„By a fraction of an inch."

I sighed while the hot water purred over my tense muscles. Nayas' words were constantly ringing in my ears. I didn't know how I managed not to flinch or react anyhow, I just kept staring at her. But after her words I wasn't able to think clearly.

And now I just couldn't stop rerunning the whole events in the hospital in my mind over and over again.

JJ showed up alone at the hospital because something had come up and the others had to stay at the office. She was followed by Livs' husband Greg who took the slightly drugged Liv home.

It was a blur, I couldn't remember what we talked about, at all. It was after seven when Jessica arrived and send JJ and Garcia home.

I got to stay because Naya offered to be my ride back to D.C since she had to work and some more time so spare. In the end we left around nine, unfortunately Aaron didn't wake up while I was there.

The ride back was a lot more comfortable since I was too tired to make a fuss or talk, but Naya seemed okay with it. She turned the music up sang along the whole time which was quite entertaining.

I had spent a couple of hours with Clyde because returning to an empty hotel room to gloom didn't sound prosperous. He hadn't tried to talk to me, just ordered me scrambled eggs, spiked my tea with rum and let me sit on his couch while he did paperwork. I threw myself out at midnight and decided to take a hot shower.

And so here I was trying to wash off the horrible feelings that clenched on me. At least I could feel how my muscles started to relax, but my head wouldn't follow.

After an eternity I finally gave up, stepped out and dried myself. When I checked my phone I saw that Jack texted me. Aaron had woken up and seemed all right. But when I called him back I only reached the mailbox.

I turned off all lights and tried to go to sleep. But I only kept turning around searching for a comfortable position because sleep wouldn't come. It wasn't a comfortable bed, it wasn't familiar and my brains decided to give me a 'Best of' of all the horrible things that did and could've happened today.

A quick glance at the clock told me it was already half past three. Releasing a deep breath I turned on my back, staring at the ceiling once again. After a while I reached for my phone, but who could I call? Penny and JJ needed their sleep and there was no one else who I would want talk to about Aaron. Well, maybe Dave, but I wasn't that desperate yet.

Giving up I finally turned on the TV and started watching some comedy reruns. I set the timer just in case I dozed off.

I must've managed because the next thing I knew was that something heavy landed on me. My survival instinct kicked in immediately and I tried to overpower my attacker, who seemed so be awfully small. And then I heard a familiar squeal and a chuckle. I opened my eyes only to find a lot blonde hairs in my face. I relaxed and let Annie wrestle me down.

"Mercy" I groaned.

"No!" She was laughing hard and squeezing my neck. I stroked her head while sinking fully on my back again. She cuddled to my right side. "How many times do I have to tell you not to jump on sleeping law enforcement agents? I could've hurt you."

"Penny said it's okay." Annie pouted.

"Did she, huh?" I let my eyes wander and found her standing close by with Gracie in her arms.

"Is there room for one more?" Penny asked and I lifted my left arm from Annie's back.

Carefully Penny laid her daughter with her stomach on me. Gracie seemed as weary as I felt.

"Why so tired sweetheart?"

"That little culprit cried half off the night and kept us awake. She slept soundly while we were driving here…"

I chuckled and closed my eyes for another couple minutes, after I had a strong grip on the smaller one. Surprisingly Annie was laying still, all I could feel was her stroking Gracie's hand.

"I'll be right back" I heard Penny leaving the room.

"So you're spending the day with Penny, pumpkin?" I asked Annie. I could recall her telling me that her kindergarten had been closed for two weeks because of lice.

"Naya wanted to but her boss called and she has to work. But it's okay, Penny promised to watch Lion King and make brownies with me."

"That sounds like fun." I stroked her cheek. She was smiling widely, at least she was happy.

"She's so small" Annie was watching Gracie intently once again.

"Give her some time pumpkin, it took you five years to reach my hip."

I heard the door open again, "I brought breakfast!" Penny announced while she dropped my keycard at the table. And that reminded me of something.

"Ladies not that I didn't appreciate you being here, but how exactly did you get in the first time?"

"Mr. Clyde let us in" Annie told me. I had suspected that Penny hacked my door with her phone but that wasn't a better option…

"Did he? Isn't that nice." I tried shooting Penny a glare but she only chuckled.

"And he told me I look just like Mommy!" Annie continued excited. Of course he did, the old charmer. He probably had complimented Penny on her beautiful baby too.

"He's less scary than I remember" Penny stated.

"He usually gets intense around noon" I explained while catching a glimpse at the clock, it was after ten.

"Sit up. Let's eat and then we'll go home." Penny took Gracie and put her in her baby seat.

She handed me a bagel and a cup of coffee while she got Annie and herself hot chocolate and a croissant.

"What did your husband tell you?"

"He and Spencer were at the hospital last night. There wasn't any change. They saw Nayas' car leaving though." Yeah, a lime green beetle wasn't that hard to overlook.

"What happened to the bad guys?" Annie asked. As always she wasn't scared, just curious.

"Don't worry sweetie. They go straight to jail and will never get out again."

That surprised me but Penny gave me a look so decided to ask later.

When we finished eating I got ready while Penny stuffed back the few clothes that managed to escape from my suitcase. Leaving the keycard at the reception like Clyde told me to, we made our way to Penny's car. She was driving a bright red SUV now, since Esther had outlived her days.

Since Penny handed me the keys I took the front seat while she sat in the back between the girls.

It was nice to drive on the right side of the road. There were many things I could get used to but driving on the left side was more than I could take. Luckily I usually hadn't have to drive in London, there was always someone else around. But I drove outside of Britain quite a lot, especially in Germany, but that was another story.

I had turned on the radio for Annie who was now sinning along to Disney songs and Musicals.

We were halfway through when Penny's phone started ringing. I turned down the volume while listening to the conversation, which made no sense to me whatsoever.

"That was Naya. Apparently Jack is still at the hospital and refuses to leave. I promised her to take care of it." Penny explained.

"And how are you going to do that?" I asked curious while turning the music up a little so Annie was happy again. Jack could be as stubborn as his dad.

"Well, I have half an hour to figure it out."

When we reached the hospital I turned around and looked at Penny full of expectation.

"We'll figure it out somehow" she assured me. Chuckling I got out of the car.

"Why don't you stay in the car and let me handle it. I think we shouldn't disturb Gracie" I offered.

"That sounds like a plan" she agreed and I turned to Annie.

"Want to accompany me and get Jack out?"

She nodded enthusiastically so I opened her door to let her out.

I took her hand and we made our way to Aaron's room. I knocked lightly at the door and waited for an answer, but there was none.

"Wait a second" I opened the door and took a look inside because I didn't want to scare Annie. But everything looked rather harmless. Aaron was breathing on his own and there was only a heart monitor working. I led her inside.

Jack was sleeping on a chair next to his father's bed. His position didn't seem comfortable, my neck hurt just from looking at him.

"Can I jump him?" Annie asked excited.

"What is it with you jumping on people young lady?"

"He's not law 'ment" she tried to defend herself.

"Law enforcement" I repeated for her "but again: Jumping on people while they sleep can get you hurt."

I shook Jack gently waiting for him to wake up. He groaned and turned his head to the other side. "Jack, you need to wake up" I shook him again.

He mumbled something that sounded like 'five more minutes'.

"Jack, sweetie, come on. Penny is driving you home. You eat, sleep, take a shower and then you can come back."

"I'm staying here…" he mumbled.

"Be reasonable. Jack, you need some sleep, some real sleep. You look like hell. If you keep that up you'll get sick. Do you really want to scare Jessica even more?" I leaned in a little closer and whispered in his ear, "and think about Penny, her blood pressure just got better."

That turned out to be my glorious plan: Guilt Jack into leaving. Usually it was a good way to persuade any of us to do something.

"You never playing fair are you?" he asked when he finally opened his eyes.

"Did your Dad wake up again?" I ignored his remark and rubbed his shoulder.

He shook his head and stood up to stretch. He looked at his father one more time before turning back to me. "Em, I can't leave him here. I don't want him to be alone when he wakes up."

"I know, and neither do I. But you need some real sleep and a proper meal."

"You have to stay Emmy" Annie said suddenly. I looked back at her. She didn't look happy. But I knew she was right, maybe there was no other way to persuade Jack to leave the room right now.

I crouched down to her level and stroked her hair. "You know that I really want to watch 'Lion King' and make brownies right?" She nodded, hugged me and then went to Aaron's bed.

When I straightened up again I could see the guilt written on Jacks face. I rubbed his shoulder again "Penny's waiting in her car."

"Jack, help me" Annie asked. He went to her and lifted her up so she could kiss his father's cheek, "Get well soon, uncle Aaron."

It was hard to tell who was more touched by her actions. I bit back tears while Jack tried to overplay it with a smile as he put her down.

"Come on, we have to go" Annie took his hand and tried to pull him away.

Jack sighed and handed me a chain of keys. "Dads SUV is in the parking lot, just in case you need to go. I'll be back soon."

"If you show up in less than eight hours I'll ground you" I promised him while putting the keys into my purse. He laughed and left finally with Annie on his arm.

I crossed the distance and took a real look at Aaron. His hair was grayer now and he had a lot more wrinkles even thought his face was relaxed. Carefully I stroked his cheek.

This whole situation reminded me so much of the last time I had seen him in a hospital, when Foyet had attacked him. I still remembered the dread I felt when I saw the blood on his carpet, the hope when I found him and the relief when he finally woke up. At least this time he wouldn't have to face horrible news when he woke up.

I took the vacant chair and set it beside Aaron's bed. Only this time I sat so close near him that I could take his hand in mine.

And while I watched him I wondered if fifty-one was finally the time were you could start rethinking your life and regretting all your decisions.

I was wondering if it had been really the right decision to leave them all behind. I wasn't talking about leaving the BAU, because that was a step I had to take. It hadn't felt right to be there anymore. I had needed something else.

But maybe I should have found a job in D.C. and stay close to them. Not flee across the Atlantic Ocean. But I also loved the life I had in London. I had a great team, some new friends and Declan was there with me. I just missed my family sometimes, and I was missing out on so many things.

It was a ruddy trap. No matter what I thought, it was never enough.

I was so lost in my thought that I didn't recognize it first. But then I felt it again, his fingers moved against my hand. I focused my gaze on Aaron. He was staring right back at me.

I know it's been a while, I had a few busy months. I hope you like the new chapter and tell me what you think. Next one won't take so long, promise :)