A/N: Just one more chapter and then the Epilogue.
Chapter 68
Hotch had been on his knees on the bed and immobilized the entire time. Being face-down on the mattress, he was unable to discover what happened to Foyet and Reid. And worst of all, he was stuck in this humiliating position on his knees, naked, with his butt in the air. And being unable to see what was happening terrified him more than anything. He wanted…no, he needed to know what happened to Reid.
He panicked when hearing the gunshot echo in the room and reverberate throughout the hallway outside the door. Then something heavy landed on top of him pressing him against the mattress, but he had no idea who or what it was. His eyes became moist fearful the weight on top of him might be Reid.
Suddenly, the pressure on top of him was gone much to his relief. But still being face-down on the mattress, he couldn't figure out what was happening. A pair of hands gently turned him over and laid him flat on his back. A blanket was pulled up and over him as a shield, protecting his naked body from any curious eyes. His eyes were met by those of Spencer Reid.
Hotch wanted to hug the younger man to him and shed tears of joy seeing his youngest alive and apparently unharmed. But he was still unable to move or speak.
"Hotch, are you all right?" Reid had asked with hands on both shoulders, and a look of fear and deep concern on his face. Hotch opened his mouth but as no words came forth, all he did was blink repeatedly and hoped the genius understood. He did.
Reid looked over his shoulder at someone but he was unable to tell who.
"Emily, get a doctor in here! Hotch has been drugged possibly with Succinylcholine!" he heard Reid shout. He was aware nothing sexual had happened for which he was grateful. And being unable to move or speak at the moment, he hoped he would be all right in the end. But in the deep recesses of his mind, he wondered what if the paralysis was not temporary but permanent. How would he handle it if that happened? How would his team? How would Jack?
Reid turned back to look at Hotch and the corners of his mouth curled upward.
"I know what you're thinking, and the effects of Succinylcholine aren't permanent. You'll be all right in a few hours when the effects wear off, I'm sure of it. Foyet only gave you enough to immobilize you so you were unable to move or speak. If he wanted to kill you right away, he would have given you an overdose causing you to suffocate. He didn't do that."
Hotch blinked in rapid succession again. Reid's smile widened.
"He can't hurt you anymore, Hotch. I shot him. He's dead."
Hotch's eyes showed his relief. But Reid sensed there was another concern at work within his boss. Concern about him which, despite his boss's current state, was typical of the Unit Chief.
"Don't worry about me, Hotch. I'm fine. I have no regrets over having killed him. In fact, I'd do it again if he tried to hurt you or anybody else in my family." He rested a hand on his boss's good arm and grinned. "Remember when JJ was forced to shoot and kill that deputy who wanted to kill Garcia?" Hotch blinked showing he did remember. "She told Garcia you do what you have to to protect your family. That's how I feel. All of you are part of my family along with my mom. You personally are like a father to me and I couldn't let him hurt you again like that. I promise you I'm fine." (1) Hearing a noise nearby, Reid looked over to see Morgan, now completely satisfied Foyet was dead, getting to his feet. He approached the bed and stood beside the young genius, staring down fearfully at his Unit Chief.
"Kid, is Hotch really gonna be all right?" he asked glancing up at Reid.
"I believe so," Reid admitted, eyes still on Hotch. "That is he should be in a few hours."
"And are you?"
Reid raised his head this time to look into the eyes of his best friend. He saw the concern in them.
"Am I what?" he asked with confused eyes.
"All right. I know what you told Hotch, but I'm askin' you now. And don't lie to me cause I'll know it."
Reid smiled sincerely. "I'm not lying, Derek. I really am fine. Or as fine as one can be despite having just shot and killed someone."
Morgan stared into those hazel eyes looking for any signs of deception and found none. But even the young man's words didn't stop him from worrying about the genius he considered a little brother. He recalled how Reid was troubled after having killed Phillip Dowd who held him, Hotch, and many hospital employees hostage. (2) The fact that the young man had shown no emotion this time had Morgan worrying about PTSD (3).
Reid understood that Morgan was as worried about him as was Hotch. But he really had no regrets or problems having killed the man who hurt their leader. And would do it again as he had killed a woman who resembled JJ, his godson's mother. And despite having no guilt, Morgan was still studying him as if he was a fragile piece of glass and he found it unnerving.
"Derek, instead of staring at me, why don't you check with Garcia and make sure she's all right seeing as she saw the entire thing happen. Then contact Rossi and JJ and tell them Foyet's dead and Hotch is safe. I'll stay with Hotch and wait for the doctor."
As if on cue, Morgan's cell vibrated. The agent removed the cell from his pocket and checked the caller ID. A slight smile appeared.
"Speak of the Devil," he chuckled and put the phone to his ear.
"Hey, Baby Girl, I was just gonna call you." He smiled his famous megawatt smile. "Yes, mama, Hotch is fine despite being drugged. I realize you saw everything as it happened, but I promise you we're all okay. What d'ya mean how can I be sure Boss-man's okay? I'm sure because Pretty Boy says Boss-man will be all right when the drug wears off in a couple of hours. And yes, Foyet's dead. Pretty Boy shot 'im before he did do anything else to our fearless leader. I gotta go, Sweetness. Call you later. What? No, nothin's wrong." He rolled his eyes toward the heavens. "I'm not lyin' to you, momma. I just have to help clean things up here, that's all. Hey, close that big motor-mouth of yours and listen for a minute. That's not necessary Baby Girl." He shook his head and chuckled. "Okay, okay. I know better than to argue with one Ms. Penelope Garcia. We'll see you in a few then. Bye." Morgan disconnected the call and put the cell back in his pocket. Clasping his fingers together, he placed them behind his neck and blew out a deep breath through his mouth.
Reid was forced to smirk imagining the conversation as he looked at his friend.
"She's coming here, isn't she?"
"Yep. She said she wants to see for herself that Boss-man and the rest of us are all right, and she won't take no for an answer." He then looked down at Hotch. "She also said she's gonna bring you something, and not to ask what cause she wouldn't tell me." He folded his arms across his chest and smirked. "But after the teddy bear, man, I'd be worried."
Both men spotted the concern in Hotch's eyes and chuckled. Then Morgan's face became serious as he again looked at Hotch. "She also said she recorded the entire thing with Foyet from the time he entered your room until the kid here killed 'im. She'll hold onto it until you or Rossi decide what to do with it now as he's dead. She also contacted JJ and Rossi before she called me, so they both should be here in a few minutes." The black agent chuckled. Reid looked down at his friend and boss again. "Hotch, the doctor will be here soon. I'll make sure he asks yes or no questions as you can't talk. Will that be all right with you?"
Hotch blinked once indicating it was all right with him.
But before anybody could say anything in response, Prentiss pushed open the door and hurried into the room with a doctor and two nurses behind her. A concerned Rossi and JJ were behind them. Emily's dark eyes focused solely on the Unit Chief.
"Hotch!" she shouted.
"Reid, how's Hotch?!" shouted JJ.
"Aaron!" shouted Rossi.
Both Morgan and Reid turned and looked. Morgan, as he was facing the newcomers, held up his hands palms forward.
"Whoa, hold on, people! Hotch is fine, the kid here is fine, and I'm fine. I swear."
As the doctor and nurses approached Hotch, they stared at the body on the floor now covered with a white sheet. A spot of blood marked where the body beneath had been shot. The doctor glanced at the agents and ordered them to all wait outside while he examined the patient. None of them really wanted to leave Hotch alone right now, but understood why it had to be done. As they started out the door, Hotch started blinking repeatedly. Fortunately Morgan noticed it.
"Reid, Hotch is tryin' to catch your attention. I think he wants something from you."
The young genius turned back to the Unit Chief and looked down at him. He put a hand on his boss's shoulder. "Hotch, do you want me to stay while the doctor examines you?"
Hotch, tiring, managed to blink once.
With a smile, Reid faced the doctor and stared at him. "I will be staying with Agent Hotchner while you examine him."
But the doctor stared at the younger man, annoyed. How dare this youngster tell me he won't leave! Who the hell does he think he is! "I'm sorry, but that is not acceptable. I don't know who you are but you will have to leave…"
With more confidence than ever, Spencer stepped closer to the doctor until he was now toe-to-toe with the man. "I'll tell you who I am, doctor. My name is Spencer Reid…Doctor Spencer Reid, and I am an FBI agent. And I don't think you understood me. Agent Hotchner wants me to stay with him, and stay I will. So I suggest you respect his decision, and do what you need to do, or get out and we'll find another doctor. Take it or leave it."
Also, sensing trouble, Rossi moved closer himself and glared in the doctor's face with his version of the 'Hotchner stare.'
"Before you answer Doctor Reid, doctor, and I use your title loosely, I suggest you think very carefully. Agent Hotchner wants Doctor Reid to stay. He was here when Agent Hotchner was drugged and nearly assaulted by the bastard whose body is on the floor. He understands that Agent Hotchner cannot speak or move right now because he was drugged with Succinylcholine. So he can't tell you what happened to him without Doctor Reid's help. It's your decision, doctor. And as I said earlier, think long and hard before you answer."
Emily, Morgan, Rossi and JJ all stared at their youngest agent with great pride and admiration. Nobody ever expected Reid to stand up for himself, especially when it came to something personal unless it had to do with his own mother, Diana. And to see him stand up for himself in not only a personal matter, but one involving their boss, made them all proud. So proud that they were all willing to back him to the hilt to defend his decision to stay with their boss.
"Well, doctor?" asked Morgan with arms crossed over his chest looking as menacing as he could.
The doctor studied the entire group of agents and let out a deep breath through his mouth. The glares he was receiving intimidated him. In fact, when he glanced at his nurses, he found both of them were staring nervously at him awaiting their instructions. He licked his lips and sighed as he faced the younger man in front of him.
"Please accept my apology, Doctor Reid. I didn't realize how deeply Agent Hotchner would react to being left alone when I examined him. As it might help keep him calm, I would very much prefer it if you stay while I examine him."
Reid smiled. "Thank you, doctor." He glanced at the others with a smile. "We'll be all right, guys. Wait outside for me. I'll join you in the hall once the doctor finishes his examination of Hotch."
As Emily, JJ and Rossi left the room, Morgan approached Reid and gripped his shoulder. He leaned close enough to speak without anybody overhearing. "Nice goin' kid," he said. He then glanced at the covered body. "I'll have somebody pick up the trash so his DNA can be compared with what's on file. My guess? It'll probably match what was found in the nurse, and what we got from Hotch from the first assault."
Reid nodded as Morgan continued walking away and left the room to join the others in the hallway. Now alone, Reid turned to the doctor.
"Anything you need to know or ask, doctor, ask it as a yes or no question. Hotch will blink once for yes and twice for no."
The doctor smiled as he removed the stethoscope hanging around his neck, putting the earplugs in his ears. "I understand." He glanced down at the older man. "Shall we get started, Agent Hotchner?"
Hotch's eyes brightened as he blinked once.
The doctor chuckled. "I'll take that as a yes."
Reid, studying his boss's face, smiled down at him and let his hand rest on the man's shoulder.
Hours later, Hotch was resting on his bed on top of the blanket with the head of the bed elevated. He was happy and relaxed in one way, but impatient and unhappy in another. He was relieved that the doctor's examination had gone well with Reid's help and presence. Relieved that he was finally able to walk and talk again. In fact, once he realized he could move again, he managed to get himself out of bed, unaided, and walk to the nurse's counter, and back to his room. The entire time he had steadied himself by holding onto the railing. He even got himself back into bed by himself.
A smirk appeared as he recalled the shocked expressions of the nurses behind the nurse's counter when they spotted him. He'd been staring at them with an amused grin during his walk. His eyes shifted to the spot on the floor where Foyet's body had landed when Reid pulled him off the bed after killing him. There was no reminder of anything having happened, but that didn't erase the memory. He was just glad that the body had been removed quickly so that a DNA test could be run. But to him, he didn't need a DNA test to confirm that it was Foyet who had killed the nurse and assaulted him.
But now that he was back in bed again, he realized exactly how impatient he was. Impatient that he was still in the hospital and couldn't go home to his son. In addition, as a result of him being attacked by one of the male 'nurses' employed by the hospital, Reid, Morgan and Rossi appointed themselves personal bodyguards. They all sat in chairs overnight in his room. They were determined to keep watch over him, and to make sure nothing even remotely similar happened to him again.
Although he understood their reasoning, Hotch still hated having self-appointed bodyguards. Since Foyet's death, surveillance was no longer necessary. Even the female nurses periodically checked on him during the night because of the attack. It irritated him to no end. Then Dave had decided on his own without talking with him, that after what happened, it was necessary to have someone checking on him regularly. He couldn't wait to give Rossi a piece of his own mind.
But despite everything that had nearly happened earlier, Hotch still felt wonderful. Foyet was dead and he had survived. His nightmare was over at long last. But as suddenly as he smiled with that knowledge, a frown appeared. He finally began to realize exactly how close he had come to being sexually assaulted even worse than the first time, and then killed. His entire body started shaking as panic quickly set in again. He knew what he needed to do now.
With a shaky hand, Hotch grabbed the receiver and while holding it, dialed the digits he wanted. He put the receiver against his ear. Someone answered on the second ring.
"This is Agent Hotchner. Yes, I'm fine physically. But I really need to talk with you about what happened earlier. Can we meet today if possible?" He smiled. "Two o'clock is fine. Also, can we meet in your office? Excellent. I'll see you then. Thanks." He hung up the receiver and looked at his hand. The shaking hadn't lessened any since making the phone call. To Hotch, two o'clock couldn't come soon enough.
(1)The incident referring to Penelope's shooting by a deputy is from the episode PENELOPE, Season 3.
(2)That episode was L.D.S.K. (long distance serial killer) from Season 1.
(3)PTSD stands for Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder.