Three weeks later- Bookends Café, Washing ton D.C

"Don't forget- if you work hard, you can get join the FBI Academy and become an Agent someday," Rossi said to a young 12 year old, who nodded happily. His mother gave Rossi a thankful smile and walked away with her son. Rossi had just completed a lecture to a crowd of eager fans, some young and some old. He usually went on tours once a year, but the medical leave prompted him have another go locally.

Jenna, Rossi's assistant, sneezed, grabbing the Agent's attention. "Sorry sir, I-there is someone here to see you."

"No autographs right now, Jenna. I need a break." Rossi sat down on one of the bookstore's couches and sighed. Jenna hesitantly responded, "I think he works with you- tall, extremely handsome?"

"Morgan," he said. Rossi stood up and glanced over to the door, where he saw Morgan, waiting patiently.

"Morgan?" he called out as he approached his teammate. Morgan put his hands in his pockets and asked, "Can we talk?"

"Oh, yeah. Let me tell my assistant that I'm going to go on a break." Rossi turned to Jenna and said, "I'll be back in 20," to Jenna. She nodded and started to collect abandoned programs from empty audience member seats.

Rossi and Morgan stepped outside and started walking down the street. It was unusually warm for a February day, making the walk bearable.

After a few minutes of silence, Rossi asked, "So you took my advice?"

"Yeah and you were right- I do blame myself. I feel that maybe I shouldn't have said something."

Rossi smiled, "I have four words to describe your intentions- right idea- poor execution."

"I understand."

"You went rouge, but I know you care about this team." Rossi said. He stopped and shivered. Morgan sighed before saying, "So are we ok?" Morgan asked.

"Have you seen Aaron?"

"No."

"Go see Aaron and then ask me that same question," Rossi asked. He turned back to the bookstore and said, "I have to go- I'm doing another lecture on my book and I need to get some lunch. "

"Rossi, if I were Hotch, I wouldn't want to see me."

"Morgan, you do care about Hotch and the rest of us, right?"

"Yes, of course."

"Then, go see Aaron. You violated our trust immensely…but everyone has the right to earn it back. Ok?"

"Yeah- I'll head over there right now."

"Good- I also expect to see you visit the hospital more often and no more fighting with JJ and Prentiss any more. And for God sake's, Derek; please- no more grief on Garcia. She doesn't deserve it."

Quantico Medical Center

"Alright, our fourth session," Ames said as he sat down in the chair across from Hotch. "The question-"

"No-"Hotch stammered, giving Ames a glare. Not only did he not want to talk about the question, he did not want to do anything. For the past week, he had grown more and more exhausted and sick. The night before he had a high fever and threw up twice. Something was wrong, but Ames insisted on having a session today, regardless.

"Ok; we won't talk about it today. But keep in mind, Aaron, I won't let it go."

"Fine."

"Ok, so tell me about the team. I have never seen a team so dedicated to its leader before."

"I'm not the leader anymore."

"Aaron, you're the leader of that squad official or not. It seems like you guys are a family more so than a team."

"I- I would consider them to be very close, yes."

"What do you think they think of what you did?"
Hotch gave him a teary stare, lost for words. - They must think so little of me.
"Aaron, you don't think that they are disappointed in you, do you?" Hotch leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes with no response.
"Aaron, these people care about you. They are happy that you are still with us." He leaned forward, only to hear, "They shouldn't be."
"They have every right to- here, let's make a list of things that you have. Let's call it a reminder of the good things in life." Ames tore a sheet of paper from his notebook and looked back up to Hotch, "What first?"

"Ok...my son...made me happy."
"That's good- we can put family. I'm sure you enjoy your sister in law and brother Sean right?"
"Yes."
"And your team?"
"They...they're family."
"Good. What else?"
"My job- I loved my job," Hotch answered.

"When did you find out about your job?"
"A few days ago. Agent Rossi had requested to do it when he felt that I was ready. It makes sense- the Bureau has no room for incompetence-"

"Aaron, you are a very stubborn man. You aren't incompetent- I can promise you that. Don't let this hold you down- I've had agents come back from their darkest hours like you and reapplied to the bureau and got their jobs back."
Hotch swallowed, trying to hide his feelings. They wouldn't take me back. Not after what I've done.
"How do you feel about not being an Agent anymore?"
-Like a failure. "I'm fine," Hotch lied. Dr Ames smiled mischievously," Aaron…..You're lying."
"I'm fine, Dr. Ames. Really, I am." Hotch blinked and felt his vision go blurry, "Doctor, I really don't feel well- I need to lie down."

"I understand. What's wrong?"

I feel like death…." I'm alright- I just need to lie down. Just a bout of nausea."

"Alright, we can finish this next week. I hope you feel better." Ames stood up and turned around to see Allison at the door.

"There is someone here to see you, Aaron," Allison said hesitantly."I know you aren't feeling well, but this will only take a minute."

She stepped aside, revealing Morgan standing at the door. Ames quickly glanced between the two men before nudging Allison out the door. He turned back and said, "Five minutes."

Hotch slowly sat up, his head throbbing the entire time. He slid his legs off the bed and said quietly, "Morgan?"

"I know I haven't come by and it's been almost a month-"Hotch stood up and felt his feet wobble. His vision started to darken, causing his breathing to become rapid.

"Hotch, I know you -," Morgan continued. Hotch held out his hand to Morgan, close to collapsing.

"Hotch? Are you- sit down." Morgan grabbed Hotch's arm, but before he could say another word, Hotch collapsed into his arms.

"No-no-no, not again. Hotch?" Morgan shook Hotch's shoulders, but received no response. Morgan turned his head back and screamed, "Help!"

Allison busted in and exclaimed, "What did you do?"

"I didn't-he just"

"Oh, ok. Ok. See the button over his bed?" Allison pointed a small blue button a few feet above Hotch's bed. "Push it." Morgan handed Hotch over to Allison, who laid him onto the floor. Morgan hit the button to hear an alarm go off. Allison leaned over Hotch's chest and murmured, "Crap. Not today, Aaron."

She started to do compressions on his chest as nurses started to enter the room. Allison said between counts, "Cardiac- arrest- AED-Stat!"

Morgan stepped back as a nurse set up the AED and Allison gave two rescue breaths to Hotch.

What did I do? What the hell did I just do? Morgan thought.