Chapter 57
"Thank you," Wheaton murmured with a grateful smile. He was aware such generosity was more than he deserved from Jessica all things considered.
"Thanks, Jess," Hotch said with a smile. "I'm grateful." He realized he was asking a lot of his ex-sister-in-law. But in a crunch, he knew he could count on her no matter what the situation. And this was one of those times. He glanced at the wall clock, then at Rossi and Morgan. He didn't have as much time as he had planned before meeting with his team at two p.m. It was possible things might get pushed back somewhat.
"I now believe it's time to visit your daughter, Darryl," Hotch explained. "Morgan, I need you to bring that wheelchair over there closer, and help me into it. Dave, I want you to let my babysitters outside know where I'm going so they don't panic."
"Aaron, don't you have to tell your doctor where you're going if you're gonna leave your room?" Jessica asked.
"Who's leaving this room?" asked a voice. Everybody froze seeing Doctor Correa standing in the doorway with one hand on the door handle. He was studying his patient waiting for an answer to his question.
"I am," Aaron explained in his best Unit Chief voice. "There's somebody important to me in room 345 I need to visit. Also, this man is her father who is going away today and will be gone for a while. So he needs to say goodbye to her as well."
Correa sighed and shook his head. "Agent Hotchner, I cannot have you running all over this hospital despite you feeling better. You are still recovering."
Morgan rolled the wheelchair beside the bed and locked the wheels. "He's not runnin' anywhere, doc. He's takin' his wheels."
Correa's eyes fell on Darryl for the first time, and was mildly curious.
"Doctor Correa, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine, Darryl Wheaton. Darryl, please meet Doctor Correa. He's in charge of my care."
"Mr. Wheaton," Correa said nodding at the man.
"Doc, you take good care of Aaron," Wheaton warned. "Else you'll have to deal with me." He didn't need to add that, but felt he had to say it.
Correa smirked and looked at Hotch. "Now what is this about you leaving your room, agent? But before that, you need to explain to me why you refused your sponge bath? It had been scheduled."
"Sponge bath?" asked Rossi studying his best friend with a raised eyebrow.
"I have a right to refuse it," Hotch stated defending himself. "Especially as I didn't want William Bayville giving it to me."
Morgan eyed Rossi curiously. Rossi was the only one who knew about Hotch's suspicions, but he didn't want to worry the team yet. Especially if they were wrong. The senior agent stared at the younger man with an arched eyebrow. "William Bayville was gonna give you a sponge bath?"
"Yes. And frankly, he appeared a little too disappointed about my refusal. Even Agents Thompson and Grossman noticed."
"Rossi, who's William Bayville?" asked a puzzled Morgan eying the older man.
"I'll tell you later," was the reply.
Doctor Correa appeared puzzled. "I may be missing something here, Agent Hotchner. Why didn't you want William Bayville giving you a sponge bath?"
Before Hotch could open his mouth, Rossi replied to spare his friend. "You're aware of what Agent Hotchner suffered, doctor. I'm sure you can understand why he would not want a strange man putting his hands on him?" He glanced at Hotch who looked back, grateful.
Correa sighed, finally understanding. "My apologies, agents. I'm sorry to say I wasn't thinking when I noticed Mr. Bayville's name assigned to give Agent Hotchner his sponge bath. Again my apologies. I'll see if I can find someone else to do it. Would that be acceptable to you, agent?" he asked Hotch.
"I don't want one, but if I must, I can handle it if someone other than Bayville does it. I'm sorry to cause a problem for you, doctor."
Correa smiled. "No problem. I perfectly understand. Don't give it another thought."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome." Correa blew out a breath through his nose. "Now, can we discuss you visiting a patient?"
Hotch sighed. "As I said, there's a little girl who is being discharged today I want to visit. And she needs to see her father before he goes away. Afterward, I promise I will come straight back to my room. Doctor, I'm not going to lie to you. It's important to her father and to me."
Correa mulled things over for a few seconds. "All right, agent. As you're healing extremely well I'll let you leave your room for an hour. After that, I want you back here and in your bed. Don't make me regret my decision. Understood?"
"I won't. Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet. Are agents Morgan and Rossi going to be with you the entire time?"
"We will," Morgan replied ignoring his boss's glare.
That seemed to satisfy the doctor. "I'll allow it then. But Agent Hotchner, when you return to your room, I will arrange for another nurse to give you a sponge bath after lunch. But let me warn you, if you're not back in your room after one hour, I will have you brought back here. Are we clear on this?"
"We are," Rossi said ignoring the stare he was receiving from Hotch.
"Good. Gentlemen…" Correa remarked as he quietly left the room.
Once the doctor had gone, Hotch shook his head. "Dave, I understand you're worried about me, but I am fine. I just wish you would mind your own business sometimes."
Rossi chuckled. "You're welcome."
The door to Alana Wheaton's room gently opened, and Morgan pushed Hotch's wheelchair into the room. JJ, who had been staying with the little girl since her admittance, looked around when the door open. A smile appeared when she spotted Jessica Brooks, Rossi, Morgan, and her boss enter the room. But she frowned when she spotted Wheaton knowing who he was. She didn't hate the man, but was upset by what he had done to her boss despite understanding the circumstances involved.
"Hotch!" JJ got to her feet, approached her friend, and gave him a gentle hug. "How are you? Are you okay?"
Hotch returned her hug with his good arm. "I'm fine," he said pulling back from the blonde with a smile of his own. "JJ, I believe you've met Alana's father, Darryl Wheaton. I wanted him to visit her before he has to leave. And of course you know Jess."
JJ smiled at Jessica. "Hi, Jess. Good to see you again." She again glared at Darryl Wheaton coldly.
Darryl licked his lips marveling how much Hotch was loved by those he worked with, and hated himself even more for what he had done. But all that fled his mind once his eyes landed on his sleeping daughter. His eyes brimmed with unshed tears and a wide smile emerged.
JJ shook the girl's shoulder more firmly. "Alana?! Wake up, sweetie! Your daddy's here to visit with you. Alana!"
Hearing her daddy was there, the little girl's eyes flew open and a wide smile appeared as she shot upward in bed.
"Daddy!" she cried out reaching out her arms despite an IV needle in the back of one hand.
A huge smile was still on Darryl's face, as he hurried forward engulfed his little girl and held her tightly against his body. "Sweetheart, I'm so happy to see you again! I missed you so much!" He kissed her again and again on the top of her head and on her forehead. The tears now ran freely down his cheeks.
Morgan, Rossi and JJ stood back letting Hotch and Darryl enjoy their visit.
Alana kissed her father's cheek and rested her head on his chest listening to his heart beating. "I missed you too, daddy. I love you so much."
Darryl kissed the top of her head again, inhaling the scent of her shampoo. "And I love you my sweet girl. I love you so much. I was so scared I would never see you again."
"Me too. Daddy, that mean man hurt Diedre." Tears stained her small cheeks. Darryl, cupping her face in his hands, wiped her tears away using the pads of his thumbs.
Wheaton bit his lower lip. "I know, sweetheart, and I'm so, so sorry that happened. I know how much you loved Diedre. But guess what?"
"What daddy?"
"Uncle Hotch and his team are gonna find the mean man who took you from me and hurt Diedre."
It was then Alana realized for the first time that Hotch was there.
"Uncle Hotch!" she cried releasing her father and wrapping her short arms around Hotch's neck, and kissed his cheek. Hotch held her against him, and a smile appeared on his face. "
"How are you sweetie? Feeling any better?" he asked after pulling back.
Alana looked at him and nodded emphatically. "I'm okay, Uncle Hotch. Thank you for bringing me back to my daddy. I love you." She and Hotch again hugged each other. After a few minutes they again pulled apart.
"I'm sorry we couldn't save Diedre, honey," he explained. "But like your dad said, I promise you we will find the bad man who took you and Diedre, and hurt her." Hotch licked his lips. "He will not get away with what he did. Also, he will not hurt you again if I can help it."
Alana smiled and kissed Hotch on the cheek again. "I love you, Uncle Hotch."
"You're welcome, sweetie." Hotch paused a moment as he organized what he needed to say. "Alana, your dad and I need to tell you something and it's important. So we need you to listen to us very carefully. Can you do that for us?"
Alana nodded her head. She released Hotch and sat on her knees, waiting.
Darryl chewed his lower lip as he sat on the edge of the bed near its head, an arm around his daughter's shoulders. "Sweetie, what I have to tell you is that I need to go away, and I have no idea for how long. So I won't be able to see you for awhile."
Alana looked panicked. "Why?"
Wheaton turned to Hotch for help. The agent urged the child to look at him before he continued. He took one of her small hands in his large one.
"Your dad has something to do for me that's very important, and requires him to be away for a little while. But I promise it won't be very long."
"What does he have to do?"
Hotch grinned. "I can't say exactly except that it's really important and not dangerous in any way. So there's no chance of him getting hurt. It's only that I need his help. And when he finishes, I promise you he'll come back to you." The little girl hung her head and sniffled, causing Hotch to bite his lower lip worriedly. "Do you trust me, Alana?" he asked hoping to calm her fears.
"I trust you, Uncle Hotch. Like daddy, I know you wouldn't lie to me." She looked at her father. "Daddy, when do you have to go away?"
"Unfortunately I have to leave in a few minutes. I just wanted to see you and tell you goodbye for a little while."
Alana pouted. "Do you have to leave so soon, daddy? I just got back and now you're leaving me. I don't want you to go. Please, daddy?"
"I'm sorry, sweetie. But guess what?"
"What?"
"While I'm gone, you get to stay with Uncle Hotch and his ex-sister-in-law, Jessica. They're gonna take care of you until I come back. And Uncle Hotch has a little boy so you'll have someone to play with close to your own age. He'll be like the little brother you always wanted."
"Really?" her eyes widened with excitement. "What's his name, Uncle Hotch?"
"His name is Jack, and he's five. He's so excited that you're going to be living with us. He's always wanted a sibling." Hotch looked at Jessica. "And I'd like you to meet my ex-sister-in-law, Jessica. She will be taking care of you and Jack while I'm in here, and when I have to go out of town for work. You can trust her just like you can trust both me and your dad. Jess, meet Alana"
Jess bent forward with hands on knees. "Hi, Alana. I'm so pleased to meet you. And my nephew Jack is looking forward to meeting you."
"Hi," Alana said nervously. "Uncle Hotch says I can trust you."
"You can, honey. Your Uncle Hotch and I are more than close friends. In fact, he and I are family."
Alana paused a few minutes. "You are? Daddy always said family is important. So I'll trust you."
Jess smiled. "He's right about family, and I'd like that," she added.
"In fact," Hotch continued. "When you leave here, you'll be going home with Jess. And if your father is still away when I get out of here, you'll stay with me unless I go out of town. And when I do, Jess will take care of you and Jack. Then when I come home, I'll pick up both of you. How's that?"
"Okay, Uncle Hotch. Thank you."
"You're welcome, sweetie." He glanced at the wall clock, then at Rossi and JJ. "JJ, find Alana's doctor and get her discharge papers. Dave, can you and Darryl head out? Wait for Derek in the hallway outside my room. He won't be long and then the three of you can leave." Hotch didn't want the little girl to witness her father being handcuffed and led out. And he trusted Wheaton not to try anything or to try and escape. Also, Hotch realized he was running behind schedule.
"Sure, Aaron," Rossi said stepping forward after JJ left the room on her assignment. He gently took Darryl's arm, but the man hesitated. Instead, he gently pulled free and hugged his daughter one last time.
"I have to go now, sweetheart, even though I don't want to leave you. But the sooner I leave, the sooner I can come back to you. Now you be a good girl for Uncle Hotch and Jess." He kissed her on the head again as tears flowed with both parties. "I'm just so happy you're safe. I promise once I come back, I will never, ever, leave you again." He kissed her on the forehead again. "I love you so, so much."
"I love you too, daddy. Be careful," Alana replied kissing her father's cheek again then the two pulled apart.
Darryl nodded subtly to Rossi and the older man took his arm again. With one last look back at his daughter, he smiled and opened the door.
Rossi glanced at Morgan. "We'll wait for you in the hall near Aaron's room," he explained. Morgan nodded.
Hotch sighed and found Morgan studying him. "You ready to return to your room, Hotch?" he asked.
"Yeah, I am." The Unit Chief studied the child. "Alana, I have to go back to my room now or my doctor is gonna be very upset with me. But when Jennifer returns with your doctor, he will probably give you a final examination before he signs off on your discharge papers. After that, Jessica will take you home with her."
"Will Jack be there, Uncle Hotch?"
"Jack is in school right now, so he'll be home later. But I have to leave now." He hugged her one more time and she returned it. "I am so glad you're all right. And maybe Jess will bring you back here so we can visit again. And as soon as I'm out of here, I'll be home with you and Jack." He kissed her forehead. She in turn, kissed his cheek again.
"I love you, Uncle Hotch." They released each other. Morgan then took the handles of Hotch's wheelchair and rolled it out of the room. As they headed away down the hall, they took notice of JJ and who they assumed was Alana's doctor, heading toward the room they had just left. The doctor had several folded papers in the pocket of his white coat Hotch assumed were the discharge papers.
"I hope she'll be all right, Morgan," Hotch said without looking back at his agent.
"With you and Jess lookin' after her, Hotch, she's gonna be fine." Morgan spotted Rossi and a now handcuffed Wheaton waiting outside Hotch's room with two of the four bodyguards. Both men figured the other two guards were inside the room waiting for Hotch to return.
Morgan wheeled Hotch into his room, and helped the injured agent back into bed before he moved the wheelchair to the far corner of the room and locked the wheels. As he headed in the direction of the door, he waved at his boss.
"We'll be back later, Bossman," he said.
Hotch smiled. "If you, Rossi, and JJ are a bit late we'll wait for you. So don't worry about being late."
"Just make sure you eat your lunch, Hotch," Morgan replied sternly. "If I hear different, I'll sic Baby-Girl on ya." He saw his boss chuckle, then left the room.
It was several minutes later that an aide entered the room with a tray bearing Hotch's lunch. When Hotch saw it, he groaned imagining what it contained.
"You're in for a treat for lunch, Agent Hotchner," the aide commented as she sat the plastic tray on the portable tray and rolled it close to Hotch.
"I'll bet," Hotch replied sarcastically.
"Ummm-hmm. Doctor Correa said you can have a small tossed salad with oil and vinegar. A chicken salad sandwich on whole wheat. A side dish of mac and cheese. And for dessert, a chilled fruit cup. You also have a cold bottle of spring water. After lunch, you will be given a sponge bath by one of our nurses."
Hotch's eyebrows arched. "Not William Bayville, I hope. I requested he not be the one to do it."
"No sir. It'll be by Nurse Grainger. She'll take excellent care of you."
Hotch's eyebrows shot upward. "She?" The last thing he needed or wanted was an innocent young lady gawking at his body no matter how professional she was. Or to be scared by the scars he had. It wasn't that he was a prude or anything, and he wasn't ashamed of his body except for the scars resulting from the stabbing by the Reaper. Those scars were why he never wanted anybody, male or female, seeing his naked body no matter what. And only if it was absolutely necessary. And even then, the fewer people the better. He began to feel his nerves getting the better of him.
"Try not to worry, Agent Hotchner," she said calmly, sensing the man's distress. "Nurse Grainger is about your age, and very experienced. Doctor Correa thought you might be more at ease with an older woman as opposed to a young one."
Hotch couldn't find fault with the doctor's reasoning, but he still had doubts. All he knew was he didn't want a man to do it. And since Rossi wasn't there, it really didn't leave him many options other than refusing the sponge bath again. But he had agreed to it as long as the doctor replaced William Bayville. He groaned quietly.
"Thank you," was all he could say.
"You're welcome, sir." The aide left Hotch alone to enjoy his lunch which even he had to admit sounded more appetizing than breakfast. He began to eat and put all thoughts of a sponge bath out of his mind for now. Once he finished eating, he moved the tray aside, lowered the head of the bed, and closed his eyes but not sleeping.
About thirty minutes after he finished lunch, Hotch's eyebrows arched when the door to his room opened. In walked a black female nurse somewhere in her forties with graying hair worn in a bun in the back of her head. She pushed a cart on which sat toiletries, wash towels, a wash basin, toilet paper, a bath towel, a face towel, bed linen, and clean clothes. She glared at the two men standing guard. They took the hint, and left the room knowing privacy was required once they saw what supplies were on the cart. Now alone with Hotch, she smiled warmly at the agent whose nerves started getting the better of him again.
"I'm Nurse Grainger, Agent Hotchner. I'm here to give you your sponge bath. I'm an old hand at this so there's no need to be nervous. Besides, I'm sure a handsome man like yourself has nothing about which to be embarrassed." She gripped the edge of the curtain and pulled it around the entire bed. "This is so we'll have complete privacy," she added.
She could see the nervousness growing in Hotch's eyes and kept her voice calm. "I will be explaining what I'm doing as I'm doing it so you'll know what's going on the entire time. And if there's something you're not comfortable with, please let me know." She put on her Latex gloves, grabbed the remote for the bed, and elevated the head of the bed so Hotch was now in a sitting position. Then she lowered the bed railing on the right side to allow better access to the patient. All Hotch could do is squeeze his eyes shut.
Prentiss checked her watch noticing it was about three-twenty, and let out a deep breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She glanced at Rossi seated beside her. The older man was casually leaning back against the back of the bench with legs crossed, and arms folded over his chest.
"Rossi?" she asked. No response. "Hello? Is anybody there? Rossi!"
Rossi jerked as if startled. "Sorry. I was kinda lost in thought for awhile. Something on your mind, Emily?"
"Hotch did say two o'clock, didn't he?" she asked.
"Yep," Rossi replied glancing at the time. He jerked his chin toward the guards. "But you heard the guards. He got back to his room late from seeing Alana Wheaton, then had a late lunch. Now he's getting a sponge bath." He chuckled.
"What's so funny?" asked Prentiss seeing a smirk on the man's face.
"I'm just trying to imagine Hotch getting a sponge bath from a woman."
Prentiss chuckled herself. "I'm surprised there's no earthquake taking place right now."
Morgan, seated on the opposite side of Rossi smirked. "Maybe she's a fine young thing who likes a handsome man with dimples."
"Ewww, that is so gross," Emily complained. "Only you would think of something like that, Derek. A fine young thing who likes dimples. Hotch isn't like that. He's probably embarrassed, especially since the Reaper stabbed him and left those scars."
For a few minutes everybody was silent recalling how embarrassed Hotch was by the permanent scars on his upper body. What must be going through his mind right now after the nurse giving him a bath saw them? Everybody felt badly for their boss. It was a few more minutes before someone spoke.
"I wouldn't be embarrassed if it was me instead of Hotch," Morgan replied with a lopsided grin hoping to lighten the mood. "Havin' some fine young thing inventorying the fine assets of one Derek Morgan would have no idea how lucky she is."
"That's awfully conceited, isn't it?" asked Reid seated opposite Morgan with his long legs crossed and arms folded.
"Thank heavens," Emily added. "Bless you, Reid."
Morgan looked at Reid. "Hey, kid, just because I have the lean physique a woman finds desirable and you don't, don't knock it."
"I have a lean physique," Reid stated indignantly. "I just prefer not to brag about it like you."
Morgan's eyebrows arched. "I don't brag about my body, do I Rossi?"
"Only all the time," Rossi teased.
Morgan eyed the blonde agent. "You're awfully quiet over there, Miss Pennsylvania."
JJ snickered and held up both hands in defense. "Hey. Leave me outta this. The only male physique I find attractive is my husband's."
They all continued to gang up on Morgan until the door to Hotch's room opened, and an older woman pushed a cart out, closing it behind her. She smiled at the agents and continued down the hall.
"I think that's our cue that Hotch is now free," Rossi smirked getting to his feet. "Let's go, children. We have a meeting with our fearless leader and we better not keep ' im waiting."
The others got to their feet and followed the older man, each of them wondering what greeting they would get, and what mood Hotch would be in after having a sponge bath…by a woman.
Rossi gripped the door handle and turned it.