Quantico, Virginia

"Miss Brooks?" Garcia and Rossi overheard. They both turned to see a doctor scanning the waiting room for Jessica. JJ stood up and said, "She went to get a cup of coffee. We are here for Aaron Hotchner as well."

The doctor smiled and said, "Oh, yes. I remember you all from last week. The surgery was a success- we were able to stop the bleeding and miraculously he didn't hit any major organs. He should be able to recover within a few days. We do plan on moving him to psych within a few days and have him on suicide watch. Because of his fragile state right now, I will only allow Miss Brooks to see him tonight. Also as he is on suicide watch, I cannot allow the rest of you to see him until we take him off of it- seeing you in his fragile state may agitate him. It might be a little rash to say this, but this could be seen as a blessing in disguise. He is in a safe place now where he can be helped."

Rossi nodded in content. "Ok. I'll let Miss Brooks know as soon as she comes back." Morgan sat down and sighed in relief, certainty in his decision to call Strauss returning.

After a few minutes, Jessica returned with Prentiss. She slowed down her pace when she saw the look on Rossi's face.

"Dave?" she whimpered, expecting bad news.

"He survived and will recover within a few days." Jessica let out a sigh of relief, which was followed by tears of happiness. Prentiss sat down on the couch next to Reid, letting out a sigh of relief.

Jessica then swallowed and suggested,"Why don't you guys go home from a little bit...you know, take a shower and eat while I wait for Aaron to wake up."
"Jessica, we aren't going to-"
"Please, not for long- I mean you all just came off of a four hour flight. Do it for me, "she pleaded. The team members exchanged looks before Prentiss stated softly, "I'll go." JJ and Reid nodded in agreement.

Rossi mumbled, " I'll be back in about an hour. Ok?" He picked up his jacket as Prentiss and Reid picked up their go bags. Jessica nodded sadly and watched Rossi, Prentiss, JJ, Reid, and Rossi leave.

Once the five agents boarded the elevator down the hall, Jessica tapped Morgan's shoulder, who was still gathering his items, and said," I need you to do something for me."
"Yeah, anything. What do you need me to do?"
"Look around Aaron's apartment. I know that he probably wrote a...suicide letter. I am praying that there isn't but it might help and I can't look at the blood-"
"Of course." Let's hope I can do it, Morgan thought.

Twenty minutes later, Morgan gently pushed open the door to Hotch's apartment and stepped into the dark apartment. He flicked on the lights and felt his stomach drop at the sight of the bloody towels that were lying on the floor next to the dining table. A part of him did not want to take a step further; he did not want to see the full extent of what Hotch had done to himself.
Come on, go, he thought.
Morgan walked past the dining table and stepped into Hotch's room. A blue comforter was strewn across the floor while blood stained sheets were crumpled at the edge of the bed. The agent stepped next to the bed and observed the rest of the room. Hotch's badge and empty gun holster, which was sitting on Hotch's desk, caught his attention. Morgan walked over and picked up the badge, finding a small envelope tucked under it.
No Hotch, you didn't….. Morgan thought as he picked up the envelope. Before he could open it, his cell phone rang loudly from his pocket. Morgan answered it and was surprised to hear the San Francisco Chief of Police's voice.

"Agent Morgan?" the chief stated, " I hope that emergency of yours was quick because we need you. The unsub sent a letter to the media about going on a killing spree against all the women of San Francisco. The public is in a frenzy- we need you here ASAP."

"Ok, I will send someone immediately." Morgan heard the Chief hang up before dialing Strauss' number.
"Strauss," the Section Chief answered flatly.
"Ma 'am, it's Agent Morgan. It's regarding the case in San Francisco-"
"Yes, the one where the Chief of police reported that you all had to return to Quantico for an emergency. Ignoring the fact that you didn't tell me, what could be so important that all five of you had to leave?"
Sorry, Hotch. I have to do this. "We had received a call that Agent Hotchner had attempted suicide a few hours ago, Ma 'am. We left as soon as-"
"He did what?"
"He stabbed himself in a suicide attempt."
"Oh God..."
"Ma' am, the chief just called me stating that they need help again with the case. Is there anyone else we could send instead of my team? We are all on a bit of edge about what happened to Agent Hotchner."
"I'm sorry, but no, Agent Morgan. Your team knows the case very well. It would be foolish to try and send another team unfamiliar with the case to help."
"I understand, Ma 'am."
"Good. I wish you luck."
"Thank you , Ma am." She hung up after his statement, causing him to growl in annoyance and call Prentiss.

Washington D.C

Prentiss tossed her keys on to the counter and sat her bag down at the door. Her apartment seemed to mirror her gloomy demeanor. She took a few steps into the dark apartment before breaking down into tears. After a few minutes, she pulled herself together before she flicked the lights on. She walked into her bedroom to see her cat Sergio playing with a ball of yarn next to her bed. Prentiss picked up the small black cat and jumped into her bed. Sergio yawned as Prentiss stroked his neck.

"Hey, little guy. Did you miss me?" she asked. The cat meowed causing Prentiss to laugh. "I missed you too. I had a really bad few days in San Francisco." The agent leaned back into her pillows and closed her eyes. Fatigue took over her body as her mind traveled back to Hotch. I still can't believe that he actually did this….

Prentiss' head began to droop when her phone rang from her bag. She yawned and placed Sergio on the bed before running over to her bag. She pulled out the phone and answered, " Hello?"

"Hey, it's me," Morgan answered, " The chief of police back in San Francisco just called me. The unsub is beginning to escalate and they need our help. So, I need you to fly down with Reid, JJ, and I as soon as possible."

"You want me to leave? Derek, we just got here. I can't leave!"

" I know this is tough, but I need you with us. "

" No! The last time I left Hotch attempted suicide- I'm not leaving!"

"Emily-"

"No!" She knew she was bordering subordinance.

Morgan paused while Prentiss gripped her pants leg. Her family was in trouble and she wasn't going to just leave.

"What if it was me in the hospital and you were talking to Hotch right now? Would you say the same thing?"

"Derek, I would do the same thing if any of us were in trouble. Don't you dare think otherwise."

"Ok."

"My punishment?"

"I don't want to do this, Emily, but you are suspended with pay for two days." Suspension? I was afraid he would fire me, Prentiss thought. She swallowed and said, " Ok. Good night and good luck, Derek."

"Good night." As soon as Morgan hung up, Prentiss crawled back into her bed. She gripped her pillow with the phone still in her hand. A wave a guilt passed over her- her intention was not to be rude towards Morgan; only firm. Most people would have been fired or given a harder punishment, but Morgan had been gentle on her.

My God, what's happening to us? she thought, The team is falling apart!

After a restless few hours of sleep, Prentiss threw on a pair of FBI sweatshirt and sweatpants and headed back to the hospital. She walked into the waiting room and found Rossi drinking a cup of coffee and Garcia furiously typing on her laptop.

"Hey, has he woken up yet?" Prentiss asked. She sat down across from Rossi and sighed.

"He woke up about an hour ago. Jessica is sitting with him now- he's refusing to say word! The only emotional response Jessica or the doctors got out of him was when he cried when he realized that he was still alive. Aaron is also very weak from not eating or sleeping- the doctors say they may hold him for a few extra days before they move him to psych."

Prentiss gave Rossi a weak smile. " Did Morgan ask you to fly back to San Francisco?"

"Yes. I told him out of the question, he told me that I needed to be a bit more respectful, we argued, and now I'm suspended for a week. I heard you got two days?"

"Yeah, I'm not just going to up and leave after something like this happens. But he is right, we should have gone. It's our job."

"But would you have been focused enough to do your job?"

"No…no. It would take all my strength to stop myself from flying home, regardless if the case was finished or not…but I hope JJ is ok. She's having a really hard time with this."

"So is Reid…..and Morgan. All of us, really."

Next to Rossi, Garcia suddenly stopped typing and stared blankly at the computer screen. Rossi touched her shoulder and said, " It wasn't that bad. Everyone is on edge, exhausted, and irritable. I'm sure he didn't mean it."

Prentiss sat up in curiosity. " What did I miss?"

"Morgan chewed Garcia's head off over a little thing. He got really personal and even threatened to blame her if anyone else died before hanging up on her."

"Whoa. Morgan's been bad this week, but that doesn't sound like him."

"I know, but like I said everyone is exhausted and on edge. About two hours ago, someone accidently knocked over my drink and I screamed at her. It wasn't until Garcia talked to me about the incident was when I realized that I was completely irrational and irritable. I don' think I have had a good night's sleep in about a month."

"I have the same feeling. I just laid in bed and watched the ceiling fan for the past five hours." Prentiss yawned as Garcia gasped, " Oh my God. What is she doing here?"

Rossi looked up to see Strauss entering the hospital wing. She soon approached them and said, " How are you all doing?"

"Tired and worried, ma 'am," Garcia squeaked quietly.

"Has he explained his actions?" Rossi then noticed a pink sheet sticking from Strauss' handbag. He narrowed his eyes at her in disgust. " Erin, did you come here to fire him?"

Strauss sighed and sat on the couch armrest that was next to Prentiss. " Unfortunately, yes. He attempted suicide and is incredibly ill. It's part of protocol-"
Garcia interrupted, " There is no medical leave option?...ma 'am"

"I'm afraid not. I have to let him-"

Rossi stuck out his hand and barked, "Give it to me."

"Excuse me?"

" You were planning on waltzing in there and telling Aaron that he's fired and feel that it's the best thing to do. The last time you walked in and talked him down like that, he decided to stab himself. So Erin, I am telling you this now: give me the paper and I will gently explained to him his termination when the time is right. Any paperwork needed after that will be done either through me, Jessica Brooks, Emily Prentiss, or Penelope Garcia. Understood?"

Strauss stared at Rossi in shock before handing him over the paper. "I will return later to see him. Keep me updated."

Prentiss exclaimed, " Excuse me, ma am. But why? He isn't with the Bureau anymore."

Strauss sighed and said, " Although…..Aaron and I had lots of difficulties within the past year, I still care about his well being regardless of him being an agent or not. Unofficially, I would like him to recover and come back after a year or two, but the rules say that I have to let him go." She gave them a weak smile and left.

Garcia let out a sigh of relief before seeing Jessica emerge from Hotch's room. She walked over to him and whimpered, " I'm so scared. I don't know if he'll come back from this."

Prentiss rubbed her shoulder. " Jessica, he'll be back and kicking ass in no time. Right now, he's in a dark place, but deep down he's a strong person. When he's ready, he'll fight back."

"Thanks. I have to go home and check on Jack. What do I tell him?"

"You tell him," Rossi said as he crossed his arms, " that his dad had an accident. Tell him that his dad is going to stay at the hospital for awhile so he can better and be the superhero Jack knows him to be again."