A/N: Sorry it took so long to get this update out. My muse has gone from missing to playing hide and seek. Also, I got a new laptop which uses MS Word which I've never used, instead of MS Works which I have used in the past. So, I'm learning MS Word and what does what. Please bear with me. I intend to finish this and my other two stories.

Chapter 36

Hotch's jaw dropped, and his mouth formed a perfect 'O', as the hand holding the fork dropped onto the tray. He continued to stare at the female doctor while Rossi covered his mouth with one hand hiding the smirk on his face. Haley's eyes shifted to a spot on the wall and waited.

"You have to be mistaken," Hotch stammered. "My urologist is a Doctor Sam Markus. Your brother or husband perhaps?"

The woman smiled. "I am Doctor Sam Markus…short for Samantha." She glanced at Rossi and Haley, neither of whom met her eyes. Nodding, she looked at Hotch. "I think I understand the problem. Neither your wife or your friend told you I was a woman." An amused grin appeared.

Hotch's eyebrows knitted together as his eyes shifted to Rossi. "You knew about this, Dave?" When Rossi didn't answer right away, Hotch stared at his friend. "I can't hear you, Dave. You need to speak up a bit."

Rossi shrugged. "Yes, I was aware Doctor Markus was a woman. So what? She's the best in her field, and you need the best."

Hotch turned to stare at his wife. "Did you know as well, Haley?"

Haley let out a deep breath and returned her husband's stare. "Yes. And I agreed with David. You needed the best urologist available. Is there a problem, Aaron? Are you a prude?"

Hotch pushed his plate away having suddenly lost his appetite, which hadn't been much to begin with, and sighed. "I'm not a prude, Haley. I have no objection to having a woman doctor."

Doctor Markus smiled. "In that case, Agent Hotchner, I'd like to begin my examination." She reached for the sheet covering Hotch's lower body.

"Don't touch that sheet, doctor," Hotch emphasized. "I said I have no objection to having a woman doctor. I didn't give you permission. And I won't."

"And may I ask why?"

"It's just that…well…" Hotch looked away, his cheeks turning crimson.

Doctor Markus chuckled. "Agent Hotchner, you need not be embarrassed. I have seen many men's privates. Yours would only be another set in a long line."

"No they won't," Hotch grumbled not looking at Markus.

"C'mon, Aaron," Rossi interrupted with a chuckle. He was secretly enjoying himself despite his friend's clear discomfort. "Don't be shy." He tossed his now empty Styrofoam cup in the wastebasket.

Hotch ground his lower jaw and glared at the older man. "I am not shy, Dave. I'm just not comfortable with or want a female urologist."

With a shake of her head, the doctor folded her arms across her chest and stared at her reluctant patient. She was accustomed to having difficult male patients, many were even belligerent. And this patient was certainly no different. But what she found refreshing, was the man's shyness as far as to having a woman other than his wife looking at his privates. But she had a job to do.

"Agent Hotchner, I understand how you feel, but I have a job to do and that job is to give you the best care I can. To do that I need to first examine you and see how you're healing."

But Hotch wasn't budging. "You have Doctor Betters' reports. Surely you can tell how I'm doing from those." This time he looked into the woman's eyes.

"Yes I can. But I find that despite having reports from other doctors, I still need to examine the injured area myself, and form my own opinion. This can be done one of two ways. You can either allow me to examine you. Or, I can sedate you and examine you anyway. The choice is yours. But rest assured, I will examine you. The choice is yours. So choose."

Hotch arched an eyebrow. The woman was stubborn, he granted her that. "And what if I refuse to choose?"

"Then I will choose for you. And trust me, you won't like my choice."

Hotch suspected he was fighting a losing battle with the doctor. He glared at his best friend who held up both hands in defense. "Hey, don't look at me, Aaron. You're the prude."

"I am not a prude, Dave!" Hotch said through gritted teeth. He stared at Doctor Markus. "Very well, doctor. You do your exam. But I don't want my wife in the room when you remove the bandages."

Haley arched both eyebrows as she studied her husband's face. "I understand you are trying to protect me from seeing the full extent of your injury. But newsflash, sweetie. I've already seen the injury."

Hotch stared open-mouthed at his wife. "You've seen it? When?" He wasn't angry, only surprised.

Haley stroked her husband's dark hair which badly needed a haircut. "Honey, you were in a coma for two weeks and your bandages had to be changed on a regular basis. I never left the room the entire time it was being done. I saw the injured area both before and after the surgery."

"But you agreed to leave the room in California when Doctor Betters was going to remove my bandages and examine the area. If you had already seen it, then why did you…"

Haley smiled with glistening eyes that spoke volumes. "Because it was important to you that I do so," she explained. "I figured you would be uncomfortable with me in the room. So I agreed. I was glad to do it, because Dave's presence calmed you. And you didn't need the stress of seeing the injured area by yourself for the first time. But I am not leaving you again, so don't ask me to go."

Hotch swallowed hard thinking how much Haley must love him to try and keep him from being so stressed during this time. "I love you," he said with tears in his eyes.

"I love you more," Haley replied before she pressed her lips against Hotch's and kissed him passionately.

The sound of a throat being cleared caused the husband and wife to pull apart, secretly realizing they had forgotten there were others present.

Rossi feigned embarrassment and rolled his eyes. "Sheesh, Aaron, get a room will ya." His face suddenly brightened. "Sorry, I forgot. You two already have a room." He grinned mischievously and his eyes twinkled.

"Ha. Ha. Very funny, Dave," Hotch said with his infamous stare. "Go. To. Hell." He gripped his wife's hand tightly and bit his lower lip. Haley looked at her husband seriously.

"Will you let the doctor examine you now, Aaron? I promise I'll be right by your side the entire time."

Hotch had never been able to say no to his wife when she gave him her 'puppy dog' expression. He suspected she had gotten that from watching Penelope when she did it with Morgan. He figured he'd have to have a long talk with his tech analyst about teaching his wife how to get her way with him. He let out a deep breath and stared into her eyes briefly, before turning his attention to Doctor Markus.

"Do what you have to, doctor. I won't give you any trouble." He glanced at Rossi. "Dave, can you wait outside for a few minutes? We'll make sure you're in the room when the doctor gives us her diagnosis after her examination. I promise."

Rossi smiled and winked at Hotch. "I'm proud of you, Aaron. Then again, I've always been proud of you." He held the door open and quietly left the room.

Seconds after Rossi had left, Markus moved the tray out of her way, and pulled back the sheet exposing the lower half of Hotch's gown. "Are you ready, Agent Hotchner?" she asked gripping the hem of his gown.

Hotch swallowed hard. "Not really." He faced Haley and sought out her eyes. "But go ahead." He watched his gown being lifted to expose his lower half. He tensed a bit when as the bandages were peeled back, and realized he was now totally exposed. He squeezed his eyes shut while Haley continued to cling to his hand tightly, mindful of the IV needle in the back of his hand. She watched as the doctor, now wearing white Latex gloves, touched and examined the injured area closely. Her husband's grip on her hand tightened a bit, and realized her husband was fighting the urge to pull away from the doctor. Despite having already seen the injury, it still sickened Haley to view the aftermath of what had been done to her Aaron. Although the area did appear much better, it still resembled raw meat. She could only imagine how Aaron had reacted when seeing the healing area for the first time. Minutes later, the bandages were put back in place.

Hotch opened his eyes when his gown was lowered, and the sheet pulled back up midway of his body. Markus then moved the tray back where it was originally. Hotch and Haley both waited as the doctor made several notations on the chart. After waiting as long as possible, Hotch broke the silence.

"I realize it's early, but when can I expect to begin regaining some sensation down there?"

"Agent Hotchner, everything is progressing nicely from what I can see. There's no sign of infection. And I expect there to be very little if any scarring."

Hotch breathed a huge sigh of relief. "I'm glad. But it doesn't answer my question." He studied Markus's face as if profiling an Unsub, but finding it difficult. Apparently the doctor was as good at masking what she was thinking as he was at uncovering same.

Markus swallowed hard. She had already formed her own prognosis based on all the detailed info sent to her by Doctor Betters. And her examination only confirmed what she believed. She also sensed the doctor in California had not disclosed the entire situation to his patient. But he had a right to be told. She licked her suddenly dry lips.

"Agent Hotchner…."

Hotch rolled his dark eyes. "Can't anybody give me a straight answer to what should be a simple question?"

Markus glanced at Haley and saw the nervousness etched on her face. Apparently the woman had been told of the possibilities, but decided to withhold them from her husband for her own reasons. But in the short time she had dealt with the FBI agent, he had shown himself more than able to handle things.

She licked her lips. "Agent Hotchner, before I answer your question, let me say that besides my examination, my prognosis is based mostly on the information from Doctor Betters. All I ask is for you to keep an open mind about what I tell you."

"I understand."

"I'm sure you are aware you suffered second degree electrical burns to your genital area, and that Doctor Betters had to do a surgical debridement to promote healing."

Hotch nodded as he listened. He suddenly got bad vibrations which he couldn't explain. "What else?"

Markus sighed. "Unfortunately, you also suffered nerve damage to the area which explains why you have no sensation in that area right now. With time, the nerves will heal. But we can't tell if you'll ever regain sensation in that area again."

Hotch was stunned. He knew exactly what he was being told. He glanced at Haley whose eyes were closed, but had tears rolling down her cheeks. She bowed her head as she sobbed silently. He turned back to the doctor again. "Are you saying I may never regain use of my uh…man parts again?" His lower lip trembled. "Is that what you're telling me, or trying to tell me?"

"There is that possibility, yes. All we can do is wait."

"How long do I wait?" Hotch asked a bit harsher than he intended.

Markus shrugged her shoulders. "There's no way to tell. I'm sorry."

Hotch could only nod his head and turned his face away from both Haley and the doctor. "Thank you, doctor. You can leave now." His voice was shaky as his eyes closed. A single tear rolled down from the corner of an eye.

Markus nodded and started toward the door. She did look back at her patient. "I am sorry to deliver this news, Agent Hotchner. I truly am. I will be back later to check on you." She walked out of the room quietly. Alone now, Haley stared at the back of her husband's head.

"Aaron…." She managed with a shaky voice. "Please look at me."

"You knew, didn't you, Haley?" Hotch asked not looking at his wife. Her silence gave him his answer. "Please leave me alone right now."

Haley looked at her husband tearfully. "Aaron, please. I love you. Don't shut me out."

"Just tell me one thing."

"What is it?"

"Does Rossi know?"

"Aaron…."

"Just answer the damn question!" he hissed looking back at Haley. When Haley didn't answer he looked away and nodded. "I see. You can leave now." He turned away from his wife, but sensed she was still present. "I'm asking you to leave right now before I say something I might regret. I need to be alone right now."

Haley wiped the palms of her hand over her cheeks and let go of her husband's hand. "I…I'll go, only because you need time to absorb what you've been told. But I will be back later." Hotch didn't reply while staring at the far wall.

As Haley opened the door, she nearly ran into Dave Rossi who was entering. One look at Haley's face told him what he suspected was true.

"Did she tell him?" he asked Haley softly so Hotch wouldn't hear. Haley nodded and brushed past the older man leaving him alone in the room with Aaron. Rossi closed the door behind her and approached the bed, hands stuffed in the pockets of his jeans.

"Aaron, I understand you're angry right now. But don't punish Haley. I suggested you not be told. You couldn't have handled that information in the shape you were in when you were admitted to the hospital."

Hotch looked back at his friend, his face wet and in obvious pain. "Haley is my wife. I can understand why she did what she did. But you, Dave…" he swallowed the growing lump in his throat. When he spoke again, his voice cracked with emotion. "…you're suppose to be my best friend. You should have told me."

Rossi took a step closer. The emotion on his face was intense. His best friend was hurting, and there was nothing he could do for him. "I am your best friend, Aaron. But I was more concerned with saving your life, damn it! Hotch, it was touch-and-go after you were admitted. We nearly lost you during surgery. Afterwards, I thought you should be told, but then the doctors put you into a medically induced coma."

Hotch turned his face away again. "What about after I woke up, Dave? Why didn't you tell me then?"

"The doctors decided it was too risky to tell you. You were not in any condition to be told and I agreed. I'm sorry. But what you're experiencing right now would have been ten times worse if you had known at the time. You would have done the same thing if our situations had been reversed and you know it."

"Please leave, Dave."

"Aaron, please. You're my best friend and I love you like a son. Don't shut me out. " Hotch didn't reply. Rossi finally nodded his understanding. "I'll leave you alone for now. But I want you to remember something. Neither Haley nor I would ever do anything to hurt you. Just keep that in mind." He walked out letting the door close behind him.

Haley had heard the conversation between Rossi and her husband. She hurt for the older man and told herself it wasn't fair. She slowly approached Rossi when he emerged from the room, and wrapped her arms around the older man who reciprocated.

"I'm so sorry, Dave," she said in a choked voice. "I tried to keep your name out of it. But he figured it out himself." She rested her jaw in the crook of his shoulder.

"Don't worry about me. I'm a big boy and can look after myself. I've known Aaron for over twenty years, and it's gonna take more than this to drive me away." He grinned a lopsided grin. "This old dog ain't goin' nowhere."

When Haley pulled back, she noticed the pain in the older man's eyes. "What are we going to do? Aaron needs both of us if he's going to get through this."

"We're gonna do two things. First, we're gonna give him the space and time he needs. I guarantee you, once he's had time to think about it, he'll see things differently. That's when he's gonna need you the most."

Haley wiped her cheeks again. "What about you? He needs you as well. You're his best friend."

"And I'll be there for Aaron whether he wants me there or not." He blew out a deep breath, then ran a hand over his thick head of hair.

"You said there were two things."

He smirked. "And so I did. I want you to go to the ladies' room, throw cold water on your face, and freshen your makeup. The last thing I need right now is to be stopped by a cop asking if you're afraid of me by seeing your tears."

Haley appeared puzzled. "I don't understand."

Since we have time to kill thanks to Hotch, I am buying us dinner. Afterward, you are going home and get a few hours sleep. Tomorrow, you might consider bringing Jack to see his daddy."

"But Aaron…."

Rossi gripped both of Haley's shoulders gently. "Listen to me, kiddo. I suggest we both leave Aaron alone for the rest of today and this evening. He needs time to think." He smiled. "Now go find a ladies' room."

Haley chuckled before she did as she was instructed. Rossi watched her receding back before he looked back at Hotch's room. He exhaled.

"Haley and I will get you through this, Aaron. I don't care if you never speak to me again. But I swear to God we'll get you through this."