Saving Agent Hotchner | 1

10. Unexpected visitors

14 hours after Y/N's surgery was successfully over and she was in recovery, Hotch received a message from Strauss.

Erin: A new case has popped up. Get back to Quantico ASAP.

There were points in Hotch's career that he wished he wasn't the head of the BAU. This was one of those points. When he saw the message on his phone, he rolled his eyes before looking up at Y/N who was still unconscious. She had been unconscious since she was out of surgery. If Hotch was honest, he didn't want to leave her side. He wanted to be right by her side when she woke up. He felt safe with her and to know that he and the team were needed for a case, he hated it.

So, against his judgement, he and the team were on their way back to Quantico 2 hours later. He hated being far away from Y/N, but Penelope reassured him that all updates on her condition would be directed to her - and in turn, the team. What he was unaware of was the fact that Penelope had spoken to Strauss and had pulled some strings.

———

"Where're we off to now?" JJ asked as everyone boarded the jet, their go bags in one hand and their case files in the other.

"Flagstaff, Arizona." Spencer flipped through the file in his hands, as he was the first to sit down.

"Lovely." Emily chuckled.

For the next 25 minutes, the team was briefed on the way to their new destination. The case wasn't anything different, but it was still important.

Usually, Penelope would say a funny quip for the team to enjoy, or she'd be given an order by Hotch. This time was different. Once the case was briefed and the tasks had been assigned, everyone watched as Penelope stayed on the call, exhaling.

"Is there something else, Penelope?" Rossi tilted his head, confused.

"Actually, yes. As you all know, I had contacted the hospital where Y/N was recovering and asked that all updates be directed to me so that I could contact you all." Penelope explained.

"Okay?" JJ furrowed her eyebrows.

"What you don't know is that I spoke to Strauss, who reluctantly agreed to have Y/N transferred to the hospital closest to the BAU office. I also asked Strauss if I could work from the hospital. She was initially confused, but when I explained why, she allowed me to." Penelope smiled.

"Wait, is Y/N there now?" Hotch asked, slightly surprised.

"She's being transported there as we speak. They said they'd call me when she arrived. So, hopefully the next time you see me, I'll be calling from the hospital." Penelope nodded.

"Great. That's really great, Penelope." Emily smiled.

"Oh, hold on, the hospital is calling." Penelope ended the call for a brief minute before calling back.

"Is everything okay?" Spencer questioned.

"Everything is more than okay. Y/N has successfully been transferred to the hospital and adding to the good news, she's regained consciousness. She hasn't yet woken up, but she's moving her fingers!" Penelope cheered before ending the call, leaving everyone with the cheerful update.

———

Penelope made her way through the hospital, excited to see her best friend. The moment she saw Y/N laying on the hospital bed. She exhaled, sitting down. Penelope quietly pulled out her computers and files, intending to quietly work on the case while keeping an eye on Y/N. As Penelope worked, she heard footsteps approaching the room. Looking up, she was surprised to see Haley and Jack standing in the doorway.

"Haley? Jack? What are you two doing here?" Penelope asked, confused.

"JJ contacted me. Y/N and I were close before I divorced Hotch, and we remained close. When I heard that she was shot, I knew that Jack wanted to see her." Haley admitted, entering the room.

"Well, she's not awake yet, but she can definitely hear you. Feel free to talk to her." Penelope nodded, getting back to work.

Haley and Jack got close to the bed, glancing at Y/N who was still fast asleep.

"Be careful, honey." Haley warned as Jack stood on his tippy-toes to place a kiss on Y/N's cheek.

Haley placed a small teddy bear on Y/N's bedside table. Jack sat on a nearby chair, holding Y/N's hand. Haley smiled at this gesture and sat down nearby. When Jack was born, Y/N was quick to offer her help. Whenever Y/N wasn't on a case with Hotch, she was either at home, or hanging out with Haley and Jack. Haley had a folder on her phone dedicated to the friendship that Y/N had with her and Jack.

As Penelope worked, she would glance over at Haley and Jack, both of whom took turned talking to Y/N. Although she might not have been awake, Penelope was sure that Y/N would've loved to know that Haley and Jack came to visit her.

One thing Penelope had witnessed was Hotch's fondness toward Y/N. Of course, if that fondness had turned into actual affection, he wouldn't have done or said anything while he was still married to Haley. So, when she started noticing Hotch's behaviour with Y/N - whether Y/N was aware or not - she knew that Hotch had feelings for her, and those feelings had been around for a while. Maybe not since Hotch and Y/N met, but at least since his marriage ended.

Was there a slightly large age gap between Y/N and Hotch? Yes. Was it frowned upon for Agents to date members of their own team? Yes. Was it even more frowned upon for a boss to date their employee? Yes. But, in Penelope's eyes, both Y/N and Hotch were consenting adults, which only left one issue if they even considered the idea of dating: Strauss.

Strauss was a stickler for the rules, and had made a huge point about Hotch's ability - or lack thereof - to lead the BAU. In fact, she had been using the smallest of broken rules to sink the team. When Gideon left, she made a point of insisting that Hotch leave the team as well.