Scars

Chapter Fourteen

*Hotch's POV*

I felt like hell. There was a fire burning in my abdomen. My head was spinning, and my mouth was dry. I heard a faint beeping and could smell nothing really. It smelled clean and I realized I was probably in the hospital. I remembered standing on the side of a highway with Mikey. I remember her confessing everything. I remember our kiss and getting in the SUV. I remember holding hands and then nothing. It's black. I tried to open my eyes, but I was drained of energy. I needed to know if the team knew and where Mikey is. I heard a female voice.

"Here's Mr. Hotchner. I'll take you to Ms. Michaels next."

"I'd like to talk to him if that's ok," Reid said. Thank god I thought. The team knew and was here. They had probably already told Jessica and Jack. But I needed to know how Mikey is. That's all I cared about right now. I heard footsteps and tried again to open my eyes with some luck.

"If it's a random fact, Reid, I don't want it," I said quietly. I had found my voice and coughed. I needed water. My voice was deep and cracked. I saw Reid smile and grab my water for me. I took it gratefully.

"Mr. Hotchner, you're awake. I'll grab the doctor. Excuse me," the female said. She was dressed in scrubs, so I figured it was my nurse. I drank my water and Reid set it back down.

"Where's Michaels?" I asked. Reid looked at the door and I saw Rossi, Morgan, and Prentiss. Morgan was on the phone. They didn't answer right away, and my heart dropped. "Is she..." I felt my eyes water and my gut tightened.

"No, no, no. She's alive. But she's in critical condition," Rossi said. He walked into the room followed by Prentiss. Morgan stayed in the hallway on the phone. Good, I thought. I hadn't gotten her killed. I sat up in the bed as much as I could to drink. As I swallowed, pain grew from my abdomen. Swallowing the water hurt. I knew the doctors wouldn't let me, but I needed to see Sara. I believed them but I needed to see it with my own eyes.

"You need rest, Hotch. Reid and I will go check on Sara," Prentiss said. She looked at me and I nodded in thanks. Rossi grabbed my water back from me and set it on my side table. The same nurse came in with a doctor. She smiled at me and walked over to my chart.

"Wow, full house," she said with a smile. "Hi Mr. Hotchner. I'm Dr. Andrews. This is Nurse Stafford. How're you feeling?" I closed my eyes to focus.

"I'm feeling pain in my abdomen. I had some water which helped my throat. My head hurts a bit but it's not terrible." The doctor nodded and looked at my vitals.

"You seem to be stable for now. I'd still like to keep you for a couple days for observation. With your history, I'd like to make sure you have no underlying side effects. You broke a couple ribs and have a severe concussion. Do you remember what happened?" Dr. Andrews asked. I closed my eyes and tried to focus.

"I remember holding Mikey's hand and then nothing. It goes black," I replied quietly. I nodded at Reid for more water. He smiled and held the straw up to my mouth. I felt weak that I was immobilized yet again. I swallowed the water and nodded a thank you at Reid. "How did we get found? Prentiss, did you track us?" Prentiss looked at the others with a confused and concerned look on her face.

"Hotch," was all she said. She folded her hands and pursed her lips.

"What? What am I missing?" I was concerned now. Did something happen to Mikey?

"Hotch, you really can't remember?" Morgan said. I shook my head and felt tears at the back of my eyes.

"Some short-term amnesia is normal for traumatic injuries and it'll come back in time," Dr. Stafford said. I knew that. I was told that after I got blown up. I looked away from the doctor and at the team.

"Tell me. What am I missing?" I asked again. I needed to know now. I didn't want to wait until I remembered it on my own.

"Hotch, you called for help. You called 911 and even patched Emily through to the operator," Reid answered. I looked at him confused. I called for help? How could I not remember that?