Chapter 25-Promises Filled and Unfulfilled

Aaron Hotchner never noticed or heard the man walk quietly into his room never taking his eyes off the form in the bed and sitting down in the chair.

Hotch believed himself safe from his captor despite the fact that Armitage had somehow escaped the inferno he had set to kill him. After-all, the Bureau had assigned security to protect him while he was in the hospital. And the proof was there had to be at least one, possibly two, security men standing outside his room. A small smile appeared on his face. Suddenly he felt a hand cover his mouth and the bed dip down as someone lay down beside him. Frantically Hotch began to struggle against the hand over his mouth; but suddenly felt the cold steel of a blade against his throat.

"I suggest you be very quiet, Aaron," said a familiar voice that froze the profiler's blood. "Or I will not hesitate to cut your throat right here and now." He blew a puff of warm breath in Hotch's ear causing the agent to squeeze his eyes shut and stifle a whimper. He wouldn't let this man see how terrified he was. "We have so much catching up to do." Hotch cringed as sloppy kisses were planted on his cheek and neck. "So much catching up."

"How did you get in here?" Hotch managed to ask when the hand covering his mouth was removed and placed against his throat. "There are security guards…."

"They don't know I'm in here, Aaron," he whispered. "I was in the closet before they came. And now the door is closed and the lights out, so they think you are asleep like a good little patient. We have all night together to make love."

This time Hotch couldn't stop the whimper at what he knew was coming. He felt the man's body pressed against his. "What do you want, Armitage?" he asked, his voice trembling.

"You know what I want, Aaron. A promise unfulfilled which is the taking of your life after I make you suffer," he replied sweetly as he transferred the knife to the hand against Hotch's throat; then with the now free hand, began pulling Hotch's gown upward, exposing the lower half of his body. "I am going to tear you apart inside. And you are not going to make one sound; because if you do, I will slit your throat. So shall we begin?" That said, he pushed down his own pants, then roughly pushed himself completely inside Hotchner who bit his lower lip to keep from crying out in pain mindful of the blade pressing against his injured throat.

"No!" Hotch screamed as his eyes flew open oblivious to Rossi who was sitting in the chair beside the bed reading a magazine, and Morgan sitting near the door with arms folded, watching him. Both saw the terror in their boss's eyes, and it only took a moment to know what or who had caused it. Both men immediately abandoned what they were doing and approached the bed, both looking concerned and scared.

"Where…is he?" Hotch asked panicked eyes frantically looking around.

"Who?" asked Morgan narrowing his eyes. "Hotch, there's nobody here but me and Rossi."

"Armitage. He was….just here. In my…bed. He was….he was…raping me." He raised his eyes to Rossi. "Didn't you see him?"

Morgan and Rossi looked at each other. "Aaron, Morgan and I are the only ones here. There are two security guards outside your room. There's no way Armitage can get into your room. No way." Rossi explained laying a hand on his friend's arm and gave a start when his friend flinched and pulled away from his touch.

"No," Hotch repeated sliding further away from Rossi. "Please don't….touch me."

Right now to both men, their Unit Chief was falling apart before their eyes.

"I'm telling you….he's here. Is….in closet."

Morgan glanced at the closet before walking briskly over to it and yanked the door open revealing some empty clothes hangers and a men's bathrobe; nothing else. "Hotch, there's nothing here. You were dreaming."

Hotch, ignoring the wires he was still connected to, curled up into as much of a ball as his sore body would allow, his terror-filled eyes not looking at anybody or anything. "He was here…." he murmured over and over. "He…was here. Started….raping me."

Closing the closet quietly, Morgan approached the bed and exchanged worried looks with Rossi. "I was hoping this wouldn't happen," Rossi said softly watching his friend. "I really hoped PTSD wouldn't happen after all he's been through with that bastard." He looked at Morgan. "Find Dr. Blandon and let him know what's going on. I'll stay with Aaron."

Morgan grunted and hurried from the room. After he had gone, Rossi sat back down and looked at Hotch, but didn't touch him.

"Hotch…Aaron, listen to me, please. Morgan and I are not leaving your side. There are two security people outside your door. There is no way Armitage is getting in here without us knowing it. No way. You have to believe that." He saw Hotch's eyes; they were vacant and dead. "Aaron, please look at me. Let me know there's some part of you that can be reached." Still no response. Rossi hung his head and shook it sadly. He was afraid he was losing Aaron and might not get him back, ever. There was only so much a human could take before he snapped completely. And perhaps Hotch had reached his limit.

"Dave?" a small voice said causing Rossi to lift his head; Hotch was looking at him directly.

"Hotch, how do you feel now?" the older man asked, his brown eyes full of compassion and caring for the man he considered a son. And like any father, he hated to see his son in pain and wanted to do something about it.

"I….think….I think I'm….losing my mind. Help me." Hotch slowly unclenched one of his hands and slowly slid it across the bed until he touched Rossi's wrist and grabbing it, clung to it like a lifeline somebody had thrown him.

Rossi tentatively put his other hand on Hotch's shoulder and felt him tense but didn't pull away. "I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere. Whatever you need, you got it." Hearing a sound both men looked over at the doorway and saw Morgan standing there with Dr. Blandon, both men looking on quietly. After a moment, the doctor walked into the room with Morgan waiting near the door.

"Agent Hotchner, Agent Morgan explained to me what happened," Blandon began moving closer to the bed. "How are you feeling now?"

"I'm not sure," Hotch replied embarrassingly. "I think…I think I'm losing….my mind."

"And why do you say that?"

Hotch swallowed the lump in his throat. "I'm seeing things that….aren't here."

"Such as this man Armitage?"

Hotch clung tighter to Rossi's wrist. "Yes," he said softly.

"Do you see him now, Agent Hotchner?"

Hotch bowed his head and shook it. "No,' he murmured. "But he'll…come back…for me. Put his hands…on me."

Blandon exhaled deeply before looking at Morgan and Rossi. "Agent Morgan, could you and Agent Rossi step outside so Agent Hotchner and I can talk for a minute?"

"Of course," Rossi said as he started to his feet.

"NO!" Hotch shouted tightening his grip on his friend's wrist as if afraid to let go although he didn't know why. Both Blandon and Morgan watched Hotch cling to the older profiler. Rossi meanwhile, glanced at Hotch and then looked up at the black agent.

"Morgan, leave us for a few minutes. I'll stay with Hotch so he won't feel he's alone while he talks with the doctor."

Morgan nodded. "I'll be right outside if you need me." He walked out leaving the others in the room. Once Morgan had left, Blandon wrapped his arms around himself and exhaled before looking at the agent and his patient simultaneously. He saw Rossi's look of deep concern.

"From what Agent Morgan has told me, Agent Hotchner, and from what little I've just seen, I think you are suffering from PTSD which will need to be looked into further by a professional to be certain. Tell me something. Has this man been caught?"

"Not yet. Doctor Blandon," Rossi explained. "Doctor, Aaron Hotchner is one of the strongest, most in control men I've ever known."

"I understand. But even the most in control and the strongest of men have limits as far as how much they can endure before they break. From what little I know of his mental state, I would say that whatever was done to Agent Hotchner by this man has caused him to reach his."

Rossi sighed as he digested this new information. He knew what Blandon had just said was true; he just never associated a 'breaking point' with Aaron. "But earlier when we visited him and when his wife and son visited, he was fine; no problems. What the hell happened to turn everything upside down so quickly like that?"

Blandon bit his lower lip. "Again I'm speaking in an area I don't know much about. But if I were to venture a guess, I would say Agent Hotchner had no reason to be afraid of this man while people were around him. But the minute he was alone, his fears took over."

Rossi shook his head. "Doc, Hotch isn't afraid of anything. You're talking about a man I've seen stare down a perpetrator pointing a gun in his face and talk him down without a shot fired."

"Everybody has a breaking point, agent. Now, I can give you or Agent Hotchner a list of excellent psychiatrists I know, or if there's somebody on the outside that can help him, I suggest an appointment for an evaluation and diagnosis be made. The sooner the better."

"I understand," Rossi said with a sigh. "I'll take care of everything. But I would appreciate the list just the same. But just so you know, Hotch will be resistant to seeing a shrink much less talking to one."

Tired of being ignored, Hotch raised his head and looked from one man to the other. "Just wait….a damn minute!" He raised his voice. "I don't need a…. fucking shrink! I'm fine! I can handle…. things myself!" Exhausted, he let his head fall back on the pillow. "No…shrink…can handle things…on my own."

Blandon released an exasperated sigh. "Agent Hotchner, the sooner you deal with your trauma the sooner you'll be back in control of your life again."

Hotch shook his head emphatically despite the discomfort the motion caused. "I don't….need a ….shrink. I'm fine. I can….handle things."

Rossi gave the doctor one of his 'I told you so' looks. But Blandon was not swayed. "Agent Hotchner, you may think you are able to handle things, but from where I stand, I disagree. Take right now, for example; you're holding onto Agent Rossi's wrist like it was a lifeline and you're afraid to let go. You're having nightmares about this man assaulting you again and I can see the fear in your eyes right now. I'm not a psychiatrist, but if you don't deal with the trauma of what you went through at the hands of this assailant, it's going to eat at you until it devours you completely."

Hotch again shook his head. "No shrink. Don't need one."

Rossi saw Blandon about to respond and held up his hand stopping him. "Let me speak with him. Aaron usually listens to me. I'll see he gets the help he needs." His eyes narrowed. "But what about right now? I mean, Hotch doesn't seem to be able to handle being alone."

Blandon checked his watch. "Visiting hours are over for the evening," he said. "However, if you and Agent Morgan can remain quiet and not cause any disruption, I wouldn't have a problem with the two of you staying in Agent Hotchner's room with him."

"Thanks a lot, doc." Rossi held out his hand and Blandon shook it firmly. The doctor then turned and walked away while Morgan returned to Hotch's room where he found his boss apparently sleeping still clutching Rossi's wrist; the older profiler looked over as Morgan stood in the doorway beckoning to him.

Rossi, using extreme care, freed his wrist from Hotch's hold and just as quietly got up from his chair, and joined the black agent out in the hallway just outside the room. He repeated what the doctor had told him. He watched the black agent exhale and shake his head.

"In the morning I can make some calls. I know a couple of people who might be able to help Aaron." Rossi glanced back inside the room to make sure his friend was still sleeping and he was. Since Strauss knows Aaron's gonna be out for awhile because of his injuries, there's no need for her to know about him seeing a shrink because of PTSD unless it becomes necessary."

"I agree," said Morgan. "But Hotch may be discharged from here in two or three days and then he's back in Quantico. What then? Can't very well have him see somebody on the base. Strauss will be sure to find out then."

"Then we'll just have to make sure whoever he sees isn't on the base. Also, if Hotch sees a shrink there's a good chance Strauss will have to get a copy of his report on his mental state; but if it's a minister, she's not." He grinned.

Morgan grinned at the older agent's grin. "Let me guess, you know the name of the minister Hotch and Haley see in their church."

"Just so happens I do."

Fortunately for Morgan and Rossi, Hotch slept through the night. The only indication that he might have been having bad dreams was the sound of whimpering coming from the man; but even then he didn't wake up. Rossi slept in the chair beside the bed while Morgan slept, somewhat uncomfortably in the chair beside the door. Come morning, both agents stretched their aching muscles and joints as sleeping in chairs was not agreeable with either man, more so with Rossi because of his age. They both noticed Hotch was beginning to awaken as well. He looked up at his friends with a sad and slightly fearful expression.

Hearing footsteps, the agents looked around and spotted JJ, Reid, Prentiss and Garcia walking into the room quietly; Reid had his shoulder bag, and Garcia with a shoulder bag containing her personal laptop. Morgan and Rossi excused themselves to Hotch stating they'd be right back, then both motioned for the others to wait outside as they needed to talk. When the team was gathered in the corridor, Rossi repeated the previous night's problem and Dr. Blandon's recommendations. When he was finished, he saw Garcia's lower lip tremble and JJ's fingertips cover her mouth. Prentiss, arms folded, exhaled deeply, and Reid stuffed his hands in his pants pockets and looked at his feet.

"Tell us what we can do for him?" asked the younger agent.

"Just what you're doing right now," Rossi explained. "Be here for Hotch, let him know he's not alone, and you've got his back."

"He knows that, Rossi," Emily said.

"Then we make sure he doesn't forget it," Morgan interjected with folded arms and narrowed eyes.

It was then that Dr. Blandon approached the group and noticed the other agents looking at him for some sign there was hope for their Unit Chief. "I gather Agents Rossi and Morgan have explained Aaron's condition to all of you; and what happened last night. I noticed all of you walking in and thought it would be better to talk with all of you as a group. But first I'd like to examine Aaron, so if all of you could wait out here until I'm done. Then you can visit."

"Aaron's kind of nervous this morning," Rossi explained. "Perhaps one of us should come with you while you examine him."

"I'll come with you," Reid answered with a faint smile.

"That won't be necessary," Blandon replied, eying the young agent.

"I know," Reid said. "But I want to."

"Perhaps I should go instead or at least with you, my young genius," Garcia said. "Hotch might feel uncomfortable with you in there."

Reid smiled. "He'll be fine, Garcia. I promise you he will not react to my presence."

Garcia was confused. "But how….?"

Reid smiled again. "Just take my word for it. He won't react badly." He then turned to the doctor. "I'm ready when you are."

With a smirk, Blandon walked inside his patient's room with Reid

Hotch lay on his back on the bed and watched the doctor walk into his room followed by Reid. He didn't felt his body tense up seeing the lanky young man with the long stringy hair and allowed the corners of his lips to turn upward. He even felt a relaxed state take over seeing the young genius.

"Agent Hotchner, I'm going to examine you, especially the cuts on your face and neck to see how the wounds are progressing. Agent Reid will remain with me to keep you relaxed. Will that be all right with you?" He saw his patient looking at the young doctor.

Reid could immediately tell from seeing his boss's eyes that Hotch didn't appear fearful of him, because he immediately sensed it was because Hotch didn't see him as a threat to him. Everybody knew Hotch was an alpha male, and so was Armitage from what he concluded. And alpha males only went after other alpha males. He took a step forward. "Hotch, it's me, Spencer. I can see you're feeling a bit uncomfortable right now, and that's okay. I would be too. And you know Dr. Blandon." He took another step forward as did Dr. Blandon.

Hotch didn't shy away from the two men as they approached; Reid's brown puppy-dog eyes never straying from his boss's. He noticed the slight upturn of the corners of Hotch's lips.

Reid had been saddened by his boss's physical condition and by what had been done to him, but he didn't show it. Instead, he turned and let his eyes briefly meet those of Garcia reassuring her. Then, he again faced Hotch with a slow smile appearing on his face.

"Hotch, it's okay. Dr. Blandon just needs to examine you to see how you're doing. Besides, you let him examine you before." Reid was now standing close enough that he could sit down in the chair. Reaching out, he rested a hand on Hotch's and squeezed. He knew his eyes were bright and moist and tried blinking them away as to not cry in front of his boss. He noticed as Blandon began his examination, Hotch clenched the blanket so tightly in his hands his knuckles were white realizing his boss was probably stressed out at being touched by a man and still fearful, but because Reid was present, he was using all his inner strength to hide how uncomfortable he truly was. He saw Hotch close his eyes and sigh, enduring the doctor's hands on one side of his face and now the other.

Smiling, Reid attempted to draw his boss's attention elsewhere. "Hotch, you wouldn't believe what Garcia, Prentiss and JJ have planned for you after you're out of here and back home. They're planning to help Haley with your recovery" He chuckled. "How about that, Hotch? Four ladies taking care of you. Between you and me, I think Morgan's jealous."

Hotch turned his face to look at Reid, knowing what he was trying to do, and smiled. "Thank you, Spencer. Makes this….a bit easier."

Blandon straightened up and smiled. "All finished Agent Hotchner. Everything is looking very good right now. I'm very pleased at your progress."

Reid looked up at the doctor. "Is it all right if I stay a little while?"

"Of course, Dr. Reid. But first, I want all of you including the patient to hear the results of my examination of Agent Hotchner so I won't have to keep repeating it." He walked to the door and motioned for the others to come in, and waited until they were all gathered around Hotch's bed before speaking.

He had watched them from the opposite end of the hall making sure he kept his baseball cap pulled down low over his hair. He couldn't afford to be caught now when the man who caused him so much grief was only a few feet down the opposite end of the hall. A smirk appeared on his face. He was glad he changed his hair and eyes back to their original color. He noticed things seemed a bit chaotic at the moment which was why he chose that time to come inside. He also knew Hotchner's team was there as he had seen them and watched them come and go since the agent had been admitted. He also spotted the plainclothes security positioned outside the agent's room. If only they and your team weren't here right now, Aaron, he thought to himself. If none of them were here the things I would do to you before…Not finishing his thought, he unzipped his leather jacket just enough to reach a hand inside and remove a square package with a slightly larger square envelope and walking up to the nurses' station, handed it to the nurse at the counter.

"Could you do me a favor, ma'am," he said using his best Hotchner-like smile. He noticed the petite brunette nurse smile back at him. "I'm afraid I can't stay but I just wanted to deliver this gift to one of your patients who is a good friend of mine. Could you see that he gets this for me?"

"Of course, sir. And what is the patient's name?" she asked.

"I'm sorry. He's an FBI Agent. His name's Aaron Hotchner. I just know he'll go crazy over it."

The nurse's eyes shifted to the group of agents down the hall, and when she turned back to the man he was gone.

Everyone waited with bated breath for the doctor to give them some hopefully good news; something to grab and hold onto.

"Agent Hotchner, I normally would talk to you and your wife together, but as she isn't here right now and your team members are quite involved in your care, I thought it might be better for now to inform your team as well as you."

"How is he?" asked Garcia nervously chewing her lower lip.

"Agent Hotchner's facial injuries are healing quite nicely and it seems the infection is clearing up as well. In fact, I now believe we can repair the damage to his face and throat in six weeks after the infection has cleared and the injuries have healed completely. Also, we can release him in forty-eight hours and he can continue his recovery at home." The doctor's words brought excitement amongst the agents. Their boss would leave the hospital in two days, and in six weeks his face and neck would be repaired and again look as good as new.

"That's wonderful news isn't it, sir?" asked a beaming Garcia, looking at her boss. She noticed Hotch seemingly oblivious to everybody and his face impassive as his mind was absorbing what he had heard.

"Scars….not permanent?" he asked Blandon looking into his eyes.

"Correct. Your face and neck can be repaired good as new. And you can go home to your wife and son in two or three days."

Hotch's mind was racing. Home. Haley. Jack. Home. But then less pleasant thoughts appeared as well. Armitage is out there somewhere. He'll be waiting for me. He swallowed the lump in his throat.

"Of course," Blandon continued, studying the agent now. "I will supply a copy of your medical records and my recommendations before you leave for home. Also, I know a few good plastic surgeons in the Quantico area and can give you two letters of recommendation before you leave; one you will give to your personal doctor for him to follow-up with your care, and the other for whichever plastic surgeon of your choosing informing them that I am referring you to them personally."

Just then, a petite brunette nurse approached the group and knocked on the door before entering the room. "Excuse me. Agent Rossi?"

Rossi turned. "I'm Agent Rossi. How can I help you?"

The nurse handed him a wrapped package with an envelope attached. "A man left this at the nurses' station saying it was for Agent Hotchner."

Taking the package, Rossi began to rip at the wrapping paper while Morgan looked at the nurse. "What did this man look like?" he asked.

The nurse shrugged her shoulders. "He was about six feet with light brown hair and blue-gray eyes. He was wearing a leather jacket and a baseball cap which he wore pulled low over his face."

Morgan sighed. "Could be our guy," he told the others; then, he turned back to the nurse. "Sweetheart, we're gonna get a sketch artist here and have you describe this man."

Once the package was unwrapped, Rossi held it up knowing there would be no fingerprints on the wrapping paper or the contents of the package. He held up a diamond case with a DVD inside. He and his team members all exchanged concerned looks. Then Morgan, out of the corner of his eye, caught Hotch's expression. The man looked distressed.