Chapter 18

Hotch had slipped his hand a few inches out of his restraints when the door to the room suddenly opened making him wince and quickly push his hand back in.

Not now...not now!

It was the red-headed nurse. He remembered seeing her the first time he was sedated, propping his pillows, fixing his sheets as he had slowly lost his hold on consciousness.

"Miss Garcia?"

Garcia looked up from her laptop, then moved to the door.

"There's a Jessica Brooks here, she says she's Agent Hotchner's sister-in-law and would like to see him." whispered Cadence.

Garcia frowned, glancing at Hotch then stepped out of the room with the nurse.

Jessica stood by the nurse's station in jeans and a white blouse, looking out of sorts; when she saw Garcia she moved towards her.

"I'd like to see him, I can't wait any longer. Jack keeps asking when his dad is coming home and I don't know what to tell him anymore!" she breathed deeply trying to catch her breath.

"It's okay. " Garcia touched her shoulder and nodded at the door.

"Does…does he remember Jack?"

"He told me he's starting to remember some things," smiled Garcia. "He said he remembered who I am. We just need to go slow with him, he's been through a lot."

Jessica nodded, lips tight and stepped to the door. Agent Cade knew that Hotch's family was on the list of approved visitors, so he nodded and held the door opened as she walked inside, the door swinging closed behind her.

Hotch almost had a full hand out of the restraints when the door re-opened.

For the love of..!

Would these people just leave him alone!

He pushed his hand back through the restraint.

"Hi Aaron." said a small voice.

He looked up at the woman standing by the door her short blonde hair shimmering in the overhead light and a sudden feeling of coldness rushed through him, a flash of blonde hair, a pool of blood…

Without thinking, he breathed out, "Haley?"

Jessica froze.

"Aaron, it's me, Jessica."

Hotch frowned and shook his head.

He had said something a moment ago, but he couldn't grab onto it as it left his memory.

She said her name was Jessica.

"Hi Jessica." he smiled.

Ten minutes later he had what he needed.

She had opened up her wallet to show him a picture.

"It's Haley, with Jack." Her voice sounded hopeful.

What Hotch was looking at instead was her driver's license across from the photo.

He needed a car.

Slipping his hand from the restraint was much easier this time.

Later, Jessica would recall the events in snapshots.

One minute she was talking to Hotch.

Then pain as his hand grasped her neck.

Hotch's eyes as he forced her to undo the rest of his restraints.

The coldness in his voice when they stood by the door to the room and he made her call for the agent standing outside.

Her fear when he shoved her to the ground next to the unconscious agent and using the man's gun ordered her to be still, as he changed into the man's clothing.

Then time seemed to jump and they were outside, heading to her car, panic slamming into her at the feel of the gun he took from the agent pressed up against her back.

As they neared the car, she fumbled with her keys.

"Aaron, please..." she whispered, she needed to get through to him. She repeated his name again as she felt him grab onto her arm and she turned her head in time to see him lean to the side bending slightly as he threw up.

"Let me help you." she pleaded.

Once finished, Hotch swayed slightly, his grip still firm on her arm; he swiped the back of the hand holding the gun across his mouth and pushed her forward to the car.

"Get in...get in or I'll shoot." was his muttered response.

Once in her car, she felt his breath on her neck as he leaned forward from the back seat.

"Drive." he ordered.

Garcia had wanted to give Hotch and his sister-in-law some time alone so she had gone to the cafeteria to get some coffee and to phone Morgan to tell him about Jessica's visit and Hotch's returning memory.

"How was the meeting?" she asked as she made her way back to the room, her cellphone to her ear and take-out cup in her other hand.

"More, interrogation than meeting, Momma; we're still suspended for now pending further questioning." muttered Morgan in reply.

"Well, I have some news that will cheer you all up. Hotch is starting to remember...he knew who I was, Morgan! I told him I spoke with Jessica and Jack and I think that may have sparked his memory!"

The sudden silence on the other end made her come to a stop in the hallway.

"Derek?"

A heavy sigh echoed through the phone line.

"Penelope, you didn't tell him you spoke with them...I did; that's why he knew your name...he doesn't remember you."

"But he..." she started, overwhelmed by a sudden feeling of embarrassment and dread. "Jessica...she stopped by to see him...I left them alone..."

"You need to get back to his room, now!" The urgency in Morgan's voice was all she needed to hear.

"I'm so…how could...!" Garcia severed the line and dropped her coffee in a nearby garbage, the sound of her heels echoing down the hallway as she quickly headed back to the room.

The crowd around Hotch's room almost caused Garcia's knees to buckle.

No no no no!

She saw Hotch's doctor coming out of his room and Garcia moved towards her past the several orderlies and nurses who stood nearby.

"What happened?" she asked, fearful that her stupidity had gotten Jessica hurt or even worse, dead.

Dr. Allery was visibly upset.

"Agent Hotchner is gone, he got out of his restraints."

Garcia paled.

What had she done?

"What about Jessica, Miss Brooks?" Garcia peered into the room, gasping at the blood on the floor.

"That's Agent Cade's blood." stated the doctor. "Who is this Miss Brooks?"

"Agent Hotchner's sister-in-law, she came to visit about 15 minutes ago; Cadence, the nurse saw her."

The doctor's frown deepened.

"Cadence was found unconscious in a stairwell, she's being looked at as we speak along with Agent Cade, they both most likely have concussions." she paused. "If your Miss Brooks didn't leave on her own, she may have helped him leave or we may be looking at a possible abduction. I'll have to get the authorities involved."

"Please, not yet. Let me call my team, we'll find him and Jessica and we'll deal with the assaults on your nurse and Agent Cade."

When she saw the doctor hesitate, Garcia in a rare move grabbed the woman's arm.

"Agent Hotchner needs our help…please."

The doctor paused, surprised at the sudden seriousness of the colourful woman.

"Call your team." she finally said, pulling away from Garcia. "I need to check on Cadence and Agent Cade."

Garcia dialed quickly.

-TBC-