A/N: I thought I'd better add this. Jason, who is mentioned in this chapter, is not the other person who originally hurt Hotch along with Wheaton. Jason has his own agenda regarding Hotch.

Chapter 21

JJ stood behind the podium on the front steps of the hospital, looking out at the sea of reporters watching her. She glanced over each shoulder briefly to see Rossi, who had recently arrived, and Emily, standing on either side of her. There were also a handful of uniform officers. She held up the composite and began to speak. The members of the media listened quietly as she talked.

"We're asking that all men stay alert, and be aware of their surroundings and of those around them. And if at all possible, for men not to go out alone. The man in this sketch is possibly responsible for viciously beating his victims before he kills them," she concluded. "I will take a few questions."

Things went well with the reporters' questions until one reporter, whom JJ had known for three years, asked a question the media liaison hoped to avoid.

"Is this sketch of the Rohypnol rapist who the FBI didn't catch in Milwaukee?"

"We have no proof of that." JJ said and pointed to another reporter.

"Is this the same man who attacked Agent Hotchner?" the same reporter asked.

"We have some leads we're following, but at this time we won't speculate as to the identity of Agent Hotchner's attacker."

"That's not a no," the same reporter interjected again.

"Can you give us an update on Agent Hotchner's condition?" asked another reporter.

"Agent Hotchner's injuries are extensive," JJ said wording her response carefully. "According to doctors, Agent Hotchner's injuries were life-threatening, and are still being assessed by the team of medical professionals caring for him." She pointed to another reporter. "You have a question?"

"Was Agent Hotchner raped?" asked the same reporter from before, determined to get his answers.

"As I just stated, Agent Hotchner's injuries were life-threatening, and are still being assessed by doctors. That's all we have right now. Thank you." JJ turned abruptly and walked away with the crowd still bombarding her with questions. She walked into the hospital flanked by Rossi and Prentiss.

"You did good, kid," Rossi told her with a grin.

JJ grinned at the older man as she pushed a strand of long blond hair over her shoulder.

"I almost lost it with that one guy out there," she said with a chuckle.

Emily looked grim. "Only thing is, some of these clowns will make the leap and publicize the possibility of Hotch being raped anyway."

"True," Rossi concurred. "But as long as we don't confirm it, speculate is all they can do."

"Where's Reid and Morgan?" asked Emily having not seen either agent.

"Reid went to check the security footage. He's hoping he can find where the UnSub went after leaving Hotch's room," JJ explained.

Rossi crossed his arms over his chest. "Morgan called me while I was enroute here. He's on his way here from the crime scene."

"What crime scene?" asked the blonde. Rossi quickly explained about Deidre Stimson's body being found. "According to Morgan, the babysitter's body shows signs of ligature strangulation, and blunt force trauma."

"Any signs of rape?" asked Prentiss.

"Not that Morgan could tell. But he asked the ME to check anyway."

Both women shook their heads sadly as they only imagined the horror the teenager must have gone through at the hands of the UnSub.

"I'm gonna go find Reid," Emily said.

Rossi ran a hand over his graying hair. "I want to visit Aaron first. Afterward, we can go find Reid together."

As the trio headed to the bank of elevators, JJ pressed the up button. The trio remained silent until the 'ding' was heard and the doors hissed open. They stepped inside, and Rossi pressed the button for the fourth floor. The doors hissed closed behind them.

As the elevator ascended, JJ and Rossi noticed Emily appeared distracted.

"Care to share with the class?" asked Rossi.

"What?" Prentiss asked, not paying attention to Rossi's question. "Were you talking to me, Rossi?"

"I asked if you want to share whatever's on your mind with the class."

Emily shook her head. "I'm not sure whether it's anything. At least not yet. Maybe not at all." She moved a strand of black hair behind her ear. "It's probably nothing at all. I'm probably just overreacting because of what happened to Hotch."

"Why don't you let us decide that?" JJ advised her as the elevator doors hissed open when they had reached the fourth floor. She ran a hand up and down Emily's arm and tilted her head a bit. "Talk to us, Em. Tell us what's bothering you."

Prentiss studied both of them as they walked out. "Do either of you know an agent named Jason Hemminger?"

JJ shook her head. "Not really. Why?" she asked.

"He said he was sent here to help in the search," Emily explained. "Also, he was with me in Hotch's room earlier and there was something about him."

JJ looked puzzled. "What do you mean by something?"

Rossi's eyes narrowed. "I was friends with Arthur Hemminger during my early years with the Bureau. He showed a lot of promise by the time he joined the BAU. Jason Gideon was the Unit Chief at the time. He announced he planned to retire after one more year. Both Hemminger and Hotch were being considered to replace 'im when that time came. Hemminger had one year seniority over Aaron. Anyhow, before Jason retired, Adrian Bale happened, and six agents were killed. Jason suffered a complete meltdown and was placed on medical leave. I had already retired long before Bale happened. Hemminger was made temporary Unit Chief for the moment until a final decision was made. But the rumor was that his promotion would become permanent. Then while partnered on a case, Hotch and Hemminger were out in the field when tragedy happened." The trio walked in the direction of Hotch's room. (1)

"What happened?" asked Prentiss. The trio stopped near Hotch's room so they could talk. The two guards outside the door moved away to give the three agents privacy. The others, mindful two of their own were present, kept their voices low.

"From what I remember," Rossi began. "They went to a house to arrest a suspect for a series of rapes. After they entered the house, the UnSub somehow got the jump on Hemminger, and shot 'im in the back of the head. Nearly killed Hotch as well before Aaron shot and killed 'im. But Hemminger had died instantly. He was divorced with one child. A son named Jason who I lost track of after he entered the Academy. Hotch was named the new Unit Chief." The trio now stood outside Hotch's room.

He focused on Emily. "Jason is a good kid. Shows a lot of promise. What troubles you about 'im?" Rossi led the way into the room quietly. He waited until the two agents inside left to give them time alone with their boss. The trio stared at their unconscious friend and boss. JJ had her arms folded across her chest. Rossi's hands were stuffed in the pockets of his jeans. And Prentiss had her hands on her hips.

"I'm not sure, and that's the problem," Prentiss replied. "I can't explain it. It's just a feeling I have, Rossi."

Rossi and JJ studied the brunette. They both trusted Emily's suspicions. If she believed something was wrong, then they had to pay attention to it. They turned their attention back to Hotch.

"You said he was in the room with you when you visited Aaron," Rossi repeated, his eyes studying his best friend hooked up to machines and wires. Prentiss nodded.

"Did he do anything?"

"Not a thing. That's when he told me he had be sent to help in the search. But the expression on his face while he looked at Hotch when we were here together was just…I can't describe it, but it was…strange in a way." Then she remembered something. But wasn't sure how it fit into the scheme of things. "He did remark that Hotch had been worked over pretty good. Then he asked me what happened to him. I told him Hotch had been mugged. I left not too long after that. The two agents who were just in here were outside, and waited until Hemminger left before they came back into the room. I was watching from the end of the hall."

Rossi mulled over what he had been told. He glanced at the door to make sure they were still alone. He tilted his head towards the blonde.

"JJ, when you have a chance, and be discreet. Contact Garcia and have her run a check on Jason Hemminger. And have her be discreet as well. We're checking on one of our own so we need to be careful how we go about it." JJ nodded her head while continuing to stare at her boss along with the other two.

"You think one of our own might be involved in this somehow?" JJ asked.

Rossi shrugged. "Can't really say for sure." He kept his eyes glued to his best friend. "Could be nothing. Could be something. But if it raises a red flag with Emily, it at least warrants us looking into it." He turned his head toward JJ. "Don't you think?"

"Absolutely," the blonde replied. "I mean, somebody could have helped our UnSub gain access into Hotch's room as a doctor."

"Exactly. And it's possible our UnSub already knows Wheaton has been arrested. And has gotten someone else to help him get close to Hotch again." He turned back to his friend.

"If that's true," Prentiss added. "Then Alana Wheaton might be running out of time."

Rossi's eyebrows knitted. "I don't think so. I mean, the UnSub dumped the babysitter because he didn't need her anymore. Alana is important for now. He needs her to keep Wheaton in line. But that's not what bothers me." Rossi turned and started toward the door with Emily and JJ following him.

"Then what is bothering you?" asked Prentiss when Rossi gripped the door handle. The older man glanced over his shoulder at the brunette.

"What bothers me is what happens to Alana when he's convinced Wheaton is no longer a concern." The trio exited the room.

Jason Hemminger's face was beet red as he angrily paced back and forth in the stairwell of the hospital. He paced like a caged animal who was trapped with no escape. A hand nervously rubbed the back of his neck, and muttered incoherently under his breath. He was extremely angry at the moment and realized he had to calm himself before he came into contact with other agents. He stopped pacing, looked up at the ceiling, and let out a deep breath. He never thought he would see Aaron Hotchner again. Not after that day anyway. He hated the man with every fiber of his being. As his anger began to take over again, he took another deep breath and let it out. Get a grip, Jason, before you bring attention to yourself.

Once he started to calm down, he reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. He reached inside and pulled out a small color photo of a smiling man somewhere in his thirties with light brown hair and blue-gray eyes. A tear came to his eye as he smiled a weak smile. The photo was the last one he had of his late father, Arthur Hemminger.

"I miss you so much, dad," he said softly as he wiped his eyes. "I so much wanted to make you proud of me. But that damned bastard Aaron Hotchner took it all away the day he let you die. He let you die so he could have the job you were meant to have." He recalled the events of the day his world changed forever.

(Flashback):

Two FBI agents came to the house in the mid-morning hours with grim expressions on their faces. One of them was a younger Aaron Hotchner. He recognized Hotchner by sight because his father had brought the dark-haired man to his home occasionally while married. His father described Hotchner as the best agent with whom he had ever worked. And Hotchner certainly remembered Jason from when he taught at least two classes at the Academy. Despite being in the Academy, Jason had seen his dad's face often enough to understand what the expression on Hotchner's face meant. It meant bad news.

"Agent Hotchner? Why are you here?" Maybe if he acted surprised, the news wouldn't be so painful when he heard it.

"Jason, is your mother here?" Hotch asked solemnly. Jason indicated she was. "Could you please go get her?"

"Yeah, sure." He invited Hotchner and the other agent into the house. Hotch watched while Jason hurried upstairs to get his mother and tell her they had guests.

Now alone in the living room, Hotch glanced around and found the living room quite homey-looking. He noticed a framed 11x14 color photo hanging on the wall above the fireplace. It was of a man in a tux, and a woman in a wedding gown, both smiling happily at the camera. He knew right away it was Hemminger and his wife. Hotch also knew the man in the photo was divorced now from the woman. At that exact moment, Hotch wished someone else was about to deliver bad news to Hemminger's family. But he felt it was only right that he do it. He took a deep breath and prepared himself.

His attention was drawn to the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs. Jason reappeared first, followed by a slender and rather attractive woman with graying hair. She had the most penetrating green eyes Hotch had ever seen, and they were focused on him. A small smile greeted the agents.

"Agent Hotchner," Stella Hemminger greeted the young man politely.

"Ma'am," he murmured, a weak smile appeared. Damn those eyes seem to be looking right through me.

Stella looked at the man with Hotch. "I'm afraid I don't know your name, young man."

The agent beside and just behind Hotch had a grim expression. "I'm Agent Wilson, Mrs. Hemminger."

Stella smiled slightly. "Jason said you wanted to speak with me." Her eyes landed on Hotchner again.

"Yes, ma'am," Hotch began. "I uh…I'm afraid I have bad news to give you and your son." Hotch struggled to find the words he needed. "I don't know how to break this to you, but your ex-husband, Arthur Hemminger, was killed in the line of duty earlier today. I'm so very sorry for your loss."

Stella Hemminger, despite having been divorced from Arthur, broke down in her son's arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Despite the divorce she still loved the man deeply, and Jason knew it. Jason engulfed her in a tight hug while giving Hotchner a stricken look as tears gathered in his own eyes.

"Shhh. It'll be okay, mom. It will." He kissed the top of her head gently. He backed away a bit, and looked into her face. "Mom, why don't you go upstairs and lie down on the bed. You've had a great shock. I'll be upstairs as soon I'm done here. I promise."

Stella nodded as tears continued to stream down her face. "I…I'm sorry," she stammered to the agents. She glanced at Hotchner. "I…I need…please forgive me, Agent Hotchner. But I need to lie down for a while. Ex…excuse me."

"Of course, ma'am," Hotch replied, struggling to control his own emotions. This was the one part of the job he hated. "Again, I am so sorry."

Stella turned away not seeming to have heard Hotch, and trudged upstairs. The sound of a door slamming upstairs told them enough.

Hotch faced Jason. "Will she be all right?"

Jason nodded as tears rolled down his cheeks. "I…I'll take care of her. How…how did my dad die?" he managed.

Hotch let out a deep breath and arranged his words carefully. "He…he took part in going into an UnSub's house to carry out an arrest and…the UnSub somehow got behind him and shot him."

Jason grimaced. "I don't…I'm confused, Agent Hotchner. I thought agents wore vests when confronting an UnSub?"

"They do, and your father did. But the UnSub shot him in the head. He died instantly. I'm so, so sorry."

Jason massaged the back of his neck as he turned his back to Hotch, and walked a short distance away. "And did you arrest him?" he asked. "The man who shot my father."

"He was shot and killed."

Jason, his back still turned to Hotchner, nodded. After a minute, he turned around again. "Thank you, Agent Hotchner, for coming by to tell us. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to look after my mother."

Hotch pursed his lips. He reached inside an inner jacket pocket, and removed a business card. He handed it to Jason. "Of course. If you or your mother need anything, please call me." He glanced at Wilson for a second. "We'll show ourselves out." With final nod at Jason, Hotch and Wilson left the house.

A minute later, Jason looked at Hotchner's card and angrily tore it in half twice. He had a feeling the agent wasn't telling him the entire truth, and he'd be damned if he'd let anybody get away with that.

Jason closed his eyes and forced the memories back into the dark recesses of his mind. He needed to do that before he could concentrate on making Hotchner pay. He had discreetly looked into his father's death on his own. One thing he needed was to find out was who had been with his dad at the time of his shooting. He had a suspicion but needed to confirm it. He was surprised, but not that surprised, to discover that Hotchner had been the agent who backed his dad up when they went to arrest the UnSub.

He ground his lower jaw silently accusing Hotch of not doing his job. How could this man kill his father? Where was he when his dad needed him? He had also been stunned to learn his dad and Hotchner were both considered for the Unit Chief position. And that his dad would get the job. How ironic that his dad was killed when it appeared he would become the new Unit Chief to replace Jason Gideon. Hotchner lives and my dad's dead. He got my dad killed so he would become Unit Chief. You bastard! You didn't watch his back! You tried to hide your part in this. Well, you won't get away with it.

He tucked the photo back inside his wallet, and put the wallet back in his pocket. An evil smirk appeared. You will soon understand how it feels to expect somebody to have your back, only to find out they don't. I will make sure you suffer like you've never suffered in your life. And your damn team won't be able to save you.

(End of Flashback)

Rossi, JJ, and Emily, having searched everywhere for Spencer Reid, finally found him in the cafeteria. He was seated in the back of the cafeteria with a large Styrofoam cup in front of him. He was staring out the floor-to-ceiling window at the people below him. As they wanted coffee themselves, they each poured a cup of coffee from the machine, paid for it, and walked toward their teammate. Reid was sipping from the Styrofoam cup, and appeared to be savoring each sip, his eyes never leaving the people he was studying. He was so absorbed in what he was doing that he didn't hear the others pull out the hard plastic chairs and sit down at the table.

"Spence?" JJ asked taking a sip of her hot coffee. She waited for Reid to respond. When he didn't, she nudged him with an elbow "Spence…"

Reid reacted to her contact, and noticed the others for the first time. "What are you guys doing here?" he asked, bewildered.

"We could ask you the same thing," Rossi replied. "We were looking for you and nobody had any idea where you had gone after you left the Security office."

"I was right here," Reid replied as if amazed his teammates hadn't realized this.

"We know that now, Reid," Prentiss took a sip of her coffee. "But at the time we wondered where you had gone. It was only after we had looked everywhere, that JJ suggested we try the cafeteria." She smirked.

"And here you were," JJ added with a smile. "Did the security tape show anything?"

Reid turned his face back to the window. "Did you ever wonder what percentage of people who come into the hospital are visiting people who are sick as opposed to being injured?"

Rossi and Prentiss exchanged amused looks. Then with a chuckle, Rossi took a drink of coffee and studied the young genius.

"It's not uppermost on my list of things I'm concerned about," he replied sarcastically.

JJ nudged Reid's arm to get his attention again. "Spence, the security tape?"

Reid studied the trio in front of him and sighed. "I watched the tape. You can see the UnSub leave Hotch's room and walk down the hall, until he reached the end of the hall, and turned the corner. The last time I saw him, the door he walked through led to a stairwell, and that's when I lost him. They are no cameras in the stairwells, so I have no idea at what floor he left the stairwell. I contacted Garcia and had the tapes, frame-by-frame, sent to her to see if she can find anything." He took a long drink of coffee. "My opinion? Our UnSub left the hospital using the stairwell. As everybody still considered him to be Doctor Sinclair, he would have no trouble when he left the hospital. And by the time it was realized he was an imposter, it was too late."

The others sighed wearily and hung their heads. Rossi then looked up with a grim expression on his face.

"What's bugging you, Rossi?" asked Prentiss before she took a drink of coffee.

"I suspect we may have a bigger problem than originally thought," the older man replied with a faraway look in his eyes.

Reid stared into the older man's eyes.

"Meaning what?" he asked.

Rossi explained Emily's concern with one of their own. Reid narrowed his hazel eyes as he mulled over the consequences of Rossi's statement.

"You suspect one of our own could be involved in hurting Hotch?" he asked. The thought alone sickened the young agent.

Rossi shook his head. "We don't know for sure. JJ has Garcia running a background check on Jason Hemminger. Hopefully she'll find something. Regardless, I have a sickening feeling our UnSub has gotten somebody to help. And we have no idea who that someone is." He drank his coffee.

(1) Gideon's involvement with Adrian Bale was brought to light in WON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN, Season 1.