Wheeling

It had been five months. Five months since he'd been shot at the altar. Five months since he'd had to leave hospital in a wheelchair unable to do anything for himself. Five months since he'd become married to his beloved husband.

It had been five months of hellish recovery and he still had more to go. He was thankful though that the bones had healed. All that lay ahead of him now was the physical therapy.

He'd had to regularly attend appointments with the doctor where they'd x-ray his back monitoring the healing of his sacrum. Spencer would always accompany him to the appointments even when he'd returned to work a week after he'd left hospital.

Spencer, what a godsend he'd been to him during the first part of his recovery. He'd just stood by and supported him even when he let out in frustration that he couldn't do anything for himself in case of worsening his back and never being able to walk again. When he'd blow up Spencer would just gently assure him that he was making progress and that he'd be able to do things for him soon also that he understood how frustrating it must be for him but things were getting better. He could never understand how Spencer could put up with such a grumpy, awkward bugger who'd hit out every now and again at not being able to do anything for himself. He had to really love him so incredibly and even though they were already married Aaron felt himself falling even more and this had only brought them closer than ever. He was also thankful he'd never flown off the handle in front of his two children.

Two weeks ago his sacrum had healed to such a state that he could begin to do things for himself thankfully and he'd had physical therapy appointments set up until he could walk again finally. He was more than thankful that he could now wheel himself about and had even attended an FBI psychological to see if he could get back to work even though he was aware he couldn't go into the field again until he was cleared to fly but all that mattered to him was being able to get back to work even if it was currently victimology in Garcia's office. He'd use his own office if the case was at home but he just wanted to get back to work as soon as possible. He wanted to feel useful rather than useless like he had for the past five months.

He was to start back at work today much to his relief. Spencer had promised him he'd help him with the steps up to his office. He'd been thankful and was relieved they'd be his only problem. He just hoped Cruz allowed him back to work. He was going out of his mind having to stay at home while his husband went into the BAU.

He had a meeting with Cruz this morning to see if he allowed him to get back to work. He really did hope today was his first day back and he hadn't been lied to.

Spencer got them both to the FBI headquarters. When they got in the receptionist tried to mask her look of shock as she saw Aaron arrive in a wheelchair. Aaron and Spencer just showed their badges and headed to the lift. Aaron shook off the looks of shock as he knew they were going to come but he wouldn't let them affect him. He was getting better and soon he wouldn't even need the wheelchair.

Once in the lift they travelled up to the same floor but parted ways once they opened up to the bullpen. Spencer headed to his desk while Aaron headed the corridor to Cruz's office wheeling himself all the way.

When he got there he gently knocked on the door and Cruz answered, "Come in."

Feeling a little awkward Aaron answered, "It's Agent Hotchner and your door's closed."He hated to remind people he was in a wheelchair. He still hated to be in the wheelchair and was determined he'd soon be out of it.

A few minutes later he heard him open the door and looked up to see he had so wheeled himself in after Cruz allowed him enough space to. Cruz smiled sadly to see Hotch back at work if currently wheelchair bound. Aaron wheeled himself towards the desk while Cruz went behind it.

"Good to see you, Aaron," he smiled slightly.

"You too, Matt," he smiled back.

"Talk about taking one for the Bureau."

"At least I can do things for myself now and I'm determined to be out of the chair soon enough."

Cruz picked up Hotch's psychological report and smiled, "I've had a look at your report and I don't see why you can't return to work today. Of course whilst in the chair you can't go in the field so you'll only be able to stay here..."

"I'm prepared for that. I'm even prepared to remain in either my office, Garcia's office or the bullpen until I'm cleared to fly. I just want to get back to work. I'm going stir crazy at home," Aaron smiled back.

"I bet. Well let me be the first to say welcome back Aaron," he smiled putting the report down.

"Thanks," he smiled back.

"I'll get the door for you."

He smiled up at him as he wheeled himself out of the office after Cruz had opened the door for him. He then wheeled himself down to the bullpen and smiled when he saw Rossi come to open the door for him.

"There's a face I remember," he smiled down at him. "Spencer, told me you're back."

"Back and raring to go," he smiled back.

"Are you really ready?" Dave asked concerned.

"Not you as well, Dave. I've already been through this with Spencer and Cruz. I'm fully prepared to stay behind in Quantico until the doctors deem that I can fly and I'm determined to get out of the wheelchair as soon as possible but I promise you as tempting as it is I won't push my recovery. The last thing I want is to be paralysed," Aaron assured him.

"Good good. Would you like me to help you up the stairs?"

"No offence Dave but I'd rather my husband carry me up there. You can carry the wheelchair though."

"Fine with me."

Aaron wheeled himself to the stairs then Spencer helped him into his arms and carried him up the stairs and into his office while Aaron gave the rest of the agents the famous glare daring them to say anything about his current condition. Spencer then placed him in his chair while Dave opened up the wheelchair next to his office chair and put the brakes on.

"Thank you and get back to work," Aaron smiled being back in his office chair and picking up his pen to get through the day's files.

"Yes sir," they saluted smiling but glad to see him back where he belonged in his office even if he still had a fair bit of recovering to get through before he could join them back in the field and chasing down the UnSubs like old times.