Monday Blues Chapter 7

AN - Mothers Day and Football in the UK delayed this update so hope its worth it. Seriously can't thank you enough for the reviews. Amazing. Nice to see so many Hotch angst lovers out there like me.

There was no doubt that the worst part of any hospital was the waiting room, the ominous four walls that almost seemed taunting as they close in around you, with a lack of information on whether someone you care about was going to live or die.

At least that's how David Rossi felt. He'd been sat on his own for 2 hours a solitary cup of coffee had been left untouched and unwanted as he sat in the chair staring at his shoes. His mind stuck on replaying the last few moments over and over in his mind. They'd gotten Aaron back in the ambulance but he'd coded again as they arrived and the last image of his friend had been of a doctor doing chest compressions as he was whisked away.

Two hours and he'd heard nothing and wasn't ashamed to admit he'd shed a few tears at the thought of losing Aaron. His only hope was that no news was good news.

His solitude was broken by the arrival of the team, all looking just as solemn as he felt and the state of worry and shock was written on all their faces. Jack Hotchner was of course still with JJ and the poor kid looked exhausted after a long trying day. He made straight for his uncle Dave and climbed on the chair with him cuddling in. He'd drifted off to sleep shortly after as Dave sat stroking a hand over his hair. His heart broke for Jack, how could he lose both parents so young. It wasn't fair.

"Jess is okay, keeping her in overnight for observation but she'll be fine." JJ offered, it was small comfort to them right now but at least it was something. It meant Jack would be spending the night with her and Will but he didn't seem to care. Of course his mind was focused solely on his dad.

Time seemed to drag endlessly, they had taken it turns to go looking for news and paid a brief visit to Jess who was resting but they were now back in the family room waiting. Conversation was minimal and the only sound was often the scrape of chairs as people stood up when they heard someone pass by. Just in case it was news.

Jack was now sound asleep stretched across two chairs with a blanket over him the hospital had kindly let him used. Exhaustion after a long hard day meant the poor boy was running on empty, he'd refused all food and drink and everything had finally caught up with him. He looked so peaceful as he slept, not a care in the world. Certainly not a boy who had no idea if his father was alive or not.

David Rossi's thoughts of Jack were interrupted when the doctor came in, he was first on his feet and felt his heart racing. He'd never been so scared in his life, because he'd never felt so in the dark before when it came to his best friend. Aaron may keep his emotions in check and not like talking about his personal life but Dave always did manage to get it out of him. It came through years of knowing him, helping him develop into the FBI agent he'd become. He admitted to a certain sense of pride when it Came to Aaron Hotchner.

"Family of Aaron Hotchner?" The doctor looked around clearly doubting that anyone in this room was actual family.

"This is his son." Rossi pointed to the sleeping Jack. "Where the closest thing he's got to family" To add to the point he held up his ID.

"Well it's not usual policy but..." He glanced at Jack, the innocence of the youngster who was obviously far to young to understand or deal with anything for his father. "I'll make an exception under the circumstances."

"How is he?" Morgan butted in, impatient and eager for news and the doctors delay was damned infuriating after so long sitting around and waiting.

"We operated on Agent Hotchner and found that the bullet had nicked his spleen which caused a lot of bleeding into the abdomen. We've cleared the area of excess blood and managed to repair the spleen. He'll need close monitoring to ensure there's no post operative bleeding since spleen repair is a tricky business, his internal organs were put under a lot of pressure due to the amount of internal bleeding and we all need to bear in mind he was down for quite some time. We don't know the extent that will have had on him, and we can't know until we see if we wakes up."

"So that means?" Morgan's voice showed his agitation at the doctor reeling off this medical explanation, without actually saying the words they needed to hear.

"We'll know more in time, we'll keep him sedated so that his body has a good chance to begin the healing process and we'll monitor him closely. He's still very poorly. If you'll excuse me I'll get him settled in the High Dependency Unit and you can come and see him one at a time."

The doctor left and the team felt... deflated. It was news and he was alive but his future still seemed up in the air. The room took on an eerie silence as each member of the team processed the news in their own way.

"I know this isn't the news we wanted, we were hoping for more positive news." Rossi broke the silence stroking Jacks hair. "But if he needs help finishing this fight then we damn well help him anyway we can. We are not letting him lose this one, not now, not after all making it this far." His voice was strong and determined. The signs of a man who'd had enough of feeling helpless and doing nothing. They all needed a rallying call of sorts, a pick me up, and if he was the man to do it for them all then so be it. "Jack needs us as well right now so let's snap out of this... depression... and focus on caring for them both."

He glanced around the faces of the team, all showed worry and tiredness, eyes showed signs of tears that had been shed in private moments of worry for the boss and friend.

"Right all of you, go home and get some sleep. Come back in the morning fresh and ready. I'm staying with him tonight. He's not going to be alone." Rossi ordered, determined to take control and get everyone through it together. "Come on that's not a request, none of you looks strong enough to help win this fight now so go home and sleep."

JJ gathered Jack in her arms and made her way out with the rest of the team helping her get the young Hotchner to the car and home where he could rest properly. She knew Will wouldn't object and she'd talk to Henry about why Jack may be a little sadder than normal this visit. She remembered his grazed knees so made a mental note to give him a warm bath and check him over properly.

With David Rossi once again finding himself alone, he sat back down and glanced at his hands that were shaking slightly. He buried his face in his hands and allowed himself to cry. Catching the tears in his shaking his hands as he fought to compose himself.

"Aaron you better come through this. Please god let him make it through."

TBC...