January 15, 2012- San Francisco International Airport

I didn't think San Fran would get this hot for January, thought Prentiss as she stepped off the Learjet. It was a warm seventy one degree day in San Francisco. The BAU had just landed early in the morning at San Francisco International Airport. Prentiss walked over to the two black FBI issued SUVs that sat at the end of the hanger and climbed into the first one. JJ and Reid were already in the SUV, with JJ in the driver's seat. JJ started the SUV and gave Reid a tired look before driving towards the police station. Morgan jumped into the driver's seat and started the vehicle. Rossi opened one of the back door and turned to see Hotch slowly approaching. He watched Hotch stagger over to the vehicle and opened his mouth to protest. Hotch spat before he could speak, " Don't. I'm ok." He climbed in and leaned his head against the window. Rossi climbed into the seat next to him and Morgan drove off to the police station.

Ten minutes into the trip, Hotch felt a wave of uneasiness pass through him. Hotch leaned over in agony which caught both Rossi's and Morgan's attention. Unknown to his team members, he had not eaten anything since the previous morning.

"Hotch?" Rossi asked as the Unit Chief kept his head down, "Morgan, pull over." As soon as the SUV came to a stop, Hotch jumped out of the vehicle and threw up on to the side of the road. Rossi stood next to him while Morgan stayed in the car. While Hotch continued to vomit, Rossi turned to see Morgan talking on the phone with his head down. Who is he talking to? And why so secretive about it? Rossi thought before turning his attention back to Hotch.

After a few minutes, Hotch finally stood up and wiped his mouth.

"Are you ok?" Rossi repeated. He can't be here- we have to send him home, but how? Hotch nodded and crawled back in to the SUV. He scooted over to the left side of the SUV just as Morgan ended his call.

"Who were you calling?" Hotch mumbled as he leaned his head back against the headrest.

"No one important. Are you sure you can do this, Hotch?" Morgan answered back. Don't lie to me, he thought.

Hotch looked to Rossi and back to Morgan. " Yes, but I'll stay and help from the police station."

Morgan nodded and started up the SUV. Before pulling out into the road, he saw Rossi give him a suspicious look. Don't worry Rossi. I know what I'm doing.

San Francisco Police Station

"Hey, what happened to you guys?" JJ called out when the second SUV pulled up to the side of the road. " We were starting to get worried…" She trailed off when she saw Hotch get out of the vehicle with Rossi holding on to his arm. Rossi gently pulled him towards the entrance of the police station. JJ stared at them in shock before turning her attention back to Morgan. She quickly walked over to him and asked, " Ok, what the hell happened? He looks really bad; worse than he did when we were on the plane."

"It's Hotch being Hotch. We are late because he got sick and had to throw up on the side of the road! We have to say something!" Morgan exclaimed.

"I am afraid how he's going to react. You saw the look he gave Spencer on the plane."

"We can't act like everything is fine!"

"I know. You are right. Um, ok. Here's what we are going to do. Let's get a feel for this unsub and then we all need to sit down with Hotch. One of us will have to take him to a nearby hospital or fly him home if needed. If we do this is non- confrontational manner, I think he will feel less threatened and may even agree."

Morgan glanced over to the police station before saying, " Ok. Ok, we will do that." JJ watched him stare nervously at the police station. "Derek, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. Nothing, come on let's get to work." He walked into the police station with JJ right behind him, eyeing him with suspicion. They soon entered a large conference room in the station where the San Francisco Chief of Police and their team members stood. Hotch was sitting at the end of the conference table with a file in his hand. Rossi turned to JJ and Morgan, "Reid and I are going to the morgue while you two and Prentiss will go and talk to the victim's family. It's a bit of a drive so we should head out as soon as possible."

Morgan glanced over to Hotch, who was now looking through the case file. " What about Hotch?" he whispered. Rossi motioned to the entrance of the police station. Morgan understood the hint and walked out of the conference room. He stopped and turned to Rossi. "What?"

"I spoke to two officers and the Chief. They agreed to watch him like a hawk until we come back. It should be ok. When we get back, we can move from there. One step at a time, ok?"

Morgan gave Rossi a nervous, worried look. "Yeah. I guess."