Chapter 30

Another week had just ended. During that time, Haley had never left her husband's side; and Rossi had only relieved her when he believed she needed a break. Or he wanted time alone with Hotch himself. But it was at the end of the second week that Doctor Betters requested Rossi and Haley meet with him and Doctor Fleming in Betters' office.

Rossi was about to make a phone call to Quantico and update the others on Hotch's current condition; but now decided to wait. Fifteen minutes later, he and Haley found themselves seated in Doctor Betters office facing his desk. Doctor Fleming was seated beside Betters' desk.

"How is Aaron?" asked Rossi, eyes shifting between the two doctors.

"He is doing very well," Fleming explained. "Which is why Doctor Betters and I have been talking and have decided to bring Agent Hotchner out of his coma."

"How will that be done?" asked Haley with tears in her eyes.

Betters folded his hands on top of his desk, his face unreadable. "We are going to gradually reduce the thiopental which we used to put him into the coma. It will take a few days for him to fully awaken. But let me state that until he is fully awake, he will be conscious for very short periods."

"It's also possible he may fall asleep during a conversation with you, so don't be alarmed if that should happen," Fleming added. "It's perfectly normal."

Rossi's eyebrows knitted together as he stared at Betters. "How long will it take Aaron to be fully conscious?"

"It normally takes about 3 or 4 days if done intra-veinously," the doctor answered cautiously. "It sometimes can be weeks or longer. Keep in mind you need not worry yourselves. In fact…" Betters and Fleming glanced at each other before Betters turned his attention back to Rossi. "…we began reducing the thiopental this morning."

"During this time," Fleming added equally cautiously. "We will need to watch Agent Hotchner during withdrawal by doing frequent EEGs. We will also need to do blood work to decide the current amount of meds needed, and review and compare standard EEG results with those taken throughout his coma. Finally, we need to see how Agent Hotchner reacts to the thiopental being reduced."

Haley chewed her lower lip. "Can't you do this faster?" she asked nervously. "I mean, wouldn't doing it this way create a problem for Aaron?" She reached out and grabbed Rossi's hand, holding it tightly. The agent, in turn, squeezed her hand to show he was there for her.

"We can give him something in an injection," Fleming added. "But doing it quickly can have deadly consequences. Your husband needs to be weaned from this medication safely. The only way to do that is intra-veinously."

Haley sniffled and bowed her head. She nodded. "You're right. I'm just impatient to have Aaron open his eyes and look at me. I miss that."

Fleming smiled at the young woman. "We understand, Mrs. Hotchner. And you need not apologize." She paused for a few minutes as if trying to arrange her thoughts. She waited until Haley lifted her head to look at her. "Mrs. Hotchner, Agent Rossi…Doctor Betters and I have talked and we both came to the same conclusion."

"Which would be…?" asked Rossi, warily.

"We don't believe the most serious of Agent Hotchner's injuries should be brought to his attention. He's probably going to eventually ask about his knee and his feet because of the casts and the splint. Maybe even his other injuries. But the damage to his genital area should not be brought up in conversation," Betters explained.

"But…but…" Haley sputtered as her eyes shifted between the doctors and Rossi. She settled on Betters. "What if he asks about it? What should we say?"

Betters let out a deep breath. "I doubt seriously if he'll ask; at least not right away. Mrs. Hotchner, your husband is still recovering from his injuries, and for awhile he's going to be in pain from his knee and his feet. And the wounds to his face are still healing. Those injuries are the obvious ones as are the knife wounds to his chest. Trust me when I say that anything else will not matter to him right now. Also, his mind can't handle that knowledge right now. We suggest you not tell him because the emotional fallout can be detrimental to his recovery, and it serves no purpose." He looked back and forth between Haley and Rossi. "Do you have any questions or concerns?"

"Just one," said Rossi as he clasped both hands together in front of his face. "I have been in contact with our office in Quantico. They are interested as to when you believe Agent Hotchner can be transferred to a hospital in Virginia. They will have a medical plane pick him up and transport him back to Virginia if needed."

Haley picked things up from there. "Aaron and I have a five-year-old who wants to see his daddy very much. And all his friends are there. Agent Rossi and I both believe it will do wonders for Aaron to be surrounded by people he knows and loves, and who love him."

Betters and Fleming joined heads and talked quietly so as not to be overheard. When finished, Fleming faced Haley and Rossi. "We understand. But let's bring Agent Hotchner out of his coma first. After we see where we are, we can then make a decision."

"Fair enough," Rossi replied with a smile.

Another week went by, and Haley and Rossi were in their usual places, seated beside Hotch's bed. Haley was holding her husband's hand tightly, and Rossi rubbed his friend's shoulder. It had been several days of reducing the med that put and kept Hotch in his medically induced coma, and he had yet the open his eyes.

"Aaron, please," Haley begged. She had become impatient for her husband to open his eyes. But never once did she allow her impatience to be on display. She kept it under wraps unless she was alone. But she suspected she didn't fool David Rossi. How he felt was seen in his eyes.

"Aaron, I need you to open your eyes and look at us. Please, sweetheart. Open those beautiful eyes of yours for us." Haley wiped her tears away by rubbing her cheek against her shoulder. "Please, Aaron."

"C'mon, Aaron," Rossi begged. "Open those eyes of yours. Stop being a lazy ass and open your eyes." Inwardly, Rossi was about to scream at his friend's lack of response after a week. "Dammit, Aaron, you can do it."

Haley bowed her head and swallowed the building lump. She choked back a sob and suddenly looked at Rossi.

"What is it?" the older man asked seeing her face.

"Aaron tightened his grip on my hand. Just a little bit, but he definitely tightened it."

Rossi, not wanting to disbelieve the woman, leaned closer to his friend. "C'mon, Aaron. You can do it. Atta boy!"

A loan moan emitted from Hotch's dry lips as his eyelids fluttered.

"C'mon, Aaron. You can do it. Just keep trying. You're almost back."

Another moan was heard. Hotch's head shifted a bit on his pillow. Slowly, his eyelids fluttered and slowly opened. Although unfocused, his eyes found Haley's smiling, wet face.

"Ha…ly…" he slurred in a husky voice. "Ha…ly…"

"I'm here, Aaron," Haley leaned closer and stroked his hair. "I'm here, my darling. You're going to be all right." There were tears rolling down her cheeks now. She kissed his forehead again. "I love you so much."

Hotch slowly turned his head just a bit toward Rossi. He saw Rossi's face smiling at him with tears in his eyes. Hotch tried to smile but his face hurt too much. "Dave," was all he was able to manage.

"I'm here, Aaron. You're gonna be okay. Do you need anything?"

Hotch licked his dry lips. "Wa…ter…"

Rossi grabbed a pitcher off the night table and a glass with a straw in it. He filled the glass with cool water, and held it to allow Hotch to drink from the straw. Hotch greedily sucked at the refreshing liquid and began to cough. Rossi pulled the glass out of reach a bit. "Slow, Aaron. Take it slow. You can always have more." He again let Hotch sip from the straw until his thirst was quenched.

When Hotch indicated he'd had enough, Rossi sat the glass on the night table beside the bed. He patted his friend's shoulder. "I'm gonna get the doctor." He glanced at Haley. "I'll be right back. You stay with Hotch." He started to get to his feet.

"Dave," Hotch grunted.

Rossi sat back down and studied his friend. Something was bothering his friend. Rossi put a hand on Hotch's head. "What is it, Hotch?" He could tell Hotch was fading quickly.

"JJ…" Hotch managed to get out. He himself knew he was giving into sleep. He was so tired. "JJ…" He could barely keep his eyes open now.

"What about JJ, Aaron?" asked Rossi, puzzled.

"Hurt…JJ…" Hotch's eyes closed as sleep overtook him. His breathing soon evened out.

Once they sensed Hotch was asleep, Haley looked at Rossi. "Why does he think JJ was hurt, Dave?"

Rossi motioned with his head for her to follow him outside and into the hallway. She glanced at her husband again before she got to her feet along with Rossi and followed him out into the hallway. Out of earshot, Rossi faced Haley.

"When Hotch was taken by Armitage, the man used JJ to lure him out of the police station. When Hotch found her, she was lying in an alley next door after having been hit from behind on the head. Armitage then kidnapped Aaron. That has to be to what he's referring." He let out a deep breath and put both hands on his hips. He glanced back through the window of Hotch's room at his sleeping friend for a minute. He turned back to Haley. "Stay with him. I'm going to find Doctor Fleming. If Aaron becomes conscious again and asks about JJ, just tell him you don't know but that I'll tell him." She nodded and he turned and disappeared down the hall. Haley sighed and returned to her husband's room.

As she stood in the doorway, Haley bit her lower lip as she stared at his sleeping form. Tears were building in her eyes. Slowly, she entered the room and sat back down in her chair. Haley grabbed her husband's hand again and proceeded to stroke his hair.

"It's okay, Aaron. Everything's going to be okay. You're going to get well. And we're going to get past this. I promise. Everything's fine."

Hotch slightly moved his head in her direction, attracted by her voice. His eyes fluttered open again. He still couldn't focus, but he was able to make out her form. A slight smile appeared despite the pain it caused his face.

"Ha…ly…" he muttered. "Love…you…"

"I love you, too," she replied smiling. "I always have and always will."

"Where…am…I…?"

"You're in a hospital, Aaron," she began, careful with her answers. "You were injured on the job. Don't you remember?"

"No. How…am…I…?'

"You're going to be fine. You injured your knee and your feet were injured. You have several other injuries, but are expected to recover."

Hotch looked into her eyes and could see she was keeping something from him. "What…other…injuries…?" he asked slowly.

Haley let out a deep breath. "Why don't we let the doctor tell you. Dave went to get her and will be here soon. She can answer any questions you have. Okay?"

Hotch stared at her and didn't answer. He painfully swallowed. "JJ…wha…about…JJ…?"

Haley remembered what Rossi had explained to her. "I don't know, Aaron. Rossi said he would explain when he returned."

Hotch closed his eyes as sleep beckoned him again. "JJ…JJ…." his voice trailed off until darkness swallowed him completely. She stroked his hair again as she watched the rise and fall of his chest, all the time wondering if her answer did more harm than good. She turned her head as the door opened, and she saw David Rossi walk in, followed by Fleming.

"Is he all right?" Rossi asked, worried.

"He regained consciousness for a few seconds then fell asleep again."

Fleming removed the stethoscope from around her neck. She glanced at Haley and Rossi. "I need both of you to leave the room." She put the earplugs in her ears.

Haley got to her feet, and with a glance back at her husband, followed Rossi into the hallway.

"Agent Hotchner? If you can hear me, I need you to open your eyes for me," Fleming requested as she listened to his heart. "Agent Hotchner?"

Aaron faintly heard somebody calling his name; but they sounded so far away. He tried to force his eyes open but they wouldn't. All he could do is moan and slightly move his head. Something felt cold on his chest. He swallowed the lump in his throat.

"Open your eyes, Agent Hotchner," Doctor Fleming insisted. "Just listen to my voice. Open your eyes for me." She continued listening to his heart.

With a supreme effort on his part, Hotch managed to crack his eyes open and look at Fleming. The woman smiled at him. "Glad to see you awake," she said calmly. "I need you breath deeply for me, Agent Hotchner." She hesitated as Hotch closed his eyes wanting to return to the blissful world of sleep. "No. Don't go back to sleep yet. Open you eyes for me."

Hotch cracked open his eyes again. "So…tired…" he murmured.

"I know you're tired, and I'll try and get done as quickly as I can." Fleming repeated calmly. "Bit I need you to breath deeply for me. In a few minutes I'll be done, and you can sleep."

Hotch accommodated her as best he could, but it was an effort. "Am…I…o…kay?" he muttered sleepily.

Fleming continued to smile and wrapped her stethoscope back around her neck. "You're fine, Agent Hotchner. You're coming along very nicely."

"Good…JJ…" Hotch slurred as his eyes fluttered closed again and sleep overtook him.

Fleming adjusted the sheet over his lower body, then checked the machines to make sure they were working properly. Grabbing the patient chart from its hook at the foot of the bed, she scribbled a few notes. She followed it by printing out a readout from the EKG machine to which Hotch was connected. After she read the printout, she nodded, and added more notations to the chart before she replaced it back on its hook. With a sigh, she left the room and was greeted by a nervous Haley and Dave Rossi.

"Your husband's fine, Mrs. Hotchner," Fleming explained sensing the woman's question. "His heart is in good shape. Also, his breathing is good. But, we will keep him hooked up until the thiopental is completely out of his system. By the end of the week, we may be able to take him completely off the machines he's hooked up to right now."

"But he's all right?" Rossi asked.

"He's fine." Fleming's face showed her confusion. "I do have one question."

"What's that?" asked Rossi.

Fleming folded her arms over her chest. "Who is JJ?"

"He mentioned JJ to you?"

"Not really. As he was falling asleep he mentioned the name JJ. Is that someone he knows?"

Rossi smiled. "JJ is a friend," he explained. "She was injured on the case that resulted in Aaron being brought here. But she's fine. He doesn't know yet."

"I see. You should let him know as soon as you can. It seems to be upsetting him, and he doesn't need that right now. We want to keep him calm if we can. You'll be able to gauge when it's all right to tell him. Now if you'll excuse me." She nodded at Rossi and Haley, before she walked away. Haley relaxed and looked at Rossi.

"I'll tell Hotch about JJ the next time he's awake. It's best to tell him soon so he won't worry about her."

Haley nodded. "Why don't you sit with him for awhile, Dave. I need to get some air."

Rossi's eyes narrowed. "You all right?" His eyes showed their concern.

"I'm fine. I just need get out of here for awhile. I'll be back. You need time with Aaron alone yourself."

Rossi smiled and patted her shoulder. "As long as you're okay. Why don't you get yourself something to eat and relax for a spell. Aaron's probably going to sleep for awhile. I'll hold down the fort until you get back, so there's no hurry."

"Maybe I will. Can I bring you anything?"

"Coffee. Black."

Haley smiled and nodded. Rossi watched her walk away before he quietly entered his friend's hospital room.