Work

Soon Dave heard a knock on his door and said, "Come in," wondering who it was. Hadn't anyone seen that Aaron was back? He'd been working as Acting Unit Chief in his absence but Aaron wasn't absent anymore. He was right next door raring to get back to work.

JJ came in holding a file and answered, "We have a case."

As she was about to open it and inform him he smiled, "Did you happen to have a look in next door?" When she looked confused he added, "He's back."

"He's back," she answered shocked. "I didn't know he was even out of the wheelchair yet."

"He's not," he replied. When she looked at him astonished he added, "He's passed his psychological and he has appointments made for his physical therapy. He just needs to get back into work. We all know how that feels."

She nodded. "Is he truly ready?" she asked concerned.

"Psychologically yes. Physical will follow. I know what you're thinking and I trust him this time when he says he won't push himself. He knows the consequences if he does."

She nodded then closed the folder. "Well, I'll see you in the conference room," she smiled.

He nodded and she headed next door. Aaron smiled as he heard the knock on the door and instructed her to come in. She smiled back at him then showed the folder and said, "We have a case."

"Where is it this time?" he asked so glad to be back.

"Someone's kidnapping, torturing and eventually strangling women in Salem, Oregon," she replied.

Guess he wasn't going on this one he thought as he answered resigned, "Get the team ready but uh JJ could you do me a favour first?"He always hated to ask for help but he needed someone to keep the door open.

As he used his arm strength to lift him up from his office chair and into his wheelchair she smiled, "Of course I'll hold the door open for you."

"Thanks JJ," he answered taking off the brakes and heading to the door which JJ was currently holding open for him. He then wheeled himself out while JJ followed.

He then wheeled himself down to the conference room while she gathered the team together. When he got in there he went to his old chair and placed the brakes back on and slid himself from the wheelchair into his old chair at the round table.

They all smiled as they saw him and Spencer discreetly folded up the wheelchair and placed it near the couch then sat back down beside his husband. He placed his hand over his underneath the table while everyone smiled, "Welcome back, bossman."

"Thanks. It's good to be back," he smiled back.

"How are you doing?"

"I'm getting there. Determined to be out of that wheelchair soon enough but I promise you all I won't push myself. I know I have in the past but believe me the last thing I want is to be paralysed..." When he saw them all nod he added, "Now let's get on with this case."

They nodded and JJ picked up the remote. She explained to them how three blonde, young women had been kidnapped for three days then their bodies had been found by the police station with stab wounds, burns and strangled. Though they'd suffered multiple stabbings and burns the CODs had come out as strangulation.

"Wheels up in 30 minutes," he smiled.

"Bossman, you can come work in my office since you can't fly. Keep me company," Garcia smiled.

"Thanks Penelope. I was hoping you'd say that," he smiled back.

Spencer then brought the wheelchair back and after opening it placed the brakes on. Aaron then picked himself up from the chair he was currently sitting in and using his arms placed himself back in the wheelchair. He then placed the brakes off and wheeled himself down towards his office and the steps in front while his team followed.

When they got to the stairs Spencer grabbed the handles of Aaron's wheelchair while Morgan went down the stairs a bit and grabbed the footplate with both his hands. Between the two of them they carried their boss and his wheelchair down the stairs while Rossi went into Hotch's office and grabbed him some of his files.

When they got to the bottom of the stairs Aaron wheeled himself to the door of the bullpen while his team followed. When they got to the door JJ opened it up for him and he wheeled himself out while his team followed him.

When they reached the lifts most of the team left for the jet while Garcia and Hotch wished them all to stay safe. He couldn't handle anything to happen to any of them while they were away especially his husband. They were his family and he'd be going with them if only he wasn't in this damn wheelchair.

"Come on, bossman, down to my dungeon of knowledge," Garcia piped up holding up the files Rossi had given her before they left.

He smiled slightly up at her and nodded knowing she was trying to ease how hard it was to see the team go without him because he simply couldn't while he was in a wheelchair. As much as he loved Garcia he vowed to himself he'd be out of the wheelchair soon and be chasing down the UnSubs physically with the rest of them.

He followed her down to her office and she held the door open for him. He placed his wheelchair near the side of her chair and she smiled at him trying to mask the pity she currently felt. Him not being out to go into the field currently felt like half of their boss was missing but they'd all help him back onto his feet so he could go back out there again as soon as possible.

Thankfully they kept them both in the loop so Aaron could make the final decisions of where they'd go with each new bit of information they discovered so he could stay in charge even if he wasn't with them physically. He was more than touched that they allowed him to be in charge even if he couldn't be with them except here in Quantico.

It was his call when they ended for the day and when he did he asked to privately speak to his husband and not over speaker phone. Spencer picked up the phone turning it off speaker phone.

"Darling, don't worry, you won't be on your own with the children tonight. I called Jessica on the plane here," Spencer said.

"Honey, I know you did. I just wanted to tell you to stay safe. Losing you would kill me."

"Darling, I will. You too."

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

They then ended the call and Garcia smiled at her boss while he blushed a little. "What?" he asked.

"You and baby genius are just so cute," she squealed. He blushed even more so she added, "Come on, bossman, let's get you home."