Quantico Medical Center- Emergency Room

"What the hell happened?" Prentiss exclaimed as she marched towards Morgan. He put his hands up in defense, " I was with him for not even five minutes and then he collapsed."

"Why is it that every time you come within five feet of Hotch, something bad happens?" she nearly yelled, drawing attention to herself. Allison pulled Prentiss back and said, "Calm down, Emily. He didn't do anything- we have a virus running rampant through the psych ward. Everyone there is ill."

"Will he be ok?"

"Yes, he went into cardiac arrest due to a weakened immune system and what the doctors believe to be a major breakout of the flu. Last week, we had one patient that complained of flu like symptoms- he was taken out, but it spread like wildfire. Now we have 27, including Aaron, patients in psych with the flu."

"What?"

"He's ok! I kind of think Aaron hid the symptoms from us, which makes me a little mad, but they are giving antibiotics, IV fluids- the whole 9 yards. Doctors are running a blood test to check electrolyte balances, right now so we'll know everything for sure in a few hours."

"Ok- can I go see him?"

"Actually, he hasn't woken up since I restarted his heart. It'll be ok- the rest of the team and Miss Brooks are over in the waiting room. I promise you, Aaron will be fine. Just calm down." Prentiss nodded, gave Morgan a quick glare, and then walked down the hallway towards the waiting room. Morgan took a step forward, but Allison put a hand on his chest to stop him. "Uh, uh, mister. We need to have a chat. Plus, I don't want Jennifer, Emily, and Penelope all trying to kill you if you walk into that room right now. Come on- let me get you a coffee."

Dining Room

"You have dug yourself into a deep, deep hole, buddy," Allison said as she poured cream into her coffee.

"I know- I feel horrible," Morgan said sadly. Allison leaned forward to get his attention. " Derek, if I were you, I would be on the first plane to Mexico right now. I'm pretty sure Emily would have shot you if I wasn't there to stop her. But because you aren't a scardy cat like I am, I would be begging everyone on that team to forgive me, including Miss Brooks and Jack."

"Jack?"

"He's young, but he knows something is up. Kids are smarter than we give them credit for. He knows everyone is mad at you right now, believe it or not. I would sit down with him and explain to him what's going on from your point of view."

"Ok, I'll do that. If I were them, I don't know if I could be forgiving. Hotch is- he could have died."

"True, but he didn't. It doesn't hurt to try, does it?"

"No. They'll shut me down."

"Do you know your team? Do they seem like the type of people to hold grudges?"

Morgan chuckled. "No, they're good people."

"Then you should be fine. Plus if at first you don't succeed, try try again."

Morgan nodded in agreement and took a sip of his coffee. He winced at the hot taste, causing Allison to laugh. " I think QMC has the hottest coffee on the planet. It's a little weird for a hospital, in my opinion."

Suddenly, Allison's pager went off in her pocket. She pulled it out and glanced at the small screen. She glanced over to Morgan, who gave her a very scared look. " Duty calls- I have to head back to psych and help move out healthy and sick patients."

She stood up, watching Morgan's near teary eyed expression. "If you want a place to think, go up to the third floor between the children's wing and the Cardiology wing. There is a beautiful walkway that we call " Spring Road" because of all the flowers and bunnies drawn on the walls and- anyway, it's between the two wards and many families go to for a moment of peace. There is also a church up there if you are a religious man. "

Emergency Room

Dr. Matthew Miles stepped around the hospital bed, allowing a small nurse in flowery scrubs to set up to take blood from his patient. The patient was sweating, burning up, and restless in his sleep. Miles pulled out a stethoscope and placed it on his patient's chest, completing a check of the lung and heart rhythms. He then watched his agitated patient and thought, Aaron, what's going in that head of yours?

Creek, creek. Hotch continued down a long walkway with his hands trembling. The flashlight in his right hand only emitted a small dull light, only allowing him to see a few feet out in front of him. Foyet was here somewhere, ready for another round. He suddenly came across a realization- every time he found himself at guilt's door and came across Haley, Foyet had found him and killed him.

Everytime.

"Aaron….."he suddenly heard from behind him. He spun and saw nothing, only the endless corridor he was trapped in. Hotch turned back around and continued down the hallway, praying for any relief from the nightmare.

After what felt like an eternity of walking, he came across a small wooden door, dangling off its hinges. Hotch pushed the door open and found a large empty bedroom with a young boy sitting on the floor playing with trucks, his back facing Hotch.

The little boy hummed and continued to play with his action figures. He sounded so familiar…..

"Hi, Daddy," the little boy said, turning around and revealing himself to be Jack.

"Jack?" Hotch rushed over and kneeld down next to Jack. "What are you doing here?"

"Playin'."

"Why are you here?"

"I walk-ted here- I was sad 'cause you not here no-more."

"What? I'm right here, buddy." Hotch pulled the little boy into his arms and stood up.

"Nuh-uh- you tri-ded to leave me and Auntie Jessy, Auntie Penny, Auntie JJ, Auntie Em'ly, Uncle Spen-cer, Uncle Dave, and Uncle Mor-gan."

"I know- I just-was so upset. I-I won't- "Hotch took a breath and said, " I won't ever tried to leave you again, buddy."

"Promise?"

"I promise," he hugged Jack tightly and felt a tear go down his check. He suddenly heard, " How sweet."

Foyet stood at the bedroom doorway with a small dagger in his hand. " Aaron Aaron Aaron, back for more pain?"

"Jack, go to the corner," Hotch whispered into his son's ear. He placed Jack down allowing him to run towards the corner. Halfway across the room, Foyet lunged at Jack, causing Hotch to run forward and tackle Foyet. Both tumbled into the hallway, Hotch hitting the wall and Foyet landing on his stomach. Hotch grabbed the pistol from Foyet's ankle holster and was kicked in the face by Foyet. He landed on his knees, allowing Foyet time to stand up. He growled at Hotch, "Let's finish this- once and for all."

Spring Road Walkway- Quantico Medical Center

Morgan stood at the window on the walkway and looked towards the horizon. The scalding hot coffee cup felt numb to him as he stood nearly frozen as a statue.

"Derek?"

He looked up and saw JJ with a blanket on her shoulders. She walked over to him and put a hand on his shoulder. " You need some rest."

"I'm alright, JJ."

"Derek, please." She pulled the blanket off of her shoulders and held it out towards him. He reluctantly accepted it and wrapped it around his free arm. JJ pointed over to the small bench and said, " Come on. Let's sit and have a talk."

Morgan nodded and sat down on the bench. He placed the coffee cup on the floor next to him and turned back to her. " JJ, I'm so sorry for what I did. I know we should have worked on this together."

She sighed and whispered, " Derek, did you not trust the rest of us? We would have come up with something…..less stressful and where Hotch didn't get fired in the process."

"I know- I just….wanted to make sure he was in a safe place."

"I get it, but what was going after?"

"I don't know- I got out of control and I'm sorry for that."

"Hmmm…I see." She readjusted her position and laid her head against the wall. "Derek, you were horrible- I just- um- just get some rest, ok?" JJ stood up and continued, " I'm going to head home for a little and see my son. Ok?"

"Yeah. Thanks for the blanket, JJ."

JJ gave him a hesitant look before saying, " You're welcome, Derek."