands in his pockets, Reid blushed. "I'm not that kind of doctor. I deal with statistics and facts."
"He's a genius," Hotch chipped in.
Dr. Sherman arched both eyebrows in surprise. "And you're with the FBI also?"
"Yes, sir." Both he and Hotch saw the doctor shake his head in amazement and look at the younger agent, seemingly impressed.
"You will have to leave while I examine Agent Hotchner." He noticed Reid about to protest and raised a hand. "You can come back in after I'm finished."
Reid looked back at Hotch and smiled. "I'll be right outside the door if you need me," he said softly. Hotch, with a look of nervousness, could only nod. He watched Reid turn and walk out of the room leaving him and the doctor alone.
Reid was leaning his back against the wall with legs crossed, and hands stuffed in his pockets when Rossi, Garcia, and Haley came into view. He looked up.
"What's happened?" asked a frantic Haley. "Is it Aaron? Is he all right?"
"He's fine," Reid explained. "The doctor's in with him conducting his examination and asked me to leave.
Garcia wrapped her arms around Reid's slender frame and hugged him so hard he nearly winced. "My poor baby genius," she whimpered, her face buried in his neck as he hugged her back. "How are you doing?" She pulled back and looked at him expectantly.
Reid mulled over what he wanted to say for awhile before he finally spoke. "I'm okay I suppose." He looked at Haley and Rossi. "Hotch had a dream and recalled a woman with dark hair and eyes being with him outside a building."
"He remembered Prentiss?" Garcia remarked excitedly as she looked at Rossi. "That's good isn't it? It means he's starting to remember, right?" She looked back and forth between the two profilers.
"I'd say it's definitely a good sign that he's beginning to recall bits and pieces," Rossi explained wearily. "But let's not get all excited just yet. Remember, how much more Aaron remembers is still unknown. But every little piece, every little thing he does recall, gives us hope."
"Does he know about me and Jack?" Haley asked shakily.
"No," Rossi said. "We thought at this point it was better not to overwhelm him with too much information. But if it helps, he did tell me yesterday that he recalls a small child calling him daddy. He just couldn't recall any names. Sorry."
Haley nodded. "It's okay. Really. That's why I brought the photo album. I'm hoping that…that it might trigger something in him."
The trio turned at the sound of the door to Hotch's room opening, and Doctor Sherman exit.
"Agent Rossi. And who are these two lovely ladies?"
"This is Penelope Garcia, our technical analyst with the FBI. And this is Agent Hotchner's wife, Haley."
Sherman gripped one of Haley's hands in both of his and squeezed. "It's a pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Hotchner." He noticed the scrapbook. "And what is this if I may ask?"
"It's a scrapbook of photos of Aaron's and my lives and of the team's. I thought maybe they might help him remember," Haley explained.
"How is Aaron, Doctor?" asked Rossi.
Dr. Sherman exhaled. "Physically he's doing as well as can be expected. His heart and respiration are much better. We've managed to identify the drugs that were used on him and there should be no long-term effects from any of them. And his Cat scan shows no abnormalities of any kind."
"What about his memory?" asked Haley.
"That's a different thing. He's told me he's recalling bits and pieces of things but nothing concrete yet. But I'm hopeful things will improve as time goes on. But I must warn you that he may also never recover what he's lost. All you can do is be extremely patient with him and not force him to remember things he can't."
"I understand," Haley replied wiping her eyes again. "Can I see him?"
"Of course," Dr. Sherman said with a smile. "Just a suggestion. I would keep your visit to an hour. He tires easily and I don't want him to become exhausted as it could have an adverse effect on his recovery. Agent Rossi, perhaps you or Dr. Reid should accompany Mrs. Hotchner so that Agent Hotchner doesn't become upset or frightened as he did yesterday."
Rossi looked at the younger agent. "Reid, why don't you take Haley inside and introduce her to Aaron. Garcia and I will be out here waiting."
Reid looked nervously at Haley. "This way, Mrs. Hotchner," he said as he led the way to Hotch's room. As the duo walked away, Dr. Sherman looked at Rossi and Garcia. "The remaining members of your team can visit with Agent Hotchner this afternoon. After his visit with his wife, I want him to rest before he sees more people."
"Understood," Rossi replied. As the doctor walks away, Rossi turns his attention to Garcia. "Why don't you go to the waiting room and stay with the others. Tell them the doctor will allow them to see Hotch this afternoon and to get themselves some breakfast and some rest, then come back."
Garcia patted the elder man's knee as she slowly got to her feet. "Your wish is my command my fearless leader. But you should follow your own advice, sir. A cup of coffee is not breakfast. And you've been here all night. You and Reid both."
Rossi smirked. "Unfortunately, Aaron needs one of us here to keep him calm at least until he feels comfortable with the team and his wife. But I appreciate your concern. Now scram."
Penelope stood before Rossi who by now was seated on the bench looking down at him. "I'm scramming. Just one more thing."
Rossi looked up, puzzled. "What's that?"
Leaning down, Garcia kissed Rossi on one cheek and stood up. "That's for bringing the boss-man back home alive." Then, before the older man could respond, Garcia took off down the hall.
Rossi, chuckling, touched the cheek she had kissed. "You're welcome, kitten," he said to no one.