**Sorry this chapter took so long. Have been a bit under the weather and my depression was acting up.**

Chapter 26-Realization

"We need to see what's on this DVD," Rossi explained to the others. "And we're going to need Garcia's help." The older profiler looked sadly at Reid who still sat beside Hotch's bed.

"Why don't you….go with team. Watch….DVD," Hotch said to the young agent. "Will be all right….have watchdogs….outside room. Won't be alone," he replied

"Are you sure, Hotch?" Reid asked with narrowed eyes. "I don't mind. I mean, the team can spare me while they check out what's on that DVD and then fill me in later."

Hotch smiled weakly. "Go with….team…that's….an order."

After getting permission from Doctor Blandon to use one of the empty conference rooms for an hour or two, the team followed Rossi inside the conference room and waited for Garcia to set up her laptop before Rossi handed her the DVD and the team gathered around her to watch it as she inserted it into the slot on the side.

"I know I told you all I planned to send you a video on Thursday, but I've suddenly grown tired of your boss's company and have decided to put him out of his misery a day sooner….."

"That bastard was gonna kill Hotch a day earlier," Morgan hissed, his eyes never leaving the screen.

They all winced at the sight of the weary, seemingly beaten and broken Aaron Hotchner as he turned his face towards the camera.

"Dave, you have always been my very best friend. You've always been there for me when I needed someone to listen to me about things I couldn't discuss with anybody else. Take care of the team for me….." The others looked at Rossi who wrapped his arms around himself.

"Derek, you're one of the best agents I've ever had the pleasure of working with. I trusted you with my life, and I know you probably right now are thinking you failed me somehow. Let me assure you that you didn't….." Derek blinked back the tears threatening to roll down his face.

"Emily, you are one of the brightest and strongest women I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. You're tough and brave. Don't let my death cause you to change who you are, and affect how you do whatever you chose to do…." Prentiss wiped her cheeks with one hand and smiled weakly.

"Spencer, you are without a doubt the smartest young man I've ever known. I believe I relied on your genius too much and took advantage sometimes. I'm only sorry that like Gideon, I am leaving you without personally saying goodbye. Please accept my deepest apologies. I expect to hear great things about you despite being on the other side…." Reid felt Morgan's hand on his shoulder as he wiped away the tears that were falling. He couldn't believe his boss, his friend, was apologizing for not being able to say goodbye personally because he was taken away by an UnSub and about to be murdered.

"JJ, you are one of the gentlest, strongest, and most gracious women I've ever known. You always knew what to say to me when nobody else did. Whether you know it or not, you are the anchor that keeps us grounded when things get crazy as they so often do with the things we see. Keep the team grounded. And above all, JJ, don't let my death destroy or scar you emotionally…." JJ rested two fingers against her mouth as her eyes glistened.

"Penelope. What can I say about you that hasn't already been said. While JJ is the anchor that keeps the team grounded, you are the bright spark that we need when things become too dark as they often do. You supply that bright light that we needed, and you always knew when we needed to smile. I know I didn't say it often enough, but you are without a doubt, one of the most important people on this team. You are the reason for our success…." Garcia bit her lower lip as her tears fell. "As are you, my liege," she said softly.

"Lastly, I need all of you to watch after Haley and Jack for me. Make sure she's able to move on with her life; make sure she finds someone to share her life with again and to love when she's ready. Don't let her wallow in grief and sadness. And be there for Jack as well. He's going to need a male figure in his life to teach him things only another man could. And tell Haley and Jack that I love them."

The team then gasped as they watched Armitage dump water all over Hotch before plugging in a set of cables and approach their leader holding them. His screams of pain as his body arched was nearly more than any of then could take. When the DVD ended, Garcia, with a shaky hand, removed the DVD and handed it back to Rossi who returned it to the diamond case. She then turned off the laptop.

The agents all sat stock still as they digested not only what they had seen Hotch endure, but the words he had spoke to each of them. They had never realized the true depths of their boss's feelings for them, even though they were well aware of his respect and friendship. They eventually each looked at each other. That was when Rossi's cell rang.

"Rossi," the older agent said answering his cell. "You're sure? You checked everywhere? Then check again. You did? No, no, that's okay. What about the sketch artist? Good. Thanks for the call." He disconnected the call and looked at the others. "A search of this hospital did not produce Jason Armitage. Apparently he came in here to drop off the package for Hotch and then left." There were grumblings among the team.

"What about the sketch artist?" asked Prentiss.

"The nurse is giving her description to the sketch artist as we speak. JJ, once we get that sketch, compare it to the photo of Jason Armitage, then set up a press conference and release the sketch. Also, put out an APB on this bastard. The more people looking for him the better chance we have of catching him."

"You got it," the blond said.

"What's in the envelope?" asked Morgan.

Rossi, having forgotten the envelope after watching the DVD, pulled it from his jacket pocket and ripped it open removing a card with a black wreath on it's front. Frowning at the cover, he opened it and read the inscription aloud:

"Aaron, just to let you know I am watching and willing to wait. Your team surprised me by finding you before I got my final revenge. Be advised the next time you will not be so lucky. When you and your team least expect it, I will again have you, and I promise the end this time will be swift and painful. Signed, Jason." Rossi exhaled through his nose.

"What do we tell Hotch?" asked Prentiss wearily. "I mean, he knows about the DVD and the envelope. We can't exactly lie to him about it."

"And I don't plan to," Rossi advised her shoving the envelope in his jacket pocket. "You guys go back to Aaron's room and stay with him. I have some phone calls to make after which I'll join you. "

"Who are you going to call?" asked Reid.

"First I'm gonna call Haley and let her know what's happening so she can decide if she plans to come to the hospital and bring Jack. If Armitage is watching this hospital, I don't want her and Jack caught in the crossfire. Then I'm going to have to update Strauss about Armitage coming to the hospital." He sighed. "Whatever you do, don't tell Aaron anything about what's on the DVD or in the envelope, although I suspect he already knows what's on the DVD. I'll handle that."

Garcia, her lower lip trembling, looked up at the older profiler. "Will Hotch be all right, sir?"

Rossi smiled warmly at the usually perky tech analyst who had just asked the question he had been wondering himself. "Physically he should be fine. Emotionally, with the proper help, he hopefully will recover. But whether or not he returns to the BAU remains something I can't answer. That decision will be Aaron's, and he's the only one who can make it. All we can do is support whatever decision he makes even if we don't agree or like it."

Despite being advised of the contents of the DVD and the card accompanying it, followed later by Haley and Jack visiting and having dinner in his room with him, Hotch seemed to be able to hold himself together for the most part. But that ended when an intern brought him his lunch the following day which consisted of soup, juice and red jello. As soon as the aroma of the soup reached his nostrils, Hotch started to freak out by pushing the tray away so violently the contents splattered across the floor. Trembling, he squeezed his eyes shut and curled up beneath the blankets as interns and nurses raced into the room followed by Rossi and Reid; the others remained outside the room, nervously watching what was unfolding inside.

"Take it away!" Hotch muttered. "Don't want it!"

"Agent Hotchner," one of the nurses began gently as she placed a hand on Hotch's shoulder; he sharply jerked away and buried himself further beneath the blankets. Reid and Rossi looked briefly at each other before Reid stepped forward and eased the nurse out of the way and put a hand on his boss's shoulder. He felt the man's body tense.

"Hotch, talk to me. What's upsetting you? Is it the food? Help us understand." He noticed his boss turn his head towards him, a panicked look on his face.

"Armitage fed me….same soup….reminds me….of him." He spotted Dr. Blandon now standing in the doorway watching. Apparently the man had either been summoned or drawn to the room by the commotion. He was watching the younger agent's interaction with his boss.

"Don't worry about it, Aaron," he said calmly. "It's not a problem. I'll have something else prepared and brought to you instead." And from that moment on Blandon made sure his patient didn't receive any nourishment that reminded him of his ordeal.

Following that adjustment, the remainder of his stay in the hospital passed without incident. On the day he was being discharged, Hotch was secretly apprehensive knowing his captor was somewhere out there waiting for him, but he was still happy to be going home back to Quantico. He knew his team had promised to be there as did Haley, and he wondered if his wife would bring Jack with her. He dressed in a pair of faded blue jeans and a white shirt open at the collar and a pair of sneakers. He was busily packing whatever he had into his go-bag which wasn't very much when there was a knock on the door. Looking over his shoulder he saw Rossi and the other members of his team walk into the room, all smiles. He allowed himself a small smile.

"You ready to leave this place?" asked Rossi.

"Can't be soon enough," Hotch replied zipping up his go-bag. "Did Haley come with you guys?"

"She's at the front desk signing some papers for your discharge, and speaking with Dr. Blandon about caring for the wounds on your face and neck for the next six weeks, plus getting the referrals for your physician and whatever plastic surgeon the two of you choose," added Morgan.

Rossi sat on the edge of the bed. "Guys, could you give us some privacy for a few minutes?"

Sensing what the older profiler wanted to discuss, Morgan ushered the others out of the room and into the hallway. Now alone, Rossi and Hotch exchanged looks.

"I know what you want to talk about, Dave," Hotch commented before Rossi opened his mouth. "And I haven't changed my mind. Not that I don't appreciate the trouble you went through in making the phone contacts, but I don't need a shrink. I can deal with what happened on my own."

"Can you?" asked Rossi with hands clasped and arms resting on his knees. "From where I sit I beg to differ. Aaron, you flinch if an alpha male puts a hand on you. You freaked out when you smelled a bowl of soup that reminded you of the same soup Armitage fed you. You're having dreams of the man attacking you. That doesn't sound like somebody who is dealing with it to me." He saw his friend give him a stern look but didn't let it deter him. "Look, Aaron, I can't make you see somebody about what you went through with Armitage. But what are you going to do if you lose it around Jack? He's only five and like any other five-year-old, he's going to do things that are going to stress you out. How can you be sure you won't flip out and end up doing or saying something that you'll regret for the rest of your life? What if you lose it with Haley? How are you going to be able to live with yourself then?"

"I'll handle it, Dave, don't worry about it," Hotch repeated a bit harsher than he planned. "I'll be fine. Now can we just drop it?"

"No I won't drop it," Rossi continued. "Aaron, believe me when I say you will lose it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but you will lose it. And I can only pray to God it's not in front of Jack because it'll frighten him, and I know you don't want that."

Hotch now had a dark look on his face. "I thought we agreed never to profile each other, Dave."

Rossi folded his arms and sighed. "I'm not. I'm just stating a simple fact."

"Sounds more like you were profiling to me," Hotch found his temper rising despite knowing his friend meant well.

Rossi was about to respond when he noticed Haley walking through the door holding Jack's hand; behind her was Dr. Blandon pushing a wheelchair through the door.

"Aaron….' she began.

"What!" Hotch shouted as he spun angrily around, a look of rage on his face. He paused when his eyes fell on Haley who was staring, stunned, at her husband, startled by his unexpected outburst and expression. Then, his eyes shifted down to Jack who was partially hidden behind his mother's legs. Even Dr. Blandon was looking at him. Hotch smiled at his son. "Hey buddy. I'm sorry I shouted. I didn't mean to frighten you." He crouched down and held out his arms toward his son. "Daddy sure could use a hug right now." But Jack just shrank further behind Haley's legs peeking out at his father, fear clearly written on his face. And it was that look on his son's face that broke Aaron Hotchner's heart and told him what he now knew he needed to do. Slowly standing up, he walked over to the bed and sat down beside the older agent.

JJ, drawn partially into the room with the others by Hotch's shouting, edged further into the room and scooped Jack up into her arms as Haley glanced over her shoulder with a grateful look on her face. "C'mon, sweetie," the blond liaison said holding the little boy tightly. "Let's go outside and find something yummy in the snack machine. I think I saw a chocolate bar in there with your name on it." She quickly exited the room leaving the adults alone. She sensed Hotch's eyes watching her leave with his son. Sighing, he bowed his head. He felt somebody cup his chin and raise his head and found himself looking into the eyes of his wife who's face was impassive; but her eyes showed forgiveness.

"Haley, I am so, so sorry," Hotch said.

"I know you are," she replied with the corners of her mouth turning slightly upward. "I'll talk to Jack so he'll understand. But the thing is, Aaron, what are you going to do about it to make sure it doesn't continue happening?"

Hotch looked over at Rossi and felt his friend's hand grip his shoulder and give it a gentle squeeze. "It's gonna be okay," Rossi said softly. "Trust me." He reached into his pocket and removing a slip of paper, handed it to his friend. Hotch smiled weakly when he saw it was a list of names Dr. Blandon had given Rossi along with the name of his and Haley's minister.

"You trust me to set up an appointment with one of these people?" Hotch asked.

"Believe it or not I do," Rossi explained with a grin. "I also believe you know it's what you have to do if you want to regain control of your life. You don't want to give Strauss a leg to stand on if she tries to use what happened to you against you."

"Daddy?" a small voice was heard. Looking up, Hotch saw JJ standing just outside the doorway holding Jack who's face was smeared with chocolate from the candy bar he held in his hands.

Hotch smiled. "Hey, buddy. Aunt JJ got you a chocolate bar. Is it good?"

"Yeth," the little boy said wiping his mouth with the back of his hand and smearing the chocolaty mess around. "Daddy, you still mad?"

"No buddy. Daddy's not mad."

JJ, smiling, set Jack down on the floor and everybody watched as the little boy ran to his father and held out his arms wanting his daddy to pick him up which Hotch did; Jack wrapped his arms around his father's neck and licked the chocolate from his small fingers. Hotch buried his face in the crook of his son's neck and closed his eyes letting the warmth of the small body permeate his. Pulling back, he and his son looked at each other.

"Listen, see that chair with the wheels on it over there?" Hotch motioned with his head towards the wheelchair. Jack looked over his shoulder and nodded vigorously at his father. "That's daddy's ride out of the hospital. How'd you like to ride with me?"

"Can I turn on the siren?" Jack asked. There was soft laughter from the agents, Haley and Blandon. Hotch simply smiled.

"There's no siren, but I'm sure Dr. Blandon will let you ride up front with me if you ask him nicely." Jack looked over his shoulder again at the doctor.

"Can I ride up fwont with daddy?" he asked with a mouthful of chocolate. "Pwease?"

Blandon smiled at the child. "You certainly can, Jack. In fact, you can sit in your father's lap while I steer." That said, the doctor rolled the wheelchair into the room up close to the bed to allow Hotch to shift his body while holding Jack in his arms into the wheelchair. Once settled, he rested his son on his thighs; Rossi grabbed the go bag and soon the small group was heading down the hall towards the exit.

**Only the epilogue is left and will be posted soon.**