Chapter 32

Several hours later Hotch woke up, and found Rossi seated in the chair beside the bed, his chin against his chest; a gentle snoring audible. A slow smile of affection appeared on the younger man's face as he studied the older man's form. He thought the rest of his team had returned to Quantico. So why was Rossi still here? Why hadn't he gone home with the rest of the team? He felt a pang of guilt and a little anger that Rossi jeopardized his job by staying here with him. Surely he must understand this? Hotch shifted his position in bed, and hissed in pain.

Rossi's head shot upward. He straightened in his chair and leaned forward with a worried expression. "Aaron?" he asked. "What's wrong? Should I get the doctor?"

"I'm…okay," Hotch answered as the pain lessened. "Moved…too quickly." He waited a few more seconds to allow himself a deep exhale of breath. "Dave…have question."

"Sure. What is it?"

Hotch licked his lips. "Why are…you here? Others…went back. Why are…you…still here?"

"Is that all?" Rossi chuckled. "I'm here because you and Haley need me. She needs somebody to talk to, and to give her a break. And you, my friend, well, I'd miss your ugly mug if I was back in Virginia right now and you were still here."

Hotch smirked. "Talk about…ugly…look in…mirror…first."

Rossi grinned. "I did. Ugly mug? Maybe. But at least I'm prettier than Morgan." His eyes twinkled when he noticed Hotch smile.

"Go home…Dave. Don't want…you…to lose job. Go…home…please."

Rossi shook his head. "Not on your life. Not until your lazy ass is outta that bed."

Hotch chuckled as his eyes scanned the room noticing somebody was missing. "Where's…Haley?"

"She didn't want to wake you so she went outside to use her cell. She wanted to contact Jess and make sure Jack would be able to speak to you this evening." His friend perked up hearing his son's name. "She's gonna call Jack later so you two can talk. Is that okay with you? You up to that?"

"What do…you think?" Hotch asked with a wide smile. He continued to study his friend's face. "You look…tired," he said quietly with the ghost of a smile at Rossi. "You need…to get…some sleep. At least…go back…to hotel."

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me, Aaron. I'm exactly where I want to be and that's right here with you and Haley. As for my job, I have that covered. Trust me."

"Trust you. Don't…want you…in trouble."

Rossi chuckled. "You know me, Aaron. This old dog always lands on his feet. Besides, there's no place else I'd rather be than right here. With my family." He gazed at Hotch and the younger man saw the love in the older man's eyes. He smiled as his own eyes became moist. Hotch started to answer when the door opened, and Haley walked into the room. She smiled seeing her husband awake.

"Hey, sleepyhead," she said with a chuckle. She approached the bed and leaned over to kiss her husband on his mouth. "How are you? And don't tell me you're fine because I know better."

Hotch appealed to Rossi for help. "Don't look at me," Rossi explained. "You're on your own." He held up both hands in mock surrender to his friend.

Hotch let out a deep breath and studied his friend's face. "Chicken." He faced his wife. "I'm fine," he replied. He watched Haley roll her eyes and shake her head, a slight smile on her face.

"Liar," she chuckled. "But just so you know, Jess will have Jack available after he's had his dinner." She noticed her husband's face light up, and understood he was happy, and she was glad she could deliver good news to him. She looked at Rossi with a serious expression. "I also spoke with Doctor Castor, the Chief-of-Staff, at the best rehabilitation hospital in Virginia, and asked about a Doctor Jessup trying to obtain his services. He is the best in his field."

"What was the problem?" asked Rossi. He was willing to pay for the doctor's services as long as Aaron needed them if money was the problem. He understood Hotch's insurance would cover the hospital.

"The hospital has a room reserved for Aaron, and can admit him as soon as he arrives. But Doctor Jessup doesn't have admitting privileges at that hospital, nor is he on staff there. Dr. Castor then recommended Doctor Markus. Doctor Sam Markus."

Rossi nodded. "I'll have Garcia run a check on this Doctor Markus and let you know what she finds."

"I'm…still here…in room. Who…is…Doc…tor Markus?"

Haley glanced at her husband. She realized she had to choose her words carefully. "Doctor Markus is the best doctor available for the injury you have, sweetheart." A glance at Rossi told him Haley wanted to speak with him privately.

Hotch considered her words believing they were discussing his knee which he realized was in a brace and still pained him. He looked at Rossi in confusion, barely missing the glance from Haley.

"Aaron, once your body is rid of the medicine used to put you into a medically induced coma, we're transferring you by medical plane to Virginia," Rossi explained carefully. "We're only waiting on the approval from the doctors here. Doctor Markus will be your doctor there."

"Just think, Aaron," Haley added, smiling. "This way Jack can visit."

Hotch smiled at the thought of being able to see his son and hugging him close, inhaling his scent. Seeing his sweet little smiling face looking up into his own with his innocent hazel eyes.

Rossi let out a deep breath. "I'll be back. I just need to check on something." He patted Hotch's shoulder and walked outside the room. A minute later, Haley sighed.

"I'll be back in a minute, sweetheart. I need to speak with Dave for a minute." She kissed Hotch again on the mouth, and left the room without giving her husband a chance to reply. Haley found Rossi tucking his cell back in his pocket.

"Garcia's gonna run a background check on this Doctor Markus," he explained. "Now, what did you want to tell me that you couldn't in front of Aaron?"

Haley licked her lips. "It's about Doctor Markus. She's a urologist, and the best in her field I could get."

"I gathered that much from the way you dodged Hotch's question in there. Wait a minute…she?"

Haley sighed. "Doctor Markus is a woman."

An amused grin crossed Rossi's face at that fact. This was going to be interesting. "I wouldn't tell Aaron if I were you," he added maintaining his grin. "I want to see his face when he can't do anything about it."

Hotch slept off and on throughout the day until around dinnertime. He was determined to stay awake so he could speak with Jack. He would do just about anything to hear that sweet little voice. Also to Haley's relief, her husband didn't ask any more questions about Doctor Markus, or about the rehabilitation hospital in Virginia. But she soon became worried because Aaron usually argued about being in a hospital, but not this time. This time he seemed almost resigned to his fate. To calm her nerves, she tried convincing herself it was because he was looking forward to going home at last. And the realization that his knee needed therapy if he was to return to the field. But instead, he just seemed to accept the information he was given without question or argument. And it was this lack of emotion and fight from her husband which concerned her the most. This wasn't like Aaron at all.

It frightened her so much that she brought her concerns to Rossi, figuring if anybody could get through to Aaron it was him. The older man agreed to talk with his friend. He waited until Haley left the room before sitting down in the chair beside the bed. He stared at his friend with knitted eyebrows.

"We need to talk, Aaron," said Rossi.

"About…what?"

"About what's bothering you."

Hotch studied his friend's face, masking his emotions. "Nothing's…bothering me."

Rossi leaned forward with arms on thighs, rubbing his hands together. "Hotch, cut the bull. This is me you're talking to here. Now what's going on with you? Talk to me. You've got Haley worried."

Hotch let out a deep breath. "Didn't…mean to…worry anyone. Worried…about knee. Wonder if…will heal. Return…to job." He really hoped Rossi would drop it but suspected he wouldn't.

Rossi shook his head and looked at his friend. "You heard Doctor Fleming, Aaron. The therapy's gonna make your knee good as new. You just have to give it time."

Hotch frowned. "How much…time?"

Rossi pursed his lips. "As long as it takes. Trust me. You will be back and better than ever. But something tells me it's something other than your knee. What is it, Aaron? What's bothering you?" He continued to stare at his friend and waited. Deep down, Rossi prayed Aaron had no inkling of his most serious injury.

Hotch licked his lips and tried to arrange his thoughts. His dark brown eyes focused on the older man, wanting to ask him the one question on his mind. But afraid of the answer he might receive if he did. He didn't really want to know the answer. But not knowing anything was worse. Hotch decided to take a chance.

"Dave…I need you…to be…honest…with me."

"Of course."

"Promise?"

"I promise. What is it?" Rossi was becoming frightened.

"Is there…something…wrong with…me…I wasn't…told about…Dave?"

Rossi sighed. "What makes you ask that?" He prayed his face stayed neutral.

"I suspect…something's…being kept…from me…by doctors…you…and Haley."

"Aaron, nobody's keeping anything from you," Rossi lied. "You been given the same information Haley and I were." He studied his friend's eyes as they looked at him warily. "I am telling you the absolute truth," he lied again.

Hotch swallowed the growing lump in his throat and his eyes moistened. "I believe I…am being…lied to…about something. Like…something is wrong…with me…that nobody…will tell me…"

Rossi could feel his heart break for his best friend. He hated keeping a secret from Hotch, but he was positive Aaron could not handle the truth right now. It would destroy him. With a sigh, he rubbed his hands together.

"Aaron, do us both a favor. Stop looking for something else to be wrong. You're going to be fine in time. But Haley's worried sick about you right now because of your, how should I say, plain lack of determination to fight. You normally argue against seeing a doctor, much less another hospital stay. And now, here you are, looking defeated and accepting of your situation. The therapy is gonna fix your knee and feet, and strengthen your other muscles before they atrophy and become useless from inactivity. And while it's true you have a long road ahead of you, don't make things worse for both of you by looking for more trouble."

"I'm…not…"

"Yes, you are. You know everything we do, yet you're convincing yourself there's something you don't know. It's like you're looking for something."

"I'm not. I…promise. It's just a feeling…I have. I guess…it's because…I don't remember what…happened."

Rossi smirked and patted Hotch's shoulder. "Don't worry about it. I just want you to promise me something."

"What?"

"Promise me you'll fight to get better, Aaron. You need to fight with everything in you."

"I…will. Promise. Not…giving…up…ever."

Rossi nodded. "I'm gonna hold you to that. And if at any time I see you giving up, I'm gonna kick your sorry ass."

The two men continued staring at each other with grins when Haley reentered the room tentatively. She looked at both men, not quite sure what she had interrupted. Rossi looked at the blond with a smile and a nod. He got to his feet allowing Haley to sit in the chair. He glanced back at her. "I'm gonna check and see if Garcia has anything on Doctor Markus. I'll be back." He glanced at his friend. "Remember what I told you, Aaron," he added with a smirk. "And after I kick your sorry ass, I'll let Morgan have a turn." He left the room quietly leaving the couple alone.

Hotch smiled at his wife and gripped her hand. He could tell she was confused. "Look...tired," he said quietly, running a calloused thumb over the back of her hand.

"I'm all right," Haley replied. "I just want to concentrate on you for now." A tired smile crossed her face. "I can't wait to get you home. Jack will be so excited to see you."

"And me him," Hotch replied. He licked his lips. "I'm…sorry."

"About what?"

"For…worrying you."

Haley smiled at her husband. "Apology accepted. I just don't want you to worry about anything. You're going to be fine. The doctors said so and I believe them. So should you." A smirk appeared. "And if Dave wants to kick your ass, don't count on any help from me to stop him."

Hotch arched an eyebrow. "What happened to…for better…or…for worse?"

Haley smiled lovingly. "That would be for better or for worse, I assure you."

"What time…is it?" Hotch suddenly asked in a voice like a little boy on Christmas day impatient for his parents to awaken.

Haley chuckled and grabbed the receiver. "I'll call and see if he can speak with you now." She pressed several buttons and listened to the phone ring on the other end. She handed it to her husband. "It's ringing," she added.

Hotch took the receiver and pressed it to his ear. After the third ring he heard a click, and then the sweetest voice in the world.

"Hello?"

"Hey, buddy. It's…daddy."

"DADDY!" the voice screamed excitedly. "When are you coming home? I miss you."

Hotch fought to keep from crying. "I…miss you too. As for…coming home…in a few…days."

"Mommy says you're in a superhero hospital."

"I am. They're gonna…make me all…better again."

"Are you gonna get new superpowers? Like will you be able to fly like Superman?"

Hotch chuckled. "No and no. But…they're going…to make sure…I'm okay."

"I sorry you won't get new powers." Hotch had to contain himself at Jack's disappointment that his dad wouldn't be getting new powers.

"They're giving…new powers…to those who…need them. They just…need to…make sure…mine…are working…before I can…leave."

"Okay. Daddy, I made you a card with plenty of sparkles. I can't wait to give it to you."

"Mommy said…it was…very nice. I can't wait…to see it. And you."

"Daddy, Aunt Jess said I can't stay on long 'cause you needs your rest."

"Aunt Jess…is right, buddy. The more rest…I get…the sooner…I can come home. I…love you…so much."

"I love you too, daddy. I hope you gets better soon. G'night."

Hotch smiled. "I will. G'night, buddy. See you…soon." He handed the receiver back to Haley who pressed it to her ear. She watched Hotch turn his face away from her and swallow the growing lump in his throat. She noticed his face contort as he tried to ward off tears.

Rossi reentered the room as Haley hung up the receiver. A glance at his friend's face, and the smile on Haley's face, gave him the answers to his questions. Haley grabbed her husband's hand and squeezed it. Hotch turned his face toward her and swallowed.

"Thank you," he managed to get out. "Both…of you."

Haley didn't answer. With her smile getting wider, she leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his lips. Her kiss said all she needed to say without words. Rossi stood inside the room with his back against the door, a smile on his face.

Three days later, Hotch was more alert than before, although still a bit out of sorts. But both Rossi and Haley didn't seem to mind. In fact, Rossi didn't even seem to mind telling Aaron again that JJ was alive and fine. He let the younger man speak with the others on the phone again to prove they were fine. Hotch found he was able to stay awake for longer periods. But he still had problems remembering things. Each time he woke up, Hotch kept asking Rossi the same questions repeatedly. Not really concerned, but still a bit worried, Rossi checked with Doctor Fleming. He relaxed when she told him that his friend asking the same questions again and again, would disappear as Hotch became more and more alert.

But Haley and Rossi were pleased with two other aspects. First, Hotch would be enroute to Virginia by the end of the day. Thanks to Rossi's talk with Strauss, the medical plane was on its way and would transport Hotch to an airstrip in Virginia. An ambulance would be waiting to take him to the rehabilitation hospital. He would be a patient there for the next six weeks. All of Hotch's medical records had been faxed to Doctor Markus and an internist named Doctor Bart Maynard. And second, Haley was more positive about having chosen Doctor Markus. Rossi had informed her Garcia had discovered the woman was an expert in her field, and her credentials impeccable. Also, since Aaron had nothing brought to or with him while he was hospitalized, there was nothing to pack. All Aaron had to do was wait for his transportation.

But first, he had to undergo one last examination by both Doctor Fleming and Doctor Betters.