Chapter 7
(2 months later)
As Hotch was at home recovering from his burns, Rossi flourished as temporary Unit Chief. They caught about twenty unsubs in those two months. Of course, it was never the same without Hotch. The team knew, however that he'd eventually come back. Oh sure, they all doubted it, but nothing could keep Hotch away from his work veery long. After a particularly gruiling case, Rossi heard a knock on his door.
"Hey," Rossi said as he beckoned Hotch inside.
"Hey," Hotch responded.
"So how are things at home?" Rossi asked.
"Good. I get to spend more time with Jack. He's a very inquistive little boy." He smiled, or as close to a smile he could get.
"I'm sure he has...questions," Rossi responded.
"He does," Hotch responded grimly, "I just told him the bad guy gave daddy a boo boo, but it will get better. I told him we got the bad guy and he can't hurt me again. Jack was afraid the bad guy would come back and hurt him too. I told him he would never do that. We got him." His tone took on a darker quality.
"And the montly checkups?"
"Uh... I still have to wait a few more months before I can get some of these burns healed. The doctor said they might not heal completely because they're too deep."
"What about your hands?"
Hotch winced.
"Yeah...that's something that can never be fixed. Of course, it never gets any easier. I get stares at the grocery store. People ask me 'are you the agent that got burned in the acid attack.' It's really awkward for me and Jack." He grimaced.
"Listen, Aaron. They don't know you like I do," Rossi assured, "You're a handsome man... okay, that didn't come out right." Hotch chuckled.
"Your point, Dave?"
"My point is that you're a hero. Now, no one is glad that you got attacked, but because of you, Nathan Arnold won't live to hurt another victim. You're the most compassionate man I know. You're so kind and caring to the victims we help, and sometimes the unsubs. You're not in the B.A.U for nothing. And burns or no burns, we will support you in whatever your decision is. Now, if you want to spend more time with Jack, I totally understand. I can take the Chief position permanently. But I don't wanna do it without your blessing."
Hotch sighed.
"Well, I guess there's one thing left to do."
Rossi braced himself.
"Pass my psych evals. I'm seeing a psychiatrist. I know I'm not the most...open person in the world, but after what happened, she wants me to work on that. And I have been, I've been trying. In a month I can be cleared for field duty, provided I pass my evaluations." Rossi gasped.
"Youre coming back?"
"Dave, you know me. Nothing can keep me away from the Bureau for long. And besides, with a face like mine, I could get an unsubs' confession in zero to sixty."
"Aaron," Rossi tried to scold, but he chuckled. Hotch laughed, too. Maybe Rossi was right. He was slowly getting Hotch back.
(1 month later)
"And what happened after Agent Hotchner was taken to the hospital?" Section Chief Strauss asked.
"Nathan Arnold tripped over his own can of acid and burned to death."
"And how has this affected Agent Hotchner off duty?"
"Why is this any of your buisness, Erin?" Rossi spat, "he was more worried about what Jack thought of him than anything. But Jack thinks the world of him!"
"Agent Hotchner passed is psych evals, clearly. But, you wrote the questions, correct?"
"Agent Hotchner has been seeing a psychiatrist," Rossi said, "he is more than capable of returning to Unit Chief."
"And how would his apperance affect the team dynamic? A deformed FBI agent might scare people away," Strauss said smugly. Rossi slammed his fist on the desk.
"His apperance would NOT affect the team. We love him and accept him for who he is as a HUMAN BEING unlike you! The team would function as it always has, and with Hotch as our leader, our team would be back to NORMAL Erin!"
"Agent Hotchner has been offered full retirement-"
"Again?!" Rossi yelled, slamming his fist on the table again, "this is the second time, Erin. First, it was Haley, and now it's Arnold! What do you have against Aaron Hotchner? This is the second time you have used his personal tragedy to further your own game. Now, listen to me and listen to me good, Erin Strauss: Aaron Hotchner is coming back. He will return to duty because he deserves it!" Strauss shifted uncomfortably.
"Need I remind you about New York City, Erin?" Rossi asked, "I'm sure Penelope can dig into that for us." Strauss squirmed.
"Or you can just sign the papers and back off of Agent Hotchner," a voice said.
"Director Carrol," Rossi said, "I'm sorry about that! I'll step aside."
"No need," the FBI director said.
"Director Carrol!" Strauss gasped.
"You heard the man," Carrol said, "Agent Hotchner has been through enough. He doesn't need a Section Chief with an agenda on his back. This is about the fifth time I have told you to back off of Agent Hotchner. And using his acid attack is a cruel way to do it. Now, I don't know what he did to you, but I assume he did nothing. So, you will sign off on his return and if you don't, I'll have your badge."
"And if I don't?" Strauss asked.
"Badge or New York City," Carrol replied, "what'll it be?" Strauss huffed and signed the papers.
"He starts back Monday," she said curtly.
"Watch it Erin," Rossi warned.
As Rossi walked out of Strauss's office, he saw the team there.
"How much did you hear?" Rossi asked.
"All of it," JJ replied.
"So, what really happened in New York City?" Hotch inquired. Rossi shook his head. For profilers, they really should know better.
"That's between us and New York," Rossi said.
"That's okay," Reid said, "I'll have Garcia pull it up and-"
"Reid."
"So, what did she say?" Reid asked.
"Aaron, you start Monday," Rossi said, "congratulations! We'll be here for you every step of the way."
"So are you really coming back?" Reid asked.
"I'm coming back."