Spine

When they reached the hospital they rushed Aaron straight to the OR while Spencer was made to wait out in the waiting area trying to calm his worries and nerves. He couldn't help but going through statistics and facts through his head even though this was Aaron Hotchner they were talking about. He'd repeatedly defied the odds.

He also knew he had to keep his worries and fears under control because soon his stepkids would be joining him. He had to be strong for them. He couldn't scare them with what ifs that might only be proven wrong. He couldn't scare them with the facts that hadn't even come in yet. They were only fourteen and two. He'd prepare them for the worse only if it came to that but until the doctor came back he knew nothing of Aaron's true condition only hypertheticals.

Suddenly he heard footsteps and looked up to see almost all their family arrive. He tried to not show how scared and worried he felt over the man who would have been made his husband about an hour ago if today had gone as planned. He had to assure the kids he loved as his own that their father was going to be alright no matter what.

Jack ran up to him, despite his age, and hugged him close to him while Maggie started shouting for Spenner. He hugged his stepson close to him while Maggie held her arms out for him while she was still being held by Jessica.

He sat them all down while Jack sat down beside him and Jessica placed Maggie into his lap. He stroked her hair with one hand while placing another around him. He had to comfort them and assure them their father would make it; that he'd survive the gunshots. He just wished they hadn't witnessed it but he'd do everything he could to help them over what they saw.

He knew he could get Jack a psychotherapist but with Maggie it was more difficult. With her only being two it was even harder to find her a psychotherapist to talk to. They were all mostly for school going age kids not really for babies who were still developing into toddlers. How would he help his baby goddaughter when she was affected by what she'd seen and didn't understand?

"Dad's going to be alright, isn't he?" Jack asked worried.

"Of course he is," he answered holding him close to him. "He's a fighter. You know he is..." Jack nodded looking up at him vulnerably. "Oh Jack, I really wish you hadn't seen that but dad will survive. He's the strongest person I know and I've seen him defy the odds over and over again."

He nodded. "Why did he do it? Why did he shoot dad? What did dad do to him?"

"Honestly buddy I don't know but what I do know is he's in custody and that's all that matters. You know your dad would never have provoked this attack. He's the best man I've ever known."

He nodded. "He'll always be my hero no matter what."

"I know, buddy, I know and he'll need to hear that."

"Dad bang bang," Maggie cried softly into Spencer's arms.

"I know, sweetie, I know but he's going to be alright. You'll never lose your daddy. He's a big, strong fighter and he'll fight for you and your brother always," he answered kissing her hair.

"And you," she added looking him in the eye wiping away her tears.

"Of course and me," he smiled back slightly.

"He love you."

"I love him too very much."

She smiled up at him and gave him another cuddle while the rest of them smiled slightly at the family. They knew no matter what they'd get through anything together. No matter what Aaron's injuries were they'd all help him through and he'd always have his family.

Suddenly they heard footsteps and looked up again to see a doctor arrive holding a chart. They hoped to God it was Aaron's. They were all fearing the worst and praying for some good news.

"Are you here for Agent Hotchner?" he asked.

"Yes," Spencer answered getting up with the children. "How is he? What are his injuries?"

"As you know both bullets hit his lower back. One lodged itself into the sacrum while the other chipped a bit of his lumbar vertebra. We've managed to get both bullets out but he'll need time to heal his bone injuries..."

"Is there any chance of paralysis?"

"Thankfully no but he won't be able to use his legs until both wounds have healed which might be some time. As you may or may not know bone injuries can take an awfully long time to heal especially in adults as are bones have stopped growing."

"How long will he have to be in the chair?" JJ asked remembering just how much Aaron had hated it last time even though he was also trying to work on his memory.

"We can't determine due to the healing process but we hope at the most six months. We would like to keep him in hospital though for a couple of weeks so that we can keep an eye on the area and make sure no complications arise."

"When the bone's healed I'm supposing he has to attend physical therapy to help him walk again," Jessica answered.

He nodded. "But we'll come to that when the time comes."

Spencer nodded in response. "Of course..." As Maggie rested her head on his shoulder he added, "May we see him?"

"Of course," the doctor smiled tenderly at the little girl. "All his injuries are currently sewn up, bandaged and other the covers though he might be in a bit of pain though we have linked him up to morphine."

Spencer nodded again but knew that Aaron would never do anything to scare his baby daughter or make his son worry any more than he already did. Also the moment he suspected Aaron was in too much pain to bear he'd make sure he'd take the morphine. It would kill him to see his man in pain.

JJ then added, "Doctor, two of our and Agent Hotchner's team are currently down at the headquarters interviewing the person who shot Agent Hotchner. They will be able to visit him when they arrive, won't they? I know they will want to see them."

"Of course. Just leave their names with the nurses station and they'll be permitted to his room."

"Thank you." She turned to head out then turned back to them and added, "I'm just giving Dave a call. I'll join you in a minute."

They all nodded and headed towards Aaron's hospital room following the doctor.