Polar Opposites ~ Aaron Hotchner

Chapter 32

Third POV

Derek runs into the hospital after the nurses tell the team where Hotch and his sister are. He sees Emily in a room, her head down as she sits in the chair meant for guests/family. "Prentiss!" She lifts her head and stands up. She points to her left and Derek runs into the room to see Abigail unconscious on the hospital bed. His eyes burn as he leans down and kisses her forehead, lingering for a second as he tries to remind himself that she's alive and she's okay.

"Morgan," He turns and sees Rossi waving him over. He huffs, sparing Abbi one last glance, wiping away his unshed tears before walking over.

"They still aren't conscious yet," Emily informs.

"You sure it was Foyet?" Rossi inquires, not understanding

"He had Morgan's credentials," Emily explains, reminding the group that Foyet had taken them before.

"Did they catch him on the security cam?" Derek inquires, his voice more level as he gains his focus.

"You could see him dropping Hotch off, then a few moments later he drops off Abigail. But the camera's only on the entrance, so I have no idea what direction he went once he left the hospital," Emily answers honestly.

"It doesn't make sense for him to have brought them to the E. R.," JJ says softly, her eyes bouncing between her boss and her friend.

"We know Foyet gets off on power and control. Maybe what he wants is for Hotch to know his life and his fiance's was in his hands," Rossi offers up a suggestion.

"He could do that without risking the hospital," Derek counters.

"Agents, they're waking up," The Doctor informs. "Remember, they're weak. Don't push 'em,"

They split into two, Rossi and JJ heading for Hotch while Emily and Derek beeline for Abbi. "Aaron," She whispers so quietly they barely hear her. Derek leans down, pressing his hand to the top of her head, her eyes slowly finding his. "Derek? Where am I?"

"In the hospital," He answers softly as her eyes roam around his face.

"Where's Aaron?" Her eyes widen as she grows frantic, Derek pushing her back into the bed as she tries to move.

"He's here. He's here," Her eyes well with tears as she begins to cry softly, her hand grabbing Derek's shirt and pulling him closer. He leans down and allows her to sob into his chest, his hand holding her free hand and kissing the top of her head gently.

"Where is Abbi?" That's the first thing Hotch asks the two Agents. It's the only thing he can think about right now.

"She's here. Morgan and Prentiss are with her," Rossi answers quickly to avoid raising the heart rate of the already distressed man.

"Where am I?"

"In the hospital,"

"How did I get here?" He continues to ask them more questions than they've asked him.

"Foyet drove you," JJ answers.

"Can you remember what happened?" Emily and Rossi both ask the question from different sides of the room, the inquiring sending the injured couple into a flashback of the night's events.

"What did he take?" Hotch asks after swallowing for the fifth time, his voice hoarse and dry.

"What do you mean?" Rossi inquires.

"The Reaper always takes something from his victims," Hotch explains. "Do we know what he took?"

"Emily said there was a page missing from your day planner in the address section, the b's," JJ answers.