*Chapter Seven: Resurrection*

Morgan/Hotch relationship established.

Slash Warning.

I do not own Criminal Minds or the characters therein (I wish I did!), they are owned by some really great people that I think should TOTALLY give me a job! I am not making any money off of this story either (would that I were-does that make sense?). The writing is just for a bit of fun.

"I'm sorry what did you just say?" he asked, wiping his wet face and looking up at the doctor.

"I said that I apologize that one of my nurses rushed in here to tell you that Agent Morgan passed because we have resuscitated him and after removing the bullets from his shoulder and his leg and patching up the wound to his head, we have moved him to recovery. His heart did stop and we rushed to revive him for about five minutes at which time I assume my nurse came out here to inform you of Agent Morgan's demise, but he is in Recovery now and you can go in to see him in just a few minutes," the doctor said a small smile on his face.

"Derek's alive?" Prentiss spoke up, helping Hotch stand up as he continued to look at the doctor in shock.

"Yes ma'am. He's still alive," the doctor confirmed.

Hotch heard the sighs and words of relief from everyone in the room but none of them processed in his fevered mind. Derek was still alive?

"He's still-He's….He's….C-can I see him? Now? Please?" he whispered to the doctor as he stood close to the doctor, barely preventing himself from grabbing the front of the man's lapels.

The doctor opened his mouth to tell the Unit Chief to wait, but one look at the man's face and he knew that Agent Morgan meant more to him than just his subordinate and in light of his nurse's hastiness in giving information to the team, the man had been through hell. He'd love to show him a bit of mercy. He nodded.

"Of course Agent Hotchner, right this way," he motioned for the Unit Chief to follow him. Hotch nodded at the team without really looking at them and followed the doctor to Morgan's room. Stopping outside of the room, he took a breath before stepping inside. His eyes darted around the private room before settling on the still form of his lover. His caramel skin had an ashen look to it, but the steady beat from the EKG let him know that his heart was still beating. He walked slowly over to the bed and laid on the bed next to his lover, kissing his temple softly.

"I love you Derek. Thank you for not leaving me," he whispered to the younger man.

"Love you too Aaron. Never leave you," Morgan murmured softly. Hotch sat up quickly and looked down at his subordinate, his lover, his fiancé.

"Derek?" he whispered, stroking his fingers along the side of the other man's face, his voice filled with awe.

"Aaron," the younger man sighed, "I heard you," his voice was raspy with pain and exhaustion.

"Just now?" Hotch asked.

Morgan shook his head slightly. "No, when you first got to me, and then in the ambulance. I heard you. I knew that I had to fight to stay alive, because I couldn't leave you. You begged me, so I had to stay alive for you. I lived for you Aaron."

Hotch's breath caught on a silent sob, dropping his head he cried softly, his body shaking from the emotion. He lifted his head after a moment, his dark eyes connecting with Morgan's as he kissed him softly and then said, "And I live for you."

Neither man noticed the rest of their team come in for a few moments. Both of them content to look in each other's eyes, whispering words of love until Morgan once again drifted off into sleep, but it was the sleep of the living and to his future husband, that was all that mattered.

Whew! Looking forward to your reviews! Morgan and Hotch will have a little bit of a reprieve, but not for long because hey, they work in a very dangerous job, they're two dominating alpha personalities and it makes it so much more fun to write! You'll see more of them with the kids too. Please R & R!